THE MESSAGE AND PROMISES TO MANKIND. 239 



and difficulties which thought and conduct themselves 

 present to us. In short, trial and difficulty and danger 

 are for ever inseparable from the life of man, as from 

 the life of every living creature on earth, and without 

 it we find it a little difficult even to conceive the happi- 

 ness of the gods, reduced, as Aristotle argues, to contem- 

 plation merely. The notion of life and trial are with us 

 at least so inseparably linked together, that we cannot 

 conceive of the first without the second. And then the 

 evils necessary for our state of probation are the neces- 

 sary conditions of all that we call progress, and all that 

 we call virtue, which things bring happiness such as we 

 can appreciate. The evils are the condition of all per- 

 fection or approach to it in every direction, in every 

 course of excellence and aspiration. Our nature is 

 adapted and shaped beforehand with special reference 

 to life's ills. We inherit the spirit of struggle and 

 combat. And what man would really have his life free 

 from the dangers which give a zest ; from the difficulties 

 which stimulate and do not daunt the brave ; from the 

 trial of merit which disciplines and strengthens our 

 fortitude, or our powers of achievement ; nay, even from 

 the salutary temporary defeat, which is often the best 

 preparation for, and the prelude to, the future victory ? 



But, however we choose to regard them, it is at least 

 certain that these immemorial and universal evils in some 

 form and in some degree must for ever continue. The 

 excessive degree of probation which kills us before 

 shaping us to our surroundings, or which hardens the 

 heart without improving the virtue, this, we may in- 

 dulge the hope, will with time be mitigated ; it is being 

 mitigated ; but whilst men remain men, and until they 

 shall have far more closely approximated to angelic 

 nature, they cannot be, and it is not desirable that they 



