most surely and rapidly “pass away” to make room for another; and as the work of the Universe is always progressive, that other will be of nobler capacity and larger accomplishment.  So while we are here, let us think earnestly of the few brief chances remaining to us—­ they grow fewer every hour.  On one side is the endless, glorious heritage of the purely aspiring, Immortal Spirit; on the other the fleeting Mirage of this our present Existence; and, midway between the two, the swinging pendulum of human will, which decides our fate.  God does not choose for us, or compel our love—­we are free to fashion out our own futures; but in making our final choice we cannot afford to waste one moment of our precious, unreturning time.

Marie Corelli.