of things we call the
universe. As he is himself at his best, so he will get the best, the
widest, the truest impression of the whole in which he is a part.

This, then, is the rational and hopeful way of addressing the supreme
problem,--the problem, for the individual and for mankind, of a
happiness and a success which shall be rooted in the true nature of
things and the real order of the universe. We are not to start with
any supposed comprehension of the general plan, whether as revealed by
miracle or thought out by wise men. We are simply to live our own
lives according to the best knowledge we have, the highest examples we
know, the most satisfying results of our own experience. And, with
whatever discipline and enrichment this process of right living may
bring us, we are to hold our whole natures open, attentive, percipient
to the world about us, and accept whatever shall disclose itself.

The two processes--right living and clear vision--blend constantly and
intimately. We may distinguish them in our thoughts, but there is
constant interplay between life and sight.

The business of living,--how infinitely complex it is, how endlessly
laborious, yet how simple and how sure! Its central principle, we may
say, is the right fitting of one's self to his surroundings. Modern
science has learned that for every creature the condition of success is
adaptation to its environment. We may use that way of speaking to
express the prime necessity of man. His environment is a vast
complexity of material, social, and spiritual realities.

There is for him a true way of adapting himself to these surrounding
facts. He has somehow found it out in the long existence of the race;
he has seen it more and more clearly. This true way is expressed by
what we call right principles of conduct. It is such traits as we name
courage, truth, justice, purity, love, aspiration, reverence. It
includes the study of natural laws and conformity to them. It includes
the search for knowledge, both for its use and for its own joy. It
includes the delighted gaze upon beauty of every kind.

Whoever follows this ideal--and just as far as he follows it
intelligently and earnestly--finds certain results. Whenever he acts,
he finds set before him a right way to follow rather than a wrong. So
from every situation he may draw strength. So he may continually find
peace,--often peace won through struggle, but the deeper for the
struggle. T