human
W'y, he answered,
gpt
It was a lesson to me, and I have tried to emulate their receptiveness and childlike trust. I don't know how well I am succeeding, but it is pretty hard sometimes to get the problems all worked out.
human
We wouldn't have to work them out if we had the faith of a child,
gpt
Well, there is nothing better to learn from than living examples, and yet we can only take them as guides, they will not do our work for us. Every one of us must go through his own experience, and prove his right to an inheritance, by claiming it on trust as the child does. Now, yesterday, continued Mr. Hayden, leaning back and stroking his chin,
human
I worked hard all the forenoon, and everything seemed to go wrong with me, --Grace glanced at Kate--
gpt
I was not willing to live a moment at a time, as the child does, with no thought or care as to where its next day's supplies are to come from, but I was tired and cross all day. The consequence was, in the afternoon my old enemy, the headache, began to assert itself. Then I got Marion's letter and that helped me, because it threw some light on the cause, but when I heard Fred's explanation of a treatment I just applied it. I 'thinked,' till the 'know thoughts came,'
human
I believe that is what it means to 'work out our own salvation,' said Grace,
gpt
Indeed it will; I have already seen some change in the children. But are you not going to read the letter, Miss Grace?
human
Yes, I am anxious to read it, but I have learned a great deal without it.
gpt
Well, that _is_ quite an explanation of your experience of yesterday, Mr. Hayden,
human
And mine, too, added Grace.
gpt
It is comforting to know that there is a scientific reason for it though.
human
I think my darkness came earlier in the lessons, for yesterday and to-day have been very bright to me, replied Kate, soberly;
gpt
she continued,
human
We might not doubt the principle where we would often doubt ourselves,
gpt
Yes, said Grace,
human
I believe that doubts will come as long as we consider it a personal power.
gpt
Which it is not, of course,
human
Certainly not, but we must grow into a realization of Truth, we can not change our old natures in a day, and it is only natural at first to feel that it is a personal power because we are given so much personal responsibility.
gpt
I see what you mean, said Mr. Hayden, quietly, leaning back as if thinking deeply.
human
You mean it is hard to forget self, and I agree with you. This mind of the flesh claims so much wisdom and power of its own that it is hard to attribute everything to a higher power, and let that power work through you; but when we can do that, we have the kernel of the whole system.
gpt
It is a wonderful thought to me, that we reflect _all_ things spiritual, as we divest ourselves of our false beliefs,
human
In other words, when we know ourselves as we are, and not as we appear, we shall recognize that all things we desire are already ours,
gpt
How could it be otherwise? The sun is always shining behind the darkest clouds. All I ask is that the ignorance may be removed,
human
Well, I want to understand and believe truth, but it seems strange, after we have declared our willingness to believe and acknowledge God to be all, that we should be tempted. Why couldn't our acknowledgement be sufficient?
gpt
Why isn't the simple act of joining the church sufficient to make Christians? Although some seem to think it all sufficient, it is not. It is the daily life of overcoming, and denial of self that constitutes true acknowledgement,
human
Not denial of self in the old way, either, said Mr. Hayden,
gpt
Yes, and in the temptation of Jesus, we read our own temptations, interrupted Grace,
human
That is very plain and very true, said Kate, with a little sigh,
gpt
But he fought it more than once, explained Mr. Hayden, earnestly.
human
He was continually overcoming, and at times found it necessary to withdraw into the mountains where he fasted and prayed.
gpt
That is a good thought to carry home, suggested Grace, rising,
human
I need it more than anyone else,
gpt
You are doing grandly Miss Kate, just think how you opposed it all at first,
human
Yes, I know I did, flushing a little,
gpt
If everybody would lay aside prejudice as you have, Miss Kate, they would have no difficulty in seeing the truth as you do,