The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1909-02-26

upon the effort you are making
think OF nothing else-and you will
be astonished at the result.
And the lesson that this experiment
teaches applies just as forcibly TO
every act that We perform. One OF
these new systems attempts 10 make
this point clear by advancing the
theory that the power 10 make plans.
and carry them into execution. Is due
TO the operation OF an electrical force
which is constantly being generated
in the human body. While the body
may generate great deal or this
force. however. 1t is the brain that
acts as the switchboard. and which
determines the amount OF this force
that nray be utilized. Thus. while Il
is possible that the body might create
a great deal OF power, It would not
be OF the slightest use 20 MS unless
il could be turned on at the brain.
and the mental process exerted in
turning on" this power is what We
define as concentration
AS a matter OF fact. it makes little
difference what theory We accept. SO
long as we realize that concentration
is one of the elements that is most
necessary 20 success. No matter what
we desire TO attain-whethe IL is
health. happiness. or material pros
perity- there can be no realization
OF our ambitions until We have
learned how 60 devote our attention
TO the object at which We are aiming.
and the extent OF our success will de-
pend upon the degree 10 which We
can exclude all other thoughts and
purposes from the mind. 10 is for
this reason that the study OF concen-
tration is taught as one Of the vital
principles in all these systems. and.
though it may be new thought" I'm
one sense OF the word. IL is too great
a truth TO be restricted by any bounds
OF creed or cult.
Now that | have pointed out SO
much that is OF merit in all these
what there can be OF evil I'm theories
that promulgated so many things that
are good. and yet, despite all this.
there is a danger-line in the new
thought"-an element that must be
avoided IL we are To derive any bene.
fit from the lessons that we have
learned. That danger-line is "inac-
tivity." BY this mean that students
OF new thought" by discovering tho
wonderful powers OF the mind, ara
apt TO become possessed OF the idea
that the mind is everything, and that
il is unnecessary TO supplement its
operations by any physical effort upon
our cwn part.
To succeed I'm anything that we
undertake we must have courage, and
confidence, and hope, but they alone
are not sufficient We must know
just what we want TO do. and We
must be able to give our attention 20
the performance OF that purpose.
but i'm addition to all this. we must
be willing TO work for what we want
In fact, without this willingness 10
contribute our part. the goal will
never be reached, for mental pic
lures" and concentration, without
the added element of physical en-
deavor, never have brought health,
success or happiness TO a single In
dividual. To recognize the part that
the mind plays in the affairs OF life
is an indication OF wisdom, but 90 ac-
cept these doctrines at the expense OF
personal effort is to shut the very
door 10 regeneration that these
truths would otherwise open 10 US
John r.. Meader, in American Homo
Monthly.