The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-04-12
Friday the 18th
nv N. ARLINGTON sRUcn
Author OF The Riddle OF Person
atty" Psychology and
Parsnthood.- etc.


Tomorrow IL a day that viii bring
needless anxiety to many people.
I, Ia Friday the Thirteenth. there.
fore sure to be regarded as an ''un-
lucky day. even by some persons
who deem themselves mAtteroftact
aud sensible.
or course. such an attitude to-
ward any day OF the month stamps
those who hold II as being super.
stitious. Their fear OF this particu-
lar day shows that they are creep
tionally superstitious.
For, evidently. they not only cling
to the hoary superstition that the
number Is has notwithstanding pos.
sibilities. but also they are infiu.
enoed by the equally old supersti-
ton that anything done on a Fri.
day Is liable 10 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 persis
tence thru all these centuries may
rightly be interpreted an testifying
10 the profound impression made BY
Ills life on the thought OF mankind
But Christ came 20 redeem the
souls - men and 10 give men Gu.
nobling strengthening thoughts
not thoughts or slavish. irrational
fear II Il time that we recognised
ILLS and freed ourselves from the
bondage Of superstitious breads.
Moreover, apart from the vas;
difference that exists between SUI
perstition and true religious oonvio
ton. there is a most practical rea,
son for conquering any lurking be-
lief we may have in such notions
a. the "unluckiness" OF Friday and
the number H.
This reason is to be found IN The
Psychological law that expectation
tends to bring TO pass the thing
expected
n. for example. you start tomor.
row believing that something un-
pleasant f. going 90 happen TO you
before the day ends. you thereby
actually help 20 make Il likely that
something unpleasant will happen "a
you. But this result will not be
due 10 any occult. mysterious
agency
IL will follow simply because your
mental attitude. being consciously
o. subconsciously one OF fear. mas
a disorEaniIing effect on all your
faculties " Is particularly harm
ful as Iessening self-conndence.
With self-conadence leaseusd, no
man can work as well az he other.
wise would. Whatever he under.
takes. the chances are that ne will
bunEle Il. The realization that Re
r. not doing well makes matters
worse and psY lead 20 comolste
"a lure. "
Also. because Of faculty disorgAn-
ization. II he shoulc happen 70 30
in a position OF danger. be will be
less likely 10 behave with sufncient
alertness to escape from II. Result.
a more or less serious accident.
Il knew IT," he will murmur. a.
they carry him TO the hospital. FRI
day the Thirteenth, / was certain
something would happen to me"
Yet in reality he has only him
self 10 blame. or. more exactly. he
should blame only his irrational fear
Of Friday the Thirteenth.
II you. my reader. have any Of
this fear yourself. realize It's true
s.gnincance tonight.
Try 90 free yourself from II be-
fore tomorrow dawns. Get the truth
h-mly. convincingly IN your mind
that tomorrow holds for you no
greater chance OF mishAp than any
other day-uniess you let yourself
be foolishly afraid Of II.