"As out of a dream, paths impossible to sense and every day show
plain and sudden transit into distant places, so from your shut
souls widens out an entrance way into God's everlasting joy!"
--_A. D. T. Whitney._
At last the time came. She was to go for the last class in Marlow. The
last problem as to what to be done while she was gone had been solved.
The children were to be under the kind care of Anna, who agreed to do
her best in looking after them.
Mrs. Hayden's wardrobe had received the necessary additions, the
question of affording was not asked again, for it was like asking if she
could afford food or clothing.
It meant a great deal to her, going out in the world to get this
wonderful knowledge. It was a new way of seeking the kingdom of heaven,
and it must surely teach the right knock that would open the door. The
little light that had already come to her proved that, for never before
in all her years of hungry longing had she been so well fed, so visibly
nourished. Surely her soul could not be mistaken in thus dictating her
quest.
"It seems too good to be true, John, that there _is_ a way and that I am
going to find it," she said a few days before she went away.
"I am very glad, dear Marion, for your sake, that you are so happy in
this. It certainly is a beautiful religion as far as we can understand
it."
"Yes, the very thing we tried so hard to find during all those years of
darkness, and I have begun to actually feel thankful for our
misfortunes, because it seems they have led us into this knowledge. What
would we have known or cared for Miss Greening, had we been living in
the mansion on the hill? Or what would we have believed, even if we had
read something about Christian Healing?"
"It is hard to tell, but if you are content I am, wifie, although I
should like the old home again."
Like many others he was able to appreciate the material good things, but
knew not that the material are but emblems or symbols of the spiritual.
"We shall possess something far better than all the palaces and kingdoms
of the earth, if we get this 'pearl of great price.' I know now what it
means for the rich to hardly enter the kingdom of heaven. It is because
they are so satisfied in their rich possessions they feel they have
everything worth having and need nothing more. That very indifference
and apathy keeps them from getting spiritual treasures."
"How true that is, Marion," said her husband, stroking his mustache
thoughtfully.
Just then the door bell rang and the girl presently ushered Grace and
Kate into the room.
"Why, how do you do? I am more than glad to see you," said Mrs. Hayden,
warmly grasping a hand in each of hers.
"It is such a lovely evening that we felt we should like a walk, and as
we generally gravitate toward your house, here we are," said Kate,
laying aside her hat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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