neither be seen nor felt, and we call it therefore mind, spirit; or we say it is immaterial. What do we call that which we can see and feel? what other name is there for it? what do we call that which thinks, but can neither be seen or felt? any other name for it? any other? Every one of you then can think. You have that within you which no other creature has, a mind-a rational Soul. What can each one of you do? what is there within you that no other creature has ? By the means of the mind you can remember whatever you have seen, heard, smelt, tasted or touched. It is by that faculty of the mind called memory. By what means are you enabled to remember? by what faculty of the mind? By the mind you can reflect or recall the idea of the moon that shines, the stars that glitter, a picture you have seen, or a friend that is absent. By what means do you recall any thing which you have seen or known? By this too you can distinguish the voice of your father and mother; the song, and the warbling of birds, and the barking of dogs. By what means can you distinguish one sound from another ? But above all, it is by this means that you are enabled to distinguish right from wrong; to know that you should love and obey your parents; be kind to your brothers and sisters; that you should take nothing but what is your own; that you should lie not, swear not, break not the sabbath day, that you should be good to all around you; for conscience, which is a faculty of the mind, and God's holy word, have taught you these things. It is neither your hand, nor your foot, nor even your head that gives you the power to remember, to think, to reason, to distinguish right from wrong. It is by the aid of your mind, your soul, or that within you which is spirit, and can never, never die, even when the body ceases to live. By what means can you distinguish right from wrong? to be kind to your brothers and sisters? &c. is it done by the hand? foot? head? by what then? can this spirit or soul ever die? does it live forever? Genesis ii, 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Psalm viii. O Lord our God, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers; the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained what is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet. John xi, 23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth shall never die. in me, The pupil or teacher may also read 2d Cor, iv, 14. 1st Cor. xv. CHAPTER XXI. OF GOD. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Who created the heavens and the earth? when did he create them? there was not any thing then before him? God is not a substance. He can neither be seen or felt. Can you see God, then? why not? Whatever is unseen we say is invisible. God is unseen, and therefore is invisible. What do you say of a thing that is unseen? what do you say of God then? He He that makes anything, we say is its creator. God is the maker of all things made us. What do we say of one that is a maker of any thing? That he is its Creator; its Father. Who made us? He is then, what? He that takes care of things is called a Preserver. God takes care of all things. He takes care of us. He is then our, what? He that bestows blessings upon us, or gives us good things is called a Benefactor. God gives us every thing that we have. What shall we call him on this account? John iv, 21-24. Jesus saith unto her, woman believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Psalm i. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye hands - serve the Lord with gladness. Come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgivings, and into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him and bless his name, for the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. CHAPTER XXII. OF GOD. He that knows many things we call wise. He that knows every thing we say is all-wise or infinite in wisdom. |