It is of momentous importance that a nation should have a great past [1021] to look back upon.

It steadies the life of the present, elevates and upholds it, and lightens and lifts it up, by the memory of the great deeds, the noble sufferings, and the valorous achievements of the men of old.

The life of nations, as of men, is a great treasury of experience, which, wisely used, issues in social progress and improvement; or, misused, issues in dreams, delusions, and failure.

Like men, nations are purified and strengthened by trials.

Some of the most glorious chapters in their history are those containing the record of the sufferings by means of which their character has been developed.