VIRTUES OF THE HEART 105 
of nature has been left to so-called unbelievers and 
“atheists,” as if nature were created by some evil 
spirit. 
In view of these pertinent and poignant facts, how 
is it possible to expect religious progress in human- 
ity ? 
The sustaining of religious enthusiasm needs a 
constantly increasing spiritual fuel. Enthusiasm will 
not thrive on what has already been absorbed in the 
course of past ages. All the good that traditions 
have done is merely the preparation in our souls of 
a larger heart for sublimer religious life. 
To achieve this end we must look more frequently 
into conscience and then into our hearts, in order to 
see the exact growth of our personal goodness. For 
the first and last question to each soul on the passage 
from one life to another, is, what good hast thou 
done during thy past course of life? 
IW hv is the virtue of goodness so essential to our life? 
Because it is the final expression of true humility 
and the incontestable characteristic of the religious 
soul. 
Because it is the virtuous manifestation of inward 
honor, truth and love, the one worthy aim of our life 
and the ineffaceable sign of our divine childship.