"We have apologists for their existence. If either were divine in origin there would be no necessity for an apology." "I deny that the system of caste is being undermined. It may have overgrown itself and need pruning. Some of the senseless subdivisions should be broken up; and we want reform in our marriage laws----" His eyes sought the figure of his sister as she gathered some starry blue flowers growing among the rank grass. "Even if the caste system were reformed," objected Ananda, "and the greatness of Hinduism established in the world, there are certain tenets of its faith that seem to me impossible for an educated and enlightened man to accept." "Such as----?" "Transmigration." "Ah, yes; I remember. That was the rock you split on." "I cannot accept the weary round of those cycles of rebirths." "You accept a cycle of existence of some sort?" "Existence; life; immortality of the soul; yes." "Which implies existence prenatal and after physical death?" "Certainly; Mr. Alderbury says that the germ of that idea lies hidden in most religions." "If you admit so much, why can't you accept the transmigration theory? It accounts for all the suffering that exists. It is a retributive system of perfect justice. The pains you suffer now are due solely to your own actions in a previous embodiment; and your conduct now will predetermine your pleasure and pain in your next incarnation. To me it is an acceptable theory relieving one of an enormous responsibility." "If you really believe such a theory in its entirety, why do you attempt to give that child pleasure?" Bopaul laughed but made no reply, and Ananda continued: "The hopeless retributive character of the theory of transmigration seems to militate against our faith in the transcendence of God. The system imposes limits not consistent with His Infinitude. Transmigration may seem just and right from a human point of view; but it is too full of tragedy to be seriously regarded as the deliberate work of an unlimited Deity." "It does away with injustice," persisted Bopaul. "And grinds existence down to a mechanism," added Ananda. "Christianity gives something infinitely superior--a good and perfect God. The knowledge of this Deity has come to us through Jesus Christ. He has shown us not a retributive mechanical Deity, but a great and wonderful Father who deals with us better than we deserve. Though men may by their freedom of choice choose what ought to bring them to ruin, the desire of God expressed through Christ, the great teacher, is to save them from the consequences of their actions." "What good can pain and suffering do if it is not a mill of retribution?"