The mental mirror ; or, The rumseller's dream. A poem

Front matter

5LIBRARY OF CONGRESS," J

| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

B

Scene XVII 211

Unexpected Meeting, The Ruined Man's Bride, her kindness. Conducts to her Peaceful Home, The Redeemed Husband Clothed in Light, The Child's Address, and Description of Surrounding Beauties, Floral Lawn and their Ceaseless Joys, All Re-united and at Rest, The Cloud of Light, Angels 1 Address and Commission, The Cloud of Glory Rises.

FINAL

The Consummation. Angels and Men Join in the Victorious Song of Redemption.

Preface

A prevailing belief exists with men that there are Ttwo vast realms of nature — the material and visible, the immaterial and invisible ; — and also, that spirits exist independent of matter, that man after death inhabits some portion of an immaterial or spiritual universe ; or, if all existence is combined with matter, matter in the spiritual world is so rarified and refined as to be invisible to humanity here, and adapted to spirit life. Mind and its actions being invisible to the outward sense, means are employed to convey inward impressions to the visible world. Hence, humanity resorts to figures, jestures and oral expressions, in order to convey the feelings and movements of one mind to another. And since time immemorable, individual minds have labored to represent the forms and condition of the ' spirit realm, each employing means to represent those ! conditions as they are supposed, imagined, or believed to be and exist.

The two conditions in this world — the happy and peaceful, the unhappy and restless — are represented as existing in futurity; and as thoughts are in-

PREFACE. J

tensified the more spiritual they become, and the joy or sorrow more ecstatic or painful as they approach the deeper heart, so these conditions are supposed to be in tensified in the other world by the reason of the nearer approach to a, pure spiritual existence. Hence, in systems of theology, appears a heaven of supreme delight, and a region of inexpressible sorrow. These naturally arise from two states in this life, and as sorrow is supposed to spring from wrong-doing, and happiness from well-doing, we have good and evil as antagonists^ with their countless agencies and untold results. These carried by immortals to the future state, necessarily create there these conditions enlarged and intensified Figures of representation being absolutely necessary here in this life to represent mind, its actions and feelings ; they are also employed in some form or forms to represent conditions and feelings as they are supposed to exist, in that future unseen world.

The terms heaven and hell, being opposite in their meaning, have their unnumbered auxilaries, and, therefore, figures of beauty, perfection, glory and loveliness,, are presented in form of angels, and cities of golden foundation, of jasper walls set with diamonds, &c, while the dark region is represented by haggard figures, as, fallen, perverted men and beings who inhabit a world of woe.

Heaven, the home of the happy, is represented as

6 PREFACE.

enveloped in a halo of indescribable effulgence, issuing from the unapproachable Cause and Creator of all, while the state where the wretched exist, is represented as a dark and doleful abyss of night, pervaded with an atmosphere so intolerable as to be past all forms of description ; and while the air breathed by angels and sanctified beings, is represented as pure, and an embodiment of life and glory, — its inhalation causing ecstatic delights — that of the dark regions as the most intensely tormenting. The idea ever conveyed, is that the nearer the individual being approaches perfection of quality or of state, the more intensified will be their pleasure or pain. The scenes portrayed in this volume are employed to represent principles and a realm or state of mind that otherwise could not well be expressed, and those figures in nature and design, are offered to the readers as a mode of revealing what passed in the mind and but feebly express what they are employed to represent.

The object being to illustrate the nature and effect of liquor dealing upon society, and especially its moral effects upon the soul here, and the probable influence it may have upon the spirit in the future state of existence.

With these explanatory remarks the Dream is offered to a generous public, trusting for a more complete interpretation of the principles involved to what may be disclosed by the scenes

ARGUMENT.

In offering this poem in defence of Temperance no apology is deemed necessary. The principles inculcated, the moral and religious tone, and the argument, afford sufficient guarantee. As an advocate of the cause of temperance, it is especially applicable to these times.

The argument and demonstrations are presented in the form of a " Dream." The leading character, a dealer, who, in a profound reverie, first beholds suffering humanity as bowed beneath heavy burdens ; then, nature in its glory, magnificence and harmony, — the work of an infinitely perfect God — and then sinking into an abnormal state appears to pass through the dark vale, and to meet with the companions of his traffic in the regions of effect, each of whom is holding in his hand a revolving and reflecting goblet, representative of memory, which acts as a moral and mental mirror, and by which is revealed, all the deeds of life and their effects upon suffering consumers, their families, and upon society ; concluding with a call, as from heaven, for the women to arise and proceed to put down the liquor traffic, — their assault, the conflict and the triumphant results. Through all the scenes, virtue, patience, meekness, forgiveness, religious faith in prayer, and an enduring trust in God, are prominently revealed in the person of a poor, forsaken and suffering mother, the wife of one of the unfortunate victims of rum.

While recording and giving this vision to men,

One motive, one only, is now and has been,

To reflect the true nature of rum, and those laws

Which shield, also honor the rum-selling cause,

The youth are fast entering its dangerous snares,

And people becoming its traffic and wares ;

A cloud lowers over the nation, portentious,

And wine, we all know, makes its subjects contentious.

By hidden design, its victims pursues, And all it ensnares will debauch and abuse ; Bewilders, benumbs and dethrones intellect, — The noblest manhood debasing, will wreck, — Imprison the spirit and ruin the home Of who to the shrine of rum-witchery come. No curse of its equal is known in the world, Its banner enticing, is broadly unfurled, And streams on the breeze, inviting, betraying — In gorgeous array the rum-goddess displaying, — And the laws of true temperance alone can abate This pestilence preying on people and state.

THE MENTAL MIRROR.

The language is simple, and thence unblemished ; Can be well understood, though may not be relished. The opposer may wrestle, as he will, if he pleases, No marvel, if lovers of wine, the verse teases ; No marvel, though friends of the sparkling cup, — As critics, should labor to lay the verse up. To weaken effect by the cry of abuse, And all who in secret now practice the use Of the charming decoction, may claim, " Imperfection In rythm and measure ! " with loud interjection, Expose every error of which may be many, — Proclaim it unworthy the notice of any.

Still the good of the people is sought by the verse, However defective, it might have been worse ; The attention of dealers is earnestly courted, By whom it may not be admired or supported. The ruined and fallen will own to its truth, — Perchance it may serve as a warning to youth, — As a check to the moderate drinker.

If one, Even one, is saved by it, my work is well done.

THE CALL.

Rum-seller awake and arise from thy slumber ! Behold the result that thy labor attends ; Look forth from thy gorgeous chamber and notice --Clouds rise from the pit where life's thoroughfare ends. Like an ocean convulsed, mountain waves see uprolling ; See the broad flashing flames on the dense darkness there ; Hear the roar of the tempest-urged fiery billows, As they rise and expand on the quivering air.

Awake from thy slumber ! O moderate drinker ; The heavens are moved by the wails of the dead ; List to the groans of the sorrowing legions, No longer repose on thy soft silken bed. Just over the way see thy neighbor besotted, Set forth with the throng to that fiery tomb ; Rise, hasten thy toilet ! O haste and pursue him ; Restore him and peace to his sorrowing home.

Look down life's broad avenue gorged with like victims ; See thy fellow and kin madly gyrating there !

THE MENTAL MIRROR. II

Rise! marshal thy forces — rush forth and redeem them, Ere they sink and are lost in that world of despair. See the tide of humanity seething and surging, Like the waves of the maelstrom with merciless sweep ; Ingathering the legions, rum-ruined, and hurling Them down through the gorge to the fiery deep. Stand aghast do the people, in wonder beholding The tide urging deathward the helpless and lost ; Rumseller, go forth and in mercy rescue them, Ere they rise thine accusers, a ghastly grim host.

Furl quickly, thy banner, desist from rum-selling, Close the gateway of death, and as sentinel there, Guard the passway to ruin, with earnest endeavor Seek and save the deluded from hopeless despair. See, the angels of mercy around thee are moving, The voice of our Father, in tenderest tone, From heaven descending, is unto thee calling, To rescue the fallen, forsaken and lone ; Who bound and imprisoned, for mercy are pleading, While the noble of earth are toiling to save ; Rum-seller, go forth, follow virtue's safe leading, The victors are ever the noble and brave.

The day-star of hope over earth is now rising, And shedding the light of redemption afar ; Humanity moved by a power all surprising, And glory is beaming from Bethlehem's star.

The conquering arm of Jehovah attending.

And Heaven's Pavilion encircles the world ;

Holy angels of light from the Father descending,

Salvation's broad banner of victory unfurled,

Streams forth on the breeze, and the people are waking ;

The tomb yields to life the long concealed there, —

The power of truth the moral world quaking, —

God heard and is answering the sufferer's prayer.

Rumseller, awake ! in this day of salvation,

The voice of all nature is calling to thee ;

Appeal to the holy One while He is passing,

His mercy will set thy imprisoned soul free.

Join the bands now engaged in the work of redemption ;

As soldier of Jesus, enlist and arise ;

A crown of bright jewels immortal awaits thee ;

Go forth in true valor and win the bright prize.

The waves of salvation triumphantly rolling,

Are whelming the powers of rum.

Hail ! all hail !

The hosts who in righteousness earth are controlling ! Rumseller fall in now y the cause will prevail

Scene I. The Reverie

On a calm summer morning, the fifth of July, In a flora-clad bower, beneath a bright sky, On a moss-woven pallet alone I reposed, — To the tread of the million my consciousness closed, When scenes of my childhood appeared in review, And memory traversed life's journey anew ; Whose fast moving incidents urged me along The waves of humanity's tide-driven throng.

So chequered the scene, intervolved, and so hazed, My senses bewildered, my consciousness mazed, — A compound of animate nature in strife, Impelled by the inherent forces of life ; All rushing forth, seeking some ideal prize, With purpose oft clad in bewildering disguise. Humanity thus appeared drifting and surging,

The incoming legions the out-going urging. Throughout human life, saw the toiling low bend Beneath heavy burdens, till life's labors end, While faith inspired hope in a Paradise, where The race reunited and free from all care, Redeemed, sanctified, by Emanuel blessed, On the bosom of loveliness ever shall rest.

For a season was lost in reflections like these But roused by the touch of the whispering breeze, Which like a loved spirit my temples caressed, While soothing my weary, worn body to rest.

My soul was entranced, and enchanted my ear, By what I could see, also what I could hear ; The twitter of swallow, te-te-tweet of the wren, The bass-noted winds as they passed o'er the glen ; The wood-pecker's drum on the limb of dry oak, The chattering magpie, the raven's hoarse croak ; The hum of the bee, and the chirp of the cricket, Chit-chur of the squirrel at play in the thicket, The breeze making sport with my uncovered locks, The echoing stroke of the bell of town clocks, The rattle and clang, and the jingle of things ; The cooing of doves and the flutter of wings, The mocking-bird song, and the cry of the jay, The rumbling of carriage wheels dying away.

PROEM.

This natural movement and blending of sound, Lulled my nervous sensations to quiet profound ; — My consciousness closed to the world from without, Inducing abnormal conditions, no doubt, Engaging my vision with magnified views, As the reader may judge, who is pleased to peruse This narrative, written in measure and rhyme, Of what appeared to me the sequel of time — The results of man's doing, vice, virtue and crime.

Through varying transitions, my mind seemed to move, Sometimes in the regions of night, — then above In a cloud overlooking the toiling race, when I beheld the great evil that rules over men.

Saw woman o' erburdened with sorrow and care,

Bowed low at the throne of our Father, in prayer ;

While a Demon held legions of men at his will,

Through a Charm, whose effect was to deaden and kill —

To benumb and bewjlder — besotten the mind, —

The chief of misfortune, this Charm to mankind.

It enters the palace, the cottage, the den,

Debasing all castes and conditions of men.

Its banner I saw, as it floated, unfurled,

The conquering Ensign of Death o 'er the world,

This Charmer, so fatal to virtue and home, So worshipped by man, is a Bottle of Rum.

As the sorrowing women were bowing in prayer, A voice called from Heaven, —

" For the conflict prepare."

They rose, as impelled by omnipotent might, When an angel descended on wings of pure light, With a trumpet proclaiming the purpose of Heaven : u Commission from God to the woman is given, To marshal the host of their sufferers, and Around the proud Monarch in deep columns stand, Besiege thus the Temple of Rum, and assail The Prince on his throne."

Saw the battle prevail In the name of Jehovah, abstinence, right, And the earth was enhaloed with glory so bright, That the evil Prince fled and the Shrine of Rum fell Engulfed in the pit of the nethermost hell.

THE VISION.

CAUSE, NATURE AND OBJECT.

This vision I give as to me it was given, Inspired by the causes all human or heaven ; With a prayer that the victim of rum, it may move To temperance, purity, happiness, love.

It is far from a fairy tale pleasantly told,

Or an epic of heroic fables of old.

Out of the depths of affliction it came, —

Afflictions too great to express by name ;

The offspring of parentage, gloomy, depressed, —

It arose into form from an agonized breast ;

Begotten by sorrow, and nourished by grief,

When Hope was too feeble to offer relief,

And the spirit was yielding all, all in despair,

An angel came whispering," There is power in prayer?

Light beamed from the heavens, and Hope appeared

brighter ; Faith adding fervor, the burden grevy lighter, The Charmer escaped as the altar appeared,

And Heaven, the soul, for its mission prepared ; Bright angels descended to comfort and aid, And the inner life scenes in their order displayed.

Though the figures may not, all intended evolve, Time, as well demonstration, the problem may solve. Truth is its foundation, and facts the material Of which it is formed, though somewhat etherial, The scenes here depicted, in life oft are played ; Of sad human history, the structure is made.

The hopeful conclusions may time demonstrate ;

And a brighter than this, future history create,

And man rise above all the woes of our time,

To dwell in an element truly sublime ;

And out of this darkness a pure race ascend,

Till earth shall with heaven in harmony blend ;

And the echoing voices of angels prolong,

In heaven man's lofty, victorious song, —

The song of redemption through labor and grace,

The triumphal song of a God-redeemed race.

While in the soft shadows I gently reclined, These stirring sensations pervaded my mind ; A power possessing my innermost soul, My thoughts and perceptions appeared to control, Till a more acute consciousness seemed to awake And life of new mysteries largely partake.

Scene II The Sublime Life And Harmony Of Nature

I sought the repose of the solitude, there Removed from the busy world's wearying care, To retrospect life, and its uses to learn, And the perspective future of being discern. Concealed by the bower that over me hung, Whose animate foliage, over me flung A screen of dim shadows, subduing the rays Of the midsummer sun, whose luminous blaze Would dazzle the vision, and deaden the eye ; Through shadow and leaflet, the canopied sky, In the splendor of infinite glory was seen, O 'er-arching the planet with azure and sheen ; — A realm where systems their orbits may run, And satellites sport in the sphere of their sun. Bright Dome of the Universe ! spacious abode Of glorified beings ! — Dominion of God !

My soul caught the rapturous spirit sublime, — The life of all majesty, life of all time ; The glow of the great chandelier of all space, Whose orbs, all majestic, illumine and grace The infinite realm, whose quickening fire Animate nature's immensurate empire, Burned deep in my spirit an ardent desire To escape from the bondage of earth, and arise, And range o'er the infinite plane of the skies ; As a spirit-winged thought, on to kingdoms afar, With a convoy of angels, view planet and star Composing the Temple of Nature, and share The delights of the blissful inhabitants there.

O, why, with such high aspirations inborn,

Should the spirit be bound, imprisoned, forlorn ;

Confined in this cumbersome body, to sigh

For the lofty abodes of those beings on high,

Where the sanctified dwell, and in blissful employ,

The pleasures of all the bright heavens enjoy ;

Luxuriating divinely in gardens of love,

The fruit of life plucking from bowers above,

From branches o'erarching the paradise plains,

Whose virtue life's vigor immortal sustains ;

Where the waves of pure light move in measures sublime,

And the voice of the legions in harmony chime

With the melodies born of the infinite soul,

Which out of the depths of eternity roll ; Where each rose is a harp, and each branchlet a lyre, From which the soft breezes sweet music inspire ; Where thoughts interkindle with luminous glow, And the waters of life unceasingly flow ; Where all in the bounties of paradise share, Uncumbered with substance, unburdened with care, — How I long to depart, how I long to be there !

While lost in reflections I seemed to arise On pinions of light, through the sun-lumined skies, The earth, all commotion, was from me receding ; Its power o 'er my spirit, no longer impeding My rapid ascension to regions unknown ; Increased were desires to which we are prone, For vision more perfect of supernal things ; Faith, hope and affinity served me as wings, To bear me along toward the central light.

My soul was baptized with celestial delight, Within me seemed quickened, by the spirit divine, The higher perceptions. My thoughts seemed to shine As diamonds, reflecting the mind's scintillations ; I moved in the sphere of new mental creations, Where intellect garners vast treasures with joy, Bright jewels of wisdom, and free from alloy. Around and above me, and far into space,

I beheld demonstrations of wisdom and grace,

A Father s hand guiding the kingdoms afar ;

Saw moving, as living things, planet and star,

Whose hallowed harmonies uttered a song,

In multiform manner, with polyglot tongue ;

All spheres and departments seemed blended in one,

Through which laws of sympathy acted and run,

While matter and motion through nature extant,

Responded to each and all manifest want.

Controlled by the laws of affinitive life,

All nature with nourishing power seemed rife ;

Sustaining formation from insect to man,—

From angel to seraph — a well devised plan,

Revealing all grades of embodiments, where

Is manifest Deific Purpose and care.

And thus the immensity moved as a whole ;

One Organ, all nature, with animate soul ;

Inspired by the infinite Spirit divine,

All parts so arranged, as in one, to combine

Tone, harmony, rythm, pure accent and time ;

The voice of all nature, deep, lofty, sublime,

So truly combined and so justly arranged ;

Not a measure transposed, or a key-note, if changed,

Would add to perfection of Organ or song ;

Not a scale recomposed, but results would be wrong.

Scene III. The Opposite View

This scene of the glory of nature withdrew,

Man's restless condition appeared to my view ;

Born into relations of sorrow and strife,

He has no assurance of pleasure or life ;

Existing in endless uncertainty, and

Can nothing hold firm in his perishing hand.

The present possesses, the future believes —

For a moment of pleasure, an hour often grieves ;

He struggles to live while certain to die —

Hopes to rest from his toils in the great bye and bye.

Thus my thoughts wandered over the races of men, And sadness o'ershadowed my lone spirit, when A voice from the glowing cloud over me, said, " Your vision of nature is nature as made ; The laws of dynamics move strictly precise,

While those of mentality, oft otherwise.

All nature controlled by their deific laws

Proceed as designed by the Infinite Cause,

While beings endowed with love, wisdom and will,

Perverting their faculties, fail to fulfill

Creation's design, and by transgressing law

From the sphere of perfection, their beings withdraw."

" Had men no volition, could only pursue A course predetermined, punctiliously true, Thought and moved as impelled, and forced to obey Fixed laws with precision, could swerve neither way, Controlled thus by force of unchangeable rules, They would be and appear automatical tools, — Would exist in the realm of matter entire, Possessing no function, higher life to inspire."

" Fixed laws then of nature man's form would control,

Existing, though now an intelligent soul,

Combining in which are love, wisdom and will, —

The bodily functions proceed to fulfill,

The choice of his judgment or passional sense,

The results of that choice are life's sure recompense ;

If inspired by pure motives, peace will attend

And the soul will with angels of purity blend ;

But if evil desires the being control,

Those carnal indulgencies poison the soul.

Two moral conditions exist with mankind, To one or the other each soul is inclined ; The one is above, the other below, To the lower, through folly, perverted men go ; In this region of sorrow, an opposite view In readiness lingers, Rumsellers, for you.

Where laws God impressed in the heart are effaced, And justice and mercy, by sin, are displaced ; Where lust, as the priesthood of carnal desires, On sensuous altars, keep sensuous fires. Vice breeds in the spirit a venamous clan Of vipers, to feast on the morals of man ; — Truth sinks into darkness, and falsehoods arise And evil with goodness successfully vies,

THE MORAL INDEX.

THE INNER LIFE REFLECTED UPON THE UNDERSTANDING. HOW MIND AND CHARACTER ARE FORMED.

Bewildered and saddened, and sorely depressed,

I sank in deep gloom upon nature's cold breast,

Well knowing I could not to heaven ascend,

Nor the cause and sequences of life comprehend ;

A cloud overshadowed my spirit and sense,

Seemed poising in void — and in troubled suspense

I gazed into vacancy, gloomy, unending,

And murmured, " What am I, and to what tending ?"

When out of the shadow a visage arose,

And answered, " The spirit alone can disclose

The laws of the spirit — its nature define

And the prospective future of being divine.

In vain you look outward yourself to discern,

The purpose and end of your being to learn ;

Your innermost consciousness and its inclining,

The motives, desires and uses combining,

The soul constitute/' Then whispered, low bending,

41 To this and this only, your spirit is tending ;

Examine minutely, and while analyzing, Know this is your self-hood, your being, comprising In form and complexion, your purpose and thought, Procedure and motives, this image have wrought, All feelings indulged, all hidden intentions, Ambition, vain-glory, religious pretensions, Are here represented, with shading and texture, Yourself the sole builder, as well architecture, In you and of you beginning and ending, This is the future to which you are tending. Your query thus answered, your problem is solved ; In self-hood are life and its issues involved."

This strange exhibition my spirit confounded,

I gazed at the visage, my self-respect wounded,

I could not accept as the representation

Of my innermost nature — the fruit of my doing —

The harvest ingathered from seeds of my sowing,

A jumbling of faculties, morbid and tangled,

Where conscience and purposes, differed and wrangled,

The evil prevailing, and conscience declining,

Betrayed and subdued by the counter designing

Of a mischievous heart and an ill-disposed spirit ;

In anguish I cried out " I cannot inherit

A nature so hateful ! O, vanish and leave me !

Do not, I implore, of my senses bereave me !"

As I strove to repel it, it murmured, " I fear Your sense is bewildered, your vision not clear." " A phantom," I answered, " no good can inspire ; In the scale of existence my soul ranges higher Than this vile distortion, this caricature, — A presence so hateful I cannot endure."

It earnestly answered, still over me bending, " Be not deceived as to what you are tending ; In this Mental Mirror yourself you discern, And may, by endeavor, your destiny learn. It is not important what primary relation Your being sustains to the Cause of creation ; Your interest consists in the soul-temple building Method and structure, finish and gilding, Passions indulged, affinities cherished ; — What faculties famished, and what by you nourished ; Improved how your intellect — objects pursued ; What affections are fostered, as well, what subdued. A cluster of faculties formed the beginning, Developed by usage, the prize you are winning. No law of the mind can its functions dissever ; Dismember your soul, though you would, you can never ; No change can be wrought in the texture and shading, In the great coming future by this scornful evading ; . The nature formed here, henceforth will attend you, However unwelcome, why should truth so offend you."

These thoughts seemed to flow from the figure before me,

Myself to myself to reveal and restore me ;

The problem of being, so strangely was solving ; —

Around the soul center, life's deeds were revolving

By the laws of formation, enlarging the spirit, —

Creating a future, the soul must inherit.

This mode of revealing man's nature, disclosed

The laws of the senses — how minds was composed ;

How the loom of the faculties interwove thought,

By the shuttle of passion's quick movements, and wrought

The web of the spirit, interlacing each deed ;

The warp and the woof, the moral and meed,

With the motives combining, uniting the whole

In the one living being, the ultimate soul.

With the feelings and acts of the creature thus blending,

Past, present and future of life comprehending,

The sympathies forming the features and caste,

The sphere of the soul, and its future forecast,

Interblending all shades by the tinge of desire —

Born of extrinsic causes, allied to inspire,

Disclosing the nature of passions indulged ;

And thus to myself was my spirit divulged.

This method of reasoning, o'erveiling with gloom My innermost being, foreshadowed a doom Averse to my hopes, and my feelings depressed, And the more I reflected, the more was distressed,

Until anguish aroused me and quickened my sense.

I asked why existence was, also from whence ?

To seek deeper causes, my thoughts now inclined,

And thence sought the infinite realm of the mind.

A gleam of light beamed on my spirit, and then

I caught a faint glimpse of the sources of men.

A fathomless ocean of wisdom and life, —

A fountain with germinal intellect rife

The source of all consciousness, source of all sense,

Where the spirit of life originates. Thence

Assuming material functions and form,

To the laws of humanity yield and conforms ;

By mental activities quickens and thrives,

In matter mature, and for eminence strives,

Preparing for higher conditions ; at length,

As a sanctified being, a spirit ascends,

To higher dominions with higher life blends.

Who fails to improve their own talents, sustain

A loss inconceivably great ; — and again

Enter the kingdom of spirit, to dwell

In a region, contrasted with heaven, a hell ;

Where wrangle discordant creations ; where gloom

O 'ershadows the soul like a pall of the tomb.

This view of the nature of consciousness, wrought My mind into higher perceptions, and brought

More clearly to view human life, and I saw The sources of action, the purpose of law. How laws of conditions combined with the soul, Designed to develop, mature and control — Interblending all deeds with the spirit of life, Conducting the spirit through manifold strife, And quickening the immature being, to grow Out of the bondage of matter below, Into conditions of spiritual force ; Guiding the soul in its predesigned course Of the higher attainments, to ultimate sense ; — An harmonized spirit, the great recompense ; Bright prospects of hallowed honor to gain, Through struggle and fortitude, crosses and pain.