Every human soul is in need. The expression of that need varies with
individuals, but there is not one soul that does not feel it in some
degree. It is a spiritual and casual need which takes the form, in souls
of a particular development, of a deep and inexpressible hunger which
the outward things of life, however abundantly they may be possessed,
can never satisfy. Yet the majority, imperfect in knowledge and misled
by appearances, seek to satisfy this hunger by striving for material
possessions, believing that these will satisfy their need, and bring
them peace. Every soul, consciously or unconsciously, hungers for
righteousness, and every soul seeks to gratify that hunger in its own
particular way, and in accordance with its own particular state of
knowledge. The hunger is one, and the righteousness is one, but the
pathways by which righteousness is sought are many. They who seek
consciously are blessed, and shall shortly find that final and permanent
satisfaction of soul which righteousness alone can give, for they have
come into a knowledge of the true path. They who seek unconsciously,
although for a time they may bathe in a sea of pleasure, are not
blessed, for they are carving out for themselves pathways of suffering
over which they must walk with torn and wounded feet, and their hunger
will increase, and the soul will cry out for its lost heritage-the
eternal heritage of righteousness.