Increasing Mentality

Increasing Mentality By Harold Stevens Alvord Clear, accurate and systematic reasoning is the result of mental training. During the raw stages of mental training, the mind resembles, in many respects, the inexpensive automobile, a smooth running machine until a grade is encountered. Then the misses are frequent. We must admire a finished piece of machinery. It sings a perfect song of labor. Likewise we must appreciate the price- less works of Shakespeare. We marvel at the power confined in the mind of our Lincoln. Such mentality is the finished work of an expert. Such brains are able to meet the hilly roads of any life. We find Lincoln, during his early youth, plowing the pages of printed material. Every idea meant much in his work. He, being placed upon his own initiative, developed a faculty of not only reading good books, but also thinking good things. He developed a thought in every line. The lofty decisions made deep impressions. The narrow, degrading thoughts were never harbored within his soul. After a few years of carefully se- lected brain material, as well as faith in God, he had a depend- able structure. The dependable structure, when applied, re- sponded in a reliable manner. During the time of harvest, Lin- coln, through carefully weeding early in life, reaped only the best grain. His brain had the proper nourishment early as well as later in life. In our own age we see a man shining as a light in the dark above the other men of science. Thomas Edison, with his su- perior mentality, cannot afford to try more than one task at one time. To feed the raw facts into his brain they return finished goods. To force the blank paper into the iron jaws of a news press, a finished product results. The brain of Mr. Edi- son is simply a machine, oiled and in perfect working order. A brain of an Edison is able, when the world is in chaos, to sat- isfy itself with carefully digested thinking. Behind closed doors, this great power completes his taken task, because of early mental preparations. "Do one task and do it well," Edison remarks. How many are able to really do one task and do it well? How many respond to the explosion in the street? Outside in- fluences detract our attention from religious duties, because the

338 IMPROVEMENT ERA foundation is lacking. Edison as well as Lincoln, had minds whose foundations reached the solid rock. When preparing to build a mental structure, drill to the solid rock. To be among the few we must make early prepara- tions, we must build early in life. Education will furnish the tool. Practice, work, and the Master will complete the struc- ture. Increased mentality should give you power to obtain the maximum of Irving and happiness in the least possible time; should result in greater social service; should be a factor in utilizing your spare time; and should, above all, "instil faith in God the Creator of the Universe and Father to us all." Begin now to build a dependable mental structure. A de- lay is costly. Your brain is your reliable friend. Minersville High School, Utah My Daddy Dear My Daddy dear, you've always been The dearest kind of pal to me. You've kept ray soul from sinning when I might have sinned if not for thee. You've taught me how to live a life Of honesty and love. Of how to serve my fellow men And please my God above. And when death's angel hovered near And fever burned my brow, You kneeling prayed that I be spared, You loved me then as now. You never fret, my daddy dear, When troubles come your way, Although your heart must break, at times You see a brighter day. I see your hair is turning white And, work has made you old, You've toiled your life away for me, You love me more than gold. Your gentle words have ever been A guidance for my feet. I think of you when far away And long again to meet My daddy dear, to you I owe My learning, faith, and prayers, You cheered my heart where sorrow dwelt, And took away my cares. I know of nothing I can do Unless I try to be An honor to you, daddy dear, As you've been good to me. Provo, Utah piora Robinson