" THE STORY OF MY HEART." 277 



certainly, all seek into the origins and causes 

 of things ; some must listen and obey. There 

 is the Authority of example ; there is also the 

 Authority of Church rule and discipline But 

 Jefferies was one of those who cannot listen 

 and obey. 



Most books which deal with the difficulties 

 and the loss of faith deal also largely at the 

 outset with the bitterness and the agonies of 

 the soul when doubt begins ; with the long 

 discussions based upon premises which are 

 first questioned tentatively, and then wholly 

 denied ; with the consequent estrangement of 

 friends ; with the laying down of one set of 

 shackles in order to take up another, as when 

 a man, after infinite heart-searchings, ex- 

 changes one little sect for another. 



Others, again, who think it necessary to put 

 aside their religion, do so with a curious rage. 

 They vehemently despise, and have no words 

 too strong for their contempt of those who 

 refuse to follow them. As for the doctrines 

 themselves, they are these renegades cry 

 aloud unworthy the consideration of any 

 who have the least pretensions to intellect. 



