ButwhilethesegreatservicesatSt。Peter’sinthosehalcyondayswereperfectintheirkind，thesamecouldnotbesaidofmanyothers。TheworstthatIeversaw——onewhichespeciallydwellsinmymemory——wasatPisa。Ihadpreviouslyvisitedtheplaceandknewitwell，sothatwhen，oneSundaymorning，aCanadianclergymanatthehotelwishedtogotothecathedral，I
　　offeredtoguidehim。Hewasevidentlyamanofdeepsincerity，and，aswassoonrevealedbyhisconversation，ofhigh—churchandevenritualistictendencies;but，tomygreatsurprise，heremarkedthathehadneverattendedserviceinaRomanCatholicchurch。Arrivingatthecathedraltoolateforthehighcelebration，wewalkeddownthenaveuntilwecametoasidealtarwhereapriestwasgoingthroughalowmass，withasmallcongregationofdelayedworshipers，andwetookourplacebackofthese。Thepriestracedthroughtheserviceatthehighestpossiblespeed。Hismotionswerelikethoseofanautomaton:hekeptturningquicklytoandfroasifonapivot;claspinghishandsbeforehisbreastasifbymachinery;bowinghisheadasifitmovedbyaspringinhisneck;mumblingandrattlinglikewindinachimney;thechoir—boywhoservedthemasswithhimjinglinghisbellasirreverentlyasifhewereconductingagreen—grocer’scart。MyAnglicancompanionimmediatelybegantobeunhappy，andwassoondeeplydistressed。Hegroanedagainandagain。Hewhispered，"Goodheavens，isitlikethis？Isthisthewaytheydoit？Thisisfearful！"Aswecamefromthechurchhewasverysorrowful，andIadministeredtohimsuchcomfortasI
　　could，butnothingcouldremedythismostpainfuldisenchantment。
　　AndhereImaysaythatIhaveneverbeenabletounderstandhowanyAnglicanchurchmancanfeelanyinsufficiencyintheLord’sSupperasadministeredinhisownbranchofthechurch。Ihavenevertakenpartinit，butmorethanonceIhavelingeredtoseeit，andeveninitssimplestformithasalwaysgreatlyimpressedme。Itisaservicewhichallcanunderstand;itswordshavecomedownthroughtheages;itsceremonialiscalm，comprehensible，touching;andthewholeideaofcommunioninmemoryofthelastsceneintheSaviour’slife，whichbringstheworshiperintolovingrelationnotonlywithhim，butwithallthechurch，militantandtriumphant，is，tomymind，infinitelynoblerandmorereligiousthanallparaphernalia，genuflexions，andman—millinery。HowanyProtestant，however"high"inhistendencies，canfeelotherwiseisincomprehensibletome。
　　AtthatfirstofmymanyvisitstoRome，therehadcomeoneexperiencewhichhadgreatlysoftenedanyofmyinheritedProtestantprejudices。OurpartyhadbeenlumberingalongalldayontheroadfromCivitaVecchia，whensuddenlytheredashedbyusafinetraveling—coachdrawnbyfourhorsesriddenbypostilions。
　　Hardlyhaditpassedwhentherecameascream，andourcarriagestopped。Weatfirsttookitforgrantedthatitwasanattackbybandits，but，ongettingoutandapproachingtheothercoach，foundthatoneofthepostilions，abeautifulItalianboyofsixteen，injauntycostume，hadbeenthrownfromhishorse，hadbeenrunoverbythewheelsofthecoach，andnowlayattheroadsidegaspinghislast。Westoodabouthim，tryingtoeasehispain，whenayoungpriestcamerunningfromaneighboringchurch。
　　Heshowednodeferencetothegorgeouslydressedpersonageswhohaddescendedfromthecoach;hewasregardlessofallconventionalities，obliviousofallsurroundings，hisonethoughtbeingevidentlyofhisdutytothepoorsuffererstretchedoutbeforehim。Heknelt，tenderlykissedtheboy，administeredextremeunction，andrepeatedsoftlyandearnestlytheprayersforthedying，towhichferventresponsescamefromthepeasantskneelingabouthim。Thewholescenedidmuchtotonedownthefeelingswhichhadbeenarousedthepreviousdaybythefilthandbeggaryatthepapalportwherewehadlanded，andtopreparemeforamorecharitablejudgmentofwhatIwastoseeinthepapalcity。
　　ButanearlyexperienceinRomeshowedalessbeautifulmanifestationofChristianzeal。Wewereabandofstudents，sixinnumber，whohadjustclosedayearofstudyattheUniversityofBerlin;andtheyoungest，whomIwillcallJackSmith，wasabrightyoungfellow，sonofawealthyNewEnglandmanufacturer。
　　TheeveningafterarrivinginRome，Jack，callingonanAmericanaunt，wasintroducedtoapriestwhohappenedtobemakingheravisit。Itwasinstantlyevidentthatthepriest，FatherCataldi，knewwhatJack’sworldlyprospectswere;forfromthefirsthewasexcessivelypolitetotheyouth，andwhenthelatterremarkedthatduringhisstayinRomehewouldliketotakeItalianlessons，thepriestvolunteeredtosendhimateacher。Nextday，attheappointedhour，theteacherappeared，andinthepersonofthepriesthimself。ThenceforwardhestucktotheyoungAmericanlikeabrother，kepthimawayfromtherestofusasmuchaspossible，andservednotonlyashisteacher，butashiscicerone。
　　AmongvariousdignitariestowhomhepresentedtheyoungAmericanwashisEminenceCardinalTosti;andwhenthecardinalextendedhishandtobekissed，Jackgraspedandcordiallyshookit。Thetwoclericalgentlemenwereevidentlydisconcerted;butthepriestsaidtothecardinal，inanundertone，"eunprincipeAmericano，"whereuponthecardinalseemedrelievedandshookhandsheartily。
　　Oneday，whenthepriestwasnotwithourcompanion，weallvisitedoneofthebasilicas，wheresomegreatfunctionwasgoingon，and，thoughwefoundacrowdatthedoors，obtainedasightofthehighaltar，——andthere，inmagnificentattire，inthemidstofthegreatprelates，wasapersonwhoboreamoststrikingresemblancetoJack’sclericalguide。Wewereallstruckbythiscuriouscoincidence，butconcludedthatinthedistanceandthroughthecloudsofincensewehadsimplyseenachanceresemblance，andinthemultitudeofmatterswesoonforgotit。A
　　monthafterward，aswewereleavingRome，Jackaskedhisnewfriendforhisbill，whereuponthepriestdrewhimselfupwithasuperbgestureand，presentinghiscard，said:"YouevidentlydonotknowwhoIam。"Thecardboretheinscription，"MonsignorCataldi，MasterofthePapalCeremonies。"TheyoungAmericanwasquiteconfounded，butlistenedsubmissivelywhilethisdignitaryexpressedthehopethattheymightyetmeetwithinthepaleofthatchurchwhichalonecouldgiveaclaimtosalvation。
　　TheconditionofRomeatthatperiodwasnotsuchastoinducemuchrespectforpriestlygovernment。Anythingmoredirty，slipshod，andwretchedcouldhardlybeimagined。Norailwayshadyetbeenallowed;theVaticanmonsignorifeelingbyinstinctthetruthstatedbyBuckle，thatrailwayspromotethecominginofnewideas。Nordidthemoralconditionofthepeopleseemtobeanybetter。
　　AnyonewhovisitsRometo—day，withthearmyofmonkssweptoutoftheplace，withstreetswellcleaned，withtheexcavationsscientificallyconducted，withagovernmentwhich，whateveritsfaults，isatanyratepatriotic，findsitdifficulttoimaginethevilenessofthecityundertheoldregime。
　　But，badaswasRome，Napleswasworse。ThewretchedBourbonthenonthethrone，"KingBomba，"wastheworstofhiskind。Ourministerofthatperiod，Mr。RobertDaleOwen，gavemesomeaccountsoftheconditionofthings。Hetoldme，asamatteroffact，thatanyyoungmanshowingearnestpurposeofanysortwasimmediatelysuspectedanddiscouraged，whileworthlessyoungdebaucheeswereregardedasharmless，andthereforefavored。
　　ThemostcherishedcounseloroftheKingwasApuzzo，ArchbishopofSorrento。InadditiontowhatIhavealreadysaidofLeopardi’spoliticalcatechism，whichthearchbishopforceduponthepeople，Imaynotethatthisworktookgreatpainstoshowthatnoeducationwasneededsavejustenoughtoenableeachmantoaccomplishhisdutieswithinthelittlesphereinwhichhewasborn，andthatforthegreatbodyofthepeopleeducationwasacurseratherthanablessing。Theresultofthispolicywasevident:thenumberofpersonsunabletoreadorwrite，whichwasfromfortytofiftypercent。inPiedmont，wasfromsixtytosixty—fivepercent。inRome，fromeightytoeighty—fivepercent。inthePapalStates，andaboveeighty—fivepercent。inNaplesandSicily。[38]
　　[38]SeemapsinVol。II，of"L’ItalisEconomicanel1873"（Roma，TipografiaBarbera，1873）。Thisworkwastheresultofofficialsurveysandmostcarefulstudiesmadebyleadingeconomistsandstatisticians。ForacopyofitIamindebtedtoMr。H。N。Gay，FellowofHarvardUniversity。
　　IalsohadtheadvantageofbeingpresentatthegreatreligiousfunctionofNaples——theliquefactionofthebloodofSt。
　　Januarius，patronofthecity。ItwasinthegorgeouschapelofthesaintwhichformspartoftheCathedralofNaples，andtheplacewasfilledwithdevoutworshipersofeveryclass，fromtheofficialsincourtdress，representingtheBourbonking，downtothelowestlazzaroni。Thereliquaryofsilvergilt，shapedlikealargehumanhead，andsupposedtocontaintheskullofthesaint，wasfirstplaceduponthealtar;next，twovials，containingadarksubstancesaidtobehisblood，werealsoplaceduponthealtar，nearthehead。Asthepriestssaidprayers，theyturnedthevialsfromtimetotime;and，theliquefactionbeingsomewhatdelayed，thegreatcrowdofpeopleburstoutintomoreandmoreimpassionedexpostulationsandpetitionstothesaint。Justinfrontofthealtarwerethelazzaroniwhoclaimedtobedescendantsofthesaint’sfamily，andthesewereespeciallyimportunate:atsuchtimestheybeg，theyscold，theyeventhreaten;theyhavebeenknowntoabusethesaintroundly，andtotellhimthat，ifhedoesnotcaretoshowhisfavortothecitybyliquefyinghisblood，St。CosmoandSt。Damianarejustasgoodsaintsashe，andwill，nodoubt，beverygladtohavethecitydevoteitselftothem。Atlast，aswewerebeginningtobeimpatient，thepriest，turningthevialssuddenly，announcedthatthesainthadperformedthemiracle，andinstantlypriests，people，choir，andorganburstforthintoagreat"TeDeum";
　　bellsrangandcannonroared;aprocessionwasformed，andtheshrinecontainingthesaint’srelicswascarriedthroughthestreets，thepeopleprostratingthemselvesonbothsidesofthewayandshoweringrose—leavesupontheshrineanduponthepathbeforeit。Thecontentsofthesepreciousvialsareaninterestingrelicindeed，fortheyrepresenttousvividlythatperiodwhenmenwhowerewillingtogotothestakefortheirreligiousopinionsthoughtitnotwrongto"savesouls"bypiousmendacityandconsecratedfraud。Tothescientificeyethismiracleisverysimple:thevialscontain，nodoubt，oneofthosewaxymixturesfusingatlowtemperature，which，whilekeptinitsplacewithinthecoldstonewallsofthechurch，remainssolid，butwhich，uponbeingbroughtoutintothehot，crowdedchapelandfondledbythewarmhandsofthepriests，graduallysoftensandbecomesliquid。Itwascurioustonote，atthetimeabovementioned，thateventhehighfunctionariesrepresentingtheKinglookedatthemiraclewithawe:theyevidentlyfound"joyinbelieving，"andoneofthemassuredmethattheonlythingwhichCOULDcauseitwasthedirectexerciseofmiraculouspower。
　　So，too，Ihadhereanopportunitytostudyoneofthefundamentalideasoftheprevalenttheology——namely，thedoctrineof"intercession，"whichhasplayedsuchapartnotonlyinCatholicbutinProtestantcountries，——theideathat，justasinanearthlycourtback—stairsinfluenceisnecessarytosecurefavor，soitmustbeintheheavenlycourts。IwasmuchedifiedbythewayinwhichthisdoctrinewaspresentedincertaingreatpicturesrepresentingtheinterventionoftheAlmightytosaveNaplesfromtheplague。Oneofthem，asIrememberit，represented，onanenormouscanvas，thewholetransactionasfollows:IntheimmediateforegroundthepeopleofNapleswererepresentedontheirkneesbeforetheirmagistrates，beggingthemtorescuethecityfromthepestilence;fartherbackthemagistrateswererepresentedasontheirkneesbeforethemonks，beggingfortheirprayers;themonkswereontheirkneesbeforeSt。Januarius，begginghimtointervene;St。JanuariuswasthenrepresentedasonhiskneesbeforetheBlessedVirgin;theBlessedVirginwasthenpicturedasbeseechingherdivineSon;
　　andheatlastwasrepresentedaspresentingthepetitiontoatriangleintheheavensbehindwhichappearedthelineamentsofavenerableface。
　　Onecanunderstand，afterseeingpicturesofthiskind，whatErasmuswasthinkingof，fivehundredyearsago，whenhewrotehiscolloquyof"TheShipwreck，"themostexquisitesatireonmediaevaldoctrineevermade。Afteramostcomicalaccountofthepetitionsandpromisesmadebytheshipwreckedtovarioussaints，Adolphussays:"Towhichofthesaintsdidyoupray？"Antonyanswers，"Tonotoneofthemall，Iassureyou。Idon’tlikeyourwayofbargainingwiththesaints:’DothisandI’lldothat。
　　Hereissomuchforsomuch。SavemeandIwillgiveyouataperorgoonapilgrimage。’Justthinkofit！IshouldcertainlyhaveprayedtoSt。Peter，iftoanysaint;forhestandsatthedoorofheaven，andsowouldbelikeliesttohear。ButbeforehecouldgototheAlmightyandtellhimmycondition，Imightbefiftyfathomsunderwater。"Adolphus:"Whatdidyoudothen？"Antony:
　　"IwentstraighttoGodhimself，andsaidmyprayertohim;thesaintsneitherhearsoreadilynorgivesowillingly。"
　　Inthecityitselfwerefilth，blasphemy，andobscenityunspeakable。NostrangercouldtakehisseatatacafewithouthavingproposalsopenlymadetohimwhichwouldhavedisgracedPompeii。Cheateryandlyingprevailedonallsides。Outsidethecitywasbrigandage，——somuchsothatvariouspartiesgoingtoPaestumtookpainstocombinetheirforcesandtobeararms。
　　This，then，wastheoutcomeoffifteenhundredyearsofChristiancivilizationinalandwhichhadbeenentirelyinthehandsofthechurchauthoritieseversincethedownfalloftheRomanEmpire;acountryinwhicheducation，intellectual，moral，andreligious，hadbeenfromthefirstinthehandsofabody，claiminginfallibilityinitsteachingoffaithandmorals，whichhadmoldedrulersandpeopleatitsownwillduringallthesecenturies。Thiswastheresult！Itseemedtomethen，asitseemstomenow，areductioadabsurdumoftheclaimsofanychurchtosuperintendtheeducationofapeople;andifitbeinsistedthatthereisanythingexceptionalinItaly，onemaypointforexamplesofthesameresultstoSpain，theSpanishrepublics，Poland，andsundryothercountries。
　　BeforegoingtoItaly，Ihadtakenpainstoreadasmuchaspossibleofthehistoryofthecountry，and，amongotherworks，hadwadedthroughthetenoctavovolumesofSismondi’s"HistoryoftheItalianRepublics，"aswellasGibbon’s"DeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire";andthishistoryhadservedtoshowmewhatanybodyofecclesiastics，notresponsibletosoundlayopinion，maybecome。InlookingoverthepasthistoryandpresentconditionofItaly，thereconstantlyranginmyearsthatgreatwarningbyChristhimself，"Bytheirfruitsyeshallknowthem。"
　　CHAPTERLXI
　　INLATERYEARS——1856—1905
　　OnmyreturntoAmericaIremainedforashorttimeasaresidentgraduateatNewHaven，andtheregainedafriendwhoinfluencedmemosthappily。ThiswasProfessorGeorgeParkFisher，atthattimeinchargeoftheuniversitypulpit，anadmirablescholarandhistorian。Hisreligiousnature，rootedinNewEnglandorthodoxy，hadcometoabroadandnoblebloomandfruitage。Wittyandhumorous，whiledeeplythoughtful，hisdiscussionswereofgreatvaluetome，andourlongwalkstogetherremainamongthemostpleasingrecollectionsofmylife。Hehadageniusforconversation;infact，hewasoneofthetwoorthreebestconversationistsIhaveeverknown，andhisinfluenceonmythinking，bothasregardsreligiousandsecularquestions，wasthoroughlygood。Whilewedidnotbyanymeansfullyagree，I
　　cametoseemoreclearlythaneverwhatareallyenlightenedChristianitycandoforaman。
　　IhadreturnedtoAmericainthehopeofinfluencingopinionfromaprofessor’schair，andmydearoldfriendProfessor——afterwardPresident——PorterurgedmetoremaininNewHaven，assuringmethattheprofessorshipofhistoryforwhichIhadbeenpreparingmyselfabroadwouldbeopentomethere。AfewyearslateraprofessorshipatYalewasofferedme，andinawayforwhichI
　　shallalwaysbegrateful;butitwasnottheprofessorshipofhistory:fromthatIwasdebarredbymyreligiousviews，andthereforeitwasthat，havingbeenelectedtoaprofessorshipinthatdepartmentattheStateUniversityofMichigan，I
　　immediatelyandgladlyentereduponitsduties。
　　InstalledinthisnewpositionatAnnArbor，Inotonlythrewmyselfveryheartilyintomywork，butbecameinterestedinchurchandothergoodworkasitwentonaboutme。Fromtheforceofoldassociations，andbecausemyfamilyhadalsobeenbroughtupintheEpiscopalChurch，Iattendeditsservicesregularly;
　　and，whileitrepresentedmuchthatIcouldnotaccept，therewerenoblemeninitwhobecamemyverydearfriends，withwhomI
　　wasgladtowork。
　　Ithasalwaysseemedtomeratheranamusingepisodeinmylifeduringthisperiodthat，inspiteofgravedoubtsregardingmyorthodoxy，myfriendselectedmevestrymanofSt。Andrew’sChurchatAnnArbor，andgavemefullpowertoselectandcallarectorfortheparishatmynextvacationexcursionintheEast。ThisinduetimeIproceededtodo。AttendingtheconventionoftheEpiscopalChurchinthedioceseofWesternNewYork，Iconsultedwithvariousclericalfriends，visitedoneortwoplacesinordertohearsundryclergymenwhowererecommendedtome，andatlastcalledtoourrectorateamanwhoprovedtobenotonlyablessingtothatparish，buttotheStateatlarge。IntheannalsofAmericancharitableworkhisnameiswritlarge，thoughprobablythereneverlivedamanmoreaversetopublicity。Hehassincebeenmadeabishop，andinthatcapacityhasshownthesameself—sacrificeanddevotiontoworksofmercywhichmarkedhiscareeraspastor。
　　Astomyreligiousideasingeneral，theywereatthattimeinfluencedinvariousways。Ireadmuchecclesiasticalhistoryasgivenbyleadingauthorities，ProtestantandCatholic，andinvariousoriginaltreatisesbythinkerseminentinthehistoryofthechurch。Amarkedinfluencewasexerciseduponmebyreadingsundrylivesofthemediaevalsaints:eventhequaintestoftheseshowedmehow，inspiteofchildlikecredulity，mostnobleliveshadbeenled，wellworthytobeponderedoverintheselatercenturies。
　　Thegeneraleffectofthisreadingwastoarouseinmeadmirationforthemenwhohavetakenleadingpartsindevelopingthegreatreligionsoftheworld，andespeciallyChristianity，whetherCatholicorProtestant;butitalsocausedmetodistrust，moreandmore，everysortoftheologicaldogmatism。Moreandmoreclearitbecamethatecclesiasticaldogmasarebutstepsintheevolutionofvariousreligions，andthat，inviewofthefactthatthemainunderlyingideasarecommontoall，abeneficentevolutionistocontinue。
　　ThislatterideawasstrengthenedbymycarefulreadingofSale’stranslationoftheKoran，whichshowedmethatevenMohammedanismisnotwhollythetissueoffollyandimposturewhichinthosedaysitwasgenerallyrepresentedtobe。
　　Influencewasalsoexerteduponmebyvariousotherbooks，andespeciallybyFraPaoloSarpi’s"HistoryoftheCouncilofTrent，"probablythemostracyandpungentpieceofecclesiasticalhistoryeverwritten;andthoughIalsoreadasantidotesthehistoryoftheCouncilbyPallavicini，andcopiousextractsfromBossuet，ArchbishopSpalding，andBalmez，FatherPaultaughtme，asanItalianhistorianphrasesit，"howtheHolySpiritconductschurchcouncils。"AtalaterperiodDeanStanleymadeasimilarrevelationinhisaccountoftheCouncilofNicaea。
　　TheworksofBuckle，Lecky，andDraper，whichwerethenappearing，laidopenmuchtome。Alltheseauthorsshowedmehowtemporary，inthesumofthings，isanypopulartheology;and，finally，thedawnoftheDarwinianhypothesiscametorevealawholeneworbofthoughtabsolutelyfataltotheclaimsofvariouschurches，sects，andsacredbookstocontaintheonlyorthefinalwordofGodtoman。Theolddogmaof"thefallofman"
　　hadsoonfullydisappeared，andinitsplacethererosemoreandmoreintoviewtheideaoftheriseofman。
　　Butwhilemyviewwasthusbroadened，nohostilitytoreligionfoundlodgmentinmymind:ofallthebookswhichIreadatthattime，Stanley’slifeofArnoldexercisedthegreatestinfluenceuponme。Itshowedthatamanmightcastasidemuchwhichchurchesregardasessential，andmightstriveforbreadthandcomprehensioninChristianity，whileyetremaininginhealthfulrelationswiththechurch。IalsoreadwithprofitandpleasuretheRev。ThomasBeecher’sbook，"OurSevenChurches，"whichshowedthateachChristiansectinAmericahasacertainworktodo，anddoesitwell;also，thesermonsofRobertson，PhillipsBrooks，andTheodoreMunger，whichrevealedabeautyinChristianitybeforeunknowntome。
　　Anotherinfluencewasofaverydifferentsort。FromtimetotimeIwentonhuntingexcursionswiththepastoroftheMethodistEpiscopalchurchatAnnArbor;andthoughhemadenoparadeofreligion，therewasinhimagenial，manlypietywhichbetteredme。
　　ButIcannotsaythatthisgoodinfluencewasalwaysexerciseduponmebyhiscoreligionists。Therewasespeciallyone，whorosetobea"presidingelder，"verynarrow，veryshrewd，andverybitteragainsttheStateUniversity，yetconstantlyplacinghimselfincomicaldilemmas。Ononeoccasion，whenIaskedhimregardinghisrelationswithclergymenofotherreligiousbodies，hespokeoftheRomanCatholicsandsaidthathehadmadeadeterminedefforttoconverttheBishopofDetroit。Onmyaskingforparticulars，heansweredthat，callinguponthebishop，hehadspokenverysolemnlytohimandtoldhimthathewasendangeringhisownsalvationaswellasthatofhisflock;thatatfirstthebishopwasevidentlyinclinedtobeharsh;butthat，onfindingthathe——theMethodistbrother——dislikedthePresbyterianDr。Duffield，whohadrecentlyattackedCatholicdoctrine，asmuchasthebishopdid，therelationsbetweenthemgrewbetter，sothattheytalkedtogetherveryamicably。
　　Atthispointinourconversationapuzzledexpressionoverspreadtheelder’sfaceandhesaid，"ThemostsingularexperienceI
　　everhadwaswithaFrenchCatholicpriestinMonroe。Beinginthattownandhavingadayortwoofvacation，Ifeltitmydutytogoandremonstratewithhim。Ifoundhimverypolite，especiallyafterIhadtoldhimthathisbishophadreceivedmeanddiscussedreligiousquestionswithme。Presently，wishingtomakeanimpressiononthepriest，IfixedmyeyesonhimveryearnestlyandsaidassolemnlyasIcould，’Doyouknowthatyouareleadingyourflockstraightdowntohell？’Tothisthepriestmadeaverysingularanswer，——verysingular，indeed。Hesaid，’Didyoutalklikethattothebishop？’Ianswered，’Yes，Idid。’
　　’Didn’thekickyououtofhishouse？’’No，hedidn’t。’’Then，’
　　saidthepriest，’_I_won’t。’"Andthegoodelder，duringthewholeofthisstory，evidentlythoughtthatthepointofitwas，somehow，againstthePRIEST！
　　AsaprofessorattheUniversityofMichiganlecturinguponmodernhistory，I，ofcourse，showedmyfeelingsinoppositiontoslavery，whichwasthencompletelydominantinthenation，and，toallappearance，intrenchedinourinstitutionsforever。FromtimetotimeIalsosaidsomethingswhichmadethemoresensitiveorthodoxbrethrenuneasy;though，asIlookbackuponthemnow，theyseemtomeverymildindeed。Inthesedaystheycouldbesaid，andwouldbesaid，bygreatnumbersofdevotedmembersofallChristianchurches。TheseexpressionsofminefavoredtolerationanddweltupontheabsurdityofdistinctionsbetweenChristiansonaccountofbeliefswhichindividualsorcommunitieshavehappenedtoinherit。NothinglikeanattackuponChristianityitself，oruponanythingvitaltoit，didIevermake;indeed，myinclinationswerenotinthatdirection:mygreatestdesirewastosetmenandwomenatthinking，forIfeltsurethatiftheywouldreallythink，inthelightofhumanhistory，theywouldmoreandmoredwellonwhatispermanentinChristianityandlessandlessonwhatistransient;moreandmoreonitsuniversaltruths，lessandlessuponthecreeds，forms，andobservancesinwhichthesegemsareset;moreandmoreonwhatdrawsmentogether，lessandlessonthatwhichkeepsthemapart。
　　Ibecameconvincedthatwhattheworldneededwasmorereligionratherthanless;moredevotiontohumanityandlesspreachingofdogmas。WheneverIspokeofreligion，itwasnottosayawordagainstanyexistingform;butIespeciallyreferred，asmyidealsofreligiousconduct，tothedeclarationofMicah，beginningwiththewords，"WhatdoththeLordrequireofthee？";
　　totheSermonontheMount;tothedefinitionof"purereligionandundefiled"givenbySt。James;andtosomeofthewonderfulutterancesofSt。Paul。Buteventhisalarmedtwoorthreeverygoodmen;theyweremuchexercisedoverwhattheycalledmy"indifferentism";andwhenIwaschosen，somewhatlater，tothepresidencyofCornellUniversity，Ifoundthattheyhadthoughtittheirdutytowritelettersurgingvarioustrusteestopreventtheelectionofsodangerousaheretic。
　　ScatteredthroughtheMichiganuniversitytownwereanumberofpeoplewhohadbrokenfromtheoldfaithandweregropingabouttofindanewone，but，asarule，withsuchinsufficientknowledgeoftherealbasisofbelieforskepticismthatthereligiontheyfoundseemedlessvaluabletothemthantheonetheyhadleft。Thiers，Voltairianthoughhewas，haswellsaid，"Theonlyaltarswhicharenotridiculousaretheoldaltars。"
　　Someofthebestofthesepeople，havinglostverydearchildren，hadtakenrefugeinwhatwascalled"spiritualism";andIwasinvitedtowitnesssomeofthe"manifestationsfromthespirit—land，"andassuredthattheywouldleavenodoubtinmymindastotheirtremendousreality。Amongthosewhothusinvitedmewereacountyjudgeofhighstanding，andhiswife，oneofthemostlovelyandaccomplishedofwomen。Theyhadlosttheironlydaughter，abeautifulcreaturejustbuddingintowomanhood，andtheythoughtthat"spiritualism"hadgivenherbacktothem。Astheytoldmewonderfulthingsregardingtherevelationsmadebysundryeminentmediums，Iacceptedtheirinvitationtowitnesssomeofthese，andwenttotheseanceswithaperfectlyopenandimpartialmind。Isawnothingantecedentlyimprobableinphenomenaofthatsort;indeed，itseemedtomethatitmightbeablessedthingiftherewerereallysomethinginitall;butexaminationshowedmeinthis，asinallothercaseswhereIhaveinvestigatedso—called"spiritrevelations，"nothingsavetheworthlessnessofhumantestimonytothemiraculous。Thesemiracleswerethecheapestandpoorestofjugglery，andthemediumswere，withoutexception，ofatypebelowcontempt。Therewas，indeed，arevelationtome，notofaspirit—worldbeyondthegrave，butofaspirit—worldaboutme，peopledwiththespiritsofgoodandlovingmenandwomenwhofind"joyinbelieving"whattheywishtobelieve。Comparedwiththisnewworship，Ifeltthattheoldwasinfinitelymorehonest，substantial，andhealthful;
　　andneversincehaveIdesiredtopromoterevolutionarychangesinreligion。Suchchanges，tobegood，mustbeevolutionary，gradual，andinobediencetoslowlyincreasingknowledge:suchachangeisnowevidentlygoingon，irresistibly，andquiteasrapidlyasisdesirable。
　　Therewereothersingularexperiences。Onedayastudentsaidtomethatanoldmanlivingnotfarfromtheuniversitygroundswasveryillandwishedtoseeme。Icalledatonce，andfoundhimstretchedoutonhisbedandgreatlyemaciatedwithconsumption。
　　HewasaHicksiteQuaker。AsIenteredtheroomhesaid，"Friend，Iheargoodthingsofthee:thouarttellingthetruth;letmebearmytestimonybeforethee。IbelieveinGodandinafuturelife，butinlittleelsewhichthechurchesteach。Iamdying。
　　Withintwoorthreedays，atfurthest，Ishallbeinmycoffin。
　　YetIlookonthefuturewithnoanxiety;IaminthehandsofmylovingFather，andhavenomorefearofpassingthroughthegateofdeathintothefuturelifethanofpassingthroughyonderdoorintothenextroom。"AfterkindlytalkIlefthim，andnextdaylearnedthathehadquietlypassedaway。
　　AfteraboutfiveyearsofdutyintheUniversityofMichigan，I
　　wasbroughtintothemainchargeofthenewlyestablishedCornellUniversity;andinthisnewposition，whilenorealchangetookplaceinmyfundamentalreligiousideas，therewereconflictinginfluences，sometimesunfortunate，butinthemainhappy。InotherchaptersofthesereminiscencesIhaveshowntowhatunjustattacksthenewinstitutionandallconnectedwithitweresubjectedbytheagentsandvotariesofvariousdenominationalcolleges。Attimesthisembitteredme，buttheultimateresultalwayswasthatitstirredmetonewefforts。WhateverillfeelingsarosefromtheseonslaughtsweremorethanmadeupaftertheestablishmentoftheSageChapelpulpit。Ihaveshownelsewherehow，atmyinstance，provisionwasmadebyapublic—spiritedmanforcallingthemostdistinguishedpreachersofalldenominations，andhow，theselectionofthesehavingbeenlefttome，IchosethemfromthemosteminentmeninthevariousChristianbodies。Myintercoursewiththese，aswellasmyhearingtheirdiscourses，broadenedanddeepenedmyreligiousfeeling，andIregardthisasamongtheespeciallyhappythingsofmylife。
　　Anotherfeatureoftheuniversitywasnotsohelpfultome。I
　　havespokeninanotherchapterregardingtheestablishmentofBarnesHallatCornellasacenterofworkfortheChristianAssociationandotherreligiousorganizationsoftheuniversity，andofmypleasureinaidingtheworktheredoneandinnotingitsgoodresults。AtvarioustimesIattendedtheservicesoftheYoungMen’sChristianAssociation;andwhiletheyoftentouchedme，Icannotsaythattheyalwaysedifiedme。IamespeciallyfondofthepsalmsattributedtoDavid，whichare，forme，thehighestofpoetry;andIamalsoveryfondofthegreatandnoblehymnsofthechurch，CatholicandProtestant，andespeciallysusceptibletothebestchurchmusic，fromBachandHandeltoMasonandNeale:butthesortofrevivalhymnswhicharegenerallysunginChristianAssociations，andwhichdatemainlyfromtheMoodyandSankeyperiod，donotappealtomybestfeelingsinanyrespect。Theyseemtomeverythinandgushy。
　　Thisfeelingofmineisnotessentiallyunorthodox，forIoncehearditexpressedbyaneminentorthodoxclergymanintermsmuchstrongerthananywhichIhaveeverused。Saidhe，"WhenIwasyoung，congregationsusedtosingsuchpsalmsasthis:
　　"TheLorddescendedfromabove，Andbowedtheheavensmosthigh;
　　AndunderneathHisfeetHecastThedarknessofthesky。
　　"OncherubimandseraphimRightroyallyHerode，AndonthewingsofmightywindsCameflyingallabroad。
　　"Hisseatisonthemightyfloods，Theirfurytorestrain;
　　AndHe，oureverlastingLord，Forevermoreshallreign。
　　"Butnow，"hecontinued，"thecongregationgetstogetherandalotofboysandgirlssing:
　　"Lawd，howoftIlongtoknow——
　　Oftitgivesmeanxiousthought——
　　DoIloveThee，Lawd，orno;
　　AmIThine，oramInawt！
　　"There，"saidhe，"isthedifferencebetweenareligionwhichbelievesinarighteoussovereignRuleroftheuniverse，andamaudlinsentimentincapableofanyreal，continued，determinedeffort。"
　　Imustconfessthatthisviewofmyorthodoxfriendstrikesmeasjust。ItseemstomethatoneofthefirstneedsoflargebranchesoftheChristianChurchistoweedoutagreatmassofsickly，sentimentalworshipofnooneknowswhat，andtoreplaceitwithpsalmsandhymnswhichshowafirmrelianceupontheLordGodAlmighty。
　　ItiswiththisviewthatIpromotedintheuniversitychapelthesimpleantiphonalreadingofthepsalmsbythewholecongregation。BestofallwoulditbetochantthePsalter;theclergyman，withaportionofthechoir，leadingononeside，andtheothersectionofthechoirandthecongregationatlargechantingtheresponses。Butthisis，asregardsmostProtestantchurches，acounselofperfection。