The Audubon Societies 59 



legislation, the Audubon Society may feel that its work is prosperously in 

 line with larger enterprises affecting national welfare. 



It is not necessary to seek new problems or to search for a new world in 

 which to work. The task is set, the time is now, only the spirit and method of 

 the undertaking needs the reconstructive influence. Let us review the whole 

 work, carefully, alertly, not trying to gloss over the weak places, but getting 

 straight to the real issues, namely: 



1. Are we upholding conservation measures wisely and thoroughly? 



2. Are we personally extending our own knowledge of actual conditions or helping 

 anyone else to get at the truth in our study of nature? 



3. Are we raising bird- and nature-study to the highest and most beneficial standard 

 in club, home, and school? 



4. Are we aware of the true value of our relations to nature? 



5. Have we ever yet allowed ourselves or helped others to gain the full benefit of the 

 outdoor world? 



6. Are we seeking through all channels, scientific and esthetic, to know, feel, and 

 enjoy nature and, through nature, life? 



In the words of Browning, ask yourseK, 



"Do I seek how star, earth, beast. 

 Bird, worm, fly, gain their dower 

 For life's use, most and least?" 



Do not confess 

 but rather 



Then will Nature 



'Back from the search I cower," 



Seek and find some sense which no peer 

 Yet from singer, sayer, 

 Ever has extracted — ^listening to 

 " . . . the bird-like fluting 

 Through the ash-tops yonder — 



Five-pearled notes that surely 

 (lather, dcwdrop fashion . . ." 



"Yield new men new learning." 



Remember tliat through appreciation of the bcaiUiful and the ciillixalion 

 of that finer inner sense of kinship with Nature, l)orn of a desire to kmru' the 

 truth, come man's highest aspirations and the ardent glow of life which stirs 

 to the noblest SERVICE.— A. H. W. 



