'Listen, young man. There is but one eternal past and future, and one Eternal God only can reign. There is no division of eternal power; so infinite is He, the universe is but a point compared to Him. He dwells above, below, beyond it. No man can follow His presence into the unfathomable abyss, no princely spirit could wing its way to find Him out. Ye worship ye know not what. You have set up the symbols of nature and named it deity. There is no God behind those symbols to answer when you call. You answer yourselves—believe a lie; custom gilds it as a truth.'
'Thou speakest strongly, good man. Dost thou bring proof of thy teachings?'
'My proof is within me: communion with the Spirit of my God. He speaks to me, believe it who may; it is sufficient for me.'
'But what if thou hast lulled thyself into a sweet calm, a calm born of content, worshipping a spiritual ideal? May it not be thus?'
'No.'
'How shall I know that what thou sayest is true?'
'By worshipping my God.'
'And what will follow?'
'The same conscious calm and communion, and thou shalt be the judge.'
'Tell me more of Him. Does He work by love or command?'