o, standing there in the midst of
denial, and defeat, and desolation, can rejoice in the sea of glass
mingled with fire through which he must pass. Only in this supreme
surrender of the soul to God; only in this rapture of union with the
divine power, lies the Life Radiant. It is a glory not of earth; it is
the instant crystallization of an intense and infinite energy that pours
itself into every need of the varied human life. It is the igniting of a
spark that flashes its illumination on every problem and perplexity. It
is the coming to "know God" in the sense meant by Saint Paul, and thus
to enter into the eternal life. For the eternal life is not a term that
implies mere duration. It implies present conditions. The eternal life
is now. It is a spiritual state, and implies the profound and the
realized union with God, rather than a prolongation of existence through
countless ages. Only the eternal life can thus prolong itself. The life
of the spirit is alone immortal.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: Creating the New World.]

"The soul looketh steadily forward, creating a world before her, leaving
worlds behind her," and "the web of events is the flowing robe in which
she is clothed." That union of energy and will which we call the soul is
capable of creating a new world every day, and any adequate perception
of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come, suggests
consolation for the ills of the day and leads one into the atmosphere of
peace and joy.

When one comes into any clear realization of this life of the
spirit,--of its infinite outlook, its command of resources,--the
entanglement with trifles falls off of itself. Not unfrequently a great
deal of time and energy is totally wasted in endeavoring to combat or to
conquer the annoyances and troubles that beset one; that weight his
wings and blind his eyes and render him impervious and unresponsive to
the beauty and joy of life. Nine times out of ten it is far better to
ignore these, to put them out of sight and out of mind, and press on to
gain the clearer atmosphere, to create the new world. "The whole course
of things goes to teach us faith. We need only obey. There is guidance
for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word. Why
need you choose so painfully your place, and occupation, and associates,
and modes of action and of entertainment? Certainly there is a possible
right for you that precludes the n