Mental Tidal Waves


"We know how great waves of feeling spread over a town, city, or county,

sweeping people off their feet, and causing them to lose their balance.

Great waves of political enthusiasm, or war-spirit or prejudice for or

against certain people, or groups of people, sweep over places and cause

men to act in a manner which they afterward often regret when they come

to themselves and consider the matter in the light of cold reason.

People are swayed by demagogues or magnetic leaders who wish to capture

their votes or patronage; and they are often led into acts of mob

violence, or similar atrocities, by yielding to these waves of

contagious thought. On the other hand, we know equally well how great

waves of religious emotion spread out over the community upon the

occasion of some great 'revival' excitement or religious fervor."



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