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THE PRACTICAL PATH. generally do good by gifts of money, medicine, clothes and the like, which, even when we lose sight of the fact that these things are not always acquired or amassed with a strict regard to the rules of virtue or good conduct, can only go to afford temporary relief to the suffering, or, at best, enable them to stand upon their legs to enter into the struggle for life,-to thrive at the expense of their fellow beings. The good that constantly flows from the being of the Perfect Ones is not to be compared to this kind of human philanthropy; it is the greatest good which one living being can do to another, and consists in the imparting of the knowledge which would enable each and every soul, who cares to benefit thereby, to attain freedom from all kinds of bonds, and the perfection and joy of Gods. Aud not only is the knowledge imparted by the Holy Ones the true source of freedom and joy, the example set by Them is even more useful to those who aspire to escape from pain and misery consequent on the four conditions of life, deva, manushya, tiryancha, and nâraka. Their holy feet have illumined the Path to the highest height of glory, and we have Their noble example before us to inspire and encourage us in the pursuit of the Ideal. Let no one in his senses call this idleness or stultification of character.
It is true that the siddhâtmans do not concern themselves with the affairs of men--neither does the OverLord of theology, for the matter of that, else we should not have terrible slaughter of men in wars to say : nothing of other calamities which periodically befall mankind--but it is no less true that no righteous request
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