Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-07-05
TO CONQUER FEAR
By H. Addihgton Bruce

Y UST as parents who wish to protect their
l children from the slavery of fear will find
- many helpful hints in DR.. T. A. Williams
new book, breads and Besetting Fears" so
will all enslaved by fear find in that book
many helpful hints for their emancipation. OF
these perhaps the most helpful is Dr. Will
liams advice to them to remember that fear
would not dominate them as it does if they
were less egotistc. @"i
Persons who become concerned with the
welfare of other people soon shed fear" he
rightly insists. And he goes on:
1.-The little children who carried the sacra-
ment from one group of Christians skulkfng
in the catacombs to another overcame their
fear of being killed by the Roman soldiery be-
cause they were animated by great enthusi-
asm. and by the belief that the blood of the
martyrs is the foundation of the church.
1.-The scientific investigators who show no
fear of poisonous cases. deadly germs, or cpl
demic conta gions have set their minds upon
greater aspect of the situation they face. The
emotion of fear is cast out by the intellectual
fascination of research, by the ambition to ac-
complish or excel, or by the love of serving
fellow creatures"
In other words, not to attempt to conquer
lear NY IIOHJdl dlIdCh, Dy uuSIS ISlISIdI1Ou vi
an emphatic II will not fear" but to under
mine it by cutivating eager interest in
activities promoting self-forgetfulness, is the
right course to pursue This because the more
eXternaliZed ones thinking becomes the less
will there be opportunity or desire for the in
Prospective thinking which is the nutriment of
fear. .,.u
Accessory to the same desirable end--ths
fgurative starving out of fear DR.. Williams
recommends avoidance of the company of peo-
w IN a tpH NV fna re nj
one sort another ..... .
This recommendation unfortunately is not
always easy to follow, if only for the sad fact
that the fear-tormented are numerous in ev-
cry community. But at least make it
point to give as wide berth possible to
those who habitually take a gloomy view of
things and to be as much as possible with
the habitually cheerful and courageous.
In some degree their cheerfulness is certain
to infect even the fear-tortured, to the latters
help. Whereas psyche infection from the
habitually pessimistic, harmful to everyone, Is
doubly harmful to the already fear-o bsessed,
fixing about them still more firmly the
Shackles of fear.
Also, in many cases, it is of great impor-
tance to give some thought to the improving
of the physical condition
Whatever the psychic origin of the fears
one entertains, it always is easier to shake
them off il one is physically fit. To bring ones
weight to normal, to correct digestive trou-
bles, to ascertain and remove unsupported
sources of strain poisoning, such infect
ed tonsls and abscessed teeth, measures
time and again proved valuable in the con-
quering of fear.
Always, though, the cultivation of altruis-
tic interests, enthusiastic occupation in Gre
atfve, constructive activities, must be
counted the indispensable thing. Thus alone
may assurance be had of gaining the rational
outlook which prevents fear from finding any
lOdgment in the mind, and which dislodges 1T
if it has already gained entrance. Once more
to quote DR.. Williams:
This remedy is the realization that ones
own part in the great scheme of things is not
of transcendent Importance, and that to fulfill
ones obligations is a greater thing than to
avoid pain Wv
Gwen when there is occasion for dread, 1t
may be cast out by means of a great passions
Moral cowardice is perhaps the COM
monest of all great vices. Motives which will
surmount moral cowardice do not differ in
principle from those which are at the root of
the conduct of many reformers of today and
saints of other days" ss,a.
Copyright, 1929 "es p