Hope

( Originally Published 1922 )

HAST ever been in Hell, dear child of God? Hast fallen down—downdown to those rayless depths where thou couldst no longer feel the supporting hand of God, and where thou didst seem to taste the agony of the last abandonment? Hast known that ultimate remorse wherein the soul executes judgment on herself—true image it may be of the Last Judgment—that night of the spirit whence hope and blessedness seem to have utterly departed? Hast known all this, dear child of God, not once but many times? —nay, livest thou in a constant dread expectation of knowing this again and again, so long as thy soul liveth? Then, be of good hope, for thou art indeed a Child of God!

There may be many ways of winning Heaven, dear heart, but this is of the surest to know and feel Hell in this world. And the more terribly thou comest to realize in thy spirit the horror and desolation of Hell even in this mortal sojourn, the better approved is thine heir-ship in the Kingdom. For when thy feet take hold on Hell, then of a truth thy hope is high as Heaven !

This too, forget not, is the trial and test of all fine souls—saints of God, martyrs of humanity, the great mystics and dreamers, the chosen of our race, whose names partake of the eternal life and glory of the stars. Wouldst thou be of a better company? All these great victorious souls had known Hell to its uttermost depths, had tasted its most bitter anguish, had suffered its most fearful agonies, had drunk the cup of its awful despair, and had cried out under the burthen of doom, like Him on the Cross, that their God had forsaken them. Yet all were sons of God and proved their title by conquering Hell in this world.

Even as they fought the good fight and prevailed, so shalt thou, brave heart. Be glad and rejoice that thou art called upon to endure the same great trial, as being worthy of their fellowship. Thy deep-dwelling sorrows, thine agonies of spirit,—nay, thy wrestling with Powers of Darkness and all the supra-mortal venture of thy soul which thou deemest laid upon thee as a curse,—do but seal and stamp thee God's darling. For none can reach the heights who has not known the depths, and though the Kingdom of Heaven be not of this world, most surely is the Kingdom of Hell. . .

Courage, dear child of God!