Radicalism is so essential to reform that it cannot be dispensed with, even though it may be marred by a tendency to extravagance of statement and hastiness of action. It is important, however, that a careful separation in thought be made between fealty to Principle and the presumptuous and uncharitable ways in which would-be loyalty is sometimes manifested.
Truth is absolutely uncompromising, and yet it is revealed to erring humanity as infinite Love, and as this Love is reflected in us we shall certainly be very tender and compassionate as well as very true.
The constructive era of reform calls for an attitude which is no less gentle than strong, no less discreet than positive. The thundering condemnations visited upon the idolatrous hosts at Horeb, and the scathing denunciations of hypocritical pretentiousness which were voiced by the Master, constitute but a small part of Truth's historic utterance; far more continuously has it made its appeal in terms of patient pleading.
