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I

TO MY READERS

HOPE it will be believed that I do not underrate the privilege, or the responsibility, of whispering in your ear as you stand on the solemn confines of the day. I feel how much is required, and I have fallen far short of my ideal.

Some may expect, and will not find, either a steady sequence of thought through the year, or at least a grouping of selections in subjects for a month or a week. But, speaking for myself as a reader of such books, I know how it may irk to be bound for many days to a mood which may not be one's own at the time. So I have varied the subject from day to day, though sometimes led, either by my own feelings or by other inducements, a little. to concentrate thought in one direction. Sorrow is twice allowed to speak more than at other times; and round the day called "Empire Day" I have let some thoughts of the wide duty of England group themselves.

Our mornings and our evenings may often find us in far differing humours, but a sense of the fitness of things seems to call for some sort of harmony between the left-hand and the right-hand page as they lie open before us. This has not always been easy to attain ; and where, as I hope, attained, may not always easily be perceived.

I have desired to meet many moods of many

COMPANIONS OF THE WAY

spirits, knowing how various are the needs of one in passing through life's vicissitudes. There are times when we desire only to stand in the clear air of the heights in which some Vision of the absolute truth may be given us-philosophic, unemotional, kindling us as perceived certainty alone can do, giving us the sense of being washed by the pure keenness from temptation and grief and desire.

It may be thus when mind and body and outward things are in tune, and when other people cease from troubling. But when we sorrow or have sinned, when Fear casts its shadow, when sickness, or care, or weariness makes us ready to fall into low moods, or even sometimes to despair of the light of our Father's countenance, then we need some simple well-known words, not always skilfully set together, but healing and comforting. These are the old nurse, whose homely ways are just the very best to the sick or frightened child. If on any day she should seem to enter amiss, be gentle to her, dear readers, as to one whose humble presence you have needed once, and may need again.

Unity of idea must perhaps necessarily be wanting in books of this kind, but some thoughts more than others have been present in the choice of these "Companions of the Way."

One is that where poet or philosopher or dreamer is in presence of the highest that he knows, or of that which for the moment he recognises as the highest-such as Strength, or Beauty in Nature, or Intellectual Beauty, or Freedom, or Work, or Wisdom-he comes (whether he knows it or not) into the presence of God. He is indeed in the sanctuary and a companion of the saints, though he may think himself on a lonely mountain top

TO MY READERS

or in the throng of men, and may not see the crystalline walls that rise around him or the holy company among whom he stands.

Another thought is that, when we look upon the Crucified, we should remember the words, "he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father". -our God, who bears the griefs and carries the sorrows of all His children.

love.

There is no difference in that

A third is that all outward acts of worship, all words about the holiest things, are but the coarsest outer husk of that seed of life without which we perish.

These and kindred thoughts may, I trust, make the "Companions" seem to be of one family, or at least of one race, and not a motley or alien crowd.

Here and there an ideal character is called to walk beside you on the way; and early in each month I have tried to recall the ministry of the wisely ordered home, which should be, in its simplicity, its beauty, its fruitfulness and its joy, the very House of God and the Gate of Heaven.

In case this book should be read by any to whom the headings which are not in English are a difficulty, an interpreter of these is placed at the end of the year for reference.

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