94 
HELEN ABBOTT MICHAEL 
outward manifestation. Not that the state is one absolutely 
devoid of externality, inasmuch as my outward bearing and 
actions may not be identical with those of the past. Where 
more light shines the path is necessarily more distinct and the 
lay of the land clearer. But I referred to ‘ externalities ’ as 
direct modes of expression. 
“The state is a deep sense of religious being and oneness 
with the spirit of Buddha, Christ, and the Prophets. It is 
inspirational with all religions, one with all philosophies, 
cults, or creeds. In brief: The unity of the world lies before 
me, I am one with all knowledge and experience. This sud¬ 
den opening of the spiritual founts has quenched all other 
fires. My state is beyond will-power itself, which is identified 
with humanized divinity, or God. I am afloat upon a limit¬ 
less sea of refined spirituality; my soul bathes in these waters; 
I am refreshed and strengthened; I ask for nothing more 
than this complete absorption with what I understand by 
God. It is the highest mode of love. 
“‘ In a degree you will now understand why I seek solitude. 
I need silence to question this translation to more ethereal 
spheres than I ever traversed. Logic and so-called reason 
here avail not. I shall try to get back to work before long; 
with this farther sight I ought to obtain clearer results than 
ever. I speak of the sudden opening of the spiritual founts; 
but of course the waters had been the result of accumula¬ 
tions of stored-up rays of light from early years to the present. 
There is nothing miraculous in this. 
“The October balm caught in your letter was not gone when 
your letter reached me. It pleased me to read that you felt in 
that ‘September Day,’ the influence of freedom and security 
and a more universal flow than you had noticed before in my 
writings. I felt the lines and they meant a great deal to me, 
much more than I could find language to express.” 
The poem to which she refers, entitled “One September 
Day,” depicts a walk at “high noon along the turgid stream.” 
“Alone I went, but by my side were you, 
Enclasped in thought intent and feeling too. 
