Studies in the Thought World · 1 of 23

Preface

In response to frequent requests from friendly co-workers and students of truth, these disconnected studies are gathered and presented to the public in book form. A part of the volume consists of lectures and essays which have not before been published, while the others (subjected to some changes) are here reproduced through the courtesy of the publishers of the various magazines in which they originally appeared.1

While all the papers are metaphysical, psychological, or evolutionary in character, they are, with one or two exceptions, essentially unitary, and therefore the order in which they are placed is not significant. Like “short stories,” each is measurably complete in itself.

The power, quality, and exercise of the human thinking-faculty are attracting unwonted attention and interest, and the potency of concentrated ideals is increasingly understood and utilized. The priceless value of impersonal truth, and the saving power of optimism, are receiving increased and merited appreciation. 1. The magazines referred to are The Metaphysical Magazine, New York; The Arena, Boston; Universal Truth, Chicago; The Christian Metaphysician, Chicago; The Journal of Hygiene, New York; Health Culture, New York; and one or two others which have been discontinued.

It is not merely a duty, but rather a privilege, for the author of this book to join with many others in urging forward the great cause of the higher life, and of a general human incarnation of the divine quality.

All truth which is above the plane of the intellect should be accepted, not upon external authority, but just in the measure that it receives the full sanction of the inner “Guide,” or spiritual intuition of the individual. To aid in and point out the law of the development of this supernal faculty to his readers is the writer’s earnest desire and effort.

It may be observed that some basic principles are reiterated in various settings and combinations. This is due to the character of the book, and to the fact that vital truth needs repeated and positive delineation in order that it may become mentally graphic.

Boston, 1896.