The meaning of purpose and its application was stated many times in many ways. One of the most characteristic of these expressions came from a famous humorist.
“There are things brewing here and among you there,” he said, “that are going to make the wars of the tribes of Hohenzollern, Hapsburg and Mephisto look like a village prayer meeting. The carnage of Verdun and Mons and the whole show since his little nibs was assassinated is a picayune proposition compared to the losses of time, purpose, force and saving grace that we’re all going to feel, if we can’t wake you people up to pull together against the devil’s crew.”
Some one asked whether a husband and wife, not too congenial in this life, were together there, and was told that he was “flocking with birds of his own feather,” and that she had “peacefully and tranquilly found her own.” Another member of this family group was with neither of the others, it was said, “because she found her very own, for which they were only a substitute.”
“Have you seen Jim? Is there any feeling about his wife’s marrying again?” was a question which will interest many persons.
“Jim is here and very happy. He has no resentment, and wishes Alice to be happy. They are both of the forces of progress, but not of just the same purpose. They harmonize, but do not touch.”
Again, some one asked whether one party to an uncongenial marriage regretted the other’s rejoining him so soon.
“She didn’t,” was the reply. “He hasn’t seen her yet, and won’t. He is willing to work with her purpose, but not eager to touch her force.”
“What about Laura?” a woman asked.
“She is coming to us soon, but do not be afraid, dear. She will be tenderly met and guided, and will be much nearer you all, much happier and more helpful, than she is now. Never grieve again for death. It is birth, and so happy.”
Within a few weeks, this came to pass.