Page:Psychology and preaching.djvu/133

 CHAPTER VI

THE EXCITATION OF FEELING

��IN the two preceding chapters emphasis has been laid upon the importance of the relation which the emotional life bears to preaching. It is well now to consider the most effective means and methods of exciting feeling. ^ Emotion is always aroused in one of three ways. The first is immediate experience, i.e., some contact with the environment which directly affects one s own personal wel fare, physical or mental for example, the prick of a thorn, a good dinner, a harsh voice, a sweet melody, a desirable gift, a happy discovery, the death of a loved one, etc., etc. The second is sympathy with another in his experience. When we witness the signs of feeling in another it excites a similar feeling in us. This is true even when we do not perceive the cause of the feeling. We tend to laugh when we see others laugh, although we may not know what is causing the hilarity. If we see another weeping, it arouses a sympathetic sorrow in us before we discover the cause of theirs. A band of happy, romping children makes the heart of every one who is not a misanthrope beat with glad ness. This may be called mediate or sympathetic experi ence. If when we discover the cause of the emotion it is seen to be something which would, if experienced by us, arouse in us a similar one, the sympathetic feeling is deepened. If, on the other hand, it turns out to be some thing which would arouse in us a different or opposite feel ing, there is a reaction, and the sympathetic feeling is likely to be turned into disgust. If I saw a woman weeping as if her heart would break, I should, before I knew the cause,

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