LIBRARY

Brigham Young University

GIFT OF

LaRue Phillins

/
/

*tf)
..

to ^ro^jpetitf

-sin

of Evil

BY

RS AT A
j

in

^hhth,'

'

Out

Ft rom

R.

F.

FENNO & COMPANY

New York

18 East Seventeenth St.,

By R.

Copyright, 1907 F. Fbnno & Company

Ths Path

to

Prosperity

HAROLD

BfllGHAM YOiJt^S

LEE LIB^AR* UMVMlTY PROVO. UTAH

B.

CONTENTS
.11 The Lesson of Evil The World a Reflex of Mental States 19 The Way Out of Undersirable Condi. .

tions

28
:

The Silent Power of Thought Controlling and Directing One's Forces

.

46

The Secret of Health, Success, and Power 59 The Secret of Abounding Happiness 75 The Realization of Prosperity .85
. .

FOREWORD
looked around upon the world, and saw that it was shadowed by sorrow and scorched by the fierce fires of suffering. And I looked
I

for the cause. find

it
;

looked around, but could not

it

looked in books, but could not find looked within, and found there both the
;

cause and the self-made nature of that cause.

I

looked
I

again,

remedy.

and deeper, and found the found one Law, the Law of Love

one

Life, the Life of adjustment to that

Law;

one Truth, the Truth of a conquered mind and a And I dreamed of quiet and obedient heart. writing a book which should help men and

women, whether
learned,

rich or poor, learned

or

un-

worldly or unworldly, to find within

all

themselves the source of

all

success,

all

happiness,

accomplishment,

all

truth.

And

the dream

remained with me, and at last became substantial and now I send it forth into the world on its
mission of healing and blessedness,
it

cannot

fail

to

knowing that reach the homes and hearts of

it.

those

who

are waiting and ready to receive

JAMES ALLEN.

THE PATH OF PROSPERITY

THE LESSON OF EVIL

Unrest and pain and sorrow
of
life.

are the sh

There
felt

is

no heart

in all the

world tha$
that

has not

the sting of pain, no

mind

not been tossed upon the dark waters of trouble, no eye that has not wept the hot, blinding tears
of unspeakable anguish.
death, have
heart,

There

is

no house-

hold where the Great Destroyers, disease an

not entered, severing heart from

and casting

over

all

the dark

pall

of

sorrow.
structible
fast

In the strong, and apparently inde-

meshes of evil all are more or le: caught, and pain, unhappiness, and misfo
the object of escaping, or in

tune wait upon mankind.

With

some

w<

mitigating this overshadowing gloom,

men and

women

rush blindly into

innumerable devices,

pathways by which they fondly hope to enter into a happiness which will not pass away. Such are the drunkard and the harlot, who revel in sensual excitements such is the exclusive aesthete, who shuts himself out from the sorrows
;

of the world, and surrounds himself with ener-

vating luxuries
or

such

is

he who
ii

thirsts for

wealth
to'dftyte

fame,

and

subordinates

all

things

Path

Prosperity

achievement of that object and such are they who seek consolation in the performance of
;
'

religious
<&:

iit&>
to
all

^OW^i:
but the day of disease

the happine^Hsolignfc seems to come, and the soul, for a time, is lulled into a sweet security, and an intoxicating forgetfulness
of the existence of evil
;

And

comes

some great sorrow, temptation, or misfortune breaks suddenly in on the unfortiat last, or
fied soul,
is

and the

fabric of

its

fancied happiness

torn to shreds.

o over the head of every personal joy hangs

fie

Damocletian sword of pain, ready,

to
fall

at

any
is

moment,

and crush the soul of him who

be a

unprotected by knowledge.

The
od.

child cries to

man

or

woman

the

an and

woman

sigh for the lost felicity of childchafes under the chains of

is

The poor man

poverty by which he

bound, and the rich

calls

man

often lives in fear of poverty, or scours the world in

search of an elusive shadow he

happiness.

Tu
j^

Sometimes the soul feels that it has found a secure peaceand happiness in adopting a certain religion, in embracing an intellectual philosophy, or in building up an intellectual or artistic ideal but some overpowering temptation proves the religion
;

to be inadequate or insufficient

the theoretical
;

%\

v.

philosophy

is

found to be a useless prop

idealistic

or in a

moment, the

statue

upon which the

The Lesson of

E4i&J%
-6-

devotee has for years been laborin

into fragments at his feet.
Is

trare^^tnen, no ^way of escape from pa"

and sorrow ? Are there no means by which the bonds of evil may be broken ? Is permanen happiness, secure prosperity, and abiding peace a foolish dream ? No, there is a way, and speak it with gladness, by which evil can be slain forever; there is a process by which disease
poverty, or any adverse condition or circumstan

can be put on one side never to return

there

is

a method by which a permanent prosperity|c$ji

be secured, free from all fear of the return o adversity, and there is a practice by which u broken and unending peace and bliss can be partaken of and realized. And the beginning of th way which leads to this glorious realization the acquirement of a right understanding oft,
nature of evil. .It is not sufficient to deny or ignore evil
it

mustXTljiOTelrefood.

It

is

not"enougfrtb "pray
;

tojG^uLioj[ej^p_ye_the_

evil

you must

find put

whyMt^J&rj2xjy]d-j^ it has for you. iFTsof no avail to fret and fume and chaiFat the chains which bind you you must know why and how you are bound. Therefore, reader, you
;

must get outside yourself, and must begin to examine and understand yourself. You must cease to be a disobedient child in the school

rosperity

of experience, and

must begin to

learn,

with

humility and patience, the lessons that are set

and ultimate perfection for evil, when rightly understood, is fou nd to be, n ot an unlimited power or principle in the universe,
for

your

edification

and it buTjTJiiSin|^h therefore becomes a teacher, to those jaJao- are Evil is not an abstract somewilling to learn.
thmg~~~DTrtsfde

your own

is an experience in and by patiently examining and rectifying your heart you will be gradually led into the discovery of the origin and nature of evil, which will necessarily be followed by its complete eradication. ^A.11 evil is corrective and remedial, and is

yourself;

it

heart,

therefore not permanerilTl It

is

rooted in igno-

rance, ignorance of the-^ferue nature

and
evil.

relation

of things, and so long as of ignorance,

evil in

we remain
subject to
is

in that state

we remain

There

the universe which

not the result

lead us to

lgndTaTrei^^

relidyjmj3_jvjlHn^^
higHer

wisdo m,
in

an d then vanish^ away.

evil7~anoT~nro*oes not pass

But

men remain because men

away

are not willing or prepared to learn

it

the lesson which

to bed,
cried

came

to teach them.

knew
it

a child who, every night

to

when

its

mother took

candle

be allowed to play with the and one night, when the mother was off

The Lesson of Evil guard

candle
child
for a
;

15

moment, the

child took hold of the

the inevitable result followed, and the

wished to play with the candle By its one foolish act it learned, and again. learned perfectly the lesson of obedience, and entered into the knowledge that fire burns. And this incident is a complete illustration of
never
the nature, meaning, and ultimate result of
sin
all
its

and

evil.

As

the child suffered through

fire,

own
real

ignorance of the real nature of

suffer

so older

children

through their ignorance of the nature of the things which they weep for
strive
after,

and which harm them ^fen. they are secured the only difference being that in the latter case the ignorance and evil are more deeply-rooted and obscure. Evil has always been symbolized by darkness, and Good by light, and hidden within the symbol is contained the perfect interpretation, and
;

the reality
universe,

for, just

as light always floods the

is

only a mere speck or shadow cast by a small body intercepting a few rays of the illimitable light, so the Light of. the

and darkness

Supreme Good is the positive and life-giving power which floods the universej^tot evil the insignificant shadow cast by the self that intercepts

and shuts

off the illuminating rays

which

strive for entrance.

When

night folds the world

in

its

black impenetrable mantle, no matter

how

/aP:

>
L

,^3Wv
>"#///

/^*^S'
/

of Prosperity
covers but the small space

dense the darkness,

of half our
little

it

planet, while the

whole universe

ySs ablaze with living light, and every soul

knows

^^WXj^^giat

it

will

awake

in

the light in the morning. the dark night of sorrow,

Know,

then, that

when

pain, or misfortune settles

down upon your

soul,

and you stumble along with weary and uncertain steps, that you are merely intercepting your own fsonal desires between yourself and the boundlight of joy and bliss, and the dark shadow t covers you is cast by none and nothing but
;

yourself.

And

just as the

darkness without

is

Plgtja negative shadow, an unreality which comes from nowhere, goes to nowhere, and has no
abiding ^felling-place, so the darkness within
is

^equally a negative shadow passing over the evolving and Light-born soul.
" But,'" I

fancy

hear some one say, "

all ?

why
Be-

f^yH? aSS

tnrou gh the darkness of evil at

"

'vdause,

by ignorance, you have chosen to do so, ii^ahd because, by doing so, you may understand both good and evil, and may the more appreciate the light by having passed through the darkness. As evil is the direct outcome of ignorance, so, when the lessons of evil are fully learned, ignorance passes away, and wisdom takes its place.
But
as a disobedient child refuses to learn
it is

its les-

sons at school, so

possible to refuse to learn

the lessons of experience, and thus to remain in

The Lesson of
continual darkness, and to
suffer^

17
continually r^t
therefore,

curring punishments in the form of disease, dis-

appointment, and sorrow.

He,

who

would shake himself free of the evil which encompasses him, must be willing and ready to learn, and must be prepared to undergo that disciplinary process without which no grain of wisdom or abiding happiness and peace can be secured. A man may shut himself up in a dark room, and deny that the light exists, but it is everywhere without, and darkness exists onlyin his own little room. So you may shut out the lig of Truth, or you may begin to pull down the walls of prejudice, self-seeking and error which you have built around yourself, and so let in the glorious and omnipresent Light.

^m,

By

earnest self-examination strive to realize,

as a theory, that evil
is

and not merely hold

passing
phase, a

a
all

self-created

shadow; that

your pains, sorrows and misfortunes have come to you by a process of undeviating and absolutely perfect law have come to you because you deserve and require them, and that by first enduring, and then understanding them, you may be made stronger, wiser, nobler. When you have
;

fu lly

en tered into

this realization,

you

will fct in

a position to mould your

own

circumstances, to

transmute

all

evil into

good^ and to weave, with

a master hand, the Tabric of your destiny."

;:

The Path of Prosperity

What of the night, O Watchman! see'st thou yet The glimmering dawn upon the mountain heights, The golden Herald of the Light of lights,
Are
his fair feet

upon the

hilltops set ?

Cometh he

yet to chase
it all

And

with

Strike yet

away the gloom, demons of the Night ? Ms darting rays upon thy sight ?
the

Hear'st thou his voice, the sound of error's

doom ?

The Morning cometh, lover of the Light E'en now he gilds with gold the mountain's brow, Dimly I see the path whereon e'en now
His shining
Darkness
feet are set

towards the Night.

shall pass away, and all the things That love the darkness, and that hate the Light

Shall disappear forever with the Night

ijoice
!

for thus the

speeding Herald sings.

THE WORLD A RE
STAT
you^World. Everything in the universe is resolved into your own inward It matters little what is without, for experience. it is all a reflection of your own state of consciousness. It matters everything what you are
are, so
is

What

you

T*S>N

within, for everything without will be mirrored

and colored accordingly. All that you positively know is contained in your own experience all that you ever will know must pass through the gateway of experi ence, and so become part of yourself. Your own thoughts, desires, and aspirations comprise your world, and, to you, all that there is in the universe of beauty and joy and bliss, or of ugliness and sorrow and pain, is contained By^_your own thoughts you within yourself. make or mar your life, your world, your. uni-_ As you build with in by the power of versed thought, so will your outward life and circumWhatsostances shape themselves accordingly. ever youHharbor inHiHe" inmost chambers of your heart will, sooner qx later, by the inevitable law
;

A
t

*9

t^r

/our )6mw*L$d
ful
iSS

life,
is

thatvis.

impure, sordid and

selfish,

t*

^jh^tating with unerring precision towards mis-

and c^ita&tophe "^the soul th at is p ure, ||pfafosh, and n^ble^is^ gravi tating w itlL._e_g.ual toWat^ rfeappiness and prosperity. vision yery soul attracts; c^js lvn7^rcd~nothfrrg can p oss ibly/cometo lfeihatdoes not belong to it.V
^upe
;

'o

realize this~is~t"6^re?ognize the unive7salTty~6T

The incidents of every human life, which both make and mar, are drawn to it by quality and power of its own inner thoughtivine Law.
i.y,

Every soul

is

a complex combination of

gathered experiences and thoughts, and the body

(if

is^ftyt

an improvised vehicle for

its

manifestation.
is

Wjiat, therefore, your thoughts are, that

your real self; and the world around, both animate hd inanimate, wears the aspect with which your
thoughts
clothe
it.

"

All that
;

we

are

is

the

^4e^ult of what
)ur

we have thought it is founded on thoughts it is made up of our thoughts."

;

hus said Buddha, and

if

it

therefore follows that

man

is

happy,
;

it

is

because he dwells in
thoughts.

happy thoughts
in

if

miserable, because he dwells

despondent

and

debTfitating

Whether one be
kuse of
out.
its

fearful "or TearIess","fooiisti

lies

or the

Y/wise, troubled or serene, within that soul

own state And now I seem

or states, and never withto hear a chorus of voices

The World a Reflex

exclaim, " But do

oj

you

really

mean

to say that

outward circumstances do not effect our minds? not say that, but I say this, and know it I do
be an
so.

infallible ^tihawif

that circicmsftazces

onl y affect you in so far ^sjwji^llowjhem

You

are

swayed by circumstances beca

you have not a right understanding of the nature, You JpSjievej^fiSi use, and power of thought. upon this little word belief harf^all our sorrows and joys) that outward things have the power f<jQ make or mar your life by so doing you submit to those outward things, confess that you are
;

their slave,

and they your unconditional master

by so doing, you invest them with ^a^jjower which they do not, of themselves, possess, and you succumb, in reality, not to the mere circumstances, but to the gloom or gladness, the fear or hope, the strength or weakness, which yo thought-sphere has thrown around them. I knew two men who, at an early age, lost
"

the hard-earned savings

of years.

One was *$;

deeply troubled, and gave

way

to chagrin,

and despondency. The other, on readingfm morning ig paper mat that tne Dank in wnicn the bank which his nis money was deposited had hopelessly failed, and that he had lost all, quietly and firmly remarked, " WelljS
it's

hi^^fW
TliH^

gone, and trouble and worry won't bring

}f

back, but hard

work

will."

He went

to

work

with renewed vigor, and rapidly became pros-

22

he

ih

Path of Prosperity
former man, continuing to

perous, while

the

mourn
his "

the loss of his money, and to grumble at

bad luck," remained the sport and tool of

adverse circumstances, in reality of his

and slavish thoughts. The loss of curse to the one because he clothed the event with dark and dreary thoughts it was a blessing to the other, because he threw around it thoughts of strength, of hope, and renewed endeavor. If circumstances had the power to bless or harm, they would bless and harm all men alike,
;

own weak money was a

but the fact that the same circumstance

alike

will

be

good and bad to different souls proves that the good or bad is not in the circumstance, but only in the mind of him that encounters it.J When you begin to realize this you will begin to
control your thoughts, to regulate and discipline

your mind, and to rebuild the inward temple of your soul, eliminating all useless and superfluous material, and incorporating into your being thoughts alone of joy and serenity, of strength and life, of compassion and love, of beauty and immortality and as you do this you will become joyful and serene, strong and healthy, compassionate and loving, and beautiful with the beauty
;

of immortality.

And
our

as

we

clothe events with the drapery of

own

thoughts, so likewise do

we

clothe the

objects of the visible world around us,

and where

The World a Reflex of Mental States

23
sees

one

sees

harmony and beauty, another

ugliness.

revolting

An

enthusiastic

naturalist

was one day roaming the country lanes in pursuit of his hobby, and during his rambles came

upon a pool of brackish water near a farmyard.

As he

proceeded to

fill

a small bottle with the

water for the purpose of examination under the microscope, he dilated, with more enthusiasm

than discretion, to an uncultivated son of the plough who stood close by, upon the hidden and

innumerable wonders contained

concluded by saying, " Yes,
this

in the pool,

and

my

friend,

within

pool

is

contained a hundred, nay, a million

had we but the sense or the instrument by which we could apprehend them." And the unsophisticated one ponderously remarked, " I know the water be full o' tadpoles, but they be
universes,

easy to catch."

mind stored with the knowledge of natural facts, saw beauty, harmony, and hidden glory, the mind unenlightened upon those things saw only an offensive mud-puddle. The wild flower which the casual wayfarer thoughtlessly tramples upon is, to the spiritual
the naturalist, his

Where

eye of the poet, an angelic messenger from the invisible. To the many, the ocean is but a dreary

expanse of water on which ships sail and are sometimes wrecked to the soul of the musician it is a living thing, and he hears, in all its chang;

24

The Path of Prosperity

ing moods, divine harmonies.

of the philosopher sees the

Where

the ordi-

nary mind sees disaster and confusion, the mind

and effect, sees nothing but endless death, the mystic sees pulsating and eternal life.
of cause

most perfect sequence and where the materialist

we clothe both events and objects with our own thoughts, so likewise do we clothe
as

And

the

souls

of

others

in

the garments

of our

thoughts.

The
;

suspicious believe everybody to

liar feels

be suspicious
that ^te
is is

the

secure in the thought

not so foolish as to believe that there

such
;

phenomenon
is

as

a strictly truthful
;

person

the envious see envy in every soul

the
;

miser thinks everybody

eager to get his

money

he who has subordinated conscience

his pillow,
full

in the

makis

ing of his wealth, sleeps with a revolver under

wrapt

in

the delusion that the world

of conscienceless people

who

are eager to rob

him, and the abandoned sensualist looks upon

the saint as a hypocrite.

On

the other hand,

all

those

who

dwell in loving thoughts, see that in

forth their love
;

and sympathy the trusting and honest are not troubled by suspicions the good natured and charitable who rejoice at the good fortune of others, scarcely know what envy means and he who has realized the
which
calls
;
'

Divine within himself recognizes even in the beasts.

it

in all beings,

TJie

World a Reflex of Mental States

and

25

And men

women
effect,

are confirmed in their

fact that,

mental outlook because of the

law of cause and
selves that

by the
in

they attracjLto Jhemforth,

which theyisend

and so come

contact with people similaM^themsjelves]

The

old adage, "Birds" of a feather flock together,"

has a deeper significance than

is

generally at-

tached to

it,

for in the thought-world as in the

its

world of matter, each clings to

kind.
kind,

/^ " Do
^v
^-J
\

you wish

for

kindness

Be

Do you ask for truth ? Be true. What you give of yourself you find; ^\~^^L Your wojjd-is-^r-refteirT^ye^v^Sk., \ \(Y >
,-os..v<.-s>,

If

you are one of those who

are praying for,

and looking forward to, a happier world beyond the grave, here is a message of gladness for you, you may enter into and realize that happy world now it fills the whole universe, and it is within you, waiting for you to find, acknowledge, and possess. Said one who knew the inner laws of
;

Being, "

When men
;

shall say lo here, or lo there,

them the kingdom of God is withih you." What you have to do is to believe this, simply believe it with a mind unshadowed by doubt, and them meditate upon it till you understand it. You will then begin to purify and to build your inner world, and as you proceed,
go not
after

fSsH^

passing from revelation to revelation, from realiza-

26
tion to

The Path of Prosperity

realization,

you

will discover the utter

powerlessness of outward things beside the magic potency of a self-governed soul.

%W4.


4&\>.
tal States

If thou would'st right

And

banish

all its evils

its

an

Make

wild places.

And

its

drear deserts blossom ai the rose,

Then

right thyself.

>

If thou would'st turn the world

From

its

long, lone captivity in sin,

all let

Restore
Slay grief, and

broken hearts,
sweet consolation
thyself.
in,

Turn thou

If thou would'st cure the world

Of its long

sickness,

end

its

grief

and p

Bring in all-healing Joy,

And

give to the afflicted rest again,

Then

cure thyself.

If thou would'st wake the world Out of its dream of death and dark'ning strife Bring it to Love and Peace, And Light and brightness of immortal Life,

Wake

thou thyself.

THE WAY OUT OF UNDESIRABLE

CONDITIONS
Having seen and realized that evil is but a ssing shadow thrown, by the intercepting self,
across

the transcendent

Form
is

of the

Eternal

Good, and that the world

a mirror in which

each sees a reflection of himself,

we now

ascend.

^y firm
'

and easy steps, to that plane of perception whereon is seen and realized the Vision of

Law. knowledge
e

With
that

this

realization
is

comes

the

everything

included in a
effect,

ceaseless interaction of cause

nothing

can

possibly be

and that divorced from law.

and

\From
n,

the most trivial thought, word, or act of

up

to the groupings of the celestial bodies,

reigns supreme.

No

arbitrary condition can,

en for one moment, exist, for such a condition would be a denial and an annihilation of law. Every condition of life is, therefore, bound up in an orderly and harmonious sequence, and the secret and cause of every condition is contained within itself. The law, " Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap," is inscribed in gaming letters upon the portal of Eternity, and

28

The

Way Out

of Undesirable Conditions

29

none can deny

escape
it.

He

none can cheat it, none can who puts his hand in the fire
it,

must suffer the burning until such time as it has worked itself out, and neither curses nor prayers can avail to alter it. And precisely the same
law governs the realm of mind.
jealousy, envy, lust, covetousness,
fires

Hatred, anger,
all

these are

which burn, and whoever even so much as touches them must suffer the torments of burning.

All these conditions of mind are rightly

ignorance, the law, and they,

called evil," for they are the efforts of the soul

to subvert, in

its

therefore, lead to chaos

are sooner or later

and confusion within, and actualized in the outward cirfailure,

cumstances as disease,
coupled with

and 'misfortune,

^^

grief, pain,

and

despair.

Wheea$

v love, gentleness, goodwill, purity, are cooling

which breathe peace upon the soul that wooes them, and, being in harmony with the Eternal Law, they become actualized in the form of health, peaceful surroundings, and undeviating success and good fortunefN thorough understanding of mis Great Law which permeates the universe leads to the acairs

quirement of that
ence.

st ate

To know
all

that

mind known as obedijustice, harmony, and love

of
is

are supreme in the universe

that

likewise to

know

adverse ancTpainful conditions are the

result

of

ouT~6wn disobedience to^KaTXaw.

30

The Path of Prosperity

Such knowledge leads to strength and power, and it is upon such knowledge alone that a true life and an enduring success and happiness can
be built. To be patient under all circumstances, and to accept all conditions as necessary factors

your training, is to rise superior to all painful conditions, and to overcome them with an overcoming which is sure, and which leaves no fear
in

by the power of obedience to law they are utterly slain. Such an obedient one is working in harmony with the law, has, in fact, identified himself with the law, and whatsoof their return, for

ever he conquers he conquers forever; whatso-

ever he builds can never be destroyed.

rs\

The
within:

cause of
the
is

all

power, as of
of
all

all

weakness,
of

is

secret

happiness as

all

j&

misery

ress

no progapart from unfoldment within, and no sure

likewise within.

There

is

foothold of prosperity or peace except

by orderly

advancement in knowledge. You say you are chained by circumstances you cry out for better opportunities, for a wider scope, for improved physical conditions, and perhaps you inwardly curse the fate that binds you hand and foot. It is for you that I write; it is Listen, and let my words to you that I speak. burn themselves into your heart, for that which I You may bring about that say to you is truth improved condition in your outward life wKich
:

The

Way Out

of Undesirable Conditions

31

you desire, if you will unszvcrvingly resolMJ&.

impr^eJjm^j^Jer' lf^:
looks barrejvat
does,
first
it

f~fcfnoiJ this
:

pathway

ifeS

its

commencement
fascinating), but

(truth always

is

only error and delusion which are at

inviting

and
it
;

if

you underdiscipline

take to walk

if

you perseveringly

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 Ppejjy^j^tili^_them

will spring

u p with in 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 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
darkness.

lightened
to

but the load continues, an$c

you seem

be enveloped in an ever-increasing

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. Cease your complaining and fretting none of
;

>

\f

f\i^
/

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.

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 enveloped. 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 advantages whilst overlooking smaller ones, for if you could, the advantage would be impermanent and you would quickly fall back again in order to As learn the lesson which you had neglected. 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
There
is

already possess.

The

parable of the talents

is

a
it

beaulimTsTory^illustrative of this truth, for does

not plainly show that

if

we

misuse, neglect, or

tiC'~'\-*'^^

The

Way

ndesirable

itions

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

v>

we

unworthy of it. ^ Perhaps you are living in a small cottage, and are surrounded by unhealthy and vicious inr You desire a larger and more sanitaryfluences. Then you must fit yourself for siic residence. a residence by first of all making your cottage as
are
far as possible

little

paradise.

Keep

it

spotlessly

clean.

Make
means

it

look as pretty and sweet as ytfur

limited

Cook your plain food with all care, and arrange your humble table as tastefully as you possibly can. If you cannot
will allow.

your rooms be carpeted with smiles and welcomes, fastened down with the nails of kind words driven in with the hammer
afford a carpet, let

of patience.

Such a carpet

will

not fade in the

it

sun, and constant use will never wear

away.

By
you

so ennobling your present surroundings

will rise

them, and at

above them, and above the need of the right time you will pass on into
all

the better house and surroundings which have

along been waiting for you, and which you have

fitted

yourself to occupy.

Perhaps you desire more time

for

flfiWi thought

and feel that your hours of lab are too hard and long. Then see to it that yon
effort,

and

are utilizing to the fullest possible extent

what\^

useless to desire

wastinglivEat
;

little

you Have for you would only grow more indoIenT and indifferent. Even poverty and lack of time and leisure are not the evils that you imagine they are, and if they hinder you in your progress, it is because you have clothed them in your own weaknesses, and e evil that you see in them is really in yourself. EndeaVor to fully and completely realize that in so far as you shape and mould your mind, you are the maker of your destiny, and as, by the transmuting power of self-discipline you realize this more and more, you will c ome to see that th ese
tigo-caJled
evils

may be
utilize

converted into blessings.

your poverty for the culation of patience, hope and courage and your lack of time in the gaining of promptness of action and decision of mind, by seizing the precious moments as they present themselves for your acceptance. As in the rankest soil the most beautiful flowers are grown, so in the dark soil of poverty the choicest flowers of humanity have developed and bloomed. Where there are dimVi culties to cope with, and unsatisfactory conditions to overcome, there virtue most flourishes andj
'

Yj^^willtHen

manifests
It

its

glory.

may be

that

you are

in the

tyrannous master or mistress,

employ of a and you feel that

The

Way Out

of Undesirable Conditions

35

you
as

are harshly treated.

Look upon

this also

necessary to your training.

J^ton^your
forself-

employer's unkindness with gentleness and

gi venessTyi." FraclTc"e"u1iiFe"asTngly patience

and

control.
utilizing

Turn the disadvantage

it

to account

by

for the

gaining of mental and spiritual

silent

example and influence you will thus be teaching your employer, will be helping him to grow ashamed of his conduct, and will, at the same time, be lifting yourself up to that height of spiritual attainment by which you will be enabled to step into new and more constrength, and
genial surroundings
at the

by your

time

when they

are

presented to you.

Do

not complain that you are

slave,

but

lift

yourself up,
slavery.

by noble conduct,
Before complaining

above the plane of

that

you are a

slave to another, be sure that

self.

you

are not a slave to

Look

within

look

searchingly, and have no

mercy upon

yourself.

You

will find there,

perchance, slavish thoughts,

your daily life and conduct slavish habits, yjonquer these cease to be a slave to self, and no man will have the power to enslave youj As^ou overcome self, y^qu will overcome all^adverse conlHlonsTlmire^^ wiM fall before you. jj^y^ Do not complain that you are oppressed by the rich. Are you sure that ifyou gained riches you would not be an oppressor -yourself? Reslavish desires, ajid in
;

Path

member

that there

is

the Eternal

Law which
;

is

absolutely just, and that he

who

oppresses'to-day
ami. from

himself be oppressed to-morrow

there
is

no way of escape.

And

perhaps

esterday (in

some former

existence) were

nd an oppressor, and that you are now ly paying off the debt which you owe to Great Law. Practice, therefore, fortitude .faith. Dwell constantly in mind upon ternal Justice, the Eternal Good. Endeavor to lift yourself above the personal and the transitory into the impersonal and permanent. Shake off the delusion that you are being injured or oppressed by another, and try to realize, by a profounder comprehension of your inner life, and the laws which govern that life, that you are only really injured by what is within you. ere is no practice more degrading, debasing, and soul-destroying than that of self-pity. \ Last itTout from you. While such a canker rsleeding upon your heart you can never expect to grow inlo a fuller life. Cease from the condemnation of others, and begin to condemn yourself. Condone none of your acts, desires or thoughts that ill not bear comparison with spotless purity, or ensure the light of sinless good. By so doing you will be building your house upon the rock of the Eternal, and all that is required for your happiness and well-being will come to you in its own time.

The

Way Out

of Undesirable Conditions

h til

3;

There is positively no way of permanently rising above poverty, or any undesirable condition, except by eradicating those selfish and negative conditions within, of which these are the reflection, and by virtue of which they continue.

The way

to true riches

is

to enrich

%e

soul

by ^
\

the acquisition of virtue.

virtue there
is

Outside of real

hea^

neither prosperity rj^gibwer,"

only the appearances of these, ^tfam aware th

men make money who have

of virtue, and have
little

acquired no measure

desire to

do so

but

such
its

money does not

testimony
:

constitute true riches,

possession

is

transitory
"

David's
foolish

and feverish. For I was envious

the
prosperity

and Here is
at the

when
.

I
.

saw

of

the
fat-

wicked.
ness
;

Their eyes stand out with

they
.

have
.

more
I

than

heart

could
heart
inn
this
it

wish.
in

Verily

have cleansed

my
in

vain,
.

and
.
.

washed

my
;

hands

cency.

until I went into the was too painful sanctuary of God, then understood I thei#/eftdl?J The prosperity of the wicked was a greaitrlal w> David until he went into the sanctuary of God, and then he knew their end. You likewise ma 7 go into that sanctuary. It is within you. It is that state of consciousness which remains when-: all that is sordid, and personal, and impermanent is risen above, and universal and eternal princi-

When I for me

thought to

know

38

The Path of Prosper ity

pies are realized.

That
strife

is

the

God

state of con-

sciousness

it is

the sanctuary of the Most High.

When, by long

and

self-discipline,

you

have succeeded in entering the door of that holy Temple, you will perceive, with unobstructed vision, the end and fruit of all human thought and endeavor, both good and evil. You will
then no longer relax your faith when you see
the immoral
for

you

will

man know
is,

accumulating outward riches,

that he

must come again

to
is

poverty and degradation.

barren of virtue

The

rich

man who

in reality, poor,

and

as surely

as the waters of the river are drifting to the

ocean, so surely
riches, drifting

is

he, in the midst of

all

his

towards poverty and misfortune

die rich, yet
fruit

and though he
reap the bitter

must he return

to

of

all

his immorality.

And

though he become rich many times, yet as many times must he be thrown back into poverty, until, by long experience and suffering he conquers the poverty within. But the man who is
outwardly poor, yet rich in virtue,
and, in the midst of
traveling
all his
is

truly rich,
is

poverty, he
;

surely

towards

prosperity

and abounding

joy and
If
7

bliss

await his coming.

you would become truly and permanently prosperous, you must first become virtuous. It is therefore unwise to aim directly at prosperity,
to

make

it

the one object of

life,

to reach out

it

TJie

Way Out
for
it.

of Undesirable Conditions^ 3&

V,

greedily

To do

this

is

to

ultimate!

defeat yourself.

But rather aim

at self-perfection,

and unselfish service the object your life, and ever reach out hands of faith towards the supreme and unalterable Good. You say you desire wealth, not for your sake, but in order to do good with it, and If this is your real motive in de bless others. siring wealth, then wealth will come to you you are strong and unselfish indeed if, itt^&J midst of riches, you are willing to look upon But exyourself as steward and not as owner. amine well your motive, for in the majority^oj^ instances where money is desired for the ad
useful

make

ted object of blessing others, the real underlyi

motive

is

a love of popularity, and a desire to

If

pose as a philanthropist or reformer.

not doing good with what
little

you

arct^

you have, de^pend upon it the more money you got the more selfish you would become, and all the good you appeared to do with your money, if you attempte
to do any, would be so
laudation.
If

much

insinuating self-

your real desire is to do good, there is no neecPto Walt for mone y before MJ de~ifrf*you ean do it nuWTrhis verymoment, and ust whe If you are really so jfr y nn arfa j

unselfish as

oiu^De^eve~-y4>urs eT f J^L.h^yoiu^il

showTt by

sacrificing yourself for others

is

No

matter hovFpoor you are, there

room-

4o
self-sacrifice, for

Path of Prosperity

f h
did not the
?

widow put her

all

into the treasury

The

heart that truly desires

to do

good does not wait for money before doing it, but comes to the altar of sacrifice, and, leaving there the unworthy elements of self, goes out and breathes upon neighbor and stranger, friend and enemy alike, the breath of blessedness.

As

the effect

is

related to the cause, so

is

pros-

perity and

power related to the inward good, and poverty and weakness to the inward evil.

Money

does not constitute true wealth, nor

position, nor power,

and
is

to rely

upon

it

alone

is

stand upon a slippery place.

your stock of virtue, and your true power the uses to which you put it. Rectify your heart, and you will rectify your life.
true wealth

Your

Lust, hatred, anger, vanity, pride, covetousness,

self-indulgence, self-seeking, obstinacy,

all

these

are poverty and weakness

whereas, love, purity,

gentleness, meekness, patience, compassion, generosity, self-forgetfulness,

and self-renunciation,

all these are wealth and power. As the elements of poverty and weakness are overcome, an irresistible and all-conquering power is evolved from within, and he who succeeds in establishing himself in the highest virtue,
brings the whole world to his
feet.

But the

rich, as well as

the poor, have their

The

Way On
concffio^^l feidk
are

ons

41

undesirable
farther

frequently

removed from happiness than the poor And here we see how happiness depends, no upon outward aids or possessions, but upon the inward life. Perhaps you are an employer, and you have endless trouble with those whom you employ, and when you do get good and faithfujt
servants they quickly leave you.

As

a res

you are beginning

lost,

to lose, or have complet^l

your

faith

in

human

nature.

You

try to

remedy matters by giving

allowing certain
altered.
liberties,

and by yet matters remain un

better wages,

Let
is

me

advise you.

The

secret of all

your trouble
self ;

not in your servants,

within, with a

it is

in your-

and

if

you look

sincere
error,
all

desire
will,

humble an to discover and eradicate yo

later, find

you

sooner or
It

the origin
selfis

your unhappiness.

may be some

desire, or lurking suspicion, or

unkind attitude

mind which sends out its poison upon those about you, and reacts upon yourself, even though you may not show it in your manner or speech. Think of your servants with kindness, consider their happiness and comfort, and never demand of them that extremity of service whicfy you yourself would not care to perform were you in their place. Rare and beautiful is that humility of soul by which a servant entirely forgeti|:Jiim\
of
self

in

his

master's good;

but

far

rarer,

and.-

42

The Path of Prosperity

is

beautiful with a divine beauty,

that nobility

of soul by which

man, forgetting his

happiness, seeks the happiness of those

own who are

under

his authority,

and who depend upon him

for their bodily sustenance.

And

such a man's
Said
" I

happiness

is

increased tenfold, nor does he need

to complain of those

whom

he employs.

a well-known and extensive employer of labor,

who

never

needs to dismiss an employee

have always had the happiest relations with my workpeople. If you ask me how it is to be aca$^ted for, I can only say that it has been my aim from the first to do to them as I would

by s-Jf, which all desirable conditions are secured, and all that are undesirable are overcome. Do you say that you are lo neiy-aftd unlo v e d r-a^d- have
wish to be done by."

Herein

lies

the secret

"

not a friend in the world "

Then,

pray

you, foTThe sake^dT^oTtfJ^wn happiness, blame

nobody

but

yourself.
friends will

Be

friendly

towards

others, aiid

soon flock round you. *

Make

yourself pure and lovable, and

all..

you

will

be

loved by.

Whatever conditions are rendering your life ^nffinsome, you may pass out of and beyond them by developing and utilizing within you the transforming power of self-purification and self-conquest. Be it the poverty which galls (aj^ppemember^fflfet the poverty upon which

The
I

Way Out

of Undesirable X<j#$Mtfas
is

43 ^

which is a source of misery, and not that vo&nlary poverty which is the glory of emancipated the riches which burden, or t$ souls), or many misfortunes, griefs, and annoyances^ which form the dark background in the^\veb. of life, you may overcome them by overcoming the selfish elements within which give
have been dilating
that poverty
life.

It

matters not that by the unfailing

La
ffififc
i

are past thoughts and acts to

work out

atone

for, as,

by the same

law,

we

are setting

moment of our life, fe^ thoughts and acts, and we have the power make them good or ill. Nor does it follow if a man (reaping what he has sown) must money or forfeit position, that he must also lo
motion, during every
his fortitude or forfeit his uprightness,

these that his

and it is wealth and power and happin

is

are to be found.

He who
is

clings to self

surrounded by enemies.
his

own enemy.j^^ He who relinquishes

his
is

^3$

self is

own

saviour,

and
all

surrounded' by 7,

friends like a protecting belt.

Before the djc\4^^|

darkness vanishes
_

radiance of a pure heart

and

all

clouds
self

melt away, and he

has

who

has

conquered the universe. Come, then, out of your poverty come out>M r your pain; come out of your troubles, ^a'&a* "J
;

conquered

Prosperity
sighings,

and complainings, and heartaches, and Let the loneliness by coming out of yourself. old tattered garment of your petty selfishness fall from you, and put on the new garment of
Love.

&<p~f 'universal

You

will

then realize the inward

in all

f \ Jieaven,

ajtypsit will

be reflected

your out-

upon the path of ^l|||conquest, wtta^walks, aided by the stafT of Faith, the highway of self-sacrifice, will assuredly achieve the highest prosperity, and will reap unding and enduring joy and bliss.
his foot firmly

_He who^ets

The

Way Out
lem
that seek the highest

^<SQ-.

Wf*

Good

All things subserve the

wise^f^ds^^^^^?

$Cight come^as

ill,

and wisdom lends

Wifigs to

all

shapes of evil brood.

veils a Star

The darkening sorrow

That waits
to shine

with gladsome light

Hell waits on heaven ; and after night

Comes golden

glory from afar.

Defeats are steps by which

we climb
ends

With purer aim

Loss leads

to nobler

to gain,

and joy attends

hills

True

footsteps

up the

of time.

Pain leads

to paths of holy bliss,

To thoughts and words and deeds divine jAnd clouds that gloom and rays that shine,
Along
life's

upward highway

kiss.

Misfortune does but cloud the

way Whose end and summit in the sky Of bright success, sunkiss'd and high,
stay.

Awaits our seeking and our

The heavy

pall of doubts

and

fears

That clouds the Valley of our hopes, The shades with which the spirit copes,

The

bitter harvesting of tears,

The heartaches, miseries, and griefs, The bruisings born of broken ties, All these are steps by which we rise

To

living

ways of sound

beliefs.

Love, pitying, watchful, runs to meet

The Pilgrim from

All glory and
all

the

Land of Fate

good await

The coming

of obedient feet.

;bs

POWER OF THOUGHT: ONTROLLING AND DIRECTING

SILENT
ONE'S FORCES
he most powerful forces in the universe are the silent forces and in accordance with the intensity of its power does a force become beneficent when rightly directed, and destructive when This is common knowledge w-f ongly employed.
;

in regard to the mechanical forces,

electricity, etc.,

such as steam,

but few have yet learned to apply

to the realm of mind,
all)

this

knowledge

where the
are contin-

thought-forces (most powerful of

ually being generated

and sent

forth as currents

of salvation or destruction.

At

this stage of his evolution,

man

has entered

into the possession of these forces,

trend of his

and the whole present advancement is their comAll the wisdom possible to
is

plete subjugation.

man on

this material earth

to

be found only in

complete self-mastery, and the command, " Love

four enemies," resolves
itself

into an exhortation

o enter here and now, into the possession of that

sublime wisdom by taking hold
of,

mastering and

transmuting, those mind forces to which

man

is

46

The Silent Power of Thought

47

now

slavishly subject,

lessly borne, like

and by which he is helpa straw on the stream, upon the

currents of selfishness.

The Hebrew prophets, with their perfect knowledge of the Supreme Law, always related outinward thought, and associated national disaster or success with the thoughts and

ward events
desires that

to

dominated the nation at the time. The knowledge of the causal power of thought is
the basis of of
all real
all

their prophecies, as

it is

the basis

wisdom and power.

National events

are simply the working out of the psychic forces

of the nation.

Wars, plagues, and famines are

and clashing of wrongly-directed thought-forces, the culminating points at which

the

meeting

destruction steps in as the agent of the Law.

is

It

war to the influence of one man, or to one body of men. It is the crowning
foolish to ascribe

horror of national selfishness.

It is

the silent and conquering thought-forces

which bring all things into manifestation. The universe grew out of thought. Matter in its last analysis is found to be merely obtectivized thought. All man's accomplishments were first wrought out in thought, and then objectivized.

The
up

author, the inventor, the architect,

first

builds

and having perfected it in all its parts as a complete and harmonious whole upon the thought-plane, he then comhis in thought,

work

48

Path of
it,

P
to bring
it
f

mences
len
the-

iterialize

down

to the

^tj^-ial or sfcnse-plane.

Wj^

thought-forces arWairected in har-

lony with '^heaver-ruling Law, they are up-

and ]weervative, but when subverted ly become disintegrating and self-destructive. To adjust all your thoughts to a perfect and unswerving faitfrfgfetfie omnipotence and supremacy of Good, is ro^>operate with that Good,
>uilding
^d

to realize within yourself the solution and

ftruction of all evil.

Believe

and ye

shall

live.

And

here

we have

the true meaning of salvation

salvation from the darkness and negation of evil,

entering into, and realizing the living light of

the Eternal Good.

^Wherjsijthere

is

fear,

worry, anxiety, doubt,

is

trouble,'^chagrin, or disappointment, there

ig-

norance and lack of

of

faith.

All these conditions

selfishness,

mind

are the direct

outcome of

upon an inherent belief in and supremacy of evil they therefore constitute >ractical atheism and to live in, and become subject to, these negative and soul-destroying conditions of mind is the only real atheism.
are based
;

and the power

It

is

salvation from such conditions that the

^
\

race needs, and let no

whilst he
is

man

boast of salvation
slave.

their helpless
is

and obedient
if

o fear or to worry

as sinful as to curse, for

^^ how

can one fear or worry

he

intrinsically be-

The Silent Power of Thought

lieves

49
A

in

the Eternal Justice, the Omnipotent

?

Good, the Boundless Love

to doubt,
It is
is

To

fear, to

worry,

to deny, to disbelieve.

/C^^r

from such states of mind that all weakness and failure proceed, for they represent the annulling and disintegrating of the positive thought-forces which would otherwise speedy their object with power, and bring about their

own beneficent results. To overcome these

enter into a
life

negative conditions
is

is

to

be slave, and to become a master, and there is onb one way by which they can be overcome, anc that is by steady and persistent growth in inward
of power,
to cease to

knowledge.
cient
;

To

mentally deny

evil is

not

suffi-

it

must, by daily practice, be risen above

and understood.
inadequate
;

To

mentally affirm the good

is

it

must, by unswerving endeavor,

be entered into and comprehended.

The

intelligent practice of self-control, quickly

leads to a

knowledge of one's

interior thought-

forces, and, later on, to

the acquisition of that

rightly

power by which they are

directed.

employed and In the measure that you master self,

you control your mental forces instead of being controlled by them, in just such measure will you master affairs and outward circumstances. Show me a man under whose touch everything crumbles away, and who cannot retain success
that

f7

50
even when

Me
it

Path of Prosperity
placed in his hands, and
I will

is

show you a
of power.

man who

dwells continually in those

conditions of

mind which are the very negation

forever wallowing in the bogs

To be

drawn continually into the quicksands of fear, or blown ceaselessly about by the winds of anxiety, is to be a slave, and to live the ife of a slave, even though success and influence be forever knocking at your door seeking for admittance. Such a man, being without faith and
of doubt, to be

without self-government,

is

incapable of the right

government of
cumstances
SS&wE
are taught
;

his affairs,

and

is

a slave to

cir-

in reality a slave to himself.

affliction,

Such

and ultimately pass from weakness to strength by the stress of bitter exFaith and purpose constitute the motive-power
of
life.

by

perience.

There

is

nothing that a strong

faith

and

an unflinching purpose

may

not accomplish.
faith,

By

the daily exercise of silent

the thought-

forces are gathered together,

and by the daily

'^"rv

strengthening of silent purpose, those forces are

directed towards the object of accomplishment.

Whatever your position in life may be, before you can hope to enter into any measure of success, usefulness, and power, you must learn how to focus your thought-forces by cultivating calmIt may be that you are a business and repose. ness man, and you are suddenly confronted with

hi
t

Pozutr of I nought
difficulty or

some ovemhdming
aster.

probable dis-

You growi"earful and your wit's end.^To persist

anxious, and are at

in

such a state of
&j<

mind would be fatal, for when anxiety steps irt, \ Now if you will correct judgment passes out. take advantage of a quiet hour or two in the early morning or at night, and go away to some solitary spot, or to some room in your house where you know you will be absolutely free from
intrusion, and,
attitude,

having seated yourself in an easy

forcibly direct

you

your mind right

away from the upon something

bliss-giving,

object of anxiety
in

by dwelling
pleasing and
will

your

life

that

is

calm,

reposeful

strength

gradually steal into your mind, and your anxiety

will pass

away.

Upon

the instant that

you

find

your mind reverting to the lower plane of worry bring it back again, and reestablish it on the plane of peace and strength. When this is fully accomplished, you may then concentrate your whole mind upon the solution of your difficulty, and what was intricate and insurmountable to you in your, hour of anxiety will be made plain and easy, and you will see, with that clear vision and perfect judgment which belong only to a calm and untroubled mind, the right course to pursue and the proper end to be brought about. It maybe that you will have to try day after day before you will be able to perfectly calm your

^r

mind, but
omplish
r

if
it.

you persevere you

will certainly ac

present ed \j^ ou in that hour of calmness must be carried f

t

And

he course

wfricji is

you are again involved in the bi usiness of the day, and worries again creep IjPkhd begin tip 'ido^Hfoate you, you will begin to think that the course is a wrong or foolish one, but do not heed such suggestions. Q$e guided absolutely and entirely by the vision of calmness, and not by the shadows of anxiety^ *T he hour jalmness is the h our of illumination arid corsuch a course of mental :t judgment^ By
Doubtless, wlien
inline

SL

the scattered thought-forces are re-

united,
light,

and directed, like the rays of the searchupon the problem at issue, with the result
gives
is

it

way
no

before them.

There

difficulty,

however

great, but will

calm and powerful concentration of thought, and no legitimate object but may be speedily actualized by the intelligent use and
ield before a

direction of one's soul-forces.

you have gone deeply and searchingly into your inner nature, and have overcome many enemies that lurk there, can you have any approximate conception of the subtle power of
until

Not

thought, of

its

inseparable relation to outward

and material things, or of its magical potency, hen rightly poised and directed, in readjusting nd transforming the life-conditions.

neb
The Silent
\

Poixi

Every thought you and in accordance with its nature and intensity will it go out to seek a lodgment in minds receptive to it, and will react upon yourself for good or evil. There is ceaseless reciprocity b^fe* tween mind and mind, and a continual interchange of thought-forces. Selfish and disturbii thoughts are so many malignant and destructive
forces,

messengers of

evil,

sent out to stimulate

and augment the evil in other minds, which in turn send them back upon you with added power. While thoughts that are calm, pure, and unselfish
are so

many angelic messengers

sent out into

"p

th#;;

world with health, healing, and blessed

their wings, counteracting the evil forces
;

upon the troubled waters of rofiL anxiety and sorrow, and restoring to broke'rip
ing the
oil

of joy

hearts their heritage of immortality.

Think good thoughts, and they will quickly become actualized in your outward life in thej, form of good conditions. Control your f&^*W& forces, and you will be able to shape your/d&rt'\ ward life as you will. The difference be&tir^en saviour and a sinner is this, that the one has perfect control of all the forces within him thq, other is dominated and controlled by them. There is absolutely no other way to true powe and abiding peace, but by self-control, self-government, self-purification. To be at the mercy
;

54

The Path of Prosperity

is

of your disposition

to

be impotent, unhappy,

and oTnTtle Teal use in t he world. The conquest of your petty likes and dislikes, your capricious loves and hates, your fits of anger, suspicion, jealousy, and all the changing moods to which

more or less helplessly subject, this is the task you have before you if you would weave into the web of life the golden threads of happiy Jr ness and prosperity. In so far as you are en- ^cf A slaved by the changing moods within you, w illy~_y you need to depend upon others and upon outward aids as you walk through life.^. If you would
you
are

walk firmly and securely, and would accomplish

8

any achievement, you must learn to rise above and control all such disturbing and retarding vibrations. You must daily practice the habit of putting your mind at rest, " going into the silence,"
as
it is

commonly

called.

This

is

method

of replacing

a troubled thought with

one of peace, a tHo u^'f^nT ^ P'T^rrr rgs -with o ne of strength.^TJhtil you succeed in doing this you cannot hope to direct your mental forces upon the problems and pursuits of life with any appreciable measure of success. It is a process of diverting one's scattered forces into one powerful channel. Just as a useless marsh may be converted into a
field

of golden corn or a fruitful

garden by draining and directing the scattered and harmful streams into one well-cut channel,

r<

The Silent Power of Thought

so,

55

he who acquires calmness, and subdues and^jSj

/f you succeed in gaining mastery over your
life,

directs the thought-currents within himself, saves

his soul,

and

fructifies his

heart and

As

impulses and thoughts you will begin to

feel,

growing up within you, a new and silent power, and a settled feeling of composure and strength Your latent powers will will remain with you. begin to unfold themselves, and whereas formerly your efforts were weak and ineffectual, you will now be able to work with that calm confidence which commands success. And along with this new power and strength, there will be awakened within you that interior illumination known as " intuition," and you will walk no longer in darkness and speculation, but in light and certainty. With the development of this soul-vision, judgment and mental penetration will be incalculably increased, and there will evolve within you that prophetic vision by the aid of which you will be able to sense coming events, and to forecast, with remarkable accuracy, the result of your efforts. And in just the measure that you alter from within will your outlook upon life alter and as you alter your mental attitude towards others they will alter in their attitude and conduct towards you. As you rise above the lower, debilitating, and destructive thought-forces, you will come in contact with the positive, strengthening, and up;

56

The Path of Prosperity

building currents generated

by

strong, pure,

noble minds, your happiness will

and be immeas-

urably intensified, and you will begin to realize

the joy, strength, and power, which are born only
of
self-mastery.

And

this

joy, strength,

and

power will be continually radiating from you, and without any effort on your part, nay, though you are utterly unconscious of it, strong people will be drawn towards you, influence will be put into your hands, and in accordance with your
altered thought-world will outward events shape
es.

fimman's fo#s are they of his own household," and he who Would be useful, strong, and happy, to be a passive receptacle for the <? must cease impure streams of negative, beggarly, and thought and as a wise householder commands his servants and invites his guests, so must he learn to command his desires, and to say, with "authority, what thoughts he shall admit into the mansion of his soul. Even a very partial success in. self-rrjci|tery adds greatly to one's power, and he who succeeds in perfecting this divine accom<
;

plishment, enters

into

the

possession

of un-

dreamed-of wisdom
verse aid

and inward strength and

all

peace, and realizes that

the forces of the uni-

and protect

his footsteps

who

is

master

of his soul.

The Silent Power of Thought

57

Would you scale the highest heaven, Would you pierce the lowest hell,
Live in dreams of constant beauty,

Or

in basest thinkings dwell.

For your thoughts are heaven above you, And your thoughts are hell below ;
Bliss is not, except in thinking,

Torment nought but thought can know.

Worlds would vanish but for thinking Glory is not but in dreams

And

the

Drama
the

of the ages

From

Thought Eternal streams

Dignity and shame and sorrow,

Pain and anguish, love and hate

Are but maskings of the mighty Pulsing Thought that governs

Fate.

As

the colors of the rainbow

the one uncolored

Make
Make

beam,

So the universal changes

the

One Eternal Dream.

And the Dream is all within you, And the Dreamer waiteth long
For the Morning
to

awake him
v,

To
That

the living thought and strong

shall

make

the ideal real,

Make

to vanish

dreams of

hell-

In the highest, holiest heaven

Where

the pure and perfect

dwelL

; ;

S
58

&HflL
-

7fo Path of Prosperity

Evil
/
is

the thought that thinks

it

Good, the thought that makes it so Light and darkness, sin and pureness
Likewise out of thinking grow.

f
5
,

Dwell

in thought

upon the Grandest,

And

the Grandest you shall see

Fix your mind upon the Highest,

And

the Highest you shall be.

jaTu

THE SECRET OF HEALTH, SUCCESS, AND P<Q^^)

We
as
tale.

remember withtv\ifea intense delight, children, we listened to the never-tiring fairyall

How

eagerly

we

followed the fluctuating

girl,

fortunes of the
in the

good boy or

ever protected,

hour of crisis, from the evil machinations of the scheming witch, the cruel giant, or the wicked king. And our little hearts nev
faltered for the fate of the

hero or heroine, noi

did

we doubt

their ultimate

triumph over

all

their enemies, for

infallible,

we knew

that the fairies werfec

and that they would never desert those who had consecrated themselves to the good and the true. And what unspeakable joy Tp\M
sated within us
all

when
the

the Fairy-Queen, bringing

the critical

her magic to bear at

all

scattered

darkness
"

moment, and trouble, and

all

granted them the complete

their hopes,

satisfaction of

and they were

happy ever

after/'

With the accumulating

of
life,

years,

and an everoblit

" increasing intimacy with the so-called " realities

our beautiful fairy-world became

erated,

and

its

wonderful inhabitants were rele

59

Path of Prosperity
gated,
in

the

archives

of

memory,

to

the

shadowy and
ise
f

unreal.

And we

thought we were
land
little

and strong

in thus leaving forever the

childish dreams, but as

we re-become

children in the wondrous world of wisdom,

all

we
of
all,

return again

to

the
that

inspiring dreams

hildhood
ealities.

and

find

they

are,

after

and nearly always inle, yet possessed of an all-conquering and gical power, who bestow upon the good, health, wealth, and happiness, along with all the ^fts of nature in lavish profusion, start again teto reality and become immortalized in the soul-realm of him who, by growth in wisdom, has ntered into a knowledge of the power of thought, and the laws which govern the inner world of
fairy-folk, so small
"

he

eing.

To

him, the

fairies live

again as thought-

eople,

thought-messengers, thought-powers in

working
onize

harmony with the over-ruling Good, d they who, day by day, endeavor to hartheir

hearts

with

the

heart

of

the

Good, do in reality acquire true ^health, wealth, and happiness. There is no protection to compare with goodness, and by " goodness " I do not mean a mere outward
conformity to the rules of morality
thought, noble aspiration,
;

Supreme

mean pure
and

unselfish love,

^freedom from

vainglory.

To

dwell continually

The Secret of Healthy Success mid Power 61

good thoughts, is to throw around oneself a psychic atmosphere of sweetness and power which leaves its impress upon all who come in
in

-*.

contact with

As
put to

the

\ - | rising sun puts to rout the helpless

it.

shadows, so are
flight

all

the impotent forces of evil

by the searching rays of positive thought which shine forth from a heart made
strong in purity and
faith.

jnrjrg- here there is sterling faith and unc_o "K mising purity there is health, there is success,

there~"IiT"pbwerr

ln"*suclT a one, disease, failure,

and

disaster can find

ncTTodgm ent,
~~n6

for there

is

noTh7ng~oh whic h they can feed.

^^IfiiK^
deter-

Even physical mined by mental

scientific

conditions are largely

states,

and to

this

truth the

world

is

rapidly being

drawn.
is

The
his

old, materialistic belief that a

man

what

body makes him,

is

is

rapidly passing away, and

being replaced by the inspiring belief that

is

man
is

superior to his body, and that his

body

what he makes it by the power of thought. Men everywhere are ceasing to believe that a
is

man
are

despairing because he
to understand that
is

is

dyspeptic, and

coming

he

is

dyspeptic

because he
will

despairing,
all

and
its

in the

near future,

the fact that

disease has

origin in the

mind
its

become common knowledge.

is

There

no

evil

in the universe

but has

62

The Path of Prosperity

root and origin in the mind, and sin, sickness,

sorrow, and affliction do not, in reality, belong to

the
universal
order,

are not

inherent

in

the

nature of things, but are the direct outcome of

our ignorance of the right relations of things.

According to

tradition, there

once

lived, in
life

India, a school of philosophers

who

led a

of

such absolute purity and simplicity that they commonly reached the age of one hundred and fifty years, and to fall sick was looked upon by them as an unpardonable disgrace, for it was
considered to indicate a violation of law.

The sooner we
sickness, far

realize

and acknowledge that

from being the arbitrary visitation of an offended God, or the test of an unwise Providence, is the result of our own error or sin,

the sooner shall

health.

we

enter

upon the highway of

Disease comes to those

who

attract

it,

whose mind and bodies are receptive to flees from those whose strong, pure, and it, and positive thought-sphere generates healing and
to those
life-giving currents.
If

you

are

given

to anger, worry, jealousy,

greed, or any other inharmonious state of mind,

and expect perfect physical health, you are expecting the impossible, for you are continually sowing the seeds of disease in your mind. Such conditions of mind are carefully shunned by the ise man, for he knows them to be far more

The Secret
dangerous
house.
If

v:~Power

63

&
or an
infected

^
^N>

Would be free and pains, and would harmony, then put your monize your thoughts.
think loving thoughts;
other medicine.
suspicions,
selfish

^ you

&?

'^j
jp

from all physical aches enjoy perfect physical

mind in order, and harThink joyful thoughts

*

let

the elixir of goodwill fn*\

course through your veins, and you will need no

Put away your jealousies, your

worries,

your

your
will

hatreds,

VF" 1*
38

indulgences, and

you

put away

dyspepsia, your

biliousness,
If

your nervousness

you will persist in clinging to these debilitating and demoralizing habits oi mind, then do not complain when your body is
and aching
joints.

laid

low with sickness.

following story illustrates the close
r

The

between habits of mind an bodily conditions A certain man was afflicted with a painful disease, and he tried one physician
lation that exists
:

after another, but all to

no purpose.

He

then

visited
tive
his

towns which were famous for their curawaters, and after having bathed in them all,

was more painful than ever. One night he dreamed that a Presence came to him and said, " Brother, hast thou tried all the means of cure ? " and he replied, " I have tried all." " Nay," said the Presence, u come with me, and I will show thee a healing bath which has
disease

escaped thy notice."

and the ^w^ter, and said, " Plunge thyself in this water and thou shalt surely recover," and thereupon vanished. The man plunged into the water, and on coming out, lo his disease had left him, and at the same moment he saw written above the pool the word " Renounce." Upon waking, the full meaning of his dream flashed across his tind, and looking within he discovered that he tad, all along, been a victim to a sinful indulgenoe, and he vowed that he would renounce it forever. He carried out his vow, and from that lay his affliction began to leave him, and V in a short time he was completely restored to
!

The afflicted man followed, Presence led him to a clear pool of

rMany people complain that they have broken down through over-work. In the majority of
more frequently the result of foolishly wasted energy. If you would secure health you must learn to work without friction. To become anxious or excited, cases the

break-down

is

or to worry "over needless details

is

to invite a
is

break-down.
beneficial

Work, whether

of brain or body,

<lrr;
\

and health-giving, and the man who can work with a steady and calm persistency, freed from all anxiety and worry, and with his mind utterly oblivious to all but the work he has in hand, will not only accomplish far more than

>fw

The Secret of Health, Success

the

and Power 65

man who
will

he

always hurried and anxious, but retain his health, a boon which the other
is

quickly

forfeits.

True health and true success go together, i&r

they are inseparably intertwined in the thoughtAs mental harmony produces bodily, realm.
health, so
it

also leads to a

harmonious sequence

'

working out of one's plans. Ord your thoughts and you will order your li Pour the oil of tranquillity upon "the turbulen waters of the passions and prejudices, and tlurk tempests of misfortune, howsoever they fliayV threaten, will be powerless to wreck the barque of your soul, as it threads its way across ^IfeJ ocean of life. And if that barque be pilotel a cheerful and never-failing faith its cou^efv be doubly sure, and many perils will pass il which would otherwise attack it. By the pother
in the actual

of faith every enduring

work

is

accomplished.

Faith in the Supreme; faith in the over-ruling

Law

faith in

your work, and

in
is

accomplish that work,

here

your power to the rock upon

which you must build if you would achieve, if you would stand and not fall. To follow, under all circumstances, the highest promptings within you to be always true to the divine self; to rely upon the inward Light, the inward Voice, and to pursue your purpose wit h a fearless and efo fuLheart, believing that the future will yield unto
;

%^^x

levity

*L

nd effort; know^tfrat

U ^iat

laws of the
exactitude, this

se can never

fail,

yoM2Jfwn

wiff^gftre back to
is

jtii^matical

you with faith and the

Uytmg of

faith. By the power of such a faith the ark waters of uncertainty are divided, every mouni

of difficulty crumbles away,

and the believing

!

passes

'quire,

on unharmed. Strive, O reader to above everything, the priceless possesit is

sion of this dauntless faith, for

the talisman

appiness, of success, of peace, of power, of

makes life great and superior to suffering. upon such a faith, and you build upon the of the Eternal, and with the materials of Eternal, and the structure that you erect will
at
.

neymf be dissolved, for

of which
is

it

will transcend all the

umulations of material luxuries and riches, the

dust.

Whether you
lifted

are hurled

upon the ights of joy, ever retain your hold upon this j^ever return to it as your rock of refuge, and ^p your feet firmly planted upon its immortal d immovable base. Centred in such a faith, will become possessed of such a spiritual
depths of sorrow, or
rjejfcgth

i^he

as will

shatter, like so

many

toys of

glass, all the forces of evil that are

u,

hurled against

and you

will

achieve a success such as the

mere

striver after worldly gain

can never
faith,

know

or even

dream

of.

" If

ye have

and doubt

The Secret of Health, Success and Power 67

not,

ye

shall not

only do

this,

but

if

ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done." There are those to-day, men and women tabernacled in flesh and blood, who have realized this faith, who live in it and by it day by day, and who, having put it to the uttermost test, have entered into the possession of its glory and peace. Such have sent out the word of command, and the mountains of sorrow and disappointment, of mental weariness and physical pain have passed from them, and have been cas^into
the sea of oblivion.
If will

jC^S
fait)

you

will

become possessed of\his

and success
will come.^j

not need to trouble about yoi

cess or failure,

not need to become anxious about

will

results,

but
that

work

joyfully and peacefully,

knowing

right thoughts

and right
results.

efforts will inevitably ^

bring about right

I

know

a lady

who

has entered into m

blissful

satisfactions,

marked

to her, "

and recently ar#tend Oh, how fortuna^

only have to wish for a thing, %x@$f') to you." And it did, indeed, appear so 'dfflsurface
;

You

but in reality

all

the blesseddness that

life

entered into this woman's

/come of the inward state of

has, throughout
life,

been

culJR||S||

4^
Path of Prosperity
.

Mere

wishi

noth-

ing but disappointment; ltTs'TivTn]

>r

ratrtdls.

Mie

foolish wish^noT^gi'irtnble
;>wait.

tae^ wis")

work

And i\na

this tms

woman

had

worked;

orked without and within, but especially within

and with the invisible hands of the spirit she had built up, with the precious stones of faith, hope, joy, devotion, and ve, a fair temple of light, whose glorifying radiance was ever round about her. It beamed in eye; it shone through her countenance it J vibrated in her voice and all who came into her
; ;

heart and soul

presence

felt its

captivating spell.

And
c$rr

as with her, so with you.

Your

success,

your influence, your whole life you rry about with you, for your dominant trends thought are the determining factors in your
failure,

stiny.

Se^4^dr1uvmg,
will

StairrtessTft-ftd-happy
fall

oughts, and blessings will

into

your hands,

^\
v
y^

\j

d your table
ace.

be spread with the cloth of

Send forth hateful, impure, and unhappy oughts, and curses will rain down upon you, fear and unrest will wait upon your pillow. u are the unconditional maker of your fate, be that fate what it may. Every moment you are nding forth from you the influences which will ke or mar your life. Let your heart grow rge and loving and unselfish, and great and lasting will be your influence and success, even

A
./^

The Secret of Health^Jk

i*

w$. Power

though you make little money. Confine it within the narrow limits of self-interest, and even though you become a millionaire your influence and success, at the final reckoning will be found to be
utterly insignificant.

(J

and unselfish spirit, "rj and combine with purity and faith, singleness^ h r purpose, and you are evolving Jr^m within tSi\^ elements, not only of abounding health and enduring success, but of greatness and power, t
Cultivate, then, this pure
;

"

your present position is distasteful to and your heart is not in your work, nevertheless perform your duties with scrupulous diligence, and whilst resting your mind in the idea that the
If

better

position
for

waiting

and greater opportunities are you ever keep an active mej^

;

outlook for budding possibilities

the critical
presents

so"

that

when

.*

moment
you

arrives,

and the new channel

into
it

itself,

will step

with yot

mind

fully

prepared for the undertaking, a

is

with that intelligence and foresight which

of mental discipline.

Whatever your
wlinTe^iminrl u pon
v

task
it,

may

zf> be, conce ntra^ y

\

v*

throw into

\ all

the ener

of which jrou arej:ajgable.

The
rise

faultless

compl

nH
i>

tion
.

of small

tasks
it

leads inevitably to la

See to

that
"

you

by steady climbing,
bereiil ltes tlletf

arTdr^yoiT will never Tall!

T And

secret of true power.

Learn, by constant prac-

JO
tice,

Hie Path of Prosperity

husband your resources, and to concentrate them, at any moment, upon a given The foolish waste all their mental and point. spiritual energy in frivolity, foolish chatter, or selfish argument, not to mention wasteful physical
to

how

excesses.

you would acquire overcoming power you must cultivate poise and passivity. You must be able to stand alone. All power is associated with immovability. The mountain, the massive
If

rock,

the

storm-tried

oak,

all

speak to us of

power, because of their combined solitary grandeur and defiant

fixity
;

while the shifting sand,

the yielding twig, and the waving reed speak to

us of weakness, because they are movable
non-resistant,

and
deof

and are

utterly useless

when

tached

from their

fellows.

He

is

the

man

power who, when all his fellows are swayed by some emotion or passion, remains calm and unmoved. He only is fitted to command and control who has succeeded in commanding and controlling
himself.
less

The

hysterical, the fearful, the thoughtlet

and

frivolous,

such seek company, or

support
;

they

will fall for lack of

but the calm,

let

the fearless, the thoughtful, and grave,

such

seek the solitude of the

and the mountain-top, and to their power more power will be added, and they will more and more sucforest, the desert,

The Secret of Healthy Success and

stem the psychic currents pools which engulf mankind. Passion is not power it is the abuse of po< Passion is like a fui the dispersion of power. storm which beats fiercely and wildly upon\h<
cessfully
;

embattled rock, whilst power

self,
it

is

like the

rock

it-

which remains silent and unmoved through all. That was a manifestation of true power|
Luther, wearied with the persua-

when Martin

who were doubtful a| to his safety should he go to Worms, replij " If there were as many devils in Worms as tl
sions of his fearful friends,

are

on the house-tops I would go.' when Benjamin Disraeli broke down in his first Parliamentary speech, and brought upon himseljg the derision of the House, that was an exhibition^ of germinal'power when he exclaimed, " The da)^ will come when you will consider it an honor to^
tiles

listen to

me."
that

When

young man, whom

friends

knew, passing
desist froi

through continual reverses and misfortunes, was'

mocked by

his

and told to

and he replied, " The time is nertj distant when you will marvel at my good fortegp; and success," he showed that he was possessed of that silent and irresistible power which has taker] him over innumerable difficulties, and crowned
further effort,
his
life

with success.
this

If

you have not

power, you

may

acquire

*\

ith

of Prosperity

and the beginning of power is likewise the beginning of wisdom. You must commence by overcoming those purposeless trivialities to which you have hitherto been a
it

by

practice,

and uncontrolled laughter, slander and idle talk, and joking merely to raise a laugh, all these things must be put on one side as so much waste of valuable energy. iLSlc. Paul never showed his wonderful insight into
willing
victim.

Boisterous

jtfye

human progress to greater advantage than when he warned the Ephesians

hidden laws of
is

against " Foolish talking and jesting which

not

convenient,"
tices-is to

for,

to dwell habitually in such pracall

destroy

spiritual

power and life.

will

As

succeed in rendering yourself impervious to

such mental dissipations you

stand what true power
is,

begin to underwill

and you

then comdesires

mence

to grapple with the

more powerful

and appetites which hold your soul in bondage, and bar the way to power, and your further progress will then

be made

clear.
;

Above
and
servedly

all,

be of single aim

have a legitimate

useful

purpose, and devote yourself unreit.

to

Let nothing draw you aside

remember

that

V The double-minded man

is

un-;

stable in all his ways. <0$3e eager to learn, butVj"

"Have a thorough understanding of your work, and let it be your own as you proo"w~to beg.
;

ceed, ever following the inward Guide, the infal-


The Secret of Healthy Success and
lible

Voice, you ^ifiyP*S^*Jfe tory, and will rise step by step to higher restingplaces,

m^(P^^L

j&

and your ever-broadening outlook wi gradually reveal to you the essential beauty^a^
purpose
yours
;

of

life.

Self-purified,

health
will

wilk^

be you self-governed, power will be yours, and all tha you do will prosper, for, ceasing to be a disjointed unit, self-enslaved, you will be in harmony wi
faith-protected,

success

the Great Law, working no longer against,

with, the universal Life, the Eternal Good.

And

what health you gain it will remain with what success you achieve will be beyorM^ human computation, and will never pass a\jw;^ and what influence and power you wield wjll^rK
tinue to increase throughout the ages, fof
i

be a part of that unchangeable Principle ^lichjj

supports the universe.
This, then,
is

the secret of health,

**&%$

heart and a well-ordered

of success,

mind

this

is

the secret

an

unfaltering faith, and a wisely;

directed purpose

and to rein

in,

with unfalteris

ing

will,

the dark steed of desire, this

the S^cJ

of power.

74

The Path of Prosperity

All ways are waiting for

my

feet to tread,

The light and dark, the living and the c*ead, The broad and narrow way, the high an. low, The good and bad, and with quick step or slow, I now may enter any way I will,

And
And

find,

by walking, which

is

good, which

ill.

all

good things

my wandering

feet await,

If I but

come, with vow inviolate,

Unto the narrow, high and holy way Of heart-born purity, and therein stay ; Walking, secure from him who taunts and

scorns,

To

flowery meads, across the path of thorns.

lay stand
ty

where
if,

health, success,

and power

comirw,

each fleeting hour,

to love/>arid patience
l^ess
;

; and abide and never step aside

itegrity

so shall I see

of immortality.

r may seek and find I may achieve ^Trnay not claim, but, losing, may retrieve. The Law bends not for me, but I must bend
.

would reach the end would restore r^My souKf^pght and Life, and weep no more.

Unto the Law,

if

my

afflictions, if I

thVarrogant and
lings

selfish

claim

; be mine the lowly aim find, to know and comprehend, wisdom-ward all holy footsteps wend. Nothinj^p^3*nje to claim or to command, and understand.

THE SECRET OF ABOUNDING^

HAPPINESS
Great
great
is

is

the thirst for happiness, and equ

the lack of happiness.

The major

the poor long for riches, believing tha

possession would bring

them supreme and

are rich, having graft

happiness.

Many who

every desire and whim, suffer from ennui

and are farther from the possessi happiness even than the very poor. If we fleet upon this state of things, it will ultima^f lead us to a knowledge of the all-important tru that happiness is not derived from mere outw
repletion,

possessions, nor misery from the lack of the

for if this

were

so,

we should
is

find the poccr al-

ways

miserable,

and

whereas the reverse

always Jiaj frequently the case. >|f|l82^

the rich

of the most wretched people

whom

have k&^jajy!

were those

who were surrounded

with riches^

some of the brightest and happ people I have met were possessed of only barest necessities of life. Many men who ha
luxury, whilst

accumulated riches have confessed that the se

gratification

which followed the acquisition

75

rospenty
riches has robb

of
*

its

sweetness, and that

they were never

poor.

ppy^^jjffijthe^ were

""^
is

What/ffien,

happiness^a^Fnow^s

WsZ^
it

to
is

be

jft^cured ?
;

Is

it

a figment, a delusion, and

suf-

ferine along^erennial ?
tytj<$jj&i[fad, after earnest observation
ection, mS^all, except those

and
only
It

who have entered

is

the

way

of wisd6^J?elieve that happiness

to be; obtained by the gratification of desire.

this belief,

rooted in the

soil

of ignorance, and
cravings, that
is

gnunually watered by
cause of
i*Ot
all

selfish

the misery in the world.

And

limit

the word desire to

;

the

grosser

sfitf&al cravings

it

extends to the higher psychic

|?$$h,

more powerful, subtle, and inious cravings hold in bondage the intellectual d refined, depriving them of all that beauty, armony, and purity of soul whose expression is
where
far

appiness.
st

people
all

will

admit that selfishness

is

the

J of
they)Ja!l
it

the unhappiness in the world, but

under the soul-destroying delusion that

selfishness,

somebody else's own. When you are

is

and not

their
all

willing to admit that

our unhappiness
selfishness
\\

is

the result of your

far

own
that

you

will

not be

from the gates of

robbing you

Paradise; but so long as

it

you are convinced

is

is

the selfishness of others that

%
The Se&Tt* oT^rfT&tfttofflite ^j&appi
of joy, so long will

you remain

a prisoner in your
*>

self-created purgatory.

~^^V;g

Hap^iHP^^rn.? that irrward state of perfect sa

faction

which

is

joy ancTpeace,

ajgTrom.^
which

a]Ljd[e.sJxe^s_eliiniiiated.

The

satisfaction

results

ary,

from gratified desire is brief and illus^Sjp^: and is always followed by an increase^ tj^
for gratification.

mand

Desire

is

as insatiable,

the ocean, and clamors louder and louder

demands
last

are attended to.

its

It

claims ever-inq

ing service from

deluded devotees, unt

physical or

they are struck

down with
is

anguish, and are hurled into the purifying,

of suffering.
all

Desire

the region of hell^(ar|(^

torments are centred there.

is

The

givingjfi
all

of desire

the realization of heaven, and

lights await the pilgrim there.

" I sent

my

soul through the invisible,

Some

letter of that after life to spell,

And by and by my And whispered,

soul returned to me,

N
and

myself

am heaven
states.

ne

Heaven and
self

hell are

inward

Sink

and
;

all

its

gratifications,

and you sink

hell

above self into that state of conscious ness which is the utter denial arid lorgettuln of self, and you"~~enter neaven. Sen is biine^
ris e

without jud gm_ent not possessed o f true ToiOwfe

l

edge, and always

leads

to

suffering.

Correct

prosperity
rceptron, unbiassed judgment,

edge belong only to

far

^ffi^?b

and true knowlstate,' and only in

consciousness
is.

as

you

realize this divine

you know what

real happiness

So long
your own

you

persist in selfishly seeking for

naJLafeSSpiness, so

long will happiness elude

of

u will

be

sowing the seeds of

etchednessTVLi so
rself in

far as

you succeed
and you

in losing

the scwice of others, in that measure

||^nappiness
st

come

to you,

will

reap a

of

bliss.

"

It is in loving,

not in being loved,

heart
is

The

blessed

Fis in giving, not in seeking

gifts,

We

find our quest.

Whatever be thy longing or thy need, That do thou give; So shall thy soul be fed, and thou indeed
Shalt truly live.

'ling

to

self,

and you cling to sorrow

into peace.

re-

u'sh self,
is

and you enter

To seek

not only to lose happiness, but even

we believe to be the source of happiSee how the glutton is continually looking about for a new delicacy wherewith to stimulate
iich

deadened appetite; and how, bloated, burdened, and diseased, scarcely any food at last is eaten with pleasure. Whereas, he who has mastered his appetite, and not only does not
lis

The Secret of Abounding Happiness

seek,

79

but never thinks

of gustatory

pleasure,

finds delight in the

most frugal meal. The angelform of happiness, which men, looking through
self,

imagine they see in gratified desire, when clasped is always found to be the Truly, " He that seeketh his skeleton of misery.
the eyes of
life

shall lose
it."

it,

and he that loseth

will

his life shall

find

Abiding happiness
up.

come

to

you when,

ceasing to selfishly cling, you are willing to give

When you

are willing to lose, unrejseryedly,

impermanent thing which is so dear to you, and which, whether you cling to it or ii5l^%ill one day be snatched from you, then you will find that that which seemed to you like a painful To gi loss, turns out to be a supreme gain. up in order to gain, than this there is no |*f% delusion, nor no more prolific source of miser but to be willing to yield up and to suffer 1
that
this is

indeed the
is it

Way
in

of Life.

How
centring
their

possible to find real c Ha^iness>42r^T

ourselves

those things which,

?

by

very nature, musT"^ass~~away

real

and
tring

Abiding happiness can only be found by centhat

ourselves "~iri

whichj-^; permanent.
things,

Rise, therefore, above

the cTihging 'tcT^nd the

craving

for

impermanent
above
self,

and you

will

then enter into a consciousness of the Eternal,

and

as, rising

and by growing more

x-v*^-*

J-^.

50

i^//*

<?/"

Prosperity

and more into the spirit of purity, self-sacrifice and universal Love, you become centred in that
:onsciousness,

you

will

realize

that

happiness

mien has no reaction, and which can never be taken from you.

The
fulness
;

heart that has reached utter self-forgetin

its

love for others has not only be-

come

possessed of the highest happiness, but has

it

entered into immortality, for

ivine.

has realized the

Look back upon your life, and you find that the moments of supremest happiness were those in which you uttered some word, or performed some act, of compassion or selfdenying
love.

Spiritualty, happiness

lymoiu&v Harmony
,aw wlipse
>elfishness is
>ut

is

and harmony are synone phase of the Great

is

spiritual

expression

love.
is

Ali
to

discord,

and to be

selfish

be
the

of

harmony with the Divine

that

order.

As we
is

;alize

all-embracing
self,

love which

igation of
:r
rith

we put

ourselves in

harmony

the divine music, the universal song, and

that ineffable

melody which is true happiness becomes our own. Men and women are rushing hither and thither in the blind search for happiness, and cannot
find
it
;

nor ever
is

will until

they recognize that

tappiness

already within

them and round

about them,

filling

the universe, and that they, in

The Secret of Abounding Happiness

their
selfish searching,
it.

are shutting themselves

out from
"

I followed

happiness to

make her mine,

Past towering oak and swinging ivy vine. ^ She fled, I chased, o'er slanting hill and da

O'er

fields

and meadows, in the purpling vale

Pursuing rapidly o'er dashing stream, I scaled the dizzy cliffs where eagles scream
I traversed swiftly every land

and

sea,

But always happiness eluded me.

" Exhausted, fainting, I pursued no more

upon a barren shore. One came and asked for food, and one for al|^4 I placed the bread and gold in bony palms^
But sank
to rest

One came
When,
lo
!

for

sympathy, and one for

rest
;

(^
**;

I shared with every needy one

my

best

sweet Happiness, with form dtvin

softly,

Stood by me, whispering

am

thine.'

"

These

beautiful lines of Burleigh's express the

Sacrifice the

secret of all-abounding happiness.

personal and transient, and you rise at once into

the impersonal and permanent.

Give up that
all

narrow cramped

self

that
its

seeks to render

things subservient to

you

will

enter into the

own petty interests, and company of the angels,

in the

into the very heart

and essence of universal Love.

sorrows of others

Forget yourself entirely

and

in

ministering to others, and divine happi-

ness will emancipate

suffering.

you from
first

all

sorrow and

"

Taking the

step with a

good

7ze ht, the

Path of Prosperity

second with a good word, and the

I

with a good deed,

n^J

entered Paradise."

you also may enter into Paradise by pursug the same course. It is not beyond, it is here, realized only by the unselfish. It is known
i

its

fulness only to the pure in heart.

If
ss

you have not realized this unbounded happiyou may begin to actualize it by ever holdbefore you the lofty ideal of unselfish love,
aspiring towards
it.

Aspiration or prayer
It is

is

e turned upward.

the soul turning to-

wards

its

Divine source, where alone permanent

atisfaction

can be found.

By

aspiration the de-

tructive

forces

of desire are transmuted into

divine and all-preserving energy.

fo

To

aspire

is

make an
;

effort to

shake off the trammels of

desire
ess

it

is

the prodigal

made

wise
his

by

loneli-

and

suffering,

returning to

Father's

Mansion.

As you
,

rise

above the sordid

self;

as

you
dis-

one

after another, the

chains that bind

will

you

realize the

joy of giving, as

inguished from the misery of grasping

;

giving
;

your substance giving of your intellect giving of the love and light that are growing within
you.
"
*s\*

You

will

then understand that

it is

indeed

more blessed

to give than to receive."

But the

/^Ovgiving must be of the heart without any taint of k -Self, without desire for reward. The gift of pure

\a?C^
love
is

al

bliss,

after

you
',

bunded beca or your narn^p paper, know then that your gift ^wa^ prompti&dj/ by vanity and not by love, aya^r^ were meretfj^||* giving in order to get w^ri^c^gr^ally giving^
have giv^r, you not thanked or
,

Mi

VAv

but grasping.

Lose yourself
yourself in
all

in the

welf&y^6thers

3^2a)

i&
;

forget

you do j^tl&s is the secret of abounding happiness. Ever be on the watch

that

guard against

selfishness,

and learn
;

faithfully t
&*!

divine lessons of inward sacrifice

so shall y climb the highest heights of happiness, and s

in

remain

the never-clouded sunshine of jatttr^

versal joy, clothed in the shining

garment of
^g!

immortality.

is

Jl

'4

^
wL

Are you searching

tre

for thfctetppiness that

does not fade away ?

you looking

for the

joythat

lives,

and leaves no grievous and

Life,

rou panting for the waterbrooks of Love,

'eace ?

and

Then

let all

dark desires depart, and

selfish

seeking cease.

ar^bt^ ling'ring in the paths of pain, grief-haunted, stricken

r

^ sore ?
^y

\ie -you wan^iu^ig in the ways that

wound your weary

feet the

more?
cease ?

^^
for the

ire

you sighing

Resting-Place where tears and sorrows

\
your
selfish heart,

Then

sacrifice

and find the Heart of Peace.

THE REALIZATION OF PROSPERITY)]

It
is

granted only to the heart. 4hat

trust,

abou^s yto

with integrity,

generosity

ano^aye
is

ize true prosperity.

The

heart that

not

sessed of these qualities cannot

for prosperity, like happiness,

know
is

prosperity,

S^

not an outward

possession,

but

an

inward

realization.

The

greedy
will

man may become

a millionaire, but

always be wretched, and mean, and poor,

will

and

even consider himself outwardly poor so

is

long as there

man

in the

world

who

is

richer

than himself, whilst the upright, the open-hand

and loving will realize a full and rich prosperity, even though their outward possessions may otf*] " He is poor who is dissatisfied he is small. ''$yl rich who is contented with what he has," and he is richer who is generous with what he hasijs%^ Hl7^ When we contemplate the fact that tfoe/uniA^^^y verse is abounding in all good things, material as well as spiritual, and compare it with man's
;
,

blind eagerness to secure a few gold coins, or

aftv

few acres of

dirt, it is

then that
is
;

we
it

realize
is

how

dark and ignorant selfishness

then that

we know

that self-seeking 85

is

self-destruction.

\\

86

Path of Prosperity

Nature gives all, without reservation, and loses nothing; man, grasping all, loses everything. If you would realize true prosperity do not down, as many have done, into the belief

you do

right everything will

go wrong.
" to

Do

not allow the word " competition

faith in the

shake
I

your

supremacy of righteousness.
I

care not what

men may

say about the " laws of

competition," for do
able

not

know

the Unchange-

Law, which shall one day put them all to rout, and which puts them to rout even now in the heart and life of the righteous man ? And knowing this Law I can contemplate all dishonesty with undisturbed repose, for
I

know

where certain destruction awaits

**
r

it.

Under

all

circumstances do that which you be',

lieve to be right

and
is

trust the

Law;

trust the

ok
/

Divine Power that

immanent

in the universe,

and it will never desert you, and you will always H3e protected. By such a trust all your losses will be converted into gains, and all curses which
threaten
will

be

transmuted

into

blessings.

Never

let

go of

integrity, generosity,

for these,

coupled with energy, will

and love, lift you into

the truly prosperous state.

Do

not believe the

world when
tend
to "

wards.
all,

you that you must always atnumber one " first, and to others afterTo do this is not to think of others at
it tells

but only of one's

own

comforts.

To

those

Av$fc^
The Realization of Pvj^m

day will come when they will be deserted by all, and when they cry out in their loneliness and anguish there will be/*raf|HR^A To consider oneself he to hear and help them. fore all others is to cramp and warp ancfchin every noble and divine impulse. Let your s

who

practice this the

your heart reach out to others in lov ing and generous warmth, and great and )0$fa% will be your joy, and all prosperity will come,
expand,
let

you.

Those who have wandered from the highway

of righteousness guard themselves agains^cjSjJf
petition
;

those

who always pursue th^g^f*

need not to trouble about such defense. /This no empty statement. There are men to-day

who, by the power of integrity and faith/%k^rf defied all competition, and who, without swe ing in the least from their methods, when competed with, have risen steadily into prosperity, whilst those who tried to undermine them have fallen back defeated. To possess those inward qualities which consti-

armored against all the powers of evil, and to be doubly protected in every time of trial and to build oneself up in those qualities is to build up a success which cannot be shaken, and to enter into a prosperity which will endure forever.
tute goodness
is

to be

88

The Path of Prosperity

The White Robe

of the Heart Invisible

Is stained with sin

and sorrow,
it

grief

and pain,

And

all

repentant pools and springs of prayer

Shall not avail to

wash

white again.

While

in the path of ignorance I walk,

stains of error will not cease to cling
self,

The

Defilements mark the crooked path of

Where anguish
owledge
*ft

lurks

and disappointments

sting.

Ijtnd

To

purify

wisdom only can avail and make my garment clean,

waters
;

For therein

lie love's

therein rests

m ^

Peace undisturbed, eternal, and serene.

n and repentance is the path of pain, Knowledge and wisdom is the path of Peace

By the near way of practice I will find Where bliss begins, how pains and sorrows
Self shall depart,

cease.

and Truth

shall take

its

place;

hangeless One, the Indivisible

up
hite

his

abode in me, and cleanse

of the Heart Invisible.

Robe

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Ninth Edition.

Paths
o
By

to

wer
B.

FLOYD

WILSON

CONTENTS
One's Atmosphere

Growth

Psychic

Law

in Student

Work

Unfoldment Power How

:

to Attain It

Harmony The Assertion of the I The Tree of Knowledge

Conditions
Faith

of Good and

Evil

Back of Vibrations Wasted Energy Something About Genius

Shakespeare
:

How He
and the

Told

Hi*

Secret

in

t he

" Dream"

"Tempest"

R. F.
1

FENNO & COMPANY

St.
::

East Seventeenth

New York

Letters

of a
to

Business

Woman
By
Editor of The

Her Niece
A.

CAROLINE

HULING
and Latest Literature
serially in

BOOKSELLER

These
Eastern
attention
culation.

letters

were published

an

Magazine, attracting considerable

and adding materially

to

its

cir-

They embody
for

suggestions in the
life,

preparation

business

getting

and

keeping a position,
the

ethics, dress,

conduct,

investment of savings and the man-

agement of a business, getting and giving credit and other important matters of which young women are generally ignorant. There is nothing of this nature on the market, and a large sale is anticipated for the book. Miss Huling has utilized the experiences of twenty years in business life, in these letters which are designed to be helpful to younger women. Handsomely bound in cloth, and neatly
boxed for presentation purposes, 1 2 mo. in size, $1.00 net.

R.
1

F.

FENNO

&

CO.,
New York

8 East 17th Street

izmo,

cloth, gilt top,

#1.2$.

Man Limitless
By

FLOYD

B.

WILSON

AUTHOR OF "Paths to Power," &c., &c.

CONTENTS
Man,
Love
Limitless

The Christ Work

Control of
Suggestion

Principle

Through

Intuition

Memory

Must Age Enfeeble ? Pathway to Achievement

Children of the

Gods

Shakespeare's Ariel
Spirit

Aid

in

Man's Unfoldment

R. F.

FENNO & COMPANY

NEW YORK

Fate Mastered
Destiny Fulfilled
By.

W.

j.

COLVILLE

mm

CONTENTS
Fate Mastered
Interior

Destiny Force
Its

Fulfilled

Practical Evolution

T&ou&ht as a Shie

dThe Human Aura

"

'

II

II

KANDSOMELY
and Stamped

bound
Pages

in

White

Cloth,
of

in

Three Colors
J

Ink.

Twelve-mo
Postpaid.^

<| Fifty-two

Thirty cents.

R.

F.

FENNO & COMPANY

Street
,

18 East Seventeenth

New

York City

..

IMHIBM

9mmmmgttagKwmmamtmmm

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Date Due
All library items are subject to recall at

any time.

l&tiM
Aug o 2
201

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Brigham Young University

BRIGHAN1 YOUNG UNIVERSITY

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