The Collapse of the Faith [pp. 164-184]

THE COLLAPSE OF FAITH.
HE manifold phases of religious doubt and questioning
which have succeeded one another so rapidly in this our
mobile and sensitive generation, are well expressed by a few descriptive phrases, which are more or less significant and forcible.
The metaphor which lurks behind each one of these phrases is
at least suggestive of reflection and inquiry. "The Eclipse of
Faith" suggests the darkness and gloom which for the moment
may oppress the individual or the community. But it also
suggests the conviction, or at least the hope, that this condition
is only temporary. The sun is not extinguished because it is
darkened. The individual man, or the community, perhaps needs
only to change its position in order to come again into the
bright and blessed light. "The Decay of Faith" emphasizes
some diseased or abnormal action of the powers, from which
recovery is possible. Should such a decay terminate in the dissolution of the individual, the life of the community may still go
on, and perhaps with renewed energy. Both these phrases imply if they do not express the underlying conviction that faith
has solid grounds of truth on which it may rest; and consequently, tho an individual or a generation may falter in its allegiance, the truth will not fail to shine upon other souls and upon
other generations with intenser brilliancy and effect.
But what phrase shall we select to express that type of unbelief which seems to have taken so strong a hold of not a few of
the present generation-whether they are unwilling sceptics,
agnostic seekers who never find, or earnest and reverent souls
who are in terror lest God and his truth have ceased to be
because so many wise men deny them? What shall we say of
the alarm of those lookers-on who observe not merely that many