Page:Psychology and preaching.djvu/342

 324 PSYCHOLOGY AND PREACHING

more and more. But he who holds the purse strings wields the power in any enterprise which must be financed. It is claimed by many observers that we have entered a period of plutocracy in religious affairs, as well as in politics. But it is not the purpose to discuss that question here. The fact to which attention is called seems to be an inevitable inci dent of the trend of things in this age ; and is mentioned here not for the purpose of dwelling upon its social and spiritual implications, but in order to emphasize the importance for the preacher, as well as for all other social leaders, of un derstanding the modern business type of mind.

2. What are the characteristics of that type ?

(i) Let us consider the intellectual characteristics.

In the first place, the typical business man is keen and alert. He must be so or he will soon cease to be a business man, in the proper sense of the word, and become the em ploye of some man who has these mental qualities. It is possible, of course, to refer to individual cases in which men who are slow and dull in mind are, by reason of pecu liar conditions, able to maintain the status of business men ; but when closely studied these apparent exceptions will only prove the rule. The business man is often dealing with conditions which are complex, changeful and urgent. Suc cess requires quick, clear insight, rapid analysis of the sit uation into its incidental and essential features, the instant seizing of the main point and prompt decision. If his intel lectual operations are unreliable or too slow, the penalty is that he drops from among the directors of industry. He can not afford to nod at his post ; he must &quot; keep his eyes open &quot; and his wits about him. And not only does success presuppose a considerable measure of these intellectual qualities ; practice develops them. The intensifying compe tition of modern business, the continually quickening pace in the whole economic sphere and the growing complexity of the conditions with which the business man must deal make it more and more imperative that he shall possess and cul-

�� �