midnight
`` That is because you have not faith ; '' answered the Professor . `` The Present is an age of doubt and disbelief , and darkness ; out of which shall arise a clear and bright Hereafter . In the second part of Goethe 's Faust , there is a grand and striking scene , where in the classical Walpurgis Night , on the Pharsalian Plains , the mocking Mephistopheles sits down between the solemn antique Sphinxes , and boldly questions them , and reads their riddles . The red light of innumerable watch-fires glares all round about , and shines upon the terrible face of the arch-scoffer ; while on either side , severe , majestic , solemnly serene , we behold the gigantic forms of the children of Chimæra , half buried in the earth , their mild eyes gazing fixedly , as if they heard through the midnight , the swift-rushing wings of the Stymphalides , striving to outstrip the speed of Alcides ' arrows ! Angry griffins are near them ; and not far are Sirens , singing their wondrous songs from the rocking branches of the willow trees ! Even thus does a scoffing and unbelieving Present sit down , between an unknown Future and a too believing Past , and question and challenge the gigantic forms of faith , half buried in the sands of Time , and gazing forward steadfastly into the night , whilst sounds of anger and voices of delight alternate vex and soothe the ear of man ! -- But the time will come , when the soul of man shall return again childlike and trustful to its faith in God ; and look God in the face and die ; for it is an old saying , full of deep , mysterious meaning , that he must die , who hath looked upon a God .