Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER VIII..

REFLECTIVE, OR REASONING INTELLECT.

We have now come to the reasoning intellect, which gives to man the power to think, reason, invent, compare, and draw inferences. It is this, that places man supremely above the brute creation, that furnishes him a guide for his conscience in striking out paths of duty, and enables him to follow her dictates. An idiot may be conscientious, kind, and benevolent; yet if he have no reason, he cannot discriminate in his actions. The first of the reasoning organs is

[merged small][graphic]

DEFINITION-Desire to know the why and wherefore of actions; to trace out the causes of everything; ability to plan, judge, and think.

LOCATION-Causality is situated on each side of Comparison, in the forehead.

1. The organ of Causality is represented, in the cut, by a man who is watching the fall of an apple. You

What are the functions of the reasoning faculties? What assistance is reason to man, and why? What is the definition of Causality? What its location? 1. Explain the cut.

will, no doubt, wish to know what it means, and how this can apply to the organ of Causality.

2. This organ disposes a person to think, reflect, and meditate; to inquire into causes, and to have a desire to examine principles, and understand their application. Such persons are not contented to use their Individuality, in noticing things which occur about them, but they are anxious to know why such a cause produced a certain effect.

3. Sir Isaac Newton had a large organ of Causality, and a very inquiring mind. As he was sitting in his garden one day, he saw an apple fall from a tree to the ground. He began to think and inquire why it should fall. He then thought that every body which was thrown into the air would also fall to the earth; and hence he discovered that every body is drawn or attracted to the centre of the earth by something which is called the attraction of gravitation. He also made many other discoveries. Every one thought that light had one color only; but he separated and divided it into seven beautiful tints. This resulted from thinking. So many of the books which are written, and all the new discoveries that are made, arise from close and hard thought.

4. Many who have large Causality, can plan and originate ideas. They can look ahead, and lay deep schemes. Children generally have this organ large; hence the multitude of questions which they ask. Why is this? what is the reason? and a thousand other

1. What questions will perhaps arise? 2. What does Causality dispose a person to do? 3. In what way did Newton discover the attraction of gravitation? What other discovery did he make? What has resulted from thinking? 4. What does this organ enable men to do? Children?

CAUSE AND EFFECT.

175

queries are continually suggesting themselves to their minds. This is an excellent way to obtain information, if you will ask proper questions, but try to find out the answers yourselves.

5. When you see the bright light, think why it is that the wick gives such a bright flame, when the oil is some distance from it. Every one thinks that the fountain in the Park presents a beautiful appearance, when the jets of water rise sixty or seventy feet in the air. Did you ever ask why it rises thus to so great a height.

6. There is a cause for everything that takes place around us. Study to find out that cause. Who of you ever thought why we can obtain water by raising the handle of the pump, when the water itself is at the bottom of the well? Who ever thought why the pitcher is broken, if water freezes hard in it?

7. Two little boys were standing by a pond, and, as is frequently the case, amused themselves by throwing stones, bits of wood, and twigs of trees, into it. Said John to his brother Charles, "I wonder why the stones sink into the water, when the pieces of wood float on the surface?" "I do not know," answered his brother, "I never thought about it." "Well," replied John, "I should really like to know, and I intend to ask father all about it, when we return home."

8. As these little boys were proceeding on their way home, they perceived a kite, sailing high in the air. "Well," said John, who had large Causality, "I should be very much gratified if some one would tell me why

4. What should they try to do? 5. Of what should they think when they see a light? Fountain in the Park? 6. What thing has a cause? Of what should you think when you see water frozen, etc.? 7, 8. Relate the anecdote of John and Charles.

that kite continues to ascend higher and higher in the air, when if I should throw my pocket-handkerchief into the air, that would fall to the ground? He put this question also in his store-house, to ask his father, who encouraged his children to ask questions, and had much patience in answering and explaining their inquiries. If little John should go on in this way, when he becomes a man he will have gained a great deal of information.

9. As I said, everything has a cause; and if we know a cause, we can tell the effect of that cause. Think, inquire, and be not satisfied with simple facts, but search for the principle, and endeavor to understand it.

[merged small][graphic]

DEFINITION-Ability to compare, discriminate, illustrate, explain; to trace resemblances, and to draw inferences.

LOCATION-Comparison is located above Eventuality, in the middle of the forehead, and between the two organs of Causality.

8. Where did John put his question? Why? What will John be when he becomes a man? 9. What is a general truth? What should all do ? What is the definition of Comparison? What is its location?

GREAT CHAIN OF THE UNIVERSE.

177

1. The organ of Individuality looks, notices, and observes objects and things; Form, gains ideas of their shape and outline; Eventuality, treasures them in the great store-house of the mind; yet we should be quite ignorant, and be unable to apply and make use of our knowledge, unless we had Causality to find out the cause, and Comparison to compare one thing with another, and to show us the effect of the cause.

2. There is order in all the works of our Creator; there is a similarity, resemblance, and connection, between all his creatures; there is also a vast chain, extending from the lowest creature in God's creation to man, who is the highest; thence to angels, archangels, and reaching over the throne of God. Each being is a link in that chain, and has some quality in common with the one above and below it-some relation and some dependence has its destined period of existence-its end to accomplish. Blot out one of these species, however useless and even malicious it may appear to us, and the order and system are broken-all the others are affected by it.

3. From the rude and savage barbarian, who lives with no elevated aims and ambition, to the individual surrounded and influenced by the polish and refinement of civilized life, there is a wide difference; yet each is a human being, fashioned in the image of his Maker, endowed with intellect and reason, and of the same great genus, man. There is also a great difference between animals of the same class; yet there is a suffi

1. Why do we need other organs beside Individuality, Form, and Eventuality? 2. What order and connection is there between all creatures? 3. Is there anything useless? Compare man and the barbarian. What is true of them both?

« PreviousContinue »