FEELING 85
the two spheres in which this demoralization is most likely to appear, because one s political and religious convictions and ideals are so personal and subjective, so thoroughly steeped in feeling. In those spheres, and particularly in re ligion, the feelings are of fundamental importance, but for that very reason are sources of immeasurable danger. In normal conditions moderate feelings are always to be pre ferred. They are more healthy ; the reaction is never severe or dangerous. The arousing of abnormally high emotion is never justifiable except in dealing with abnormal condi tions, and should then be regarded as a temporary expedient to be discontinued as soon as normal conditions can be re stored. The preachers who aim at high emotional effects, as being in themselves valuable, should be apprised of the fact that such demonstrations result as a rule only in weak ening the foundations of moral order in society by derang ing the mental organization of the individuals who are the subjects of their exploits.
In saying this there is no intention to discount the import ance of feeling. On the contrary, that function is of prime importance as a guide in the adjustment of the organism to its environment, but manifestly it is not of itself sufficient for this purpose. Feeling announces a present fact, it does not look ahead. Grant Allen s statement " neither pleas ure nor pain is prophetic " is a most important truth. Only in the simplest possible situation, only in a matter of immediate and momentary interest, is feeling by itself a safe guide for action. As life conditions become more com plex, as the ends of activity become higher and more re mote, as the series of means to ends grow longer and more complicated, it becomes increasingly necessary that emotion be controlled and directed, that it may not lead to the de struction rather than the promotion of the life. Control and direction are functions of the rational powers. As long as emotion remains under the control and direction of the reason it is not excessive, no matter how intense and strong it may be ; and it clearly depends upon the strength and sta-
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