692 Editors’ Table. [July, 
Sometimes this is the desire for “ more light;” in others it is the 
love of the beautiful in thought and in nature. In all minds it 
comes from brain-hunger, which may be the craving of a rational 
mind for a rational explanation of phenomena, or the mere neces- 
sity for grist felt by an ever-running conscious mill. To such 
minds money is only valuable as it enables them to satisfy these 
needs, and the gratification of such a mind-thirst is more to them 
than money can bring in any other direction. So it is with the 
true artist. The sensitiveness to the beautiful in nature or in 
idea, must find expression in proportion to its intensity, and in so 
doing it finds its reward. These are phases of the intellectual 
life which, if our race follow the usual course of evolution, are to 
become far more general than they are at present. It is very de- 
sirable that they should become more general, for they furnish 
sources of pleasure that cannot be obtained in any other way. 
The sentiment that loves knowledge is akin to the divine, for its 
sustenance is truth, and error is discarded at whatever sacrifice. 
It has faith enough in the order of the universe to see its inner- 
most secrets unfolded, for unsuspicious of evil, it does not expect ` 
to find it predominant. It breathes good will to men, for it feels 
sure that with full knowledge evil may be avoided so as to be 
practically destroyed. In such a pursuit human nature is enno- 
bled ; and to respect our kind is to crown human intercourse, and 
to elevate social life to an ideal level. 
What are the tendencies of society in this direction in our 
.country? Is it not time to repeat the verity that “a man’s life 
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possess- 
eth?” Does the accumulation of material property constitute 
the highest achievement of the human mind? Does the care of 
_ the appurtenances of mere living constitute the noblest occupa- 
tion of man? An affirmative would seem to be the verdict of the 
present generation in many places. We hope this state of things 
may not last. The hunger and thirst of the full-grown soul will 
demand satisfaction, and will some day fling aside the less worthy 
ideas which its larval stage have imposed upon it. It will more 
and more emerge into a fuller understanding of its relations to 
= the universe, and a corresponding appreciation of its privileges 
_, andits duties. To such persons life has a worth which material 
Possessions cannot give. Nothing on all the varied face of nature 
is devoid of meaning. Our fellow beneficiaries of the great realm 
