"Then you have no standard: you let everyone invent his own God, and admit that all may be equally true, or, pardon me for adding, care not if all are equally false?"
"Really I prefer to use more courteous terms to myself, and judge that I exercise Christian charity," said the tutor.
"Not Christian charity, sir, excuse me," said Guy. "True Christian charity declares God's view of man and his condition, and the terms on which they can be reconciled. Sin has made all the disturbance, and caused all the seeming contradictions, and 'the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.' 'He that is our God is the God of salvation,' and that He could not be, if judgment and justice, mercy and truth were not the attributes of His character, and the essence of His rule. Benevolence might pity the fallen, and beauty lament over ruin, but it needed mercy and truth to redeem, while wisdom planned, and love fulfilled the heavenly scheme which proved that God is also just, while justifying the repentant sinner. Pray do not think me presumptuous for holding the light to your straying steps. Take it for your own, and they will become safe and steady."
"You seem so much in earnest, young sir, that I will not charge you with presumption, though methinks more years have passed over my head than over yours, and my experiences and advantages have been greater."
"Years should give wisdom," said Guy, "and I should have been happy to learn from you, had you spoken 'as one having authority;' but if giants in human learning come and assail a boy-believer in the God of the Bible, they must expect a pebble from his sling whether it hits or not, and for that I cannot apologize."
"The people I meet with seem to find it too much trouble to think, and it is rather refreshing to find someone with a mind of his own, so I ask no apology, and shall be happy to become better acquainted," said the stranger, offering his card. "Besides, I think you can give me some information about the school-house yonder. I am told that religious services are to be conducted there, there, for which some minister will be required. My position here leaves a good deal of time on my hands, and if I make up my mind to take orders, do you think it is open to me to offer myself for the post?"
"If I am not presumptuous again," said Guy, unable to conceal his surprise, "I cannot but wonder at the idea of accepting orders to do what you disapprove of doing. Mr. and Mrs. Hazelwood intend that 'the gospel of the grace of God' shall be proclaimed there, and your ideal of God and human need flatly contradicts it."
"Oh, but you don't imagine I should treat those rustics to such subjects as you and I can discuss together! They must be taught to be honest and sober, and speak the truth, and obey their superiors."
"Fruit and flowers!" said Guy. "But you will have to do with thorns and thistles. How will you 'make the tree good' that it may produce 'good fruit'?"
"Oh, we must have patience, and work them round. Now one great means of awing and solemnizing such people has been forgotten: there is nothing striking or impressive about those buildings; they are too simple and plain, and will be entered without reverence or fear; but just drop your ignorant rustics into a magnificent cathedral, and observe the effect! Why they would feel as if all the gods of the universe were present there!"