cable law of
Nature. Water attains its utmost weight and density at a temperature of
38 deg. 75 Fahrenheit. Beyond this point, it grows lighter, and expands.
And I tell you I do not comprehend how a man knowing this can
persist in denying God. For God is here. Here is no mere blind,
self-regulative, natural law. Here is the free Genius of the Universal.
Here is Wisdom. Observe, if solidified water went on increasing in
weight, and streams froze from beneath upward, the river-beds would
remain undisturbed until the spring-thaws. And do you understand what
the consequences would be?"

"Certainly; the fish would all die."

"Even so. Here is the wisdom of God. Here is the Deity who modifies the
law of Nature for the preservation of his creatures. Our God no longer
towers aloft above the waters and their laws. He lives and works within
the waters. The law of Nature is broken that Nature may be preserved.
There are no more visible miracles; but all life, beyond a certain
point, subsists by a miracle,--the miracle of Genius. The very surface
of the earth, whereon we plant and build, is such a natural miracle.
Our globe is molten fire inside, and the crust remains cool above it.
Do you understand?"

"I believe I do."

"And now, my son, you have not to suffer and repent and make atonement
under some iron law of Nature, because the man who was your father
sinned. You are free. Least of all creatures, is man the helpless
subject of natural law. He is lord of his fate. Look up! The world is
very bright, and this whole, vast, beauteous world is full of God. Let
the bell-ringers, yonder, understand and address him after their own
fashion. It is not ours. The churches are but little chambers in the
great temple of the universe. Let no man, in my presence, restrict the
Highest to one revelation and one mode of worship. God, the great, the
holy, is everywhere. It is impossible not to find him. We have him
here, out under the broad arch of heaven, and we have him in our own
hearts. He who thus feels the breath of the Infinite upon him--he lives
a holy life. Come to my heart, my son! You have wrestled manfully! You
are saved!"

Roland threw himself into the arms of this man, and kissed his garment,
and wept in the fulness of his heart.

It was night when they disembarked; but within and around Roland all
was ineffably bright. A new man stepped upon the shore.

Roland and Weidmann walked home in silence.

With a feeling of relea