_ XIX
ASKING Father Missael on his arrival to take a seat, the bishop
told him what had happened in his diocese.
"It all comes from weakness of spirit and from ignorance.
You are a learned man, and I rely on you. Go to the village,
call the parishioners together, and convince them of their error."
"If your Grace bids me go, and you give me your blessing, I will do my best,"
said Father Missael. He was very pleased with the task entrusted to him.
Every opportunity he could find to demonstrate the firmness of his faith
was a boon to him. In trying to convince others he was chiefly intent on
persuading himself that he was really a firm believer.
"Do your best. I am greatly distressed about my flock,"
said the bishop, leisurely taking a cup with his white plump
hands from the servant who brought in the tea.
"Why is there only one kind of jam? Bring another," he said to the servant.
"I am greatly distressed," he went on, turning to Father Missael.
Missael earnestly desired to prove his zeal; but, being a man
of small means, he asked to be paid for the expenses of his journey;
and being afraid of the rough people who might be ill-dis-posed
towards him, he also asked the bishop to get him an order from
the governor of the province, so that the local police might
help him in case of need. The bishop complied with his wishes,
and Missael got his things ready with the help of his servant
and his cook. They furnished him with a case full of wine,
and a basket with the victuals he might need in going
to such a lonely place. Fully provided with all he wanted,
he started for the village to which he was commissioned.
He was pleasantly conscious of the importance of his mission.
All his doubts as to his own faith passed away, and he was
now fully convinced of its reality.
His thoughts, far from being concerned with the real foundation of his creed--
this was accepted as an axiom--were occupied with the arguments used against
the forms of worship. _