300 ON THE HUMAN FACULTIES, 



religious qualities of our species, with which 

 we propose to conclude our lecture. 



I had occasion to notice in the early part of 

 my discourse, that for very wise purposes, all 

 animals, excepting man, were born with the 

 attributes adapted to their particular nature; and 

 which, consisting merely of those common actions 

 essential to their vital existence, required only 

 physical strength and growth to call them into 

 their fullest activity. That man, on the contrary, 

 brought nothing into the world but capabilities ; 

 and that these, if not exercised by the instruction 

 of others, and by his own industry, the purposes 

 of his creation would have been altogether nuga- 

 tory. Thus from his birth and for a very con- 

 siderable period afterwards, being made to depend 

 upon the assistance of those by whom he was 

 brought into life, this could hot have been effec- 

 tually afforded him, without submission on his 

 part; and thus man from his cradle may be con- 

 sidered as commencing that course of morality, 

 which, improving as he advances, was to influ- 

 ence every action of his future life. Obedience, 

 therefore, and the controul of his passions, were 

 the first rules he was taught; and out of these 

 were to emanate the love, respect, and gratitude 

 due to those protecting benefactors, through 

 whose kindness all the blessings he enjoyed were 

 to be derived; and afterwards goodwill and 

 integrity towards others, from whom minor bene- 



