*  14 Lost Ideals Observe however that of mans whole terrestrial Possessions and attainments unspeakable the noblest are His symbols divine or divine seeming; under which he marches and fights with victorious assurance, in this life- battle; what we can call his realized ideals. Of which realized ideals omitting the rest, consider only theses two; his church, or spiritual guidance; his Kingship or temporal one. The church what a word was there richer than Golconda and the treasure of the world In the heart of the remote mountains rise the little kirk; the dead all slumbered around it in under there White memorial stone ‘in hope and in happy resurrections’; Dull wert thou …if never in any hour . . it spoke to thee things unspeakable, that went to they souls soul. Strong was he that had a Church – what we call a Church; he stood thereby, though ‘in the center of Immensities in the conflux of Eternities; yet manlike towards god and man the vague shoeless universe had become a firm city for him a dwelling which he knew such virtue was in belief; in theses words well spoken I believe. Well might men prize their Credo and rise stateliest temple for it and revenge Hierarchies and give the title of the substance; it was worth living for and dying for.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, But in those decadent ages in which no ideal either grows or blossoms? When belief and loyalty have passed away, and only the cant and false echo of them remains; and all solemnity has become Pageantry and the creed of persons in authority ..…..an imbecility or a machiavelism? Alas of these ages world-history can take no notice; they have to be compressed more and more and finally suppressed in the annals of man kind; blotted out as spurious, - which indeed they are. Hapless ages wherein if ever in any, it is an unhappiness to be born. To be born and to learn only but every tradition and example that gods universe is Belial’s and lie; and the supreme quack the hierarchy of men! In which mournfulness faith never- the less do we not see whole generations …live what they call living; and vanish?…… ………………………   *