But the righteous hath hope in his death." How did St. Paul speak in the view of eternity? 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." What will be said to the faithful servant in the last day? "Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." St. Matt. xxv. 21. What one principle contains in it all excellence and happiness? Love. `Quote St. John on this principle. 1 John iv. 7, 8. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Define religion with regard to this principle. It is the love of God in Christ Jesus wrought in our souls by the Holy Ghost. Mention what I may call the chain in religion. Knowledge, faith, love, obedience. Where do I find a full doctrinal and practical view of love? Quote the last verse of that chapter. "And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." How does St. John teach us that we are to love one another? chap. iii. 18. "My little children, let us not love in word; but in deed and in truth." What do you say of love? It is the life and soul of religion; the perfection and happiness of man; that divine principle which " never faileth." How do you mean that love that "never faileth ?" Every thing else will vanish and perish, but love will exist for ever. What, then, is your notion of Heaven? It is that state where all is light and all is love, and that eternally. What, as to this principle, is the direction of St. Jude, ver. 21? "Keep yourselves in the love of God." Give me a petition, from Rom. v. 5, which we all should daily offer to God. That "the love of God may be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost." 181 CHAPTER VI. THE HUMAN MIND. INTRODUCTION. Into what did you divide all things that exist? Can you describe them by any other words? Corporeal and Spiritual: Visible and Invisible. What one word describes immaterial things? Spirit, or Soul, or Mind. What is God? St. John iv. 24. "God is a Spirit.” What other spirits exist? Good angels, evil angels, and the souls of men. What do we commonly call the spirit of man? His Mind. How do you know mind? By consciousness, and by its operations. Is the mind wonderful? It is truly so. Show this by reference to space. It can rove at will through the universe. Show it by reference to Time. It can look backward and forward into eternity. When and where can it act thus? In a moment, at all times, in all places. What does this prove? Mind is peculiarly great and noble. How do you form your notion of God? By ascribing Infinity to the attributes of mind. Explain your meaning. God is infinite in knowledge, power, &c.; present every where. Express all this in two words. God is Infinite Perfection. Can change or decay belong to God? Not in the least degree. Ps. cii. 26, 27. In gaining knowledge. What do you mean by knowledge? A right notion of things. How do you divide the operations of man's spirit? Into those of the Mind and of the Heart. What do you here mean by mind? Intellect, understanding, the contemplating power of the soul. What do you mean by heart? Emotions, affections, feelings. Is there nothing more in man? He has Will and Conscience. What do you mean by Will? The power of choosing. What do you mean by Conscience? The mind dealing with good and evil; with right and wrong. How does the mind, acting by conscience, treat these? It approves the one, and condemns the other. What forms the treasure of the mind or intellect? Light, knowledge, notions, ideas, just views. When is knowledge a real treasure? When it is true, just, valuable. When is the mind poor? When it is dark, ignorant, erring. By what, in this condition, is man ruled? By error, prejudice, passion, self-will, &c. How does the mind obtain its notions or ideas? By Sensation and Reflection. What do you mean by sensation? The receiving of impressions from outward things by the senses. What are the chief organs of sense? The Brain and Nerves. Mention the process briefly and generally. What nerves do they affect? Those of sight, or hearing, or smell, or taste, or touch. What then takes place? The nerves convey the feeling to the brain: and thus to the mind. Do we understand the connection between the mind and the brain? Not in the least degree: the fact is all that we know. Have we any inward sensations? Hunger and thirst are such. What does Sight convey to us? The view of near or distant objects. What is it that we see? Distances, forms, colours. How is this effected? By rays or undulations of light striking the optic nerve. What does Hearing convey to us? All sounds. How is this effected? By the motion of air on the nerves of the ear. |