184 THE HEART OF NATURE 



only provide the conditions for progress. In addi- 

 tion to these the divine gift of leadership is required. 

 Leadership is therefore the supremely important 

 quality which men require. 



But men cannot intelligently act in concert and 

 alertly ; cannot willingly submit themselves to a 

 rigid discipline ; cannot exercise authority with 

 confidence and weight ; and cannot lead so that 

 others may follow, unless all are animated by the 

 same idea. And they are not likely to sacrifice their 

 lives for that idea unless they are convinced of its 

 value. Only for the most precious things in life do 

 men willingly give up their lives. And before they 

 submit to unquestioning discipline and sacrifice 

 themselves for an ideal they need a clear under- 

 standing of that ideal and a just appreciation of its 

 value. So they think out the ideal with greater 

 precision and make sure that what they are aiming 

 at is nothing short of the highest. Now the ideal 

 of fellowship enriched with beauty and elevated to 

 the Divine is one which all can understand and of 

 which all can see the value. Because it is the high- 

 est it is satisfying to the deepest needs and cravings 

 of their nature, and is therefore of a value beyond all 

 reckoning. Assured of that, they summon up all the 

 courage and fortitude that is theirs, all their spirit 

 and mettle, to endure unflinchingly the pain that 

 must be theirs. And in spite of the effort, the long, 

 strict training, the rigid discipline, the hardship and 

 suffering they have to undergo, they joyfully play 

 their part because they are assured in their hearts 

 that what they are living for and would readily die 

 for is supremely worth while. Deep in their hearts is 



