simplicity of a profoundly unselfish
heart, look upon their particular savior as the manifestation of a special
miracle, as being something entirely apart and distinct from the nature of
things, and as being, in his ethical excellence, eternally unapproachable
by the whole of mankind. This attitude of unbelief (for such it is) in the
divine perfectibility of man, paralyzes effort, and binds the souls of men
as with strong ropes to sin and suffering. Jesus "grew in wisdom" and was
"perfected by suffering." What Jesus was, he became such; what Buddha was,
he became such; and every holy man became such by unremitting perseverance
in self-sacrifice. Once recognize this, once realize that by watchful
effort and hopeful perseverance you can rise above your lower nature, and
great and glorious will be the vistas of attainment that will open out
before you. Buddha vowed that he would not relax his efforts until he
arrived at the state of perfection, and he accomplished his purpose.

What the saints, sages, and saviors have accomplished, you likewise may
accomplish if you will only tread the way which they trod and pointed out,
the way of self-sacrifice, of self-denying service.

Truth is very simple. It says, "Give up self," "Come unto Me" (away from
all that defiles) "and I will give you rest." All the mountains of
commentary that have been piled upon it cannot hide it from the heart that
is earnestly seeking for Righteousness. It does not require learning; it
can be known in spite of learning. Disguised under many forms by erring
self-seeking man, the beautiful simplicity and clear transparency of Truth
remains unaltered and undimmed, and the unselfish heart enters into and
partakes of its shining radiance. Not by weaving complex theories, not by
building up speculative philosophies is Truth realized; but by weaving the
web of inward purity, by building up the Temple of a stainless life is
Truth realized.

He who enters upon this holy way begins by restraining his passions. This
is virtue, and is the beginning of saintship, and saintship is the
beginning of holiness. The entirely worldly man gratifies all his desires,
and practices no more restraint than the law of the land in which he lives
demands; the virtuous man restrains his passions; the saint attacks the
enemy of Truth in its stronghold within his own heart, and restrains all
selfish and impure thoughts; while the holy man is he who is free from
passion and all impur