The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16
THAT WHICH ABIDEs.
The Outlook.

The Outlook.
The thrOng was moving on without order
and apparently without purpose though
here and there in the crOwd there were
faces set toward some invisible goal, and
eyes which glowed with exaltatiOn and
shone like stars in u heavenly order. The
road was broad, rough and full of pitfalls;
low clouds hung over it, sometimes lifting
and showing a clear sky, sometimes set
Ting about 1t so closely that its boundaries
vanished III obscurity, The thrOng swept
along as ii driven forward by some inward
Impulse; a few pressing with steady
step; many hurrying or lettering as the
mood seized them; and here and there one
vanished with dsspairing face into the fog
ana was seen no more. some ran freely,
with buoyant and active step; many way
ereo, broke from the crowd, rested awhile,
and then patiently set oct again, And
ever and anon, in the hurry or the lOiter-
ing, one stumbled and fell and lay prone,
bewildered and exhausted; or rose again,
stunned and hurt and soiled, and slipped
back into the crowd and was swallowed
UP in the disorderly ranks.
one there was who seemed born TO run
we'll and with speed, and at times he shot
far ahead as If he saw his goal; then, when
the light was or his face, ne stumbled and
fell headlong and lay apparently without
consciousness. But after a time he lifted
himself and looked about him with despair
on his face Sometimes a hand was
stretched out toward him; oftener the
throng swept on and left him prone in the
mire. He staggered to his feet and began
10 walk slowly, as IL in great pain; and he
was filled with shame, for his garments
were defiled from head TO foot and he was
one mass OF uneleanness. And some who
were near drew away, that their own raj
ment might not be defiled; and he crept on,
solitary and sorrowful. Now this man,
whose steps were so unsteady that he
seemed 10 fall into the pitfalls against his
will and often unaware, hated his own
uncleanness and counted himself unworthy
the companionship Of the white-robed men
and women about him. And ever as he
fell he loathed the more the mire which
chung 10 him and thought himself the
clean. But in his soul there was some
thing. he knew not what, which sent him
forward in spite of hurt and pain and mire.
When he lay prone, a great sickness OF
heart smote him and great longing fer
cleanness, and so. with shame and much
defled and with loathing OF himself, he
pressed on with little help, with many cold
glances, with deep sense OF repulsion,
borne TO him from many faces.
At last footsore and weary and faint
IN heart, ne came 20 a place where the
mist lay the road and many halted,
fearful OF what might lie beyond; but he,
caring only 10 be clean and fleeing from
his own deilement. into the mist And.
behold, the mist lifted and fair country
lay smiling about him, and hands were
held out 10 him In welcome. But when
he looked into the pure faces of those who
stood guardians of the country, he drew
back. crying, in q great agony OF spirit,
II cannot enter. for j am unclean"
And they smiled and pointed 10 his gar
ments; and they looked. and behold. his
garments were like saow. And he stood