THE KETUKN TO NATURE. 93 



changing time, the breaking away of multitudes from the shackles 

 of an artificial life, to know the way of peace and pleasantness, by 

 living in harmony with nature and true self-expression. This 

 reaching out for right ideals is not confined to America; it is 

 apparent today in the political awakening of Russia and in the 

 religious revival which is stirring the national heart of Wales. 



Channing's description of Thoreau will best define a natural 

 life. He says " We may profitably distinguish between that sham 

 egotism which sets itself above all values, and that loyal faith in 

 our instincts on which all sincere living rests. His Ufe was a 

 healthy utterance, a free and vital progress, joyous and serene, 

 and thus proving its value. If he passed by forms that others 

 held, it was because his time and means were invested elsewhere. 

 To do one thing well, to persevere, to accomplish one thing per- 

 fectly, was his faith." The recent interest in Thoreau's writings 

 is one of the most hopeful signs of the times, for it bespeaks the 

 fact that men and women see the inner meaning of his life, and in 

 terms of self begin to realize that loyal faith in one's ow^n in- 

 stincts is the basis of sincere living. 



Thoreau's thought deeply impressed Tolstoi and was one of 

 the infiuences which led him to renounce the ways of the world 

 to Uve the life of a peasant on his own estate. The application 

 of this principle does not mean that each one of us must slavishly 

 follow Thoreau and live beside Walden Pond, nor lead the life 

 of a Russian peasant. But it does mean that the best test of the 

 worth of character is to apply Thoreau's standards and ask 

 whether the person lives a contented, joyous life, fills his hours 

 agreeably, is useful in his way, and on the whole achieves his 

 purpose. This is what it means to Uve a free, spontaneous, and 

 natural life as opposed to the artificial one which holds so mam' in 

 bondage. 



The real significance of this return to nature is the recognition 

 that it is a spiritual movement, for it is revealing man to himself. 

 It will lead to far-reaching economic and industrial changes when 

 the public is aroused to an understanding of its deep underl>nng 

 meaning. All of the various measures advanced to adjust the 

 troubled conditions of labor and capital are good. Each will act 

 and react upon the other until an industrial mechanism is evolved 



