The Right Knock - A Story

Helen Van-Anderson

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• Publié par: thiom
• Publié le: 08 décembre 2010
• Nombre de lectures: 76
• Langue: English

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The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Right Knock, by Helen VanAnderson This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: The Right Knock A Story Author: Helen Van-Anderson Release Date: January 5, 2008 [eBook #24177] Language: English Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RIGHT KNOCK*** E-text prepared by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) PRICE, $2.00. THE RIGHT KNOCK A STORY BY HELEN VAN-ANDERSON Author of "It Is Possible," "The Story of Teddy," "The Journal of a Live Woman," etc., etc. "Go to your bosom; Knock there; and ask your heart, what it doth know" —SHAKESPEARE. THIRTEENTH EDITION Published by THE NEW YORK MAGAZINE OF MYSTERIES 22 N ORTH WILLIAM STREET, N EW YORK C ITY C OPYRIGHT, 1889, BY H ELEN VAN-ANDERSON All rights reserved THE R IGHT KNOCK C OPYRIGHT, 1903, BY THE N EW YORK MAGAZINE OF MYSTERIES All rights reserved CONTENTS. C HAPTER. I. MRS. H AYDEN, II. THE GIRLS AT H OME, III. A FIRE AND A R ETROSPECT , IV. BEGINNINGS, V. THE OLD D OUBTS AGAIN, VI. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, VII. A N EW H OPE , VIII. WHAT THE WORLD SAID, IX. A STRUGGLE WITH SELF, X. H INTS OF H ELP, XI. LEAVING H OME, XII. MRS. PEARL'S LECTURE, PAGE. 9 17 25 30 36 44 59 63 70 79 83 90 XIII. THE TRUE FOUNDATION, XIV. QUESTIONINGS, XV. WHAT IS N OT TRUE, XVI. STUDYING AND PROVING , XVII. WHAT IS TRUE, XVIII. IT MUST BE SO , XIX. THE SPIRITUAL BIRTH, XX. TANGLES AND TALKS, XXI. INSPIRATION AND THE BIBLE, XXII. A C HURCH C OMMITTEE, XXIII. PRAYER, XXIV. EVERY-DAY PRACTICE , XXV. U NDERSTANDING , XXVI. A N EW PROBLEM , XXVII. U NDERCURRENTS, XXVIII. THE POWER OF THOUGHT, XXIX. AN U NEXPECTED MEETING , XXX. PRACTICAL APPLICATION, XXXI. C ONFIDENCES, XXXII. PRACTICAL APPLICATION, XXXIII. GRACE, XXXIV. PRACTICAL APPLICATION, XXXV. PRACTICAL APPLICATION, XXXVI. FOUND AT LAST, XXXVII. AFTER THREE YEARS, 95 104 112 125 131 141 151 162 172 184 192 202 211 222 228 234 243 249 257 262 274 281 291 300 308 PREFACE. Although most excellent food is to be found on the table of metaphysical thought, there has never yet been a metaphysical story setting forth a picture of every-day life, in its search for, and attainment of satisfaction through the knowledge of Christ Philosophy. Knowing the pressing need of such a book among the many inquirers and students on this theme, and with the hope of helping to fill that need, this story is told. It is a book of facts, not fiction, although wearing the dress of fiction. Every case of healing, every seemingly marvelous experience has come under the observation of the writer and can be authenticated as a veritable fact. That there are hundreds, yea, thousands to-day, who leave their homes and go to distant cities for the sake of pursuing the study of Christ Philosophy, or receiving the benefit of its healing ministry, is proof enough that the story of one woman's experience will be interesting and helpful to all. While the lessons contained in Mrs. Hayden's letters are not exhaustive, they are valuable for their very simplicity, and are thoroughly practical, complete instructions for the beginning and continuance of the study of this wonderful truth. With every lesson supplemented by personal experiences, the reader sees not only the theory but the practice demonstrated, and in this simple story he may find the mirror of his own inner hopes and aspirations, with a broader view of their possible attainment than he has yet seen. Carlyle says: "If a book come from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts." "The Right Knock" is presented with no other apology than this: it has come from the heart. H ELEN VAN-ANDERSON. PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. To a new and awakened public the author gives greetings and begs to say a few more words about THE R IGHT KNOCK . After all these years of work along the lines laid out in the book and with a wide knowledge of prevailing systems of mental training, the author is happy to be able to say with unbounded confidence that there is nothing to excel this system for beginners, for those desiring to lay a lasting foundation. The emphasis laid upon the necessity for persistent, regular and systematic practice of word speaking by audible repetition, is great, but none too great. For the faithful student this never fails to bring results, never fails to put him in the way of understanding and demonstration. With regular practice and constant application in the daily life, with good judgment as to the details of practice, length of time at one exercise, etc., the pupil is assured in one way or another certain convincing experiences which develop individuality and, with that, his God-like gifts. Thousands have proven this. The unnumbered letters of gratitude, the kind words, the warm hand-clasps, the many testimonials of sick beds forsaken, depressed spirits revived, vices discontinued, of physical and moral strength regained, prove that the work of the Spirit is not to be measured by puny human standards of judgment, prove that simple things—the things from which we expect the least, in which we put the least ambition or worldly desire may be those which will yield the "hundred fold" of real blessing. The test of any spiritual truth lies in its demonstration and in the inspiration and faithfulness with which it can be lived. Be true to the truth and you will demonstrate it. Live the Christ life and the works will follow; yet seek truth for its own sake, not for its power. A word about Christian Science. Sometimes persons aver of THE RIGHT KNOCK that it teaches Christian Science pure and simple. With all due respect and a recognition of the grand and marvelous work done by Mrs. Eddy, the author feels called upon to say, in justice to Mrs. Eddy as well as herself, that this is not true. There are undoubtedly many similar statements, yet there are many differences which the careful reader will discover. Please note, for example, that not matter itself, but matter as the real substance or power, is denied. Not sickness of the body, but sickness of the Spirit, is a falsity, etc., etc. In brief, the author of THE RIGHT KNOCK believes there is a name, place and condition for everything, and that the discrimination of the plane on which a thing or condition exists, is the key to placing it in the right relation to the whole. In conclusion, the author would say most earnestly, study one writer or teacher at one time, just as you would study music of one instructor at one time. It is not the many books but the Book within which is to reveal all things. God speed you. H ELEN VAN-ANDERSON. THE R IGHT KNOCK is now in its THIRTEENTH edition, a fact which speaks for the great helpfulness of the book, and proclaims without further comment its world [Pg 9] wide Scope. THE RIGHT KNOCK. CHAPTER I. "When you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself, and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world."—Emerson. There was a brilliant light in all the windows at Terrace Hill. Even the verandahs were gorgeous with the gayest Chinese lanterns, and every bush and tree in the lawn did duty as chandelier. Flowers, too, festooned every arch and embowered every corner, while rare vases fulfilled their esteemed privilege of holding and showing fragrant blossoms. Everybody declared the decorations superb, and agreed that no one but Mrs. Hayden could display such exquisite taste and such perfect judgment in selection and arrangement. Animated groups of gayly attired guests sauntered up and down the rose-bowered walks, or promenaded the verandahs, while sounds of music and merriment from the house proclaimed the joy that reigned throughout. "Oh, how beautifully Mrs. Hayden entertains!" remarked Kate Turner to her [Pg 10] friend Grace Hall, as they stopped beside a marble fountain to survey the scene. "I wonder what place such a woman would take in society without her wealth," she continued. "Probably wouldn't have any place, I am sorry to say, because there are thousands of women just as capable and bright as Mrs. Hayden, yet because they have no social position, or rather no money to buy themselves one, they are unrecognized and alone," said Grace, with a tinge of bitterness in her tone. "I could never fancy Mrs. Hayden alone or unrecognized, although I only know her as a society lady, and that mostly through Mrs. Nottingham." "There is no telling what a person really is till they have gone through a trial of some kind, or had something disagreeable to bear. Then one of two things happens: you will see either a saint or a sinner, and I am not sure which Mrs. Hayden would be. She hasn't yet seen a flame from the fire of adversity, I'm sure. See how wonderfully she is blessed with this beautiful home, a good husband and three nice children." "Oh! it must be lovely to have everything you want," sighed Kate, under her breath. Poor Kate! She was alone in the world, making the best of life with her talent for music and through a mutual friend had been introduced to Mrs. Hayden, who, after hearing her play, immediately engaged her for Mabel, and always invited her to the parties, more as a musical attraction, than out of any real regard, for Mrs. Hayden had an abundance of friends without troubling herself to cultivate [Pg 11] in any warm fashion, the friendship of a poor little music teacher, thought Kate, somewhat bitterly. "But after all, Kate, life would need more than luxuries to make it my ideal of happiness. I should want every human being to be agreeably employed; every woman, no matter how much or how little she might have, should be occupied with something that she could put her heart into and speak to the world through her work, whether it be painting