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〃We will put ourselves forward always for what we are； simply and
without false humility； as well as without pedantry； affectation；
or pride。〃
c。 Purity。The shifting of the emotional 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
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 me； that I thought no place
could ever be strange to me again。〃＇156＇
＇156＇ H。 Thoreau： Walden； Riverside edition； p。 206； abridged。
In the Christian consciousness this sense of the enveloping
friendliness becomes most personal and definite。 〃The
compensation；〃 writes a German author；〃for the loss of that
sense of personal independence which man so unwillingly gives up；
is the disappearance of all FEAR from one's life； the quite
indescribable and inexplicable feeling of an inner SECURITY；
which one can only experience； but which； once it has been
experienced； one can never forget。〃＇157＇
＇157＇ C。 H。 Hilty： Gluck； vol。 i。 p。 85。
I find an excellent description of this state of mind in a sermon
by Mr。 Voysey：
〃It is the experience of myriads of trustful souls； that this
sense of God's unfailing presence with them in their going out
and in their coming in； and by night and day； is a source of
absolute repose and confident calmness。 It drives away all fear
of what may befall them。 That nearness of God is a constant
security against terror and anxiety。 It is not that they are at
all assured of physical safety； or deem themselves protected by a
love which is denied to others； but that they are in a state of
mind equally ready to be safe or to meet with injury。 If injury
befall them； they will be content to bear it because the Lord is
their keeper； and nothing can befall them without his will。 If
it be his will； then injury is for them a blessing and no
calamity at all。 Thus and thus only is the trustful man
protected and shielded from harm。 And I for oneby no means a
thick…skinned or hard…nerved man…am absolutely satisfied with
this arrangement； and do not wish for any other kind of immunity
from danger and catastrophe。 Quite as sensitive to pain as the
most highly strung organism； I yet feel that the worst of it is
conquered； and the sting taken out of it altogether； by the
thought that God is our loving and sleepless keeper； and that
nothing can hurt us without his will。〃＇158＇
＇158＇ The Mystery of Pain and Death； London； 1892； p。 258。
More excited expressions of this condition are abundant in
religious literature。 I could easily weary you with their
monotony。 Here is an account from Mrs。 Jonathan Edwards：
〃Last night；〃 Mrs。 Edwards writes； 〃was the sweetest night I
ever had in my life。 I never before； for so long a time
together； enjoyed so much of the light and rest and sweetness of
heaven in my soul； but without the least agitation of body during
the whole time。 Part of the night I lay awake； sometimes asleep；
and sometimes between sleeping and waking。 But all night I
continued in a constant； clear； and lively sense of the heavenly
sweetness of Christ's excellent love； of his nearness to me； and
of my dearness to him； with an inexpressibly sweet calmness of
soul in an entire rest in him。 I seemed to myself to perceive a
glow of divine love come down from the heart of Christ in heaven
into my heart in a constant stream； like a stream or pencil of
sweet light。 At the same time my heart and soul all flowed out
in love to Christ； so that there seemed to be a constant flowing
and reflowing of heavenly love； and I appeared to myself to float
or swim； in these bright； sweet beams； like the motes swimming in
the beams of the sun； or the streams of his light which come in
at the window。 I think that what I felt each minute was worth
more than all the outward comfort and pleasure which I had
enjoyed in my whole life put together。 It was pleasure； without
the least sting； or any interruption。 It was a sweetness； which
my soul was lost in； it seemed to be all that my feeble frame
could sustain。 There was but little difference； whether I was