red. It is alleged that people are turning away from the
churches because they can obtain no certain answer to the questions of
the soul. Instead of quoting a "Yea" or a "Nay," they report replies
to the effect that _probably_ the answer should be "Yea," but that, as
we are at present passing through "a period of transition," as all our
creeds are "in the melting pot," we must wait a little while for an
absolutely categorical reply, preserving, in the meantime, an open mind
and a trusting heart. For purposes of consolation, and to encourage
them to this trustfulness of spirit, they are told, so they relate,
that "devout men are at work upon the sacred documents;" that other
men, equally devout, are reconsidering the doctrines, and that, among
it all, the preacher does not worry, but, with admirable calm, waits
and trusts, knowing "that in the end his position will be stronger than
ever for the surrender of a few defenceless outposts." By preaching
such as this possibilities are suggested which, it is said, cause more
concern than comfort to the man in search of definite guidance on the
most serious and vital subjects with which the mind is called upon to
deal. Another statement we have heard:--That as this kind of thing is
met with almost exclusively in Protestantism it works out largely to
the advantage of the Roman Catholic Church. Few weeks pass by in which
we do not read of this or that well-known person who has "gone over."
As only the more prominent "converts" are mentioned in the press we may
be sure that the number of unknown and relatively unimportant people
who secede from Protestantism is much greater than is known. From one
of this multitude came a little while ago an explanation of the step he
had taken:--"The Roman Church knows what she believes. Her priests are
positive. I cannot risk my soul upon a theory; I want a fact!"

Now it is quite possible that this complaint is greatly an
exaggeration. It is certain that many are blamed while comparatively
few are guilty. It is quite possible to be too much disturbed and
alarmed by criticisms of the Church and her preachers. These
criticisms do not all come from the sincerest friendliness; neither are
they always absolutely without bias, or invariably founded upon
extensive observation. The Church at her worst has always been
better--she always will be better--than her enemies allow. The same is
true of preaching. Still it is wise to ask ourselves,