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me； when I think about this subject； as a kind of bewilderment when I
try to conceive of a consciousness filling all those frightful blanks
of space they talk about。 I sometimes doubt whether that young man
worships anything but the stars。 They tell me that many young
students of science like him never see the inside of a church。 I
cannot help wishing they did。 It humanizes people； quite apart from
any higher influence it exerts upon them。 One reason； perhaps； why
they do not care to go to places of worship is that they are liable
to hear the questions they know something about handled in sermons by
those who know very much less about them。 And so they lose a great
deal。 Almost every human being； however vague his notions of the
Power addressed； is capable of being lifted and solemnized by the
exercise of public prayer。 When I was a young girl we travelled in
Europe； and I visited Ferney with my parents； and I remember we all
stopped before a chapel； and I read upon its front； I knew Latin
enough to understand it； I am pleased to say；Deo erexit Voltaire。
I never forgot it； and knowing what a sad scoffer he was at most
sacred things； I could not but be impressed with the fact that even
he was not satisfied with himself； until he had shown his devotion in
a public and lasting form。
We all want religion sooner or later。 I am afraid there are some who
have no natural turn for it； as there are persons without an ear for
music； to which； if I remember right； I heard one of you comparing
what you called religious genius。 But sorrow and misery bring even
these to know what it means； in a great many instances。 May I not
say to you； my friend； that I am one who has learned the secret of
the inner life by the discipline of trials in the life of outward
circumstance？ I can remember the time when I thought more about the
shade of color in a ribbon； whether it matched my complexion or not；
than I did about my spiritual interests in this world or the next。
It was needful that I should learn the meaning of that text； 〃Whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth。〃
Since I have been taught in the school of trial I have felt； as I
never could before； how precious an inheritance is the smallest
patrimony of faith。 When everything seemed gone from me； I found I
had still one possession。 The bruised reed that I had never leaned
on became my staff。 The smoking flax which had been a worry to my
eyes burst into flame； and I lighted the taper at it which has since
guided all my footsteps。 And I am but one of the thousands who have
had the same experience。 They have been through the depths of
affliction； and know the needs of the human soul。 It will find its
God in the unseen；Father； Saviour； Divine Spirit； Virgin Mother； it
must and will breathe its longings and its griefs into the heart of a
Being capable of understanding all its necessities and sympathizing
with all its woes。
I am jealous； yes； I own I am jealous of any word； spoken or written；
that would tend to impair that birthright of reverence which becomes
for so many in after years the basis of a deeper religious sentiment。
And yet； as I have said； I cannot and will not shut my eyes to the
problems which may seriously affect our modes of conceiving the
eternal truths on which； and by which； our souls must live。 What a
fearful time is this into which we poor sensitive and timid creatures
are born！ I suppose the life of every century has more or less
special resemblance to that of some particular Apostle。 I cannot
help thinking this century has Thomas for its model。 How do you
suppose the other Apostles felt when that experimental philosopher
explored the wounds of the Being who to them was divine with his
inquisitive forefinger？ In our time that finger has multiplied
itself into ten thousand thousand implements of research； challenging
all mysteries； weighing the world as in a balance； and sifting
through its prisms and spectroscopes the light that comes from the
throne of the Eternal。
Pity us； dear Lord； pity us！ The peace in believing which belonged
to other ages is not for us。 Again Thy wounds are opened that we may
know whether it is the blood of one like ourselves which flows from
them； or whether it is a Divinity that is bleeding for His creatures。
Wilt Thou not take the doubt of Thy children whom the time commands
to try all things in the place of the unquestioning faith of earlier
and simpler…hearted generations？ We too have need of Thee。 Thy
martyrs in other ages were cast into the flames； but no fire could
touch their immortal and indestructible faith。 We sit in safety and
in peace； so far as these poor bodies are concerned； but our
cherished beliefs； the hopes； the trust that stayed the hearts of
those we loved who have gone before us； are cast into the fiery
furnace of an age which is fast turning to dross the certainties and
the sanctities once prized as our most precious inheritance。
You will understand me； my dear sir； and all my solicitudes and
apprehensions。 Had I never been assailed by the questions that meet
all thinking persons in our time； I might not have thought so
anxiously about the risk of perplexing others。 I know as well as you
must that there are many articles of belief clinging to the skirts of
our time which are the bequests of the ages of ignorance that God
winked at。 But for all that I would train a child in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord； according to the simplest and best creed I
could disentangle from those barbarisms； and I would in every way try
to keep up in young persons that standard of reverence for all sacred
subjects which may； without any violent transition； grow and ripen
into the devotion of later years。 Believe me；
Very sincerely yours；
I have thought a good deal about this letter and the writer of it
lately。 She seemed at first removed to a distance from all of us；
but here I find myself in somewhat near relations with her。 What has
surprised me more than that； however； is to find that she is becoming
so much acquainted with the Register of Deeds。 Of all persons in the
world； I should least have thought of him as like to be interested in
her； and still less； if possible； of her fancying him。 I can only
say they have been in pretty close conversation several times of
late； and； if I dared to think it of so very calm and dignified a
personage； I should say that her color was a little heightened after
one or more of these interviews。 No！ that would be too absurd！ But
I begin to think nothing is absurd in the matter of the relations of
the two sexes； and if this high…bred woman fancies the attentions of
a piece of human machinery like this elderly individual； it is none
of my business。
I have been at work on some more of the Young Astronomer's lines。 I
find less occasion for meddling with them as he grows more used to
versification。 I think I could analyze the processes going on in his
mind； and the conflict of instincts which he cannot in the nature of
things understand。 But it is as well to give the reader a chance to
find out for himself what is going on in the young man's heart and
intel