288 THE SCIENCE OF LIFE. 



13. Sentiments refer to feelings of esteem, gratitude, 

 patriotism, etc., but emotions to mental pleasure or pain. 

 The emotions are often very complex, and influence 

 every part of the nature, physical and mental ; as hope, 

 joy, melancholy, love, and anger. 



14. Imagination is a term which represents the power 

 which the mind has of combining ideas. The images 

 produced by this faculty are sometimes so vivid as to 

 affect the organs of sense, and occasion morbid sensual 

 delusions, as well as to influence the organs of motion, 

 secretion, etc. No proof could be more positive of the 

 independent agency of the mind. In its highest degree 

 imagination leads to creative fancy, or poetic power. In 

 some of its flights it may encroach upon the prerogative 

 of conscience, and lead to self-deception unless held in 

 check by the precepts of Divine revelation. 



15. Conscience has been called the moral sense, moral 

 faculty, moral judgment, and susceptibility of moral 

 emotions. It may also be termed the inspirational ca- 

 pacity of the soul. It is that faculty, or combination of 

 faculties, by means of which we have ideas of right and 

 wrong respecting actions, and corresponding feelings of 

 approbation or disapprobation. Faith, in the scriptural 

 sense of the term, is not belief, but the volitional activity 

 of the mind in the sphere of the conscience, 



16. Judgment is the decision of the mind after com- 

 parison. It is altogether a mental function. It is an act 

 of the mind upon and within itself. 



17. Volition is the dominion exercised by the mind 

 over itself, employing or withholding its faculties in any 

 particular action. It is synonymous with free agency, 



