human
It is not so easy for me, she answered,
gpt
I am ready for anything, cried he, excitedly.
human
I am ready to write or speak against the abuses I see everywhere around me. I am ready to cut myself adrift from the calling I have adopted, if it must be. I will not leave a single corner of my innermost heart concealed, but will lay open my convictions as a man ought to do.
gpt
I think you ought to consider, she began,
human
But Christianity requires either an entire belief or else none at all, and I do not care to continue in my doubtful position any longer.
gpt
Yes; and besides, she continued,
human
I am quite willing to confess that I consider these forms and dogmas of but very slight importance. Our conversation has only turned particularly on these points from the fact that you hold a position in the Church.
gpt
But that is not what we have been talking about, answered he, excitedly;
human
Yes, answered she,
gpt
Whether I am in the Church or not, then, is not the question. What is really important is to be a man--man enough to have a conviction, and man enough to stand by it.
human
Yes, that is the point; it is exactly sincerity which is so rarely met with. This is the principle which I can myself scarcely hope to carry out to its full extent. What weight does the conviction of a woman carry with it, in a society like ours? But my whole sympathy is excited whenever I see sincerity struggling to the light. And that is why I believe that you are on the right path now, that you have entered upon this combat with falsehood. It is better to be utterly beaten in the battle than to lead a peaceful but insincere life.