Chapter 17

           Welearnofgreatthingsbylittleexperiences.Thehistoryofagesisbutanindefiniterepetitionofthehistoryofhours.Therecordofasoulisbutamultipleofthestoryofamoment.TheRecordingAngelwritesintheGreatBookinnorainbowtints;hispenisdippedinnocoloursbutlightanddarkness.Fortheeyeofinfinitewisdomthereisnoneedofshading.Allthings,allthoughts,allemotions,allexperiences,alldoubtsandhopesandfears,allintentions,allwishesseendowntothelowerstrataoftheirconcreteandmultitudinouselements,arefinallyresolvedintodirectopposites.

           DidanyhumanbeingwishfortheepitomeofalifewhereinweregatheredandgroupedalltheexperiencesthatachildofAdamcouldhave,thehistory,fullyandfranklywritten,ofmyownmindduringthenextforty-eighthourswouldaffordhimallthatcouldbewanted.AndtheRecordercouldhavewroughtasusualinsunlightandshadow,whichmaybetakentorepresentthefinalexpressionsofHeavenandHell.ForinthehighestHeavenisFaith;andDoubthangsovertheyawningblacknessofHell.

           Therewereofcoursetimesofsunshineinthosetwodays;momentswhen,intherealisationofMargaret’ssweetnessandherloveforme,alldoubtsweredissipatedlikemorningmistbeforethesun.Butthebalanceofthetime—andanoverwhelmingbalanceitwas—gloomhungovermelikeapall.