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ing and gigantic dreams reported to emanate from the teaching of “Masters” whose address it seems impossible to discover； it may be said that； like that of reincarnation； they are superfluous。 The Christian can afford to wait to learn the truth of them — or perhaps their fallacy。
We tread on firmer ground when we consider that as far back as history shows her light； and beyond it as the graves of primitive peoples prove； the almost universal instinct of mankind was to believe that death is but a gate of other forms of continued and individual Life。 I know of no instinct which haunts breathing creatures that is uselessly given without purpose； and does not serve some necessary or protective object or reflect some existent truth。 Why； then； among them all should this rooted conviction that physical decease is not the end of man be but a vain thing fondly imagined？ Such a conclusion seems inconsistent； even unnatural and absurd。 But if our faith is strong enough to enable us to accept Christ’s teaching； again what need is there for us to seek support in instincts which it is possible we do not understand aright？
To one fact； corroborative in its nature； I think； however； weight should be given； that of the fatherhood of God； displayed towards those of His children who seek； or who in His foresight He knows； in some other day or place； will seek the fort and protection of His love。 How any reflecting man who has led a full and adventurous life can doubt the present； living power of that fatherhood passes my understanding！ Certainly I cannot。 When we rode the wild horses of our youthful sins； the red blood coursing through our veins like wine； who was it that seized the reins and again and yet again delivered us from the last disaster？ Who was it that has so often protected us from the results of our own self…willed folly and even turned it to our advantage？ Who that by His gift of a higher hope has stilled the raging agony of our griefs？ Who that by the unexpected answers springing at us from the Bible’s written page or with some word spoken； apparently at hazard； by one of His servants upon earth； has removed our doubts； enlightened our darkness and strengthened our wavering soul？ Who that has shown us a way of escape from sharp temptation？ Or； amongst a thousand other examples； who that has borne with our presumptuous profanities and ingratitude and at last in His own good hour has set our erring feet upon the paths of peace？ Or； to take one more example； who was it that by a dream and a vision of the night taught me that His humbler creatures are my kin and not called to life to be slaughtered for my pleasure； even though some of them must die to serve my necessities？ Yet again； who twice has snatched me by the hair from the murderer’s spears and bullets； twice from death in the deep； and from a score of other perils； perchance that I might live on to bear this witness； unworthy though it be？
I have spoken of this fatherhood as a fact corroborative in its nature of the truth of the arguments which I have so feebly attempted to advance with reference to the immortality of our souls。 For this reason。 Even among the lowest of us fatherhood implies love。 The fathers are few who desire that even their erring and unthankful children should die and vanish from their sight for ever； and much less that these should live on in suffering for all uncounted time。 Can we then for one instance imagine that the Architect and Author of the universe； the Supreme； the Absolute； He who was and is and shall be； He whose Holy Name is Love； the Begetter of Spirits and of men； desires that His children should be tormented； or die and not endure； redeemed and purified； to adore and serve Him？ Not so！ Not for this does He count the sparrows that fall and number the very hairs upon our heads。 In His cup is the wine of life — if we will but drink — not the henbane of death eternal。 He is the God of the living； not of the dead。 Did not the Saviour say it that we might know and believe？
And if your reasonings are sound； if what you say is true； the reader may ask； if the righteous are redeemed and live to look upon the Presence to all infinities； still what hope is there for you who are not righteous； who are but a mon flesh…stained sinner？ As I shall not then be here to answer I will strive to answer now； praying for grace that I may do so aright。 With utter humility； in true unfeigned abasement of heart and spirit I will answer。 Was there not one Mary Magdalene out of whom Christ cast seven devils？ Was there not a woman taken in adultery whom He refused to judge？ Did He not declare that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth？ Did He not bid those that were heavy…laden to e to Him and taste of rest？ Therefore it is that millions such as I； men who in the course of life have erred deeply in some things and fallen short in many； may still dare to hope。 Also who are the righteous？ Even St。 Paul speaks of the war within him。 Is it not written that there are no righteous on this side of the grave — none nearly perfect？ They would not be human if they were。 All； even deans and bishops； or some of them； have need of grace。 Surely it is the attitude and strivings of the caged spirit that will be considered； not the shortings of the gaoler body； the desire not the deeds； for if it prove otherwise who can escape when the heart is weighed in the balance？ To my mind the great sin is not to seek forgiveness for sins — not to try to avoid them in the future。 All stumble into the mire； but of those who elect to wallow there and of those who deliberately refuse the saving hand that is stretched out to them； what can be said？ Well； perhaps they may be given other opportunities elsewhere。 As a believer in the infinite mercy of God I dare to trust that this will be so。
I desire to urge； however； upon any who care to listen these three things which I myself have learned in the course of years。 First； the enormous importance of all this matter。 Secondly； the folly of sin。 Thirdly； since it needs must be that offences will e； the urgent need of repentance before in some other life or lives we are called upon to reap the harvest of that unrepented f