The Pleasures of Reading

Absorption in the necessities of physical living, the pleasures of the senses and the recreation of the intellect has too often precluded that exploration of the realm of the spirit without which the human soul cannot be rendered content and invulnerable and a "way" found leading to union with the Higher Power and a life transcending material significance. But, notwithstanding man's preoccupation with worldly affairs and perhaps because of the very fact that such concentration has produced war or human infamy or personal disaster, his basic faith in the orderly processes and the spiritual importance of the universe has been unshaken. Indeed, the aspiration and yearning, unexpressed and inexpressible, of all conditions of men for illumination on matters whereon abstract reason sheds no light and pure intellect throws no radiance have been an inseparable part of the human personality in all times--however much the world has been mired in moral degradation or the individual sunk in a spiritual slough.