answered Dorn, 'was superintended by a
well informed, clear headed Bernardine monk, who afterwards, like
myself, went over to Zuinglius's belief. I may thank him that I at
least know what the point in dispute is,--a knowledge which, alas, is
needed by many thousands of our brethren in the faith.'

'I supposed something like that,' said the parson. 'But I interrupted
you. Proceed with your pretended refutation of my arguments.'

'Excuse me from answering further,' modestly replied Dorn.

'Because you cannot answer them!' exclaimed the parson in imaginary
triumph.

'These controversial battles,' calmly continued Dorn, 'have been too
often fought in vain for me to hope that we can be brought to agree. I
have not endeavored to defend my doctrines; but only to show that a
difference in creeds need not divide hearts. I abide by my tenets; but
I believe that you also may attain salvation with yours. Believe you
the same of mine, as I doubt not you do, and we can readily co-operate
for the advancement of the good cause. The remaining topics of
difference are not essential. Here it only concerns us, setting aside
the creeds of men, to hold the doctrines of Christ as the true
teachings of God's holy word, and by them so to govern our minds and
actions that we may win the approbation of a good conscience, a serene
dying hour, and a merciful judgment. That, in my opinion, is the true,
living, christian faith; and whoever has it is our brother in Christ,
whether he calls himself Lutheran, Calvinist, Zuinglian, or even
catholic.'

'My God! you are then not even a Zuinglian!' angrily exclaimed the
parson. 'This despicable toleration of all opinions is godless
indifference, behind which naturalism and deism conceal themselves.
Were you an intelligent and confirmed heretic, the argument might be
continued; but you are nothing but an _eclecticus_, who seeks in
christianity just so much as suits his purpose, and throws the rest
aside!'

'Paul said, 'prove all things and hold fast that which is good,''
interposed Dorn.

'I am well satisfied that you do not desire to know any thing of the
true faith,' continued the parson; 'and yet it is the only foundation
of our religion. Know you not that Christ himself has said, 'he that
believeth not shall be damned?''

'If you could convince me,' angrily remarked Dorn, 'that Christ
intended those words to mean what intolerance would construe them, I
would become a heathen from this moment,