Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-10-04
| IHE HOME CIRCLE |
CONFESSIONS OF A FAIR SAINT.
BY Goethe.
Continued

had been subject the most violent headaches which,
longer than hours But they
when they became excessive his ufengs rent
nv very heart aunder During these hours of trial. most
sensible of my bodily nrm because forbad the uhment Of
the hottest the duties rendered their discharge in the
highest degree difficult
of asceanng whether the path of life
which had selected the of phantasy or Of truth whether
object my possessed reality and to great support
always felt encouraged to peevere The entire devotion OF my
heart to od-my companonshp with his beloved sntrcndered
every difficulty light and suppoabe AS traveller IN the dark
when felt the violence of outward pressure flew to the place of
refuge, and returned without experiencing relief
Certain champions religion, who possess more zeal than
expeee of its influence have required the faithful
furnish distinct proof earthly have been actually heard
in Heaven wishing provided with seal and signature
they might institute legal and diplomatic proceedings But
unacquanted these be with the genuine feelings
of religion worthless their experience of its effects!
may safely whenever have sought the aid of heaven
in have failed find relief
This much say and dare not add more For though my
experience mercy has been of infinite importance
myself of the detail would be nspid and
perhaps disbcicvcd were to specify felt happy
that thousand ng circumstances combined proved to me
clearly my breathing established existence that
God the world He my sde-I was in his
presence This much though employ tech
ncal theological terms for the purpose.
sincerely do wish that had been at that time free from
system But which of easily attain the
happiness being his particular individuality,
unmingcd with forms? in earnest about
happiness consulted the opinions Others with reluctance and
adopted finally the Haean principle of conversion though
feelings wholly in harmony with it.
According o this plan, change of heart begin with
deep past sinful life the heart its tbulaton must
fully the punishment which has deserved thus
acquiring of the pains of hell which embters all the
aung At length become conscious of positive
forgiveness though this impression subsequently
fade away and must again by prayer
But this my When sough God sincerely, He
and did eproach my past life
though upon taking Prospect of by gone days felt
being with did trembe
hell did my thoughts dwell upon the idea Of evil
spirit upon place of punishment and after death 1t
that those who lived without God in the world
their hearts against all love and the Invisible
already unhappy that hell and sensible pains would rather
alleviate than their misery And when observed those
persons who nouh revengefu feelings within their bosoms who
harden their hearts against species of good and subject
and others the influence of evil who close their
open daylight that they may be able deny the bancy
the sun-how utterly wetched did they appear What hell
could render their condition worse?
continued in this of mind for period of years. 1t
through many trials and survived the painful death
my beloved mother unreseed enough upon that
afford evidence of happy mental condition the
pous and orthodox people, and had that
suffer friendly repoof They seized the oppor
tuny remind with what ought lay good
foundation whilst health continues.
And was resoutely determined to succeed yielded to their
views and would gladly have passed my life in
But my surprise found that this impos-
sb When turned thoughts to God at once became cheer
happy and the remembrance of dear mothers
painful did make shudde the thought dissolution
solemn hours learned other things which
my gratutous instructors themselves strangers.
By degrees began doubt the the religious
adopted by these celebrated people, and maintained
silence certain lady to whom had already
much nerered perpeualy with until
PEELED rid myself her obliged upon OCCASION
that she her labor
as her advice; that in
would have guide but Him. She highly ncensed and
believe has forgiven to this day.
This dispense with the advice and my
spiritual affairs encouraged to follow guidance