as the life given by
Him to His immediate disciples all that has been given and
transmitted to us, or does He now commune with the visible Church?
And how? He promised to be with His disciples even unto the end of
the world, to send the Comforter who should lead them into all truth,
and to intercede for us with the Father. The Church holds that its
sacraments and forms are the visible means for communing with the
invisible--that grace is imparted through them to the worthy
receiver. Is it true that such grace is imparted? If it is, it will
be shown by its fruits. Contrast the Catholic who believes most in
the sacraments with the Quaker who does not believe in them at all as
religious or moral forces. Certainly, if the sacraments have any
beneficial effect, it should be shown in the contrast between those
who totally deny their efficacy and those who religiously believe in
them. Now, does this show what one would naturally expect to flow
from faith in the sacraments?

"November 20.--I feel in better health than I have ever had, both
mind and body, having at the same time an increased sensitiveness, so
that the touch of any one I cannot bear. Also, I am conscious of a
more constant spiritual communion. I feel more vividly and distinctly
the influence and presence--spiritual presence--of others.

"I lie down in my bed at night with the same feelings with which I
rise in the morning. I anticipate as much from one as from the other.
The events, emotions, and thoughts which come in my sleep are as much
a part of my real life as those of the day. Waking and sleeping are
two forms of existence. To me the latter state is full of interest
and expectation. The two states mutually act upon each other. . . .

"Hope, Faith, Wish, are the presentiments of sight, the evidences of
becoming sight to the senses. They are the forerunners of vision. It
is by them we know. . . .

"To believe is to see, not with the senses but with the higher
faculties of the soul, reason, imagination, hope. . . .

"I believe that every faculty may be elevated to the state of
prophecy.

"Reasoning is faith struggling with doubt."

________________________

CHAPTER XI

STUDYING AND WAITING

THAT "movable feast," Thanksgiving Day, gave Isaac occasion for
making this examination of conscience at five o'clock in the morning:

"When I cast my eyes back, it seems to me that I have made some
progress--that I have grown somewhat better than I was