Page:Anti-slavery and reform papers by Thoreau, Henry David.djvu/121

 1 10 Aiiti' Slavery and Reform Papers.

dise will be wholly regained at the end of the tenth year.

But, alas! the ten years have already elapsed, and there are no signs of Eden yet, for want of the requisite funds to begin the enterprise in a hopeful manner. Yet it seems a safe investment. Perchance they could be hired at a low rate, the property being mortgaged for security; and, if necessary, it could be given up in any stage of the enterprise, without loss, with the fixtures.

But we see two main difficulties in the way. First, the successful application of the powers by machinery, (we have not yet seen the *' Mechanical System,^^) and, secondly, which is infinitely harder, the application of man to the work by faith. This it is, we fear, which will prolong the ten years to ten thousand at least. It w411 take a power more than '^ 80,000 times greater than all the men on earth could effect with their nerves," to per- suade men to use that which is already offered them.

Even a greater than this physical power must be brought to bear upon that moral power. Faith, indeed, is all the reform that is needed; it is itself a reform. Doubtless, we are as slow to conceive of Paradise as of Heaven, of a perfect natural as of a perfect spiritual world. A7e see how past ages have loitered and erred; " Is perhaps our generation free from irrationality and error? Have we perhaps reached now the summit of human wisdom, and need no more to look out for mental or physical improve- ment? " Undoubtedly, we are never so visionary as to be prepared for what the next hour may bring forth.

MeAXet TO OiloV S' tcTTL TOLOVTOV ^V(J€.L.

The divine is about to be, and such is its nature. In our wisest moments we are secreting a matter, which,