is to be pursued for its own sake, and not from fear or hope. That
is sufficient for happiness which is seated only in the mind, and
therefore independent of external things. The consciousness of
well-doing is reward enough without the applause of others. And no fear
of loss, or pain, or even death, must be suffered to turn us aside from
truth and virtue."[922]

[Footnote 921: Acts xvii. 32.]

[Footnote 922: Marcus Aurelius.]

The preparatory office of Christianity in the field of ethics is further
seen,

II. _In the fact that, by an experiment conducted on the largest scale,
it demonstrated the insufficiency of reason to elaborate a perfect ideal
of moral excellence, and develop the moral forces necessary to secure
its realization_.

We have seen that the moral idea in Socrates, Plato, Epictetus, Marcus
Aurelius, and Seneca rose to a sublime height, and that, under its
influence, they developed a noble and heroic character. At the same time
it must be conceded that their ethical system was marked by signal
blemishes and radical defects. After all its excellence, it did not give
roundness, completeness, and symmetry to moral life. The elements which
really purify and ennoble man, and lend grace and beauty to life, were
utterly wanting. Their systems were rather a discipline of the reason
than a culture of the heart. The reason held in check the lower passions
and propensities of the nature but it did not evoke the softer, gentler,
purer emotions of the soul. The cardinal virtues of the ancient ethical
systems are Prudence, Justice, Temperance, and Courage, all which are in
the last analysis reduced to Wisdom. Humility, Meekness, Forgiveness of
injuries, Love of even enemies, Universal Benevolence, Real
Philanthropy, the graces which give beauty to character and bless
society, are scarcely known. It is true that in Epictetus and Seneca we
have some counsels to humility, to forbearance, and forgiveness; but it
must be borne in mind that Christianity was now in the air, exerting an
indirect influence beyond the limits of the labors of the indefatigable
missionaries of the Cross.[923] By their predecessors, these qualities
were disparaged rather than upheld. Resentment of injuries was applauded
as a virtue, and meekness was proclaimed a defect and a weakness. They
knew nothing of a forgiving spirit, and were strangers to the charity
"which endureth all things, hopeth all things, and never fails." The
enlarged philanth