The Priest: A Tale of Modernism in New England. Third Edition. 1918

The priest: a tale of modernism in New England - is a book which was published in 1918 and written by William L. Sullivan, an American Unitarian clergyman, prolific author and literary critic. Modernism began with the scientist. It ends with a martyr. It first emerged as a critical science movement associated with debates regarding the date and authorship of some ancient scriptures, as well as the veracity of various venerable texts and institutions. This aspect of the case is now secondary. Modernism's most vital interest today lies in the conflict, the violent and dark conflict that it has thrown at many of the chosen spirits of the race; the conflict between sincerity and compulsory obedience; to be between the pitiless Truth and the most tender affections of life; between a mind that will follow his new light and a heart that will cling to his lifelong devotion. This is a desperate struggle in the presence of outside spectators: on the one hand, loneliness, shame, poverty; on the other hand, the honor, loyalty and memory of those faithful who consecrated the sacred Calvary of the world. Undoubtedly, here, where life operates so powerfully, literature can reverently linger and transform these searches, conflicts, suffering into a theme worthy of its highest art forms. Thus, no apology is required for choosing the topic of this book. But, perhaps, regarding the implementation of the enterprise, the author should say a word in which he doubts whether to apologize or not. In any case, it is frank here. Throughout the book, the author has the deepest feelings about what can be broadly called religion, not art; to faithfully reproduce deep spiritual struggles, not to the technical perfection of the narrative that describes it. And in this last respect, he really did everything in his power. He tried not to forget that he was writing a story and that his conscious effort should be to make as good a story out of it as he could. But, having the opportunity to observe very close at hand many internal experiences and some even external events recorded here, it was a primary task for him to record these experiences and events, with what brightness they possessed in his own experience of the mind, and with what emotions they evoke in his own heart.