I hope I do not err in my analysis of him when I say that it seems to me
that the great immediate contribution to the community and the world made
by Mr. Henley was that of kindliness. I do not know how carefully he had
weighed and compared human values, but it does seem quite clear that in
this he brought as his gift the one thing the world needs most and has
least. We have beautiful temples, stately liturgies, comprehensive creeds,
pretentious programs, strong organizations—but we have none too much of
simple human kindness. Perhaps he saw that and resolved to leave the world
a little richer in gentleness. If so, he has succeeded in his purpose.
The Corner Stones of Life (1925)
Ephesians 2:20–22
In _The Seven Lamps of Architecture_, Ruskin has likened the principles of
that art to those of life. Longfellow declares that, “All are architects
of fate, working in these walls of time.” Paul speaks of us as God’s
building. This is a proper and significant figure. A great architect has
named the four corner stones of a rightly constructed building. They are
also the four corner stones of a rightly constructed life.
I. The first is careful planning. Back of the actual building is always
the blue print, carefully and laboriously made. Back of the blue print is
the dream that has allowed a place for every part of the structure. Back
of the dream is a soul that knows beauty and proportion. A life may be
less beautiful than planned, for some plans fail, but it will never be
more so.
II. The second is careful construction. What will it cost? What aid shall
be employed? What methods of building shall be followed? Much slipshod
work may be done and successfully covered up, but it detracts just that
much from the value of the finished product. Our fathers knew how to
build. Houses they reared still stand while more modern ones have fallen.
May it not be said that our fathers also knew better than we do how to
build lives?
III. The third is good materials. Here is where deception is especially
easy. Poor materials can be worked in, [but] they cannot be made to stand
the test of time. Any product that has in it only the very best of
materials suggests just one thing—character. It is the same with a life.
Incidentally, may it not be assumed that one will live in direct
proportion to the endurance of the materials of which he builds his life?
IV. The fourth corner stone is correct decoration. These are things that
could be left off, but the omission of which would leave the product less
beautiful and worthy. One is culture. One is knowledge. One is religious
consecration and ideals. One might exist without them, but life could
never mean so much.