NEURASTHENIA 215 



into the habit of overemphasizing his own importance to 

 the universe. Yet he should not think meanly of himself. 

 The poise that springs from having a scientific perspective 

 is compounded of belief in the value of individual effort 

 and the restful conviction that when such effort flags 

 through weariness the creative currents of nature flow on 

 in other channels. 



This comes very near to religion, at least to Matthew 

 Arnold's faith in "a power not ourselves that makes for 

 righteousness." This has been called the irreducible 

 minimum of religion. For the vast majority of mankind 

 the philosophic belief is not a commanding motive until 

 it is warmed with an infusion of devotion and personality. 

 But whatever the clothing of the central idea, its inesti- 

 mable power to sustain health and efficiency has been rec- 

 ognized in every age. At the present time it is familiarly 

 associated with Christian Science. 



To an outsider the leadership of this cult appears 

 domineering and mercenary. The adherents seem utterly 

 inconsistent. We see them yielding to hunger, fatigue, 

 cold, and heat. They grow old, sicken, and die. Yet 

 we may not doubt that they maintain on their course 

 an exceptionally high average condition. If a touch of 

 fanaticism encourages them in the belief that the same 

 achievements are denied to those who hold other creeds, 

 we can understand that this very defect is a source of 

 positiveness and conviction. Bigotry is better for man 

 than indifference, though we may well seek to combine 

 earnestness with generosity and tolerance. 



