| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from St. Ives by Robert Louis Stevenson: when I consider of him; what a formidable being he once was, and
what a personable! and how near he draws to the moment that must
break him utterly! we none of us like him here; we hate him,
rather; and yet I have a sense - I don't think at my time of life
it can be pity - but a reluctance rather, to break anything so big
and figurative, as though he were a big porcelain pot or a big
picture of high price. Ay, there is what I was waiting for!' he
cried, as the lights of a second chaise swam in sight. 'It is he
beyond a doubt. The first was the signature and the next the
flourish. Two chaises, the second following with the baggage,
which is always copious and ponderous, and one of his valets: he
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Vailima Prayers & Sabbath Morn by Robert Louis Stevenson: fortune, and, down to the gates of death, loyal and loving one to
another. As the clay to the potter, as the windmill to the wind,
as children of their sire, we beseech of Thee this help and mercy
for Christ's sake.
FOR GRACE
GRANT that we here before Thee may be set free from the fear of
vicissitude and the fear of death, may finish what remains before
us of our course without dishonour to ourselves or hurt to others,
and, when the day comes, may die in peace. Deliver us from fear
and favour: from mean hopes and cheap pleasures. Have mercy on
each in his deficiency; let him be not cast down; support the
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: myself, were now retired to rest. The one candle was dying out:
the room was full of moonlight. My heart beat fast and thick: I
heard its throb. Suddenly it stood still to an inexpressible
feeling that thrilled it through, and passed at once to my head and
extremities. The feeling was not like an electric shock, but it was
quite as sharp, as strange, as startling: it acted on my senses as
if their utmost activity hitherto had been but torpor, from which
they were now summoned and forced to wake. They rose expectant:
eye and ear waited while the flesh quivered on my bones.
"What have you heard? What do you see?" asked St. John. I saw
nothing, but I heard a voice somewhere cry -
Jane Eyre |
