THE DIVINE SOURCE 129 



Blemishes he feels being purged away in the 

 cleansing fires of pure love. He feels that with 

 the other he will be, as he has never been before, 

 his whole and his true self. And this is the first 

 consideration which gives him confidence. 



The second is that he feels himself now to a 

 very special degree, in direct and intimate touch 

 with the central Heart of Nature. Something 

 from what he feels by instinct is the Divine Source 

 of Life and Love comes springing up within him, 

 penetrating him through and through, supporting 

 and upholding him and urging him forward. He 

 feels that he directly springs from that Source, and 

 that it will ever sustain him as long as he is true 

 to his own real self, and works for those high ends 

 towards which he feels himself impelled. 



With strong faith, then, he makes his decision — 

 with strong faith in himself, for he knows himself 

 to be inspired by the same great Spirit which 

 animates the whole world of which he is himself 

 a part. And having in this faith made his decision, 

 he girds himself for, the poignant battle of love. 



And as in war so in love men — and women — 

 rise to altogether unexpected heights of courage, 

 endurance, and devotion. War is a fine spur to 

 excellence. But love is an even finer. Every 

 faculty is quickened and refined. Every high 

 quality brought into fullest exercise. Daring and 

 caution, utter disregard of self and selfishness in 

 the extreme, are alike required. For the two will 

 never achieve full wedded union until they have 

 fought their way through many an interposing 

 obstacle. Adroitness, and that rare quality, social 



