The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-05-11

Is thinking an art to be acquired? Are
not all men endowed with the power of
thought? Is there anything more neces-
sary than for one to close his eyes and let
his mind have free access in order to think?
To answer these questions, it is necessary
to define what is meant by thought. If
day-dreaming, that act of mind in which
thought roves at random, purposeless and
without effort, is thought, then even, the
poor idiot thinks in his poor fashion,
Then are no rules applicable to this sort of
thinking. But most indulgence in this
kind Of dreamy thinking weakens the
mind and begets mental laziness that is
fatal to progress. 1t benumbs all but the
purely animal faculties and instincts. 1t
is, therefore, to be deprecated in the strong
est terms. 1t has proved and will yet
prove the ruin of many promising youth.
The kind Of though worthy the name
which strengthens instead of weakening
the mind, is what we mean when we speak
of thinking as an art. This kind of thought
is the pleasant labor rather than the luxu-
rous ease of the mind. 1t is only perfect
when under complete subsection to will.
The first great thing in learning to think
is to bring thought under subsection to
will. There has been great deal said
about the Importance Of gaining mastery
over our animal passions, propensities and
emotions. Many an earnest prayer for
help to conquer these fleshy lusts has been
breathed. The fact is, however, that with
minds trained to perfect subserviance, the
passions can have but little sway. 1t is
unrestrained imagination that kindlss the
fires of passion. Cool blood generally goes
with cool heads.
Too much stress cannot be laid upon
the fundamental importance of perfect
command over thought. How many a
student finds a lack of this power the chief
hindrance of progress! How many a page
must be re-read, how many a lesson conned
over and over to compensate for lapses of
thought! In the possession or absence of
this power over mind, lies the chief differ
ence between mental strength and mental
weakness. Some men think as a child
plays with hammer, striking little blows
here, there, everywhere, at any object
within reach. The action of strong
mind may be compared to the stonebreak-
er's sldge hammer, dealing stubborn blows
successfully upon one spot till the hard
rock cracks and yields.
When this command over thought has
been acquired through the long exercise of
resolute will, the power to arrange ideas
to think Systematically will come with it,
and no thinking amounts to much unless it
is systematic. This, then, may be censid-
cred as the second important requirement
in the art of thinking.
The power to classify and arrange ideas
in proper order is one that comes more or
less slowly to even the best of minds. In
proportion as this faculty is strengthened,
desultory and wasted effort diminish
When the mind acts, it acts to some pur-
pose, and can begin where it left off
without going over the whole ground again
u Take up Iue IiireduS Vi us faClOclnatlOnS.
Concentration and system are thus seen
to be the chief element in the art of think
ing. To cultivate the first, constant watch
fulness to detect the least wandering and
the immediate exertion of the will to call
back and hold the mind upon the subject
under consideration should be vigilantly
exercised. To secure the latter, the prac-
tice of Analysing and considering the diff
ferent parts Of a subject, first separately
and then in their relations to each other, is
discipline to which every young mind
should be subjected, and which we are
sorry to say, is very much neglected in the
methods Of instruction practiced in this
country.-Scientifc american.