POWELL] SOPHIOLOGY C'LXXVII 



is learned that tranypareiicy is ability ti> transfer eertain kinds 

 of motion, Avhile vision is a mentation. Thus force as reflec- 

 tion and vision as mentation are explained as transparency. 



The mythology of the Amerinds is replete with mj^ths con- 

 cerning the powers of thought. Tliere is no eiTor more 

 common than that of confounding thought with force. AVhen 

 the savage theurgist tells us tliat his hero can think ;irrows to 

 the hearts of his enemies he makes this mistake. So it is 

 believed that there are mythic men who can think their boats 

 o\'er the river; they can think themselves to the topmost 

 branches of hig'h trees; thev can think rocks onto the heads 

 of tlieir enemies. There is no myth more common than this 

 one of confounding thought witli force, and there is no myth 

 that has a more venerable history. No Egyptian king has 

 received higher honors, for it is embalmed in the cerements of 

 learning. 



We now know that heat is a mode of motion and that cold 

 is a low deg'ree of heat; in the same manner we know that 

 color is a mode of motion, and we measure the number of 

 vibrations in the ether that are required in a unit of time to 

 produce a variety of color. 



The love of knowledge is the most delightful plant in the 

 garden of the soul. In the individual the failure to make 

 correct judgments entails innumerable evils, while correct judg- 

 ments lead to good. Judgments directly or indirectly lead to 

 action, and that action is wise as judgments are wise. Every 

 hour, almost every moment of the day, brings the lesson that 

 knowledge is advantageous, and these lessons are repeated 

 by every individual in every generation. Thus there is an 

 acquired and hereditary love of knowledge. Mental life pre- 

 sents a vast succession of judgments, some correct, others 

 incorrect, and as they come they are enwrought in notions 

 that inspire activities, and b}^ these activities the notions tliem- 

 selves are adjudged. Those notions that stand the test are 

 held fast, those that fail are cast away, for men lo\e the true 

 and hate the false. All this is so evident that it seems com- 

 monplace, and yet we are compelled to account for the inten- 

 sity with which men cling to mythology. 

 20 ETH— 03 xn 



