The Way of the Spirit by H. Rider Haggard
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The Way of the Spirit
by
H. Rider Haggard
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth... and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God."
DEDICATION
My dear Kipling,--Both of us believe that there are higher aims in life than the weaving of stories well or ill, and according to our separate occasions strive to fulfil this faith.
Still, when we talked together of the plan of this tale, and when you read the written book, your judgment thereof was such as all of us hope for from an honest and instructed friend--generally in vain.
So, as you found interest in it, I offer it to you, in token of much I cannot write. But you will understand.--
Ever sincerely yours,
H. Rider Haggard.
To Rudyard Kipling, Esq.
Ditchingham, 14th August, 1905.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This tale was written two years ago as the result of reflections which occurred to me among the Egyptian sands and the empty cells of long-departed anchorites.
Perhaps in printing it I should ask forgiveness for my deviation from the familiar, trodden pathway of adventure, since in the course of a literary experience extending now, I regret to say, over more than a quarter of a century, often I have seen that he who attempts to step off the line chalked out for him by custom or opinion is apt to be driven back with stones and shoutings. Indeed, there are some who seem to think it very improper that an author sh