made up of individuals; and it is very plain that as is the character of the individuals that compose the world, such will be the character of the world as a whole. That is surely a very shallow philosophy, which presumes man's condition to be the effect of circumstances. Every day we see mind mastering circumstances, changing circumstances, modifying circumstances almost at its pleasure, thus showing itself to be, of the two, the superior and the cause, not the inferior and the effect. Put a man of ability and principle in what circumstances you will, and, with Divine aid, he will carve his way through them to excellence and to dignity; while, on the other hand, one of an opposite character, though placed originally in the most favourable circumstances, will sink down and come to nothing. It is true, indeed, that untoward circumstances may be temporary obstacles to advancement, but they will be only temporary; and, with the energetic, those obstacles, surmounted, will become themselves stepping stones to higher stations and to loftier degrees of excellence. The greater exercise of mental power, called forth in the effort to overcome those obstacles, will in the end be the means of raising the individual to a higher condition than he would otherwise have attained. So has Divine Providence beautifully ordained, that, with those who trust in Him, and keep on in the path of principle and duty, seeming evil shall be turned into higher good,—opposition itself into an aid and support.
Thus man is not the "creature of circumstances," but rather their creator. In the true view, indeed,—God is the Creator of all good and happy circumstances; for He is the sole Author of all good, and it
