urch would like change, however, they are unable, for various reasons, to affect it. Although culture seems to be moving ahead at full force, the church seems to be stuck in the past. The differences between the catholic and the Methodist church can reveal this. The Catholic Church has organ music, has play, and has drinking, as is seen at the catholic picnic being held at the same time as the Methodist camp. Theron, like society, however, does not want to five up his religion to enter a new life, but instead he wants to incorporate the two. This eventually leads to Theron's breakdown and near death experience at the end of the novel.
             At the opposite pole of Theron stand Dr. Ledsmar and father Forbes. These two men seem to represent a new society, advanced science and religion that reflect the changing and advancing world in which they live. While the Methodist church focuses on non-intellectual issues, morality, externals and appearances, the Catholic Church seems to be focused more in the real world. In father Forbes, we see that it is possible for religion and knowledge to merge, but at the same time are faced with the fact that if unchecked, science could very possibly wipe out religion. Although father Forbes is a priest, he is no longer preaching, and seems to have almost entirely let go of religion, instead pursuing science and learning and fulfilling only a perfunctory rol
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