| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Soul of the Far East by Percival Lowell: up at least one year and possibly two older than one really is,
it lies beyond our present purpose to expatiate. It is quite evident
that woman has had no voice in the framing of such a chronology.
One would hardly imagine that man had either, so astronomic is the
system. A communistic age is however but an unavoidable detail of
the general scheme whose most suggestive feature consists in the
subordination of the actual birthday of the individual to the
fictitious birthday of the community. For it is not so much the
want of commemoration shown the subject as the character of the
commemoration which is significant. Some slight notice is indeed
paid to birthdays during early childhood, but even then their
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: wantonness, etc. But carnal lust is not the only work of the flesh, and so he
counts among the works of the flesh also idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, and
the like. These terms are so familiar that they do not require lengthy
explanations.
IDOLATRY
The best religion, the most fervent devotion without Christ is plain
idolatry. It has been considered a holy act when the monks in their cells
meditate upon God and His works, and in a religious frenzy kneel down
to pray and to weep for joy. Yet Paul calls it simply idolatry. Every religion
which worships God in ignorance or neglect of His Word and will is
idolatry.
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from A Sentimental Journey by Laurence Sterne: again for my company and kindness. - She bid me adieu twice. - I
repeated it as often; and so cordial was the parting between us,
that had it happened any where else, I'm not sure but I should have
signed it with a kiss of charity, as warm and holy as an apostle.
But in Paris, as none kiss each other but the men, - I did, what
amounted to the same thing -
- I bid God bless her.
THE PASSPORT. PARIS.
WHEN I got home to my hotel, La Fleur told me I had been enquired
after by the Lieutenant de Police. - The deuce take it! said I, - I
know the reason. It is time the reader should know it, for in the
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