The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-06-01

cd ones
They go on to shocking extent where ntelli-
ecnce dwclls.
a | sometimes wish that truth never existed
/ At other times wish that it might be captured
and consigned to very kind treatment on an island
in the Pacific.
i You Sec don't exactly hate it. But | believe
the time has come when it ought TO be put under
| restraint.
However, it might escape from the island as
| Napoleon escaped from Elba.
You may say that. if all people really had tho
| truth they would love it and submit it rever-
emily adoringly, as the lover submits to his mis-
tress.
But already they think they have it And their
love, instead of making them submissive. instead
of giving them the beautiful meckness OF the lover
becomes fury OF madness.
Don't you sec. ii IS because they think they
have the truth that they go mad?
I know who has attained marvellous
peace OF mind Nothing seems to trouble him.
He his burdens lightly as he might wear a
loose, wcllftting suit. He is never in a hurry
never fustcrcd. He has time even to listen to the
troubles OF others.
Advice he never volunteers. But if he is asked
for IT, he gives it somewhat hestatngly, always
tentatively. thing OF uncertain value.
1t is odd that many people like TO talk their
problems with HIM.
Once | asked him it he could explain to me
the secret OF his power.
He smiled smiles at delicate bit of
humor.
After an interval. he said: 81 think it may be
that long ago gave up believing two and two
made four.
DO YOU believe that two and two do not make
four" | said
"Oh, no. he replied very gently.
! have never been able to reconcile with Ralph
" aldo Emerson story they tell about Emerson. !
At the outbreak OF the civil war Emerson went
among his ncighbors i'll Concord. rejoicing. He |
felt that generous impulse animaing the |
country and leading il to Heroic expression.
So ii was.
These things Emerson chose not to take into
account.
For Emerson the strife stood for the truth
But like many other advocates OF war, Finer
son favored strife at distance.
When he used to sec Bronson Alcott. animated |
with the passion OF truth and bursting with voc-
erous argument, coming up the front path, he
would jump out OF the back window.
However, Emerson might conceive the truth
as strife for Others he conceived it for himself as
peace, the right to think his thoughts without
warfare.
There is good deal in that idea about the
truth for oneself.
If could only keep the truth for oneself
and to oneself
But those who get it Tor themselves long to 1
impose it on others And the stronger they feel
So it may nc that there is no such thing as
capturing the truth and treating ii kindly on that
island in the Pacific. 1t may be there is no island
big enough to hold it
As we look out into tho world and sec truth
asserting itself everywhere. what tries to pass
itself off the truth VIC confront the possibility
Of its being mary headed Is
Then reminded OF the many headed i
monster OF fable. so hard to subduc ii
For this reason ! am in favor OF concerted 5
movement to drive the truth out OF the world
Express itself through voluntary agreement that =
,ach OF shall drive out the truth in himself. {
As I write | can fancy hear protest. {
1t makes me realize how precious the truth is G
o every in the world, his special truth I
And that special truth is in conflict with all the
,thcr truths in the world that differ from it. n
1t is like little garden in the heart so long .
IS it is kept in the heart, where it belongs y
When think OF 1t a little garden how il /
hangcs its aspect. g
But everything seems different out of its own il
nvironment out OF its sphere. 1t realize all e
IS beauty only where it belongs. b
Then let each OF keep his little garden, 81
rovidcd he keep it in his heart s
But let him not interfere with any other little y
arden Let him not tramplc in that sacred place a.
there the love of truth flowers, creating beauty {;
the humbcst, the lowlicst.
So let us tread softly Let each OF us love and =
herish, not only his little garden, but the
ardcns of the others.
Maybe VIC shall find that in this x,y the