Page:Psychology and preaching.djvu/127

 SENTIMENTS AND IDEALS IO9

absent in the sense that it is unrealized, or at most realized in only one, or a portion, of the class of objects to which it belongs. Sentiments other than ideals are indices of character as already organized ; ideals are sign boards which point the direction in which character is developing. One s other sentiments determine in large measure, if not wholly, his ideals ; for, though he may be given the idea of a perfect state far above the actual, how can he desire it if it does not connect somewhere with the feeling-dispositions already organized in him? As the character is organized and some sentiment becomes dominant, some supreme ideal will also develop in harmony therewith.

But, since ideals indicate the direction in which character is growing, does not this doctrine imply a necessary and inevitable continuity without breach in the development of character? Such a conclusion would leave out of account a most important aspect of the matter. Sentiments are organized in experience, and this is true of ideals. Expe rience is the reaction of the personality upon various phases of one s environment. To develop new sentiments or ideals which modify or disintegrate old sentiments and ideals, the persons must have new experiences, must be surrounded with a new environment or Drought into new relations with parts of the existing environment. And certainly so long as the crystallization of the character is not absolute, this is a possibility that is ever open. It should be said that we are using the word environment in its broadest significance including not only the material conditions of life, but the whole universe of personal beings, human and divine.

III. There is clearly no danger of overestimating the im portance of sentiments and ideals, whether we look at the individual, the community or the nation. &quot; The whole his tory of moral progress as we pass down the ages is the record of a succession of changing ideals.&quot; 1 These are true words. Sentiments and ideals are of the very substance of character, personal and social. They are supremely signifi-

^MacCunn, &quot;The Making of Character,&quot; p. 141.

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