There is no doubt that intellectual pleasures are more satisfying and
enduring than sensual--or even sensuous. And, to those who have
experienced them, so it is with spiritual over intellectual, artistic,
&c. This is an objective fact, abundantly testified to by every one who
has had experience: and it seems to indicate that the spiritual nature
of man is the highest part of man--the [culminating] point of his being.


It is probably true, as Renan says in his posthumous work, that there
will always be materialists and spiritualists, inasmuch as it will
always be observable on the one hand that there is no thought without
brain, while, on the other hand, instincts of man will always aspire to
higher beliefs. But this is just what ought to be if religion is true,
and we are in a state of probation. And is it not probable that the
materialistic position (discredited even by philosophy) is due simply to
custom and want of imagination? Else why the inextinguishable instincts?


It is much more easy to disbelieve than to believe. This is obvious on
the side of reason, but it is also true on that of spirit, for to
disbelieve is in accordance with environment or custom, while to believe
necessitates a spiritual use of the imagination. For both these
reasons, very few unbelievers have any justification, either
intellectual or spiritual, for their own unbelief.

Unbelief is usually due to indolence, often to prejudice, and never a
thing to be proud of.


'Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should