LETTER XIII
TREES AND BRICK WALLS
May 16, 1917.
You
fear lest the dismal prophesies of world-disaster, of cataclysm, of the
destruction of half the human race which you hear from many sources, may
tend to discourage the world.
Remember that hope springs eternal in the human breast. And if
the minds of men are familiar with the idea of cataclysm, they will more
readily adjust themselves to lesser changes.
Read the Old Testament. The most dismal prophecies were not
verified, but changes came.
Some of the “independent ministers” of
America are more violent than Jeremiah. But they help indirectly—in
accustoming the minds of men to the idea of change.
If panics come—and they may—refuse to be panic-stricken.
If violence comes—and it may—refuse to be violent.
If discouragements come—and they will—refuse to be discouraged.
When your brains become over-heated, look steadily at the trees.
They will quiet you. If there are no trees in your neighborhood—why, look at
a brick wall in moments of excitement. A brick wall is a soothing spectacle.
It stands steady, unless moved from without.
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