But the way was too hard, and the toil and anguish of the soul too great; he turned back into the familiar paths of the religion he knew and loved; and doubt grew vague, not in assured belief, but in the plain duties of life.

After a little while, he almost forgot that he ever had doubted.

Only now and then, when some questioning soul came to him, would he realize that he could not help it by his own experience, only by a formula,--a text-book spirituality; then he would remember, and promise himself that the day should come when he would face uncertainty and know what he believed.

But it was continually eluding him, and being put off; he could not bear to run the risk of disturbing the faith of others; life was too full; he had not the time for study and research,--and perhaps it would all end in deeper darkness.

Better be content with what light he had.