The metaphor he chose is remarkable, because the church once had a big influence, very much like a thermostat, which regulates air temperatures by supplying a feedback. A thermometer measures shows temperature, but doe not take action. Martin Luther King Jr. used this metaphor to hint that the church should not be simply sitting around watching but should take action on trying to help people.
<span>The description of Old Scratch infers he's a demon.... particularly the "great red eyes". The fact that he is "begrimed with soot" alludes to the fires of Hell. Would he frighten me? Defintely.</span>
