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246
MARIA FELICIA

you to us in this hopeless moment? Did not Andrew tell you that our life was full of fear, adversity and trouble; that we are continually persecuted and that the sword hangs over our heads? If a Brother, through his carelessness, gets into official hands, he is either severely and disgracefully chastised, or beheaded as one dangerous to the welfare of human society. Dangerous and difficult is the work of building our new Jerusalem. Have you tried your strength, young man? Will it not fail in the first trial?”

The harper bowed reverently before the old man, and said:

“Believe me, father, I have been led to your Union by a desire for the truth. Since childhood I have longed for it; in different ways and on various roads sought it, but in vain. With a healing hand Andrew has removed the poisonous arrow of discouragement, and dropped into the festering wound the balm of your sublime religion. Finding at last the jewel so long sought, I gave up everything for it, wishing only to be enlightened by its heavenly luster.