"It is hard," said Samuel; "but I have been wrestling with myself. We
must not hate these people. They have done evil to us, but they do not
realize it--they are poor human beings like the rest of us."
"But they are bad, selfish people!" exclaimed the child.
"I have thought it all out," said he. "I have been walking the streets
all day, thinking about it. And I will not let myself feel anything
but pity for them. They have done me wrong, but it is nothing to the
wrong they have done themselves."
"Oh, Samuel, you are so good!" exclaimed Sophie; and he winced--
because that was what Miss Gladys had said to him.
"I had to settle it with myself," he explained. "I have got to carry
on a fight against them, and I have to be sure that I'm not just
venting my spite."
"What are you going to do?" asked Sophie.
"I am going to put the facts before the congregation of the church. If
they will do nothing, I am going to the people."
"But how, Samuel?"
"I am going to call a meeting. See, I have written this."
And he took from his pocket a piece of paper, on which he had printed,
in capital letters, as follows:
TO THE MEMBERS OF ST. MATTHEWS!
"There is corruption in the church. Members of its vestry have bribed
the government of the town. They are robbing the people. The vestry
has refused me a hearing and turned me out of the church. I appeal to
the congregation.
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