George MacDonald

Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood George MacDonald

Before I begin to tell you some of the things I have seen and heard, in both of which I have hadto take a share, now from the compulsion of my office, now from the leading of my own heart, andnow from that destiny which, including both, so often throws the man who supposed himself amere on-looker, into the very vortex of events-that destiny which took form to the old pagans as agray mist high beyond the heads of their gods, but to us is known as an infinite love, revealed in themystery of man-I say before I begin, it is fitting that, in the absence of a common friend to do thatoffice for me, I should introduce myself to your acquaintance, and I hope coming friendship. Norcan there be any impropriety in my telling you about myself, seeing I remain concealed behind myown words. You can never look me in the eyes, though you may look me in the soul. You may findme out, find my faults, my vanities, my sins, but you will not SEE me, at least in this world. To you Iam but a voice of revealing, not a form of vision; therefore I am bold behind the mask, to speak toyou heart to heart; bold, I say, just so much the more that I do not speak to you face to face. Andwhen we meet in heaven-well, there I know there is no hiding; there, there is no reason for hidinganything; there, the whole desire will be alternate revelation and vision.