2.
While the advocates of Father Frontford were laboring, the friends of
other candidates were not idle. By the middle of January, however, the
contest had practically narrowed itself down to a struggle between the
supporters of the Father and those of the Rev. Rutherford Strathmore.
Other names had been suggested, but in the end it was felt that there
was no doubt that one or the other of these men would succeed to the
vacant bishopric. Even church politicians are human, and most divisions
are sure sooner or later to arouse the vanity of contestants. The
struggle, which begins without consciously personal motives, is apt to
be strongly tempered by the determination not to be beaten. For
thousands who can accomplish the difficult feat of triumphing humbly,
there is hardly one who can submit to defeat generously; and against
the humiliation of failure the human being instinctively strives with
every power. Those who upheld the rival candidates were undoubtedly
convinced that they had the best interests of the church at heart; but
that meant the election--even at some cost!--of their favorite.
There could be no question that Mr.
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