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.

The record of those who have lived to advance the cause of freedom and right by proving that man represents mind, not matter; that he is superior to the mere accidents of time and place, may be found in every land. Moral and spiritual greatness finds its heaven everywhere; it recognizes the Divine presence and power as supreme over all the threatenings of error. This is finely illustrated in St. Paul's experience. When compelled by human injustice to spend over two years in the Roman garrison at Caesarea, he employed his time in sowing the seeds of truth among the soldiers and in learning through their severe discipline the tactics and possible efficiency of a soldier of Jesus Christ. Later, when awaiting his trial in Rome, though living "in his own hired house," he was still a prisoner, guarded by a soldier to whom he was chained. These soldiers were members of the imperial guard, and a new one was detailed each month for this service. It would not be possible to conceive of a greater contrast than that which they must have discovered between Paul's pure and lofty discourse, his demonstrations of the Christ-power, and the nameless infamies of Nero's palace with which they were so familiar. It is clear, however, that through Paul's superiority to circumstances, the glorious light of Truth found its way to the hearts of many. One after another of these guards accepted the gospel of Christ and carried its healing message back to the palace and to far distant lands. No words can more eloquently tell the story of the triumph of good, than those of the letter to the Philippians in which Paul speaks of "the saints" that are of Caesar's household. Was not this consummation worth all that he endured of persecution, distress, peril, and the sword? Does it not prove that a man inspired by Truth may find in every place and condition an opportunity to do noble things, achieve success, be truly great?

In the life of our Leader we may see that her seeming hindrances were but an incentive to heroic deeds, the fruit of which brings healing to all who are willing to accept the Christ method. Her years of suffering, her failure to find help in drugs or in mortal mind but prompted her to seek and find the truth which is now blessing the world.

As Truth is understood and obeyed, the material environment is mastered and ultimately changed. The wilderness of disappointed human hopes is cleared of its thorns and brambles, and instead we find the blossomings of spiritual promise, the proofs of truth and love. K.

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Letters

Letters to our Leader

October 1, 1904

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