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edge of science is inseparably connected with virtue and piety, 

 and consequent happiness, for this knowledge which teaches the 

 laws of science teaches the necessity of complying with them. 

 Now, although ignorance is the cause of sin, it affords no excuse 

 since knowledge is clearly within our reach. 



What am I ? What is my destiny ? And what are the things 

 around me 1 are the inquiries of every well regulated and well 

 informed mind, as it goes forth upon the works of creation. Such 

 reflections are not, as the dull sensualist would claim, the result of 

 a morbidly sensitive mind, nor a merely romantic imagination, 

 but spring from the spontaneous operation of reason-controlled 

 thoughts. The sublime truths and hallowed beauties, which 

 dwell far beyond the range of visible and tangible things, are re- 

 flected down from heaven to the purer spirits on earth, and the 

 mind that seeks earnestly shall find treasures in the depths of 

 science which belong not to mortality. 



It is true that man in the first and lower elements of his being 

 is endowed with the power of external sensation, which he holds 

 in common with the lower orders of animals ; and it is also true 

 that his mental organism receives its development and education 

 in part through this channel, aided by its own super-combined 

 laws. These senses are the portals through which the mind 

 holds communion with nature. All material light, beauty, form 

 and sounds all earthly things continually present their offer- 

 ings at the shrine of spiritual existence ; while they in their turn 

 receive new attributes of truth and harmony when clothed in the 

 vestments of spiritual life the source of higher knowledge. 

 Here let us ascend from the external senses which belong to cor- 

 poreal existence and give knowledge of nature, to a consideration 

 of the higher sense of mind. The former are often deceptive 

 and imperfect ; a ray of light does not always present its object 

 to the eye in its true direction ; all ears do not hear the same 

 sounds, nor in the same direction ; nor do all eyes distinguish the 

 same colors. All celestial bodies appear to be more elevated than 

 they really are, owing to the refractive powers of the atmosphere 



