‘All good wishes for “more life and fuller.” Don’t trouble about not feeling. Remember the Lord’s words to those unfeeling disciples who went to sleep during His agony: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” There is winter as well as spring or summer in our spiritual life. “Die Blume verblüht, die Frucht muss treiben.” You complain of the outward excitement of others, yet you want inward excitement. See how in the Imitatio one finds the same sort of feeling. I foresaw some reaction; there have been times during the last few years, during which you have been overstrained, and now you want a period of hybernation, I believe. You will, of course, go on doing just the same, as if you felt and saw, and you will believe in the Presence, and do your best.’
To the same:—
‘June 1891.
‘Don’t fret about what “they say,” not even listen, except to learn. I dare say they are right, and have sides of truth that we have not. In Tara there are beggars who go about saying: “What God gives, I will take”; each of us can only do that.
‘I am glad you have got advice; you have been too careless with this marvellous body, so complicated and needing to be well-treated. You have driven it on, like some poor ass, with sticks! Now you must be a little kind to it or it will stand still and kick.’
To the same:—
‘February 1892.
‘Your Bishop came last Wednesday, and I spoke to him for the first time in my life, after having known him for so many years. He seemed so bright, and I hope the removal of the load of responsibility will restore him, and he will be able to take up some less heavy work. He cannot but do good where-ever he is: it is wonderful what a spiritual power he is felt to be. He did just manage to see us before we broke up, but only in a hurried way; then he lunched with me, and when all were gone he gave me his blessing, which made me feel worse and better. Do you understand?
‘I am so glad you are feeling cheered about the school. Don’t you think it is right to be content with prosperity as well as with adversity?...