December 18

THIS it is that links together as one The sad continual companies of men; Not that the old earth stands, and Ararat Endureth, and Euphrates till to-day Remembers where God walked beside the stream; Nay, rather that souls weary and hearts afire Have everywhere besought Him, everywhere Have found and found Him not; and age to age, Though all else pass and fail, delivereth At least the great tradition of their God.

For even thus on Ur and Mahanaim, By Asian rivers gathering to the sea, When the huge stars shone gold, and dim and still Dewed in the dusk the innocent yearlings lay, With constant eyes the serious shepherd-men Renewed the old desiring, sought again The mute eternal Presence; . . . Nor in all years have any wisdom found, But patient hope and dumb humility.

FREDERIC W. H. MYERS, St. John the Baptist

IDEALS