Divine love and wisdom more fully, and from this beginning a never-ending ascent is possible. Theophilus Parsons. It is an universal law that the inmost form of each existing thing determines what it is, although all exist by the reception of one life. Theophilus Parsons. The first steps of a true progress are taken when we come to some knowledge of the truth that all life, and all that constitutes life, every affection, and every thought, and every faculty, are constantly, instantly, and incessantly given us from God, but given to be our own, and to become what we choose to make them. One of the chief elements of happiness in heaven will be the knowledge that our whole life is God's life given to us; every thought and affection, every faculty, derived from his influent life. The best and most that we attain to here, is but little more than nothing compared with what is possible. Theophilus Parsons. All spiritual forces are one, and they and natural forces are also in their origin and inmost nature, one. What can this one be, but the Divine love which is the spring and cause of all causation. But the assertion that the universe is God, and the only God, is a most emphatic denial of God. The implanted religiousness of human nature demands a personal God, one in whom confidence and love and trust may be reposed. God creates the universe from Himself. He creates it for His children, and He gives it for their use. it is theirs. It is His, Parsons. In this world, space and time control thought and will; in that future world, thought and will control space and time. No person is heavenly in heaven, who did not begin to be heavenly on earth. There is not, and cannot be, a truth of natural science which has not its correlative spiritual truth. In point of fact, the highest charity for most men, or the best form of usefulness for them, lies in the complete discharge of their daily duties; for the mercy of God always so adjusts these to their spiritual needs, that the best way in any hour for a person to advance spiritually, is simply to do the duty of that hour. The whole work of the human body is the common resultant of the work of each part. While each works for all, all work for each. A human life should be well rooted in some spot of a native land, where it may get the love of tender kindship for the face of earth, for the labors men go forth to, for the sounds and accents which haunt it, for whatever will give that early home a familiar, unmistakable difference amidst the future widening of knowledge; a spot where the definiteness of early memories may be inwrought with affection, and kindly acquaintance with all neighbors, even to the dogs and donkeys, may spread, not by sentimental effort and reflection, but as a sweet habit of the blood. George Elliot. Disease comes when any organ fails in its duty, and especially whenever any organ works for itself primarily, and takes more than it needs of vitality or substance. Then other organs suffer for want of that which the offending organ unduly appropriates, and the offending organ suffers for its selfishness by engorgement or inflammation. There is a sort of professional make-up which penetrates skin, tones and gestures, and defies all drapery. The soul in its uplifted moments will, without aim or purpose, and better without than with, utter the deepest moral and spiritual truth. He who strives to say deep things never says them. Goethe. The creative mind works from within. Its gifts are in the unseen, its work is as silent and inexpressible as is the renovating energy of nature. Goethe. A sound, well conditioned mind never ceases to grow. Works of nature are like a freshly uttered word of God. The life of a man is his character. He who keeps on plying his inward sap will never cease to put forth fresh leaves. For the development of the highest gifts, circumstances must be propitious. Already dead is he who lives for his dear safety's sake. Goethe. A good book is of more value to the world than a best part of a good man-the Thus when a wise man dies, good man-for it is the good without the evil. while his spirit is still living on in one immortal life, he may be also living another immortality on earth, occupying perhaps a wider sphere than when he was in the body; his thoughts quickening the thoughts of others, as though he were present with them; his feelings inspiring the noblest feelings of others, and his principles prompting to worthy deeds after his own last action is done. It was more than a figure that Milton wrote in his "Areopagitica": "For books are not absolutely dead things, but do contain a progeny of life in them as active as that soul whose progeny they are; nay, they do preserve as in a vial the purest efficacy and extraction of that living intellect that bred them. Noah Porter, D. D. SELF DEPENDENCE. Weary of myself, and sick of asking And a look of passionate desire O'er the sea and to the stars I send; Ye who from my childhood up have claim'd me, Calm me, ah! compose me to the end. "Ah! once more," I cried, "ye stars, ye waters, On my heart your mighty charm renew! Still, still let me, as I gaze upon you, Feel my soul becoming just like you! From the intense, clear, star-sown vault of heaven, Over the lit-sea's unquiet way." In the rustling night air came the answer : Unaffrighted by the silence round them, These demand not that the things without them And with joy the stars perform their shining, Bounded by themselves, and unregardful O air-born voice! long since severely clear, |