to serve as catchwords and mottoes.  They should be read aloud and repeated from memory, as well as thought over silently, thus adding visual and auditory images to the mental concepts.  In meditating upon them one’s thoughts should not be allowed to wander too far, but must be constantly referred to the definite numbered resolutions.  The use of symbols, of colors, etc, will readily occur to any one who goes into this matter with lively interest.  Always repeat the resolutions with the greatest possible emphasis and enthusiasm, so as to carry them away ringing in the mind.  Remember that the astonishing results of hypnotism and mental healing are due simply to the complete possession of the mind by the new idea.

(2) Iteration.  The oftener the mind is fixed upon the resolution and its motives, the more deeply will they become engraved in it.  Sometimes one determined concentration will carry the day; but if this quick assault does not win the victory a long-continued siege can do it.  By hammering away continually at the same spot the requisite impression will finally be made.  A momentary rehearsal of the resolutions may be made a hundred times a day, in passing; and immediately before the time for execution, if it can be foreseen, forces should be rallied, even if only by an instantaneous flash of determination.  Above all, one should not be discouraged and stop trying; for every renewed effort, even if showing no reward in success, produces its exact and unfailing effect.  Keeping everlastingly at it is as necessary for success in morals as in everything else.

(3) Assertion.  The more vigorously we assert our power to keep our resolutions the more likely we are to do so.  It is largely lack of confidence in ourselves that paralyzes us.  The religions have realized the need of inspiring hope and confidence in their converts by preaching the necessity of faith.

The faith we need is not necessarily faith in any supernatural help, but only in the demonstrated fact of the possibility of controlling our own minds and morals by going at it in the right way.  But we must not passively wait for faith to possess us, we must grasp it, cleave to it, assert it.  We must repeat our resolutions always with the conviction that we are really going to carry them out.  We must picture ourselves at the time of temptation, with the triumphant thought of how splendidly we are going to worst the Devil, and never for a moment think or talk of ourselves as likely to forget or yield.  Such persistent assertion, even if there is a background of distrust that we cannot wholly banish from our minds, will greatly help.  Whatever we may think about the ethics of belief as applied to supernatural things, the “will to believe” in our own power is certainly legitimate and important. [Footnote:  The important problem of the ethics of belief, as applied to religious matters, has not been discussed in this volume.  The present writer hopes to discuss