human
I am at fault in not having written you, Kimberly said simply.
gpt
It was kind of you to remember me in my sorrow last summer. Through some indecision I failed to write.
human
I understand perfectly. Indeed, you had no need to write, returned the archbishop.
gpt
Somehow I have felt I should see you again.
human
The knot was cruelly cut.
gpt
I have thought of it all very often since that day on the hill, he said.
human
The archbishop shook his head.
gpt
I think not. I think if one were to be taken, you could not wish it had been you. That would have been not better, but worse.
human
But she would not have been responsible for my death. I am for hers.
gpt
Of that you cannot be certain. What went before your coming into her life may have been much more responsible.
human
I am responsible for another death--my own nephew, you know, committed suicide. And I would, before this, have ended my mistakes and failures, his voice rose in spite of his suppression
gpt
It is this that has driven me to you. I am sickened of strife and success--the life of the senses. It is Dead Sea fruit and I have tasted its bitterness. If I can do nothing to repair what I have already done, then I am better done with life.
human
And do not you, too, believe that Christ is the Son of God?
gpt
I do not know what I believe--I believe nothing. Convince me that He was the Son of God and I will kneel to him in the dust.
human
My dear son! It is not I, nor is it another, that can convince you. God, alone, extends the grace of faith. Have you ever asked for it?
gpt
I? He relapsed again into moodiness.
human
No. The thought moved him to a protest.
gpt
How can I reach a far-off thing like faith? he demanded with angry energy---
human
You can reach it and you can grasp it. Such questions spring from the anger of despair; despair has no part in faith. Faith is the death of despair. From faith springs hope. It is despair that pictures faith to you as a far-off thing.
gpt
Whatever it may be, it is not for me. I have no hope.
human
What brought you to-night? Can you not see His grace in forcing you to come against your own inclination? His hope has sustained you when you least suspected it. It has stayed your hand from the promptings of despair. Faith a far-off thing? It is at your side, trembling and invisible. It is within your reach at every moment. You have but to put forth your hand to touch it.
gpt
Will you stretch forth your hand--will you touch the hem of His garment?
human
I cannot even stretch forth a hand.