THE IDEAL AND THE PRACTICAL: Page 11

trations." Desire expands the will; action clinches it into strength. Each act in the right direction goes to establish us in our ideal. Action gives us training. Education is for self-discipline. Force of character is what we want; money, fame, praise and blame may well take care of themselves. What matters it what the world thinks of me so long as I can think well of myself? Have I a clear conscience? Is my body under my control? Is my mind pure? Do I love main? Do I dare to look others straight in the eye? Do I fear anything? The answer to such questions will go to make up the sum of our happiness or misery. A strong will; a steady pulse; a pure mind; these are what we want. But nought comes from nought- Ex nihilo nihil fit. Nothing will drop from the skies. See here, my brother, do you want a thing? Is it a good thing? Then take it. Let us deserve what we desire. That is the energetic way of setting about things. Action, right action, unselfish action;-these alone can give us strength. To think is to act. To act is to live. To live is to love. "Love, Love; that is the sole resource." Therefore, O Thou Soul!, pray to thy primal source, God, for the power to make others happy. Disease may come; limb after limb may be lopped off; sorrow may strike thee to the core; yet cease not to desire nobly, and to bear thyself m action yet more nobly.