"But, Sir, how can you know that he feels sympathy for individual man, unless he tells you so?"
"I believe he does."
"But on what evidence do you base your belief? Because, to believe without evidence, would be as absurd as to withhold belief from preponderating evidence would be reprehensible."
"I infer it, from the very obvious marks of benevolent design which are apparent through the whole range of creation."
"I will not dispute this point; but permit me to ask you whether, in your belief, his sympathy is a species of refined sentimental emotion for his own gratification, or a practical manifestation of sustaining and consoling influence; and whether he sympathizes with every individual man who needs his sympathy, or only a select portion of the great family of suffering humanity?"
"Before I reply to your questions, may I ask if you have any doubt on the question of his sympathy for individual man?"
"I have no doubt on the question of his sympathy and loving-kindness in behalf of those who confide in him, and who love him, because my Bible tells me so; but there is an ambiguity in your form of expression, which, in my judgment, involves a self-evident contradiction, and this is why I have asked for a clear explanation—ambiguity in reasoning being something like a sudden eclipse, which wraps everything in total darkness."
"In my theory, Sir, there is no selection—nothing like that undercurrent of partiality which runs through the Bible; all are treated alike, standing on the same level; and hence my expression, he sympathizes with individual man, means every man."
"And you believe this, without his telling you that he does cherish a practical sympathy for every man."