ional centre brings with it,
first, increase of purity. The sensitiveness to spiritual discords is
enhanced, and the cleansing of existence from brutal and sensual
elements becomes imperative. Occasions of contact with such elements
are avoided: the saintly life must deepen its spiritual consistency
and keep unspotted from the world. In some temperaments this need of
purity of spirit takes an ascetic turn, and weaknesses of the flesh are
treated with relentless severity.

d. Charity.--The shifting of the emotional centre brings, secondly,
increase of charity, tenderness for fellow-creatures. The ordinary
motives to antipathy, which usually set such close bounds to tenderness
among human beings, are inhibited. The saint loves his enemies, and
treats loathsome beggars as his brothers.

I now have to give some concrete illustrations of these fruits of the
spiritual tree. The only difficulty is to choose, for they are so
abundant.

Since the sense of Presence of a higher and friendly power seems to be
the fundamental feature in the spiritual life, I will begin with that.

In our narratives of conversion we saw how the world might look shining
and transfigured to the convert,[155] and, apart from anything acutely
religious, we all have moments when the universal life seems to wrap us
round with friendliness. In youth and health, in summer, in the woods
or on the mountains, there come days when the weather seems all
whispering with peace, hours when the goodness and beauty of existence
enfold us like a dry warm climate, or chime through us as if our inner
ears were subtly ringing with the world's security. Thoreau writes:--

[155] Above, pp. 243 ff.

"Once, a few weeks after I came to the woods, for an hour I doubted
whether the near neighborhood of man was not essential to a serene and
healthy life. To be alone was somewhat unpleasant. But, in the midst
of a gentle rain, while these thoughts prevailed, I was suddenly
sensible of such sweet and beneficent society in Nature, in the very
pattering of the drops, and in {270} every sight and sound around my
house, an infinite and unaccountable friendliness all at once, like an
atmosphere, sustaining me, as made the fancied advantages of human
neighborhood insignificant, and I have never thought of them since.
Every little pine-needle expanded and swelled with sympathy and
befriended me. I was so distinctly made aware of the presence of
something kindred to m