XV.
IN THE WORLD.
A parent who loved his son more wisely than most earthly parents, and who
longed to see him crowned with the light of wisdom, felt that he must
send him afar from himself to gather immortal truth: and his heart was
moved with a deeper grief at the thought that he must send him forth
alone, and unprovided with means to procure his daily sustenance; for
only thus could he learn the lessons which were necessary for his soul's
development.
The boy lay sleeping upon a soft white bed: his hands were folded
peacefully upon his breast. Hard was the task the father knew was
his,--to break that sleep, that slumber so profound, and send his boy
out into a cold and selfish world. But, shaking off the tremor and the
weakness of his soul, he said, "Arise, my son: I must send you forth
upon a long and dangerous journey to gather truths to light your soul;
and you must go without the means to procure your bread and shelter.
It grieves my heart, my son, that all this must be so; but yet I know
the journey must be taken, and all its dangers and privations met. My
prayers and blessings will go with you, child, through all your scenes."
The astonished son gazed on his father's face. The parent turned and
wept; then, wiping away the fast-falling tears, he said, "I do not wonder
at your earnest, curious gaze, you who have so long lived in the bosom
of my love; but there are lessons that must be learned by every human
soul.
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