126 THE RECONCILIATION. 



to others. He, with all his capacities, and aspirations, and 

 beliefs, is not an accident, but a product of the time. He 

 must remember that while he is a descendant of the past, 

 he is -a parent of the future; and that his thoughts are as 

 children born to him, which he may not carelessly let die. 

 He, like every other man, may properly consider himself 

 as one of the myriad agencies through whom works the Un- 

 known Cause; and when the Unknown Cause produces in 

 him a certain belief, he is thereby authorized to profess and 

 act out that belief. For, to render in their highest sense the 

 words of the poet — 



Nature is made better by no mean, 



But nature makes that mean : over that art 

 Which you say adds to nature, is an art 

 That nature makes. 



"Not as adventitious therefore will the wise man regard the 

 faith which is in him. The highest truth he sees he will 

 fearlessly utter; knowing that, let what may come of it, he 

 is thus playing his right part in the world — knowing that if 

 he can effect the change he aims at — well: if not — well 

 also; though not so well. 



