登陆注册
19593600000025

第25章

Fyodor Pavlovitch, who had given his word to sit still and be quiet, had actually been quiet for some time, but he watched his neighbour Miusov with an ironical little smile, obviously enjoying his discomfiture.He had been waiting for some time to pay off old scores, and now he could not let the opportunity slip.Bending over his shoulder he began teasing him again in a whisper.

"Why didn't you go away just now, after the 'courteously kissing'?

Why did you consent to remain in such unseemly company? It was because you felt insulted and aggrieved, and you remained to vindicate yourself by showing off your intelligence.Now you won't go till you've displayed your intellect to them.""You again?...On the contrary, I'm just going.""You'll be the last, the last of all to go!" Fyodor Pavlovitch delivered him another thrust, almost at the moment of Father Zossima's return.

The discussion died down for a moment, but the elder, seating himself in his former place, looked at them all as though cordially inviting them to go on.Alyosha, who knew every expression of his face, saw that he was fearfully exhausted and making a great effort.

Of late he had been liable to fainting fits from exhaustion.His face had the pallor that was common before such attacks, and his lips were white.But he evidently did not want to break up the party.He seemed to have some special object of his own in keeping them.What object? Alyosha watched him intently.

"We are discussing this gentleman's most interesting article,"said Father Iosif, the librarian, addressing the elder, and indicating Ivan."He brings forward much that is new, but I think the argument cuts both ways.It is an article written in answer to a book by an ecclesiastical authority on the question of the ecclesiastical court, and the scope of its jurisdiction.""I'm sorry I have not read your article, but I've heard of it,"said the elder, looking keenly and intently at Ivan.

"He takes up a most interesting position," continued the Father Librarian."As far as Church jurisdiction is concerned he is apparently quite opposed to the separation of Church from State.""That's interesting.But in what sense?" Father Zossima asked Ivan.

The latter, at last, answered him, not condescendingly, as Alyosha had feared, but with modesty and reserve, with evident goodwill and apparently without the slightest arrierepensee "I start from the position that this confusion of elements, that is, of the essential principles of Church and State, will, of course, go on for ever, in spite of the fact that it is impossible for them to mingle, and that the confusion of these elements cannot lead to any consistent or even normal results, for there is falsity at the very foundation of it.Compromise between the Church and State in such questions as, for instance, jurisdiction, is, to my thinking, impossible in any real sense.My clerical opponent maintains that the Church holds a precise and defined position in the State.Imaintain, on the contrary, that the Church ought to include the whole State, and not simply to occupy a corner in it, and, if this is, for some reason, impossible at present, then it ought, in reality, to be set up as the direct and chief aim of the future development of Christian society!""Perfectly true," Father Paissy, the silent and learned monk, assented with fervour and decision.

"The purest Ultramontanism!" cried Miusov impatiently, crossing and recrossing his legs.

"Oh, well, we have no mountains," cried Father Iosif, and turning to the elder he continued: "Observe the answer he makes to the following 'fundamental and essential' propositions of his opponent, who is, you must note, an ecclesiastic.First, that 'no social organisation can or ought to arrogate to itself power to dispose of the civic and political rights of its members.' Secondly, that 'criminal and civil jurisdiction ought not to belong to the Church, and is inconsistent with its nature, both as a divine institution and as an organisation of men for religious objects,' and, finally, in the third place, 'the Church is a kingdom not of this world.'

"A most unworthy play upon words for an ecclesiastic!" Father Paissy could not refrain from breaking in again."I have read the book which you have answered," he added, addressing Ivan, "and was astounded at the words 'The Church is a kingdom not of this world.'If it is not of this world, then it cannot exist on earth at all.In the Gospel, the words 'not of this world' are not used in that sense.To play with such words is indefensible.Our Lord Jesus Christ came to set up the Church upon earth.The Kingdom of Heaven, of course, is not of this world, but in Heaven; but it is only entered through the Church which has been founded and established upon earth.And so a frivolous play upon words in such a connection is unpardonable and improper.The Church is, in truth, a kingdom and ordained to rule, and in the end must undoubtedly become the kingdom ruling over all the earth.For that we have the divine promise."He ceased speaking suddenly, as though checking himself.After listening attentively and respectfully Ivan went on, addressing the elder with perfect composure and as before with ready cordiality:

同类推荐
  • Life in the Iron-Mills

    Life in the Iron-Mills

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 公孙龙子

    公孙龙子

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 系乐府十二首 陇上

    系乐府十二首 陇上

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • THE NEW MAGDALEN

    THE NEW MAGDALEN

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 双凤奇缘

    双凤奇缘

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 剑道争锋

    剑道争锋

    大千世界,百家争鸣,万道争锋。强者为所欲为,弱者皆为刀俎。我堂堂七尺男儿,岂能任人鱼肉?当以手中之剑破苍穹,定乾坤,斩神灭魔,傲视天地。境界划分:肉身境,开元境,真罡境,万象境,天人境,炼魂境,化星境……
  • 血咒:拒嫁鬼将军

    血咒:拒嫁鬼将军

    我叫聂影,十八岁上大学那一年,我遇上了我的舍友加生死姐妹——陈婉,她把我当妹妹,而她妈妈把我当成了女儿一般对待;我觉得,这是老天对我唯一的垂怜!可是,也是从哪个时候开始,我经常做一个梦,同样的梦——冰冷无情的送殡队伍、诡异奢华的棺椁、还有漫天飞舞的纸钱……这个梦,重复再重复,却从未找到过答案。直到我在梦境中看见了棺椁中的尸体,心痛如绞……答应了陈婉去见一个法师,却不知道为何,与我曾有过丝毫关联的男性,都相继死去;一个个的谜团扑面而来,我不得已在梦中寻求答案……却发现,那棺椁里的男子,竟是我今生挚爱——解血咒、寻归路、求厮守,成了我生生世世无法摆脱的噩梦!
  • DreamHighEXO

    DreamHighEXO

    我叫明明,也可以叫我桃桃,喜欢EXO,本命黄子韬。我一周最少更一次。不定。谢谢支持!行星饭们看过来呀!
  • 痞夫之怒

    痞夫之怒

    身怀绝技的退伍兵只想安心赚钱。却屡屡被人追杀!身边美女不断。到底是桃花运还是桃花劫?当马子明无路可退时,逆来顺受,还是绝地反击?
  • 真实纪元

    真实纪元

    一个虚拟的游戏世界,一场无法退出的游戏,这一切的一切究竟是一场阴谋,还是……
  • 催眠王妃,晚安摄政王

    催眠王妃,晚安摄政王

    这年头怪事特别多,公鸡也能当人使。可男人=公鸡?"锦哗!给我滚过来!""王妃,何事?""听说你是公鸡?"某妃媚眼轻挑。萧锦哗的脸绿了,一个猛扑上前,咬牙切齿道:"是人是鸡,试试便知。"某妃拽着他的衣领,翻身坐在身上,邪笑道:"既然是鸡,自当本妃在上,你在下。"【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 制霸时空

    制霸时空

    位面守护者,能穿越到不同的位面,见识大千世界,而他们的任务是——带回穿越者。林若凯就是一名让人羡慕的位面守护者,本该飞黄腾达,步步走上人生巅峰,但他却是史上最低分的位面守护者!姥姥不亲,舅舅不爱。受人白眼与嘲讽,却让他奋发自强,走上了一条不一样的道路……“我要让整个时空都成为我的主场!”
  • 雀圣皇后

    雀圣皇后

    这不是坑爹呢么?别人穿越都是皇帝妃子,不然也是个达官贵人,最不济穿越成个包子也能来个炫酷逆袭,怎么一到白歌身上就变成了还是平凡的不能再平凡的乡村无知少女呢?虽然我啥都不会,看我用麻将玩转异世。
  • 青春之痒

    青春之痒

    青春就像一朵花,总是带来无限惊喜,就像那年,满怀梦想的我们。年少轻狂,热血激昂!
  • 风水相师

    风水相师

    一个刚被炒了鱿鱼的上班族,却因为偶然的一个事件踏入了一个不可逆转的漩涡,从此,鬼灵精怪伴随左右,周易玄经再不离手。是什么让一切都变得如此不同,是灾难降临,还是黑手复制看张帆丰玮溪如何凭借自己去化解这一场场的灾劫,去探索那事情背后隐藏的真相。