The Washington herald., 1914-12-11

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| easily and so joyously became burden. There
were moments when he lost heart and wavered
| Then he would gather himself together and go on
After a time the man felt if he in the
power of an evil spirit. With all his will he re-
sisted The more he suffered the more he hated
evil, and the more determined he to do what
he could to destroy it.
One day the man collapsed. He was taken home
and the doctors sent for When they found
how long he had been suffering they reproach-
full "You have been overworking" one declared.
And another said: "If you don't take long rest
you will be dead in a year."
So the man stopped working. He put aside
all worldly ambition. He rested. But he went on
with his war against evil. During the next few
weeks he improved He felt sure that he was going
to recover. With increasing strength he felt slim
ulated in his battle against the forces that made
for righteousness. He had more time to think of
evil-doers. More keenly he realized their mischief
If they could only be punished and destroyed, the
world would become a really beautiful place, in
stead Of what it was, an abode OF sin and vice.
Finally the doctors became irritated. They told
the man that they had done everything in their
power. The trouble that he did not co-ope-
rate. He must make an effort to pull himself up.
If he did not there was no knowing what might
happen. There might be complete mental break
down.
Now the man was terrified He made the effort
and failed. He in despair. Some one advised
him to try another kind OF doctor, one who worked
not with the body but with the mind and the soul
you have always been religious man. You
couldn't fail to respond to that kind of treatment"
Reluctantly the man called on the doctor.
At considerable length he outlined his symptoms
The doctor asked him questions, not about the
symptoms, but about matters apparently unrelated
to the case, mainly about his thoughts and his
way OF living The man explained that his habits
had always been good. He had never done any
thing to be ashamed OF. And for his thoughts,
he dctested evil of every kind.
"Ah," said the DOCTOR his face Frightening, and
he listened with obvious interest while the man
eagerly told of his lifelong fight against evil
doors. 81 think understand your trouble now."
as there any hope for me-"
"Oh yes. There's hope for everyone. Your
case is easy. You can yourself"
The look of relief in the mans face disappeared.
when you talk like that you take the heart out
of me-
The doctor burst out laughing.
"My case is very peculiar" the went on,
frownng resentfully. at has bafflcd some pretty
big men,
a have cases like yours every day" The doctor
ceased to smile. "In fact most cases are like
yours They come from the same cause"
What cause" the man asked, suspiciously.
Evil"
The mans face frightened. do you mean the
evil in the world"
"Oh, no. | mean the evil in you, the evil that
you have allowed take possession of your mind.
81 don't understand" said the man. "All the
evil that l know is the evil l see in people that
lead bad lives and do HARM"
The doctor shook his head. What you call
their evil is only blundering. 1t comes from weak
ness. 1t is to be pitied."
But isn't it my duty to hate It and to hate the
people that arc responsible for it"
Hating only makes it worse. And hating
poisons the hater You have been poisoning your
self All the laundering that you have seen you
have turned into evil with your hating. You have
made it a part of yourself. Wherever you have
gone you have carried it about in your conscious
ness. No wonder your health has collapsed. The
marvel is that you have borne up as we'll as you
have done with all those horrors in you, alive every
minute and generating disease"
The man sat in silence, motonless his eyes
fixed on the doctor. What am to do?" he said
at last
Simply reject the evil When you see it in the
world realize it for what it is not for what it is
not Think of all the good in the minds and the
hearts of the people you have been hating. It's
the good in them that keeps them alive. 1t con-
tinually denies their bundering and tries to lead
them to wisdom. Mistaken as they are, there are
many among them that are not nearly as mistaken
as you have been. Then think OF all the marvels |
of goodness that lie everywhere around you. They
are waiting to pour their health and strength into
you"
The man drew long breath. 81 feel better
already" he said.
The doctor smiled. "All we need in this world "
he said "is understanding"