The  first,  in  which  the  Supernatural  is  believed  in  ;  and  a
personal  agent  is  believed  in  as  the  cause  of  all  phenomena.
The  second,  in  which  metaphysical  abstractions  are  assumed
as  Causes.  The  third,  the  Positive  stage,  in  which  nothing
is  expected  but  the  knowledge  of  sequences  by  experience  ;
the  Absolute,  that  lies  beneath  all  phenomena,  being  forever
unknowable,  and  a  God,  if  there  be  a  God,undiscoverable  by
the  intellect  of  man.
This  conclusion  is  irrefragable.  Granted  that  the  only  ba-
sis of  religion  is  awe,  a  worship  of  the  marvellous,  then  ver-
ily, there  remains  nothing  for  the  human  race  to  end  in  but
blank  and  ghastly  Atheism.
Therefore  has  the  Redeemer's  Advent  taught  a  deeper  truth
to  man.     The  Apostle  Paul  spoke  almost  slightingly  of  the


The  Barbarian,  157

marvellous.  "  Covet  earnestly  the  best  gifts  :  yet  show  I
unto  you  a  more  excellent  way.  Though  I  speak  v/ith  the
tongues  of  men  and  angels,  and  have  not  love,  I  am  become
as  sounding  brass,  or  a  tinkling  cymbal."  Love  is  diviner
than  all  wondrous  powers.
