'You must just reverse those conditions to express my feeling. I believe we ought to make ourselves as beautiful as we can, for the highest reasons. Only,and here perhaps I shall touch the hidden point you have been feeling after,there is one other thing which comes first.'
She looked up, waiting his answer. He looked deep into her eyes as he gave it, with a slight smile at the same time that was very sweet.
'Do you remember?"Seek first the kingdom of God." Therefore, before even beauty and harmony. So, if I can secure these with one dollar, don't you see I must not spend two? The Lord wants the other dollar. He may want both. But generally, for all the purposes of use and influence, I believe he means us carefully to make ourselves, so far as we may, lovely to look at.'
Hazel clasped and unclasped her fingers, working out her problem in the fire again.
'His kingdom in all the world,' she said slowly. 'The harmony having its keynote from heaven, and then finding its accord in all one's earthly life. I suppose that was what David meant"O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory." 'She laid her head down upon her arms and said no more.
'Is the tangle out?' said Rollo gently after a minute.
'That must be the right end of the thread,' said Hazel looking up. 'I ought to be able to find my way. But I shall have to send my boxes back empty, and take six months to find out what I want.'
'You do not know of anything that you want at present?'
'I thought I did!' said Hazel with a laugh,'but how do I know?
Maybe I have enough,maybe somebody else wants it more.
Olafis there an endless perspective of needy people in this
world?'
'What if?' said Rollo. 'What if Life were one long day of ministry? does that look like a worthy end of life? and does it look pleasant?'