God
constitute an overwhelming majority." She said nothing about her visit
to the Wales home that morning, but pressed his hand, and then went to
take her place at the table, where Father Waite was already rapping
for order.

"My friends," began that earnest young man, looking lovingly about at
the little group, "as we are gathered here we symbolize that
analytical, critical endeavor of the unbiased human mind to discover
the essence of religion. Religion is that which binds us to absolute
truth, and so is truth itself. If there is a God, we believe from our
former investigations that He must be universal mind. This belief
carries with it as necessary corollaries the beliefs that He must be
perfect, eternal, and self-existent. The question, Who made God? must
then receive its sufficient answer in the staggering statement that He
has always existed, unchanged and unchangeable."

A sigh from Haynerd announced that quizzical soul's struggle to grasp
a statement at once so radical and stupendous.

"True," continued Father Waite, addressing himself to his doubting
friend, "the acceptance as fact of what we have deduced in our
previous meetings must render the God of orthodox theology quite
obsolete. But, as a compensation, it gives to us the most enlarged and
beautiful concept of Him that we have ever had. It ennobles, broadens,
purifies, and elevates our idea of Him. It destroys forever our
belittling view of Him as but a magnified human character, full of
wrath and caprice and angry threats, and delighting in human
ceremonial and religious thaumaturgy. And, most practical of all for
us, it renders the age-long problem of evil amenable to solution."

Just then came a ring at the front door; and a moment later the
Beaubien ushered Doctor Morton into the room. All rose and hastened to
welcome him.

"I--I am sure," began the visitor, looking at Carmen, "that I am not
intruding, for I really come on invitation, you know. Miss Carmen,
first; and then, our good friend Hitt, who told me this afternoon that
you would probably meet this evening. I--I pondered the matter some
little time--ah, but--well, to make it short, I couldn't keep away
from a gathering so absolutely unique as this--I really couldn't."

Carmen seized both his hands. "My!" she exclaimed, her eyes dancing,
"I am glad you came."

"And I, too," interposed Haynerd dryly, "for now we have two
theological Philistines. I was feeling a bit lonely."

"Ah, my f