Shall we write letters of congratulation to him, Earwaker ?' 'A joint epistle, if you like.' Mr.Morton, who had brightened since dinner, began to speak caustically of the form of intellect necessary nowadays in a popular clergyman.
'He must write a good deal,' put in Earwaker, 'and that in a style which would have scandalised the orthodox of the last century.
Rationalised dogma is vastly in demand.' Peak's voice drew attention.
'Two kinds of books dealing with religion are now greatly popular, and will be for a long time.

On the one hand there is that growing body of people who, for whatever reason, tend to agnosticism, but desire to be convinced that agnosticism is respectable; they are eager for anti-dogmatic books, written by men of mark.

They couldn't endure to be classed with Bradlaugh, but they rank themselves confidently with Darwin and Huxley.

Arguments matter little or nothing to them.

They take their rationalism as they do a fashion in dress, anxious only that it shall be "good form".