"Daughter," said Mr. Page, "you are on the right track. You can get all the light possible from Dr. Vincent and anybody else you choose, but you are the judge that must bring in the verdict, and when you make the decision there is no court of appeals. But you have a huge job on your hands. You must first study all the denominations and then you've got to master your Bible to see which one of all the denominations squares with the Book." "Oh," said Dorothy in a tone of despair, "how can I ever decide such a big question? Won't you help me, Mr. Sterling?" Sterling felt that he would like to spend several centuries, beginning with that very second, in the single matter of helping her. He remarked with a smile: "Miss Dorothy, I think you need not be alarmed; you are not as much in the wilderness as you imagine. Suppose on examination you find that the doctrines of our church are in accord with the teachings of the Bible, then your duty is plain, is it not?" "Yes," she replied with a sigh of relief, "and won't you tell me what are the doctrines of your church?" His eyes answered her request before his lips had an opportunity to respond. "Now you are getting out into the road," said the father. "Tell it to her, Friend Sterling, and I guess she will find that your church plumbs the track. In fact, I reckon most of them do." "Dinner is ready," called the mother. "There, now," said the father, "that breaks up the meeting at the critical point, but come in to dinner, Sterling, and we will open the campaign again after dinner." "Yes, please do come, Mr. Sterling," said Dorothy. "I am so anxious to know what are the doctrines of your church." Sterling was compelled to decline, inasmuch as he had promised to be at home for dinner to meet a business friend of his father's, but he assured them that he would be on hand for the discussion very soon after dinner. CHAPTER III. STERLING STATES HIS CASE. At eight o'clock they gathered in the library. "Now, Sterling," said Mr. Page, "we are all attention. Open up your Presbyterian treasures, for you have our curiosity aroused." Sterling was anxious to bring to Dorothy's attention the facts about his denomination. He felt confident that the history and doctrines of Presbyterianism would prove very attractive to her and lead her into his church. "I fear I cannot do my denomination justice," he said. "It deserves an abler champion. It has had an illustrious history and on our honor roll are such notable names as John Calvin, John Knox, Thomas Chalmers and a host of others." "What are the doctrines of your church, Mr. Sterling?" asked Dorothy. "We believe in God as the creator and preserver of the world, in Christ as the Savior of sinners, and in the Bible as the Word of God." "How about those doctrines, daughter?" asked Mr. Page. "Can you accept them?" "Of course, father. The Bible teaches them plainly." "Good! Give us some more, Sterling."