Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control, 

 These three alone lead life to sovereign power, 

 Yet not for power (power of herself 

 Would come uncalled for), but to live by law, 

 Acting the law we live by without fear ; 

 And, because right is right, to follow right 

 Were wisdom in the scorn of consequence. 



TENNYSON. 



VII. 

 AN ADDRESS TO STUDENTS* 



THERE is an idea regarding the nature of man 

 which modern philosophy has sought, and is 

 still seeking, to raise into clearness; the idea, namely, 

 of secular growth. Man is not a thing of yesterday; 

 nor do I imagine that the slightest controversial tinge is 

 imported into this address when I say that he is not a 

 thing of 6,000 years ago. Whether he came originally 

 from stocks or stones, from nebulous gas or solar fire, 

 I know not; if he had any such origin the process of 

 his transformation is as inscrutable to you and me as 

 that of the grand old legend, according to which 'the 

 Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and 

 breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man 

 became a living soul/ But however obscure man's 

 origin may be, his growth is not to be denied. Here 

 a little and there a little added through the ages have 

 slowly transformed him from what he was into what he 

 is. The doctrine has been held that the mind of the 

 * Delivered at University College, London, Session 1868-69. 

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