"Only waiting till the shadows
Have a little longer grown."
Hark? said the sick lady quickly sitting up at hearing the first notes. Oh, that is my dear brother, Peter--his name signifieth Lord. Please aid me to dress. I am really better, I am, indeed, do not fear. I must go down to hear him sing. His charming voice has lifted me into strength. I will take the tea. Though very pale, she entertained that evening, and even sang, until midnight. Not one of the party at that time was a Christian Science believer either.
We are only in the kindergarten of life. Some time we shall all possess the high art of selecting our friends and our life companions, my dear, eager, anxious inquirers. We have power in ourselves to grow. This was simply an unadulterated fact, proving the power of mind, soul and spirit on itself from the stimulus of the brother; there being also very much efficacy in the harmony of tones as well as of personality. I wish more persons could be conscious of the power of the voice on the actions of all we come in contact with. We are now touching but slightly on the esoteric, as carnal desires are yet in full evidence.
I have now in mind a sensitive lad of fourteen, who, after four trying years ran away from a really good home and a step-mother, because of her harsh tones. Though a good woman, his soul-life seemed to suffer.
"The way she says things," said he, "is awful to something in me, so that I want to fight. I can't help but shiver. Oh, I don't know what it is. I want to be good. I know she does some nice things."
Though the young philosopher chose for himself a severe taskmaster, with plenty of added work, yet, with some special kindliness in trustful tones that proved part-pay, some needed, minor chord was touched in the soul-life of the lad, that gave him hope in himself and in his future, which proved very true. He has long been a kind and useful citizen, in precepts for the young, and an object lesson to many. A practical, reasoning benefactor of the race, as was the kindly Charles Dickens in the interest of child-life. So let us work. These times are infinitely larger, broader, and more full of promise to the world.
Our musical friend has left the shadows that were then gathering about her life. Gone into the more perfect light and life of her true inheritance, with God the loving parent of all human and divine joys.
CHAPTER VII.
SUPERSTITION
Do not hold to cowardice nor fear of death. The mad bull with the spade stands near by. Look into this strange cup of figures and graves. Some recent death and gloom has somehow filled your mind with renewed horror. You have also felt that you are about to die. Not a comfortable thought, madam, to be snuffed out of all earthly hopes! Abandon your cringing fears. Dread nothing. You must gain mastery over these crude forebodings, or you will be seriously handicapped. Most discouraging is fear. The spirit of conscious life cannot be annihilated. Man is immortal. We should not doubt the word of God nor His prophecies.