Page:The Praises of Amida, 1907.djvu/86

 we are good or bad. The saintliest of men come to it, but so do also the profligates; the sages of austere life come, and so do the careless and the prodigal. Scholars and thieves, gentlemen and beggars,—all alike come, Men come to it, as men, women, as women: the soldier comes with his sword girt on him, the herdsman with his herds driven before him,—all alike come to the Gate of Religion. No notice is taken of worldly distinctions: all that is asked is whether we are honest or the reverse. No man that has a lie about him, of any sort or kind, may enter into religion: for religion is the country where none may dwell but those who are free from lies. And over its Entrance-Gate are carved the two words, "Honesty and Uprightness." 13. The first requisite therefore for entering upon religion is to ascertain one's own worth. If your self-examination reveals to you that you are a man capable of work and free from sin, so much the better. Go forward, as a righteous man, capable of action, and work out your own