"And isn"t a weed just a useful plant grown wild?" asked Signe. "All it needs is careful cultivation. Come with us as we walk along. We shall be pleased to talk with you. We are not very wise, but we may always ask the brethren who are wiser, for more light."
And so these three went slowly along the beautiful paths of spirit-land, conversing as they went. The hazel eyes of the brown-haired stranger opened in wide astonishment at what her sisters told her. Sometimes she asked questions, sometimes she shook her head in disbelief. She had been a "worldly" woman, she told them, never thinking that there would be any life other than the one she was living while on the earth; and so she had shaped her daily conduct by that narrow standard. Her earth-life had ended sadly, and existence had been bitter ever since, "Restless and hopeless, I have wandered for a long time," she said. "I have seen you two a number of times and have heard you talk to the women. Your words seemed to bring to me a glimpse of something better, but I never had the courage to speak to you until now."
Signe put her arms around her, drew her close, and kissed her cheek.
"Let us do you all the good we can," she said. "We are going now to attend a meeting where my husband is to speak. Come with us."
Rachel linked her arm into that of the stranger"s who willingly accompanied them. "Is your husband also a preacher?" she asked of Rachel.
"I have no husband," was the reply. "I did not--I mean, he did not find me, has not found me yet." Rachel was somewhat confused but she smiled as ever.
"She means," explained Signe, "that she did not marry while in earth-life, for the very good reason that she had no chance--"
"None such that I could accept," added Rachel. Then as the newly-found friend looked at her inquiringly, she continued:
"I have always believed, and I believe now, that I have a mate somewhere, but he has not yet been revealed. Frequently I asked the Lord about it in earth-life, and the answer by the spirit always was "Wait, patiently wait"; so I am still waiting."
"And you still have faith," asked the stranger, "that the G.o.d of heaven will answer your prayers and bring about all things for the best?"
"Why, certainly."
"I wish I could believe that. Had I in earth life had some such belief to anchor to, perhaps I would not have made so many mistakes. I married twice, and they were both mistakes. The one chance I had of getting a man--I mean, one who does not belie the word--I threw away, because he was poor in worldly goods; but I suffered through my foolish errors....
I have heard of people praying about many things, but never have I heard of the Lord being asked about love affairs."
"That may be true," said Signe; "and it shows how foolish we were. Why should people importune the Lord about small trials and petty ailments, and at the same time neglect to ask His guidance on matters of love and marriage which make or mar one"s life?"
There seemed to be no immediate answer to this query, so the three pa.s.sed along in silence. Presently the newcomer spoke again:
"I am getting more light and hope since I a.s.sociate with you two. I believe my faith is being kindled, and O, it feels so good to get a little firm footing."
"Yes, dear sister," said Rachel. "The tangled threads of earth-life are not all straightened out yet. It will take time, and we must have patience."
Arriving at the place of meeting, the three women took positions near the platform upon which the speakers sat. Rupert was the princ.i.p.al speaker. He began by telling his listeners something about his experiences in earth-life. He spoke of his boyhood days, of the trials and difficulties he had encountered, and how near he had come to being lost to all good. Then he told how the Lord had rescued him, and brought him to a knowledge of the gospel of salvation. "And the Lord"s chief instrument in this work of rescue," the speaker said, "was a beautiful, good woman, who became my wife. O, you women, what power you have for good or evil! See to it that you use your powers for the purposes of good."
Rachel smiled at Signe while they listened, for Rupert"s and Signe"s story was quite familiar to her. All the time Rupert had been speaking, the woman who had come with them sat as if spellbound, her big eyes fixed on the speaker. When Rupert closed, Signe said to her friend:
"That is my husband. Let us go up to him; he will be glad to meet you."
But the woman drew back as if afraid. "I can"t," she whispered. "Forgive me, but I must go"--and with a faint cry she retreated and disappeared in the crowd, the two women looking after in wonder and astonishment.
Just then Rupert stepped up to them. Seeing their wonder, he asked the reason. Signe explained.
"I think I can guess who it was," said Rupert. "Well, well," he murmured as if to himself, "I had nearly forgotten her."
"Yes, I believe it was she," added Signe.
"Was who?" inquired Rachel.
But Rupert stopped any reply that his wife might wish to make by interrupting with:
"I saw an impressive sight not long ago--Come let us be getting on our way home, and I shall tell it to you."
They were willing to listen as they journeyed. "We were out," began Rupert--"a brother and I--getting some information needed in one of the temples on earth for a brother who had gone as far as he could with his genealogy. As we were talking to a group of sisters a man rushed in upon us. With quick, eager words he asked us if we had seen someone whom he named and described. At the sight of him, one of the women shrunk back as if to hide in the crowd, but he saw her, and exclaimed:
""Is that you? Yes--Oh, have I found you at last!""
"The sister put forth her hand as if to ward him off, as he pressed through the crowd to her. "How did you get here?" she asked. "Keep away--you are unclean--keep away."
"He paused in some astonishment at this reception. Then he pleaded with her to let him accompany her; but she retreated from him, crying, "You are unclean; do not touch me."
""Yes," he acknowledged, "I suppose I have been a sinner; but listen to my justification: I sinned to drown my sorrow when you died. I, also, wanted to die. My heart was broken--I could not stand it--it was because I loved you so--"
""No; you did not love me. Love is pure--made purer by sorrow. Had you truly loved, you would not have sinned so grievously. Your sorrow needed to be repented of. Sorrow cannot be drowned in sin--no, no; go away.
Please go; you frighten me."
"The man stood rigid for some time, and the expression on his face was something terrible to see. The cold, clear truth had for the first time burst upon him to his convincing. He had a "bright recollection of all his guilt," and his torment was "as a lake of fire and brimstone." The woman, recovering somewhat from her fright, stood before him with innocent, clear-shining eyes, with half pity and half fear showing in her beautiful countenance--for the woman was beautiful. The man stood for a moment, which seemed a long time to all who witnessed the scene, then his head dropped, his form seemed to shrivel up as he slouched out of our company and disappeared from sight."
There was silence. Then Rupert added, "And yet some people tried to make us believe that there is no h.e.l.l."
Rachel, even, forgot to ask further questions regarding the ident.i.ty of the woman with hazel eyes and auburn hair, for just then Henrik and Marie appeared. With them was another woman, and the three were so preoccupied that they were oblivious to all others.
"You are too late for the meeting," said Rupert.
"I did intend to get there in time," replied Henrik, "but don"t you see who is here?"
Rupert did not recognize the woman who stood by Marie with arms about each other, but Signe cried in joyous greeting, "Clara, Clara, is that you?"
"This is Clara," said Marie to Rupert, "she who came to Henrik after I left him,--who helped him so much, and who was so good to my children.
She has just come, and has brought us much good news from them. I am so glad." Marie"s arm drew tight around the newcomer as she kissed her cheek.
"I, also, am glad to welcome you," said Rupert. "Brother Henrik," he added, "your excuse for non-attendance at our meeting is accepted."
III.
"The Lord ... will fulfill the desire of them that fear him; he will also hear their cry."--_Psalms 156:19._
Rachel found continual delight in all the wonders of spirit-land. Her circle of acquaintances enlarged rapidly, as those for whom she had done temple work were glad to know her, and to know her was to love her.
These brought her in touch with many others; thus her sphere of usefulness extended until she, too, could say that she was busier than ever in joy-giving activities.
Sometimes Rachel went on what she called "excursions of exploration."
Usually she went alone, for the habit of doing things of herself still clung to her. Frequently, in the throngs of people with whom she mingled, she was accosted by someone who recognized her. Rachel did not remember faces easily, but (she was on one of her excursions) she knew this woman who touched her on the arm, and said:
"You are Sister Rachel, are you not?"
"Yes; and you--yes, I know you. I am glad to meet you. How are you? Has the Lord shown you,--has He satisfied you? You see I remember you well."