for now we see in a mirror, dimly

Just came across this quote in Lords of the Earth, a book about missionaries in Western New Guinea. Don Richardson is the author of the book, who recounts the story of his personal acquaintance Stanley Dale, martyred by cannibals.

My mind drifted back, reliving for a moment my first conversation with Stan. We were walking together across a hillside above Karubaga, the wind in our faces. "Stan," I said, "I hear that you have a wealth of great poetry stored in your memory. Pleace recite for me the one poem that has molded your life more than any other." Stan paused, turned, looked at me and recited "If" with stunning intensity.

Then he paused again, and after a moment said, "But let me add something else, Don. I've got to the place where mere words -- no matter how fine -- leave me cold. All I want is the reality of knowing Christ."