ion, within ourselves, in our own
sense of justice and consistency, than in any manuscript or print.

The very atheist, who in the name of truth repudiates the word God, is
really manifesting (in his own different way) the belief which he
cannot escape, in the divine righteousness and its lawful claim on
every human soul.

She is right who sings:--

"There is no unbelief;
And day by day, and night by night, unconsciously
The heart lives by that faith the lips deny,--
God knows the why."

Finally, and most important of all, let us not worry ourselves so much
about the intellectual opinions of men; but look rather to their
spiritual condition. The church ought to think less of creed and more
of character. The essence of faith lies not in correct conclusions
upon doctrinal points; but in righteousness, and love, and trustful
submission to God's will. No scepticism concerning dogmas touches the
heart of religion. If that seems at all heretical, let me cite good
orthodox authority. I might quote Bishop Thirlwall, of the Church of
England, in his judgment concerning Colenso's attack upon the accuracy
of the history of the Exodus in the Pentateuch, that "this story, nay,
the whole history of the Jewish people, has no more to do with our
faith as Christians, than the extraction of the cube or the rule of
three." Or I might quote Canon Farrar's weighty words, in a recent
article in the _Christian World_, upon the true test of religion. "The
real question," he declares, "to ask about any form of religious
belief, is: Does it kindle the fire of love? Does it make the life
stronger, sweeter, purer, nobler? Does it run through the whole
society like a cleansing flame, burning up that which is mean and
base, selfish and impure? If it stands that test it is no heresy."
That answers the question as aptly as it does manfully. And to the
same effect is the noble sermon of Dr. Heber Newton a few weeks ago,
in which he subordinated the question of the denominational fold to
the higher interests of the Christian flock; and that notable saying
of Dr. MacIlvaine's at the Presbyterian Presbytery the other day,
when, quoting the admission of one evangelical minister, that it was
the Unitarian Martineau who had saved his soul and kept his Christian
faith from shipwreck, he added significantly, "You must first find God
in your soul before you can find Him elsewhere." Yes, the prime and
essential thing