ave an active
interest in the necessary warfare of life. For life is a warfare--not
of persons, but of principles--and every man who loves his freedom
loves to be in the midst of the battle. Our tendencies to selfish
discontent are constantly warring against our love of usefulness and
service, and he who wishes to enjoy the full activity of freedom must
learn to fight and to destroy the tendencies within himself which stand
in the way of his own obedience to law. But he needs, for this, the
truthful and open spirit which leads to wise self-knowledge; a quiet
and a willing spirit, to make the necessary sacrifice of selfish pride.
His quiet earnestness will give him the strength to carry out what his
clear vision will reveal to him in the light of truth He will keep his
head lifted up above his enemies round about him, so that he may
steadily watch and clearly see how best to act. After periods of hard
fighting the intervals of rest will be full of refreshment, and will
always bring new strength for further activity. If, in the battle with
difficult circumstances, we are thrown down, we must pick ourselves up
with quick decision, and not waste a moment in complaint or
discouragement. We should emphasize to ourselves the necessity for
picking ourselves up immediately, and going directly on, over and over
again,--both for our own benefit, and the benefit of those whom we have
the privilege of helping.

In the Japanese training of "Jiu Jitsu," the idea seems to be to drop
all subjective resistance, and to continue to drop it, until, through
the calmness and clearness of sight that comes from quiet nerves and a
free mind, the wrestler can see where to make the fatal stroke. When
the right time has arrived, the only effort which is necessary is
quick, sharp and conclusive. This wonderful principle is often misused
for selfish ends, and in such cases it leads eventually to bondage
because, by the successful satisfaction of selfish motives, it
strengthens the hold of our selfishness upon us; but, when used in an
unselfish spirit, it is an ever-increasing source of strength. In the
case of difficult circumstances,--if we cease to resist,--if we accept
the facts of life,--if we are willing to be poor, or ill, or
disappointed, or to live with people we do not like,--we gain a
quietness of nerve and a freedom of mind which clears off the mists
around us, so that our eyes may see and recognize the gate of
opportunity,--open before u