The Dark Star

"I don't understand."

"And I cannot explain. Only this; as you grow older, all around you in

the world you will become aware of people, countless millions and

millions of people, asking themselves--ready with the slightest

encouragement, or without it, to ask you the question which is the

most vital of all questions to them. And whatever way it is answered

always they ask for evidence. You, too, will one day ask for evidence.

All the world asks for it. But few recognise it as evidence when it is

offered."

He closed his book and dropped a heavy hand upon it.

"Amid the myriad pursuits and interests and trades and professions of

the human race, amid their multitudinous aspirations, perplexities,

doubts, passions, endeavours, deep within every intelligent man

remains one dominant desire, one persistent question to be answered if

possible."

"What desire, father?"

"The universal desire for another chance--for immortality. Man's

never-ending demand for evidence of an immortality which shall

terminate for him the most tremendous of all uncertainties, which

shall solve for him the most vital of all questions: What is to become

of him after physical death? Is he to live again? Is he to see once

more those whom he loved the best?"

Ruhannah sat thinking in the red stove light, cross-legged, her slim

ankles clasped in either hand.

"But our souls are immortal," she said at last.

"Yes."

"Our Lord Jesus has said it."

"Yes."

"Then why should anybody not believe it?"

"Try to believe it always. Particularly after your mother and I are no

longer here, try to believe it.... You are unusually intelligent; and

if some day your intelligence discovers that it requires evidence for

belief seek for that evidence. It is obtainable. Try to recognise it

when you encounter it.... Only, in any event, remember this: never

alter your early faith, never destroy your childhood's belief until

evidence to prove the contrary convinces you."

"No.... There is no such evidence, is there, father?"

"I know of none."

"Then," said the girl calmly, "I shall take Christ's evidence that I

shall live again if I do no evil.... Father?"

"Yes."

"Is there any evidence that Adoniram has no soul?"

"I know of none."

"Is there any that he has a soul?"

"Yes, I think there is."

"Are you sure?"

"Not entirely."

"I wonder," mused the girl, looking gravely at the sleeping cat.