thought, without weariness or pain; can take it up and weigh it, in the balances of exact mathematical computation; and spurning it then, as a mere footstool for its activity, can spring from it to that boundless expanse amid which the mountain is less than is the least of the dust grains of the balance to its solid bulk.—Richard S. Storrs.
(3015)
Soul-growth—See Growth, Unconscious.
SOUL, HARMONIOUS NATURE OF
A harp might conceivably be so framed by
its maker that every string, tho rightly tuned
and rightly struck, according to the theory
and design of the instrument, should emit
when touched a separate discord. Or it may
be so framed, as we know by experience, that
from it shall flow, when fitly swept by an
educated hand, the concerted numbers of
noble music; inspiring the thoughts with
their spiritual force, or suffusing the very
air around us with an audible glory, and
making it drop benedictions upon us. If the
former be the case, we know that the instrument
was made without design, or else was
made with malicious intent, to mock with
pain where it promised to please. Now God
has so framed the human soul, in His wise
and benevolent ordination of its powers, that
each of these powers as normally employed,
according to His plan, gives a separate
pleasure. If unhappiness comes from them,
it is from their wrong use, not from their
use; from our perversion, and not from our
just employment of them.—Richard S.
Storrs.
(3016)
SOUL-MUSIC
During the fame of Ole Bull he played
one night before the students of Princeton
College. It was a wonderful exhibition.
They marveled, as so many had marveled before
them, at the strange things which he did
with the violin. They heard the birds as
they warbled among the trees of the forest;
they heard the storms as they hurled their
thunders back and forth among the crags of
the mountain. Then the tones became so
soft and sweet they could almost believe a
mother was singing her babe asleep. When
he had finished they gathered about him and
said, "Tell us the secret." Ole Bull answered,
"It is not in the instrument nor the
bow, tho I use the best that money can
buy. It is not primarily in the hand that
wields the bow, nor the fingers that press
the strings. If there is anything to tell, it is
this: I never play until my own soul is full.
Then the music is the overflow of the
musician's soul."
(3017)
SOUL QUERIES
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day's journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at the door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labor you shall find the sum.
—Rossetti.
(3018)
Soul-revival—See Conversion.
SOUL-SATISFACTION
Ellen Glasgow writes of the contentment of a soul on friendly terms with itself:
Since my soul and I are friends,
I go laughing on my road;
Whether up or down it wends,
I have never felt my load.
(3019)
SOUL-SURGERY
In the corn-field you find the juicy ear
overtaken by the deadly fungus. The
farmer lifts his knife, and cuts away one-half
of the ear, that he may save the sweet
corn on the other half. From the prodigal,
Jesus cut away his sins, that He might save
the boy's soul.—N. D. Hillis.
(3020)
SOUL, YOUR
A very little girl, having received some
dim impression regarding the soul, was
asking her mother what it was. "Can you
feel the soul, mother; can you hear it?"
she asked, and then, "can you see it?" The
mother answered that the soul could not be
felt or heard, but that sometimes it seemed
as if we could see it in the eyes. "Let me
see yours," said the little one, and gazing into
the mother's dear eyes she saw there the tiny
image of herself, and exclaimed, "O mother,
your soul is a little child!"
