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world; but how absurd to say, Let us try it by itself: that is, let us use petition only. The mainspring of a watch has a very important place, but only in its relation to and connection with all the other parts of the mechanism. Affirming its necessary place and use in the watch, we are not prepared to say, Let us take the mainspring out by itself and test its power and accuracy as a chronom

eter.

It is an error to suppose that any one can tell just what prayer is in its nature. In science, no one can tell just what any element or any substance is. He knows something, but not all about it. He knows something of its conditions, phenomena, of its forces, something of its correlation to other things: of its absolute nature, he knows nothing. When Prof. Tyndall lectures on light, he comes to a point when he says: "That is all I know about it. No one can tell its cause, unravel all of its nature and mystery." That concession does not destroy the fact or the force of light.

But it is said that prayer implies a possible change on the part of God, and that "puts the question outside of the laws of harmony." Suppose it true (we do not so affirm it) that prayer does imply a change on the part of God, is that in contradiction to their own scientific doctrine of forces? These same scientific men tell us that, when we pull a boat to the shore, the boat-hook at the same time pulls the earth toward us; that a grain of sand dropped affects the universe; that planets attract the sun, and the sun the planets, that action and reaction are everywhere in the whole domain of physics, and that the harmony of the universe, so far from being disturbed, is dependent upon these very conditions.

If their own laws of force are correct, then it follows that a mind operating in the line of God's own nature-having in itself qualities like those of God, as atoms have of the earthwill have an influence upon the mind of God: it will from its own laws of force, have an influence upon the mind of God, and yet no more disturb the constancy of God's nature and plans and purposes than the influence of planets upon the sun, and of star upon star, disturb by the changes they produce the har

mony of the universe, but are, as the astronomers say, the conditions that result in that harmony.

Why may not the writers of the Bible apply the same law to the spiritual world that science does in the whole empire of nature? Take the law of the magnets, of which Prof. Tyndall speaks. When in a certain state, the poles attract, tend to each other, when not in that state, they repel each other. Take the divine mind and the human. May there not be conditions in which they tend the one to the other, and God dwells in the soul in consciousness, love, and power? In other and opposite conditions, may not the will, aim, desires of the person be repellent to the will of God, and all this too within the sphere of consciousness? Does life witness these facts, as science does its phenomena and laws? Is the testimony of the multitudes, that no man can number, without place and force, who say, "We speak of that we do know, and we testify of that we have seen?" What analogy of science controverts the doctrine, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you?"

As to how far a mind, seeking and keeping the laws or divine commandments in the case, may influence the material world, we do not know. Shall we say, Not at all? Then, we are reminded that mind has sought and kept the laws of one element in nature, that it is the will, desire, prayer of mind that drives its trains night and day through the land; that is, the force of mind over matter. It tunnels the mountains, makes a dry road over the rivers, grades the uneven belting States, and opens a highway of commerce from sea to sea. Is there lack of harmony here between seeking, striving, and prevailing human minds and the purposes of God? Another element, and mind was long seeking and asking, then finding its laws. They are found and kept; and mind joins itself to iron nerves that web the land, dip under the oceans, feel as by sensation what is going on at the same time in two hemispheres. It controls the movements of armies, directs navigation, affects the thoughts and plans of nations, has to do in great material changes, mukes history.

Another item. We read the morning

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WHAT IS LIFE?

ABRAHAM PERKINS.

MAY, 1884.

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No. 5.

of disobedience to the light of conscience. God is enthroned in the soul of man for judgment, according to the testiWHAT is life? It is very much what mony of Jesus ;-"Whose soever sins we make it. If our soul purpose is to ye remit, they are remitted unto them; make the principles of honesty and truth and whose soever sins ye retain, they are the guide and governor of action, we retained. John, xx., 23. Again, shall reap the fruits of those principles, by Paul ::- "Do ye not know that the which are always love, peace and joy, saints shall judge the world?" 1 Cor. without amalgamation or the relation vi., 2. No man can change the order of any spirit akin to hatred, malice or of this tribunal, which is established by strife. No foe, foreign or domestic, can a mighty hand for the justification or enter to take away or destroy known condemnation of our deeds; and no man justification, the reward of honest living. feels the approbation of his works, unless Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is his conscience approves; neither does he within you. It "cometh not by obser- feel condemned, unless in his own heart, vation." No greater heaven is possible he is convinced he is in the wrong. to be enjoyed, than that arising from the Our own hearts are our accusers, whethknowledge of efforts purely honest, and er our tongues confess or do not confess. from faith made practical by works of No greater evidence of truth can be obedience; and no hell more severe, obtained, than that coming from personhan that arising from the knowledge al experience. We know God through

our senses by the objects of His creation. The evidence of a Supreme Being is from what we behold,-what we see, hear and feel; and no evidence is more palpable, than that which comes through man, His image. Hence our duty is obvious from the evidences every day before us, from the necessities of the occasion, the demands of the circumstances. These circumstances man himself often creates, and should be able to control.

In life, there exists no condition that would justify a breach of divine law. A penalty is attached even to the sin of ignorance; suffering must follow, even if but few stripes are inflicted; there must be repentance for every deviation from truth and right, which sooner or later must come to the knowledge of the soul. Therefore how absolute the necessity that we live in sunlight, that we know the truth as it is, that we are not in darkness and under deception, that to us life is made real, that our profession be not a pretense, a fraud, a sham, that in us be no blemish or taint of hypocrisy, that we be seen as we are and truly be, as we seem to be! Such and only such are the subjects of the kingdom of heaven; the elements of which, neither defileth, maketh a lie or in any sense worketh iniquity.

Who then can confidently claim to be the heirs of the kingdom, the children of Zion! Whosoever can, let him cry aloud that he may be heard, if there are to be found ears to hear. Let him have the moral courage to declare his faith, and by example give evidence of Christian character, that his life is hid in Christ and his relation of the resurrection order. Enfield, N. II.

RELIGION.

MARIA WITHAM.

CAN religion be illustrated and its power brought to bear upon the world apart from its manifestations as an indwelling principle of life in the heart? People may be suspicious of our sincerity, but a religious life forbids suspicion and puts doubt at a disadvantage. No science can ward it off. We acknowledge the truth and claim those divine principles which are effectual in bringing the heart and life into such perfect sympathy, that all who are governed by them, present to the world the image of godliness. Enfield, Conn.

PRAYER.

EMILY OFFORD.

A POET has thus very correctly defined prayer:

"Prayer's the soul's sincere desire,

Uttered or unexpressed;

The motion of a hidden fire
That burns within the breast.
Prayer's the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try,

Prayer's the sublimest strains, that reach
The Majesty on high."

When Jesus was on the earth he exhorted his disciples to pray without ceasing, but how many of those who profess to be his followers today regard this admonition, though so very important?

The object of prayer is to free the mind from earthly care and lift it above the din and confusion that distract the seuse, into an atmosphere that is pure and clear, a region of peace and serenity, where the soul may enjoy a foretaste of angel communion and gather a spiritual influence around it, that shall be as a wall of protection when storms of temptation and trial arise.

The human heart is insufficient of it

self to withstand these, even the stout-
est and bravest at times quail beneath the
rod of adversity. Therefore Wisdom

teaches us to rely on the guidance of the
Infinite Hand, and listen to the still
small voice of God, the conscience,
which is best felt and best heard in the
sacred and silent hour of prayer.
who can estimate the good done under
the influence of a prayerful spirit?

Ah!

But alas! how often is the hour of prayer spent in mere ceremony, leaving the heart untouched and the soul as barren as before. How many precious opportunities passed by unimproved, golden moments wasted that can never be recalled. One of the first Believers said, "every breath is continual prayer to God."

Sincerity of heart and fervency of spirit are always well rewarded. God is ever ready to pour out His blessings upon those who earnestly seek never with-holding from souls that which is for their best good. If we ask in faith bowing in sweet submission to His will, we are sure to receive. Good angels are ever near and ready to aid those who are striving to rise in the resurrection of Christ.

EDUCATION. No. 6.

Its Source and Course.

CALVIN G. REED.

"O wad some pow'r the gifite gie us
To see ourselves as ithers see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us
And foolish notion;
What airs in dress and gait wad lea'e us
And e'en devotion. "

THOUGHTFUL READER;-We are living in an eventful era. The opinions and philosophies that have ruled mankind for ages, are smitten with transition and decay, and are passing away. New ones are demanding an audience in the interests of humanity.

The times call imperatively for nerve and spirit, perception and wisdom, and devoted intelligent pioneers in the vanguard of the invincible army of the onward mighty march of Mind.

The errors,

The pulse of a new inspiration is beating in the life channels of the thoughtful contemplative world. inconsistencies, and imperfections of past systems and methods, resting like an incubus upon the republic of intelligence, binding its energies, crushing its aspirations, and dwarfing its healthy growth, by an iron-bound conservatism are being repelled by restive spirits who are putting forth their god-like energies to liberate themselves and the race, from the dominion and influence of their paralyzing, deathly coils.

Our blessed Mother Ann, when on earth, many times spent whole nights in fervent prayer and soul labor to gain the gift and power of God to enable her to overcome evil, by which means she gain- People are becoming, more and more, ed complete control over her own spirit, alienated from speculative creeds and and could at times silence her opposers. dogmas, whether in theology or philosoBlessed victory! there is none greater phy. The churches and clergy of all than that of self-conquest, and this is denominations, are losing their hold on gained only through humiliation, watch- the confidence and affections of the fulness and prayer.

Mt. Lebanon, N. Y.

WHOSO wisheth good to others has good wishes in return.-M. W.

masses. People are wearying of seeking in the fanciful, baseless idealism of Utopia for substantial goodness and perfection.

Mankind are becoming independent in during the first years of childhood. We thought and judgment, and are assuming saw the accumulated furniture, finish, the prerogative to decide for themselves, in matters pertaining to their present and eternal welfare. Dictation is distasteful, and coercion repulsive to them.

and tapestry, the inmates and associates of our father's and mother's house. Our parents taught us to lisp the names of the objects and persons that had become our familiar associates, and event

But these were the rules of the past: "Do it if you will, if not, we will com-ually to notice their forms, qualities, and pel you." Now compulsion is opposed, differences, and to name them. We had and coercion discountenanced by pro- learned to express our thoughts according gressive minds, and incentive is preferred to the model of our exemplers and fireas the motive power to draw and hold side teachers, long before we took our the human heart to the right. This is seat in Pedagogue Hall. God's plan, and why should man reverse it?

The aim of enlightened reason is, to discover the basic principles on which rest the development' and success of the human mind, and to use the processes emanating from these principles in the culture and education of the immortal soul. Partial aims and narrow conceptions, do not answer the demands. Those who endeavor to build systems on such a basis will surely fail, as they surely ought. A sound system of education includes the entire requisitions of intelligent immortal beings, and these should be placed at their command as soon as individuals become sufficiently matured in mind to appreciate their advantage and use.

We had made some progress in studying the lessons and the problems in the grand volume of God's handy works, spread out before us on the beautiful pages of the attractive book of Nature, artistically illustrated by the skillful Designer and Omniscient Creator of the universe of worlds.

We had become familiar with our native brook and rivers; vales and dells; hills and mountains; fields and forests; beasts and birds; flowers and fruits; and the starry realm within the boundary of our horizon and scope of vision; before we knew that the alphabet and books possessed any significance, contained an item of information, or were of any practical benefit.

Man in his pristine state, had not even In the brief period of our earth life, the advantage of the fireside education. we can master but little more, if any, Living, undoubtedly, like the animals, than the rudiments of the encyclopedia (who were but a trifle his inferiors,) of knowledge, but how many endeavor without shelter save what the grand mato take even the initiatory degrees? And jestic forests, awning rocks, mountain how few there are who encourage the caves, overhanging cliffs, and vine-emacquisition of knowledge at all. bowered dells afforded him; and clad only in his native dress; all the knowledge he gained came from the silent teachers of his daily surroundings, and and simple. his imperative demands, which were few

Our first steps taken in the domain of intelligence, were in the nursery and home of our infancy. Our garnered stock of valuable ideas, we gleaned from the objective world, and not from books,

Mt. Lebanon, N. Y.

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