Article August 17, 1940 Issue

Signs of the Times

TOPIC: OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR LIVES

with contributions from Arnold C. Schultz, Chas. A. Edwards, W. Eben Brink, Robert Power, Joseph Fort Newton

[From the Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada]

Thoughts reveal to us what manner of people we are in the deep recesses of our moral and spiritual natures. "As he [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he," wrote an ancient wise man. Would you know your tendencies of conduct, your besetting sins, your higher ideals, your tastes of every sort? Then carefully note the thoughts that take possession of your mind. In them is a revelation of what we are, of what we really desire to be and to do, and an unmistakable indication of the direction in which character is developing. Watch thought, read its message, and be governed by what it reveals.

Thought does more than reveal such things as these—undoubtedly thought, subtle and constantly active, is also a great maker of character as well as a revealer of its nature. An ancient Stoic philosopher wrote, "The soul is dyed the color of its own thoughts." Thoughts are creative and constructive in their operation. They go towards the making of ideals, towards the kindling of emotions, towards the stimulation of the will, towards the enlightening or darkening of conscience, towards the awakening of imagination. All that is within us is influenced by the thoughts that we entertain. Here is a quiet and secret powerhouse that has dynamic influence upon the formation of character and consequently upon the whole outgoing of life. Hence thought should be watched, controlled, purified, and uplifted.

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