30 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
patient searching I should yet find out the happy 
secret. There must be some course in life that 
will make it a blessing and be the promise of 
something better hereafter; and will it not be the 
part of wisdom for us both to make an honest 
effort to find it out before giving up to despair ? 
It seems to me that the Deans have found the 
true pathway of life, and are in the enjoyment 
of its happiness. Perhaps before our vacation 
is over they may render us essential aid in our 
search for the right way to happiness.” 
*^To all of which,” said Davidson, “I will 
interpose no objection, provided it comes with¬ 
out prompting or cant. In the line of science, 
I do not see how the happiness you speak of 
is attainable; and as to religion, the multitudes 
of superstitions which have distracted and op¬ 
pressed the world preclude all hope of finding 
it there.” 
“ I am not so certain of that,” was Rudolph’s 
answer. The fact that all nations have a re¬ 
ligion leads us to infer that it is essential to 
man’s nature. It seems to me to be the first 
rational duty of every one to find out which is 
the true one, and then most heartily to accept 
its doctrines and practise its duties. For my- 
