the intellect on this plane, and realizing the limit of the law which draws them together, they could be admiring friends forever; but ignorant of their needs outside of this, they attempt to force a conjugal relationship which too often ends in dislike.  Every grade of lust and love finds representation in the so-called marriage relation, as it stands today.  Intellects and spirits without any bodies—­worth mentioning—­and gross mortal remains unvitalized by souls.  The former class ignore the claims of the physical, and gather their robes together sanctimoniously indicating:  “Avaunt, lest my purity be contaminated”; while the latter laugh their spiritual pride and fastidiousness to scorn.  The war goes on between good and evil, whereas there is really no just ground for difference.  All that is needed for the attainment of harmony and peace is a wise adjustment of these forces in individuals and in society.

* * * * * *

The growth of all true character must be slow and gradual.  It is not enough that the soul perceives the beauty of a grand, moral life, it must also learn to live it humbly, earnestly and truly.

“Ideals of love.”

“Greater love hath no man than that he shall give his life for another,” whether the scene be set upon the mimic stage, or on the broad theatre of the world.  Heroic rescues, desperate efforts to save endangered lives, care of the battle-wounded or fatally diseased meet, from great and small, brutal and cultivated, deserved recognition, even to the extent of making the individual actors—­so favored by the gods—­famous, throughout the world.

The patient service of men and women to their families, of children to their parents, or of friends who rejoice in serving, that goes on all around us conforms so entirely with our established ideals of what is right and becoming, that it is unnoticed and wins no applause, but oftener only calls out from the recipient demands for further sacrifice.

In all such related service the real blessing comes to those who give far more than to those who receive.  The operation of this law hallows all the relationships of this life, and must finally yield to the unselfish giver undreamed of compensations.  Not here, perhaps, but in that sphere of being where love is indeed the fulfilling of the law, shall the patient givers, those who have served at love’s altars, find themselves closely allied to the immortal ones, “who do his pleasure.”

Love, garlanded, and adorned with all that wealth can bestow, enthroned in seats of honor, and social recognition is accepted as our ideal of what love should claim, and win from life; but I have looked into the faces of humble, patient toilers, and there I have seen that the sustaining influence with them was love, and have marvelled greatly over the compelling power of their ideals of love.