Self-culture, and perfection of character : including the management of youth

Front matter

F<S2s

Potest Detect °" or b<*>re the

y». m««(otion, Umfed. below.

Preface

TO THE FIRST EDITION.

Improvement is the practical watch- word of the age. Since the Revolution, men have probably made more numerous and valuable inventions and discoveries in machinery, agriculture, and the means of human comfort and luxury, than ever before since the Creation. Yet, while they are straining every nerve to its utmost tension to devise some shorter and still shorter road to augment wealth, and the facilities for promoting merely animal gratifications, and those mostly artificial, how few care or attempt to improve their intellectual or moral faculties. If they can but amass riches, live in splendid palaces and princely style, and procure the means of indulging the selfish propensities, they exult in having attained “ the highest good,” though intellect lie waste, and moral pleasures are unknown. And even the few who attempt to improve their higher faculties know neither where to begin nor how to proceed.

Is this right ? Does it comport with the great end of our creation ? Is it even our true interest ? Does it secure out highest happiness ? Neither, as man’s sad experience abundantly attests. His intellectual anl moral faculties constitute the great fountain of human enjoyment, while physical gratifications are only incidental— mere tributaries. He must be happy in the moral deportment of his nature, or be for ever misera-

1 r PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

ble. With this settled ordinance of his nature he must comply, or else suffer the penalty affixed to the breach of this cardinal law of his moral constitution.

To expound* in view of these principles, the laws oi virtue, and develop nature’s method of cultivating the higher and holier capabilities of our nature ; to guide the young into the paths of goodness, and consequent happiness ; to show parents and teachers how to conduct the moral training and government of children • and to disclose to all aspirants after self-improvement the means of securing “the highest good” by expounding the laws of our moral being and inciting to their obedience— objects the most exalted which can possibly engage human attention or effort — is this work laid before the public. It discloses the true sources of human enjoyment, and will conduct inquirers, especially youthful, to the fountain-head of all pleasure, where they may drink deep and perpetually of those delicious and soulrenovating waters of moral enjoyment, which our Creator proffers without stint to all who will accept this God-conferred and Heaven-tending boon. It will show all how to guide and regulate their feelings and conduct ; how to restrain and subdue their “ easily besetting sins” ; improve their moral characters ; and exercise all their faculties in harmony with their primitive constitution, and thereby render their action always virtuous, so as thus to secure that one end of their being

- — HAPPINESS.

To give a more specific aspect of its object and adaptation : Applicants for phrenological examinations are daily and earnestly inquiring — “ How can I remedy my defects ? By what means can 1 increase my deficient organs, and diminish or regulate those that are too large?” Man naturallv longs for higher and still higher

Preface To The First Edition

V intellectual and moral attainments. The scale or range of self-improvement is illimitable. However high a point we may reach, we naturally desire to rise higher and still higher, till w 3 become “ perfect, as God is perfect.” And the higher we rise, the stronger our desire to press forward and upward into a state still more exalted. At no previous point of time, probably, has this desire equalled its present point of intensity. Parents, in particular, are inquiring with deep solicitude — “ How can I make my children better ? That new and most powerful mental stimulant furnished by our republican institutions, has waked up a mighty hungering and thirsting, especially in parents and the young, after moral excellence. These important inquiries — How can I render myself, and how make my children better ? this work answers scientifically. It bases every direction in those laws of mind developed by Phrenology— that exponent of all the moral laws of our being, that epitome of all mental knowledge, that great director of the constituent elements of perfection, and how to attain it. This science of mind not only teaches us oui characters, but also, what is infinitely more important, u' how to improve them. It shows us in what perfection consists, and how to form character and mould mind in accordance with its conditions. Self-knowledge must precede self-improvement, but never supersede it. Formerly, phrenologists were content with reading themselves and others through this mirror of human nature, but they now seek earnestly to apply it to their own intellectual and moral progression, and that of the rising generation — an application which, practically made, will more effectually subserve human advancement and happiness, than all the discoveries and inventions, all the metaphysical and even theological speculations, together

Vi PREFACE T£ THE FIRST EDITiON.

with all the educational efforts of the age and of all ages combined ; because this discloses the true philosophy of mind, and shows how to perfect it ; while they appertain to physics, or enter the department of mind only to becloud it. Tc the elucidation of these momentous truths, these pages are devoted.

131 Nassau Street, New York, July, 1842.

PREFACE

TO THE IMPROVED EDITION.

More than two-thirds of the time since this work was first published, it has been out of print, because the author was unwilling to re-publish till he could improve it more to his liking. But its subject matter is deemed too important to allow minor defects to withhold it from the public. To do good by disclosing the only true method of conducting self-improvement, and, above all, to put juvenile education upon the basis of the nature of man — these transcendently important considerations urged its immediate re-publication ; and those who prefer utility of matter to beauty of style, will excuse its defects while they profit by its suggestions.

Its principles are all true. They are not hastily put forth. Every idea advanced has been thoroughly scrutinized in all its aspects. Its subject matter needs no apology, only its authorship. Probably no ten pages of it can be carefully perused without essential benefit. Parents will find it a text-book by which to mould the * characters of their dear children. All can learn from it how to live — how to become good — how to render themselves happy.

PREFACE

TO THE STEREOTYPE EDITION

Of the five years since this work was first published, it has been on sale less than two, because each edition was bought up before the author could command time to effect the improvements he desired. Though it is now far from being perfect, yet every portion of it has been re-written. The matter of the former volume has been condensed from three hundred and fifty pages octavo to less than two hundred duodecimo, besides having been every way improved, and over six hundred pages of new matter added — though this addition appertains in part to Vol. I., or “ Physiology, Animal and Mental,” and to “ Memory,” or Intellectual Education, which constitutes Yol. III., as well as to this work, which constitutes Yol. II.

Our subject naturally divides itself into three departments : Physical improvement, or the preservation and restoration of health ; Moral improvement, or the proper cultivation and regulation of the feelings and moral affections ; and Intelectual improvement, or mental discipline. This order we have followed by allotting a volume to each ; so that those who wish to prosecute either separately, can do so, or all can be had bound together ; yet it is to be hoped that whoe's er reads one will be incited thereby to read them all. To facilitate references from all parts of each volume to all parts of .

X

Preface To The Stereotype Edition

the others, each distinct idea advanced has received an appropriate head and number, to which reference is had by those small and elevated figures, called superiors found interspersed through the volumes.

Tables have also been prepared, in which those who secure the requisite examinations, are referred to those passages in each volume, which direct them how to improve those faculties more especially defective, and restrain those most liable to perversion.

Section I

PROGRESSION A LAW OF THINGS — ITS APPLICATION TO HUMAN AND PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT.

PAGE.

201. The earth progressive. — 202. The multiplication of all that grows. — 203. Increase of population. — 204. Improving their qualities.— 205. Human perfectibility. — 206. Individual progression. 19 — 34

Section II. Conditions Of Perfection And Enjoyment

207. The harmonious action of all the faculties. — 208. Normality of function. — 209. Cerebral diseases causing depravity. - 34 — 43

Section III. The Inter-relation Existing Between The Body And The

PROPENSITIES.

210. Existence of this reciprocity of condition. — 211. Governing the propensities by the intellectual and moral faculties. 44 — 68

Section IV. The Evenly-balanced, A Proportionate Action Of The Fac

ULTIES A CONDITION OF PERFECTION ITS FEASIBILITY, AND

THE MODE OF SECURING IT.

212. Proportion a condition of perfection. — 213. Proof that the organs can be enlarged and diminished. — 214. The personal exercise of the faculties. — 215. Means of exciting the faculties. — 216. “Know our own selves.” 68— *118

Xll

CONTENTS.

Chapter II. Analyst's And Means Of Strengthening The Faculties

1. AMATIY ENESS.

PAGE.

217. Definition, location, and adaptation.— 218. Perversion and restraint. - - - 119 — 120

219. Definition and location — large and small. — 220. Adaptation and cultivation. — 221. Duty and mode of its cultivation. — 222. Maternal love and duty. — 223. Cultivation in the unmarried and children. ------- 120 — 136

224. Definition, location, and function. — 225. Large and small. —

226. Adaptation and cultivation. — 227. Due regulation and restraint.— 228. Cultivation in children. — 229. Choosing associates for children — schools. ----- 135 — 145

UNION FOR LIFE.

230. Definition, location, adaptation, and cultivation. - 146 — 147

4. INHABITIVENESS.

231. Definition, location, and effects on character. — 232. Adaptation

and cultivation. ----- 147 — 148

5. CONTINUITY, OR CONCENTRATIVENESS.

233. Definition and location — large and small. — 234. Adaptation, cultivation, and restraint. - - 149 — 150

A. VITATIVENESS.

235. Definition, location, and adaptation. — 236. Its cultivation — dread of death. — 237. The dead and their interment — mourners. 151 — 159

238. Definition and location — large and small. — 239. Adaptation and cultivation. — 240. Its abuses and due regulation. - 159 — 165

7. DESTRUCTIVENESS, OR EXECUTIVENESS.

241. Definition and location — large and small. — 242. Adaptation and cultivation. — 243. Due regulation and restraint — swearing. 166-^-172

244. Definition and location — large and small. — 245. Adaptation and means of cultivation. — 246. Restraint and right direction. 173 — 178

AQUATIVENESS, OR BIBATIVENESS.

247. Definition, location, adaptation, and cultivation.

179—181

CONTENTS.

xiii

PAGE.

248. Definition and location — large and small. — 249. Adaptation and cultivation. — 250. Due regulation and restraint. - - 181 — 195

251. Definition and location — large and small. — 252. Adaptation and cultivation. — 253. Restraint and due regulation. - - 196 — 202

254.. Definition, function, and location. — 255. Adaptation and cultivation.— 256. Restraint and due regulation. - - 202 — 208

257. Definition, function, and location. — 258. Adaptation and cultivation. 259. Due regulation and restraint. - - 208 — 216

13. SELE-ESTEEM.

260. Definition, function, and location. — 261. Adaptation and cultivation.— 262. Self-government, or the training of the will. — 263. Restraint and due regulation of Self-Esteem. - - 217 — 228

264. Definition, function, and location. — 265. Adaptation and cultivation.— 266. Restraint and right direction. - - 229 — 232

267. Definition, function, and location. — 268. Adaptation and cultivation.— 269. Human accountability and guilt. — 270. Right direction of Conscientiousness. - 232 — 246

16. HOPE.

271. Definition, location, and function. — 272. Adaptation and cultivation.— 273. Due regulation and restraint. — 274. A future state. ------- 247 — 252

17. SPIRITUALITY— MARVELLOUSNESS.

275. Definition, location, and function. — 276. Adaptation and cultivation.— 277. Due regulation. - 253 — 261

278. Definition, location, and function. — 279. Adaptation and cultivation.— 280. Restraint and due regulation. - - 262 — 270

281. Definition, location, and function. — 282. Adaptation and cultivation.— 283. Restraint and due regulation. - - 270 — 279

284. Definition and location — large and small. — 285. Adaptation and cultivation. — 286. Restraint and due regulation. - - 279 — 284 xiv

CONTENTS.

PAGE

28 7. Definition, function, and location. — 288. Adaptation and cultivation.— 289. Due regulation. - 284 — 289

B. SUBLIMITY.

290. Definition, location, and function. — 291. Adaptation and cultivation.— 292. Regulation. ----- 289 — 290

293. Definition and location — large and small. — 294. Adaptation and cutivation.— 295. Due regulation — theatricals. - - 290 — 295

296. Definition and location — large and small. — 297. Adaptation and cultivation. — 298. Restraint and due regulation. - - 295 — 299

C. AGREEABLENESS.

299. Definition, location, and function. — 300. Adaptation and cultivation. ------- 299 — 300

SUMMARY APPLICATION TO JUVENILE MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT.

301. The punishment of children. — 302. Governing by intellect and will — 303. Arraying the moral faculties against the animal. 30 1— '312

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

NO PAGE.

1. Structure of the Brain and Nervous System 45

2. Zigomatic Arch 89

3. Young Franklin 93

4. Old Franklin 94

5. Mrs. Smith 120

6. Mr. J. Johnson 121

7. Gotfried 166

8. Eustache 166

9. The Emperor Yitellius 173

10. Teller 182

12. Aaron Burr 193

13. Dr. Samuel Thompson 197

14. Vendovi, a Feejee Chief 203

15. Diana Waters 203

16. Judge Brocchus Livingston - 218

17. The Conceited Simpleton 227

18. John Ordinaux 229

19. Conscientiousness Large 233

20. Conscientiousness Small 233

21. Negro Murderer 262

23. Diana Waters 263

22. Father Oberlin 263

25. Gotfried 271

26. Clara Fisher 291

27. Jacob Jarvis 291

28. Joseph C. Neal 296

SELF-IMPRC VEMENT

CHAPTER I.

CONST l'TUENT ELEMENTS OR CONDITIONS OF PERFECTION OF CHARACTER,

Section I. Progression A Law Of Things Its Application To Human

AND PERSONAL I IMPROVEMENT.

201. THE EARTH PROGRESSIVE.

Improvement is written in living characters upon every department of nature. The earth herself, once probaly only a gaseous formation, during the lapse of infinite ages, condensed and cooled till a crust formed upon her surface, and she became ultimately fitted for the abode of life. But her earlier productions, as evinced by the petrifactions found in her lowest strata of organic deposit, were coarse in structure, and every way exceedingly inferior. Yet every successive epoch, compared with preceding ones, and even the latter as compared with the previous portions of each era, brought forth vegetables and animals of a higher and still higher order, in the exact date of the world’s age, doubtless because, as she grew older, her elements became prepared to produce and sus. tain a higher and still higher order of life, till, at the epoch just preceding the creation of man, a lower order of th* monkey tribe made its appearance ; and finally, when this law of progression had fitted the earth for the habitation of man, the “ lord of creation”— this last and most perfect work of God — was ushered into being.

PROGRESSION A LAW OF THINGS.

Nor did her progress stop heie. Her fertility is still becoming constantly re-augmented. All her mountains, hills, and even rocks, as well as all those materials of which she is formed, are only so many store-houses of manure, and consist of materials for making and enriching soil. By slow degrees the outside and fissures of rocks decay, and ultimately form soil, which wind and water transport to her valleys, and thus both supply the waste effected by growth, and perpetually enhance her fertility. Of this the rich mould in the seams of rocks and around stones, and the strength of stony land, as well as the fact that lime, pulverized rock, and some kinds of sand, re-fertilize the earth, furnishes both proofs and examples. Nor will this process cease, or our world be destroyed, till all her mountains, all her depths, are converted by surface decay into soil, vegetable formations, animal fabrics, and the materials for the manifestation of mind. Our world was not created yesterday, and will not grow old or be destroyed to-morrow. These exhaustless stores, capable of being converted into vegetable and animal life, Were not created in vain, and will not be destroyed, but, during countless millions of centuries to come, will go on illimitably to re-augment the earth’s fertility, and minister to human happiness. Indeed, every successive age will render her more and still more a paradise, and fit her to enhance, more and more, the happiness of all sentient life !

This conclusion is supported by the fact that vegetable and animal offal decay, re-enrich the soil, and re-augment the earth’s productiveness. In fact, this enriching process cannot be prevented. Hence a given piece of land, tilled in the best possible manner, if re-enriched only with the manure made from the cast-off portion of its own products, and especially if chemistry and electricity be brought into requisition, will support human life, and yet become richer and more productive illimitably, and forever !

202. THE MULTIPLICATION OF ALL THAT GROWS

Furnishes another illustration of this principle of progression. No nut, grain, or seed whatever, is content to re-place itself but every vegetable, every animal, is constituted to

INCREASE OF POPULATION.

“ multiply.55 A single elm-nut produces a tree which often re-produces many millions of nuts per year, for centuries, enough, if all were properly planted and tended, to cover a large area of the earth’s surface. The seeds borne by a single apple or cherry tree furnish another example. This multiplying law appertains equally to the seeds of all vegetables, of all fruits, of all grains, of universal vegetable life. Behold throughout the whole earth the perpetual workings of this prolific principle, not only in filling her gradually but effectually with all manner of products, but also in furnishing a vast surplus for waste and the sustenance of life !

This law of universal increase, except when thwarted by art, is perpetually multiplying the entire animal kingdom, and may possibly be multiplying suns and worlds from age to age ! In general, the more inferior the animal, the more fruitful. This prolific law, applied to man, is also perpetually effecting an

203. INCREASE OF POPULATION.

The inhabitants of given nations and districts unravaged by war, are reputed to double every twenty-five years. Our own population redoubles every twenty-three years. How astonishing our increase within the memory of us all. At this rate, what will it become in a hundred years ? Over three hundred millions — sixteen then, to one now ! And in two hundred years, over five thousand millions — twenty-five hundred then, to one now ! Nor is 2046 so far off either, but that some of our great grand-children will see it ! And in a thousand years, above

FIVE AND A HALF BILLIONS OF MILLIONS TO ONE NOW ! ! Other

civilized nations will meanwhile also increase. A thousand years will crowd every mountain and crevice, and every isle of the sea on the whole earth, yet this numerical progression of man will not cease in a thousand years, nor in a hundred thousand. Its ultimate destiny, man’s finite mind cannot conceive. Yet this is certain, that it will both crowd land and water with human beings to the utmost capacity of room and sustenance, after plying every possible means of augmenting her productiveness on the one hand, and observing the utmost economy of the means of subsistence on the other, and then

PROGRESSION A LAW OF THINGS.

keep them as full as the highest happiness of the greatest number will allow, probably countless millions of years ; for to nature, “ a thousand years are as one day.” Though this multiplying principle, doubtless, has its natural check by which to prevent over population, yet God alone knows the prospective number of his children !

Nor does this prolific law multiply vegetables, animal, and human life merely. It is also perpetually

204. IMPROVING THEIR QUALITIES.

Take an illustration from the kingdom of fruits. The tree which grows from an apple seed rarely bears an apple like that in which its seed grew ; because it must be impregnated with some foreign pollin in order to its fructification. Suppose, then, that a blossom on a tree which bears sweet apples is impregnated by the pollin — transported by wind, or bee, or insect — of a sour apple-tree, the tree which grows from this seed will bear an apple unlike its sweet or sour parentage, but between the two, a blending of the qualities of both, and perhaps better than either ; and thus of the seeds of all other apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, and fruits of all kinds. This very principle is now at work over the whole earth, to improve and re-improve from age to age every species of fruit which grows. It is constantly reproducing new and superior kinds of apples, and varieties of the plum, peach, and grape more and still more fair and delicious as time rolls on. Our forefathers were not permitted to feast themselves on fruits anywhere near as rich or various as those which delight our taste ; and our descendants will regale their palates both with new varieties, and those almost incalculably more delicious than any we now enjoy. Let those who question this, recount the improvements in fruits which have taken place since they can remember, or compare the fruits of old orchards with those of new. None but those who have eaten the new Flemish, and other varieties of the pear, can either appreciate this improvement or realize what delicious fruits this very principle has recently brought forth. And may we not safely predicate what will be from what has been, especially when

IMPROVEMENT OF HERB AND ANIMAL.

our own eyes see the actual workings of that very law whicn is effecting such improvement ? Is nature’s ingenuity or means exhausted ? Scarcely commenced. Barely reached a fair beginning. All our splendid varieties of the pear doubtless spring from an austere, hard, astringent variety, and this parented by the little, insipid thorn-pear. All those large, beautiful, productive, rich, and delicious varieties of the apple, adapted to all tastes, which regale our palates, doubtless sprung from the hard, austere, astringent crab-apple, and this was probably parented by the little, bitter thornapple.

All those magnificent varieties of peaches which delight our appetite, and moisten the parched mouth in oppressive August, were parented by a small, nurly, bitter, and even poisonous product of the Persian desert.

Of the potato this is equally true — true of universal nature. Nor is the end yet, only the beginning. If from such materials for a commencement, this improving law has wrought out such magnificent edibles, what, with those luscious fruits on which to start anew, will it not produce in ages to come ! And since every new variety can be disseminated and perpetuated illimitably, by grafting, it is not possible for the most exalted imaginings to depict upon what luxurious varieties of all kinds of fruits, if not of new varieties, our descendants will regale themselves a thousand years hence !

Nor does this progressive principle improve fruit merely, but applies equally to animals. From the inter-propagation of different breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, etc., new, and often superior, kinds are produced. And thus of all that grows. In short, this all-perfecting principle must necessarily continue, throughout all time, to carry forward and upward every department of nature to higher and still higher degrees of perfection, inconceivably and illimkably ! Our eyes behold only the mere beginnings of those incalculably glorious results which this progressiva law must ultimately work out to all sentient beings !

205. HUMAN PERFECTIBILITY.

But much as this law of progression should awaken emotions of gratitude and admiration for improving soil, fruit, animals, and nature in general, shall we not rejoice that it applies also to our race, and in a degree as much higher as it is their superior ? How should we literally exult in the prospect, aye, certainty, that man is not always to remain that low, stupid, .degraded, ignorant, senseless, gross, sensual, gluttonous, lustful, deceitful, selfish, cruel, tyrannical, rapacious, blood-thirsty, depraved animal thing he now is, and always has been. He commenced his career under the dominion of the organs located in the back and lower portion of the head — the social. For three thousand years he cared and lived mainly for offspring and sodomy ; of which the exultation of Eve over the birth of every child, the desire of Abraham, Sarah, Leah, Rachel, Tamar, the daughters of Lot, and ail the ancients for issue ; the vauntings of the fabled Niobe on account of her having seven sons and seven daughters, the grossest sensuality of the cities of the plain, the unbridled licentiousness of Babylon, the number and devotedness of the worshippers of Venus throughout the old world, and much more to this effect, bears ample testimony. But the power of these passions evidently diminished as time rolled on, and has finally yielded its sway to Combativeness and Destructiveness, the organs of which are located higher up and farther forward than the social. War succeeded love, first uniting with it in chivalry, and the world has run mad, almost down to our own times, after martial glory. Those who have won battles have been the earth’s idols.

Alimentiveness — still farther forward — united with war, and Bacchus revelled with Venus and Mars. But within the last three centuries a new divinity — a god of gold and goods— has become a joint partner with sensuality, war, and feasting, and is now fast usurping universal dominion. Wealth is now man’s master passion. Its organ is located still higher up, and farther forward, and this shows that man is advancing towards that ascendency of the intellectual and moral facuL

HUMAN IMPROVEMENT 25

ties which constitutes virtue and happiness 21 . But within the last fifty years, Constructiveness — located still farther forward and upward — has ascended the throne, and is now ruling man in conjunction with Acquisitiveness, of which modern mechanical inventions, manufactures, and the like, furnish examples.

That man is rapidly progressing is equally evinced in those successive governmental improvements which have taken place. Compare our own government and institutions with those of any previous epoch, and behold the change for the better. Contrast the tyranny of the kings of Babylon, Nineveh, Egypt, Tyre, the Caesars, Nero, and even ancient England — of all antiquity— with the far greater leniency of all modern thrones, and especially of all old governments with the comparative liberality and justice of the last and infinitely the best government on earth, and the improvement of governments is no longer problematical.

Similar advances have been made in religion. How sensual and debased the religion of the Egyptians, Parthians, and the mythology of Greece and Rome. A god for every depraved propensity ; and the more disgusting the god the more numerous and zealous its devotees, of which the numerous temples and thronged courts of the goddess of shameless public prostitution furnish us pertinent examples. Judaism, with its interdiction of idol worship, was a great advance on all previous religions, and the pure and peaceable doctrines of Jesus Christ on the Mosaic dispensation.

But men, as a whole, were not yet prepared to appreciate these heaven-born and heaven-tending doctrines, and consequently perverted them. Yet every new sect of professing Christians has made more or less advance on the religion of its predecessors. And a mighty reform is now in progress before our own eyes, and a great and glorious change is becoming more and more developed as time progresses. Nor is the end yet.

Bad as the world still is, it has been much worse. Many as are the evils and abuses under which we groan, they are greatly diminishing, compared with those of any former age.

PROGRESSION A LAW OF THINGS.

Nor are the kinds of existing evil anything like a3 grievous now as formerly. The burglaries, drinking, swindling, and shark-like rapacity of the present age, bear no comparison with the robberies, extortions, murders, and warlike courage of feudal times, and especially of barbarous antiquity. Who would not infinitely rather live in our speculating, money-grasping age than in former ones of clannish hatred and murder, or knight-errant foolery and carnage ? Are not our educational facilities annually improving, and the means of human comfort, and even luxury, multiplying apace ? Let me live now in preference to any former age, and, for personal enjoyment, centuries hence rather than now. Man is destined to become almost infinitely more elevated in the scale of intellectual and moral excellence than he now is. This progressive law which has brought mankind measurably out of the ignorance, superstition, idolatry, tyranny, and bloodshed of past ages, will go on to make them terrestrial angels, and to render our earth a perfect paradise. Yes, the predicted millennium is not a fancy sketch, but a prospective reality, and things are now shaping preparatory to its dawn. This all-perfecting principle is now rapidly ushering it in ; nor can anything whatever arrest its advent or long postpone its blessed approach. It has already incalculably diminished sensuality in all its forms, especially lust and cruelty. It is fast banishing war and all its bloody horrors. It will soon “ beat swords into ploughshares and spears into pruning-hooks,” demolish the gallows, and convert prisons into mansions of happiness. It will increase knowledge illimitablv, and diffuse it throughout the whole earth. It will promote health by teaching and enforcing its laws, till “ no one shall say I am sick,” till “ as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people,” and till it banishes sin and suffering, augments man’s talents and capabilities for enjoyment a hundred-fold, and renders him as perfectly happy as it s possible for his nature to become 01 endure !