In The Cathedral by Hugh Walpole, the Revd Wiston is being interviewed by one of the Canons. He declares:
‘I believe, Canon Ronder, that before many years are out it will become clear to the whole world that there are now two religions: the religion of authority, and the religion of the spirit. If I were invited to a canonry, or to any post immediately connected with the Cathedral, I would not accept it for an instant. I come, if I come at all, to fight the Cathedral – that is to fight everything in it, round and about it, that prevents me from seeing clearly the figure of Christ.’
To which Canon Ronder replies, ‘Exactly! The Christian Church has made a golden calf of its dogmas. The Calf is worshipped, the Cathedral enshrines it.’
Wiston then says, ‘I care only for Jesus Christ. He is overshadowed now by all the great buildings that men have raised to Him. He is lost from our view. We must recover Him. I would love Christ better in that garden than in the cathedral.’
