odel in clay or wax, and carve if we can, and give honors to those
who do, and this is well. This commandment is founded on the fallacy
that graven images are gods, whatever that is. The command adds nothing
to our happiness, nor does it shape our conduct, nor influence our
habits. Everybody knows and admits its futility, yet we are unable to
eliminate it from our theological system. It is strictly
secondhand--worse, it is junk.

Conversely, the admonition, "Be gentle and keep your voice low," is New
Thought, since all but savages know its truth, comprehend its import,
and appreciate its excellence.

Dealers in Secondhand Thought always declare that theirs is the only
genuine, and that all other is spurious and dangerous.

Dealers in New Thought say, "Take this only as it appeals to you as your
own--accept it all, or in part, or reject it all--and in any event, do
not believe it merely because I say so."

New Thought is founded on the laws of your own nature, and its
shibboleth is, "Know Thyself."

Secondhand Thought is founded on authority, and its war-cry is, "Pay and
Obey."

New Thought offers you no promise of paradise or eternal bliss if you
accept it; nor does it threaten you with everlasting hell, if you don't.
All it offers is unending work, constant effort, new difficulties;
beyond each success is a new trial. Its only satisfactions are that you
are allowing your life to unfold itself according to the laws of its
nature. And these laws are divine, therefore you yourself are divine,
just as you allow the divine to possess your being. New Thought allows
the currents of divinity to flow through you unobstructed.

Secondhand Thought affords no plan of elimination; it tends to
congestion, inflammation, disease and disintegration.

New Thought holds all things lightly, gently, easily--even thought. It
works for a healthy circulation, and tends to health, happiness and
well-being now and hereafter. It does not believe in violence, force,
coercion or resentment, because all these things react on the doer. It
has faith that all men, if not interfered with by other men, will
eventually evolve New Thought, and do for themselves what is best and
right, beautiful and true.

Secondhand Thought has always had first in its mind the welfare of the
dealer. The rights of the consumer, beyond keeping him in subjection,
were not considered. Indeed, its chief recommendation has been that "it
is a good police system."

N