forms of life, with its grandeur, its beauty and its loveliness; the
stars and the heavenly bodies of light that crown the universe; the
marching of the days from the Infinite to the Infinite; the procession
of the years from Eternity to Eternity; all this, indeed, is but God's
good dream. And the hope of immortality--of that better life that lies
beyond the horizon of our years--what a vision is that--what a
wondrous dream--given us by God to inspire, to guide, to comfort, to
hold us true!

With wide eyes the man looked out upon a wide world somewhat as a
conquering emperor, confident in his armed strength, might from a
hilltop look out over the scene of a coming battle. He did not see the
grinding hardships, the desperate struggles, the disastrous losses,
the pitiful suffering. The dreadful dangers did not grip his heart.
The horrid fear of defeat did not strike his soul. He did not know the
dragging weight of responsibility nor the dead weariness of a losing
fight. He saw only the deeds of mighty valor, the glorious exhibitions
of courage, of heroism, of strength. He felt only the thrill of
victories, the pride of honors and renown. He knew only the
inspiration of a high purpose. He heard only the call to greatness.
And it was well that in his Dreams there were only these.

The splendid strength of young manhood stirred mightily in his limbs.
The rich, red, blood of youth moved swiftly in his veins. His eager
spirit shouted aloud in exultation of the deeds that he would do. And,
surely, it was no shame to him that at this moment, when for the first
time he realized his manhood, this man, in his secret heart, felt
himself to be a leader of men, a conqueror of men, a savior of men. It
was no shame to him that he felt the salvation of the world depending
upon him.