32 



or less closely to assume the likeness of the parent, 

 and likeness in the shape of what is wrong may be 

 assumed as well as in the shape of what is right. 

 Quitting the quality of the power given to us 

 to start with, we are next dependent upon the 

 influences derived from the external or surrounding 

 conditions to which we become exposed. Light, 

 air, what we eat and drink or what in any way 

 gets into the system, temperature, exercise of mind 

 and body — in short, the conditions under which 

 we live — all exert their influence in favouring or 

 otherwise a natural passage through life. Within 

 us, operations forming a part of the operations of 

 nature proceed, but these operations are influenced 

 by — owe their activity indeed — to the surrounding 

 conditions, and thus it is that upon these surround- 

 ing conditions depends whether a natural course is 

 run or not. Under the same law these surrounding 

 conditions may exert a modifying influence in this 

 or that particular direction upon the operations 

 that are proceeding, and by long continuance in 

 force may lead to the establishment of a more 

 or less modified state as a part of our nature 



