so often in our history we are going to win; not for our prowess in more fortunate war on an even field or with the flowing tide, not for many victories in many lands, but for the sacred places in this our brave land that are memorable for fights that registered the land unconquerable.  Why a last stand and a sacrifice are more inspiring than a great victory is one of the hidden things; but the truth stands:  for thinking of them our spirits re-kindle, our courage re-awakens, and we stiffen our backs for another battle.

III

We have, then, to develop individual patience, courage, and resolution.  Once this is borne in mind our work begins.  In places there is a dangerous idea that sometime in the future we may be called on to strike a blow for freedom, but in the meantime there is little to do but watch and wait.  This is a fatal error; we have to forge our strength in the interval.  There is a further mistake that our national work is something apart, that social, business, religious and other concerns have no relation to it, and consequently we set apart a few hours of our leisure for national work, and go about our day as if no nation existed.  But the middle of the day has a natural connection with the beginning of the day and the end of the day, and in whatever sphere a man finds himself, his acts must be in relation to and consistent with every other sphere.  He will be the best patriot and the best soldier who is the best friend and the best citizen.  One cannot be an honest man in one sphere and a rascal in another; and since a citizen to fulfil his duty to his country must be honourable and zealous, he must develop the underlying virtues in private life.  He must strengthen the individual character, and to do this he must deal with many things seemingly remote and inconsequential from a national point of view.  Everything that crosses a man’s path in his day’s round of little or great moment requires of him an attitude towards it, and the conscious or unconscious shaping of his attitude is determining how he will proceed in other spheres not now in view.  Suppose the case of a man in business or social life.  He has to work with others in a day’s routine or fill up with them hours of leisure they enjoy together.  Consider to what accompaniment the work is often done and with what manner of conversation the leisure is often filled.  In a day’s routine, where men work together, harmonious relations are necessary; yet what bickerings, contentions, animosities fill many a day over points never worth a thought.  You will see two men squabble like cats for the veriest trifle, and then go through days like children, without a word.  You will see something similar in social life among men and women equally—­petty jealousies, personalities, slanderings, mean little stories of no great consequence in themselves, except in the converse sense of showing how small and contemptible everything and everyone concerned is.  A keen