the single alternative left--_evil thoughts must be unreal_.

What was it that the explorer had said to him in regard to Spencer's
definition of reality? "That which endures." But, for that matter,
evil seems to be just as enduring as good, and to run its course as
undeviatingly. After all, what is it that says there is evil? The five
physical senses. But that again reduces to the thought of evil, for
men see only their thoughts. These so-called senses say that the world
is flat--that the sun circles the earth--that objects diminish in size
with distance. They testify not to truth. Jesus said that evil, or the
"devil," was "a liar and the father of lies." Then the testimony of
the physical senses to evil--and there is no other testimony to its
existence and power--is a lie. A lie is--what? Nothing. Reason has had
to correct sense-testimony in the field of astronomy and show that the
earth is not flat. Where, indeed, has reason not had to correct
sense-testimony? For Jose could now see that all such testimony was
essentially false. "Things as they are have no truth in them." In
other words, sense-testimony is false belief. Again, a lie. And the
habitat of a lie is--nowhere. Did the world by clinging to evil and
trying to make something of it, to classify it and reduce it to
definite rules and terms, thus tend to make it real? Assuredly so. And
as long as the world held evil to be real, could evil be overcome?
Again, no. A reality endures forever.

Jose arose from his study. He believed he was close to the discovery
of that solid basis of truth on which to stand while teaching Carmen.
At any rate, her faith, which he could no longer believe to be
baseless illusion, would not be shattered by him.

CHAPTER 11

Two weeks after his arrival in Simiti Jose conducted his first
services in the ancient church. After four years of silence, the rusty
bell sent out its raucous call from the old tower that still morning
and announced the revival of public worship.

As the priest stepped from the sacristy and approached the altar his
heart experienced a sudden sinking. Before him his little flock bowed
reverently and expectantly. Looking out at them, a lump rose in his
throat. He was their pastor, and daily his love had grown for these
kindly, simple folk. And now, what would he not have given could he
have stretched forth his hands, as did the Master, to heal them of
their ills and lift them out of the shadows of ignora