Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/97

Rh way. Thus, a variety of churches and sects arose, which, even when they were agreed on the chief topic, yet acknowledged differences sufficiently great, to make them then and still at this day, quarrel one with another, like enemies. The Romish Church exclaimed triumphantly, “Where is now your Church? Where is your unity, where your cementing central point?” And it exclaims so to this day. Protestantism replies, as we have already said; but has an internal conviction that the answer is not satisfactory, and seeks for one of greater completeness, looking around for it, certain that it will be found, but, am I wrong, when I say that as yet, it has neither found it nor comprehended it?

Alas! I have made many inquiries and investigations; I have traveled over land and sea; I have searched in books and amongst men, to come to some light on this subject, to find an answer at once true, full and sufficing: an answer with which scoffers could be silenced, skeptics enlightened, and which should carry with it conviction and satisfaction to the soul. For the question does not alone concern the basis of Protestanism, but is first and foremost, the basis of all human wisdom; it concerns the right of humanity, that is to say, the ability of humanity to comprehend the truth even to decide and determine upon any of the highest questions; upon those which bear reference in the profoundest manner to the soul, to eternal happiness or misery. And—I still am seeking and still inquiring. But no longer altogether as I did formerly. I have seen for some time, in the depth of my soul's innermost, a light becoming clear, and have