150 PSYCHOLOGY AND PREACHING
the general emotional situation, which is the resultant of the preceding mental activity, will unquestionably influence the direction of the attention. Among the presentations filing in a continuous series across the threshold of the mind, or appealing for its recognition all at once, some are singled out and given consideration ; others are neglected, or pass on with scant attention. The mind is interested in some of them and not in others, and towards the latter it assumes no definite conscious attitude. Towards the former it as sumes a definite attitude, which as it develops must resolve itself into belief acceptance as real or true; or doubt hesitation to accept as true or real; or rejection judgment as untrue or unreal. Feeling, therefore, has much to do in the direction of this selective process which singles out the matter upon which consciousness is concentrated; and this surely is a most important function.
Second, feeling not only has much to do in controlling the direction of the attention, but is also very influential in de termining the attitude which the mind takes toward the new object. Not only the general mood or state of feeling, but the specific feeling which accompanies the concentration of consciousness upon the object determines to a large extent how the mind will treat it. If the feeling excited by the ob ject is distinctly unpleasant, it inevitably tends to induce hes itation, and this is practically another name for doubt. This is especially true if the feeling is one that arises out of the deep instinctive stratum of our mental life. The fact or idea against which a strong feeling raises this initial pro test is not likely to be accepted until it has shown clear cre dentials, even though there may be no apparent intellectual inconsistency, no disagreement with the system of ideas. It will be required to give positive and convincing evidence of its right to stand within the circle of beliefs. The merely negative evidence of the absence of perceived disagreement will not suffice. If it runs counter to our desires, our in clinations, our hopes, it will be held up for further investiga tion, if it is not instantly rejected.
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