seek with deadly hatred to do us harm."
"And yet are powerless," said I, "if we keep the outworks of our
lives in order."
"Yes," she answered, "it is the very ultimate or last things of our
lives where the power of repulsion resides. We can, in temptation,
be it ever so strong, refuse to _act_ in the wrong direction--refuse
to do an evil thing, because it is sinful. And this is our bulwark;
this is our tower of safety; for it is only in _wrong doing_ that
our enemies gain the victory over us. They may assault us never so
fiercely--may dazzle our eyes with the glitter of this world's most
alluring things--may stir the latent envy, malice, pride, or
dishonesty, that lurks in every heart; but if we stand still, hold
back our hands and stay our feet--if we give our resolute 'No' to
all enticements, and keep our _actions_ free from evil, all hell
cannot prevail against us. God will take care of the interior of our
lives, and make them pure and heavenly, if we resist evil in the
exterior. But, pardon me; I did not mean to read you a homily."
She smiled with a grave sort of smile, and then sat silent.
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