t such very
desirable qualities as Attention, Interest, Memory and Ingenuity, have
that within them which renders them far more attainable by man than
has ever been supposed. Even the great problem of Happiness itself, as
really being only one of a relative state of mind, may be solved or
reached by some far simpler or more direct method than any thinker has
ever suggested.
It all depends on exertion of the _Will_. There are in this world a
certain number of advanced thinkers who, if they knew how to develope
the _Will_ which exists in them, could bring this reform to pass in an
incredibly short time. That is to say, they could place the doctrine
or religion of Honesty for its own sake so boldly and convincingly
before the world that its future would be assured. Now the man who can
develope his will, has it in his power not only to control his moral
nature to any extent, but also to call into action or realize very
extraordinary states of mind, that is, faculties, talents or abilities
which he has never suspected to be within his reach. It is a
stupendous thought; yes, one so great that from the beginning of time
to the present day no sage or poet has ever grasped it in its full
extent, and yet is is a very literal truth, that there lie hidden
within us all, as in a sealed-up spiritual casket, or like the
bottled-up _djinn_ in the Arab tale, innumerable Powers or
Intelligences, some capable of bestowing peace or calm, others of
giving Happiness, or inspiring creative genius, energy and
perseverance. All that Man has ever attributed to an Invisible World
without, lies, in fact, within him, and the magic key which will
confer the faculty of sight and the power to conquer is the _Will_.
It has always been granted that it is a marvellously good thing to
have a strong will, or a determined or resolute mind, and great has
been the writing thereon. I have by me the last book on the subject,
in which the faculty is enthusiastically praised, and the reader is
told through all the inflexions of sentiment, that he _ought_ to
assert his Will, to be vigorous in mind, _etcetera_, but unfortunately
the How to do it is utterly wanting.
It will be generally admitted by all readers that this _How to do it_
has been always sought in grandly heroic or sublimely vigorous
methods of victory over self. The very idea of being resolute, brave,
persevering or stubborn, awakens in us all thoughts of conflict or
dramatic self-conquering. Bu
|