"Oh, that is a terrible reflection on Christians," cried Joy, who, a
born Christ-woman, believed that all professed church members must
feel the same divine spirit of sympathy and charity which burned in
her own sweet soul.

"No, it is a simple truth--an unfortunate fact," the young man
replied. "I preach sermons at such members of my church, but they
seldom take them home. They think I mean somebody else. These are
the people who follow the letter and not the spirit of the church.
But one such member as you, recompenses me for a score of the others.
I felt I must come to you with the Marah Adams affair."

Joy was still thinking of the reflection the rector had cast upon his
congregation. It hurt her, and she protested.

"Oh, surely," she said, "you cannot mean that I am the only one of
the professed Christians in your church who would show mercy and
sympathy to poor Miss Adams. Surely few, very few, would forget
Christ's words to Mary Magdalene, 'Go and sin no more,' or fail to
forgive as He forgave. She has led such a good life all these
years."

The rector smiled sadly.

"You judge others by your own true heart," he said. "But I know the
world as it is. Yes, the members of my church would forgive Miss
Adams for her sin--and cut her dead. They would daily crucify her
and her innocent child by their cold scorn or utter ignoring of them.
They would not allow their daughters to associate with this blameless