gave them for a little while, then ruthlessly snatched from their
embrace for no apparent reason, I feel sure that something is very
wrong; and, of late years, my heart is filled with indignant
protest whenever I hear of the birth of a dear little innocent.
'Oh!' I cry within myself, 'it is born only to repeat the struggle
with sin, suffering and death.' Of what use is its life? of what
use the advent of future generations if there is no way to rise
above, or conquer, such adverse conditions? Is God good--if there
is a God--to create only to destroy? to arbitrarily force these
little innocents into the world to fight the unequal battle with
evil? Millions have faced it bravely--nobly, trusting God's
promises, but they have never succeeded in removing one iota of
the curse, 'Thou shalt surely die.' The whole problem of life is a
mystery which I am tired of trying to solve," and Katherine was
sure the woman stifled a sob as she concluded.

"Surely, dear Miss Reynolds, you do not doubt the existence of
God?" she gently inquired.

"No, child; don't think me quite an atheist," said her teacher,
with a deprecatory smile and gesture. "Life, nature, the universe,
with their teeming and ever-unfolding wonders tell me that there
is a Force--a controlling power and intelligence behind them. We
call that force 'God.' We say that God is omnipotent, all wise and
good; and certainly, in the government of the universe, everything
points that way, everything is exact and perfect. But how to
reconcile God as good, merciful, loving, with the creation and
manifestation of evil as we find it on this planet? Ah! that is
beyond me."