He had, no doubt, before this heard many complaints against the latter, but he had laughed them aside.

No theologian himself, he had found the questions hitherto raised in respect of Wingfold's teaching, altogether beyond the pale of his interest.

He could not comprehend why people should not content themselves with being good Christians, minding their own affairs, going to church, and so feeling safe for the next world.
What did opinion matter as long as they were good Christians?
He did not exactly know what he believed himself, but he hoped he was none the less of a Christian for that! Was it not enough to hold fast whatever lay in the apostles', the Nicene, and the Athanasian creed, without splitting metaphysical hairs with your neighbor?
But was it decent that his curate should be hand and glove with one who denied the existence of God?
He did not for a moment doubt the faith of Wingfold; but a man must have some respect for appearances: appearances were facts as well as realities were facts.

An honest man must not keep company with a thief, if he would escape the judgment of being of thievish kind.

Something must be done; probably something said would be enough, and the rector was now on his way to say it..