Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-08-27

E87Z /M quarter of century Elmer Gates,
wv "a of Washington, thinks that he has
SaaA I'M learned Just how the mind invents
Isy9S4stR4RaA and discovers, says the New York
VN5s<SSlAN8II Sun. Early in life becoming int
IsEISG SSIkS crested in the workings of his own
TFTk &. 1lE9 mind, Mr. Gates began systemate
/ EAA T. ID ic series Of Observances and stud
" I'd ~lbUA les, which, he now asserts, have
7sa O7-J-J led him to the discovery of a new
domain Of experimental psychology, and evolution
Of mind building and development which he has
called the MentatiVe Art.
From the beginning of his investigations, Mr..
Gates applied his discoveries to his own mind. He
says that In this way he gained superior method,
not only OF investigating mental processes, but OF
making fruitful in the line of invention and discOv
cry. More than this, he says he has solved the
mystery OF inspiration and is able by means OF the
Mentative Art, to show just now Pegasus makes
his flights he believes he has found that the laws
which control these mental processes are as regular
as the law of gravity, and that, when they are un.
derstOOd and Obeyed it will be found that the work
Of genius is no more erratc than is the mutiplica-
tion table.
In discussing mind building and development,
which Mr.. Gates contends is true education he
says he has proved, by series OF experiments that
the cell is not only the anatOmic but also the psy-
chOIogic unit of animals and plants, and that cells
can, by psychological training, be developed into
species; also that he finds that conscious ment-
al experience creates, in some part OF the brain
memory OF that experience fl#
One of the experiments by which he arrived at
this conclusion was with young dogs OF the same
age, One of these Mr.. Gates reared as nearly as
possible in perfect darkness, the other in perfect
light. When they were grown he killed them and
after careful examination of the brains OF each
showed that the part which controls sight in the
brain of the dog reared in the light had more cells,
and they we're larger and fuy twenty.fV times as
were developed as was the same part OF the
brain Of the one reared in darkness. Another ex-
pertinent, also with young dogs, which Mr.. Gates
taught to discriminate color, showed like results.
part OF the brain of those that had been trained
was not only better developed, but contained more
cells than those OF the same age and kind that had
not been trained.
That the cells Of the brain can be not only enlarg-
ed, made more efficient and increased in number,
but that these changes are transmitted to offspring,
Mr.. Gates says he proved by series Of expert
ments on guinea pigs. Also that new mental char
acteristics and qualities can be acquired by barin
enrogistratiOn, produced By mind activity and
that these are transmitted.
These experiments led Mr.. Gates to consider q
for immortality and criminal prOpensities, bas-
ed on scientific facts Holding that the structure OF
the brain can be changed by training, he says that
IT, IN that portion of the mind where evil memories
are engendered those that are good ere upbullt by
being kept active each day, they will replace those
that are bad. In this way en- evil disposition may
be converted into one that is good. rnIIFH
Forexample an nl.tempered child has an over
development Of certain brain structure Each time
it s angry the blood flows % that part Of the brain.
In this way it becomes more and more developed
and the evil tendency increases. The remedy for
this and similar undesirable Tenderness is to train
the child IN other kinds Of emotions, thus enregis-
terng in other parts Of the brain better memory
structures while leaving those that are undesirable
inactive and unnOurished. Mr.. Gates believes that
in the future this Law viii be recognized and that
reform schools viii be replaced by training in &C.
cordance with them.
As the child may be trained, so Mr.. Gates says,
each individual may train himself That as the
organ Of thought is perpetually changing in cell
structure and is never finished, each normal human
being s the architect Of his own brain, and may
build and alter whenever be sees it, he says
sIet person spend an hour q day in calling up
certain class Of fine, uplifting and mem
Ories, which in ordinary life are summoned only
occasionally; let him do this as regularly as he
would take physical exercise, and ct the end Of a
month he will be able to note surprising change.
This change WILDE apparent in al bis thoughts,
desires and actions"
Habits, are formed, says Mr.. Gates, in this way.
When thing is done many times in the same man
1er that part Of the brain structure which does the
thinking in connection with the act is nOurished by
he increased flow Of blood which the activity caus.
es consequently the same impulses continue to be
engendered with increasing strength.
Il has long been recognized that eheeriuness ID
conducive to health. Mr.. Gates says that he has
Ound by experiment and observation that there is
IN important probable relation between the emo
ions and the chemical changes constituting cellular
lutrition and that he has found that cheerful, hope