“Before the monstrous wrong he sets him down–
One man against a stone walled city of sin.
When the red dust has cleared, the lonely soldier
Stands with strange thoughts beneath the friendly stars.”
There are a great many people in this world – hundreds of millions, tables of population foot up. Yet in a sense each one of us is the only one. Each individual life has relations of its own in which it must stand alone, and into which no other life can come. Companionships may be close, and they may give much comfort and inspiration, but in all the inner meaning of life each individual lives apart and alone. No one can live your life for you. No one but yourself can answer your questions, meet your responsibilities, and make your decisions and choices. Your relations with God no one but yourself can fulfill. No one can believe for you. A thousand friends my encircle you and pray for your soul, but until you lift up your won heart in prayer no communication is established between you and God. No one can get your sins forgiven but yourself. No one can obey God for you. No other one can do your work for Christ, or render your account at the judgment seat.
In the realm of experience also the same is true. Each person suffers alone, as if there were no other being in the universe. Friends may stand by us in our hours of pain and sorrow, and may sympathize with us or administer comfort or alleviation, but they enter not really into the experiences. In these we are alone. No one can meet your temptations for you, or fight your battles, or endure your trials. The tenderest friendship, the holiest love, cannot enter into the solitariness in which each one of us lives apart.
“Still in each heart of hearts a hidden deep
Lies, never fathomed by its dearest, best.”
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