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

90 health. TO happiness. and 10 ma
terial success? Where may We find
it? Who can point the way?
1t is just such questions as these
that are being asked to-day, and IL
is but right that they should be
answered-and sanely and rational
ly, too, for while it may be true that
almost everybody has heard OF the
many so-called new" movements.
and is naturally interested in discov-
ering how the promised rewards may
be obtained. not everybody by any
means has a very clear idea of the
principles back of these modern the
ories. To many, the acceptance Of
the new thought" means the adopt
tion OF an entirely new religion.
when, as a matter Of fact. nothing
could be further from the truth. The
new thought" is not a religious
faith, but a method OF living based
upon practical common-sense and
one that the most sincere Christian
can apply to the conduct OF the ev
eryday life without endangering his
position in the Church. Instead OF
preaching another gospel, as so many
imagine, the exponents of these move
ments are simply giving somewhat
new Interpretation to the old gospel.
and yet, through these modern read
ings OF the old texts, they have sue
ceeded in evolving a wonderfully
practical law OF life.
If it was necessary to find a single
phrase that would appropriately de-
fine this new system OF living, we
could not do better than follow Pro-
fessor James, and speak OF IL as "the
religion OF Observation-Disclosures for
every theory eXpounded by this mod
ern philosophy is built upon the ideal
of the healthy mind. Beginning with
the principle that thoughts are actual
ly force, and that, by virtue Of the
law under which they operate, they
are constantly eXerting their power
to make or to mar the life, a system
of mental hygiene has been developed
tn at is rapidly extending TO all classes
of people and to every part of the
world. That ii is making men and
successful has been so conclusive!y
demonstrated that even its opponents
are compelled to admit its efficiency.
While denying it's foundation prin-
ciples by insisting that its cures are
entirely imaginary" its power as a
regenerative force can no longer be
denied
Strangely enough, however, the
friends and the enemies OF the new
movements are both right and both
wrong, for while there j.. a truth in
all these systems that invariably
works for the betterment of those
who follow such principles, there is
also a measure of evil that is as GER
tain TO act as a positive danger. To
derive the greatest benefits from this
new mode of life, therefore, it is only
necessary that we should find the
golden mean" the rational half
way station, where there is much
truth and no error TO vitiate our ef-
forts.
In the first place, there can be no
doubt as to the truth Of the theory
that the physical body is largely con
trOlled by the mind. In other words,
there are two methods Of thinking
one positive. and the other negative
in it's effects The positive mode Of
thought leads to health, TO strength,
and TO power. The negative way Of
thinking is productive Of every kind
Of weakness. To be healthy in body
and strong in mind. Z, derive the
greatest degree of enjoyment from
life, and to make the most OF every
opportunity that presents itself. it is
necessary that we should maintain
the positive attitude of thought, and
the moment that we permit the neg
ative thought-element to take possess
sion of the mind, we begin 10 shut
off the power that is so necessary TO
success.
For example, courage, hope and
self-confidence are some OF the posi-
tive thought elements. and common
sense will tell us that they are as
necessary tc the health of the body
as they are TO the strength OF the
mind. To succeed in anything that
we undertake, it is imperative that
we should have perfect confidence in
our ability TO reach the goal at which
we have aimed. As long as we main
tain this attitude, there is some hope
for MS. but let the fear Of failure in
trude itself. let the element OF dis
couragement enter the life, and the
first step toward disaster has been
taken.
Physicians understand the OPP
Grafton OF this mental law, and they |
endeavor to make courage cooperate I
with them TO affect the cure Of dis !
ease by maintaining the element OF /
hope and confidence in the mind OF |
the patient. So long as the sick per T.
son believes that he is 20 get well, /
his mind helps 20 facilitate his re- .
covery, but let him become discour- /
aged. let him begin TO anticiDatp \