ould offend him, as an earthly monarch would be
angered if a sentinel did not pay him due honor. But the childish
tricks and farces which we daily see performed with the utmost
seriousness, and even take part in ourselves, have gradually made us in
earnest. People in Catholic countries believe that they offend this
God,--whom they call all-good and all-wise--if they pass a church
without removing their hats or making the sign of the cross, and in
many Protestant houses they do not appease their hunger without asking
the Saviour to share the meal. This is child's play, and very harmless
and even pleasing, if in these little pious, symbolical exercises, men
did not lose the capacity to realize the vast heights and depths of the
idea of God, that would be worthy of this vast universe. But you make
him out what you are yourselves, a being irritable, capricious, and so
susceptible to flattery that he cannot bear to have a man, at a rare
piece of good fortune, cry out: 'Well done;' but at once spoils the
poor mortal's mirth. If forsooth nothing can be gained by a formal
suit, he must try again to appease him, a being, that with all his
majestic designs, does not suffer a sparrow to fall from the roof
without serving his purpose, let alone a poor slater, who leaves a wife
and children penniless.

"Very well; let them model their household God as they choose and can.
But why do they rage with fire and sword or angry denunciations against
all who cannot make the magnificent creation harmonize with such a
creator, who to atone for the contradictions and mysteries, hardships
and delusions of life, seek something besides the rewards and
compensations to be received: in another world? Why should one who
troubles nobody with his wanderings and searchings, not be permitted to
fight his way through at his own risk, but always be forced to walk on
the great high road, where by the rays of the privileged lights so much
is done and approved that is utterly repulsive to him.

"_Later_.--My father too--in his tender affectionate way--has also
asked what I think of N--r. I made no concealment of my utter
indifference, and begged him to inform the worthy man that he might
cherish no delusions. 'You know,' said I, 'I have always been a
terribly obstinate child, and only one person has had with me the
patience I need--yourself. I should be a simpleton if I left you to
quarrel with somebody else who will not even listen to what I say, but
alre