41.
To-day and To-morrow.
One man says the present is everything, that eternity is nothing. The other man says eternity is everything, that the present is nothing. I believe the real truth is that both are man's chief concern, and neither view comprehends all truth. In this matter, the general rule I have so often pointed out will harmoniously apply. That rule is: Avoid extremes.
Those who believe that the Now, the Present, is the all-important thing in man's life have the fashionable or favorite point of view.
Man has much definite information about the present, he knows much about life. He is in the midst of life—it pulsates all around him and in him.
We know positively that the law of compensation is inexorable in its demand for right and positive in its punishment of wrong.
We know that on this earth kindness, love, occupation, help, truth, honor and sympathy are investments which bring happiness to-day. You get your pay instantly when you have done a helpful act, and you get your punishment instantly when you have done a hurtful act.
The Hereafter.
That there is a future most of us agree, because good sense and logic point to that sane and reasonable conclusion. So be it. With a belief in the future estate, it is reasonable to assume that our acts and lives in the present will have influence on our future estate.
We know positively of to-day; we know the happiness we can get from good deeds done to-day. We come to this knowledge by experience.