"It is a wonderful thought to me, that we reflect all things spiritual, as we divest ourselves of our false beliefs," remarked Grace, earnestly.
"In other words, when we know ourselves as we are, and not as we appear, we shall recognize that all things we desire are already ours," added Mr. Hayden.
"How could it be otherwise? The sun is always shining behind the darkest clouds. All I ask is that the ignorance may be removed," replied Grace.
"Well, I want to understand and believe truth, but it seems strange, after we have declared our willingness to believe and acknowledge God to be all, that we should be tempted. Why couldn't our acknowledgement be sufficient?" queried Kate, in perplexity again.
"Why isn't the simple act of joining the church sufficient to make Christians? Although some seem to think it all sufficient, it is not. It is the daily life of overcoming, and denial of self that constitutes true acknowledgement," said Grace, laying her hand upon that of her friend.
"Not denial of self in the old way, either," said Mr. Hayden, "but denial of the mortal thought, or as Paul would say, the 'carnal mind.'"
"Yes, and in the temptation of Jesus, we read our own temptations," interrupted Grace, "and it is all important that we should deal with them as he did. Over and over he met the opposing thought, represented by the tempter or opposer—error always opposing truth—and gave it either a plain denial or an emphatic command to get out."
"That is very plain and very true," said Kate, with a little sigh, "but still I can not see why God should allow us to be tempted after we have fought the battle once as Jesus did."
"But he fought it more than once," explained Mr. Hayden, earnestly. "He was continually overcoming, and at times found it necessary to withdraw into the mountains where he fasted and prayed."
"That is a good thought to carry home," suggested Grace, rising, "for we need to follow his example."