bring about an " equally divine diminution
of this inequality." The distance between man and man is of divine
origin, but if proper action be taken, the distance may be gradually
lessened - I boldly and joyfully proclaim, is being gradually
lessened and that we are, by God's law of evolution, slowly but
surely approaching that human r millennium of which the enthusiast
in all ages has dreamt.
Our aim in life should be to "have the sweet, and leave the bitter
untasted." The preachers have told us, this is impossible. I doubt
if they view life correctly, and advise you to trust for your
happiness to your work; do it thoroughly. Even then, the "sugar
plums may come too late." But there is no pleasure equal to being
sustained by a sense of duty. Be in earnest; everything yields
to regular, persistent labour. "The force of a water drop in time
will hollow a stone."' A small daily task, if it be really done
daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules. It is the
tortoise which always catches the hare; the hare has no chance
in our days. Success is a difficult task, but we find in life
that some do succeed; but it is no easy matter. What is the lesson
of successful lives? That excellence is only attained by toil
and culture. Improvement must come from within; a desire to understand
the science and arts, left you as a legacy by your ancestors ;
a resolve that, so far as lies in your power, the efforts of the
present shall leave results to assist the efforts of the future.
Let each man do his best; be true to his highest nature, and the
individuality of his own character.
"No one should write like another;
yet each should write like the master,
How can that be? Let each one strive to be master himself."
