Mr. Gerrish rose, with the air of rising in his own good time, and said, with dry pomp, “Mr. Moderator, I have prepared a resolution, which I will ask you to read to this meeting.” He held up a paper as he spoke, and then passed it to the minister, who opened and read it-- “_Whereas_, It is indispensable to the prosperity and well-being of any and every organisation, and especially of a Christian church, that the teachings of its minister be in accord with the convictions of a majority of its members upon vital questions of eternal interest, with the end and aim of securing the greatest efficiency of that body in the community, as an example and a shining light before men to guide their steps in the strait and narrow path; therefore, “_Resolved_, That a committee of this society be appointed to inquire if such is the case in the instance of the Rev. Julius W. Peck, and be instructed to report upon the same.” A satisfied expectation expressed itself in the silence that followed the reading of the paper, whatever pain and shame were mixed with the satisfaction. If the contempt of kindly usage shown in offering such a resolution without warning or private notice to the minister shocked many by its brutality, still it was satisfactory to find that Mr. Gerrish had intended to seize the first chance of airing his grievance, as everybody had said he would do. Mr. Peck looked up from the paper and across the intervening pews at Mr. Gerrish. “Do I understand that you move the adoption of this resolution?” “Why, certainly, sir,” said Mr. Gerrish, with an accent of supercilious surprise. “You did not say so,” said the minister gently. “Does any one second Brother Gerrish's motion?” A murmur of amusement followed Mr. Peck's reminder to Mr. Gerrish, and an ironical voice called out-- “Mr. Moderator!” “Mr. Putney.” “I think it important that the sense of the meeting should be taken on the question the resolution raises. I therefore second the motion for its adoption.” Putney sat down, and the murmur now broadened into something like a general laugh, hushed as with a sudden sense of the impropriety. Mr. Gerrish had gradually sunk into his seat, but now he rose again, and when the minister formally announced the motion before the meeting, he called, sharply, “Mr. Moderator!” “Brother Gerrish,” responded the minister, in recognition. “I wish to offer a few remarks in support of the resolution which I have had the honour--the duty, I _would_ say--of laying before this meeting.” He jerked his head forward at the last word, and slid the fingers of his right hand into the breast of his coat like an orator, and stood very straight. “I have no desire, sir, to make this the occasion of a personal question between myself and my pastor. But, sir, the question has been forced upon me against my will and my--my consent; and I was obliged on the last ensuing Sabbath, when I sat in this place, to enter my public protest against it.