those who contend that the new consciousness of God which comes to the twice-born soul is not verifiable because it is founded on faith, he further maintains, as a psychologist, that it is by faith men have actually attained "to the highest rank of personalities."

It should be remembered that the psychologist deals with methods-not with causes. Here, in a word, we have the difference between the evangelist and the scientist. The former approaches the fact of Conversion from the Divine side; the latter from the human. It is the cause which is important to the one; the "method "alone occupies the attention of the other. It is an excellent illustration of the harmonious relationship which should exist between labourers in the two great realms of religion and science.

Have we had any light thrown upon the fact of Conversion by those who have studied it merely as an interesting phenomenon of the mind? There need be no hesitation in admitting our indebtedness to such men as the late Professor William James, who, after impartial and systematic study of this experience, have, in some cases, felt justified in laying down certain ascertainable

laws by which it is conditioned. It is not safe to dogmatise on these movements of the soul, for "the Spirit bloweth where it listeth," and, in this vast and mysterious spirit world, exceptions continually appear which point to some larger generalisation than we have yet attained. Some points, however, the Church may accept as revelations of the method of Divine grace in the conversion of the soul.

We have been taught the persistent life of some seed-thought sown in childhood's days. In studying the history of the regenerate soul, observers have found that, in the vast majority of instances, the change was brought about by the .emergence of some early memory or association of home or school. "I must write now," said a soldier who found God at the Base, and this was the order of his correspondence, "to my mother, to my Sunday-school teacher, and to my minister." We must understand that the child-mind cannot be left fallow. It is our opportunity for sowing the seed, which one day may cover with its golden harvest the surface of the whole life.

Emphasis has been placed also upon the influence of Temperament in conversion. The

phlegmatic temperament is not likely to experience a transformation of the explosive, soul-shattering type, which may be expected in those of a more eager and impulsive nature. The realisation of this generally accepted law would have saved many noble hearts from misgiving. It is pathetic to find that most saintly and devoted man, Jonathan Edwards, writing in his Diary: "The chief thing that now makes me in any measure question my good estate is, my not having experienced conversion, in those particular steps, wherein the people of New England, and anciently the people of Old England, used to experience it." We are happily delivered from the idea that conversion to be genuine must conform to a type. The sun's rays are not more different, when reflected from diverse surfaces, than are the varieties of experience accomplished in regenerate souls by the action of the same Spirit.

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Very practical also is the stress laid by these observers upon adolescence" as the psychological period for spiritual decision. Exaggerated statements, it is true, have been made on this point by earnest men. Some of the most influen

tial spiritual surrenders in history have been achieved by the Holy Spirit only after years of patient waiting. But it is certain that adolescence" brings with it certain urgings of the soul which should naturally end in creative decisions for Christ and His Kingdom. In that hour, when the vision opens upon broader horizons, when new ideals rise into power over the mind, when hero-worship moves the heart to rare devotion, there should be presented, with studied thought and careful earnestness, the claims of Christ, in Whom truth and beauty are joined in everlasting union. He is always God's response to our human need; but never does He more completely demonstrate His mission than when He meets the soul, in its search for one whom it can love, trust, and obey for ever.

While we are grateful to those who have studied the fact of conversion from this human side, we must not overlook the other aspect, of which religion takes special account. The Bible deals with causes, not with laws. It is so everywhere. We shall be disappointed if we search its pages to find a method of creation; but not if we go seeking the Creator. Theories of light

are not propounded there; but we read: "And God said, Let there be light, and there was light." In passing from the work of a modern psychologist to the New Testament, one becomes conscious of an entirely different standpoint. We now view the fact of conversion from its Divine side. Here we find no methods or theories, except by way of suggestion. The insistent note is that it is an act of God, as astonishing as the gift of a new day. The text which we placed at the forefront of our study sums up the message of the whole wonderful literature: "God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts."

Thorwaldsen, the Dane, owed far more to Rome than to his native country, and when he was asked what his birthday was, he answered: "I don't know; I came for the first time to Rome on March 8th, 1797." Everything else was of minor importance. It was so St. Paul spoke concerning his meeting with our risen Lord. To us it is interesting to trace certain human features in that conversion, which has so greatly helped to fashion history. He carried influences from Judaism with him, some of which reached below