Editorial October 1, 1904 Issue

Environment

When failure overtakes mortals, as it often does, they are apt to lay the blame for their misfortunes upon their environment, and they may fail to see that in so doing they are conceding the domination of matter, and practically admitting that mental capacity is the vassal of chance and change. Not only is the teaching of the Bible opposed to such a belief, the facts are against it. History shows that true greatness is wholly independent of external circumstances; it not only exists in spite of them, but even finds occasion for mental unfoldment in what seem to be most adverse conditions. The poet evidently understood this who said, —

Do battle with the leagued world
If worthy, truly brave;
And make each adverse circumstance
A helper or a slave.

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