A Perfect may.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 2 October 1922, Page 412

A Perfect may.

' ' Rooms to let for a business gentleman/ so ran the advertisement m the evening paper/ . "Perhaps suit me," said Paul Howard, who had discovered that his landlady "sometimes blew" but never dusted. He called at the given address and Avas received by a pleasant elderly man who told him that he had two 'rooms to spare and would be glad to have him as a boarder. Paul was attracted by the restful personality Of Mr Robins, and also by the twinkle m his eye, and thought himself fortunate to be a lodger m his well-or-dered house. Time passed by and Paul went regularly to business; only on holidays had he opportunity to notice how Mr Robins spent his time. The old gentleman was frail, unable to walk far, and never went out at night; but Paul noticed that he left the house for an hour each morning and an hour each afternoon; also that he never Avent down the drive, but always followed a path which led through some bushes at one side of the -garden. Paul became curious to know w nere Mr Robins went every day. The old and the young man became very friendly, and at last Paul 7

felt that he would like to confide some of his ideas to Mr Robins over the fire m the evening. "I've knocked about a good bit m the wQr ld," he said, tapping the ashes from his; cigarette, "and I have tried a good many systems of life; found some good m them all, you know." "Yes?" said Mr Robins. ' ' Now there 's Christian Science, ' ' he went on, "excellent thing", really keeps you fit and makes you. better if there's anything wrong. Ever try it?" ' ■ 7 ,--■■ "No," said Mr Robins, "hutli>|7 long to a society which keeps its members m wonderful health, and .I.' know of many cures too." "Ah, that's goodi Then I was much taken up with Spiritualism at one time. I' lost my brother, you know, and I felt it very much; we had always been such chums. I used to think that I got into touch with him sometimes through the medium, but one can't be sure. Ever try that?" "No," said- Mr Robins, "but my society puts me into touch with all my dead friends; I find them all m One Who has gone before." "Is that so?" Paul pondered. He must be a great medium; I'd like to know more: about that .sometime. Then there 's psycho-analysis, a fine thing, teaches you all about yourself, shows how to repress harmful complexes you knoW. I haven't quite got the jargon but I dare say you understand; then you get your mind properly clearied up and start afresh. Anything, like that m your society?" Mr .Robins , smiled. "Yes, something very like' that," he said, "very like indeed," and he mui'inured, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful arid just to forgive us our sins." ' 'Eh, what ? ' ' said Paul; then without waiting for an . answer, he went on, "then there's another thing which I've fouiid useful, Meditation. It sort of calms and soothes your nerves you know. You get a bit of Marcus Aurelius or one of the old Greeks and just think it - over word by word; get away from everything m quieFness, that's the idea." " Splendid idea, ' ' ' replied Mr Robins, with a twinkle m his- eyes, "yes, we do that too; we make a great point of it hi our society."' ..7 "Now there's one thing which puzzles me rather," continued Paul, "and that's the 'daemon,' a, sort of familiar spirit Which tells One what to do, not a bad . spirit you know* People tell me that if you get a wisa daemon to direct you, you always succeed m everything. " "Have you failed to find a wise spirit?" asked Mr- Robins. ' ' Well, I suppose so s I can't say that j ever "feel as if anything w as

directing me except my own opinions." "I am glad to say that I have a very wise Spirit Who directs me," said Mr Robins; <( He can't go Avrong, and I can?t go wrong if I follow Him. The trouble is that one doesn't always obey, but prefers one 's own judgment." "Yes, I could fancy that might happen," said Paul, "but Mr Robins, it is Very odd that your society incudes all these different things m one; are you sure you're not 'having me'?" '.'Not at all," said Mr Robins, smiling. "I shall be very glad to explain my society to you some day, and then you need not belong to so many different ones. My society is large and widespread and includes all that is true m the systems you have mentioned." "It's rather odd I haven't heard of it before, ' ' said Paul. But Mr Robins only smiled and remarked that it was his bedtime. He paused at the door and added, "By the by, you will find a meeting place of our society at the end of that little path through the shrubbery— you might like to look m." ' ' Thank you, ' ' said Paul. He came home early from business next day, and feeling really interested m this society which seemed to solve eyery problem so easily, he followed the little path Avhich had so ofteu roused his curiosity. It led him to a small gate m the iron -railing which surrounded the garden, and hayingpassed through this, he found himself m the road, and just at the open door of a small but very pretty building coA^ered with roses and ivy. He entered. There were flowers, pictures, colored windows, carved wood and stone work, hangings and embroidery, and the whole effect was restful and dignified ; but as he was expecting something quite different it took him some minutes to realise that he was standing m an ordinary Christian Church. He heard someone enter, and turning, found Mr Robins at his side. The old man pointed to a picture of a penitent at the foot of the cross andsaid, "Here is our psycho-analysis, and we have expert soul doctors to help those who cannot quiet their own conscience." Looking at the altar he said, "That is where we kneel m company with friends gone before, neA'er so near as when we are one with them m the King of Saints. Here, too, is where we make our meditations, and where we ask the help of the Good Spirit Who directs our lives." Looking at the radiant face of the old man, a great awe fell upon Paul.— B.W. m "Church Army Gazette."