TIESTAN.
A few days after Stella had returned home from her visit to her aunt in
Roseland, she and her mother went to call on Penloe; for Mrs.
Wheelwright was as anxious to see such an original man, as Stella was to
set her eyes on a face that had such a beautiful expression.
As we have said, Penloe was living all alone, his mother's work being
for the present in Chicago.
When Penloe came to the door he received Stella in such an agreeable way
as to make her feel perfectly at ease.
Taking his hand, she said: "Penloe, this is my mother, Mrs. Wheelwright;
my name is Stella."
With the same grace and ease did he welcome Mrs. Wheelwright, and the
two ladies had not sat in his library more than five minutes before they
felt as if they had known Penloe all their lives, and they seemed to
have a consciousness as if Penloe had known them always. And as wave
after wave of thought came to their minds, Penloe met it and gave them
just what information and truth each one needed in chaste and polished
language; and yet there was no effort at studied phrases on his part,
for it was his natural mode of expression. When talking on certain
subjects and to an interested listener, his discourse seemed like a
string of sapphires, diamonds, pearls, and rubies.
Stella and her mother had sat there looking into those deep, luminous,
spiritual orbs, while the conversationalist was interesting them, so
that two hours had flown before they thought an hour had passed.
As they were about to leave Penloe saw Stella's longing, wistful eyes
glancing over the rows of books. He anticipated the wish by saying:
"Stella, any book or books you see here you are at liberty to take
home."
If Penloe had made her a present of a thousand dollars in actual gold
coin, she could not have felt as grateful as she did when he gave her
the use of his whole library. It was like pouring water on thirsty land.
Stella was thirsting for information on so many subjects, and now her
wish was gratified. She had the opportunity of getting the reading
matter she longed for so much, but did not have the means to purchase.
And, above all, when Penloe told her he would be pleased to help her in
any line of thought she might wish to investigate, it seemed to her as
if her happiness was complete. Her eyes and her hand expressed it all on
taking leave of Penloe.
The ladies said little in going home. It seemed mutually understood that
they would not give expression to their thoughts till they were home and
sitting together in the evening.
When Stella entered the house she had in her possession three of
Penloe's books. One was "Macomber's Oriental Customs," another "Woman's
Freedom in Tiestan" by Burnette, and the third was "Woman's Bondages" by
Stuart.
After supper was over and the dishes washed and put away, Stella and her
mother sat down and Stella said somewhat abruptly: "Mother, sometimes I
wish I had never seen Penloe." Her mother was not very much surprised to
hear her express herself in that way, for she had observed that Stella's
mind was somewhat agitated.
Her mother said: "Why, dear, what do you mean?"
Stella said: "Mother, I mean this: that I can never be contented and
happy in the society of any young man other than Penloe. How can I?"
It was a very hard question for her mother to answer, who knew full well
that Penloe had unintentionally made an impression on her daughter's
heart that time could never efface, and she had refrained from saying
much in praise of Penloe, for she knew that it would only be adding fuel
to a very great flame, which it would be impossible for Stella to
quench. She knew that Stella had seen in Penloe a young man greatly
beyond her expectations; even beyond her ideal. Penloe lived in a world
that Stella had only just a faint conception of. It was his intellect,
his exceptionally fine personality, manifested in such a fine, manly
form she admired. But, above all, Stella could see that he had emptied
himself of all save love. And that was so broad, so deep, so far
reaching, so universal in its sympathies, that it stirred her whole
nature.
Mrs. Wheelwright said: "I think my daughter has lost something."
"Yes," said Stella, "I lost it when Penloe delivered his sermon on that
Sunday at church, for I saw in him more than I ever dreamed of seeing in
any man, and when I went up and thanked him for his address, and those
discerning spiritual eyes of his looked so deeply and searchingly into
mine, that he read my secret."
Mrs. Wheelwright went to Stella and pressed her to herself, and kissed
her many times. After awhile Stella said:
"Mother, what I want to find in a man is true companionship. Now, look
at the young men in Orangeville. There are a very few that are kind,
steady young men, but then not one of them would be any companion to me.
I don't want to listen to horse talk, or cattle talk, or hog talk, or
some old back East yarns all the time. They all live in the social and
domestic world; there is nothing intellectual about them; they are not
moved by any broad, grand, sweeping, noble impulses. Their ranch, their
home, and the excitement of their barterings and dickerings, and the
doings of a few of their neighbors constitute the world they live in.
And most of them think all that a woman is good for, is to cook, wash,
and raise babies. And mother, I told you what kind of young men I met in
Roseland; now, they are a sample of the top notch of society. All that
many of them want is just the use of a young lady as a toy. And when
they use up the flower, like the bee, they go to another. As for real
manly worth, interesting, intelligent companionship, it is badly wanting
in many of them. Some very few are much better than the rest.
"You know, dear mother, it is not that I want to know a man as a man,
but it is natural that I should want and love an interesting male
companion. When I think what Penloe is, and then think how little and
insignificant I am, a mere child beside him, and only about four years
difference in our ages, it makes me feel discouraged."
"Penloe's talk this afternoon," said her mother, "shows that he does not
look at it in that way. Don't you remember his saying, 'I have traveled
much, been among people of royalty, title and nobility, have lived among
the rich, and great society leaders, also among great politicians,
learned men, spiritual giants, business people, also among the poor,
also the illiterate, the abandoned, the offscouring, and the outcasts of
society; and I have yet to see the person that is not as good as I.' So
you see he thinks that you are just as good as he. Now, dear, don't be
discouraged in the least. I know just how my daughter feels; she wants
Penloe as her life companion and wishes she could be to Penloe what he
is to her. Stella, dear, calm your mind and remember that if Penloe is
for you, you need not have the least anxiety about the matter; for there
is no power in the universe that can hinder your being made one. But if
he is not for you, then it does not matter how good or great, how grand
or noble he may be, how intellectually brilliant he may shine, he should
be the last man in the world you should think of as a life companion.
For if there is anything that is true it is those lines of Emerson:
"'Whate'er in Nature is thine own,
Floating in air or pent in stone,
Will rive the hills and swim the sea,
And like thy shadow follow thee.'
"Also remember the saying, 'My own will come to me.'"
Nothing more was said. Stella commenced reading "Woman's Freedom in
Tiestan," by Burnette. It occupied most of her spare time the next day,
and she finished it before supper, so that evening after supper Stella
said: "O, mother, I have finished reading 'Woman's Freedom in Tiestan.'
It is most interesting. Tiestan is a place little known to the Western
world, very few travelers having ever visited the country. I want to
read a little of it to you."
Her mother replied: "I shall be delighted to have you," for she always
interested herself in anything her daughter was pleased with, so that
she might be her companion and confidant when needed.
Stella opened at page 79, and read, as follows:
"When the traveler arrives in the city of Semhee, which is the most
important in the country of Tiestan, his guide asks him whether he would
like to go to the Menegam, which means Foreigners' Home, or to the
Eshandam, which means Natives' Home. I told my guide I would go to the
Menegam, which would be conducted after the manners and customs of the
other parts of the Orient, which I had visited. Then, when I had become
accustomed to the ways and manners of the people of Tiestan, I would go
to the Eshandam. Now, while it is very true that very few travelers from
the Western world have ever visited Tiestan, yet the travel from the
other parts of the Orient is great and the people of Tiestan are
familiar with the ideas of the Western world, through the Oriental
travelers. They also have many of the modern improvements from thence,
which they have purchased from Bombay and Calcutta. After making the
necessary arrangements for a week's stay at the Menegam, I took a walk
through some of the most important streets of the city of Semhee. The
first impression which a traveler received in making a tour through the
city is from the fine physique of the girls and women. One is struck
with their independence, graceful carriage, and, as they only wear two
or three garments, it is self evident that they are not dependent on
corsets or waist stiffening for their erect bearing. I noticed there
were very few doctors, and what few there were of the medical profession
were equally divided between the sexes, there being three women and
three men doctors. The city educates them and pays them to keep the
people well. More than two-thirds of the people they heal without
medicine. The profession of dentistry is represented by four women and
four men. They receive their education at the public expense, and their
business is to keep the teeth of the people sound, and put in new ones
where required. Even the judges, lawyers, and city officials are equally
divided between the sexes. I noticed the same rule prevailed in
merchandise, hairdressing, and all kinds of business. There was not a
single employment that was distinctively male or female, for no
distinction was made between them. The same custom prevailed in all
kinds of ball games and sports.
"Another impression one quickly notices is that the extremes of riches
and poverty are not seen among the people, for there are no very rich or
very poor; everyone having all the necessary comforts of life and many
of its luxuries.
"After staying a week at the Menegam, I felt I was prepared to adopt the
customs of the people of Tiestan; so I engaged a room and board at the
Eshandam, or Natives' Home. Most of those who stop at the Eshandam are
natives who live in the province of Tiestan, they having come to Semhee
either on business or pleasure. Only two meals a day are served:
Breakfast from 7.30 to 9 a.m., and dinner from the hours of 1 to 3 p.m.
"I arrived in time for dinner. Persons staying at the Eshandam are all
looked upon while there as members of one family, and it becomes the
duty of the manager to see that all persons sitting at the same table
have been introduced. It would be considered a breach of etiquette to
eat the meal quickly and in silence. I never was in a hotel dining room
where there seemed to be so much freedom and enjoyment among the guests
while taking their meals. Everyone has plenty of time to eat his meal
leisurely. Most of the guests coming from the different parts of the
province of Tiestan, and being well informed, and all able to converse
in two languages, and all having their minds free from uncertain
business enterprises, made their conversation very interesting and
elevating, and their company a pleasure to enjoy. Meat is never seen on
the table. They would feel indignant and be as much disgusted if meat
were set before them, as we would be to have a cooked baby brought to
the table. Eggs are used in some of their cooking; they are also served
in various ways. Their bread and pastry cannot be excelled anywhere. The
dessert consists of a large variety of nuts, confectionery, and fruits.
From two to five o'clock guests are entertained with music in the
beautiful hotel gardens, where fountains are playing, sending water out
in the form of leaves, umbrellas, hats, rings, and other interesting
forms. After the music is over some indulge in games, others read or
write, others chat. In the evening for those who wish to attend are
classes for literature, science, and spiritual philosophy. It is the
business of the hotel to supply all the wants of its patrons; to see
that the intellectual and spiritual natures are fed as well as to see to
the wants of the body. The reason that the people in the city of Semhee
have so much time, is that all labor and business is performed in six
hours. Six hours make a day's work. No one is idle, every well person is
busy at some productive employment. At the hotel they have no such room
as 'Ladies' Parlor,' the parlor being equally for the use of both sexes,
for the ladies are willing that the men hear any subject they are
talking to each other about. No one smokes in that country. The bedrooms
have two doors. One door leads from the hallway into the bedroom, the
other leads from the bedroom into the bath department, which was twelve
feet wide and was as long as the row of bedrooms. Opposite each room was
a bath-tub and a large movable basin, so that a guest could take a
sponge bath or immerse himself.
"The first thing every well person does on rising in the morning is to
go into the bath department and take a cold bath. On my right was a
newly married couple whom I had the pleasure of conversing with at the
dinner yesterday, and on my left was a young lady and her mother with
whom I had the pleasure of enjoying a conversation in the hotel gardens
the day before. I exchanged greetings with all of them in the bath
department, and the feeling was exactly the same as if we all had been
dressed and met at the breakfast. As my room was about the center of the
row I could look each way, and perhaps there were over twenty persons of
both sexes and all ages taking their bath. On the door leading from the
bedroom to the bath department was a writing in hieroglyphics
illuminated and framed, which when deciphered read: 'Sex is an illusion,
illusion is a bondage, break the bondage and be free. The truth shall
make you free.'
"After we had taken our baths those who wished were shown into the room
for devotion. When I had entered the room and had sat for a few minutes
I began to realize what a sacred, peaceful influence was in the place.
It seemed to come up from the floor, down from the ceiling, and out from
the walls, and from everything in the room. No talking is allowed in the
room. It is used only for devotion. I performed my devotions and gave
the room my hearty benedictions. I noticed that the forms of devotion
were not all the same, some using one kind of form and some another, but
they all led to the same goal. The devotions were all carried on in
silence. They consisted first of all of breathing exercises; then
bringing the mind to a state of calmness, by repeating mentally, looking
to the East, 'May all beings be happy. May all beings be peaceful. May
all beings be blissful.' Then looking to the South, repeat the same;
then looking to the West, repeat the same, and looking to the North,
repeat the same. After which some of them say mentally: 'Help me to
meditate upon the glory of Him who projected this universe. May He
enlighten my mind.' Then they pray in silence for light and knowledge;
also they repeat in silence: 'May I this day live without discontent,
without self-seeking, and without anxiety.' Then follow concentration
and meditation.
"After the devotional exercises we had breakfast. I cannot help
remarking that the mind is in a better condition spiritually for
performing and enjoying sacred devotions before breakfast than it is
after it. To have family prayers after breakfast, as many do in the
Western world, hinders the freedom and adaptation that the Orientals
have in their devotion. In the Western world many are present out of
respect or rule, having no sympathy with the devotions, sending out
antagonistic aura which neutralizes the effect of worship, and makes it
cold, formal, flat, dead, and dull, for there is not the right
concentrated spiritual thought in the room, which is very essential for
profitable spiritual exercises.
"On leaving the devotional room for breakfast, I could not help thinking
what a fine preparation for the day! With such a commencement as that,
no wonder the day's work is done well, without friction and in perfect
harmony.
"The people in Semhee being of a social nature and free from all
conventionalities of modern society, it was not long before I made the
acquaintance of many very interesting families.
"I received an invitation to make my home with one of them during my
stay in the city of Semhee, which I was glad to accept. I found the life
in the home to be very much like that in the hotel, so far as bathing,
devotions, and meals were concerned. One evening a young lady called at
the house to see a young man who is a son of my host. The young lady
stayed about two hours, making herself very agreeable to the young man,
and upon taking her leave she invited him to accompany her the next
evening to a concert. He accepted. The next evening she came and called
for him, took him to the concert and saw him home. It seemed she had
been very friendly with him for about two months. The following Sunday
afternoon the young lady called for the young man and took him to the
park, and as I was informed afterwards when the two were in a very
secluded place, surrounded by shrubbery, she, in a very pretty way, told
him that the more she was with him and the more she saw of him, the more
she felt impressed that she loved him, and had found in him a true
companion, and wished to know how he felt towards her. As he was in
exactly the same state of mind towards her as she was towards him, they
were engaged to be married. I became interested in this couple, and
observed that sometimes the young lady would call and see him and take
him out, and sometimes the young man would call and see the young lady
and take her out. I do not wish to give the reader the impression that
the young ladies of Tiestan always commence the courtship, for it is as
customary for a young man to commence a courtship as for a young lady.
The privilege and pleasure of commencing a courtship belongs as much to
one sex as the other.
"One afternoon I was walking along the banks of the beautiful river
which flows through the suburbs of the city of Semhee, and saw a number
of boys and girls, also men and women, all enjoying themselves swimming.
They would swim awhile and then come out, stand or sit on the bank of
the river for another while. Sometimes there would be seen several
hundred persons of all ages on the banks of the river. They no more
thought about their respective natures than they did about the number of
hairs on their head. Among those I saw on the banks of the river was
this very young man and young lady who were engaged to be married. They
were standing up side by side ready to take a plunge in the river, and
in they went and swam about very gracefully. While they were in the
water they both saw me standing on the bank opposite to where they had
stood on the other. They swam to where I was, and came out of the water
to me, and we had a little chat.
"If the young lady was invited to stay over night at the young man's
house, she would take her bath with the other members of the family in
the morning, and if the young man received an invitation to stay all
night at the home of the young lady, he, in the morning, would take his
bath with the members of her family.
"About a month after the engagement the two were married. The city
Semhee employs four persons who can perform the marriage ceremony, two
men and two women. They were married at the home of the young man. A
lady came to perform the ceremony. She told the couple to stand up and
take hands, and then she asked the young man--calling him by name--if he
would have this woman--calling her by name--to be his wife, and he
answered, 'Yes.' Then she asked the young lady--calling her by her
name--would she have this man--calling him by his name--as her husband,
and she answered, 'Yes.' Then she said: 'In the presence of these
witnesses I declare you to be man and wife.' The two then signed a
document stating they were man and wife, which was put on record, and
that ended the ceremony. They were very happy, for each one found in the
other a true, loving companion, and they were one intellectually and
spiritually.
"As women are engaged in the professions, in business, and perform all
kinds of service as men do, receiving the same compensation, they are
just as financially independent as men are, and, therefore, have no
other motive for marrying than that of true, pure love, finding in each
other a true intellectual and spiritual companion. Of children they have
few, for they believe in quality, and not quantity.
"The intellectual and spiritual life predominates over the animal in all
its inhabitants. Do not think from what I have written about the ladies
of Tiestan that they are masculine women. Far from it. They are just as
sweet, pretty, entertaining, attractive, and graceful as any women to be
found in the world. Yes, far more so, for their hours of duty are short.
They have no care, anxiety or sickness to speak of, and their
environments are such as to bring to the surface all that is pure, good,
noble, and sweet; and, above all, the traveler finds the ladies of
Semhee to be _real_, genuine, and sincere in character."
When Stella had finished reading her selection from Burnette's book, her
mother had a big laugh, and asked her if she wanted to go to Semhee.
"No, mother, it is not Semhee I wish to visit just now, though some day
I certainly would like to see the city of Semhee and meet the
accomplished, enlightened, and free women of Tiestan. What I do want to
see is the women of this country, where there is so much boast of
liberty and freedom, free themselves from the awful bondage of sex
superstition, and all other bondages that have been heaped upon them by
people of the Dark Ages because they are women. Even those who talk so
much about woman's rights, are in bondage up to their necks. Look at
Laura Stevenson in Orangeville; a fine bright young girl, who makes a
hobby of woman's rights, and yet see the bondage she is in. A fine young
man whom she was supposed to respect very much, lay sick in his cabin
all alone, and with all her talk about her independence and freedom, she
never went to see him because he was alone and there was no woman there.
She being a young woman, thought it would not be proper for her to do
it. Laura Stevenson's independence and liberty consist in having her own
way in a few things. She does not know what freedom is. Her freedom is
all sham, and with no reality in it. Then there is Nora Parks, who is
supposed to be advanced, and talks much on woman's freedom; but watch
her how very particular she is in her conduct with young men who are
good, lest she should excite the jealousy of her husband. Therefore, she
is not free, but in bondage to his foolish, uncalled for jealous
feelings. Talk about women being free, they don't know anything about
freedom, for they are all in bondage of some kind or other."
Mrs. Wheelwright said: "Stella, among the many fine thoughts which
Burnette brings out in the description of the women of Semhee, that is a
great one _which shows woman to be financially independent of man,
previous to marriage and after marriage, too_. Therefore, she can have
no other motive for marrying a man than that of mating herself to a true
companion. When that is done the two act as one light, whose rays reach
out and shine on all around them. Blessed is such a life."
"Mother," said Stella, "I do not fully understand the meaning of the
writing on the bedroom door, which Burnette describes. You remember that
part which reads: 'Sex is an illusion.' I understand too well the
meaning of being in bondage to sex, but that sex is an illusion I do not
see the meaning of, because we know that sex is real and has its use and
purpose."
"I cannot enlighten you, my dear," said her mother. "You will have to
ask Penloe when you return the books."
"Well, mother," said Stella, "I am going to put some of my theories into
practice. I say my theories, but I do not exactly mean that; but I am
going to put some advanced ideas into practice in regard to woman's
freedom. I will now tell you one of them, and another later on.
"Mother," continued Stella, "when a man lives alone and a woman wishes
to go to his house to see him, she has to take another woman with her
because it is not thought proper for a woman to be seen going alone
calling at a house, particularly where a young man lives by himself. But
if a woman lives alone and a man wants to see her he does not get some
other man to go with him. No, he goes alone, and it is thought all
right. Now, mother, I will be free, and, therefore, when I return the
books to Penloe I will go alone."
"All right, my dear," said her mother. "I am glad, Stella, you have the
courage to practise your convictions. This talk of woman's rights and
freedom we hear so much about and woman's liberty that we read of in the
newspapers, is just so much evasion. A woman who may have known a good
man for several years dare not call on him if he lives alone. One ounce
of practice, Stella, is worth a thousand tons of big talk. Go ahead, my
daughter, I am proud of you," said Mrs. Wheelwright.
The week after Stella went to the house of Penloe to return the books.
Penloe was in his library writing. When he heard a knock he arose and
went to the door in a mechanical kind of way, his mind being more on the
subject of his writing than upon who might be at the door. When he
opened the door Stella said:
"Good morning, Penloe; I have come to return your books."
Stella's voice seemed to recall Penloe to where he was, and to notice
who had come to see him.
In a soft, musical voice, he said: "Glad to see you, Stella; walk in,"
giving her his hand, and Stella was shown in to the library.
When she was seated Penloe said: "Excuse me for a minute or two," and
Stella was pleased to do so, for she wanted to be in the room alone and
take notes. But no sooner had Penloe left the room when a different
state of mind came over her, and she did not feel like giving her
attention to anything in the room. For such a wave of peace came over
her mind as she had never experienced before, so that the room seemed to
be full of peace. It was not a dead, sleepy peace, nor a dreamy peace,
but a peace that was refreshing, strengthening, and was exactly what her
mind needed. She sat in perfect bliss drinking in all she could, when
Penloe came into the room. He seemed to her to be all peace. This
delightful condition put her mind in a state of equipoise, such as she
had never felt before; for it was a peace that was tinged with a Divine
quality; and it was about to awaken her more than ever to the
possibilities of the real world, the Divine world, the spiritual world,
the world whose realization so far she had not a knowledge of. For her
supreme life was in her intellectual tastes and in her deep, loving,
true nature, which loved to see what was fitting, right, and just,
actually lived; possessing at the same time the boldness and courage to
be a pioneer of advanced thought, and, above all, she loved to live her
ideas.
On returning to the room Penloe opened the conversation by saying:
"Well, Stella, could you find anything interesting in the books?"
"Interesting, Penloe," said Stella. "Why, I have had a very rich treat
in the perusal of them. I felt as if I could not put them down till I
had finished them, for they contain just the light I have been seeking,
and now they have become a part of my own mentality. But I wish you
would explain the meaning of the expression, 'Sex is an illusion.'"
"Why, certainly, Stella, I will be glad to do so, for if there is
anything that appears real it is what is known as sex, the qualities of
male and female, we see in all nature. It is said to exist in some
precious stones, and we know it exists in the vegetable world, and in
all animal life. And if there is anything that is real to a boy or girl,
it is that he or she is a boy or girl, and if there is anything that is
real to a man or a woman, it is that he or she is a man or woman. So
strongly has this thought become the life thought of the human race,
that the members of each sex look upon themselves as being just what
their material forms stand for. That is, a woman believes that she will
be a purified woman through all eternity, that the woman is permanent,
real, immortal, and that she will continue on, as a woman, with her
womanly traits of character greatly expanded. While man thinks that as a
man he is real, permanent, and immortal; that he will continue his
existence as a man through all eternity, and that he will always be
known as a man, and always look upon woman as woman. Any thought
contrary to the reality of sex, the masses in the Western world will not
accept, for they live in a sex world, and at present do not wish to rise
above it, for they are in bondage to the reality of sex. In the
prehistoric period of humanity there lived a race of gods, that is, a
race whose members were intellectual and spiritual giants, many of them
spending their whole life in thought, living on a very meagre diet,
needing very little in the way of clothing and shelter, having no
material desires or ambitions to gratify. They, therefore, had an
abundance of time for searching for and investigating spiritual truths.
They were fitted by nature and by their environments for that life, and
they were gifted with revelations of the unseen.
"They were called seers or sages, because they could see spiritual
truths which others could not, and it was at this period and through one
of these seers that a voice spoke, 'That which exists is one, men call
it by various names.' That was the conclusion that many other eminent
seers and sages had come to. For they saw that there was one great
Infinite Life Force manifesting itself in all and through all. That
there is a correlation of spiritual forces, and that all the various
phenomena are the one manifestation of this Infinite Life, which is
called by some God, by others Lord, by others Brahma, by others Jehovah,
by others Allah, the meaning of them all being exactly the same as that
expressed in the Bible by the name of God, in whom we live, move, and
breathe and have our being; that we are the manifestation of Him. In
short, our real entity, our real life, our real self (the Atman), our
soul (the Purusa) is Spirit eternal and immortal. Now the life of the
Spirit has no sex in it, but the spirit manifests itself in these
various forms of male and female. The sexual form is only the
instrument, not the Being. For the Being is not sex, and, therefore,
there is nothing connected with sex, that is spiritual and eternal. It
belongs to the external world and the material plane, and is, therefore,
a temporary manifestation suitable to the earth plane. It becomes
necessary, in order to get a true conception of what we really are (that
we are spiritual beings, being neither male nor female) that we get away
from the illusion of sex, and not be in bondage to it. But the man must
look upon the woman as a spiritual being and not think of her only for
what her material form stands for. If he does he is under an illusion,
being in bondage to her body, which becomes a barrier to realizing the
Divine within, and if the woman looks upon the material form of the man
as being the man and that for which he stands, then she is under an
illusion and is in bondage to his material form, looking upon his male
body as the all of man. And such a thought becomes a hindrance to her
realizing her Divine nature.
"Remember, Stella, that sex is only apparent, not real. It belongs to
the phenomenal world."
Stella said: "To accept the idea you have just advanced I shall have to
begin and lay a new foundation to build upon, for you have swept away
many things I considered truths."
Penloe said: "Stella, you are merely casting off old garments that you
have outgrown, and you are now ready for a new robe that fits you. But
remember never to quarrel with the old clothes you once wore. They have
served their purpose and should always be respected."
Stella said: "Penloe, the truth you have advanced regarding sex will
take me some time to fully digest."
"Certainly," said Penloe, "but it will not be long before you will
comprehend it fully in all its relativity and make it a part of your own
mentality."
Stella said: "Have you any reading matter to lend me which touches on
this subject, Penloe?"
"Yes," said Penloe, "here are some lectures by the Swami Vivekanada; one
is 'The Real and the Apparent Man,' another is 'Reincarnation,' and two
lectures on the 'Cosmos.' And here are also two books for you to read."
Stella was delighted to receive the lectures and books. After thanking
Penloe she gave him her hand, and said: "I must go, now."
Penloe held her hand, and said: "Stella, I see you are very fond of
books, and they are a very great help, and I prize my library very, very
much; but remember, Stella, the whole library of the universe is within
you. Stella, accept a suggestion from one who is your true friend. Be
much in prayer; let your prayer be for light and knowledge; meditate
much on Divine things; and you will be surprised how a flood of light
will sweep over you at times. Pray that the Divine, which was manifested
in such a degree in Jesus, may be manifested in you." Pressing her hand,
he said: "God bless you, Stella, and may you ever feel the presence of
your own Divine nature."
Stella will never forget that warm hand grasp and those spiritual words.
For it seemed to her at that very moment that that spiritual fire, which
was always burning with such a glow in Penloe and shining so brightly
through his angelic face, had caused the spark which had been growing
brighter and stronger within her, to burst into a flame, and what sweet
season of soul experience did she realize on her way home.
Stella had much to think about that evening. She said little to her
parents; her mind was so pre-occupied she could not give attention to
much else. She realized she must make the matter thoroughly clear to
herself so as to have all her thoughts and ideas harmonize, before
communicating them even to her parents. She did not even look into the
literature which Penloe had lent her that evening. She felt like
retiring and thinking. When she laid her head on the pillow that night
it seemed as if it was not to sleep; it was to think. The leaven was
working in Stella's mind. The truths which she had just received were
powerful; it seemed as if she could not get away from them, even if she
wished, for truths possess us, we do not possess them. Nothing in the
universe is more powerful than truth.
After the first wave of the novelty, the beauty, the grandeur and the
thrilling depth of the truth had subsided only temporarily (to be
superseded by a far more powerful wave of the same character), there
came over Stella's mind during this lull, a strong feeling of attachment
to some of the old ideas she had held. It was very easy for her to let
some of her garments drop from her mental form, and be clothed with new
ones, but there were some that seemed rather hard to loosen; and which
were they? One was this: While it cannot be said that Stella was vain or
self-conceited, there was that strong attachment to the personal I,
which is generally seen in positive dominant characters in the Western
world. And as a woman she had everything to make her feel proud of her
form and beauty, with a graceful carriage, combined with a bright mind
and noble purpose. She had realized her power over the opposite sex. Her
dominant thought had been, that as a woman she was going to lead her
sisters out of bondage; that because she was a woman she had a right to
vote; because she was a woman she should not be in bondage to forms,
ceremonies, and customs; because she was a woman she should not be a
slave to sex superstition. But now all this had been swept away, and it
was hard for her to let go all the grand thoughts she had entertained
about woman as woman. But, blessed, noble, courageous girl, she said: "I
will follow truth whithersoever it may lead," and she inscribed truth on
her banner, saying, "That will I follow."
So she let the last of her old garments drop from her, saying: "I will
clothe myself with the garment of truth." The battle had now been fought
and the victory won; and now a wave came sweeping over her mind, more
powerful, with more beauty, with greater grandeur, penetrating far
deeper, stirring the very depths of her nature, and she felt such
freedom as she had never realized in her life before. With this rock,
the corner-stone of truth, she commenced to lay a foundation which is
eternal and immortal.