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Again, Mental philosophy is closely connected with the science and practice of Oratory. We sometimes hear the science of the mind designated as the philosophy of human nature, and nothing certainly is more common than the remark, that a knowledge of human nature is essential to the orator. With how much greater directness and strength he applies his powers of reasoning, when he understands the principles, on which the mind operates in every reasoning process! With how much greater confidence he attacks prejudices, and rouses or allays the passions, when he has thoroughly meditated the passions, and the various influences, by which our judgments are biassed!

It will be found also on examination, that the philosophy of mind has a real relation, either direct or indirect, to various other departments of knowledge. Indeed, so far as it examines primary propositions, and the grounds and instruments of belief, it may justly be considered as laying the foundation of all sciences and knowledge what

ever.

§. 11. Mental science is a guide in cur intercourse with men.

And let it be further noticed, in connection with this subject, that our intercourse with men, in the ordinary concerns and enjoyments of life, is truly and properly an intercourse with minds. In order to render this intercourse agrecable and profitable, it is necessary to be acquainted with the laws of the mind. It is undoubtedly the duty of every man, to increase, as far as lays in his power, the sum of human happiness; but without such acquaintance he will often touch, unadvisedly some train of thought, some secret feeling, some casual connection, that will produce deep unhappiness. But if he combine with a benevolent disposition a suitable knowledge of our mental nature, his touch, like that of the skilful musician, will extract from those, with whom he mingles in the intercourse of life, the concord of just thoughts and kindly feelings, which is the most pleasing of all carthly harmonies.

But there is another point, on which men have been most unjust and cruel to each other, and in respect to which they will find in mental philosophy a clear intimation of their errour, and an implied and stern rebuke of their injustice; we have reference to the hostility of those, who happen to embrace different opinions. Many unfortunate men have been exiled and out-cast from society; many have been thrown into dungeons; many have been broken upon the rack; many have died by the fire and famine and the sword; merely because they did not believe. as those, who possessed the power thus to oppress them. But the philosophy of mind teaches us, that belief has its laws; that there is no necessary connection between suffering and a change of opinion; and it whispers in the ears of those, who have the wisdom to understand it, that the only rebukes should be evidence; the only engines of torture, arguments; and the only persecution and warfare, the zealous communication of knowledge.

§. 12. Ilustrates the nature and wisdom of the Creator.

But we leave these and all other considerations, tending to show the utility of the science of the human mind, with the single reflection farther, that it helps to illustrate the nature and wisdom of the Infinite Mind.

I. It throws light on the nature of the Supreme Being. All those ideas, which we form of God, are only new applications and extensions of certain ideas, which we previously form in respect to ourselves. The soul, approaching in its nature nearer to him than any thing else, which is the direct subject of our knowledge, is, in some sort, the medium, by which we mount up, and are able to form true conceptions of the nature of the universal Author. Hence, in studying mind even on the limited theatre of humanity we are indirectly studying the Supreme Being, since God is the original, indispensable, and all-pervading mind, and no analogy even in the slightest degree can be pointed out between his nature, and that of any thing else on earth. Accordingly we find universally in nations, where the intellect is degraded, God is degraded

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also; where there are no powers of abstraction,every thing assumes a massive and material form; where there is no thorough contemplation of the divinity within, there is no true knowledge of the Divinity without.

And these degraded men are so in love with their grovelling and unintelligent conceptions, that they will show you the spirituality of the Omniscience, reduced to a visible form, and cased up in the broidered work of Egypt, the gold of Tyre, and the feathers of the South Sea Islands.

II. The knowledge of the human mind is not only the basis of true conceptions of the nature of the Divine Mind, but it affords also the most striking exemplification of some of his attributes, particularly his wisdom.

We are frequently referred in theological writings to the works of creation, as a proof of the Creator's wisdom; and the remark has been made, not without reason, that the "stars teach as well as shine." But of all those created things, which come within the reach of our direct examination, the human mind is that principle, which evinces the most wonderful construction, which discloses the most astonishing movements. There is much to excite our admiration of the Divine foresight in the harmonious movements of the planetary orbs, in the rapidity of light, in the process of vegetation; but still greater cause for it in the principle of thought, in the inexpressible quickness of its operations, in the harmony of its laws, and in the greatness of its researches. How striking are the powers of that intellect, which, although it have a local habitation, is able to look out from the place of its immediate residence, to pursue its researches among those remote worlds, which journey in the vault of heaven, and to converse both with the ages past and to come!

It ought not to be expected that we should be intimately acquainted with a principle possessing such striking powers, without some reverential feelings towards Him, who is the author of it.

§. 13. Of the mental efforts necessary in this study.

In concluding these remarks on the utility of the Phi

losophy of the Mind, it ought not to be concealed, that our early intellectual habits present an obstacle to the easy and ready prosecution of it. We are so formed, that we naturally give our attention first to external things. The varieties of color and sound, the pleasures of taste and touch are continually giving us new intimations, and drawing the soul incessantly out of itself to the contemplation of the exteriour causes of the perceptions and emotions, by which it is agitated. Hence, when we are called to look within, and as the Arabians sometimes say, 'to shut the windous, in order that the house may be light,' we find it to be a process, to which we are unaccustomed, and, therefore, difficult.

Although the direct mental efforts be not greater in this, than in some other departments of science, it is, in consequence of the circumstance just mentioned, exceedingly painful to some, and certainly requires patience and resolution in all. And perhaps this is one cause of the unfavorable reception, which this department of knowledge has often met with.

But the advantages attending it are so numerous, it is to be hoped, they will overcome any disinclination to the necessary mental exertion. The fruits of the earth are purchased by the sweat of the brow, and it has never been ordered that the reverse of this shall take place in the matters of knowledge, and that the fruits of science shall be reaped by the hands of idleness. No man has ever become learned without toil; and let it be remembered, if there be many obstacles in the acquisition of any particular science, that he, who overcomes a multiplication of difficulties, deserves greater honour than he, who contends only with a few.

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CHAPTER SECOND.

IMPLIED OR PRIMARY TRUTHS.

§. 14. Importance of certain preliminary statements in mental philosophy.

It is often highly important, in the investigation of a department of science, to state, at the commencement of such investigation, what things are to be considered as preliminary and taken for granted, and what are not. If this precaution had always been observed, which, where there is any room for mistake or misapprehension, seems so reasonable, many useless disputes would have been avoided, and the paths to knowledge. would have been rendered more direct and easy, instead of being prolonged and perplexed.

It is impossible to proceed with inquiries in the science of MENTAL PHILOSOPHY, as it will be found to be in almost every other, without a proper understanding of those fundamental principles, which are necessarily involved in what follows. And it will, accordingly, be the object of this chapter to endeavour to ascertain them; keeping in mind always, that much circumspection is requisite, lest there should be any unnecessary assumptions. The elementary truths, which we have reference to, are few in number, and nothing at least shall be assumed, merely to avoid the trouble of investigation.

§. 15. Nature of such preliminary statements.

Those preliminary principles, which may be found necessary to be admitted as the antecedents and condi

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