irth of Christianity, and by
a literature which is rich in moral treasures. We must glance at some
of the landmarks of the Greek and Roman story.

And here our present study may define its bounds. We will not go back
to the progress from the animal up to man, nor survey the prehistoric
man; nor will we turn aside to the religions of Egypt, Arabia, and the
East; and we can but lightly glance at the early Teutonic people from
whom we are descended after the flesh. It will sufficiently serve our
purpose if we touch a few salient points among our more direct
progenitors in the life of the spirit. And, after all, our richest
search will be in the years nearest ourselves.

But no version of history simply as history gives an adequate basis for
the higher life. That life must be worked out by each for himself,
equipped as he finds himself by inheritance and circumstance, and
guided largely by the sure and simple laws of conduct which he drew in
with his mother's milk. Study and thought may help a little, and so
such essays as the present are offered for whatever they may afford.
Of all human studies, history, at its best,--the knowledge of whatever
of worthiest the past of mankind affords,--such history is of all
studies most delightful and inspiring, for it is the contact through
books with noble souls--and the touch of a great soul is a natural
sacrament. Such history has significance mainly as its events and
characters find parallels in the mind that reads. The soul of to-day,
catching from the past the voices of prophets and leaders, thrills with
a sense of kinship. The story of American independence means most when
the reader has fought his own Bunker Hill, and wintered at Valley
Forge, and triumphed at Yorktown. The death of Socrates has small
significance unless something in the reader's heart answers to his
affirmation that "nothing evil can happen to a good man, in living or
dying." The life of Jesus and the story of Christianity are most fully
understood when life's experience has brought the Mount of Vision and
the Garden of Gethsemane, the cross and passion, the resurrection, and
the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The interest of the present study is in the illustration of certain
great spiritual laws. These are laws of which every man may make proof
for himself. He may find instances of their working in any close
observation of his nearest neighbor, or in reading his newspaper. He
may find the cleare