The Power of Silence

by Horatio Willis Dresser

Originally published in 1894


Horatio Willis Dresser (1866–1945) was a New Thought religious leader and author.

Genres: Self Help

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Horatio Willis Dresser was a New Thought religious leader and author.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio...

Reviews

[Grace McCreary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will be another book that I keep on my shelf likely for forever. I recently heard in a sermon that you never graduate from the Gospel to deeper revelation. While that is certainly true, Dresser’s writing offers that since the Holy Spirit lives within us, seeking deeper revelation within ourselves, at least, is a means for growing closer to God in present eternity. All of this, through the power of silence.

Wow Dresser. To be able to take the human condition and philosophically construct for the reader a transcendental vision of sorts that acknowledges a human’s toughest existential questions, such as the reason for suffering, and ultimately lead you to our one true immanent God… it’s a feat my lousy brain can barely fathom. Bringing together both rationality and strong religiosity scratched an itch in my brain I’d had for forever, and I think that’s why I loved it so much.

I read this book with a skeptical view that it would be heretical but found that you could insert the Gospel into each rung of Dresser’s scheme. Of course, reading the Gospel should ideally come first, but this book is perhaps a tool for the hyper-intellectuals, struggling with faith, who want to understand where God fits into our human experience. I can think of a few I know that I’d want to give this book to.

As Christians, we talk a lot about having a heart posture for Jesus. Dresser’s chapter on poise opened my eyes to how we as Christians, empowered by scripture to take captive our thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5), ought to strive to be more poised and centered on the love of God. Poise feels different from posture. It requires a more active effort to become more refined and aware of your own soul growth. You are neither an optimist, nor a pessimist. You rather practice the habit of poise for the things of God. How neat!

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The language reflects the period and can seem to be hard to understand at times. I don't agree with the author that mankind continues to evolve better and better but then I am reading this with 125 years of hindsight. I think the book reflects the age in which it was written in that progress industrially was taking place and standards of living were increasing for many in Western countries. I didn't feel it had much to do with Silence at all but having said that there are some worthwhile passages to think and reflect on.

[dejah_thoris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A self-help book with a theological twist. Most of the ideas are still applicable and still used commonly in self-help works today. Nothing like the library's catalog description of it, however.