Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-12

looking into the
manifestations of occult things" Then
the young man speaks as follows:
My ancestors, whom / can trace back
for numbers Of centuries, have all been
renowned rabbls and kabballsts. most of
them having been credited with the per-
formance of miraculous cures, etc. So
suppose I naturally inherit desire for
occult knowledge. In some of your ar
ticies you make mention that IL one de-
sires anything strongly enough end puts
forth his best effort toward the attain
ment of il he will certainly accomplish
his purpose or. in other words, you
would advocate that one can absolutely
change the material conditions which he
is fated to undergo.
However. Emerson, in his essay on
'self-Reliance,' tells us to accept the
place the divine Providence has found
for us, the society OF our contemporaries.
the connection of events. Great men
have always done So etc, etc. Now,
this attitude of Emerson, also the atti-
tude of Annie Besant in her book. The
Path of Disciploship.' is just contrary to
the stand you take in some of your arti-
clos.
Furthermore, found, by experience,
It was not best for me TO do those things
the accomplishment of which I was
frustrated in, and that my failures have
simply brought home to me a larger
understanding of life.
IF i am not imposing on you | would
like your personal opinion on the subject
as ] am in sense at the crossroads and
car hardly distinguish between my in
tuitions and reasoning"
! think the young man has not read
carefully tho articles which have APP
peared in this column under my sigma
turc. Theosophy and new thought las 1t
is understood by the writer) both claim
only the possible in the matter of self
development and the changing of ma
terial conditions.
The man born a dwarf could not change
his personality sufficiently to enact the
role of the matinee idol. of Romeo, or OF
Samson. But that he can so conquer
and overcome his seeming great mis-
fortune to the extent of making his life
a brilliant success was illustrated in the
career of the late Marshall Wilder, the
world-famous humorist, lecturer and i'm
personator.
All that is asked Of each OF us Is to
take the material and the conditions
witch life has given us with the time
which belongs to all and, out of these
conditions, construct the very highest
order OF human being possible. One of
the most successful men of the last CEN
tury and one of the most noble phil
anthroplsts vas a waif child left on the
doorstep of an orphan asylum.
Abraham Lincoln and BENJAMIN Frank
lin were both poor boys who slowly and
painfully worked their way out of pow
erty and obscurity into the highest posi-
be positions of trust and into immortal
fame.
Not every one Of us possesses the
brain and the natural endowments which
belonged to these men. But whatever
brain and whatever endowments we dc
possess can be enlarged and increased
by persistent thought coupled with per
sistent action. II is a curious and in
conference.-the fact that whenever we
think strongly and long on any subject
information from unexpected sources
comes 70 us on that subject and OPP
portunities for future investigation
II Is simply the dynamic power OF
thought which blasts away the obstacles
intervening between US and our purpose
and blazes the way toward the attain
ment of our desires
When we are. as the writer Of the
letter above quoted says, thwarted ant
prevented absolutely from the &C
oomplishment OF some purpose. it IL un
questionably the hand OF our invisible
Guide trying to turn us into the righ
path. But one who has true power ant
true ability in any one direction canno
be diverted from that object, and obsta
cles are only hurdles which test hi
strength and skill.
There are foolish and unwise ambition
which ought 10 be thwarted. The cir
who cannot carry an air. and who's
vocal cords were never meant 70 conve!
music 10 the world. should not attemp
10 be an opera singer. The individual
who has nc sense OF rhythm. rhyme o
cadence I'm his soul should not attemp
to be a poet. and the one who has beei
unable TO solve his problems in algebrl
in school should never attempt to ente
upon a career which depends upon ski
in higher mathematics for success.
The anaemic and frail youth shout
not set forth with the vain ambition L
astonish the world as a sandow; but h
should set forth 10 make himself stron
and viFile and to increase his physics
powers by persistent daily exercises an
right breathing and right oalisthenici
Each one Of US should seek to do wei
70 the utmost OF our ability. such dutie
and obligations as lie nearest TO IA
holding IN mind continually larger o.
portunities and a better environment. an
asking the Great Helper for more llgh
ana power.
Ho who does this perslstently and pa
tlantiy Will some day be surprised 70 fin
himself upon the heights