"THE STORY OF MY HEART." 271 



ever illiterate and untrained, considers him- 

 self, not only free, but also qualified, to be an 

 advocate, or an opponent, of religion. Freedom 

 of thought is so great a thing that one would 

 not have it otherwise. As for the lines of 

 inquiry, scientific men, of whom there are 

 few, apply scientific methods to certain books 

 held sacred by the Church, with whatever 

 results may happen; some scientific men, 

 after this research, find that they can remain 

 Christians, others resigning, at least, the 

 orthodox form of that faith. Scholars of 

 language, mythology, Oriental antiquities, of 

 whom also there are comparatively few, may 

 approach the subject by these lines. Others, 

 like the late Mr. Cotter Morison, the like of 

 whom are rare, may consider the subject in 

 relation to the history, development, and 

 proved effect of certain doctrines upon 

 humanity. Others, again, assuming that the 

 pretensions of priests essentially belong to the 

 Christian religion, may compare these preten- 

 sions with those of other and older religions. 

 Again, the difficulty or impossibility of recon- 

 ciling statements in so-called inspired works, 



