I bought cheap free-thought literature; to one or two papers of the kind I even contributed.

I keep these effusions carefully locked up, for salutary self-humiliation at some future day, when I shall have grown conceited.

Nay, I went further.

I delivered lectures at working-men's clubs, lectures with violent titles.

One, I remember, was called 'The Gospel of Rationalism.' And I was enthusiastic in the cause, with an enthusiasm such as I shall never experience again.