“And of course the mode of the mind’s action makes it perceive certain qualities as parts of the real existence, which do not belong to real existence at all. These qualities spring from our mind’s own action. In old times these qualities were considered to be qualities of the reality instead of introduced there. And much of the impressiveness of the idea formed of the being of whom we speak was due to a mere magnification and extension of these qualities—qualities which do not correspond to anything in reality. So the impressiveness of the idea of this being was due to the magnification of qualities which originate solely in our minds.” “This accounts for the idea having faded away. But tell me definitely in an instance. Explain by taking some particular quality what you mean.” “I cannot do that, the thought but floats in my mind; still it is always good to embody. Something of this sort. When we observe any object we always attribute to it a certain power. Everything has its own powers of resistence, of moving, of affecting us in certain ways. Thus whatever we apprehend, we apprehend as powerful. Now since this quality of powerful comes in with regard to everything, it is probably introduced by the mind, and is rather a part of the mental action in giving an idea of reality than a quality of reality. If so, when we suppose a being to have the quality of ‘all powerful,’ we are not supposing anything at all about the being, but are only extending a quality quite barren of any correspondence with the absolute nature of things. We have left off talking about the being, and are extending a conception which springs solely from the only way in which we can perceive.” “Surely you would say that this being was powerful.” “Of course, if we think of him at all, we must conceive of him as powerful; the nature of our mental action demands this. But to dwell on the notion of his powerfulness is quite barren, the only subject of thought which has content is to inquire what kind of power he has. There has been a tendency on the part of those who have thought about this being to represent his greatness in every respect. But they have not always been judicious in so doing, because being unable to separate his real qualities from those which they attribute to him in virtue of their own mode of perception, they have come to lay stress on descriptions which on the one hand correspond to nothing in reality, and on the other hand fail to move those whom they are intended to impress. A cloak has been woven. The nature of this being is hidden. His nature has been connected with introspective questions about the origin—of, of all things, the way in which we perceive. All this must be dashed aside. This being is the cause of all our life, and yet he needs your help as you understand help.” “I should like to accompany you to your friend and hear what he has to say.” “Come, certainly.”