without tension, he finds he can accomplish more and better work than he ever did before. It is this freedom from nerve-destroying contraction and anxiety that Carlyle has in mind when he says: "Give us, oh, give us the man who sings at his work! He will do more in the same time-he will do it betterhe will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible of fatigue whilst he marches to music. The very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres. Wondrous is the strength of cheerfulness, altogether past calculation in its powers of endurance. Efforts, to be permanently useful, must be uniformly joyous, a spirit all sunshine, graceful from very gladness, beautiful because bright." Ruskin says: "All one's life is a music if one touches the notes rightly and in time-but there must be no hurry." The story of the creation-six days labor and then restis a rebuke to the ceaseless heart-breaking pace of the average American. "You wear too much expression on your faces," said Dr. Clouston, a Scottish medical man, in speaking of Americans. "You are living like an army with all its reserves engaged in action. The duller countenances of the British population betoken a better scheme of life. They suggest stores of reserved nervous force to fall back upon, if any occasion should arise that requires it. This inexcitability, this presence at all times of power not used, I regard as the great safeguard of our British people. The other thing in you gives me a sense of insecurity, and you ought somehow to tone yourselves down. You really do carry too much expression, you take too intensely the trivial moments of life.' A mental attitude of calmness may be brought about by realizing the positive injury that is being done by contracted muscles. The mind should be emptied as far as possible of all disturbing thoughts, such as fear, worry, resentment, and anger. The reader may experiment at once by allowing the hand and arm to relax at the side or wherever it may fall. It should be made to feel as heavy as lead-not held down, but down because of its own weight. This "limp" attitude may be gradually extended to other parts of the body, until finally one may lie down and give oneself up completely to the comfortable feeling of repose and relaxation. A wonderful power and facility will come after a little practise. RELAXATION EXERCISES The following exercises may be practised for a few minutes daily: 1. Lie down. Make yourself limp and passive. Lightly toss one hand in the air, and allow it to drop of its own weight where it will. Repeat with the other hand. Then do the same with the legs, one at a time. Raise the head and let it drop. Roll the body over from side to side, allowing the arms, legs and head to fall where they like. In a few minutes the entire body should become thoroughly relaxed. It will greatly assist at first to cultivate a lazy or drowsy feeling in doing this exercise. 2. Now rest the mind along with your relaxed body, still lying down. Learn to "let go" all mental strain. Gently direct the mind in turn to the feet, arms, head, back, throat, stomach, knees, abdomen, heart, and tongue. Do this very slowly and patiently. Then combine with this exercise thoughts of health, and ease, and power. You will be surprised at the feeling of rest and renewed energy that you will shortly experience. 3. Stand erect. Droop the head and shoulders. Shake the body thoroughly, while relaxed as much as possible, allowing the arms to go loosely where they may. 4. Support yourself on one foot by holding a chair. Vigorously shake the other leg. Reverse. 5. While standing, relax both arms and shake them vigorously. Repeat with the hands alone. 6. Sit in a chair. Relax the arms, head and waist. Gradually let go of the entire body. Make the feet to rest heavily on the floor. Assume a feeling of drowsiness. 7. Walk around the room, with body, head, and arms relaxed, in imitation of intoxication. 8. Drop gently forward to one knee, then to the other, then to one hand, and to the other, then let the whole body drop to the floor. These movements should be done slowly, without jarring of any kind. 9. Hold the arm at the side, bent at the elbow, and rapidly vibrate it up and down so as to shake the head and upper body. Then relax thoroughly. Repeat with the other arm. 10. With arm extended straight out at side, palm of the hand down, rapidly vibrate the arm up and down. Then relax and repeat with the other arm. 11. Sit as perfectly still as you can, relaxed, for two minutes. 12. Stand as still as possible for one minute. 13. Stand on tiptoe, reach as high as you can with your hands, tense the whole body until it trembles, then slowly relax into a sitting position on a chair. Repeat several times, each time relaxing a little longer. 14. While walking, inhale slowly and rhythmically, mentally counting ten to ten steps, then slowly and evenly exhale in the same way. Avoid jerking the breaths. They should be slow and even. 15. Inhale deeply, filling out the chest and abdomen to their fullest capacity, then gently and slowly relax as you completely exhale. CHAPTER XV WORLD'S GREAT SERMONS THAT DEVELOP POWER 1 1 In the following list of sermons will be found many of the great masterpieces of the pulpit. The subjects treated are of vital importance to any man seeking to develop power of character. Their aim for the most part is to solve the perplexing problems of right living. The list is suggestive rather than exhaustive. The sermons are recommended to the reader for their unusual power and inspiration. VOLUME I PREFACE. INTRODUCTION The Creation of the World Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends The Method and Fruits of Justification The Safety of the Virtuous The First Temptation of Christ GRENVILLE KLEISER .LEWIS O. BRASTOW BASIL CHRYSOSTOM AUGUSTINE WYCLIF SAVONAROLA LUTHER LATIMER MELANCHTHON Enduring Persecution for Christ 1 The World's Great Sermons, compiled by Grenville Kleiser, are published in ten pocket-size volumes by Funk & Wagnalls Company. |