Neither the Catholic
Church, nor yet the Church of England allows her clergy to preach in the
streets of cities where there is no lack of churches."
Ernest felt the force of this, and Pryer saw that he wavered.
"We are living," he continued more genially, "in an age of transition,
and in a country which, though it has gained much by the Reformation,
does not perceive how much it has also lost. You cannot and must not
hawk Christ about in the streets as though you were in a heathen country
whose inhabitants had never heard of him. The people here in London have
had ample warning. Every church they pass is a protest to them against
their lives, and a call to them to repent. Every church-bell they hear
is a witness against them, everyone of those whom they meet on Sundays
going to or coming from church is a warning voice from God. If these
countless influences produce no effect upon them, neither will the few
transient words which they would hear from you. You are like Dives, and
think that if one rose from the dead they would hear him. Perhaps they
might; but then you cannot pretend that you have risen from the dead."
Though the last few words were spoken laughingly, there was a sub-sneer
about them which made Ernest wince; but he was quite subdued, and so the
conversation ended.
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