And now let us consider some of the rewards that will come to those who give attention to the culture of the spirit.  Emerson says that “it is our manners that associate us,” and this is one of his truest observations.  We all wish, or we all should wish, to become fitted for association with the good, the refined, the intelligent, the cultivated, with those who have a noble purpose in life.  Into such society there is but one passport—­intelligence, and gentle, quiet, cultivated manners, coupled with a like noble and earnest purpose.  Possessed of these, any person may be sure of a welcome in the best society, however plain in appearance or dress.  Wanting in these, good looks and fine dress are of no avail to secure the coveted association.  Remember I am now speaking of the society of intellectual, refined, and cultivated people, and not of mere fashionable society.  But to gain friendly and equal access to this best society, the culture of heart and mind must be genuine; it must be thorough, deep, sincere.  The young person whose education of mind and heart is shallow and superficial, who has no definite aim in life, may well fear to submit to the critical tests sure to be applied by such society.

I cannot better illustrate my meaning than by relating to you two incidents that have come under my own personal observation.  You all know that in our old Eastern cities, which have so long been the homes of wealth and learning, is to be found a society almost unequalled for its high standard of intellectual culture and refined manners as well as for beneficent actions.  Two young Western women whom I have known, aspired to gain access to and meet with recognition in a certain famous circle of such people in one of these Eastern cities.  Both young women were graduates of Western universities, and had had really exceptional advantages for acquiring a thorough collegiate education.  One had been surrounded by every possible helpful condition.  Fond parents, possessed of abundance of this world’s goods, and admiring friends, had done everything in their power to secure for her freedom from all other cares while she was pursuing her studies.  Being thus helped and petted and praised and encouraged she seemed to feel that all circumstances and everybody’s convenience and comfort must give way for her plans and interests.  The other young girl was the eldest daughter of a poor widow.  She struggled through the university by teaching in vacation; renting a poor little room in the town where the university was situated, and cooking her own food, doing her own washing and ironing, living in the plainest way, wearing cheap clothing, and eating the plainest food, while she was pursuing her studies.  Her struggles with poverty and bitter circumstances taught her sympathy and kindness and helpfulness; and though she was plain, very plain, in face and figure, the gentle kindness of her spirit was apparent to all.  As time passed on after their graduation,