98 TheSpiritual Life.
This is theceasingof sorrow,this the entering
intopeace.
On the way to the blissful seat, moreover,
theunderstanding of thecauseof sorrow robs
sorrowitself of its sting,forwelearn thatitis
onlythatstern-seemingbecauseveiledhappiness
*'whichatfirstisasvenombut intheendisas
nectar." Fromthisknowledgespnngsastrong
serenitythatcanendure asseeing theend,can
*'glorifytheLordin the fires." Shall notthe
gold rejoice in the burning that frees it from
worthlessdross?
Without the experience of sorrow, strength
could not be developed. Strong mental and
moralmusclesarenotobtainedwithoutstrenuous
exercise, anymorethanphysicalmusclesbecome
powerfulwithoutit. Struggleisaconditionof
thelowerevolutions in nature; it isthemeans
bywhichstrengthisdeveloped. Only perfect
strengthiscalm.
Withouttheexperienceof sorrow,sympathy
couldnotbeevolved. Bysufferingwelearnto
understand atoncethe pain andits needs,the
demand and its meeting. Having suffered
under temptation,welearn howto helpeffec-
tivelythosewhoaretempted; onlythosewho
have risen from falls can aid the fallen with
thatexquisiteunderstandingwhichaloneprevents
