down from a remote age and of such inspiration to our present living, has been gradually giving place, in the general sense of need, to the acceptance of a revelation within the individual mind, more indefinite but less assailable by the critical spirit of our time.

As to our final destiny, then, we are left utterly in the dark. To be born is as incomprehensible as to die; and it is not a whit more so that we should live again. To many, the experience of one life seems enough, they would not willingly accept the hazards of a second and the thought of an eternal oblivion is sweet. To others the desire to be again with those they have loved is so strong that they would gladly venture upon the risks of a second life. There are some who, believing that the universe of being is controlled by a plan, assume that this plan is beneficent and one which, could they understand it, they should approve; and so they look toward annihilation or another life, whichever may await them, as the consummation which, were they truly wise, they would select for themselves. It is foolish to feign for ourselves a certainty which we do not possess; but, in this metaphysical domain where all are ignorant, let no man disturb our contentment and even happiness in our hopes.

Our Highest Wisdom.-And now, as we close this study of the pitfalls of man's environment and of his innate frailties, what shall be our attitude toward the temporal and the eternal verities, what shall seem our highest wisdom? More caution and humility in thought and act and, for the rest, much of what the noble minds of the past have taught us. Our best guides still are the oldtime virtues: honesty and energy in all that we do, kindness and sympathy for our fel

lows; but courageous battle with what we believe to be wrong.

As our attitude toward the great totality of human hopes and aspirations, we cannot do more wisely than to develop within ourselves that sublime and ancient faith which thinks, with Abraham, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"; which feels, with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him!"