The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Art of Writing by Robert Louis Stevenson: powerfully to the minds of men; and since that is so, we
contribute, in each of these branches, to build up the sum of
sentiments and appreciations which goes by the name of Public
Opinion or Public Feeling. The total of a nation's reading,
in these days of daily papers, greatly modifies the total of
the nation's speech; and the speech and reading, taken
together, form the efficient educational medium of youth. A
good man or woman may keep a youth some little while in
clearer air; but the contemporary atmosphere is all-powerful
in the end on the average of mediocre characters. The
copious Corinthian baseness of the American reporter or 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 Vailima Prayers & Sabbath Morn by Robert Louis Stevenson: have been plucked out. For our sins forgiven or prevented, for our
shame unpublished, we bless and thank Thee, O God. Help us yet
again and ever. So order events, so strengthen our frailty, as
that day by day we shall come before Thee with this song of
gratitude, and in the end we be dismissed with honour. In their
weakness and their fear, the vessels of thy handiwork so pray to
Thee, so praise Thee. Amen.
SUNDAY
WE beseech Thee, Lord, to behold us with favour, folk of many
families and nations gathered together in the peace of this roof,
weak men and women subsisting under the covert of thy patience. Be
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