108 HIGH SOLITUDES 



" Blessed are the pure in heart," we are told, 

 "for they shall see God." And blessed are they 

 who are able to ascend to a region like this, for here 

 they cannot but be pure in heart, and cannot help 

 seeing God. For the time being at least, they have 

 to be pure. In the spotless purity of that region 

 they cannot harbour any thought that is sordid or 

 unclean. And they pray that ever after they may 

 maintain what they have reached. For they know 

 that if they could maintain it they would see 

 beauties which in the murky state of common life 

 it is impossible to perceive. In the white purity 

 which this high region exacts they are forced to 

 pierce through the superficial and unimportant and 

 they catch sight of the real. 



They are in a remote and lofty solitude, and in 

 touch with the naked elementals of \vhich the world 

 has built itself. But they do not feel alone. They 

 feel themselves in a great Presence, and in a 

 Presence with which they are most intimately in 

 touch. And it is no dread Presence, but one which 

 they delight to feel. Holiness is its essence, and 

 their souls are purged and purified. They are suf- 

 fused with it ; it enters deeply into them, and 

 translates them swiftly upward. 



