There was a grave earnestness in his speech which made his opinion on this subject suddenly become of moment to me, and his intensity did not produce any of that sensation of irritation or opposition which the intensity of most men produces as soon as it is felt.
"You think that the chief obstacle which is hindering the progress of true religion in the world at present is that while we will not learn from those who disagree with us we can obtain no new light, and that when we are willing to reach after their light we become also willing to let go what we have had, so that the world does not gain but loses by the transaction.

This is, I admit, an obstacle to thought; but it is not the essential difficulty of our age." "Let us consider," I said, in my pedantic way, "how my difficulty may be overcome, and then let us discuss that one you consider to be essential." Toyner's choice of words, like his appearance, betrayed a strong, yet finely chiselled personality.
"We are truly accustomed now to the idea that whatever has life cannot possibly remain unchanged, but must always develop by leaving some part behind and producing some part that is new.

It is God's will that the religious thought of the world, which is made up of the thought of individuals, shall proceed in this way, whether we will or not, but it must always help progress when we can make our wills at one with God's in this matter; we go faster and safer so.

Now to say that to submit willingly to God's law of growth is to produce chaos must certainly be a fallacy.

It must then be a fallacy to argue that to keep a mind open to all influences is antagonistic to the truest religious life; we cannot--whether we wish or not, we _cannot_--let go any truth that has been assimilated into our lives; and what truth we have not assimilated it is no advantage to hold without agitation.