For such an institution must in time have taught what all its
court-houses and all its pulpits--laws human and divine--have not
been able to teach: it must have taught the noble commonwealth to
cease murdering. Standing there in the heart of the people's land,
it must have grown to stand in the heart of their affections: and
so standing, to stand for peace. For true learning always stands
for peace. Letters always stand for peace. And it is the scholar of
the world who has ever come into it as Christ came: to teach that
human life is worth saving and must be saved.




VII


The storm approaching David was vaster and came faster.

Several days had passed since his anxious and abruptly terminated
interview with his pastor. During the interval he had addressed no
further inquiries to any man touching his religious doubts. A
serious sign: for when we cease to carry such burdens to those who
wait near by as our recognized counsellors and appointed guides,
the inference is that succor for our peculiar need has there been
sought in vain. This succor, if existent at all, will be found
elsewhere in one of two places: either farther away from home in
greater minds whose teaching has not yet reached us; or still
nearer home in what remains as the last court of inquiry and
decision: in the mind itself. With greater intellects more remote
the lad had not yet been put in touch; he had therefore grown