"Why, sir, I mean, like these Meredith was reading about. I know such people. They are selfish, and envious, and get angry, care for nobody in the world but themselves, and are not at all particular about telling the truth." "Therefore _not_ good people." "But they are members of the Church, sir, and they go to the Communion." "Don't you know, the Lord forewarned His disciples that a large portion of His so-called Church would be none of His? You need not be surprised at it. It is just what He told us would be." "Then how are we to know?" "You can know with certainty about yourself," said Mr. Murray with a smile. "It is not difficult to find out in your own heart whether Christ or self comes first. For other people, you can afford to wait till the judge comes, cannot you?" "You are thinking, Flo, are you not, that this man and his family were just about the right pattern?" said her brother. "I think such people are pleasant," Flora confessed. "They make no pretences. That man seems to have been just and kind and nice." "Ah, you make a mistake," said Mr. Murray again. "We all make pretences, of one sort or another, true or false. Such people as you are speaking of pretend _not_ to be Christians; and no doubt with perfect truth." "But is not God pleased with justice and kindness and benevolence?" "_With_ disobedience?" "Surely He commands us to love one another?" "He commands first that we love _Him_." "Isn't that loving Him?" "Love always shows itself towards the beloved one; _afterwards_ towards the objects the beloved one cares for." "May I go on?" said Meredith as Flora paused. "I think my story will illustrate this." "Go on, by all means. Perhaps an illustration will make it clear to everybody."