And yet there are thousands who seem to live without purpose,--live merely to vegetate. Of course such persons do not live in earnest, and hence do nothing in earnest. They have life, but no lofty aspirations. They may have souls; but if so, they remain undeveloped. In fact, persons of this character have no character, no earnest work, no significance. And for this reason, though living, they are literally dead. If we would make the world what it should be, we must first make ourselves what we should be. The work must begin at home in our own hearts, and with a view to our own moral needs.
In the cultivation of a pure heart-life, we should begin by cultivating "a conscience void of offence." If we would unlock the gate of paradise, we must look for the key where it is to be found. We may rest assured that it cannot be found in an uncultivated field of brambles and briers, nor amid the rubbish of a misspent life; yet to find it, only requires diligent search. Though everything beautiful, everything noble, everything sublime, may lie in the distance, yet it is attainable; it is the _ultimatum_ that we should seek,--something substantial, something eternal. Mere fame is nothing worth. It is a thing of earth, and not of heaven.
There may be an innate feeling or principle that constitutes what is called conscience; yet it must be conceded that conscience is practically but the product or outgrowth of education, and may therefore be so moulded as to become the just or unjust judge of the moral questions which involve both our present and future welfare. How important, then, that this judge should not only be a righteous, but an educated judge, familiar with the principles of right and wrong, and stern in the application of them! In a word, conscience is the central life of character,--the silent monitor within our own breasts, whose moral influence controls our destiny.
The law of love may be regarded as the great law which underlies all law, because it is divine. In fact, love is the law that pervades the universe, and in itself is sufficiently indicative of our moral obligations. He who is governed by it, cannot err. It is not, however, what we do for ourselves, but rather what we do for others, that can afford the most substantial happiness. If you would receive, you must give, influenced by a kind and generous spirit. "Overcome evil with good." In this way, like a moral Alexander, you may conquer the world.