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rarest specimens of after-eminence ; and how obvious it is that natural obstacles to the cultivation of what has been given are comparatively few !—It is not the powers—it , is the difference of their application ; it is , that in one individual the mind has been awakened to spiritual consciousness . One human
being has , in early life , Jearnt to propose to himself a great object ; and it beams upon him through all the studies , the objects , the pleasures that attract him . He may be more or less learned or accomplished , but his mind does not therefore dwindle away and perish . An almost super-human energy , superior to the results of the most laborious cultivation , is sometimes afforded to those who dedicate themselves to the service of their fellow-creatures , for
God ' s sake—not presumptuously neglecting the diligent use of means , yet , perhaps , unable to obtain all they wish , because they care not to pay the full price . " But vigour of intellect , " it may be said , "is , in after life , scarcely attainable—if the powers of the mind themselves have been little cultivated in early years , the matter must be given up , and we must commit ourselves quietly into the hands of God , trusting that he will not expect to reap where he has not sown . " Granting that , with some great
limitations , this doctrine is true , and that we rarely meet with a case in which the defects arising from education have been completely overcome , there are two points connected with the improvement of the mind , which must never be lost sight of ^ viz . the proportion and harmony of its different faculties , such as they are , and the direction which may be bestowed upon them . Where we cannot re-create , we are certainly allowed the liberty of reducing inequalities . We may be always attending to the weaker points of our minds ,
withdrawing the aliment which has pampered one portion till it has become like a mighty incubus weighing down the rest . We may restore healthy action to the whole , if we cannot endue each power with gigantic strength ; and turn into paths of usefulness and peace well-regulated and welldisposed minds . It is certain , that our chief need is that of being awakened to the knowledge of God and of ourselves . No kind of instruction given to the intellectual faculties will form a truly noble character without this . We
have seen , and do constantly see , instances of astonishing power in beings not so awakened—but for want of submission to a higher influence , for want of knowing the great Power of powers , and Spirit of spirits , these are like wild and wandering fires , not to be trusted , however beautiful and like reality . With this submission , wonders may be done in self-correction . Only let the heart impressively feel its duties , and the mind will gather materials for improvement from every thing that lives , and be never weary of
bringing in that rich harvest . Only let it know itself , free from impure desires and unworthy aims , and it will feel its dignity , and reverence the Divine image in itself . It is grievous to know how -extensive is the error of indifference to the right and conscientious application of our intellectual powers . It is indeed so universal , that we are all , in a great measure , hardened on the subject , and we much fear that in our day it is making rapid progress . Many are sensible of the evils of immoral conduct , who scarcely seem to bestow a
remorseful thought on the most profligate wastes of time , on the most intemperate employment of particular powers of the mind . Great efforts are making by philanthropists to give the intellectual faculties a preponderance over the animal , and for this purpose many mental banquets are provided ; the object is unquestionably good and valuable ; but still we look onwardonward . Much reading is infinitely better than much drinking ; but wisdom is better still than knowledge ; and there are multitudes of readers who seem no farther advanced in deep , practical wisdom , than they were before . But ,
Untitled Article
160 On Love to God .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1830, page 160, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2582/page/16/
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