THREE LEADING PRINCIPLES, 15 



Then, we can but come to the conclusion that, if a 

 horse is not taken in a way at variance with the laws 

 of his nature, he will do anything that he fully com- 

 prehends, without making any offer of resistance. 



Second The fact of the horse being unconscious 

 of the amount of his strength can be proven to the 

 satisfaction of any one. For instance, such remarks 

 as these are common, and perhaps familiar to your 

 recollection. One person says to another, fc If that 

 wild horse there was conscious of the amount of his 

 strength, his owner would have no business with him 

 in that vehicle ; such light reins and harness, too if 

 he knew he could snap them asunder in a minute and 

 be as free as the air we breathe ; " and, " That horse 

 yonder, that is pawing and fretting to follow the com- 

 pany that is fast leaving him if he knew his strength, 

 he would not remain long fastened to that hitching 

 post so much against his will, by a strap that would 

 no more resist his powerful weight and strength than 

 a cotton thread would bind a strong man." Yet these 

 facts, made common by every- day occurrence, are not 

 thought of as anything wonderful. Like the ignorant 

 man who looks at the different phases of the moon, 

 you look at these things as he looks at her different 

 changes, without troubling your mind with the ques- 

 tion, " Why are these things so?" What would be 

 the condition of the world if all our minds lay dor- 

 mant? If men did not think, reason, and act, our 

 undisturbed, slumbering intellects would not excel 



