| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: Do you think for a moment that these reactions did not worry the apostles?
They were not made of iron. They foresaw the revolutionary character of
the Gospel. They also foresaw the dissensions that would creep into the
Church. It was bad news for Paul when he heard that the Corinthians were
denying the resurrection of the dead, that the churches he had planted
were experiencing all kinds of difficulties, and that the Gospel was being
supplanted by false doctrines.
But Paul also knew that the Gospel was not to blame. He did not resign his
office because he knew that the Gospel he preached was the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believes.
The same criticism which was leveled at the apostles is leveled at us. The
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson: welcome.'
'If you please, sir,' said Rowley.
He looked up at me, in the light of the lantern, with a boyish
shyness and triumph that awoke my conscience. I could never let
this innocent involve himself in the perils and difficulties that
beset my course, without some hint of warning, which it was a
matter of extreme delicacy to make plain enough and not too plain.
'No, no,' said I; 'you may think you have made a choice, but it was
blindfold, and you must make it over again. The Count's service is
a good one; what are you leaving it for? Are you not throwing away
the substance for the shadow? No, do not answer me yet. You
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