To say that she and multitudes of others are mistaken, is begging the whole question. It is baldly taking the ground of denial of everything outside of personal understanding and knowledge. The skepticism of very many would blot out the greater part of science, history, and geography. The facts of Christian experience and Christian testimony are as truly facts as those which are discovered by people who are hostile or indifferent to the Bible. The broad, liberal man is he who accepts all truth and humbly waits till the fuller wisdom of coming ages reconciles what is now apparently conflicting. The bigot is he who shuts his eyes to truth he does not like, or does not understand; and he is as apt to be a scientist as the man who has learned that the God who made him can also speak to him, through his inspired word and all-pervading Spirit. We are surrounded by earthly mysteries which the wisest cannot solve, and some of them are very sad and dark. Why should there not be, as Ida said, a heavenly mystery? After all, it is a question of fact. The Christ of the New Testament offers to give peace and spiritual healing. Does he keep his word? We say yes, on the broad ground of human experience and human testimony--the ground on which is built the greater part of human knowledge. If this be true, what a reproach is contained in the words of our Lord: "Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life"! Chapter XLIV. "The Garden of Eden." "Mr. Eltinge," Ida asked, as they were about to part, "have I a right to the glad sense of escape and safety that has come so unexpectedly?" "Your right," he replied, "depends on the character of the Friend you have found. Do you think he is able and willing to keep his word?" "Oh, Mr. Eltinge, how plain you make it all!" "No, my dear; it was made plain centuries ago. You have as much right to your happy feelings as to the sunshine; but never put your feelings in the place of Christ, and trust in them. That's like putting faith in one's gratitude, instead of the friend whose services inspired the gratitude. But come again to-morrow, and we'll go on with the 'old, old story.' I've read it scores of times, but am enjoying it now with you more than ever. Good-by." As Ida drew near to the hotel, Stanton stepped from the roadside to meet her. "Ida," he said, "if you cannot forgive me (and perhaps you cannot), I'll leave to-morrow morning--and perhaps I had better any way. I fear it was an evil day for us both when we came to this place."