As for Marion her paper contained simply this sentence, carefully written out in German text as if she had deliberated over each letter;

“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God.”

They went in a body to hear Dr. Hatfield.

“I want that lecture,” Marion said, “‘Perils of the Hour.’  I’m very anxious to know what my peril is.  I know just what is hovering over every one of you, but I can’t quite make up my mind as to my own state.  Perhaps the distinguished gentleman can help me.”

And he did.  He had selected for one of the perils that which was embodied in the following ringing sentence: 

“The third peril is the prevelancy of skepticism.  A class of scientists have discovered that there is no God!  What the fool said in his heart they proclaimed on the house-top!”

Eurie looked over at her, smiling and mischievous, and said in anything but a softly whisper, “That means you, my dear.”

But Marion did not hear her; she was absorbed in the intense scathing sentences that followed.  Of one thing she presently felt assured, that whoever was right or whoever was wrong in this matter, Dr. Hatfield believed with all the intensity of an intense educated intellect that God ruled.  Was it probable that he had met the condition, done his will, and so knew of the doctrine?  That was an hour to be remembered.  Eurie ceased to whisper or to frolic; there was too much intensity, about the speaker’s manner not to claim her attention.  She listened as she was not in the habit of listening.  She could give you a detailed account even now of that hour of thought; so could I, and I am awfully tempted; but, you see, it is only Tuesday, and the girls have six more days to spend at Chautauqua.

Both Ruth and Flossy got their crumb to think over.  They discussed it at the hotel that evening.

“I tell you, Flossy, if Dr. Hatfield is correct you and I have tremendous changes to make in our way of spending the Sabbath; and I have actually prided myself on the way in which I respected the day!”

And Ruth laughed as if that were so strange a thought, now that it was hardly possible to think that she could have entertained it.

“I know,” Flossy said; “and he can not but be right, for he proved his position.  I am glad I heard that address.  But for him, I know I should never have thought of my influence in some places where I now see I can use it.  Ruth you will be struck with one thing.  Now, Chautauqua is like what Madame C’s school might have been, so far as study is concerned.  Every day I have a new lesson, one that startles me so!  I feel that there must be some mistake, or I would have heard of or thought of some of these things before.  And yet they sound so reasonable when you come to think them over, that presently I am surprised that I have not felt them before.  Ruthie, do you think Eurie and Marion have any interest at all?”