nfidel,
as I recall it."

"Doubtless. As have been many of the world's most earnest searchers.
Yet he enunciated much truth, which we to-day are acknowledging. But,
to resume, since Christianity as we know it is based upon the
personality of a man, Jesus, we ask: Can the historicity of Jesus be
established?"

"What! Do you mean: did he ever live?" queried Miss Wall in greater
surprise than before.

"Yes. And if so, is he correctly reported in what we call the Gospels?
Then, did he reveal the truth to his followers? And, lastly, has that
truth been correctly transmitted to us?"

"And," added Hitt, "there is still the question: Assuming that he gave
us the truth, can we apply it successfully to the meeting of our daily
needs?"

"The point is well taken," replied Father Waite. "For, though I may
know that there are very abstruse mathematical principles, yet I may
be utterly unable to demonstrate or use them. But now," he went on,
"we are brought to other vital questions concerning us. They are, I
think, points to which the theologian has given but scant thought. If
we conclude that there is a God, we are confronted with the material
universe and man. Did He create them? And what are their natures and
import?"

"Well!" ejaculated Haynerd. "Seems to me you've cut out a large
assignment for this little party. Those are questions that the world
has played football with for thousands of years. Do you think we can
settle them in a few evenings' study? I think I'll be excused!"

"No! We can't spare you," laughed Father Waite. Then he glanced at
Carmen, who had sat quiet, apparently unhearing, during the remarks.
"I think you will hear things soon that will set you thinking," he
said. "But now we are going to let our traveled friend, Mr. Hitt,
give us just a word in summation of his thought regarding the
modern world and its attitude toward the questions which we have been
propounding."

The explorer leaned back in his chair and assumed his customary
attitude when in deep thought. All eyes turned upon him in eager
expectation.

"The world," he began reflectively, "presents to me to-day the most
interesting aspect it has assumed since history began. True, the age
is one of great mental confusion. Quite as true, startling discoveries
and astounding inventions have so upset our staid old mediaeval views
that the world is hurriedly crowding them out, together with its God.
Doctrines for which our fathers bled and burned