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:
