In  this  connection  we  may  consider  the
reaction   of  beliefs.     To  such   as   are  unac-


62  Resources

customed  to  observe  the  working  of  the  mind,
a  belief  is  quite  as  shadowy  as  a  ghost,  and
as  little  worthy  of  serious  consideration.
The  mere  fact,  they  aver,  that  one  believes
something  will  act  thus  and  so  is  of  no  con-
sequence. Now  the  truth  is,  it  has  profound
significance  and  the  point  is  this:  whereas
the  object  of  belief  may,  or  may  not,  act,  the
thought  itself  does  react  upon  the  mind  and
thence  upon  the  body.  A  belief  has  vitality
and  power  which  it  receives  from  the  will
and  which  it  relinquishes  once  it  severs  con-
nection with  feeling.  While  it  may  be  dropped
from  consciousness,  if  it  has  not  been  negated
entirely,  it  persists  in  subconsciousness  and
retains  some  measure  of  influence.  It  may
be  compared  to  a  parasite,  deriving  nourish-
ment at  the  expense  of  its  host,  which  may
so  develop  as  eventually  to  destroy  the  organ-
ism supporting  it.  False  beliefs  are  truly  the
parasites  of  the  mind,  sapping  its  vitality
as  literally  and  as  effectively  as  tropical
creepers  strangle  their  victims.
