He also pretended that it was by an exertion of his Will, aided by magic forms which he read from a book, that he made two boys obey him.

It was probably for these tricks which savored of magic that GASSNER was "retired." Having in the previous pages indicated the general method by which Will may be awakened and strengthened, that the reader may as soon as possible understand the simple principle of action, I will now discuss more fully the important topic of influencing and improving our mental powers by easily induced Attention, or attention guided by simple Foresight, and pre-resolution aided by simple _auto_ or self-suggestion.

And I believe, with reason, that by these very simple processes (which have not hitherto been tested that I am aware of by any writer in the light in which I view them); the Will, which is the power of all powers and the mainspring of the mind, can be by means of persuasion increased or strengthened _ad infinitum_.
It is evident that GASSNER'S method partakes in equal proportions of the principles of the well-known "Faith Cure," and that of the Will, or of the passive and the active.

What is wanting in it is self-knowledge and the very easily awakened _forethought_ which, when continued, leads to far greater and much more certain results.
Forethought costs little exertion: it is so calmly active that the weakest minds can employ it; but wisely employed it can set tremendous force in action.
As regards GASSNER, it is admissible that many more cures of disease can be effected by what some vaguely call the Imagination, and others Mental Action, than is generally supposed.

Science now proves every year, more and more, that diseases are allied, and that they can be reached through the nervous system.