There ensued a long silence, and Johannes saw nothing but the shining, human face and the eyes, which, full of sorrow and compassion, continued to regard the richly robed priest with a bitter smile. The priest stood motionless, with hanging hands and staring eyes, as if uncertain what next to say or do; but he listened silently for what was coming, as did Johannes and all the others in the church--as if under an overpowering spell. Then came the following words, and so long as they sounded no one could think of anything else--neither of the humble garb of him who spoke, nor of the incomprehensible subjection of his gorgeously arrayed listener: "But you are not yet a man! Would you be a priest of the Most High? "You are not yet redeemed, nor are these others with you redeemed, although you make bold to say so in the name of the Redeemer. "Did your Saviour when upon earth wear cloth of silver and of gold? "There is no redemption yet--neither for you nor for any of yours. The time is not come for the wearing of garments of gold. "Mock not, nor slander. Your ostentation is a travesty of the Most High, and a defamation of your Saviour. "Do you esteem the kingdom of God a trifle, that you array yourself and rejoice, while the world still lies in despair and in shackles?... "You are so commanded to serve your Father in spirit and in truth, and you have served Him with the letter and with lies. "His prophets, who loved the truth better than their lives, you have burned at the stake, and have made them martyrs.... "You pull the carriage of prince and moneyed man, and make grimaces before the powerful. "They build your churches, and you say masses for them, although they be Satan himself.... "What have you done for the sheep committed to your care--for the poor and bereaved--for the oppressed and the disinherited? "Submission you have taught them--ay--submission to Mammon. You have taught them to bow meekly to Satan. "God's light--the light of knowledge--you have withheld from them. Woe be to you! "You have taught them to beg, and to kiss the rod that smote them. You have cloaked the shame of alms-receiving, and have prated of honor in servitude. "Thus have you humbled man, and disfigured the human soul.... "Of the love of the Father you have made commerce--a sinful merchandise. Not because you love virtue do you preach it, but because of the sweet profit. You promise deliverance to all who follow your counsel; but as well can you make a present of moon and stars. "Are you not told to recompense evil with good? And is God less than man that He should do otherwise? "It is well for you that He does not do otherwise, for where then were your salvation? "For you, and you only, are the brood of vipers against whom is kindled the wrath of Him who was gentle with adulterers and murderers." While speaking, the man had risen to his full height, and he now appeared, to all there assembled, impressively tall.