a question of manhood, for a stuffed doll has neither convictions nor emotional

tension. If you are upholstered with sawdust, keep off the platform, for your

own speech will puncture you.

 

Growing out of this conviction-tension comes _resolve to make the audience share

that conviction-tension_. Purpose is the backbone of force; without it speech is

flabby--it may glitter, but it is the iridescence of the spineless jellyfish.

You must hold fast to your resolve if you would hold fast to your audience.

 

Finally, all this conviction-tension-purpose is lifeless and useless unless it

results in _propulsion_. You remember how Young in his wonderful "Night

Thoughts" delineates the man who

 

Pushes his prudent purpose to resolve, Resolves, and re-resolves, and dies the

same.

 

Let not your force "die a-borning,"--bring it to full life in its conviction,

emotional tension, resolve, and propulsive power.

 

_Can Force be Acquired?_

 

Yes, if the acquirer has any such capacities as we have just outlined. How to

acquire this vital factor is suggested in its very analysis: Live with your

subject until you are convinced of its importance.