The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-02

(copyright, 1906, by Joseph B. Sowles.)
 What Is it? First, It is subjeei little understood: In consequence ol which 1t has been jrggled with by scores of fakers throughout the coun- try until the mere mention of ii causes one to be l.ttle wary Of II.
 The most comprehensive dehnitio1 can give of personal magnetism" Is a subtle influence. vibratory in char acter. radiating either consciously ol unconsciously, for good or evil, from every human being. All magnetism is personal, but all personal magnetism is not attractive alike, to all persons. Every public man, every business man, every min ister. every teacher, in fact. every body either compels, repels or i'm pels.
 When we come within the atmo' sphere of a strong personality. WI are influenced in either mind or body sometimes both. What Is 1t that in' fuences us? Is 1t the dress or out. ward appearance? Is 1t the voice Is 1t the manner? The last two arc strong and desirable elements, but they may prove deceptive; therefore wc would better seek deeper Is It hyp- notism? Never. It Is not what onl appears to be, but that which one ac- tually Is.
 One may be beautiful of face. figure and form, and may be exquisitely dressed, yet be unattractive On the other hand, one may be homely In fea- ture. lacking symmetry of figure and form, neatly but plainly dressed, ye, be attractive.
 It Is this "something' that, lies hid den. this unseen but ever-feit power that we call personal magnetism. It Is a personality as distinguished from individuality.
 This subtle .'something" has prob ably never been more nearly expressed than in the following excerpt from "Maurine." by Ella Wheeler Wilcox: And he possessed that power. strange,
 occult.
 Called magnetism, lacking better
 word,
 Which m~yes the world. { achieving Where genius fails completely. Touch If thrilled through all your being And you were moved. yet knew not
 how or why,
 Let him but rise. you felt the air waS By an electric current.
 "This strong force
 Is mightier than genius. Rightly usd. It leads to grand achievements; all Before it's magic presence, and its Is broad as earth and heaven. But
 abused,
 It sweeps like a poison simeon on its
 course Bearing miasma in It's scorchtng breath And leaving all 1t touches struck with
 death"
 Although this force is. per SC. in- volitionai, it may be directed in &C., cordance with the desire or through the act of the individual. A man is what he is through heredity. environ ment and education, but he does not need to remain what he is if what he is is not desirable. But what he is and not what he appears to be is manifest to every close student of human nature.
 This personal magnetism like electricity. also has It's opposite poles, and will either attract or repel. The veriest wretch of the slums possesses "personal magnetism;" attractive personal maguetism"-for its kind. but would repel, involuntary. one of higher and purer motives.
 Then again, those two forces (at- traction and repulsion) act on thres different planes; in other words, we have three distinctly separate phases of personal magnetism"- mental. spiritual and physical. We are somtimes drawn toward a person mentally; i. e., we admire him for his intellectual attainments, but are re- pelled because of his physical radia- tions. On the other hand. we may ad- mire his physique although te is lack ing in either his mental or spiritual makeup, or possibly, both.
 Personal magnetism" mental and physical, well spiritualized (the soul element) is a key to the most guarded vaults of human nature. unlocking the most stubborn hearts and opening more doors in business and social life than any other one elemen. known to mankind.
 Personal magnetism (physicaD may be acquired by the generating and con- serving of that vital principle we call life. Physical exercises alone will not do 1t, as they often tend to dissipate the power that should be husbanded. There is as much difference between physical strength and vitality as there Is be- tween energy and force. A man may have a wonderful physique, and yet be lacking in vital force. On the other hand a man may be slight in build and apparently weak, and yet have great vitality. So 1t Is with energy. Power Is energy in repose: force Is energy in