become inattentive may be literally and very completely
conjured away will be more fully explained in another chapter. For
this let it suffice to say that earnest _forethought_, and the more of
it the better, bestowed on aught which we intend to undertake, is a
thing rarely attempted in the real sense in which I mean it, but
which, when given, eases every burden and lightens every toil.

Mere _forethought_ repeated is the easiest of mental efforts. Yet even
a little of it asserted before undertaking a task will wonderfully
facilitate the work.

"Hypnotism," says Dr. JAMES R. COCKE, "can be used to train the
attention of persons habitually inattentive." But, in fact,
forethinking in any way is the minor or initiatory stage of
Suggestion. Both are gradual persuasion of the nervous system into
habit.

And on this text a marvelous sermon could be preached, which, if
understood, would sink deeply into every heart, inspiring some while
alarming others, but greatly cheering the brave. And it is this.
There are millions of people who suffer from irritability, want of
self-control, loquacity, evil in many forms, or nerves, who would fain
control themselves and stop it all. Moralists think that for this it
is enough to convince their reason. But this rarely avails. A man may
_know_ that he is wrong, yet _not_ be able to reform. Now, what he
wants is to have his attention fixed long enough to form a new habit.
Find out how this can be done, and it may in many cases be the
simplest and most mechanical thing in the world to cure him. Men have
been frightened by a scarecrow into thorough repentance. "A question
of a few vibrations of ether, more or less, makes for us all the
difference between perception and non-perception," or between sight
and blindness. Accustom any such moral invalid to being Suggested or
willed a few times into a calm, self-controlled state and the habit
may be formed.

And to those who doubt, and perhaps would sneer, I have only to say
_try it_. It will do them good.

CHAPTER II.

SELF-SUGGESTION.

"In thy soul, as in a sleep,
Gods or fiends are hidden deep,
Awful forms of mystery,
And spirits, all unknown to thee:
Guard with prayer, and heed with care,
Ere thou wak'st them from their lair!"

The records of the human race, however written, show that Man has
always regarded himself as possessed of latent faculties, or
capacities of a mysterious or extraordinary nature: t