560 



passions, aspirations and emotions, the gratification of which, to a cer-^ 

 tain extent, if not actually necessaiy to his existence, are at least essen- 

 tial to that fair degi-ee of enjoyment, which alone can render life desirable. 

 All these appetites, passions, aspirations and emotions, were doubtless 

 given to man for good purposes, and to be exercised within certain lim- 

 its of moderation, for the promotion of his happiness ; only becoming 

 evil when allowed to run to excess, or when perverted from their origi- 

 nal design. Each, however, is the variety of wants. But while our 

 Creator has subjected man to a greater variety of wants, he has also 

 given him vastly superior powers for the gratification of those wantt; 

 not so much superior physical powers, for in these he is inferior toman'y 

 other animals. 



But to enable him to control and direct his appetites, passions and 

 propensities, as well as to procure the means for their proper gratifica- 

 tion, man is endowed with intellect — with reason — that spark of Divin- 

 ity, which enables him to guide and direct his faculties; [to control and 

 use the strength of the animal creation; to analyze the substances around 

 him ; to investigate the laws of the material universe ; to learn the pow- 

 ers of Nature, and the forces of the globe, and to compel all of these 

 to labor for his subsistence and contribute to his enjoyment. But here 

 is another species of labor; the labor of the mind, the cultivation o^ 

 the intellect, and its appHcation to producing a supply for human wants 

 — a species of labor not less essential, not less arduous, intense and ex- 

 hausting, not less productive than the physical labor of wielding the axe 

 or turning the sod. 



And here again, in accordance with that benevolent design to be read 

 in all His works, the Great Ai-chitect has given to all His creatures the 

 necessary and appropriate organs, powers and faculties, to perform all 

 the labor incident to their condition, and necessary to a proper gratifica- 

 tion of all theii- M-ants. 



And throughout all animated Nature, every organ, every bone, every 

 joint, nerve and muscle — every faculty, passion and emotion of the 

 mind — has been admirably fitted and adapted to the specific 

 labor which it has to perform ; I not one is without its pecu- 

 liar use. Nay, the proper exercise of all is necessary to any tolerably 

 healthy state of each individual existence. Deprive the bird of the 

 use of its wings, or man of the exercise of his body or his limbs, and 



