Muscles are not self-acting. If mortal mind moves them not, they are motionless. Hence the fact that mortal mind enlarges and strengthens them through its mandate, through its own demand and supply of power. Not because of muscular exercise, but through the blacksmith's belief, comes the strength of his arm.
Mortals develop their bodies just as they move them, through mind. To know whether this development is produced consciously or unconsciously, is of less importance than a knowledge of the fact. The feats of the gymnast prove that latent mental fears are quite unknown to him. Even mortal mind, fixed on some achievement, makes its accomplishment possible. Exceptions only confirm this rule, proving that failure is occasioned by a too feeble sense of evil desires or good.
Had Blondin believed it impossible to walk a rope over Niagara's abyss of waters, he could never have done it. His belief that he could do it gave his muscles their flexibility and power, — which was attributed, perhaps, to a lubricating oil. His fear must disappear, and his power of putting resolve into action must appear.
When Homer sang of the Grecian gods, Olympus was dark; but through his verse the gods became alive in a nation's belief. Pagan worship began with muscularity, but the Law of Sinai lifted thought into the song of David. Moses advanced a nation to the worship of God in Mind instead of matter, and illustrated the grand human capacities of being bestowed by Immortal Mind. The Psalmist said: “Thou madest man to have dominion over the works of Thy hands. Thou hast put all things under his feet.”
