Yet here from the
very first moment (and what a number of sacrifices had to be made, what
a wealth of activity was poured out!) I had to give information, advice,
and decisions on matters which hitherto I had not thought it necessary
seriously to consider, and so also here, in my new position, I soon came
to feel myself isolated, to stand alone.
I sought counsel where I had so often found it. I looked within myself
and to Nature for help. Here my plan of culture, hitherto followed only
for my own needs, came opportunely to my assistance. When I was
consulted by others, I looked to Nature for the answer, and let Nature,
life, spirit, and law speak for themselves through me; then the answer
was not merely satisfactory. No! its simple, unhesitating confidence and
youthful freshness gladdened and quickened the inquirer.
This was all well enough when universal human interests were concerned,
but how about matters of instruction? I could, in fact, fairly confess
that in many respects I had no title to call myself a cultured man, for
hitherto all my culture had been fragmentary or imaginative.
Once again I found myself in conflict with my environment; for I could
not possibly torture my scholars with what I myself had refused to be
tortured with--namely, the learning by heart of disconnected rules.
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