The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-12
Friday the 18th
nv n. ADDMoroN sRUcn
Author OF The Riddle OF Person
Atty" ''Psyehoiogy and
Parenthood." etc.

Tomorrow 10 q day that will bring
needless anxiety TO many people.
Il Ia a Friday the Thirteenth. there.
fore sure to be regarded as an 'un-
lucky" day. even by some persons
who deem themselves mAtterof-fact
and sensible.
OF course. such an attitude TO
Ward any day OF the month STAMPS
those who hold n as being super
stitious. Their fear OF this particu-
lar day shows that they are sxcep-
tionally superstitious.
For, evidently. they not only cling
to the hoary superstition that the
number Is has notwithstanding pos
sibilities. but also they are innu.
enced by the equally old supersti-
ton that anything done on a FRI
day Is liable 20 turn out badly.
Both these superstitions bark
back to the beginning OF the Chris
tan era They are associated with
great and tragic events In the life
OF our Saviour. Thus their persls-
tence thru all these centuries may
rightly be interpreted as testifying
to the profound impression made by
His life on the thought OF mankind.
But Christ came 10 redeem tbs
souls - men and TO give men Gu
nobling. strengthening thoughts.
not thoughts OF slavish. irrational
fear. II r. time that we recognized
tits and freed ourselves from the
bondage OF superstitious breads.
Moreover. apart from the vast
difference that exists between SUI
perstition and true religious convic
ton. there Is q most practical rea.
son for oonquering any lurking be-
lief we may have In such notions
as the -unluckiness" OF Friday and
the number Is.
This reason IL 10 be found In the
psychological law that expectation
tends TO bring 10 pass the thing
expected.
II. for example. you start tomor-
row believing that something un-
pleasant In going TO happen TO you
before the day ends, you thereby
actually help 10 make II likely that
something unpleasant will happen 20
you. But this result win not be
due TO any occult. mysterious
agency
II will follow simply because your
mental attitude. being consciously
o. subconsciously one OF fear, mas
a disorganiIing effect on all your
faculties. n Is particularly harm
full as lessenlng sslf-eonndenee.
With self-conndenee lessened. no
man can work as well as he other.
wise would. Whatever be under
takes. the chances are that he will
bungle II. The realization that re
IN not doing well makes matters
worse and may lead 10 complete
failure.
AlSos DefhusN of iaCuiAy uleotNhn~
iaAtt9N. Sc b -N~"tA hAapen 70 -
in a position OF nHGgUr. be will be
less likely 10 behave with sdficient
alertness 10 escape rom II. Result.
more or less serious accident.
Il knew t." he will murmur, az
they carry him 20 the hospital. FRI
day the thirteenth l was certain
something would happen 10 me"
Yet in reality he has only him
self 20 blame Or. more eIActly. he
should blame only his irrational fear
OF Friday the Thirteenth.
II you. my reader. have any Of
this fear yourself. realize its true
| Significance tonight.
Try 70 free yourself from n be
fore tomorrow dawns Get the truth
firmly. convincinsIy In your mind
that tomorrow holds for you no
greater chance OF mishap than any
other day--unless you let yourself
be toeiishly AFRAID Of H.
/ OF