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to whatever right thing is too evident to be mistaken。 Then
again； though the heart be large； yet the mind is often of such
moderate dimensions as to be exclusively filled up with one idea。
When a good man has long devoted himself to a particular kind of
beneficenceto one species of reformhe is apt to become
narrowed into the limits of the path wherein he treads； and to
fancy that there is no other good to be done on earth but that
self…same good to which he has put his hand； and in the very mode
that best suits his own conceptions。 All else is worthless。 His
scheme must be wrought out by the united strength of the whole
world's stock of love； or the world is no longer worthy of a
position in the universe。 Moreover； powerful Truth； being the
rich grape juice expressed from the vineyard of the ages； has an
intoxicating quality； when imbibed by any save a powerful
intellect； and often； as it were； impels the quaffer to quarrel
in his cups。 For such reasons； strange to say； it is harder to
contrive a friendly arrangement of these brethren of love and
righteousness； in the procession of life。 than to unite even the
wicked； who； indeed； are chained together by their crimes。 The
fact is too preposterous for tears； too lugubrious for laughter。
But； let good men push and elbow one another as they may during
their earthly march； all will be peace among them when the
honorable array or their procession shall tread on heavenly
ground。 There they will doubtless find that they have been
working each for the other's cause； and that every well…delivered
stroke； which； with an honest purpose any mortal struck； even for
a narrow object； was indeed stricken for the universal cause of
good。 Their own view may be bounded by country； creed；
profession； the diversities of individual characterbut above
them all is the breadth of Providence。 How many who have deemed
themselves antagonists will smile hereafter； when they look back
upon the world's wide harvest field； and perceive that； in
unconscious brotherhood； they were helping to bind the selfsame
sheaf！
But； come！ The sun is hastening westward； while the march of
human life； that never paused before； is delayed by our attempt
to rearrange its order。 It is desirable to find some
comprehensive principle； that shall render our task easier by
bringing thousands into the ranks where hitherto we have brought
one。 Therefore let the trumpet； if possible； split its brazen
throat with a louder note than ever； and the herald summon all
mortals； who； from whatever cause； have lost； or never found；
their proper places in the wold。
Obedient to this call； a great multitude come together； most of
them with a listless gait； betokening weariness of soul； yet with
a gleam of satisfaction in their faces； at a prospect of at
length reaching those positions which； hitherto； they have vainly
sought。 But here will be another disappointment； for we can
attempt no more than merely to associate in one fraternity all
who are afflicted with the same vague trouble。 Some great mistake
in life is the chief condition of admittance into this class。
Here are members of the learned professions； whom Providence
endowed with special gifts for the plough； the forge； and the
wheelbarrow； or for the routine of unintellectual business。 We
will assign to them； as partners in the march； those lowly
laborers and handicraftsmen； who have pined； as with a dying
thirst； after the unattainable fountains of knowledge。 The latter
have lost less than their companions； yet more； because they deem
it infinite。 Perchance the two species of unfortunates may
comfort one another。 Here are Quakers with the instinct of battle
in them； and men of war who should have worn the broad brim。
Authors shall be ranked here whom some freak of Nature； making
game of her poor children； had imbued with the confidence of
genius and strong desire of fame； but has favored with no
corresponding power； and others； whose lofty gifts were
unaccompanied with the faculty of expression； or any of that
earthly machinery by which ethereal endowments must be manifested
to mankind。 All these； therefore； are melancholy laughing…stocks。
Next； here are honest and well intentioned persons； who by a want
of tactby inaccurate perceptionsby a distorting
imaginationhave been kept continually at cross purposes with
the world and bewildered upon the path of life。 Let us see if
they can confine themselves within the line of our procession。 In
this class； likewise； we must assign places to those who have
encountered that worst of ill success； a higher fortune than
their abilities could vindicate； writers； actors； painters； the
pets of a day； but whose laurels wither unrenewed amid their
hoary hair； politicians； whom some malicious contingency of
affairs has thrust into conspicuous station； where； while the
world stands gazing at them； the dreary consciousness of
imbecility makes them curse their birth hour。 To such men； we
give for a companion him whose rare talents； which perhaps
require a Revolution for their exercise； are buried in the tomb
of sluggish circumstances。
Not far from these； we must find room for one whose success has
been of the wrong kind； the man who should have lingered in the
cloisters of a university； digging new treasures out of the
Herculaneum of antique lore； diffusing depth and accuracy of
literature throughout his country； and thus making for himself a
great and quiet fame。 But the outward tendencies around him have
proved too powerful for his inward nature； and have drawn him
into the arena of political tumult； there to contend at
disadvantage； whether front to front； or side by side； with the
brawny giants of actual life。 He becomes； it may be； a name for
brawling parties to bandy to and fro； a legislator of the Union；
a governor of his native state； an ambassador to the courts of
kings or queens； and the world may deem him a man of happy stars。
But not so the wise； and not so himself； when he looks through
his experience； and sighs to miss that fitness； the one
invaluable touch which makes all things true and real。 So much
achieved； yet how abortive is his life！ Whom shall we choose for
his companion？ Some weak framed blacksmith； perhaps； whose
delicacy of muscle might have suited a tailor's shopboard better
than the anvil。
Shall we bid the trumpet sound again？ It is hardly worth the
while。 There remain a few idle men of fortune； tavern and
grog…shop loungers； lazzaroni； old bachelors； decaying maidens；
and people of crooked intellect or temper； all of whom may find
their like； or some tolerable approach to it； in the plentiful
diversity of our latter class。 There too； as his ultimate
destiny； must we rank the dreamer； who； all his life long； has
cherished the idea that he was peculiarly apt for something； but
never could determine what it was； and there the most unfortunate
of men； whose purpose it has been to enj