Page:Psychology and preaching.djvu/367

 THE MODERN MIND 349

ization as a huge and intricate machine in which the main business of life is for each one to play his little perfunctory part; and it greatly helps to preoccupy the consciousness of each person with the human environment, which so en compasses him that he sees or hears or thinks little else.

Another vitally important aspect of the modern situation is the development of science. It is closely connected with the growing importance of the human factors of the en vironment, of which it presupposes a considerable develop ment; and is the chief method whereby men have been able to master and fashion their material environment. Science is the systematic study of facts for the purpose of ascer taining their law. To be more specific : The subject mat ter of science is experience ; its method is experiment, so far as that is possible ; its aim is to organize experience accord ing to its uniformities, so as to enable men to secure a more extensive control of their environment and better adapt themselves to those aspects of it which they cannot control. Science calls upon her devotees to divest themselves of all prejudice, to sit humbly at the feet of Nature and learn of her, and advance their welfare by ascertaining her laws. &quot; Control through knowledge &quot; is her dictum.

It is superfluous to dwell upon the success of the scientific method. Certainly it has immensely broadened the realm of man s control of natural forces, and accelerated his task of organizing about him an environment of his own mak ing. Opposed uncompromisingly at first, it has vindicated itself by helpful results that are indisputable and has finally won the undivided loyalty of the modern world.

2. Now, what effect does living under these modern con ditions have upon the thinking and feeling of men ? What dispositions and mental attitudes does it tend to induce?

(i) The modern man cannot long tolerate loneliness. If he becomes weary of the presence of men and the strain which that imposes, as he sometimes does, and finds his way into the solitudes to stand face to face with primeval nature, he may for a few days enjoy the silent gloom of the

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