e this charge, fanaticism can
only add a few links to the chain of necessitating cause, and tell you
it is necessity no longer. Now, our most perfect conception of sin is
found in a will which sets itself in opposition to God's will. This is
the characteristic of the father of evil and his fallen hosts. Our
highest idea of virtue is found in the creature's conforming his will
to that of his Maker; this is the trait of the angels who were
steadfast in their faith. How can you here couple fatality and will?
If ours be a state of probation, it is only by a certain freedom of
action, an originating power of causation in ourselves, that we can
conceive of our being put to proof. Possibly, in fallen man, that
freedom is limited to the power of rejecting or yielding to the
influences of grace. Yet within that narrow range it may be still a
perfect freedom. God said, 'let us make man in our image and after our
likeness,' and this likeness between the 'cause of causes' and his
creature, may well consist in man's being endowed with a spark from
the Creator's nature, gifted with an originating will, and made a
source of causes in himself. To say that this may not be, were to
limit the power of God."

"Most assuredly," said Lady Mabel, who was on this point easily
convinced. "I shall now be ready armed for Moodie, when next he
broaches his dogma of predestination. But will he listen, much less
understand?"

"If his dogma be a truth," continued L'Isle, encouraged by her
approbation, "to know it, or any other revealed truth, can avail us
nothing; for our knowledge, itself a predestined fact, cannot
influence our preordained condition here or hereafter. On the other
hand, if the doctrine be misunderstood or false, it is most dangerous;
there being but a short step between believing it and applying it,
presumptuously, in our own favor, and adversely to our neighbor. We
are ever more successful in deceiving ourselves than others; and to
indulge in the belief that we are the chosen of God, may be only less
dangerous than a conviction of our utter reprobation."

"For my part," said Lady Mabel, "I can appeal yet more confidently to
my feelings than my reason, for a refutation of the doctrine Moodie
has so often urged upon me. I feel within me a capacity to be as
wicked as I please, if fear and reverence did not withhold me."

"And I, as your duenna," said Mrs. Shortridge, "prohibit any such
frank admission of propensity to evil in a y