Spiritual Darkness. 121
thatfitsofgloom,thecauseofwhichhecannot
discover, descend upon him and subject him
to much distress. He is apt, in the over-
sensitiveness vv^hich accompanies this stage ofgrowth, to blame himself forthese accessesof
sadness,and totakehimself sharplytotask for
thelossoftheserenitywhichhehasput before
himselfashisideal. Whenthe gloomisupon
him,everysurroundingobjecttakesanunwonted
andexaggeratedshape. Smallannoyancesloom
large,distortedbythemiststhatsurround him,
petty troubles grow into great shadows that
overcloud thesun,and friction thatin happier
seasonswould passunnoticed now rasps every
nerve and tortureseverysensibility. He feels
that hehas fallenfrom the placetowhich he
had climbed byprolonged efforts,and thatall
his past struggles are wasted and their fruits
rent awayfrom his grasp. Ashas been well
said: "Itiswonderful howthe Powersof the
Dark seem to sweep away as it were in one
gustall one's spiritual treasures,garnered withsuchpainandcareafteryearsofincessantstudy
and experience." What wonder that the
tremblingandbewilderedsoul of the neophyte
feelsatouch almostof despairasthe spoils of
victoryonmanyahard-foughtfieldcrumbleinto
ashesinhishands.
K