ind of pain — will he continue to endure if once he is assured that beneath the precipice from which he will presently be hurled there is — Nothing？ Knowing all they must be called upon to suffer at the best； will he breed children； perhaps to see them thrown from the stark cliff before his eyes and there to cease to be for ever？ （The case of France； where I believe faith grows very weak； seems to give answer to this question。 Yesterday I read that in that country during 1911 the deaths exceeded the births by over thirty thousand。 My conviction is that； unless faith returns to her in some form； as a nation France is doomed。 She will fall as Rome fell； and from the same cause。）
In short； I hold that God and a belief in a future life where there is no more pain and tears are wiped from off all faces are necessities to civilised and thoughtful man； and that without them； slowly perhaps； but surely； he will cease to be。 He will mit suicide when Fortune frowns； as did the Roman who had outgrown his gods； he will refuse to propagate his kind； as do the French。 Why should he breed them to be the bread of Death？
Such are the conclusions at which I have arrived after many years of reflection which began at the time of my great grief。 They may be right or they may be wrong； that the future history of the white races will reveal。 At least I believe in them。 Nor do I believe alone。 But yesterday I was speaking on these matters to a bishop of the English Church； a very able and enlightened man。 I found that my views were his views； and my conclusions his conclusions。 Also he thought； as I do； that many of our present troubles； industrial and other； arise from the loss of faith among men。 The feast of Life； such as it is； is spread before their eyes。 They would help the