14 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
will not try to unsettle your determination, for 
I have rather suspected that you would not take 
kindly to the plod-and-traffic line. But you 
must remember that there are other things to 
be gained besides money. The good Book says 
that the merchandise of wisdom is better than 
silver or gold, and more precious than rubies. 
Turn philosopher, man, and make a name for 
yourself. You have already made such a grand 
start that success is almost certain. Come, now, 
here is a line worthy of your ambition, in which 
your morbid philosophy will not serve as an 
excuse.” 
“ Oh yes,” was the reply, “ there was a time 
when the best minds were consecrated to noble 
thoughts and ends; but, dear me ! I fear that 
golden day is past. The purposes of some 
of the scientists seem to be more detestable 
than those of the devotees of Mammon. The 
Mammonites only would cheat you of your 
cash; but these scientists are striving with all 
their might to rob the universe of a God, and 
man of his soul and his immortality. I am no 
practical believer in systems of theology, nor 
have I fully accepted the Bible as an inspired 
book, but paganism never concocted so vile a 
