The Washington herald., 1915-02-20
THE MIRACLE WORKER.
Nv ORIsON SWEET MARDEN

Two years ago. when seeking release
| from pain for which she had been TOLD
| there was no cure, a woman sent out al
| appeal for scientific kindness" which
| would put to death those in agony from
| incurable disease. Her appeal attracted
the attention of a famous surgeon. and
through his scientific treatment and hope.
full encouragement her health was re-
stored. In writing recently to a friend
! she said:
Two years ago, expecting death and
welcoming peace: today ready and tit for
my little share of the worlds work.
The very first condition necessary Ia
make life yield all its possibilities is
, health-that Astounding vitality and vigor
of mind and body which make living joy
ous-and health is dependent upon cor
rect thought. Every function, every
nerve cell. every organ in the body is
powerfully influenced by the nature OF
our thought. There is no more firmly es,
tablished scientific principle than that We
experience the reaction of our thought,
either i'm Increased strength and vitality
or the opposite.
The greatest barrier in the way of the
healing process, especially If the malady
be one that is accompanied by severe
pain" says a great physician. lis the
mental depression that Is associated with
II anu oittI o''bHits Al idSlS'l VI tHt
ease. 1t stands in the way Of recovery
sometimes more than do the physical
causes. and obliterates from the con-
seriousness of the individual the wonder
full healing power of nature, so essential
to recovery"
There is a great restorative force in
CheerfulnesS. II is sovereign remedy.
The physician who can inspire expect
ancy of something better to come. who
overcome disease. and can make you feel
that it is Il shame for man made to do
great work in the world TO be ailng,
can perform marvellous cures.
Sick people do not realize how much
their faith and confidence in the physi-
clan have to do with their cure. II he
is cheerful. happy. hopeful they feel
buoyed up. sustained by his very pres
ence. They feel the thrill Of his splendid
vitality, and gather strength from his
courage. They catch the contagion of
his checrfulness and reflect his moods and
condition.
A friend says that lie remembers how.
a. hoy. when the old family physician
used To come to the home so full Of life
and joy and gladncss. with beaming from
every pore. members of the family would
feel absolutely ashamed to he sick.
ashamed to think that Gods work. which
was lldut perfect. SHOULD ntel IdlCnlrS
up.
The whole atmosphere of the house"
lac said. seemed to change the minute
the doctor entered. His hearty laugh.
ringing through the rooms as he rubbed
his hands before the fire on a cold winter
day. and his mere presence did us more
good than pills or potions. somehow, the
very thought Of his coming after we had
sent for him seemed to drive away our
troubles.
\ patient about to undergo a serious
operation stands a better chance of re-
gaining his lost health if he Is cheerful
and optimistic than one tho dwells on
the pain he is about to endure and who
figures out what it feels like to die in
agony.
Cheerfulness is one of the great mira Gle
workers Of the world. 1t reinforces the
whole man. doubles and trebles his pow
err. and gives new meaning TO his life.
1nvalids who have dragged along in
misery for years have been suddenly. as
If by magic. lifted out of their honda ce
by the cheer and encouragement which
have come from some unexpected good
fortune. This shows us how dependent
the body is upon the mind. how it SYM
pathiZes with ii and takes on its color
inEs, which are represented in the diff
ferent functions.
No man is failure until he has lost his
cheerfulness. his optimistic outlook The
man who carries a smiling face and keeps
cheerful in the midst of discoura cement
when the way is dark and doubtful Is
sure to win.
Uonyri1ht IoIs)