National Life and Character 295 



Many of the forces that now make for evil will by 

 that time have gained greatly in volume and power. 

 It is foolish to look at the future with blind and 

 careless optimism; quite as foolish as to gaze at it 

 only through the dun-colored mists that surround 

 the preachers of pessimism. It is always best to 

 look at facts squarely in the face, without blinking 

 them, and to remember that, as has been well said, 

 in the long run even the most uncomfortable truth 

 is a safer companion than the pleasantest falsehood. 



Whether the future holds good or evil for us does 

 not, it is true, alter our duty in the present. We 

 must stand up valiantly in the fight for righteous- 

 ness and wisdom as we see them, and must let the 

 event turn out as it may. Nevertheless, even though 

 there is little use in pondering over the future, most 

 men of intelligence do ponder over it at times, and 

 if we think of it at all, it is well to think clearly. 



Mr. Pearson writes a forecast of what he believes 

 probably will, or at least very possibly may happen 

 in the development of national life and character 

 during the era upon which we are now entering. 

 He is a man who has had exceptional advantages for 

 his work ; he has studied deeply and traveled widely ; 

 he has been a diligent reader of books and a keen 

 observer of men. To a careful training in one of the 

 oldest of the world's universities he has added long 

 experience as an executive officer in one of the 

 world's youngest commonwealths. He writes with 

 power and charm. His book is interesting in man- 

 ner, and is still more interesting in matter, for he 



