Salem Chapel · Chapter
XLIII explained
Arthur Vincent delivers his final sermon at Salem Chapel and resigns his pulpit, despite a deputation offering increased salary and a silver salver.
What happens
Arthur Vincent delivers his final sermon at Salem Chapel and resigns his pulpit, despite a deputation offering increased salary and a silver salver. His mother, Mrs. Vincent, is disappointed but accepts his resolve. The congregation is deeply moved, and after Vincent's departure, Mr. Beecher takes over and eventually marries Phoebe Tozer. Vincent enters the literary world, founding the Philosophical Review, and after several years, meets his mother, sister Susan, and Alice at Folkestone. He is astonished by Susan's transformation into a majestic woman and Alice's grace, feeling a renewed sense of hope and inspiration.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition vs. Duty
Arthur Vincent chooses to resign his pulpit despite the congregation's offers, prioritizing his personal convictions and literary ambitions over the duty to remain as minister.
Family and Filial Duty
Mrs. Vincent's pride and disappointment in Arthur's decision, and the family reunion at Folkestone, highlight the tensions and bonds of familial duty.
Love and Romantic Illusion
Vincent's renewed hope and fascination upon seeing Alice and Susan, with the 'loves and the hopes' returning, suggests the reawakening of romantic and idealistic feelings.
Characters to notice
- Arthur Vincent
Resigns his pulpit at Salem Chapel despite offers of increased salary and a silver salver; delivers a moving final sermon; later becomes a writer and founder of the Philosophical Review; meets his mother, Susan, and Alice at Folkestone, where he is stunned by Susan's transformation.
- Mrs. Vincent
Bitterly disappointed by Arthur's resignation but proud of his resolve; meets him at Folkestone with Susan and Alice, unchanged in appearance but emotional at the reunion.
- Susan Vincent
Returns from abroad transformed into a tall, majestic woman with a calm and commanding presence; reunites with Arthur at Folkestone, speaking with a low, liquid voice.
- Alice
Returns with Susan from abroad, now described as a 'little wise woman' with fairy lightness; meets Arthur at Folkestone and is slightly mortified by his initial distraction.
- Mr. Tozer
Part of the deputation offering Vincent increased salary; deeply moved during Vincent's final sermon, wiping his face with a red handkerchief; absent from Salem for three Sundays afterward.
- Phoebe Tozer
Marries Mr. Beecher about six months after Vincent's departure, becoming a suitable minister's wife at Salem.
- Mr. Beecher
Called from Homerton to replace Vincent at Salem; makes a good impression and later marries Phoebe Tozer; proves more tractable than Vincent.
- Mr. Tufton
Blesses the marriage of Mr. Beecher and Phoebe Tozer.
Key passages
“But the deputation and the increased salary and the silver salver were all ineffectual. Arthur would not hear reason, as his mother knew.”
Despite the congregation's offer of a higher salary and a silver salver, Arthur refused to reconsider his resignation, as his mother had anticipated.
Highlights Arthur's firm resolve against material incentives.
“He had his battle to fight, and fought it out in silence, saying little to anyone.”
Vincent faced his struggles privately, without confiding in others.
Emphasizes Vincent's solitary endurance after leaving Salem.
“The Nonconformist went into literature, as was natural, and was, it is believed in Carlingford, the founder of the Philosophical Review.”
Vincent turned to writing and is thought to have started the Philosophical Review.
Indicates Vincent's shift from ministry to literary pursuits.
“Susan all the same. 'Susan perhaps, since you say so—but not all the same,' said Arthur, with his astonished eyes.”
Susan claimed she was still herself, but Arthur, amazed by her change, disagreed that she was the same person.
Shows Arthur's shock at Susan's physical and personal transformation.
