An individualist--Wearing no ticket or label--No one has a corner on
Truth--Enough to go around--The Infinite Power back of all things--The
Real Self is Spirit--The Law of Attraction--Fearthought--The
Brotherhood of Man.
* * * * I generally call myself a Mental Scientist, and am so known
to my friends, but I merely use the term because it is broad and
comprehensive, not because I bear the ticket of any particular school
of the New Thought--not because I wear the badge of any special
leader. I am an Individualist. I believe in the right of every man to
think his own thoughts--to find his way to the Truth by whatever road
he may see fit, even if he prefers to cut across fields in getting
there. I believe that whilst all men are brothers, and each a part of
a mighty Whole, still each one must stand squarely upon his own
feet--must work out his own salvation--must do his own thinking. I
believe that Truth is everywhere--in everything, and that we may
uncover a bit of it wherever we may happen to dig. I do not believe
that any person has a corner on the Truth--a monopoly of Knowing. I do
not believe in Popes, in or out of the New Thought. Each of us will
uncover his own little bit of the Truth, but we must not imagine that
we have the Whole Thing. There's enough Truth to go around--and to
spare.
[1] An extract from the article of this name in which the
author introduced himself to the readers of the magazine
"New Thought," upon assuming the position of co-editor, in
December, 1901.
I believe that there is an Infinite Power in, and of, all things. I
believe that, although to-day we have but the faintest idea of that
Power, still we will steadily grow to comprehend it more fully--will
get in closer touch with it. Even now, we have momentary glimpses of
its existence--a momentary consciousness of Oneness with the Absolute.
I believe that the greatest happiness consists in maintaining toward
the Absolute the attitude of the trusting child, who, feeling no doubt
of the parent's love--no doubt of his wisdom--places his little hand
in that of the parent, and says: "Lead Thou me on." I believe that he
who feels towards the Absolute, the trustfulness of the babe which
places its little tired head close to the breast of the mother, will
also be conscious of the tender answering pressure, as the babe is
drawn just a little closer to the mother heart. I believe these
things--I have felt them.
I believe that Man is immortal--that the Real Self is Spirit, which
uses mind and body as its tools, and manifests itself according to the
fitness of the tools. I believe that Man is rapidly growing into a
new plane of consciousness, in which he will _know_ himself as he
is--will recognize the I AM--the Something Within. Many are having
glimpses of the Truth every day--the first glimpses of the light of
the great Dawn are even now being perceived by those who are awake and
watching.
I believe that the mind of Man contains the greatest of all
forces--that Thought is one of the greatest manifestations of energy.
I believe that the man who understands the use of Thought-force can
make of himself practically what he will. I believe that not only is
one's body subject to the control of the mind, but that, also, one may
change environment, "luck," circumstances, by positive thought taking
the place of negative. I know that the "I Can and I Will" attitude
will carry one forward to Success that will seem miraculous to the man
on the "I Can't" plane. I believe that "thoughts are things," and that
the Law of Attraction in the thought world will draw to one just what
he desires or fears.
I believe that Fearthought is the root of more misery, unhappiness,
disease, crime, failure and other undesirable things than any one
thing in the world. I intend to attack this monster most vigorously,
through these columns. I intend going for him with the grace of God in
my heart, and a good hickory club in my hand. I will cause many of you
to tear out Fear by the roots--you don't need it about you. I will
preach the gospel of Fearlessness. There is nothing in the world (or
out of it) to fear except--Fear.
I will also preach the gospel of Backbone to you--will insist upon
your inserting a steel-rod vertebra in the place of that india-rubber
affair that some of you are carrying around with you. You doubt this,
do you?--well, just you wait and see.
I believe in the Brotherhood of Man. I believe in being Kind. I
believe in everyone minding his own business--and allowing everyone
else the same privilege. I believe that we have no right to
condemn--"let him who is without sin cast the first stone." I believe
that he who Hates, is an assassin; that he who Covets, is a thief;
that he who Lusts, is an adulterer; that the gist of a crime is in its
desire. Seeing this--looking into our own hearts--how can we Condemn?
I believe that Evil is but Ignorance. I believe that "to know all is
to forgive all." I believe that there is good in every man; let us
help him to manifest it. I believe in the absolute equality of the Man
and the Woman--sometimes I think that the odds are slightly in favor
of the Woman. I believe in the Sacredness of Sex--but I also believe
that Sex manifests on the Spiritual and Mental planes, as well as on
the Physical. And I believe that to the pure all things are pure.
I also believe in the gospel of work--in "hustling." I believe in the
I DO, as well as the I AM. I know that the man who will take advantage
of the Power of the Mind, and who will manifest that power in action,
will go forward to Success as surely and as steadily as the arrow from
the bow of the skilled archer.