LETTER IV.

“Dear madam,

“I dare say you have had many letters, but I must add mine to the number to thank you for your book, the ‘Romance of Two Worlds.’  I am deeply interested in the wonderful force we possess, all in a greater or lesser degree—­call it influence, electricity, or what you will.  I have thought much on Theosophy and Psychical Research—­ but what struck me in your book was the glorious selflessness inculcated and the perfect Majesty of the Divinity clear throughout —­no sweeping away of the Crucified One.  I felt a better woman for the reading of it twice:  and I know others, too, who are higher and better women for such noble thoughts and teaching. ...  People for the most part dream away their lives; one meets so few who really believe in electrical affinity, and I have felt it so often and for so long.  Forgive my troubling you with this letter, but I am grateful for your labour of love towards raising men and women.

“Sincerely yours,

“R.  H.”

LETTER V.

“I should like to know if Marie Corelli honestly believes the theory which she enunciates in her book, ‘The Romance of Two Worlds:’  and also if she has any proof on which to found that same theory?—­if so, the authoress will greatly oblige an earnest seeker after Truth if she will give the information sought to

“A.  S.”

[I sent a brief affirmative answer to the above note; the “proof” of the theories set forth in the “Romance” is, as I have already stated, easily to be found in the New Testament.  But there are those who do not and will not believe the New Testament, and for them there are no “proofs” of any existing spirituality in earth or heaven.  “Having eyes they see not, and hearing they do not understand.”—­Author.]

LETTER VI.

“Dear madam,

“I have lately been reading with intense pleasure your ’Romance of Two Worlds,’ and I must crave your forbearance towards me when I tell you that it has filled me with envy and wonder.  I feel sure that many people must have plied you with questions on the subject already, but I am certain that you are too earnest and too sympathetic to feel bored by what is in no sense idle curiosity, but rather a deep and genuine longing to know the truth. ...  To some minds it would prove such a comfort and such, a relief to have their vague longings and beliefs confirmed and made tangible, and, as you know, at the present day so-called Religion, which is often a mere mixture of dogma and superstition, is scarcely sufficient to do this. ...  I might say a great deal more and weary your patience, which has already been tried, I fear.  But may I venture to hope that you have some words of comfort and assurance out of your own experience to give me?  With your expressed belief in the good influence which each may exert over the other, not to speak of a higher and holier incentive in the example of One (in whom you also believe) who bids us for His sake to ‘Bear one another’s burdens,’ you cannot, I think, turn away in impatience from the seeking of a very earnest soul.