I cannot be a materialist -- but Oh, how is it possible that a God who speaks to all hearts can let Belgravia go laughing to a vicious luxury, and Whitechapel cursing to a filthy debauchery -- such suffering, such dreadful suffering -- and shall the short years of Christ's mission atone for it all?

Summary

This quote reflects a conflict between the speaker's belief in God and the stark disparity in living conditions between the wealthy and the impoverished. The speaker questions how a God who supposedly touches the hearts of people allows the affluent to indulge in vicious luxury while the impoverished in Whitechapel endure wretched suffering. They express doubt that the few years of Christ's mission can adequately compensate for the immense injustice and inequality. The quote highlights the tension between faith and the glaring social and economic disparities that exist in society.

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