| The first excerpt represents the past or something you must release, and is drawn from The Large Catechism by Dr. Martin Luther: did regarding Baptism) what is of the greatest importance, namely that
the chief point is the Word and ordinance or command of God. For it has
not been invented nor introduced by any man, but without any one's
counsel and deliberation it has been instituted by Christ. Therefore,
just as the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Creed retain
their nature and worth although you never keep, pray, or believe them,
so also does this venerable Sacrament remain undisturbed, so that
nothing is detracted or taken from it, even though we employ and
dispense it unworthily. What do you think God cares about what we do or
believe, so that on that account He should suffer His ordinance to be
changed? Why, in all worldly matters every thing remains as God has
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The second excerpt represents the present or the deciding factor of the moment, and is drawn from Two Poets by Honore de Balzac: the fairest hours which lovers spend alone together. Mme. de Bargeton
had no country house whither she could take her beloved poet, after
the manner of some women who will forge ingenious pretexts for burying
themselves in the wilderness; but, weary of living in public, and
pushed to extremities by a tyranny which afforded no pleasures sweet
enough to compensate for the heaviness of the yoke, she even thought
of Escarbas, and of going to see her aged father--so much irritated
was she by these paltry obstacles.
Chatelet did not believe in such innocence. He lay in wait, and
watched Lucien into the house, and followed a few minutes later,
always taking M. de Chandour, the most indiscreet person in the
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The third excerpt represents the future or something you must embrace, and is drawn from Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy: of abatement. About the time at which Jude and Arabella were walking
the streets of Christminster homeward, the Widow Edlin crossed the green,
and opened the back door of the schoolmaster's dwelling, which she often
did now before bedtime, to assist Sue in putting things away.
Sue was muddling helplessly in the kitchen, for she was not a good housewife,
though she tried to be, and grew impatient of domestic details.
"Lord love 'ee, what do ye do that yourself for, when I've
come o' purpose! You knew I should come."
"Oh--I don't know--I forgot! No, I didn't forget. I did it
to discipline myself. I have scrubbed the stairs since eight
o'clock. I MUST practise myself in my household duties.
Jude the Obscure |
