In ancient Japan, those who became renowned as the favored or honored ones were deemed to possess some mystic force that enabled them to draw fulfillment of their desires through the messengers from Infinity, always presumed to be attending upon them, and so they were distinguished or called children of the gods. Egypt and other oriental countries made a similar classification for their great ones; and all the learning and philosophy of modern times have not sounded the depths, nor uncovered the mystery of genius, whether found in statesmanship, invention, sculpture, painting, music or poetry. Is the subject too subtle for philosophy?

To admire and understand mastership in any field of action requires some unfoldment in the same direction. This opens the vista of appreciation and enables one to enjoy the work of the master. All admirers are inclined to throw around him a sort of sacred halo, and warn the multitude to keep its distance and reverence the mastership reflected. In brief, to-day, as in ancient times, the development of the genius, in whatever field he may grace, is seemingly regarded as something beyond the analysis of logic. Study to know and appreciate his work, says his devoted biographer - that only is your part.

To-day, one seriously seeking his own unfoldment will not be led from his purpose by warnings, come from what source they may. If it be granted that some are divinely led, there must be a cause for this. In ages past, those receiving favors from the gods were believed to be chosen by some of the deities to carry out certain ends and purposes. In modern times, all religions centralize power in One (call that One, God, Energy, or any name you choose), and tell us that omnipotent One can favor whom he will. Why this one or that one may be favored and chosen as a man of destiny is, it appears, a secret of Omnipotence. I cannot see that such an inference or conclusion shows that any advance has been made on the deductions of the philosophers of ages past on this subject of vital interest to humanity. Then they had gods many, and one or several of these gods made the selection; now we have only one God, and he makes the selection. Both the will and purpose of the individual are taken possession of by a mightier power, and these are directed by that power to specific ends and success follows. Others of indefatigable industry labor and reap little of reward, because it appears the great central Being or Force has not elected them for leaders. Does this seem to average intelligence fair?

In teachings generally it is claimed that worthy rewards are certain to follow steadfastness of purpose, coupled with willingness to wait and work. But when one attempts beyond the usual, seeks to discover the unrevealed, strives to reach heights yet unattained, then is he warned. A few only are selected to climb the dizzy heights, he is told, and to assume to be of that few is almost arrogance - leave that entire mysticism to the Infinite - it is impenetrable - it is one of his secrets.

No secrets of Infinity are now beyond the possible reach of human intelligence, is the bold statement of the advanced thinker of to-day. Is the time not ripe for philosophers, in this age, to plunge into the heart of mystery? These platitudes about Infinity selecting are inferences from a worn-out philosophy of the past. Men of destiny everywhere have possessed an abiding faith in themselves. Many have most modestly declared that they saw their duty and did it, and that was all. Many, on the other hand, have declared they were directed by an intelligence in a manner beyond their comprehension, and that to this unknown all honor is due. Modesty, after accomplishment, ornaments the hero; but, in the strife to win, he felt only the vibrations of "I can" and "I will."

Assuming for a moment that God does make the selection - that the genius, the hero, the inventor, the discoverer, is one of that great family formerly known as the children of the gods - may there not be a reason within the individual self for the election? Why did God select him? The earnest, thoughtful man feels in himself powers he is not using. Sometimes environment seems to forbid their use, and sometimes opportunity seems wanting. Why? Who controls environments and opportunities? Man or God, - or both?

The historian or biographer reaches to grasp the work and purpose of his subject and his influence upon the time and thought when he lived, as well as upon succeeding generations. If the biographer be of a metaphysical turn of mind, he may strive to penetrate the inner consciousness of his hero - to discover in some degree the impelling force within, back of, or around that hero. From such biographers, one often receives valuable suggestions to aid in answering these questions.

The new century starts with thinking man practically unhampered. He is open to test new lines of development, if others have proven them of advantage. He is no beggar for favors, but he wants his own. He reads the accepted conclusions of history, and these tell him that fortune is often won without effort, that fame comes through opportunities the recipient did not create, that success is a bolt from the blue of heaven, that, in the great treadmill of work, faithfulness will receive fair compensation and that this should satisfy. The children of the gods will obtain the crowns, and whether he is one or not, time will reveal. Are these conclusions wisely drawn? Let us in the light of the revelations of this age of steam, electricity, telepathy and untrammeled thought, run over the record.

A blacksmith at his forge hammered sparks from iron, and with heat and hammer moulded it into shapes he would. Under his skill, by the employing of heat and force, he adapted to useful ends, inert material, powerless to convert itself to man's needs, but powerful in itself for them, under intelligent manipulation. Did reflection over the sublimity of this work rouse dor mant brain cells to action, and give birth to new desires? As these new desires dawned on that workman's consciousness, what radiance of infinite soul-light filled it and gave him control of the keys of memory, and laid her treasures open to him at will? Elihu Burritt, the blacksmith, became Elihu Burritt, the linguist. He read Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, and became practically master of nearly all the modern European and Slavonic languages. He who does this, or approaches this linguistic mastership, has made memory the hand-maid of his will. Did God select Elihu Burritt to teach a lesson to you and me, and all the world? And, if so, what lesson have we learned? Man has been called simply an instrument in the hands of God; shall he idly wait, like the crude iron slumbering in the mountains, for a greater intelligence to awaken to action? If we must be guided by that greater intelligence, how may we know when it speaks to us? To many it has spoken in dreams and visions that in one case changed purpose, in another, awoke to joy, in another warded from danger, and in another let loose the God-like force of creative genius.