The young men had planned to go together. Their entrance created a diversion; the English member of Parliament who was the guest of honor was much surprised, although too well-bred to show it. Certainly they were fine specimens of the genus Homo, whose physique demanded more than a passing glance of admiration. Curious thoughts came to Mr. Withington, the English guest; certain truths which, if applicable to England, seemed doubly so to this country, so new and untried, as it were, in the changes and subtle uncertainties of government and revolutions:
“And a proud yeomanry, its country’s pride
When once destroyed can never be supplied.”
Will the Republic learn the value of the black children of her adoption when it is too late?
The presence of these young Negroes was generally received as a pleasant innovation among that company. There was a senator from Alabama present among the invited guests, and for a moment he felt his color rise and all the peculiar feelings of his section protest and clamor to make themselves heard when he found that he must perforce be brought into social contact with the despised ex-slave representatives. But he remembered, in time to save himself from ridicule, that he was in Massachusetts. “What matter?” was his inward thought, “some day we shall change all this.”
The first course was about over before Will had a chance to look about him. He did not feel at all overpowered by the grandeur displayed. The great room with its high walls and ceiling of magnificently carved mahogany, the massive brass chandeliers, composed of hundreds of tiny electric lights which threw their sparkling rays upon the exquisitely appointed table, with the priceless ware in which the meal was served, the heavy scent of roses which perfumed the air, the silent waiters gliding in and out among the guests—all seemed the fantastic creation of a dream.
His neighbor happened to be Mr. Withington; his vis-à-vis, a noted editor; farther down the table he recognized a foreign secretary of legation; and so on. Conversation soon became general; flashes of wit, satire, and discussions of rare value to the student—a sumptuous feast of good things. Above the click of glasses he caught snatches of conversation:
“You may search through science and find no evidence of the presence of God in the universe,” declared the sharp, decisive voice of a freethinker, who was plunged in the midst of an argument with a noted theologian of the Episcopal faith. Will listened intently for the answer. It came instantly:
“How could it be otherwise? God has a subjective existence to man; therefore man must get outside of himself to know God; in fact, man must die to attain God.”
“Ah, there you go, with your mythological argument! You cover the clear statement of a fact with a veil of mysticism.”
“Very true; but what is the soul, mentality, existence itself, but a living mysticism?” replied the clergyman.
The whole room had become interested by this time, and watched the play of cultured thought and keen argument with great relish.
“It is only when the subjective part of man exists as a distinct entity, then, that you think the presence of God is made clear to him?”
“Yes,” replied the clergyman; “for the final end of man is the beginning of spirituality, or the true knowledge of God.”
“Ah, but if we let reason speak, we find the flaws in your theory, and your ground becomes untenable. I look forward to the day which coming years shall usher in, when all the discoveries which are being made each year, and the general diffusion of scientific knowledge, shall revolutionize thought, and place God and man on an entirely different plane from that which they now occupy.”
“And what is this reason or thought which you feel will do so much? It is but a loan from the Almighty, whose existence you affect to doubt. Man has no title to the property until he has permission to hold it eternally.”
“And then?”
“He must have satisfied the Almighty that he is worthy.”
Presently Will plunged into the conversation, impelled thereto by a certain philosophical reference with which he was familiar, and which he had studied with great interest.
“What do you think of reason and religion, Mr. Smith?” asked the freethinker, impressed with the intelligence of his comments. “Are you one with the rest of your race in believing all this talk of spirituality?”
“I believe that reason and religion must act together to discover the perfect power and glory of God,” replied Will modestly. (All eyes were for the moment bent upon him.) “There is perfect harmony between them; and it is our own shortsightedness which causes us to doubt.”
“Do you not believe that by seeking knowledge, and dedicating life to the welfare of mankind and obedience to God in our several vocations, our best faculties will be gratified? wealth, fame, health, and all other good things will flow in a stream, and our delight remain permanent?” asked Doctor Lewis at this stage of the argument.
“Not necessarily obedience to God,” replied the freethinker. “Certain causes bring certain effects, without reference to a presiding deity.”
“That’s it!” said the Southerner, sotto voce, to his next neighbor. “Negroes are all alike with regard to religion; ignorant, thieving, dirty and lazy, but withal crammed full of religious enthusiasm. You should know them as I do—shouting, screaming, frothing at the mouth with the outpourings of the ‘spirit,’ and as soon as they are outside of the church door, robbing hen-roosts and watermelon patches. Bah!”
Low as his words were spoken, they caught the ear of Will. His flashing black eyes were turned upon the speaker as he said with a
