some selfish motive. You can say the same of theft, murder--in
fact of all crime. But God--Good--is not the author of the lie, or
crime, neither does He 'permit them for some wise purpose,' as you
have quoted, any more than a just and loving human father would
teach, or permit, his son to become a criminal, claiming that he
needed such discipline to fit him for future happiness; or, any
more than you, a teacher, would put demoralizing literature into
the hands of a student as a method of discipline for higher
education."

"How perfectly absurd that sounds! And yet it is parallel to the
doctrine that has been taught for ages," said Miss Reynolds,
thoughtfully. "But I do not see how you can apply the same logic
to disease and suffering."

"The Scriptures tell us that sin brought death.' Sickness and
disease are the seeds of death; then they are the results of sin-
evil. God not being the author of sin and disease, they, like the
lie, can only originate in the evil thought or mind of the
sinner," Katherine explained.

"Then you believe that we mortals are alone responsible for all
the suffering and evil there is in the world?"

"Yes; evil is a mortal concept."

"Then how does God---What is God, from your standpoint, Kath--may
I call you Katherine?" and Miss Reynolds laid a caressing hand
upon the girl's arm as she made this request.