| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from Barlaam and Ioasaph by St. John of Damascus: the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught
against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
way and first be reconciled to thy brother.' And he also saith,
'Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed
adultery with her in his heart.' And hereby he calleth the
defilement and consent of the affection adultery. Furthermore,
where the law forbade a man to forswear himself, Christ commanded
him to swear not at all beyond Yea and Nay. There we read, `Eye
for eye and tooth for tooth': here, `Whosoever shall smite thee
on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man
will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have
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The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from The Case of The Lamp That Went Out by Grace Isabel Colbron and Augusta Groner: "Well more or less I might say I am," the old man smiled and
looked flattered, then added: "But the housekeeper, Mrs. Bernaner,
is even more important than I am, to tell you the truth. She was
nurse to our present young master, and she's been in the house ever
since. When his parents died, it's some years ago now, she took
entire charge of the housekeeping. She was a fine active woman
then, and now the young master and mistress couldn't get along
without her. They treat her as if she was one of the family."
"And she is ill also? I say also," explained Muller, "because the
landlord has just been telling me that your mistress is ill."
"Yes, indeed, more's the pity! our poor dear young lady has been
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| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from Catriona by Robert Louis Stevenson: "Did you kiss her truly?" she asked.
There went through me so great a heave of surprise that I was all shook
with it.
"Miss Grant?" I cried, all in a disorder. "Yes, I asked her to kiss me
good-bye, the which she did."
"Ah, well!" said she, "you have kissed me too, at all events."
At the strangeness and sweetness of that word, I saw where we had
fallen; rose, and set her on her feet.
"This will never do," said I. "This will never, never do. O Catrine,
Catrine!" Then there came a pause in which I was debarred from any
speaking. And then, "Go away to your bed," said I. "Go away to your
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Smalcald Articles by Dr. Martin Luther: and guilt)]. What is the use of [For why do we wish]
investigating, dividing, or distinguishing a long time? For
this reason, too, this contrition is not [doubtful or]
uncertain. For there is nothing left with which we can think
of any good thing to pay for sin, but there is only a sure
despairing concerning all that we are, think, speak, or do
[all hope must be cast aside in respect of everything], etc.
In like manner confession, too, cannot be false, uncertain, or
piecemeal [mutilated or fragmentary]. For he who confesses
that all in him is nothing but sin comprehends all sins
excludes none, forgets none. Neither can the satisfaction be
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