CHAPTER XVIII. 
THE ALTAR AND THE SACRIFICE. 
HE little company that had spent so many 
^ happy hours in the cozy library at Wil¬ 
low Brook were assembled for the final inter¬ 
view. Doctor Dean opened the conversation 
by remarking: 
“ It is with no ordinary emotions that I meet 
you this evening to bring to a conclusion the 
efforts made to get a clearer insight into the 
works and purposes of Jehovah. Time has 
allowed us opportunity to touch but the bor¬ 
ders of creative skill, and has confined us to a 
few rounds of that ascending pathway which 
has grown brighter and brighter at each up¬ 
ward stepping, though you have had such very 
imperfect guidance all the way. Indeed, I may 
have quite failed of my purpose, leaving us to 
part company with but little or no advance in 
true knowledge of Nature’s wonderful lessons. 
Be this as it may, I can assure you that the 
V 
321 
