North has," said the rector, as
they walked thoughtfully under the green arches of the elms.
"He lives very near to the other world," said Phyllis; "I think his
eyes have got that clear far-off look with habitually gazing into
eternity. It is a great privilege to talk to him, for one always feels
that he is just from the presence of God."
"I have heard that you are a Dissenter, Miss Fontaine."
"O no, I am not. I am a Methodist."
"That is what I meant."
"But the two are not the same. I am quite sure that the line between
Dissent and Methodism has been well defined from the beginning."
The rector smiled tolerantly down at Phyllis's bright thoughtful face,
and said: "Do young ladies in America study theological history?"
"I think most of them like to understand the foundation upon which
their spiritual faith is built. I have found every side study of
Methodism very interesting. Methodism is a more charitable and a more
spiritual thing than Dissent."
"Are you sure of that?"
"Yes. Dissenters began every-where with showing how fallen was the
Church, how unworthy were her ministers; but Methodism began
every-where with showing her hearers how fallen they themselves were,
and how utterly unworthy. Dissent was convinced that Episcopacy was
wrong; Methodism sprang from a sense of personal guilt.
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