flowering-out would never be possible were it not for the antecedent
growth. The Hebrew nation, developed through workaday righteousness,
manifested wonderful power in sudden crises. The inner forces of moral
purpose which at times seemed hidden or dead because of the riot of
wickedness suddenly blossomed forth in mighty bursts of prophecy; but
the all-essential was the long-continued practice of righteousness which
made possible the sudden crisis; and this is in keeping with the
teachings of most commonplace human experience. The daily struggle
prepares for the sharp, quick strain or for the swift unfolding of a new
moral purpose. There is nothing more arbitrary in the crises in the
scriptural movement than in the ordinary ongoings of our lives. The
student who has long been wrestling with a problem finds the solution
instantaneously bursting upon him in the midst of untoward
circumstances. The most insignificant trifle may finally turn the lock
which opens to the glorious revelation after prolonged brooding. The
daily practice may make men ready for the shock which leaps upon them
altogether unexpected.

We summarize by saying that the essentials of biblical truth came in
progressive revelations to men who were putting forth their energies to
live up to the largest ideals they could reach; and that they sought
these larger ideals for use in their lives. It must be understood in all
that we have said about acting the revelation out into life that we do
not mean merely the more matter-of-fact activities. It should be noticed
that whenever men speak of will-activities they are apt to give the
impression that they mean some putting forth of bodily energy. The will
to do scriptural righteousness did not manifest itself merely in outside
actions. It manifested itself just as thoroughly in bearings and
attitudes of the inner spirit; and the appeal was always to the will to
hold itself fast in the direction of the highest life, whatever the form