tandard,--that of 'presence.' We must
renounce, once for all, the idea of comprehending supernatural things
logically: faith is the proper organ of their function, and no other."

Ivo was entirely satisfied with this answer, and only ventured timidly
to ask how the _Virgin_ Mary could be spoken of, when the Bible makes
mention of brothers of Christ.

The professor answered, "The Greek word [Greek: adelphos][12] is not to
be taken literally: it is an Oriental expression, taken from the
Hebrew, and signifies as much as 'kinsman,' or 'friend.'"

"Then I suppose the expression [Greek: huios theou][13] is not to be
taken literally either, but is also an Oriental expression?"

"By no means! Such an idea is at once repelled by the Messianic
passages of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the tenets of the
Church. And, besides," added he, watching Ivo's features narrowly, "the
incarnation of God has no other purpose than to give a hold to our
human faculties, because, as I said before, we can form no conception
of that which is not earthly: its essence is and must remain a mystery,
which we can do nothing but believe in, and faith will be given you, if
you take pains to keep your soul pure, childlike, and innocent."

"But that is not so easy," said Ivo, with some timidity.

"I will give you some advice which is founded on experience," answered
the professor, laying his hand upon Ivo's shoulder: "as often as a
thought arises within you which threatens to drift you away from the
moorings of faith, banish it immediately by prayer and study, and do
not suffer it to abide in your heart. We stand with our God much as we
do with our friends: once estranged from them, it is not an easy matter
to revive the old affection."

The advice and the illustration made a great impression on Ivo; but
they came too late.

It must not be supposed, however, that inquiries of this kind carried
Ivo out of the pale of the Church, and to the furthermost bounds of
thought. He remained a believing spirit: he was firmly convinced of the
reality of the miraculous: and only the soul which holds fast to this
conviction is really within the pale prescribed for the genuine
Churchman: faith is the surrender of the mind to the inexplicable, to a
miracle.

His distaste to a clerical life was caused, in a far greater degree, by
other considerations, which now pressed upon him with increasing
vividness: he longed for a life of active energy. An early chain