right secluded himself in a
little cottage purchased especially for this work. His material was
collected from the observations of his thoughtful years and his intimate
knowledge of human hearts. This book is, perhaps, more representative
of the real Harold Bell Wright than anything he has done. It is the true
presentation of his views on life, love and religion. I once asked Mr.
Wright, in behalf of the faculty, to deliver an address to a graduating
class of some twenty-odd young men of the Morgan Park Academy (Chicago).
He was very busy and I suggested that without special effort he make the
commonplace remarks that one so often hears on like occasions. For the
first time that I remember he somewhat impatiently resented a suggestion
from me, saying "These young men are on the threshold of life and the
very best that is within me is due to them. I can give to them only such
a message as I would, were I to stand before judgment on the morrow." It
was with just this spirit that the author wrote "Their Yesterdays."

Following "Their Yesterdays" the next book in order of publication was
"The Eyes of the World," published in the fall of 1914. It was written
in the same arrow-weed study on Tecolote Rancho in the Imperial Valley
where he wrote "The Calling of Dan Matthews" and "The Winning of Barbara
Worth." Being fully in sympathy with the author's purpose in writing
this story, the campaign of advertising was of such educational
character and so eventful in many ways, that it will long be remembered
by authors, publishers and reading public, and, we trust, make for
cleaner books and pictures.

As it was in the writing of "The Calling of Dan Matthews" so it was in
the writing of "The Eyes of the World," the sense of duty stood highest.
The modern trend in books and music and art and drama had so incensed
the author that "The Eyes of the World" was the result of his all
impelling desire for cleaner living and thinking. As is true of all
writers, there are sometimes those who fail to catch the message in
Mr. Wright's books. He is occasionally misunderstood, and that was
especially true with "The Eyes of the World." To the great majority
of people, clean living and thinking, the message was not to be
misinterpreted and to them the book is blessed. To that small minority
it was convicting and, from a few such, it brought forth condemnation
which, in a fellow author here and there, was pronounced and emphasized
by envy and jealo