"Are you a religious man?"
"Yes: I am."
"Then your reproof of my thoughtless words was very proper; but to unchristianize a fellow for such a remark is really too bad."
"I did not unchristianize you, but gave honestly the impression your words conveyed to my mind. And now by way of apology for the sharp manner in which I spoke, may I return your question: 'Are you a religious man?'"
"Well, yes: I am certainly baptized, and am regular in attendance at church with my family; but after all I am not quite right, as there are mysteries in the faith which trouble me."
"Are you a new creature in Christ Jesus?"
"That doctrine has no doubt a depth of meaning and much beauty in it, but I can only see the beauty. With me it is not a reality, as the longer I live the more difficult it is for me to conceive of the Almighty God and a vile creature, an unit among hundreds of millions, holding intercourse and affecting a transaction between them."
"And yet such is the fact, established by the verities of the Truth Himself, who has said, 'Your heavenly Father will give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.'" And then pressing the arm of the gentleman, the speaker continued, "It is thus: just as matter can influence matter, so can spirit influence spirit. Your body feels the grasp of my hand, and it is as possible for your soul to be touched by the Holy Spirit of God and to be made conscious of that blessed influence."
The conversation was continued, and deepened in interest until the omnibus came to the end of its journey in the suburb. The passengers alighted, and then the gentleman in a most graceful way said, "You have, sir, reproved me wisely, and made the truth, which for years has disturbed me, so plain, that duty to myself requires me to ask your friendship, certainly for the favour of another long conversation."
"I am much occupied," was the reply, "but will gladly spare an hour or so to-morrow evening, should you be disengaged."