“Then why, in the name of wonder, do you retain your belief?”

“Because I think that the evidence for retaining it is, on the whole, stronger than the evidence for relinquishing it; that is, that the objections to admitting the objections are stronger than the objections themselves.”

“But how do you manage in a controversy with an opponent as to those insoluble objections?”

“I admit them.”

“Then you allow his position to be more tenable and reasonable than yours?”

“No,” said I, “I take care of that.”

“How so?”

“I transfer the war, My good Sir:  a practice which I would recommend to most Christians in these days.  When I meet with an opponent of the stamp you refer to, who thinks insoluble objections alone are sufficient reasons for rejecting any thing.  I say to him, ’My friend, this Christianity, if so clearly false, is not worth talking about:  let us quit it.  But as you admit, with me, that religious truth is of great moment, and as you think you have it, pray oblige me by your system.’  To tell you the truth, I never found any difficulty in propounding plenty of insoluble objections; but if you think differently, you or any gentleman present can make experiment of the matter now.”

“Nay, my dear uncle,” said Harrington, “you are invading my province.  It is I only who can consistently challenge all comers; like the ancient Scythians, I have every thing to gain and nothing to lose.”

Whether it was out of respect for the host, or that each felt, after the recent disclosures, that he would not only have Harrington and myself, but every body else, down upon him, nobody accepted this challenge.

At last one of them said he could not even yet comprehend how it was that I could remain an old-fashioned believer in these days of “progress.”  “It was infidelity itself,” I replied, “that early robbed me of the advantages of being an infidel.”

Several expressed their surprise, and I told them that, after we had taken tea in the drawing-room (to which we were then summoned), I would, if they felt any curiosity upon the matter, and would allow a little scope to the garrulity of an old man, tell them

How it was that infidelity prevented my becoming an infidel.

After tea I gave my story, as nearly as I can recollect, in the following way.  Of course I cannot recall the precise words; but the order of the thoughts—­how often have they been pondered!—­I cannot be mistaken about. ____

It is now thirty years ago or more since I was passing through many of the mental conflicts in which I see so many of the young in the present day involved.  I have no doubt that the majority of them will come out, probably after an eclipse more or less partial, very orthodox Christians,—­so great are the revolutions of opinion which an experience of human life and the necessities of the human heart work upon us!  As I look around me, I see few of my youthful contemporaries who have not survived their infidelity.