I let them stay.
He then went about his evening prayers, took out his idol, and removed the paper fireboard.

By certain signs and symptoms, I thought he seemed anxious for me to join him; but well knowing what was to follow, I deliberated a moment whether, in case he invited me, I would comply or otherwise.
I was a good Christian; born and bred in the bosom of the infallible Presbyterian Church.

How then could I unite with this wild idolator in worshipping his piece of wood?
But what is worship?
thought I.Do you suppose now, Ishmael, that the magnanimous God of heaven and earth--pagans and all included--can possibly be jealous of an insignificant bit of black wood?
Impossible! But what is worship ?--to do the will of God--THAT is worship.

And what is the will of God ?--to do to my fellow man what I would have my fellow man to do to me--THAT is the will of God.

Now, Queequeg is my fellow man.