Some places in the United States and other parts of the world have a special beauty in an early fall day—a depth and purity of light not always noticeable at other seasons. This light symbolizes for me the spiritual innocence and purity of Christ, especially significant, perhaps, because it is a phenomenon of autumn. Spring light could represent untried innocence; September light could be said to describe the purity of those who "came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Rev. 7:14;
But there would be no basis for innocence were it not for spiritual reality, which includes purity. Purity is a quality of the real man. This purity, always characterizing man as God's image or expression, cannot be adulterated nor its innocence invaded.
Even very young children may be plagued by guilt. Added years may deepen guilt for the simple reason there has been more opportunity to do things we wish we hadn't. These same years offer opportunity for much good, too. The moral mistakes, the slips in deportment, the unconquered bad disposition, need not gain priority in introspection and crush out the love of living. Mature years need not be spent in regret and in fighting the diseases regret may engender.
