A strong character, whether directed by wisdom to goodness, or misled by ignorance to evil, has, as its basis, a self-consciousness of power—a positiveness— which should come from divine persistency, recognizing that "where there is a purpose, there is a way to fulfil it. This characteristic in man builds railroads, levels or tunnels mountains. It forces the citadel of nature, causing her to disgorge her wealth of mysteries, reveals and utilizes her hidden forces, thus making matter the servant of man.
Tracing results to their fountain, causation, where a field of investigation extends to infinity, causes being to emerge from the strata of materiality which fetters it, and to spring forth from out the prison of traditionary beliefs into the sunshine of science.
Humanity, created in the image and likeness of God—possesses God-like possibilities, and this is the legitimate prerogative of man to have "dominion" over all things, whether beast, bird, flesh, or the devil.
The opposite—a negative, dependent, self-fearing (or God skulking) disposition, leans for support on some one of its kind, or continually asks God for that which is already within reach: if sick, asks help of liquor, pills, or plasters; and if not restored by those, doubts God's ability to go beyond them and heal him. Whosoever is seeking precedent in musty traditions, service in forms, worship in sacrifices and vain oblations, is the deadly enemy of religion, and furnishes ammunition to the enemy of Truth, blocks the wheels of progress whether in development of art, science or soul-culture.
