e folks of
old, I must gather a fresh supply of manna each day. Stale manna is
not wholesome. I suspect that one of my many sins is my laziness in
the matter of manna. I found the value of _x_ in the problem
yesterday, and so am inclined to rest to-day and celebrate the
victory. If I had to classify myself, I'd say that I am an
intermittent. I eat manna one day, and then want to fast for a day
or so. I suspect that's what folks mean by a besetting sin.

During my fasting I find myself talking almost fluently about my
skill and industry as a gatherer of manna, I suspect I am trying to
make myself believe that I'm working in the manna field to-day, by
keeping my mind on my achievement yesterday. That's another sin to
my discredit, and another occasion for a revival. When I am fasting
I do the most talking about how busy I am. If I were harvesting
manna I'd not have time for so much talk. I should not need to tell
how busy I am, for folks could see for themselves. I have tried to
analyze this talk of mine about being so busy just to see whether I
am trying to deceive myself or my neighbors. I fell to talking about
this the other day to my neighbor John, and detected a faint smile on
his face which I interpreted to be a query as to what I have to show
for all my supposed industry. Well, I changed the subject. That
smile on John's face made me think of revivals.

I read Henderson's novel, "John Percyfield," and enjoyed it so much
that when I came upon his other book, "Education and the Larger
Life," I bought and read it. But it has given me much discomfort.
In that book he says that it is immoral for any one to do less than
his best. I can scarcely think of that statement without feeling
that I ought to be sent to jail. I'm actually burdened with
immorality, and find myself all the while between the "devil and the
deep sea," the "devil" of work, and the "deep sea" of immorality. I
suppose that's why I talk so much about being busy, trying to free
myself from the charge of immorality. I think it was Virgil who said
_Facilis descensus Averno_, and I suppose Mr. Henderson, in his
statement, is trying to save me from the inconveniences of this trip.
I suppose I ought to be grateful to him for the hint, but I just
can't get any great comfort in such a close situation.

I know I must work or go hungry, and I can stand a certain amount of
fasting, but to be stamped as immoral because I am fasting rather
hurts