What we are is the result of what we have thought. In the process of evolution thinking may have covered a vast period of time, nevertheless thought shapes the protoplasm as well as every other form in the ascent of life until in the fulness of time the body of man becomes the outward expression of that which he has thought himself to be. Mind, intelligence, thought, are in all things, even from the least to the greatest; thought in itself is only the instrument which shapes all form; the real substance of life is faith. Take away the element of faith and thought ceases to be creative. To the degree that faith enters into the life, man becomes a creator. In thoroughly intelligent character-building we must consider the relative value of everything entering into the plan of life in order to get perfect results.

Faith may be said to be the foundation-principle in the life of man; through it we become consciously related to God. From faith were the mountains made and by faith shall the mountains be removed. There are no obstacles in life which are not leveled by the power of faith. Faith is the real substance of life and love is the only law to which faith must conform. We lay an eternal foundation when we accept love as the law and faith as the substance of all things. There is no law, there is no substance, apart from love and faith. The recognition of this makes man one with God, giving him dominion and power over all things.

Many have thought faith a state created by the mind, something we could add to or take from, but the mind is not its author. The mind may throw wide the door and invite faith to enter and flood the outer life. When this takes place man can accomplish in the outer world whatever he wills to do. A New Testament writer tells us of the wonderful works done by the great and holy men of Israel through faith. When we realize its importance and absolute necessity to our well-being, we should desire it fervently and seek it diligently. The influx of faith is dependent very greatly on its use; only as we use it in accordance with its law does the supply equal the demand. The real development of character comes through the mind's use of faith, and through its influence the mind becomes positive, and is no longer lost in a sea of doubt.

Thought is like the Galatea of Pygmalion, while faith is the principle which animates and gives life. Bring the animating principle into everything you think and everything you do, and your every work will become instinct with life. The great pictures, the great music, the great statuary, the great poetry, and everything that has been great in this world, has been great only because of the faith put into the work. Everything which endures, endures because of faith. Let us desire, let us pray, that in all things we may have faith. Doubt saps the very force of life, and in a spirit of doubt we can accomplish no good thing. In the spirit of faith we put our hope and trust in God, the mind's thought pictures become clear, there is perfect fearlessness, and every faculty of mind functions in the way it was intended from the beginning.

We make our lives complex and hard to live by departing from the great essential things of life and living in the non-essentials, but we can be what we will to be, through love and faith. Character-building is not making something out of nothing, but it is the right use of the talents with which we are endowed. We do not build character through or by the external knowledge of life. The real fountain of wisdom has its source in the secret places of the Most High, "whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away"; but wisdom, the word of God in the life, shall endure forever.

Let us learn to be thoroughly consistent; let us see that the law in its action discloses to us an evolution from within rather than an accumulation of knowledge from without. Faith is the great vitalizing force of the universe; it heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, it is more real than anything we can see or touch. Faith is not belief. Without faith, works are dead, yet the real manifestation of faith becomes evident through works. In character-building we require faith in God, in man, and in ourselves, as well as in whatever we undertake. If we are lacking in faith life becomes a failure; abiding in faith, all things tend toward success. Some time the importance and value of faith in the life will become so thoroughly understood that doubt will have no place.