# CVI: Progress of Unbelief explained — Verses on Various Occasions

> Chapter companion for Verses on Various Occasions by John Henry Newman.

## What happens

The chapter uses the metaphor of autumn to describe the decline of faith and truth, with the speaker observing the falling leaves of truth and the grief of angels, while his country, once a pattern of faith, now waits to burn the stem before an idol's throne.

## Themes in this chapter

### Faith and Doubt

The poem depicts the progress of unbelief as truth fades and the country turns from faith to idolatry.

### Nature and the Divine

The autumn imagery of the Tree of Life and falling leaves symbolizes the decay of divine truth in the world.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who observes the autumn of faith and resolves to go out amid the sleet.

### Angels

Angels grieve as truths fade and are unanswered.

## Key lines

> Now is the Autumn of the Tree of Life; Its leaves are shed upon the unthankful earth, Which lets them whirl, a prey to the winds’ strife, Heartless to store them for the months of dearth.

The time of decline has come for the source of spiritual life; its truths are scattered on an ungrateful world that allows them to be blown about carelessly, indifferent to preserving them for future need.

_The opening metaphor establishes the theme of spiritual decay and neglect._

> Truth after truth, of choicest scent and hue, Fades, and in fading stirs the Angels’ grief, Unanswer’d here; for she, once pattern chief Of faith, my Country, now gross hearted grown, Waits but to burn the stem before her idol’s throne.

One precious truth after another disappears, causing sorrow among the angels, but no response on earth; for my country, once the foremost example of faith, has become coarse and is ready to destroy the very source of truth in worship of a false god.

_The speaker laments the nation's apostasy and impending self-destruction._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters/cvi-progress-of-unbelief
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/verses_on_various_occasions_se/chapters