ster is in the ranks.

But as a general proposition he can do most good by merely preaching
individual righteousness day after day without definitely interfering
with things political. For there is always the danger that if he takes
part in many political agitations he will become so monotonous that
all his power for good will be dissipated.

But after all is said and done the millions want from the modern
pulpit the fruitful teaching of the Christian religion. They want the
fundamentals. They want decision and certainty. Their minds are to be
convinced, yes, but even more their hearts.

This is the task that awaits you, young man, who, from that spiritual
tribune called the Pulpit, are soon to speak to us who sit beneath you
that Word which is for "the healing of the nations." How exalted
beyond understanding is this high place to which you are going. What a
hearing you will have if only you will utter words of power and light.
Believe me, the world with eagerness awaits your message. But be sure
it _is_ a message in very truth--no, not _a_ message but THE
message.

VIII

GREAT THINGS YET TO BE DONE

Some four years ago a young man of uncommon ability, but lacking the
imagination of hope, said to me that it seemed to him as if everything
great had already been done.

"Great battles," said he, "have been fought; there will be no more
wars of magnitude. The great principles of the law have all been
announced and applied to every conceivable form of human rights and
controversy. For example, in our own country there will be no more new
and great constitutional arguments. Everything, from now on, will be
only an application of what has already been said and decided.

"In invention, there may be some improvements on old and present
devices, but there will be no more Edisons, no more Marconis. In
medicine, we are about at the top of the mountain. In literature, the
creative and fundamental things have all been done. There will be no
more Shakespeares, no Miltons, no Dantes, no Goethes. Even Hugo is
dead. From now on books will be mere second-hand talk.

"In statesmanship, nothing is left except that common housekeeping
which we call administering government. In diplomacy, the same old
lies will continue to be told, and so on."

This young man's profoundly melancholy view of life is that which I
have found crushing the _elan_ out of many young men; and particularly
college students. In their hearts they f