CHAP.

    I Influence, and the Atmosphere Man Carries

   II Life’s Great Hearts, and the Helpfulness
       of the Higher Manhood

  III The Investment of Talent and Its Return

   IV Vicarious Lives as Instruments of Social Progress

    V Genius, and the Debt of Strength

   VI The Time Element in Individual Character
       and Social Growth

  VII The Supremacy of Heart Over Brain

 VIII Renown Through Self-Renunciation

   IX The Gentleness of True Gianthood

    X The Thunder of Silent Fidelity:  a Study
       of the Influence of Little Things

   XI Influence, and the Strategic Element in Opportunity

  XII Influence, and the Principle of Reaction
       in Life and Character

 XIII The Love that Perfects Life

  XIV Hope’s Harvest, and the Far-off Interest of Tears

INFLUENCE, AND THE ATMOSPHERE MAN CARRIES.

“I do not believe the world is dying for new ideas.  A teacher has a high place amongst us, but someone is wanted here and abroad far more than a teacher.  It is power we need, power that shall help us to solve our practical problems, power that shall help us to realize a high, individual, spiritual life, power that shall make us daring enough to act out all we have seen in vision, all we have learnt in principle from Jesus Christ.”—­Charles A. Berry.

“And Saul sent messengers to take David:  and when they saw the company of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied.  And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers and they prophesied likewise.  And Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also.  Then went Saul to Ramah, and he said, Where are Samuel and David?  And one said, Behold they be at Naioth.  And Saul went thither, and the Spirit of God came on him also and he prophesied.  Wherefore man said:  Is Saul also among the prophets?”—­I.  Samuel, xix, 20-21.

CHAPTER I.

Influence, and the atmosphere man carries.

Nature’s forces carry their atmosphere.  The sun gushes forth light unquenchable; coals throw off heat; violets are larger in influence than bulb; pomegranates and spices crowd the house with sweet odors.  Man also has his atmosphere.  He is a force-bearer and a force-producer.  He journeys forward, exhaling influences.  Scientists speak of the magnetic circle.  Artists express the same idea by the halo of light emanating from the divine head.  Business men understand this principle, those skilled in promoting great enterprises bring the men to be impressed into a room and create an atmosphere around them.  In measuring Kossuth’s influence over the multitudes that thronged and pressed upon him the historian said:  “We must first reckon with the orator’s physical bulk and then carry the measuring-line about his atmosphere.”