, 1885-05-29
The MYSTIC powea
which Draws People into Close Relation
for Good or III.
f.t.aa.- nt.-.

for Good or III
fpittsburr Dispatch.l
There is a subtle, mysterious infu-
nee about some persons that is truly
remarkable. One OF the singular fea-
lures about it is that those possessing it
have little or no control over it, and
those affected by it have no power to
resist it.
What this power is, or whence it
comes, is the mystery.
II IS generally believed that mind has
influence over mind, independent of the
will of the person concerned. a great
many say they can feel the pressure Of
certain ones without seeing or knowing
they are near, while almost every
one is more or less affected by
the pressure Of others, either strangers
or friends. Thus it may be t-aced
down TO what is generally called like and
dislike. er-NlIfI evflaaItnf $40
The plain truth is that there is often
less mutual affection between compare
tive strangers. 81
II is generally supposed that twins are
devoledly attached to each other, but
such is not the case. Even the Siamese
twins were constantly quarreling, and
had it been possible to get away from
each other would have done so most
cheerfully. Occasionally twin brothers
are found who apparently are only
happy in each others presence. Such
instances are raro. however.
Scientists call it magnetism, spirit
ualists say IL is affinity of the soul, but
those who have it do not bother them
selves about its nature or cause, being
satisfied with the effect.
II is the same influence that renders
preachers, actors, and lecturers popular.
To think that the success Of these before
the public Is due to what they say, or
the way they say it, is a mistake. IL is
this mystic power, and it makes little
difference about the e~locution, the
quality Of voice, or the nature Of the
discourse. Some Of the popular actors
have most marked defect in Yoico.
Tho uncultured preacher. one who has
never seen the inside of a college, very
often breaches all around those who are
accounted profound scholars. Those
preachers who are noted revivalists pos
sess this power in a greater or less de-
gree, according as they are more or less
successful.
1t was said of DIR. Sunderland, the
elder, was so wonderfully endowed
with this power, that he quit preaching
on account of it. He feared that per-
sons were drawn into tho folds of tho
church by his influence who did not
realize what they we're doing. lie is
said to have been able to direct actions
of persons simply through will power,
and that without the aid of words or
signs.
Henry Ward Beecher is filed with tho
same power, but not to as great a degree
- H.. G..-I.-l.,A II. H. kk, f...Ft.r
however, of transmitting it to the writ
ten page, so that those who read may
feel his influence as well rs those who
see and hear him. ai
The question that arises Just here is
whether it is good to possess such power
or to be influenced bv ii. There are
plenty of instances where It has done a
great deal of harm. IL is the strength
of the libertine, the chief agent of the
conspirator, and the talisman of arch
deceiYers.
This does not prevent il from being
productive Of good results. 1t is the
power Of God to influence the wicked,
and that which renders music charming
and social Intercourse agreeable. II is
not at all strange that occasionally it
should DO turned to an evil purpose.
Bad uses are made of things given to
support life, but that does not render
these things unit for proper use. 1t is
the use to which means are put, and not
the means, that is evil. This mystic
power is as much a gift as any of the
special talents, and its exercise no more
sinful than that of the other gifts, if
only exercised properly.
1t isnot love, but it is often mistaken
for it. This is a serious mistake, and
n that is very difficult to correct. One
of its peculiarities is hat it is not mu-
tual. The person who possesses it to
such an extent as to DO able to greatly
influence others rarely feels drawn
toward those who are attracted by it.
In instances where it is mutual 1t forms
a strong bond, but where it is ono
sided it is very unreliable. b..
1t is the secret of the conjurer's spell,
the mind-reader's skill, and spiritualist's
power. To be effective these must pos.
sess it to excess, in which case it be-
comes a dangerous thing, as it gives
them control over not only the physical
life of persons but also over their soul