This process continues until it becomes a fixed mental habit. It is then indulged almost as unconsciously as the drawing of breath. At this point in the history of one’s thought-life his standards have become second nature. A thing is then proven good if its definite relation to the good old days can be established. On the other hand, it is at once proven frivolous and superficial if it is shown to originate in the present age. No real thought process is here involved. The thing is only an assumption and is simply taken for granted. It reveals itself in daily conversation. It even reveals itself in the language of the sanctuary where the truth is assumed to prevail. The truth, however, is never reached by methods of prejudice or undue assumption. It is approached by fair and honest habits of thought. We need but to look at the facts. If they indicate that the old days were better than the new, they must be accepted as dependable authority. Whatever the truth may be, it will prevail. We must give it right of way, however unwelcome its conclusions may seem. It is as changeless as its Creator. We must accept it as we find it, but we dare not fail to look first at the facts and form our conclusions accordingly. Of course, distance lends enchantment to the view. This, however, is not a reason for persisting in error. It is one of the facts to be taken into consideration in estimating the relative values to be placed upon the distant and the near. When a gunner is getting the range of a target an angle must be computed between the target and a point at each side of the gun. Various conditions which may affect the shot, however, must also be considered. Among these are the movement of the target, the condition of the atmosphere, and the direction and velocity of the wind. Just such influences must also be considered in taking mental aim. The tendency mentioned above is one of them. In some ways it is a fortunate fact that we are prone to forget the sordid in the past. It is better that it should be the good rather than the evil of past days that is best remembered. This is one of the hopeful elements in human nature. It is a fact, nevertheless, that sordid elements existed in the ages gone. Each epoch has had its failings, and each generation has discovered that life has its seamy side.