When the little Pilgrim came out of the presence of the Father, she
found herself in the street of a great city. But what she saw and heard
when she was with Him it is not given to the tongue of mortal to say,
for it is beyond words, and beyond even thought. As the mystery of love
is not to be spoken but to be felt, even in the lower earth, so, but
much less, is that great mystery of the love of the Father to be
expressed in words. The little Pilgrim was very happy when she went into
that sacred place, but there was a great awe upon her, and it might even
be said that she was afraid; but when she came out again she feared
nothing, but looked with clear eyes upon all she saw, loving them, but
no more overawed by them, having seen that which is above all. When she
came forth again to her common life--for it is not permitted save for
those who have attained the greatest heights to dwell there--she had no
longer need of any guide, but came alone, knowing where to go, and
walking where it pleased her, with reverence and a great delight in
seeing and knowing all that was around, but no fear. It was a great
city, but it was not like the great cities which she had seen. She
understood as she passed along how it was that those who had been
dazzled but by a passing glance had described the walls and the pavement
as gold. They were like what gold is, beautiful and clear, of a lovely
colour, but softer in tone than metal ever was, and as cool and fresh to
walk upon and to touch as if they had been velvet grass. The buildings
were all beautiful, of every style and form that it is possible to think
of, yet in great harmony, as if every man had followed his own taste,
yet all had been so combined and grouped by the master architect, that
each individual feature enhanced the effect of the rest. Some of the
houses were greater and some smaller, but all of them were rich in
carvings and pictures and lovely decorations, and the effect was as if
the richest materials had been employed, marbles and beautiful
sculptured stone, and wood of beautiful tints, though the little Pilgrim