ruscation of this magnificent paraphrase of Paul's sentence, by the
extraordinary turn the conversation had taken. "I am ashamed to own that
I have not followed the development of modern philosophy. The books
I have just returned, on historical criticism," he went on, after a
moment's hesitation, "infer what my attitude has been toward modern
thought. We were made acquainted with historical criticism in the
theological seminary, but we were also taught to discount it. I have
discounted it, refrained from reading it,--until now. And yet I have
heard it discussed in conferences, glanced over articles in the reviews.
I had, you see, closed the door of my mind. I was in a state where
arguments make no impression."

The librarian made a gesture of sympathetic assent, which was also a
tribute to the clergyman's frankness.

"You will perhaps wonder how I could have lived these years in an
atmosphere of modern thought and have remained uninfluenced. Well, I
have recently been wondering--myself." Hodder smiled. "The name of Royce
is by no means unfamiliar to me, and he taught at Harvard when I was
an undergraduate. But the prevailing philosophy of that day among the
students was naturalism. I represent a revolt from it. At the seminary I
imbibed a certain amount of religious philosophy--but I did not continue
it, as thousands of my more liberal fellow-clergymen have done. My
religion 'worked' during the time, at least, I remained in my first
parish. I had no interest in reconciling, for instance, the doctrine of
evolution with the argument for design. Since I have been here in this
city," he added, simply, "my days have been filled with a continued
perplexity--when I was not too busy to think. Yes, there was an
unacknowledged element of fear in my attitude, though I comforted myself
with the notion that opinions, philosophical and scientific, were in a
state of flux."

"Yes, yes," said Mr. Engel, "I comprehend. But, from the manner in which
you spoke just now, I should have inferred that you have been reading
modern philosophy--that of the last twenty years. Ah, you have
something before you, Mr. Hodder. You will thank God, with me, for that
philosophy. It has turned the tide, set the current running the other
way. Philosophy is no longer against religion, it is with it. And if
you were to ask me to name one of the greatest religious teachers of
our age, I should answer, William James. And there is Royce, of whom I
spoke,--on