VALUK OF OBSERVATION. 41 



ourselves into the knowledge of even the simplest 

 subject, or the simplest quality of that subject. We 

 can think only of that which we know ; and, therefore, 

 though we can apply relations to subjects to which 

 they never were applied before, and thus find out 

 combinations that are new, we cannot by mere 

 thinking add one iota to our knowledge of subjects. 

 If we could do that in any one case, we could do it 

 in all cases ; and we would know the unseen and the 

 future, as well as that which is present before our 

 eyes or sounding in our ears. The fact is, that if 

 we could think knowledge, all the senses of the body, 

 and the body itself, would be superfluities and encum- 

 brances to us ; and our whole being, instead of dis- 

 playing, as it does, the very perfection of wisdom, 

 would be an absurdity. 



But though the mind cannot quit its unseen citadel, 

 and go forth in quest of the knowledge, it can send 

 out its messengers ; and it can send them as far as 

 sound reaches, or heat warms, or light shines. 

 Thence the senses are capable of bringing the 

 knowledge of all that affects them ; and the mind 

 can apply all the relations. Hence the great value 

 of OBSERVATION, and the ignorance, blundering, and 

 misery of those who do not duly practise it. The 

 mind can compare subjects, or judge, as we are in 

 the habit of calling it ; but the mind always appeals 

 to its witnesses, the senses, in the case of subjects 

 and existences ; and it can have firm and absolute 

 belief no further than it is borne out by them. 



It is here that the obstacle lies which keeps so 

 many of us in ignorance, leads us into error, and 

 causes us to be miserable amid all the fascinations 

 of a world, the mere contemplation of which would, 

 if we knew better, fill us with perpetual delight, and 

 reduce to comparative nothing those little disappoint- 

 ments and cares which keep us in a state of annoy- 

 ance, and hinder us from tasting " the good which 

 God has given us." We do not distinguish between 

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