ences of this so
direct, and corroborated by such recent facts, that they cannot be
used until the lapse of time shall have made an extension of this
life as well possible as necessary.

"June 1.--One cannot live a spiritual life in the world because it
requires so much labor to supply food and clothing that what is
inward and eternal has to be given up for the material and life in
time. If one has to sustain himself at Brook Farm without other means
to aid him, he must employ his strength to that degree that he has no
time for the culture of the spiritual. I cannot remain and support
myself without becoming subject to the same conditions as existed at
home. I cannot expect them to be willing to lessen their present
expenses much for the sake of gaining time for spiritual culture; nor
do I see how I can at home live with my relatives and have the time
which I require. I see no way but to give up the taste for fine
clothing and variety in food. I would prefer the life of the
monastery to that of the external world. The advantages for my being
are greater. The harmony of the two is the full and perfect
existence; but the spiritual should always be preserved at the
expense of the other, which is contrary to the tendency of the world,
and perhaps even to that of this place. I would prefer going hungry
in body than in soul. I am speaking against neither, for I believe in
the fulness of life, in amply supplying all its wants; but the
kingdom of God is more to me than this world. I would be Plato in
love, Zeno in self-strength, and Epicurus in aesthetics; but if I
have to sacrifice either, let Epicurus go."

"June 12.--At times I have an impulse to cry out, 'What wouldst Thou
have me to do?' I would shout up into the empty vault of heaven: 'Ah,
why plaguest Thou me so? What shall I do? Give me an answer unless
Thou wilt have me consumed by inward fre, drying up the living liquid
of life. Wouldst Thou have me to give up all? I have. I have no
dreams to realize. I want nothing, have nothing, and am willing to
die in any way. What ties I have are few, and can be cut with a
groan.'"

"Monday, June 26.--Solomon said, after he had tasted all the joys of
the world, 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.' I, my friend, who
have scarcely tasted any of the pleasures of the world, would say
with Solomon, 'all is vanity.' I see nothing in which I can work. All
are vanities, shadows; beneath all there is nothing. Great God! what
is all t