THE tendency of human conclusions has been to classify idealism and realism as two wholly divergent states of thought, having no meeting ground, no prospective partnership, at any rate not in this world. The idealist, arousing sometimes admiration, but as frequently cynicism and intolerance, is held, in the words of Goethe, to treat "the impossible as though it were possible," and by a process of selection to present always a rosier prospect than is justified either by experience or by evidence. The realist, also by a process of selection, finds little difficulty in presenting, from logical deductions, an entirely opposite and far from rosy point of view.
"Hitch your wagon to a star," said Emerson, thus giving an admirable illustration of the distance which the idealist believes stretches between himself and his goal, and also of the advice which the realist would expect to receive from the idealist. Interpreting Emerson's statement, Mrs. Eddy writes on page 17 of "Unity of Good": "I say, Be allied to the deific power, and all that is good will aid your journey." What a complete and unequivocal confirmation of the idealism of Jesus and of Paul, conveyed in the words, "The kingdom of God is within you," and, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"!
The ideal of Jesus, as expressed in his words and deeds, was neither impractical, elusive, nor remote. It was not a kingdom of heaven afar off, but within. It was not future salvation, future health, future peace and joy, but here and now the consciousness of oneness with the Father, the entering into Life. "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
