TheSupreme Duty. 179
true, whatever words describe It. Only the
pureinheartshall have the beatific vision, for
thatwhichisitselfabsolutepuritymustbeshared
inbytheworshipperereitcanbeseen.
Andthen add to these ideals of truth and
ofpurityone thatislackinginourmodern life,
the ideal of reverence for what Is noble, of
adoration for that which is higher than one's
self. Modernlifeisbecomingpettybecausewe
are not strong enough to reverence. Modern
lifeISbecomingbase,sordid,andvulgarbecause
menfear that theywill sinkif theybowtheir
heads to that which is greater than they are
themselves. 1 tell you that worship of that
whichishigherthanyourself raisesyou,itdoes
notdegradeyou. Thatthefeelingofreverence
isa feeling that liftsyou up,it does not take
you down. We have talked so much about
rights that we have forgotten that which is
greater thana man's rightwith himself. Itis