The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-12-27
PERSONAL MAGNETISM.

try until the mere mention of it
causes one to be little wary of it.
The most comprehensive definition
I can give of personal magnetism" is
subtle influence, vilsratory in char
acter, radiating either consciously or
unconsciously, for COCA 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 MIN, every min
lister, every teacher; "a fact, every
body either compels, vepels or i'm.
pels.
When we coma within the atmo-
sphere of a strong personality, we
are Influenced In either mind or body,
sometimes both. What is it that in
huences us? Is It the dress or out
, ward appearance? Is IT the voice7
Is it the manner? The last two
are strong and desirable elements,
but they may prove deceptive; there
fore we would better seek deeper. Is
it hypnotism? Never 1t is not what
one appears to be, but that which
one actually is.
One may be beautiful of face, fig
ure and form, and may he exquisitely
dressed, yet be unattractive. On the
other hand, one may be homely in fea-
ture, lacking symmetry IF figure and
form, neatly but plainly dressed, yet
be attractive.
1t is this Something that lies hid
den, this unseen but ever-felt power
that we call personal magnetism"
1t is a personality as distinguished
from individuality.
Although this force is, per se, in
volitional, 1t 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 magnetism"-for his kind,
but would repel, involuntarily, one of
higher and purer motives.
Then again, those two forces (at-
traction and repulsion) act on three
different planes; in other words, we
have three distinctively separate
phases of personal magnetism
mental, spiritual and physical. We
are sometimes drawn toward a per-
son mentally; i. e., we admire him
for his intellectual attainments, but
are repealed because of his physical
radiations. On the other hand, we
may admire his physique although
he is lacking in either his mental Or
spiritual makeup, or possibly, both.
personal magnetism" mental and
physical, well spiritualized (the soul
element) is key to the most guard
ed vaults of human nature, unlocking
the most stubborn hearts and open
ing more doors in business and social
life than any other one element
known to mankind
Personal magnetism (physical)
may be acquired by the general
ing and conserving of that vital prin-
ciple we call life. Physical exercises
alone will not do it, as they often tend
to dissipate the power that should be
husbanded. There is as much diff
ference between physical strength
and vitality as there is between en-
ergy and force. A man may have a
wonderful physique, and yet be lack
ing in vital force. On the other hand
man may be slight in build and ap-
parently weak, and yet have great
vitality. So it is with energy. Pow
err is energy in repose; force is en-
ergy in action.
Personal magnetism (physicaD IL
sometimes called human electricity.
Be that as it may, by whatsoever
name 1t may be known, it's character
is positively electrical.
This electromagnetic influence IL
of vibratory character, and gen
Grated by the principle of life. This
vital, energizing element becomes
stale by non-use; wasted by overuse:
and produces nervousness BY misuse.
Electricity is, somehow, insepa-
rably connected with the ultimate
atoms Of matter; and in tie same
mysterious manner the universal
life force is connected with every
nerve, fiber and molecule OF animal
creation. If electricity and nerve
force are not Identical, they are so
nearly allied that they may BE- called
twin forces.
Whence cometh this power? We
speak of generating power. This is
not strictly true, and is likely to be
misleading. All power exists now.
and has always existed. We may
generate force; t. e., put the power
In action. All that we can 90 is to
evolve it from a latent condition. or
use it in the form in which we find
It, Man becomes powerful in the
measure that he learns to evolve; to
use and direct power-the power that
10.
All force is generated Within from
the life essentials-air, food >nd wa
ter. The same elements exist for
all persons, but all persons do not
have the same force. While the diff
ference may be one Of temperament
or constitution, I am inclined to think
it is more largely due to tha fact that
the elements within reach are. not
utilized. s..@s