Indeed it troubled me sorely
until I came to understand things better. I remember Mr Graham
saying once something like this--I did not understand it for
months after: 'Every kind hearted person who thinks a great deal of
being comfortable, and takes prosperity to consist in being well
off must be tempted to doubt the existence of a God.--And perhaps
it is well they should be so tempted,' he added."
"Why did he add that?"
"I think because such are in danger of believing in an evil God.
And if men believed in an evil God, and had not the courage to defy
him, they must sink to the very depths of savagery. At least that
is what I ventured to suppose he meant."
Clementina opened her eyes wide, but said nothing. Religious people,
she found, could think as boldly as she.
"I remember all about it so well!" Malcolm added, thoughtfully.
"We had been talking about the Prometheus of .AEschylus--how he
would not give in to Jupiter."
"I am trying to understand," said Clementina, and ceased--and
a silence fell which for a few moments Malcolm could not break.
For suddenly he felt as if he had fallen under the power of a
spell. Something seemed to radiate from her silence which invaded
his consciousness. It was as if the wind which dwells in the tree
of life had waked in the twilight of heaven, and blew upon his
spirit.
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