Wisdom Vault — onlinknow.co.za

opportunities, for a wider scope, for improved physical conditions, and per- haps you inwardly curse the fate that binds you hand and foot. It is for you that I write; it is to you that I speak. Listen, and let my words burn themselves into your heart, for that which I say to you is truth : — You may bring about that improved condition in your outward life wKich rs\ j& u 31 The Way Out of Undesirable Conditions you desire, if you will unszvcrvingly resolMJ&. impr^eJjm^j^Jer'lf^: f~fcfnoiJ: this pathway looks barrejvat its commencement (truth always does, it is only error and delusion which are at first inviting and fascinating), but if you under- take to walk it ; if you perseveringly discipline your mind, eradicating your weaknesses, and allowing your soul-forces and spiritual powers unfold themselves, you will be astonished at the magical changes which will be brought about in your outward life.

As you proceed, golden op- portunities will be strevvn across-_y.QujLp.athj.and the power and judgment to P££pejjy^j^tili^_them will spring up within you. Genial friends will come unbidden to you ; sympathetic souls will be drawn to you as the needle is to the magnet ; and books and all outward aids that you require ifeS will come to you unsought.

Perhaps the chains of poverty hang heavily upon you, and you are friendless and alone, and you long with an intense longing that your load may be lightened ; but the load continues, an$c you seem to be enveloped in an ever-increasing darkness.

Perhaps you complain, you bewail your lot; you blame your birth, your parents, your employer, or the unjust Powers who have bestowed upon you so undeservedly poverty and > hardship, and upon another affluence and ease. \fr f\i^ Cease your complaining and fretting ; none of / / things which you blame are the* cause of your poverty ; the causef is "Vfthin yourself, and where the cause is, there is the remedy.

The very fact that you are a complainer, shows that you deserve your lot ; shows that you lack that faith which is the ground of all effort and prog- ress. There is no room for a complainer in a universe^oF law, and worry is soul-suicide.

By your very attitude ofrnirTfrymraTcstrengthening the chains which bind you, and are drawing about you the darkness by which you are en- veloped. Alteryour outlook upon life, and your outward life^yjlTaEerT^ Build yuuiself up 111 faith arHHknowledge, and make yourself worthy of tter surroundings and wider opportunities.

Be sure, first of all, that you are making the best what you have. Do not delude yourself into supposing that you can step into greater advan- tages whilst overlooking smaller ones, for if you could, the advantage would be impermanent and you would quickly fall back again in order to learn the lesson which you had neglected.

As the child at school must master one standard before passing on to the next, so, before you can have that greater good which you so desire, ust you faithfully employ that which you already possess. The parable of the talents is a beaulimTsTory^illustrative of this truth, for does it not plainly show that if we misuse, neglect, or The Way 0 tiC'~'\-*'^^ ndesirable it ions 1 v> 33 degrade that which we possess, be it ever so mean and insignificant, even that little will be taken from us, for, by our conduct we show that we are unworthy of it. ^ Perhaps you are living in a small cottage, and are surrounded by unhealthy and vicious inr fluences.

You desire a larger and more sanitary- residence. Then you must fit yourself for siic a residence by first of all making your cottage as far as possible a little paradise. Keep it spotlessly clean. Make it look as pretty and sweet as ytfur limited means will allow.

Cook your plain food with all care, and arrange your humble table as tastefully as you possibly can. If you cannot afford a carpet, let your rooms be carpeted with smiles and welcomes, fastened down with the nails of kind words driven in with the hammer of patience.