按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
command； 〃Honour thy father and mother； that thy days may be long in
the land。〃 On reverence for the authority of bygone generations depends
the permanence of every form of thought or belief； as much as of all social；
national； and family life： but on reverence of the spirit； not merely of the
letter； of the methods of our ancestors； not merely of their conclusions。
Ay； and we shall not be able to preserve their conclusions； not even to
understand them； they will die away on our lips into skeleton notions； and
soulless phrases； unless we see that the greatness of the mighty dead has
always consisted in this； that they were seekers； improvers； inventors；
endued with that divine power and right of discovery which has been
bestowed on us； even as on them； unless we become such men as they
were； and go on to cultivate and develop the precious heritage which they
have bequeathed to us； instead of hiding their talent in a napkin and
burying it in the earth； making their greatness an excuse for our own
littleness； their industry for our laziness； their faith for our despair； and
prating about the old paths； while we forget that paths were made that men
might walk in them； and not stand still； and try in vain to stop the way。
It may be said； certainly； as an excuse for these Alexandrian Greeks；
that they were a people in a state of old age and decay； and that they only
exhibited the common and natural faults of old age。 For as with
individuals； so with races； nations； societies； schools of thought youth is
the time of free fancy and poetry； manhood of calm and strong induction；
old age of deduction； when men settle down upon their lees； and content
themselves with reaffirming and verifying the conclusions of their earlier
years； and too often； alas！ with denying and anathematising all conclusions
26
… Page 27…
ALEXANDRIA AND HER SCHOOLS
which have been arrived at since their own meridian。 It is sad： but it is
patent and common。 It is sad to think that the day may come to each of
us； when we shall have ceased to hope for discovery and for progress；
when a thing will seem e priori false to us； simply because it is new； and
we shall be saying querulously to the Divine Light which lightens every
man who comes into the world： 〃Hitherto shalt thou come； and no
further。 Thou hast taught men enough； yea rather； thou hast exhausted
thine own infinitude； and hast no more to teach them。〃 Surely such a
temper is to be fought against； prayed against； both in ourselves； and in the
generation in which we live。 Surely there is no reason why such a
temper should overtake old age。 There may be reason enough； 〃in the
nature of things。〃 For that which is of nature is born only to decay and
die。 But in man there is more than dying nature； there is spirit； and a
capability of spiritual and everlasting life； which renews its youth like the
eagle's； and goes on from strength to strength； and which； if it have its
autumns and its winters； has no less its ever…recurring springs and
summers； if it has its Sabbaths； finds in them only rest and refreshment for
coming labour。 And why not in nations； societies； scientific schools？
These too are not merely natural： they are spiritual； and are only living
and healthy in as far as they are in harmony with spiritual； unseen； and
everlasting laws of God。 May not they； too； have a capability of
everlasting life； as long as they obey those laws in faith； and patience； and
humility？ We cannot deny the analogy between the individual man and
these societies of men。 We cannot； at least； deny the analogy between
them in growth； decay； and death。 May we not have hope that it holds
good also for that which can never die； and that if they do die； as this old
Greek society did； it is by no brute natural necessity； but by their own
unfaithfulness to that which they knew； to that which they ought to have
known？ It is always more hopeful； always； as I think； more philosophic；
to throw the blame of failure on man； on our own selves； rather than on
God； and the perfect law of His universe。 At least let us be sure for
ourselves； that such an old age as befell this Greek society； as befalls many
a man nowadays； need not be our lot。 Let us be sure that earth shows no
fairer sight than the old man； whose worn…out brain and nerves make it
27
… Page 28…
ALEXANDRIA AND HER SCHOOLS
painful； and perhaps impossible； to produce fresh thought himself： but
who can yet welcome smilingly and joyfully the fresh thoughts of others；
who keeps unwearied his faith in God's government of the universe； in
God's continual education of the human race； who draws around him the
young and the sanguine； not merely to check their rashness by his wise
cautions； but to inspirit their sloth by the memories of his own past
victories； who hands over； without envy or repining； the lamp of truth to
younger runners than himself； and sits contented by； bidding the new
generation God speed along the paths untrodden by him； but seen afar off
by faith。 A few such old persons have I seen； both men and women； in
whom the young heart beat pure and fresh； beneath the cautious and
practised brain of age； and gray hairs which were indeed a crown of glory。
A few such have I seen； and from them I seemed to learn what was the
likeness of our Father who is in heaven。 To such an old age may He
bring you and me； and all for whom we are bound to pray。
28
… Page 29…
ALEXANDRIA AND HER SCHOOLS
LECTURE IITHE PTOLEMAIC
ERA （Continued。）
I said in my first Lecture； that even if royal influence be profitable for
the prosecution of physical science； it cannot be profitable for art。 It can
only produce a literary age； as it did in t