the scholars
and thinkers, who have secured the vision which penetrates the center of
nature, and sweeps the circles of historic enlightenment; and who have
got insight into the life of things, and learned the art by which men
touch the springs of action.

For to transform and stimulate the souls of a race or a people is a work
of intelligence. It is a work which demands the clear induction of
world-wide facts, and the perception of their application to new
circumstances. It is a work which will require the most skillful
resources, and the use of the scientific spirit.

But every man in a race cannot be a philosopher: nay, but few men in any
land, in any age, can grasp ideal truth. Scientific ideas however must
be apprehended, else there can be no progress, no elevation.

Just here arises the need of the trained and scholarly men of a race to
employ their knowledge and culture and teaching and to guide both the
opinions and habits of the crude masses. The masses, nowhere are, or can
be, learned or scientific. The scholar is exceptional, just the same as a
great admiral like Nelson is, or a grand soldier like Caesar or Napoleon.
But the leader, the creative and organizing mind, is the master-need in
all the societies of man. But, if they are not inspired with the notion
of leadership and duty, then with all their Latin and Greek and science
they are but pedants, trimmers, opportunists. For all true and lofty
scholarship is weighty with the burdens and responsibilities of life and
humanity.

But these reformers must not be mere scholars. They must needs be both
scholars and philanthropists. For this, indeed, has it been in all the
history of men. In all the great revolutions, and in all great reforms
which have transpired, scholars have been conspicuous; in the
re-construction of society, in formulating laws, in producing great
emancipations, in the revival of letters, in the advancement of
science, in the rennaissance of art, in the destruction of gross
superstitions and in the restoration of true and enlightened religion.

And what is the spirit with which they are to come to this work? My
answer is, that _disinterestedness_ must animate their motives and their
acts. Whatever rivalries and dissensions may divide man in the social or
political world, let generosity govern _us_. Let us emulate one another
in the prompt recognition of rare genius, or uncommon talent. Let there
be no tardy acknowledgment of worth in _o