they are physical and not spiritual is not only a great consolation, but a
strong argument for overcoming them. For all that is physical is put, or
is in the process of being put, under the feet of the spiritual. Do not
mistake me. I do not say you can make yourself feel merry or happy when you
are in a physical condition which is contrary to such mental condition. But
you can withdraw from it--not all at once; but by practice and effort you
can learn to withdraw from it, refusing to allow your judgments and actions
to be ruled by it. You can climb up out of the fogs, and sit quiet in the
sunlight on the hillside of faith. You cannot be merry down below in the
fog, for there is the fog; but you can every now and then fly with the
dove-wings of the soul up into the clear, to remind yourself that all this
passes away, is but an accident, and that the sun shines always, although
it may not at any given moment be shining on you. 'What does that matter?'
you will learn to say. 'It is enough for me to know that the sun does
shine, and that this is only a weary fog that is round about me for
the moment. I shall come out into the light beyond presently.' This is
faith--faith in God, who is the light, and is all in all. I believe that
the most glorious instances of calmness in suffering are thus achieved;
that the sufferers really do not suffer what one of us would if thrown into
their physical condition without the refuge of their spiritual condition as
well; for they have taken refuge in the inner chamber. Out of the spring of
their life a power goes forth that quenches the flames of the furnace of
their suffering, so far at least that it does not touch the deep life,
cannot make them miserable, does not drive them from the possession of
their soul in patience, which is the divine citadel of the suffering. Do
you understand me, Connie?"

"I do, papa. I think perfectly."

"Still less, then, is the fact that the difficulty is physical to be used