The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-03-03
Live With the Mighty
nv n. ADDrNGroN BRUCE
Author OF The Riddle OF Person
atty" Psychology and
ParenthoOd" etc.

I had read the evening newspaper
and glanced thru a magazine. Then
| turned to a new book. the recently
published translation OF Flournoy's
The Philosophy OF william James. Z"
During the last few years OF Prof
James life II had been my good for
tune 70 know him personally. often
We had discussed things ne held
much al heart. notably physical re
search. Indeed. Il seems only yes
terday since ! last talked with him.
Naturally ! opened Flournoy's
book with much interest AS | read
found that Il did not disappoint
me. In its pages was again seeing
and hearing william James, again
rrofting from contact with his re-
markable personality.
When. finally. I laid down the
book and went to bed. the thought
uppermost in my mind was one OF
gratitude at having been able, mere.
~ thru reading some well arranged
words. 10 renew acquaintance with
my old friend. To this thought there
presently succeeded another
What this book has done for me.
| reflected. Is what every EOOd book
uf the kind does for its readers.
For surely Il IL the supreme mission
~ every book dealing with a great
mans life and work To enable those
VINO read Il TO live i'm spirit with
that man and gain by thus living
with him.
Here. assuredly. IL a fact OF great
significance
II William James had lived a hun
dred years before my time. or had
not been fortunate enough 90 know
him in life. I still would have been
the galner from reading F1ournoy.
Similarly in the case OF every worth
while man whose life is dealt with
by worthwhile biographers and com
mentators.
Thru these biographers and com
mentators We can all OF US al any
time. live with the mighty OF every
land and generation. Our daily sur
roundings may be sordid. cur a$so-
ciates may be barren minded, but
here we have a sure means OF "a.
cape and seltdevelopmeni
And even N our surroundings and
associates are stimulating n vii
| greatly avail US 10 become tamil-
larIy acquainted with The mighiiest
81 men thru their biographies. II
they are men who have them
selves been writer's. We can profit
yet more by reading what they have
written.
II only we read with an eager
mind, contact with their personality
and with their ideas is certain to
enlarge our own personality and
ideas. Something OF their power
will come TO Va. We shall be- bet
ter atted to live efficiently and hap
PLY.
Tonight perhaps you are feeling
lonely and respondent There are
problems and care depressing you
Try this experiment.
Go 10 your book case or 10 the
nearest public library. Take a good
biography OF some great man
Washington. Lincoln. Darwin. Hux
ley. Tennyson, Browning, Emerson
whomsoeyer at the moment most
appeals 10 you. SIT down and read
| this for an hour or two. Then
mediate on what you have read
You will feel better for doing this
can assure you. Repeat the eX
pertinent. Get into the habit OF thus
living with the mighty at least
few minutes every day
Life will then seem less hard. In
time II will begin 10 be rose eolored
TO you. For you will be shaking OF
the letters OF doubt and Weakness.
You will be steadily gaining in
| rover 20 achieve.