HOW TO ATTAIN TRUE GREATNESS. 37

 

man. Then, and only then, can he begin
to lead truly a moral life. Before, he may
be externally moral from mere external re-
straints; now, he becomes moral from an
internal principle. Do you apprehend the
difference ?”

“Yes, I believe that I do. But I must
confess that I cannot see how I am ever to
act from the motives you propose. If I
wait for them, I shall stand still and do
nothing.”

“Still, you can make the effort. Every

thing must have a beginning. Only let the ©.

germ be planted in your mind, and, like the
seed that seems so small and insignificant,
it will soon exhibit signs of life, and pre-
sently shoot up, and put forth its green
leaves, and, if fostered, give a permanent
strength that will be superior to the power
of every tempest of evil principles that may
rage against it.”

“Your reasonings and analogies are very
beautiful, and no doubt true, but I cannot
feel their force,” James Abercrombie said,

XI.—3

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