better. And they pointed out to you many personages who used the bitter things and yet looked sleek and prosperous. And you were hungry, hungry. So you tried the bitter things, and found them unsatisfying. And hunger kept urging you until you found the New and Good.

Now was hunger any more “evil” when you tasted the bitter things than when you ate of the Good? Of course not. It was simply blind, and had to abide by your wisdom.

It impelled you to try bitter and Good alike, and each trial increased your wisdom.

So is it with the good and evil of this world. The one good Desire is the life-urge of us all. Whether it urges us to heaven or hell it is still good—and it still urges. When in answer to its impulse we taste the bitter we learn the lesson and go on. When we find the good we return to it again and again.

But whatever we taste we are taught something; and that is what all Desire urges us to—to learn.

In answer to the impulse of desire we grow in wisdom and knowledge—the only growth there is.

This Desire-God which works in us to will and to do of its good pleasure, is a good God. It must be as good in me as in you; as good in the worst sinner as in the sweetest saint. The only difference between saint and sinner is a difference in wisdom, not in desire.

Since desire urges us to grow in wisdom and knowledge it is evidently only a question of time when we shall all know enough to turn from the bitter and find the New and Good. Is not the One Desire urging us irresistibly on for its own satisfaction.? God in us, not only the hope of glory, but the absolute certainty of success.

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