human
What makes you look so sober, Gracious?
gpt
Oh, Kate, I had a lovely time to-day, with all the beautiful sights out in the country; I wish you could see how much more there is in nature since we have studied Christian Healing,
human
I think we see more in everything, said Kate, whose curiosity was rather _piqued_ by the evasiveness, though she made no sign,
gpt
Don't you want to hear Mrs. Hayden's letter?
human
The letter, why, of course; where is it?
gpt
Here; shall I read it?
human
Certainly.
gpt
That is decidedly the most reasonable explanation of the atonement I have ever heard,
human
Yes, it is reasonable and beautiful I must admit, said Kate,
gpt
Where is it? I did not catch that,
human
There is something so sacred in these meanings, resumed Kate,
gpt
In other words, added Grace,
human
Yes, we are so apt to judge the whole world and God, too, by our moods,
gpt
As Emerson says, 'we see in others what we are ourselves,'
human
Oh! what do you think of what Mrs. Hayden says about marriage?
gpt
She doesn't say enough to give an opinion, replied Grace,
human
Her ideas must be very exalted, and I hope to know what they are, for it is a very important question,
gpt
Mrs. Hayden decidedly denies the imputation laid to Christian Healing, that it is opposed to marriage, or that it tends to separate families,
human
I did not know any such imputation had been laid to it,
gpt
Oh, yes, I have heard it several times, but people will talk whether they know anything or not. I am glad Mrs. Hayden mentions it for that is enough to show there is absolutely no foundation for such statements.
human
Why, I don't see how people can say such things; surely the tendency is to draw families into closer bonds of sympathy and affection,
gpt
It ought to be, replied Grace, thoughtfully,
human
What do _you_ think of this question, Grace?
gpt
What question? asked Grace, rousing from her reverie.
human
Oh, marriage. Well, sometimes I have thought the query going the rounds of the press, 'Is marriage a failure?' a very pertinent one, but of course that doesn't touch the principle itself. That is right and can never be otherwise.
gpt
Most people talk and write as seriously as though it _does_ touch the principle.
human
That is because they judge the principle by the persons representing it, whereas they should stop and consider that humanity is prone to weakness and often fails to demonstrate its high ideals.
gpt
And it is because of failure they think there is something wrong. Take an individual case, for instance, and there are thousands. If a girl marries unhappily, she thinks there must be something wrong in the whole system, for she judges everybody's misery by her own,
human
Then the way to a happy judgment of this question would be a happy marriage, you think?
gpt
Don't trifle Grace. You know I said it all earnestly, and really it is no matter to trifle over, any way.
human
Well, that is true, Kate, replied Grace more soberly.
gpt
I don't believe anybody takes the question seriously enough. It is certainly the most important of all things to consider.
human
Do you think it right to enter marriage for any other reason than pure and devoted affection?
gpt
No, I do not. Why do you ask?
human
Because that is the solution of the whole problem. If they would begin to talk about love instead of marriage being a failure, they would get some light on it,
gpt
I know, continued Kate,
human
That is one reason, certainly, and another is that they do not understand each other's motives, or have not the patience to bear with each other's faults. We can easily see how misunderstandings can be put away when there is true love, when we determine to see only the good, and learn to 'resist not evil.' That is one of the strong points in Jesus the Christ's teachings,
gpt
I am so sorry people can't see it in the right light,
human
You can have much charity for them, for it is just what you would have said or thought, if you had not studied the matter yourself. You remember how Mr. Narrow influenced you and biased your judgment?
gpt
It is no use, she never will say anything, even when she might,