The Story telling Movement is growing with such gigantic strides that a magazine which will keep the Missionaries in this movement in touch with one another seems most desirable, if not absolutely necessary.
Many writers have voiced many opinions as to the benefits to be derived from the exercise of the Art of Story telling, but there is one which I have never seen in black and white, about which I feel impelled to write. It is the Psycho-Therapeutic value of Story telling.
Pain is a real thing, and will hold us in his clutches and claim all our attention if allowed to do so.
Sorrow is absorbing, and will bow our heads and break our spirits if unhindered.
Upon what, then, may we concentrate our attention, that pain may grow weary of pressing his claim?
With what may we so absorb our minds that sorrow will fade away?
One of the fundamental principles of Story telling is that the oral interpreter of Literature, must so vividly see the pictures described in the story, that he will cause his hearers to feel that they, too, see.
He must feel the impulses and emotions of the characters in the story so truly that the hearts of his hearers will thrill with the same feeling.
Since this is true, that the mind must be absorbed in the distant scenes of Story Land, pain in due course of time must grow tired of urging his claim and will ultimately depart.
The emotions dominant in stories which we tell are altruistic for the most part. We prefer to dwell upon themes in which evil is overcome by good; those in which sorrow flees away and joy comes with the morning.