fro in their little boats of hope； that grow at length so frail and old； and mayhap in the end founder altogether。
Or perhaps they turn in despair and； aware of the overwhelming importance； of the awfulness of the issue indeed； to which all other things are as naught； face the situation afresh； study afresh； think afresh； pray afresh； perchance for years and years。 If so； there is really only one work with which they need trouble themselves； the New Testament； and parts of the Old such as the Psalms。 At least that is my experience — the experience of a plain man in search of truth。
I suppose that for the last fifteen or twenty years； except very occasionally through accident or a sense of unworthiness； scarcely a day has gone over my head on which I have not once （the last thing at night） and often more than once； read a portion of the Bible。 The result is that now I find it fresher； stronger； more convincing； more full of hidden meaning than I did when I began this exercise。 “Search the Scriptures” was a very great and potent saying； for in them I think is life。
What； it may be asked； do you find there； beyond picturesque narrative and the expression of hopes natural to the hearts of members of a race that in a few short years must throb itself to silence？ I answer that in all their main facts they are true。 I have been accustomed to write fiction for a space of nearly a whole generation； and I know something of the business。 Having this experience at my back I declare earnestly that； with a single exception； I do not think it possible that the gospels and the rest can be the work of man’s imagination。 That exception is the Book of Revelation； which might possibly have been conceived by some noble human mind in a wonderful period of spiritual exal