Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-29
WORKERS IN THE FIELD OF LETTERS
AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

49,
! Was 1t not the great modern ideaIist,
Emerson, who said Great men are they
who see that spiritual is stronger than
any material force-that thoughts rule
the world?" And following in the path
way of this prince among thinkers and
writers is Henry Wood, one of the ablest
and most thoughtful writer's of the day,
a foremost essayst, who has written
many deeply reflective and persuasive
articles along the line of truth known as
"Mental Healing" a subject discussed
and exploited by many of our profound
est and most sagacious minds in such
leading reviews as the Arena, the Meta
physical Magazine, the Christian Meta
physician and many others.
Henry Woods name stands as one of
It's ablest opponents. Claiming to have
been cured of a serious malady in this
way he has grasped its truths with great
yigor and steadfastness, and in his works
writes with firmness, f1uency and ia
cilty of expression that is we'll nigh all
powerful and convincing.
In his able work, Goods Image in
Man" there may be truths expressed
which are Calculated to startle the at
tention of the orthodox Christian, ana yet
these beliefs are, many of them, the
foundation and superstructure of our
own faith, but by Henry Wood used and
applied to the present life in way that
is calculated to startle the ordinary ana
self satisfied thinker. In his novel; Ed
ward Burton" Mr.. Wood gives IN
graphic and interesting story many OF
his beliefs and truths as applied IN the
lives of his characters, and even the UNI
believing reader is forced to admit the
strength of argument gained from TINS
mode of treatment. Ideal suggestion
was added to the authors list, ana
proved a valuable one. 1t treats of the
laws of Mental Healing" then of Ideal
Suggestion" while part third contains
"Meditations and Suggestions, in which
are given twenty short lessons and an
equal number of thought phrases to be
held mentally Mr.. Woods latest Is
"Studies in the Thought World, which
will but add to his reputation as a gift
ed talented writer, yet withal endowed
with mentality that is brilliant, clever
and versa tile, treating his subjects with
a f1uency and earnestness of style and
diction that is charming to the reader,
whatever may be his beliefs or sympa-
thies.
"Studes in the Thought World" is a
collection of lectures and essays, some or
which have appeared in magazines, but
are here published for the first time; and
gathered and presented to the pubic IN
book form, like short stories" each Is
measurably complete. In the essay on
1.-THE Vital Energy and It's Increase IS
found a sentence that may be quoted as
giving the leading thought of what Mr..
Wood is pleased to urge as the higher
life He says: Metaphysical science
and experience show that so far as one
holds as a positive principle that ne is
soul and that it is normal for him to
Ia nhUSioa1 instrument. thus 1aT ne
gains a growing power and control over
It. This thought firmly and continuous
ay held so moulds and influences the booy
that at length it not only renders use
full and harmonious ministry to its lord
and master but also becomes increas-
1ngly impervious to disorder and inhar-
mony. Everyone has long been aware
that fear, grief, sin, anxiety, pessimism
and all their train pull down bodily tis-
sue; but we have unwittingly failed to
observe that their positive oppos1teS
would surely build up. But this is logical
and reasonable. Harmony, JOY, opti-
mism, idealism, love and courage Will
surely invigorate. Under the now we'll
understood law of auto-suggestion ana
thought-concentration each mental con-
hjtion can be positively cultivated and
made dominant in the consciousness. 1t
Is possible to entirely change the mentai
habit"
Familiar one, "As a man thinketh in his
heart so he is" yet he claims that TINS
hs not merely moral or religious piatl-
hude. but a scientific statement, that in a
deem true sense the creative power or
Thought is his divine instrument, and that
Through the spiritual alembic OF his IN
her nature he may rightfully call Tor all
things to pay him tribute.
The following quotation may serve TO
rive some conception of the beauty OF
Style and imagery SO successfully and
polntedly used by the author. Speaking
Of a figure of typical PERFECTION, ne
says: Love, purity, peace and beauty
are eloquent in every feature, and from
IT is radiated celestial halo, soft and
harmonious. Thought the artist, has
carved this statue during the highest
flights of it's inspiration and left 1t upon
its pedestal as its supreme EFFORT. NO
other sculptor has aided In ITS execution,
for each subjective artist designs ana
executes only it's own. This is the, Christ
within. and no external power can re-
move or disturb 1t. Linger in this pres
ence, oh, consciousness, for 1t Will at
length transform thee into its own glori-
GUS likeness Come up often from the
lower and baser domains sit in the 81
lence, and be at home in the divine audi
forum of your nature.
There are many timely suggestions and
words of deep import in the essays on
'The Divinity of Nature" THE Educa-
tion of Thought" Mental Healing" and
Others, chapters that form delightful and
valuable reading, even though one may
not be prepared TO accept all of the au-
thor's theories. Mr.. Wood Is always rev.
erent when speaking of things which
others revere, and ever writes with
frankness, not claiming that occult as
sumption which has done so much to
prejudice the intellectual world against
psychic questions. Few men who deal
with speculative themes possess the rare
BOWER of inspiring thought and broaden
ing the horizon of human conception in
SO large a degree as does Mr.. Wood.
That the mental attitude affects the
physical condition of humanity is an in
disputable fact, and the wondrous and
hitherto unrecognized power of mind
over matter is now accepted by many of
our most eminent men. There Is much
of Inspiration. soul-uplifting and illumi-
ma ton to be found among these pages,
and 1t is possible that their perusal may
have somewhat of profit to that large
class of unfortunates who are continual
ly "enjoying poor health" If they but