EFFECT OF THOUGHT ON CIRCUMSTANCES (part C)


           Law, not confusion, is the dominating principle in the
        universe; justice, not injustice, is the soul and substance
        of life; and righteousness, not corruption, is the molding
        and moving force in the spiritual government of the world.
        This being so, man has but to right himself to find that the
        universe is right; and during the process of putting himself
        right, he will find that as he alters his thoughts towards
        things, and other people, things and other people will alter
        toward him.

           The proof of this truth is in every person, and it 
        therefore admits of easy investigation by systematic
        introspection and self-analysis.  Let a man radically
        alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the
        rapid transformation it will effect on the material
        conditions of his life.  Men imagine that thought can
        be kept secret, but it cannot; it rapidly crystallizes
        into habit, and habit solidifies into circumstance.
        Bestial thoughts crystallize into habits of drunken-
        ness and sensuality, which solidify into circumstances
        of destitution and disease:  impure thoughts of every 
        kind crystallize into enervating and confusing habits,
        which solidify into distracting and adverse circum-
        stances:  thoughts of fear, doubt, and indecision
        crystallize into weak, unmanly, and irresolute habits,
        which solidify into circumstances of failure, indigence,
        and slavish dependence:  lazy thoughts crystallize into
        habits of uncleanliness and dishonesty, which crystallize
        into circumstances of foulness and beggary:  hateful and
        condemnatory thoughts crystallize into habits of accusa-
        tion and violence, which solidify into circumstances of
        injury and persecution:  selfish thoughts of all kinds
        crystallize into habits of self-seeking, which solidify
        into circumstances more or less distressing.  On the
        other hand, beautiful thoughts of all kinds crystallize
        into habits of grace and kindness, which solidify into
        genial and sunny circumstances:  pure thoughts crystal-
        lize into habits of temperance and self-control, which
        solidify into circumstances of repose and peace:  thoughts
        of courage, self-reliance, and decision crystallize into
        manly habits, which solidify into circumstances of success,
        plenty, and freedom:  energetic thoughts crystallize into
        habits of cleanliness and industry, which solidify into
        circumstances of pleasantness:  gentle and forgiving
        thoughts crystallize into habits of gentleness, which
        solidify into protective and preservative circumstances:
        loving and unselfish thoughts crystallize into habits of
        self-forgetfulness for others, which solidify into circum-
        stances of sure and abiding prosperity and true riches.

           A particular train of thought persisted in, be it
        good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on
        the character and circumstances.  A man cannot
        directly choose his circumstances, but he can
        choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, 
        shape his circumstances.

           Nature helps every man to the gratification of the
        the thoughts which he most encourages, and opportunities
        are presented which will most speedily bring to the sur-
        face both the good and evil thoughts.

           Let a man cease from his sinful thoughts, and all the
        world will soften toward him, and be ready to help him;
        let him put away his weakly and sickly thoughts, and lo!
        opportunities will spring up to every hand to aid his
        strong resolves; let him encourage good thoughts, and no
        hard fate shall bind him down to wretchedness and shame.
        The world is your kaleidoscope, and the varying combina-
        tions of colors which at every succeeding moment it pre-
        sents to you are the exquisitely adjusted pictures of your
        evermoving thoughts.

                "You will be what you will be;
                   Let failure find its false content
                   In that poor world, 'environment,'
                 But spirit scorns it, and is free.

                "It masters time, it conquers space;
                   It cows that boastful trickster, Chance,
                   And bids the tyrant Circumstance
                 Uncrown, and fill a servant's place.

                "The human Will, that force unseen,
                   The offspring of a deathless Soul,
                   Can hew a way to any goal,
                 Though walls of granite intervene.

                "Be not impatient in delay,
                   But wait as one who understands;
                   When spirit rises and commands,
                 The gods are ready to obey."