Andnowwecometothecrucialquestionwhichtrulyconcludesthewholematter。Areasonableagnostic，ifhehashappenedtoagreewithmesofar，mayjustlyturnroundandsay，"YouhavefoundapracticalphilosophyinthedoctrineoftheFall；verywell。
　　YouhavefoundasideofdemocracynowdangerouslyneglectedwiselyassertedinOriginalSin；allright。Youhavefoundatruthinthedoctrineofhell；Icongratulateyou。YouareconvincedthatworshippersofapersonalGodlookoutwardsandareprogressive；
　　Icongratulatethem。Butevensupposingthatthosedoctrinesdoincludethosetruths，whycannotyoutakethetruthsandleavethedoctrines？Grantedthatallmodernsocietyistrustingtherichtoomuchbecauseitdoesnotallowforhumanweakness；
　　grantedthatorthodoxageshavehadagreatadvantagebecause（believingintheFall）theydidallowforhumanweakness，whycannotyousimplyallowforhumanweaknesswithoutbelievingintheFall？
　　Ifyouhavediscoveredthattheideaofdamnationrepresentsahealthyideaofdanger，whycanyounotsimplytaketheideaofdangerandleavetheideaofdamnation？Ifyouseeclearlythekernelofcommon-senseinthenutofChristianorthodoxy，whycannotyousimplytakethekernelandleavethenut？
　　Whycannotyou（tousethatcantphraseofthenewspaperswhichI，asahighlyscholarlyagnostic，amalittleashamedofusing）
　　whycannotyousimplytakewhatisgoodinChristianity，whatyoucandefineasvaluable，whatyoucancomprehend，andleavealltherest，alltheabsolutedogmasthatareintheirnatureincomprehensible？"
　　Thisistherealquestion；thisisthelastquestion；anditisapleasuretotrytoanswerit。
　　ThefirstanswerissimplytosaythatIamarationalist。
　　Iliketohavesomeintellectualjustificationformyintuitions。
　　IfIamtreatingmanasafallenbeingitisanintellectualconveniencetometobelievethathefell；andIfind，forsomeoddpsychologicalreason，thatIcandealbetterwithaman’sexerciseoffreewillifIbelievethathehasgotit。ButIaminthismatteryetmoredefinitelyarationalist。IdonotproposetoturnthisbookintooneofordinaryChristianapologetics；IshouldbegladtomeetatanyothertimetheenemiesofChristianityinthatmoreobviousarena。HereIamonlygivinganaccountofmyowngrowthinspiritualcertainty。ButImaypausetoremarkthatthemoreI
　　sawofthemerelyabstractargumentsagainsttheChristiancosmologythelessIthoughtofthem。ImeanthathavingfoundthemoralatmosphereoftheIncarnationtobecommonsense，IthenlookedattheestablishedintellectualargumentsagainsttheIncarnationandfoundthemtobecommonnonsense。IncasetheargumentshouldbethoughttosufferfromtheabsenceoftheordinaryapologeticI
　　willhereverybrieflysummarisemyownargumentsandconclusionsonthepurelyobjectiveorscientifictruthofthematter。
　　IfIamasked，asapurelyintellectualquestion，whyIbelieveinChristianity，Icanonlyanswer，"ForthesamereasonthatanintelligentagnosticdisbelievesinChristianity。"Ibelieveinitquiterationallyupontheevidence。Buttheevidenceinmycase，asinthatoftheintelligentagnostic，isnotreallyinthisorthatallegeddemonstration；itisinanenormousaccumulationofsmallbutunanimousfacts。ThesecularistisnottobeblamedbecausehisobjectionstoChristianityaremiscellaneousandevenscrappy；
　　itispreciselysuchscrappyevidencethatdoesconvincethemind。
　　Imeanthatamanmaywellbelessconvincedofaphilosophyfromfourbooks，thanfromonebook，onebattle，onelandscape，andoneoldfriend。Theveryfactthatthethingsareofdifferentkindsincreasestheimportanceofthefactthattheyallpointtooneconclusion。Now，thenon-Christianityoftheaverageeducatedmanto-dayisalmostalways，todohimjustice，madeupoftheseloosebutlivingexperiences。IcanonlysaythatmyevidencesforChristianityareofthesamevividbutvariedkindashisevidencesagainstit。ForwhenIlookatthesevariousanti-Christiantruths，Isimplydiscoverthatnoneofthemaretrue。
　　Idiscoverthatthetruetideandforceofallthefactsflowstheotherway。Letustakecases。ManyasensiblemodernmanmusthaveabandonedChristianityunderthepressureofthreesuchconvergingconvictionsasthese：first，thatmen，withtheirshape，structure，andsexuality，are，afterall，verymuchlikebeasts，amerevarietyoftheanimalkingdom；second，thatprimevalreligionaroseinignoranceandfear；third，thatpriestshaveblightedsocietieswithbitternessandgloom。Thosethreeanti-Christianargumentsareverydifferent；buttheyareallquitelogicalandlegitimate；
　　andtheyallconverge。Theonlyobjectiontothem（Idiscover）
　　isthattheyarealluntrue。Ifyouleaveofflookingatbooksaboutbeastsandmen，ifyoubegintolookatbeastsandmenthen（ifyouhaveanyhumourorimagination，anysenseofthefranticorthefarcical）youwillobservethatthestartlingthingisnothowlikemanistothebrutes，buthowunlikeheis。Itisthemonstrousscaleofhisdivergencethatrequiresanexplanation。
　　Thatmanandbrutearelikeis，inasense，atruism；butthatbeingsoliketheyshouldthenbesoinsanelyunlike，thatistheshockandtheenigma。Thatanapehashandsisfarlessinterestingtothephilosopherthanthefactthathavinghandshedoesnexttonothingwiththem；doesnotplayknuckle-bonesortheviolin；doesnotcarvemarbleorcarvemutton。Peopletalkofbarbaricarchitectureanddebasedart。Butelephantsdonotbuildcolossaltemplesofivoryeveninaroccocostyle；camelsdonotpaintevenbadpictures，thoughequippedwiththematerialofmanycamel’s-hairbrushes。
　　Certainmoderndreamerssaythatantsandbeeshaveasocietysuperiortoours。Theyhave，indeed，acivilization；butthatverytruthonlyremindsusthatitisaninferiorcivilization。Whoeverfoundanant-hilldecoratedwiththestatuesofcelebratedants？
　　Whohasseenabee-hivecarvedwiththeimagesofgorgeousqueensofold？No；thechasmbetweenmanandothercreaturesmayhaveanaturalexplanation，butitisachasm。Wetalkofwildanimals；
　　butmanistheonlywildanimal。Itismanthathasbrokenout。
　　Allotheranimalsaretameanimals；followingtheruggedrespectabilityofthetribeortype。Allotheranimalsaredomesticanimals；
　　manaloneiseverundomestic，eitherasaprofligateoramonk。
　　Sothatthisfirstsuperficialreasonformaterialismis，ifanything，areasonforitsopposite；itisexactlywherebiologyleavesoffthatallreligionbegins。
　　ItwouldbethesameifIexaminedthesecondofthethreechancerationalistarguments；theargumentthatallthatwecalldivinebeganinsomedarknessandterror。WhenIdidattempttoexaminethefoundationsofthismodernideaIsimplyfoundthattherewerenone。Scienceknowsnothingwhateveraboutpre-historicman；
　　fortheexcellentreasonthatheispre-historic。Afewprofessorschoosetoconjecturethatsuchthingsashumansacrificewereonceinnocentandgeneralandthattheygraduallydwindled；butthereisnodirectevidenceofit，andthesmallamountofindirectevidenceisverymuchtheotherway。Intheearliestlegendswehave，suchasthetalesofIsaacandofIphigenia，humansacrificeisnotintroducedassomethingold，butratherassomethingnew；
　　asastrangeandfrightfulexceptiondarklydemandedbythegods。
　　Historysaysnothing；andlegendsallsaythattheearthwaskinderinitsearliesttime。Thereisnotraditionofprogress；butthewholehumanracehasatraditionoftheFall。Amusinglyenough，indeed，theverydisseminationofthisideaisusedagainstitsauthenticity。
　　Learnedmenliterallysaythatthispre-historiccalamitycannotbetruebecauseeveryraceofmankindremembersit。Icannotkeeppacewiththeseparadoxes。
　　Andifwetookthethirdchanceinstance，itwouldbethesame；
　　theviewthatpriestsdarkenandembittertheworld。Ilookattheworldandsimplydiscoverthattheydon’t。ThosecountriesinEuropewhicharestillinfluencedbypriests，areexactlythecountrieswherethereisstillsinginganddancingandcoloureddressesandartintheopen-air。Catholicdoctrineanddisciplinemaybewalls；
　　buttheyarethewallsofaplayground。ChristianityistheonlyframewhichhaspreservedthepleasureofPaganism。Wemightfancysomechildrenplayingontheflatgrassytopofsometallislandinthesea。Solongastherewasawallroundthecliff’sedgetheycouldflingthemselvesintoeveryfranticgameandmaketheplacethenoisiestofnurseries。Butthewallswereknockeddown，leavingthenakedperiloftheprecipice。Theydidnotfallover；
　　butwhentheirfriendsreturnedtothemtheywereallhuddledinterrorinthecentreoftheisland；andtheirsonghadceased。
　　Thusthesethreefactsofexperience，suchfactsasgotomakeanagnostic，are，inthisview，turnedtotallyround。Iamleftsaying，"Givemeanexplanation，first，ofthetoweringeccentricityofmanamongthebrutes；second，ofthevasthumantraditionofsomeancienthappiness；third，ofthepartialperpetuationofsuchpaganjoyinthecountriesoftheCatholicChurch。"Oneexplanation，atanyrate，coversallthree：thetheorythattwicewasthenaturalorderinterruptedbysomeexplosionorrevelationsuchaspeoplenowcall"psychic。"OnceHeavencameupontheearthwithapowerorsealcalledtheimageofGod，wherebymantookcommandofNature；
　　andonceagain（wheninempireafterempiremenhadbeenfoundwanting）
　　Heavencametosavemankindintheawfulshapeofaman。
　　Thiswouldexplainwhythemassofmenalwayslookbackwards；
　　andwhytheonlycornerwheretheyinanysenselookforwardsisthelittlecontinentwhereChristhasHisChurch。IknowitwillbesaidthatJapanhasbecomeprogressive。Buthowcanthisbeananswerwheneveninsaying"Japanhasbecomeprogressive，"wereallyonlymean，"JapanhasbecomeEuropean"？ButIwishherenotsomuchtoinsistonmyownexplanationastoinsistonmyoriginalremark。
　　Iagreewiththeordinaryunbelievingmaninthestreetinbeingguidedbythreeorfouroddfactsallpointingtosomething；
　　onlywhenIcametolookatthefactsIalwaysfoundtheypointedtosomethingelse。
　　Ihavegivenanimaginarytriadofsuchordinaryanti-Christianarguments；ifthatbetoonarrowabasisIwillgiveonthespurofthemomentanother。ThesearethekindofthoughtswhichincombinationcreatetheimpressionthatChristianityissomethingweakanddiseased。First，forinstance，thatJesuswasagentlecreature，sheepishandunworldly，amereineffectualappealtotheworld；second，thatChristianityaroseandflourishedinthedarkagesofignorance，andthattothesetheChurchwoulddragusback；third，thatthepeoplestillstronglyreligiousor（ifyouwill）superstitious——suchpeopleastheIrish——areweak，unpractical，andbehindthetimes。
　　Ionlymentiontheseideastoaffirmthesamething：thatwhenI
　　lookedintothemindependentlyIfound，notthattheconclusionswereunphilosophical，butsimplythatthefactswerenotfacts。
　　InsteadoflookingatbooksandpicturesabouttheNewTestamentI
　　lookedattheNewTestament。ThereIfoundanaccount，notintheleastofapersonwithhishairpartedinthemiddleorhishandsclaspedinappeal，butofanextraordinarybeingwithlipsofthunderandactsofluriddecision，flingingdowntables，castingoutdevils，passingwiththewildsecrecyofthewindfrommountainisolationtoasortofdreadfuldemagogy；abeingwhooftenactedlikeanangrygod——
　　andalwayslikeagod。Christhadevenaliterarystyleofhisown，nottobefound，Ithink，elsewhere；itconsistsofanalmostfurioususeoftheAFORTIORI。His"howmuchmore"ispiledoneuponanotherlikecastleuponcastleintheclouds。ThedictionusedABOUTChristhasbeen，andperhapswisely，sweetandsubmissive。
　　ButthedictionusedbyChristisquitecuriouslygigantesque；
　　itisfullofcamelsleapingthroughneedlesandmountainshurledintothesea。Morallyitisequallyterrific；hecalledhimselfaswordofslaughter，andtoldmentobuyswordsiftheysoldtheircoatsforthem。Thatheusedotherevenwilderwordsonthesideofnon-resistancegreatlyincreasesthemystery；butitalso，ifanything，ratherincreasestheviolence。Wecannotevenexplainitbycallingsuchabeinginsane；forinsanityisusuallyalongoneconsistentchannel。Themaniacisgenerallyamonomaniac。HerewemustrememberthedifficultdefinitionofChristianityalreadygiven；
　　Christianityisasuperhumanparadoxwherebytwooppositepassionsmayblazebesideeachother。TheoneexplanationoftheGospellanguagethatdoesexplainit，isthatitisthesurveyofonewhofromsomesupernaturalheightbeholdssomemorestartlingsynthesis。
　　Itakeinorderthenextinstanceoffered：theideathatChristianitybelongstotheDarkAges。HereIdidnotsatisfymyselfwithreadingmoderngeneralisations；Ireadalittlehistory。
　　AndinhistoryIfoundthatChristianity，sofarfrombelongingtotheDarkAges，wastheonepathacrosstheDarkAgesthatwasnotdark。
　　Itwasashiningbridgeconnectingtwoshiningcivilizations。
　　Ifanyonesaysthatthefaitharoseinignoranceandsavagerytheanswerissimple：itdidn’t。ItaroseintheMediterraneancivilizationinthefullsummeroftheRomanEmpire。Theworldwasswarmingwithsceptics，andpantheismwasasplainasthesun，whenConstantinenailedthecrosstothemast。Itisperfectlytruethatafterwardstheshipsank；butitisfarmoreextraordinarythattheshipcameupagain：repaintedandglittering，withthecrossstillatthetop。Thisistheamazingthingthereligiondid：
　　itturnedasunkenshipintoasubmarine。Thearklivedundertheloadofwaters；afterbeingburiedunderthedebrisofdynastiesandclans，wearoseandrememberedRome。Ifourfaithhadbeenamerefadofthefadingempire，fadwouldhavefollowedfadinthetwilight，andifthecivilizationeverre-emerged（andmanysuchhaveneverre-emerged）itwouldhavebeenundersomenewbarbaricflag。
　　ButtheChristianChurchwasthelastlifeoftheoldsocietyandwasalsothefirstlifeofthenew。ShetookthepeoplewhowereforgettinghowtomakeanarchandshetaughtthemtoinventtheGothicarch。Inaword，themostabsurdthingthatcouldbesaidoftheChurchisthethingwehaveallheardsaidofit。HowcanwesaythattheChurchwishestobringusbackintotheDarkAges？
　　TheChurchwastheonlythingthateverbroughtusoutofthem。
　　IaddedinthissecondtrinityofobjectionsanidleinstancetakenfromthosewhofeelsuchpeopleastheIrishtobeweakenedormadestagnantbysuperstition。Ionlyaddeditbecausethisisapeculiarcaseofastatementoffactthatturnsouttobeastatementoffalsehood。ItisconstantlysaidoftheIrishthattheyareimpractical。ButifwerefrainforamomentfromlookingatwhatissaidaboutthemandlookatwhatisDONEaboutthem，weshallseethattheIrisharenotonlypractical，butquitepainfullysuccessful。Thepovertyoftheircountry，theminorityoftheirmembersaresimplytheconditionsunderwhichtheywereaskedtowork；butnoothergroupintheBritishEmpirehasdonesomuchwithsuchconditions。TheNationalistsweretheonlyminoritythateversucceededintwistingthewholeBritishParliamentsharplyoutofitspath。TheIrishpeasantsaretheonlypoormenintheseislandswhohaveforcedtheirmasterstodisgorge。Thesepeople，whomwecallpriest-ridden，aretheonlyBritonswhowillnotbesquire-ridden。AndwhenIcametolookattheactualIrishcharacter，thecasewasthesame。IrishmenarebestatthespeciallyHARDprofessions——thetradesofiron，thelawyer，andthesoldier。
　　Inallthesecases，therefore，Icamebacktothesameconclusion：
　　thescepticwasquiterighttogobythefacts，onlyhehadnotlookedatthefacts。Thescepticistoocredulous；hebelievesinnewspapersoreveninencyclopedias。Againthethreequestionsleftmewiththreeveryantagonisticquestions。TheaveragescepticwantedtoknowhowIexplainedthenamby-pambynoteintheGospel，theconnectionofthecreedwithmediaevaldarknessandthepoliticalimpracticabilityoftheCelticChristians。ButIwantedtoask，andtoaskwithanearnestnessamountingtourgency，"Whatisthisincomparableenergywhichappearsfirstinonewalkingtheearthlikealivingjudgmentandthisenergywhichcandiewithadyingcivilizationandyetforceittoaresurrectionfromthedead；
　　thisenergywhichlastofallcaninflameabankruptpeasantrywithsofixedafaithinjusticethattheygetwhattheyask，whileothersgoemptyaway；sothatthemosthelplessislandoftheEmpirecanactuallyhelpitself？"
　　Thereisananswer：itisananswertosaythattheenergyistrulyfromoutsidetheworld；thatitispsychic，oratleastoneoftheresultsofarealpsychicaldisturbance。ThehighestgratitudeandrespectareduetothegreathumancivilizationssuchastheoldEgyptianortheexistingChinese。NeverthelessitisnoinjusticeforthemtosaythatonlymodernEuropehasexhibitedincessantlyapowerofself-renewalrecurringoftenattheshortestintervalsanddescendingtothesmallestfactsofbuildingorcostume。
　　Allothersocietiesdiefinallyandwithdignity。Wediedaily。
　　Wearealwaysbeingbornagainwithalmostindecentobstetrics。
　　ItishardlyanexaggerationtosaythatthereisinhistoricChristendomasortofunnaturallife：itcouldbeexplainedasasupernaturallife。Itcouldbeexplainedasanawfulgalvaniclifeworkinginwhatwouldhavebeenacorpse。ForourcivilizationOUGHT
　　tohavedied，byallparallels，byallsociologicalprobability，intheRagnorakoftheendofRome。Thatistheweirdinspirationofourestate：youandIhavenobusinesstobehereatall。WeareallREVENANTS；alllivingChristiansaredeadpaganswalkingabout。
　　JustasEuropewasabouttobegatheredinsilencetoAssyriaandBabylon，somethingenteredintoitsbody。AndEuropehashadastrangelife——itisnottoomuchtosaythatithashadtheJUMPS——
　　eversince。
　　Ihavedealtatlengthwithsuchtypicaltriadsofdoubtinordertoconveythemaincontention——thatmyowncaseforChristianityisrational；butitisnotsimple。Itisanaccumulationofvariedfacts，liketheattitudeoftheordinaryagnostic。
　　Buttheordinaryagnostichasgothisfactsallwrong。
　　Heisanon-believerforamultitudeofreasons；buttheyareuntruereasons。HedoubtsbecausetheMiddleAgeswerebarbaric，buttheyweren’t；becauseDarwinismisdemonstrated，butitisn’t；
　　becausemiraclesdonothappen，buttheydo；becausemonkswerelazy，buttheywereveryindustrious；becausenunsareunhappy，buttheyareparticularlycheerful；becauseChristianartwassadandpale，butitwaspickedoutinpeculiarlybrightcoloursandgaywithgold；
　　becausemodernscienceismovingawayfromthesupernatural，butitisn’t，itismovingtowardsthesupernaturalwiththerapidityofarailwaytrain。
　　Butamongthesemillionfactsallflowingonewaythereis，ofcourse，onequestionsufficientlysolidandseparatetobetreatedbriefly，butbyitself；Imeantheobjectiveoccurrenceofthesupernatural。InanotherchapterIhaveindicatedthefallacyoftheordinarysuppositionthattheworldmustbeimpersonalbecauseitisorderly。Apersonisjustaslikelytodesireanorderlythingasadisorderlything。Butmyownpositiveconvictionthatpersonalcreationismoreconceivablethanmaterialfate，is，Iadmit，inasense，undiscussable。Iwillnotcallitafaithoranintuition，forthosewordsaremixedupwithmereemotion，itisstrictlyanintellectualconviction；butitisaPRIMARYintellectualconvictionlikethecertaintyofselfofthegoodofliving。
　　Anyonewholikes，therefore，maycallmybeliefinGodmerelymystical；
　　thephraseisnotworthfightingabout。Butmybeliefthatmiracleshavehappenedinhumanhistoryisnotamysticalbeliefatall；IbelieveinthemuponhumanevidencesasIdointhediscoveryofAmerica。
　　Uponthispointthereisasimplelogicalfactthatonlyrequirestobestatedandclearedup。Somehoworotheranextraordinaryideahasarisenthatthedisbelieversinmiraclesconsiderthemcoldlyandfairly，whilebelieversinmiraclesacceptthemonlyinconnectionwithsomedogma。Thefactisquitetheotherway。
　　Thebelieversinmiraclesacceptthem（rightlyorwrongly）becausetheyhaveevidenceforthem。Thedisbelieversinmiraclesdenythem（rightlyorwrongly）becausetheyhaveadoctrineagainstthem。
　　Theopen，obvious，democraticthingistobelieveanoldapple-womanwhenshebearstestimonytoamiracle，justasyoubelieveanoldapple-womanwhenshebearstestimonytoamurder。Theplain，popularcourseistotrustthepeasant’swordabouttheghostexactlyasfarasyoutrustthepeasant’swordaboutthelandlord。
　　Beingapeasanthewillprobablyhaveagreatdealofhealthyagnosticismaboutboth。StillyoucouldfilltheBritishMuseumwithevidenceutteredbythepeasant，andgiveninfavouroftheghost。
　　Ifitcomestohumantestimonythereisachokingcataractofhumantestimonyinfavourofthesupernatural。Ifyourejectit，youcanonlymeanoneoftwothings。Yourejectthepeasant’sstoryabouttheghosteitherbecausethemanisapeasantorbecausethestoryisaghoststory。Thatis，youeitherdenythemainprincipleofdemocracy，oryouaffirmthemainprincipleofmaterialism——
　　theabstractimpossibilityofmiracle。Youhaveaperfectrighttodoso；butinthatcaseyouarethedogmatist。ItisweChristianswhoacceptallactualevidence——itisyourationalistswhorefuseactualevidencebeingconstrainedtodosobyyourcreed。
　　ButIamnotconstrainedbyanycreedinthematter，andlookingimpartiallyintocertainmiraclesofmediaevalandmoderntimes，Ihavecometotheconclusionthattheyoccurred。Allargumentagainsttheseplainfactsisalwaysargumentinacircle。IfIsay，"Mediaevaldocumentsattestcertainmiraclesasmuchastheyattestcertainbattles，"theyanswer，"Butmediaevalsweresuperstitious"；
　　ifIwanttoknowinwhattheyweresuperstitious，theonlyultimateansweristhattheybelievedinthemiracles。IfIsay"apeasantsawaghost，"Iamtold，"Butpeasantsaresocredulous。"
　　IfIask，"Whycredulous？"theonlyansweris——thattheyseeghosts。
　　Icelandisimpossiblebecauseonlystupidsailorshaveseenit；
　　andthesailorsareonlystupidbecausetheysaytheyhaveseenIceland。
　　Itisonlyfairtoaddthatthereisanotherargumentthattheunbelievermayrationallyuseagainstmiracles，thoughhehimselfgenerallyforgetstouseit。
　　Hemaysaythattherehasbeeninmanymiraculousstoriesanotionofspiritualpreparationandacceptance：inshort，thatthemiraclecouldonlycometohimwhobelievedinit。
　　Itmaybeso，andifitissohowarewetotestit？Ifweareinquiringwhethercertainresultsfollowfaith，itisuselesstorepeatwearilythat（iftheyhappen）theydofollowfaith。
　　Iffaithisoneoftheconditions，thosewithoutfaithhaveamosthealthyrighttolaugh。Buttheyhavenorighttojudge。
　　Beingabelievermaybe，ifyoulike，asbadasbeingdrunk；
　　stillifwewereextractingpsychologicalfactsfromdrunkards，itwouldbeabsurdtobealwaystauntingthemwithhavingbeendrunk。
　　Supposewewereinvestigatingwhetherangrymenreallysawaredmistbeforetheireyes。Supposesixtyexcellenthouseholderssworethatwhenangrytheyhadseenthiscrimsoncloud：surelyitwouldbeabsurdtoanswer"Oh，butyouadmityouwereangryatthetime。"
　　Theymightreasonablyrejoin（inastentorianchorus），"Howtheblazescouldwediscover，withoutbeingangry，whetherangrypeopleseered？"
　　Sothesaintsandasceticsmightrationallyreply，"Supposethatthequestioniswhetherbelieverscanseevisions——eventhen，ifyouareinterestedinvisionsitisnopointtoobjecttobelievers。"
　　Youarestillarguinginacircle——inthatoldmadcirclewithwhichthisbookbegan。
　　Thequestionofwhethermiracleseveroccurisaquestionofcommonsenseandofordinaryhistoricalimagination：notofanyfinalphysicalexperiment。Onemayheresurelydismissthatquitebrainlesspieceofpedantrywhichtalksabouttheneedfor"scientificconditions"
　　inconnectionwithallegedspiritualphenomena。Ifweareaskingwhetheradeadsoulcancommunicatewithalivingitisludicroustoinsistthatitshallbeunderconditionsinwhichnotwolivingsoulsintheirsenseswouldseriouslycommunicatewitheachother。
　　Thefactthatghostspreferdarknessnomoredisprovestheexistenceofghoststhanthefactthatloverspreferdarknessdisprovestheexistenceoflove。Ifyouchoosetosay，"IwillbelievethatMissBrowncalledherfianceaperiwinkleor，anyotherendearingterm，ifshewillrepeatthewordbeforeseventeenpsychologists，"
　　thenIshallreply，"Verywell，ifthoseareyourconditions，youwillnevergetthetruth，forshecertainlywillnotsayit。"
　　Itisjustasunscientificasitisunphilosophicaltobesurprisedthatinanunsympatheticatmospherecertainextraordinarysympathiesdonotarise。ItisasifIsaidthatIcouldnottelliftherewasafogbecausetheairwasnotclearenough；orasifIinsistedonperfectsunlightinordertoseeasolareclipse。
　　Asacommon-senseconclusion，suchasthosetowhichwecomeaboutsexoraboutmidnight（wellknowingthatmanydetailsmustintheirownnaturebeconcealed）Iconcludethatmiraclesdohappen。
　　Iamforcedtoitbyaconspiracyoffacts：thefactthatthemenwhoencounterelvesorangelsarenotthemysticsandthemorbiddreamers，butfishermen，farmers，andallmenatoncecoarseandcautious；
　　thefactthatweallknowmenwhotestifytospiritualisticincidentsbutarenotspiritualists，thefactthatscienceitselfadmitssuchthingsmoreandmoreeveryday。SciencewillevenadmittheAscensionifyoucallitLevitation，andwillverylikelyadmittheResurrectionwhenithasthoughtofanotherwordforit。
　　IsuggesttheRegalvanisation。Butthestrongestofallisthedilemmaabovementioned，thatthesesupernaturalthingsareneverdeniedexceptonthebasiseitherofanti-democracyorofmaterialistdogmatism——Imaysaymaterialistmysticism。Thescepticalwaystakesoneofthetwopositions；eitheranordinarymanneednotbebelieved，oranextraordinaryeventmustnotbebelieved。
　　ForIhopewemaydismisstheargumentagainstwondersattemptedinthemererecapitulationoffrauds，ofswindlingmediumsortrickmiracles。Thatisnotanargumentatall，goodorbad。
　　AfalseghostdisprovestherealityofghostsexactlyasmuchasaforgedbanknotedisprovestheexistenceoftheBankofEngland——
　　ifanything，itprovesitsexistence。
　　Giventhisconvictionthatthespiritualphenomenadooccur（myevidenceforwhichiscomplexbutrational），wethencollidewithoneoftheworstmentalevilsoftheage。Thegreatestdisasterofthenineteenthcenturywasthis：thatmenbegantousetheword"spiritual"asthesameastheword"good。"
　　Theythoughtthattogrowinrefinementanduncorporealitywastogrowinvirtue。Whenscientificevolutionwasannounced，somefearedthatitwouldencouragemereanimality。Itdidworse：
　　itencouragedmerespirituality。Ittaughtmentothinkthatsolongastheywerepassingfromtheapetheyweregoingtotheangel。
　　Butyoucanpassfromtheapeandgotothedevil。Amanofgenius，verytypicalofthattimeofbewilderment，expresseditperfectly。
　　BenjaminDisraeliwasrightwhenhesaidhewasonthesideoftheangels。Hewasindeed；hewasonthesideofthefallenangels。
　　Hewasnotonthesideofanymereappetiteoranimalbrutality；
　　buthewasonthesideofalltheimperialismoftheprincesoftheabyss；hewasonthesideofarroganceandmystery，andcontemptofallobviousgood。Betweenthissunkenprideandthetoweringhumilitiesofheaventhereare，onemustsuppose，spiritsofshapesandsizes。Man，inencounteringthem，mustmakemuchthesamemistakesthathemakesinencounteringanyothervariedtypesinanyotherdistantcontinent。Itmustbehardatfirsttoknowwhoissupremeandwhoissubordinate。
　　Ifashadearosefromtheunderworld，andstaredatPiccadilly，thatshadewouldnotquiteunderstandtheideaofanordinaryclosedcarriage。Hewouldsupposethatthecoachmanontheboxwasatriumphantconqueror，draggingbehindhimakickingandimprisonedcaptive。So，ifweseespiritualfactsforthefirsttime，wemaymistakewhoisuppermost。Itisnotenoughtofindthegods；
　　theyareobvious；wemustfindGod，therealchiefofthegods。
　　Wemusthavealonghistoricexperienceinsupernaturalphenomena——
　　inordertodiscoverwhicharereallynatural。InthislightI
　　findthehistoryofChristianity，andevenofitsHebreworigins，quitepracticalandclear。ItdoesnottroublemetobetoldthattheHebrewgodwasoneamongmany。Iknowhewas，withoutanyresearchtotellmeso。JehovahandBaallookedequallyimportant，justasthesunandthemoonlookedthesamesize。Itisonlyslowlythatwelearnthatthesunisimmeasurablyourmaster，andthesmallmoononlyoursatellite。Believingthatthereisaworldofspirits，IshallwalkinitasIdointheworldofmen，lookingforthethingthatIlikeandthinkgood。
　　JustasIshouldseekinadesertforcleanwater，ortoilattheNorthPoletomakeacomfortablefire，soIshallsearchthelandofvoidandvisionuntilIfindsomethingfreshlikewater，andcomfortinglikefire；untilIfindsomeplaceineternity，whereIamliterallyathome。Andthereisonlyonesuchplacetobefound。
　　Ihavenowsaidenoughtoshow（toanyonetowhomsuchanexplanationisessential）thatIhaveintheordinaryarenaofapologetics，agroundofbelief。Inpurerecordsofexperiment（ifthesebetakendemocraticallywithoutcontemptorfavour）thereisevidencefirst，thatmiracleshappen，andsecondthatthenoblermiraclesbelongtoourtradition。ButIwillnotpretendthatthiscurtdiscussionismyrealreasonforacceptingChristianityinsteadoftakingthemoralgoodofChristianityasIshouldtakeitoutofConfucianism。
　　Ihaveanotherfarmoresolidandcentralgroundforsubmittingtoitasafaith，insteadofmerelypickinguphintsfromitasascheme。Andthatisthis：thattheChristianChurchinitspracticalrelationtomysoulisalivingteacher，notadeadone。
　　Itnotonlycertainlytaughtmeyesterday，butwillalmostcertainlyteachmeto-morrow。OnceIsawsuddenlythemeaningoftheshapeofthecross；somedayImayseesuddenlythemeaningoftheshapeofthemitre。OnefinemorningIsawwhywindowswerepointed；
　　somefinemorningImayseewhypriestswereshaven。Platohastoldyouatruth；butPlatoisdead。Shakespearehasstartledyouwithanimage；butShakespearewillnotstartleyouwithanymore。
　　Butimaginewhatitwouldbetolivewithsuchmenstillliving，toknowthatPlatomightbreakoutwithanoriginallectureto-morrow，orthatatanymomentShakespearemightshattereverythingwithasinglesong。ThemanwholivesincontactwithwhathebelievestobealivingChurchisamanalwaysexpectingtomeetPlatoandShakespeareto-morrowatbreakfast。Heisalwaysexpectingtoseesometruththathehasneverseenbefore。Thereisoneonlyotherparalleltothisposition；andthatistheparallelofthelifeinwhichweallbegan。Whenyourfathertoldyou，walkingaboutthegarden，thatbeesstungorthatrosessmeltsweet，youdidnottalkoftakingthebestoutofhisphilosophy。Whenthebeesstungyou，youdidnotcallitanentertainingcoincidence。
　　Whentherosesmeltsweetyoudidnotsay"Myfatherisarude，barbaricsymbol，enshrining（perhapsunconsciously）thedeepdelicatetruthsthatflowerssmell。"No：youbelievedyourfather，becauseyouhadfoundhimtobealivingfountainoffacts，athingthatreallyknewmorethanyou；athingthatwouldtellyoutruthto-morrow，aswellasto-day。Andifthiswastrueofyourfather，itwaseventruerofyourmother；atleastitwastrueofmine，towhomthisbookisdedicated。Now，whensocietyisinaratherfutilefussaboutthesubjectionofwomen，willnoonesayhowmucheverymanowestothetyrannyandprivilegeofwomen，tothefactthattheyaloneruleeducationuntileducationbecomesfutile：
　　foraboyisonlysenttobetaughtatschoolwhenitistoolatetoteachhimanything。Therealthinghasbeendonealready，andthankGoditisnearlyalwaysdonebywomen。Everymaniswomanised，merelybybeingborn。Theytalkofthemasculinewoman；
　　buteverymanisafeminisedman。AndifevermenwalktoWestminstertoprotestagainstthisfemaleprivilege，Ishallnotjointheirprocession。
　　ForIrememberwithcertaintythisfixedpsychologicalfact；
　　thattheverytimewhenIwasmostunderawoman’sauthority，Iwasmostfullofflameandadventure。Exactlybecausewhenmymothersaidthatantsbittheydidbite，andbecausesnowdidcomeinwinter（asshesaid）；thereforethewholeworldwastomeafairylandofwonderfulfulfilments，anditwaslikelivinginsomeHebraicage，whenprophecyafterprophecycametrue。Iwentoutasachildintothegarden，anditwasaterribleplacetome，preciselybecauseIhadacluetoit：ifIhadheldnoclueitwouldnothavebeenterrible，buttame。Amereunmeaningwildernessisnotevenimpressive。Butthegardenofchildhoodwasfascinating，exactlybecauseeverythinghadafixedmeaningwhichcouldbefoundoutinitsturn。InchbyinchImightdiscoverwhatwastheobjectoftheuglyshapecalledarake；orformsomeshadowyconjectureastowhymyparentskeptacat。
　　So，sinceIhaveacceptedChristendomasamotherandnotmerelyasachanceexample，IhavefoundEuropeandtheworldoncemorelikethelittlegardenwhereIstaredatthesymbolicshapesofcatandrake；Ilookateverythingwiththeoldelvishignoranceandexpectancy。Thisorthatriteordoctrinemaylookasuglyandextraordinaryasarake；butIhavefoundbyexperiencethatsuchthingsendsomehowingrassandflowers。Aclergymanmaybeapparentlyasuselessasacat，butheisalsoasfascinating，fortheremustbesomestrangereasonforhisexistence。Igiveoneinstanceoutofahundred；Ihavenotmyselfanyinstinctivekinshipwiththatenthusiasmforphysicalvirginity，whichhascertainlybeenanoteofhistoricChristianity。ButwhenIlooknotatmyselfbutattheworld，IperceivethatthisenthusiasmisnotonlyanoteofChristianity，butanoteofPaganism，anoteofhighhumannatureinmanyspheres。TheGreeksfeltvirginitywhentheycarvedArtemis，theRomanswhentheyrobedthevestals，theworstandwildestofthegreatElizabethanplaywrightsclungtotheliteralpurityofawomanastothecentralpillaroftheworld。
　　Aboveall，themodernworld（evenwhilemockingsexualinnocence）
　　hasflungitselfintoagenerousidolatryofsexualinnocence——
　　thegreatmodernworshipofchildren。Foranymanwholoveschildrenwillagreethattheirpeculiarbeautyishurtbyahintofphysicalsex。
　　Withallthishumanexperience，alliedwiththeChristianauthority，IsimplyconcludethatIamwrong，andthechurchright；orratherthatIamdefective，whilethechurchisuniversal。Ittakesallsortstomakeachurch；shedoesnotaskmetobecelibate。
　　ButthefactthatIhavenoappreciationofthecelibates，IacceptlikethefactthatIhavenoearformusic。Thebesthumanexperienceisagainstme，asitisonthesubjectofBach。
　　Celibacyisoneflowerinmyfather’sgarden，ofwhichIhavenotbeentoldthesweetorterriblename。ButImaybetolditanyday。
　　This，therefore，is，inconclusion，myreasonforacceptingthereligionandnotmerelythescatteredandseculartruthsoutofthereligion。Idoitbecausethethinghasnotmerelytoldthistruthorthattruth，buthasrevealeditselfasatruth-tellingthing。
　　Allotherphilosophiessaythethingsthatplainlyseemtobetrue；
　　onlythisphilosophyhasagainandagainsaidthethingthatdoesnotseemtobetrue，butistrue。Aloneofallcreedsitisconvincingwhereitisnotattractive；itturnsouttoberight，likemyfatherinthegarden。Theosophistsforinstancewillpreachanobviouslyattractiveidealikere-incarnation；butifwewaitforitslogicalresults，theyarespiritualsuperciliousnessandthecrueltyofcaste。Forifamanisabeggarbyhisownpre-natalsins，peoplewilltendtodespisethebeggar。ButChristianitypreachesanobviouslyunattractiveidea，suchasoriginalsin；butwhenwewaitforitsresults，theyarepathosandbrotherhood，andathunderoflaughterandpity；foronlywithoriginalsinwecanatoncepitythebeggaranddistrusttheking。Menofscienceofferushealth，anobviousbenefit；itisonlyafterwardsthatwediscoverthatbyhealth，theymeanbodilyslaveryandspiritualtedium。
　　Orthodoxymakesusjumpbythesuddenbrinkofhell；itisonlyafterwardsthatwerealisethatjumpingwasanathleticexercisehighlybeneficialtoourhealth。Itisonlyafterwardsthatwerealisethatthisdangeristherootofalldramaandromance。
　　Thestrongestargumentforthedivinegraceissimplyitsungraciousness。
　　TheunpopularpartsofChristianityturnoutwhenexaminedtobetheverypropsofthepeople。TheouterringofChristianityisarigidguardofethicalabnegationsandprofessionalpriests；
　　butinsidethatinhumanguardyouwillfindtheoldhumanlifedancinglikechildren，anddrinkingwinelikemen；forChristianityistheonlyframeforpaganfreedom。Butinthemodernphilosophythecaseisopposite；itisitsouterringthatisobviouslyartisticandemancipated；itsdespairiswithin。
　　Anditsdespairisthis，thatitdoesnotreallybelievethatthereisanymeaningintheuniverse；thereforeitcannothopetofindanyromance；itsromanceswillhavenoplots。Amancannotexpectanyadventuresinthelandofanarchy。Butamancanexpectanynumberofadventuresifhegoestravellinginthelandofauthority。Onecanfindnomeaningsinajungleofscepticism；
　　butthemanwillfindmoreandmoremeaningswhowalksthroughaforestofdoctrineanddesign。Hereeverythinghasastorytiedtoitstail，likethetoolsorpicturesinmyfather’shouse；
　　foritismyfather’shouse。IendwhereIbegan——attherightend。
　　Ihaveenteredatlastthegateofallgoodphilosophy。Ihavecomeintomysecondchildhood。
　　ButthislargerandmoreadventurousChristianuniversehasonefinalmarkdifficulttoexpress；yetasaconclusionofthewholematterIwillattempttoexpressit。Alltherealargumentaboutreligionturnsonthequestionofwhetheramanwhowasbornupsidedowncantellwhenhecomesrightwayup。TheprimaryparadoxofChristianityisthattheordinaryconditionofmanisnothissaneorsensiblecondition；thatthenormalitselfisanabnormality。
　　ThatistheinmostphilosophyoftheFall。InSirOliverLodge’sinterestingnewCatechism，thefirsttwoquestionswere：
　　"Whatareyou？"and"What，then，isthemeaningoftheFallofMan？"
　　Irememberamusingmyselfbywritingmyownanswerstothequestions；
　　butIsoonfoundthattheywereverybrokenandagnosticanswers。
　　Tothequestion，"Whatareyou？"Icouldonlyanswer，"Godknows。"
　　Andtothequestion，"WhatismeantbytheFall？"Icouldanswerwithcompletesincerity，"ThatwhateverIam，Iamnotmyself。"
　　Thisistheprimeparadoxofourreligion；somethingthatwehaveneverinanyfullsenseknown，isnotonlybetterthanourselves，butevenmorenaturaltousthanourselves。Andthereisreallynotestofthisexceptthemerelyexperimentalonewithwhichthesepagesbegan，thetestofthepaddedcellandtheopendoor。ItisonlysinceIhaveknownorthodoxythatIhaveknownmentalemancipation。
　　But，inconclusion，ithasonespecialapplicationtotheultimateideaofjoy。
　　ItissaidthatPaganismisareligionofjoyandChristianityofsorrow；itwouldbejustaseasytoprovethatPaganismispuresorrowandChristianitypurejoy。Suchconflictsmeannothingandleadnowhere。Everythinghumanmusthaveinitbothjoyandsorrow；
　　theonlymatterofinterestisthemannerinwhichthetwothingsarebalancedordivided。Andthereallyinterestingthingisthis，thatthepaganwas（inthemain）happierandhappierasheapproachedtheearth，butsadderandsadderasheapproachedtheheavens。
　　ThegaietyofthebestPaganism，asintheplayfulnessofCatullusorTheocritus，is，indeed，aneternalgaietynevertobeforgottenbyagratefulhumanity。Butitisallagaietyaboutthefactsoflife，notaboutitsorigin。Tothepaganthesmallthingsareassweetasthesmallbrooksbreakingoutofthemountain；butthebroadthingsareasbitterasthesea。Whenthepaganlooksattheverycoreofthecosmosheisstruckcold。Behindthegods，whoaremerelydespotic，sitthefates，whoaredeadly。Nay，thefatesareworsethandeadly；
　　theyaredead。AndwhenrationalistssaythattheancientworldwasmoreenlightenedthantheChristian，fromtheirpointofviewtheyareright。Forwhentheysay"enlightened"theymeandarkenedwithincurabledespair。ItisprofoundlytruethattheancientworldwasmoremodernthantheChristian。Thecommonbondisinthefactthatancientsandmodernshavebothbeenmiserableaboutexistence，abouteverything，whilemediaevalswerehappyaboutthatatleast。
　　Ifreelygrantthatthepagans，likethemoderns，wereonlymiserableabouteverything——theywerequitejollyabouteverythingelse。
　　IconcedethattheChristiansoftheMiddleAgeswereonlyatpeaceabouteverything——theywereatwarabouteverythingelse。
　　Butifthequestionturnontheprimarypivotofthecosmos，thentherewasmorecosmiccontentmentinthenarrowandbloodystreetsofFlorencethaninthetheatreofAthensortheopengardenofEpicurus。GiottolivedinagloomiertownthanEuripides，buthelivedinagayeruniverse。
　　Themassofmenhavebeenforcedtobegayaboutthelittlethings，butsadaboutthebigones。Nevertheless（Ioffermylastdogmadefiantly）itisnotnativetomantobeso。Manismorehimself，manismoremanlike，whenjoyisthefundamentalthinginhim，andgriefthesuperficial。Melancholyshouldbeaninnocentinterlude，atenderandfugitiveframeofmind；praiseshouldbethepermanentpulsationofthesoul。Pessimismisatbestanemotionalhalf-holiday；
　　joyistheuproariouslabourbywhichallthingslive。Yet，accordingtotheapparentestateofmanasseenbythepaganortheagnostic，thisprimaryneedofhumannaturecanneverbefulfilled。
　　Joyoughttobeexpansive；butfortheagnosticitmustbecontracted，itmustclingtoonecorneroftheworld。Griefoughttobeaconcentration；butfortheagnosticitsdesolationisspreadthroughanunthinkableeternity。ThisiswhatIcallbeingbornupsidedown。Thescepticmaytrulybesaidtobetopsy-turvy；
　　forhisfeetaredancingupwardsinidleecstasies，whilehisbrainisintheabyss。Tothemodernmantheheavensareactuallybelowtheearth。Theexplanationissimple；heisstandingonhishead；
　　whichisaveryweakpedestaltostandon。Butwhenhehasfoundhisfeetagainheknowsit。Christianitysatisfiessuddenlyandperfectlyman’sancestralinstinctforbeingtherightwayup；
　　satisfiesitsupremelyinthis；thatbyitscreedjoybecomessomethinggiganticandsadnesssomethingspecialandsmall。
　　Thevaultaboveusisnotdeafbecausetheuniverseisanidiot；
　　thesilenceisnottheheartlesssilenceofanendlessandaimlessworld。
　　Ratherthesilencearoundusisasmallandpitifulstillnesslikethepromptstillnessinasick-room。Weareperhapspermittedtragedyasasortofmercifulcomedy：becausethefranticenergyofdivinethingswouldknockusdownlikeadrunkenfarce。Wecantakeourowntearsmorelightlythanwecouldtakethetremendouslevitiesoftheangels。Sowesitperhapsinastarrychamberofsilence，whilethelaughteroftheheavensistooloudforustohear。
　　Joy，whichwasthesmallpublicityofthepagan，isthegiganticsecretoftheChristian。AndasIclosethischaoticvolumeIopenagainthestrangesmallbookfromwhichallChristianitycame；andI
　　amagainhauntedbyakindofconfirmation。ThetremendousfigurewhichfillstheGospelstowersinthisrespect，asineveryother，aboveallthethinkerswhoeverthoughtthemselvestall。Hispathoswasnatural，almostcasual。TheStoics，ancientandmodern，wereproudofconcealingtheirtears。HeneverconcealedHistears；
　　HeshowedthemplainlyonHisopenfaceatanydailysight，suchasthefarsightofHisnativecity。YetHeconcealedsomething。
　　Solemnsupermenandimperialdiplomatistsareproudofrestrainingtheiranger。HeneverrestrainedHisanger。HeflungfurnituredownthefrontstepsoftheTemple，andaskedmenhowtheyexpectedtoescapethedamnationofHell。YetHerestrainedsomething。
　　Isayitwithreverence；therewasinthatshatteringpersonalityathreadthatmustbecalledshyness。TherewassomethingthatHehidfromallmenwhenHewentupamountaintopray。TherewassomethingthatHecoveredconstantlybyabruptsilenceorimpetuousisolation。
　　TherewassomeonethingthatwastoogreatforGodtoshowuswhenHewalkeduponourearth；andIhavesometimesfanciedthatitwasHismirth。