The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-09
vIRGISIANs WEEKLY SERMON
LETTERS TO YOUNG PEOPLE

mean when we describe q man as
great-souled, or the reverse. We
should not know anything about the
mans bodily or mental powers from
this description alone. He may be n
Hercules, or OF feeble physical con-
dition. He may be philosopher, or
an unlettered peasant; or oven no
bic savage" To possess and cult
vate a great soul In thing apart.
And It Is life's greatest end. without
which all other cultivation OF tacui-
ties Is OF comparatively little value.
Let me, therefore. urge upon you
in these days Of many studies ana
activities the supreme importance OF
soul cultivation. / have not . word
10 say against the enthusiasm OF
modern times, for that training OF
the mind which goes by the name OF
education, but I expressly warn you
that true education--the education
Of life, which II the only education
OF appreciablo value--ts scarcely De-
gun with a knowledge OF the arts ana
sciences, however extensive, or with
the nero training OF the intellectual
Faculties. A man may learn. and
learn. and learn, and--have the soul
OF q rabbit. There IL grave danger
Of your being led to place dispropor-
Tomato value Of simply utiIitarian
education, This danger ID assailinE
our educational institutions. ana even
our ancient universities. The ago IN
slsts upon exclusively qualifying Tor
the catching OF quails, and incurs the
abiding risk OF having "leanness sent
into its soul" Knowledge--an NC
QUESTION Of the heads being mis-
taken for wisdom glory OF the
soul. In the rush and fever OK cram
IL tynfr a
ary Contamination ts forbidden, a.
being an impractical waste OF time.
Even knowledge IA acquired IN handy
scraus to save time. 30 that the soui
has no chance to corporate. Tor tho
soul cannot be hurried, or cultivated
on scraps, but must have time ana
space for the high movements OF It's
power.
II ia In this quality Of the soul
that the measure and value OF your
personality lie. You are truly great.
not In proportion as you arc clever
or learned, or skilful and SUCCESSFUL
In business. but in proportion az you
possess the, power OF the vision" Tn
less you become great In SOUL you
win be a failure, however. much
unitarian world may sing your
praises. The worlds practice and al
mospherc around you VIII every day
deny the message ! am now writing
you: therefore, / press II with the
greater earnestness. You Will md a
large part OF the daily Press busy in
teaching the falsehooI that a nation
IL made great mainly by scientific and
technical knowledge. and its diiigent
application. and not by great-souied
men and women. the sons and daurh-
ters Of the ''heavely vision" Other
things being equal. both bodily and
mental development assist In the en-
largcment OF the life: but, II our at
tention Is sfven to them alone, they
| become but a splendid sepuchre for
the defunct soul. Live each day AZ
| In the presence Of eternal things. turn
| frequently from mere utility to COM
mune with the beauty Of divine love.
and the soul within you--your essen
tial OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ever rich
| er and greater. shall transfnse body
| and mind with Its nohler spiendour.---
Your sincere friend.
JOHN THOMAS.