that he was crucified for our redemption; and that the
atonement was accepted, and acceptable before God the Father. Now, is it
not just as difficult to understand how, or why, this should be, as to
understand the common creed of Christians?"

"Surely, there is a vast difference between the crucifixion of a
subordinate being, and the crucifixion of one who made a part of the
Godhead itself, Mary! I can imagine the first, though I may not pretend to
understand its reasons, or why it was necessary it should be so; but, I am
certain you will not mistake my motive when I say, I cannot imagine the
other."

"Make no apologies to me, Roswell; look rather to that Dread Being whose
teachings, through chosen ministers, you disregard. As for what you say, I
can fully feel its truth. I do not pretend to _understand_ why such a
sacrifice should be necessary, but I _believe_ it, _feel_ it; and
believing and feeling it, I cannot but adore and worship the Son, who
quitted heaven to come on earth, and suffered, that we might possess
eternal life. It is all mystery to me, as is the creation itself, our
existence, God himself, and all else that my mind is too limited to
comprehend. But, Roswell, if I believe a part of the teachings of the
Christian church, I must believe all. The apostles, who were called by
Christ in person, who lived in his very presence, who knew nothing except
as the Holy Spirit prompted, worshipped him as the Son of God, as one 'who
thought it not robbery to be equal with God;' and shall I, ignorant and
uninspired, pretend to set up my feeble means of reasoning, in opposition
to their written instructions!"

"Yet must each of us stand or fall by the means he possesses, and the use
he makes of them."

"That is quite true, Roswell; and ask yourself the use to which you put
your own faculties. I do not deny that we are to exercise our reason, but
it is within the bounds set for its exercise. We may examine the evidence
of Christianity, and determine for ourselves how far it is supported by
reasonable and sufficient proofs; beyond this we cannot be expected to go,
else might we be required to comprehend the mystery of our own existence,
which just as much exceeds our understanding as any other. We are told
that man was created in the image of his Creator, which means that there
is an immortal and spiritual part of him that is entirely different from
the material creature One perishes, temporarily at least--a limb can