After the choir had sung "Amen," he
raised his hands in invocation--and at that awesome moment I saw
Carpenter come striding up the aisle!
XXXVIII
He knew just where he was going, and walked so fast that before
anyone had time to realize what was happening, he was on the altar
steps, and facing the congregation. You could hear the gasp of
amazement; he was so absolutely identical with the painted figure
over his head, that if he had remained still, you could not have
told which was painting and which was flesh and blood. The rector in
the pulpit stood with his mouth open, staring as if seeing a ghost.
The prophet stretched out both his hands, and pointed two accusing
fingers at the congregation. His voice rang out, stern and
commanding: "Let this mockery cease!" Again he cried: "What do ye
with my Name?" And pointing over his head: "Ye crucify me in stained
glass!"
There came murmurs from the congregation, the first mutterings of a
storm. "Oh! Outrageous! Blasphemy!"
"Blasphemy?" cried Carpenter.
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