PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION.
To a new and awakened public the author gives greetings and begs to saya few more words about THE RIGHT KNOCK.
After all these years of work along the lines laid out in the book andwith a wide knowledge of prevailing systems of mental training, theauthor is happy to be able to say with unbounded confidence that thereis nothing to excel this system for beginners, for those desiring to laya lasting foundation. The emphasis laid upon the necessity forpersistent, regular and systematic practice of word speaking by audiblerepetition, is great, but none too great. For the faithful student thisnever fails to bring results, never fails to put him in the way ofunderstanding and demonstration. With regular practice and constantapplication in the daily life, with good judgment as to the details ofpractice, length of time at one exercise, etc., the pupil is assured inone way or another certain convincing experiences which developindividuality and, with that, his God-like gifts. Thousands have proventhis.
The unnumbered letters of gratitude, the kind words, the warmhand-clasps, the many testimonials of sick beds forsaken, depressedspirits revived, vices discontinued, of physical and moral strengthregained, prove that the work of the Spirit is not to be measured bypuny human standards of judgment, prove that simple things--the thingsfrom which we expect the least, in which we put the least ambition orworldly desire may be those which will yield the "hundred fold" of realblessing.
The test of any spiritual truth lies in its demonstration and in theinspiration and faithfulness with which it can be lived. Be true to thetruth and you will demonstrate it. Live the Christ life and the workswill follow; yet seek truth for its own sake, not for its power.
A word about Christian Science. Sometimes persons aver of THE RIGHTKNOCK that it teaches Christian Science pure and simple. With all duerespect and a recognition of the grand and marvelous work done by Mrs.Eddy, the author feels called upon to say, in justice to Mrs. Eddy aswell as herself, that this is not true.
There are undoubtedly many similar statements, yet there are manydifferences which the careful reader will discover. Please note, forexample, that not matter itself, but matter as the real substance orpower, is denied. Not sickness of the body, but sickness of the Spirit,is a falsity, etc., etc.
In brief, the author of THE RIGHT KNOCK believes there is a name, placeand condition for _everything_, and that the discrimination of the planeon which a thing or condition exists, is the key to placing it in theright relation to the whole.
In conclusion, the author would say most earnestly, study one writer orteacher at one time, just as you would study music of one instructor atone time. It is not the many books but _the Book within_ which is toreveal all things.
God speed you.
HELEN VAN-ANDERSON.
THE RIGHT KNOCK is now in its THIRTEENTH edition, a fact which speaksfor the _great helpfulness_ of the book, and proclaims without furthercomment its _world wide Scope_.
THE RIGHT KNOCK.