Of one
thing I am certain, that their rediscovery and restoration will be
necessary. I cannot too earnestly insist upon the need of our
holding, each man for himself, by some faith which shall anchor him.
It must not be taken up by chance. We must fight for it, for only so
will it become OUR faith. The halt in indifference or in hostility
is easy enough and seductive enough. The half-hearted thinks that
when he has attained that stage he has completed the term of human
wisdom. I say go on: do not stay there; do not take it for granted
that there is nothing beyond; incessantly attempt an advance, and at
last a light, dim it may be, will arise. It will not be a completed
system, perfect in all points, an answer to all our questions, but at
least it will give ground for hope.
We had to face the trials of our friends, and we had to face death.
I do not say for an instant that we had any effectual reply to these
great arguments against us. We never so much as sought for one,
knowing how all men had sought and failed. But we were able to say
there is some compensation, that there is another side, and this is
all that man can say. No theory of the world is possible. The
storm, the rain slowly rotting the harvest, children sickening in
cellars are obvious; but equally obvious are an evening in June, the
delight of men and women in one another, in music, and in the
exercise of thought.
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