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describing the thing by any of our usual images。 At bottom the
expression most apt to render what I felt is this： God was
present； though invisible； he fell under no one of my senses； yet
my consciousness perceived him。〃
The adjective 〃mystical〃 is technically applied； most often。 to
states that are of brief duration。 Of course such hours of
rapture as the last two persons describe are mystical
experiences； of which in a later lecture I shall have much to
say。 Meanwhile here is the abridged record of another mystical
or semi…mystical experience； in a mind evidently framed by nature
for ardent piety。 I owe it to Starbuck's collection。 The lady
who gives the account is the daughter of a man well known in his
time as a writer against Christianity。 The suddenness of her
conversion shows well how native the sense of God's presence must
be to certain minds。 She relates that she was brought up in
entire ignorance of Christian doctrine； but； when in Germany；
after being talked to by Christian friends； she read the Bible
and prayed； and finally the plan of salvation flashed upon her
like a stream of light。
〃To this day；〃 she writes； 〃I cannot understand dallying
with religion and the commands of God。 The very instant I heard
my Father's cry calling unto me； my heart bounded in recognition。
I ran； I stretched forth my arms； I cried aloud； 'Here； here I
am； my Father。' Oh； happy child； what should I do？ 'Love me；'
answered my God。 'I do； I do；' I cried passionately。 'Come unto
me；' called my Father。 'I will；' my heart panted。 Did I stop to
ask a single question？ Not one。 It never occurred to me to ask
whether I was good enough； or to hesitate over my unfitness； or
to find out what I thought of his church； or 。 。 。 to wait until
I should be satisfied。 Satisfied！ I was satisfied。 Had I not
found my God and my Father？ Did he not love me？ Had he not
called me？ Was there not a Church into which I might enter？ 。 。
。 Since then I have had direct answers to prayerso significant
as to be almost like talking with God and hearing his answer。
The idea of God's reality has never left me for one moment。〃
Here is still another case； the writer being a man aged
twenty…seven； in which the experience； probably almost as
characteristic； is less vividly described：
〃I have on a number of occasions felt that I had enjoyed a period
of intimate communion with the divine。 These meetings came
unasked and unexpected； and seemed to consist merely in the
temporary obliteration of the conventionalities which usually
surround and cover my life。 。 。 。 Once it was when from the
summit of a high mountain I looked over a gashed and corrugated
landscape extending to a long convex of ocean that ascended to
the horizon； and again from the same point when I could see
nothing beneath me but a boundless expanse of white cloud； on the
blown surface of which a few high peaks； including the one I was
on； seemed plunging about as if they were dragging their anchors。
What I felt on these occasions was a temporary loss of my own
identity； accompanied by an illumination which revealed to me a
deeper significance than I had been wont to attach to life。 It
is in this that I find my justification for saying that I have
enjoyed communication with God。 Of course the absence of such a
being as this would be chaos。 I cannot conceive of life without
its presence。〃
Of the more habitual and so to speak chronic sense of God's
presence the following sample from Professor Starbuck's
manuscript collection may serve to give an idea。 It is from a
man aged forty…nineprobably thousands of unpretending
Christians would write an almost identical account。
〃God is more real to me than any thought or thing or person。 I
feel his presence positively； and the more as I live in closer
harmony with his laws as written in my body and mind。 I feel him
in the sunshine or rain； and awe mingled with a delicious
restfulness most nearly describes my feelings。 I talk to him as
to a companion in prayer and praise； and our communion is
delightful。 He answers me again and again； often in words so
clearly spoken that it seems my outer ear must have carried the
tone； but generally in strong mental impressions。 Usually a text
of Scripture； unfolding some new view of him and his love for me；
and care for my safety。 I could give hundreds of instances； in
school matters； social problems； financial difficulties； etc。
That he is mine and I am his never leaves me； it is an abiding
joy。 Without it life would be a blank； a desert； a shoreless；
trackless waste。〃
I subjoin some more examples from writers of different ages and
sexes。 They are also from Professor Starbuck's collection； and
their number might be greatly multiplied。 The first is from a
man twenty…seven years old：
〃God is quite real to me。 I talk to him and often get answers。
Thoughts sudden and distinct from any I have been entertaining
come to my mind after asking God for his direction。 Something
over a year ago I was for some weeks in the direst perplexity。
When the trouble first appeared before me I was dazed； but before
long （two or three hours） I could hear distinctly a passage of
Scripture： 'My grace is sufficient for thee。' Every time my
thoughts turned to the trouble I could hear this quotation。 I
don't think I ever doubted the existence of God； or had him drop
out of my consciousness。 God has frequently stepped into my
affairs very perceptibly； and I feel that he directs many little
details all the time。 But on two or three occasions he has
ordered ways for me very contrary to my ambitions and plans。〃
Another statement （none the less valuable psychologically for
being so decidedly childish） is that of a boy of seventeen：
〃Sometimes as I go to church； I sit down； join in the service；
and before I go out I feel as if God was with me； right side of
me； singing and reading the Psalms with me。 。 。 。 And then again
I feel as if I could sit beside him； and put my arms around him；
kiss him； etc。 When I am taking Holy Communion at the altar； I
try to get with him and generally feel his presence。〃
I let a few other cases follow at random：
〃God surrounds me like the physical atmosphere。 He is closer to
me than my own breath。 In him literally I live and move and have
my being。〃
〃There are times when I seem to stand in his very presence； to
talk with him。 Answers to prayer have