Eternal Mind, thy seedling spark, Through this thin vase of clay, Athwart the waves of chaos dark Emits a timorous ray. This mind enfolding soul is sown, Incarnate germ in earth: In pity, blessed Lord, then own What claims in Thee its birth. Far forth from Thee, thou central fire, To earth’s sad bondage cast, Let not the trembling spark expire; Absorb thine own at last! Each human being has a definite character different from every other human being, and masses of beings aggregated into nations show as wholes that the national force and distinguishing peculiarities go to make up a definite and separate national character. These differences, both individual and national, are due to essential character and not to education. Even the doctrine of the survival of the fittest should show this, for the fitness cannot come from nothing but must at last show itself from the coming to the surface of the actual inner character. And as both individuals and nations among those who are ahead in the struggle with nature exhibit an immense force in their character, we must find a place and time where the force was evolved. These, Theosophy says, are this earth and the whole period during which the human race has been on the planet. So, then, while heredity has something to do with the difference in character as to force and morale, swaying the soul and mind a little and furnishing also the appropriate place for receiving reward and punishment, it is not the cause for the essential nature shown by every one.