The world admits that there is another world, that there is a kingdom,
veritable and worth having, which, nevertheless, is invisible and has
nothing to do with any kingdom such as we now see. It agrees that the
wisdom of this other kingdom is foolishness here on earth, while the
wisdom of the world is foolishness in the Kingdom of Heaven. In our
hearts we know that the Kingdom of Heaven is the higher of the two and
the better worth living and dying for, and that, if it is to be won, it
must be sought steadfastly and in singleness of heart by those who put
all else on one side and, shrinking from no sacrifice, are ready to face
shame, poverty and torture here rather than abandon the hope of the prize
of their high calling. Nobody who doubts any of this is worth talking
with.
The question is, where is this Heavenly Kingdom, and what way are we to
take to find it? Happily the answer is easy, for we are not likely to go
wrong if in all simplicity, humility and good faith we heartily desire to
find it and follow the dictates of ordinary common-sense.