ferrence." It is the accepted vehicle which makes possible so-called "absent treatment." Inasmuch as I discuss in another chapter the essential qualifications of the operator I shall now merely say that the vehicle, whether it be voice, touch, physical expression or anything else, must have something definite to carry, and it must be projected in a way to make the recipient feel that there is a "man behind the gun.' The Voice. To make an efficient vehicle of the voice there must be attention given to it: it must be used in the right way. An An energetic and well-formed concept is often spoiled by seeming indifference or by deficient energy in its delivery. Did you never listen to an address of superb character, full of helpful and interesting thought, without being impressed, and mentally ejaculated: "Oh, what an effect could have been made by the same address had it been delivered by a true orator!" I am not unreasonable enough to maintain that every physician who would successfully employ psychic therapeutics must become an elocutionist. No, but I would have him cultivate that part of true oratory which represents genuine feeling-true sentiment. When the patient is assured that there is a "balm in Gilead" for her lesions, it should be in tones that carry conviction. Personal magnetism consists chiefly of genuine earnestness in what is said and done. To be magnetic one must not only be attentive to the thing in hand, but, like a good actor, he must throw into it much of himself. It may be called Diagrammatic Representation of the Vehicles of Suggestion. The continuous lines represent the objective, and the interrupted lines the 4 subjective. 97 mental concentration-a genuine focusing of power upon the one object. Such thought burns its way. It is like the electric spark, full of light and heat. Men of power are always after this type. Some of them are so by nature, while many others have coveted and acquired the power. All can develop a large measure of it, if they will, and become successful in whatever they undertake. The Touch. What I have said with respect to the Voice is equally true of the Expression and the Touch. The magnetic touch has behind it a tremendous energy, representing faith in one's self and in the outcome of one's effort, representing also pointed concentration of all the thought at one's command. It deserves also to be said that the five senses represent nothing more than specialized, or differentiated, feeling, or sensation. The Need of Sincerity. Bear in mind, also, that the thought itself requires genuine conviction behind it. To effect the designed result faith must match faith. While I am convinced that the doubter-the faithless-who can muster good mental concentration will achieve far better results than the most genuine believer who is unable to command his own thought, I am of the opinion that no true success is possible upon a basis of deceit. THE NEED OF SINCERITY. 99 To Do Our Very Best We Must Be Genuine. The vibrations of insincerity are cognizable by a sensitive subject. Some years ago I knew a clergyman of much talent and energy who was not giving the best satisfaction in the society to which he preached. He was making a fair endeavor and was exceedingly anxious to please. Learning that many criticised the character of his preaching, in desperation he declared that, if the officials of the church would only intimate to him the kind of preaching they wanted, he would guarantee it to them. But this very offer was his undoing, because it demonstrated, what had long been felt, that he lacked the sincerity which must characterize all truly successful effort. Is life a failure? Look within thy soul -Helen Chauncey. |