lectual movement through their contemporary period. Embodied, the mind, by a progress of natural education, becomes familiar with a certain set or circle of the properties of the material world; and then, as in a foreign school, brings its otherwise latent faculties into exercise."

Again, "thus it is to its corporeal connection with the external world, that must be attributed the mind's liability to various mixed emotions, as well pleasurable as painful, of the class called imaginative. The imaginative sentiments might perhaps, at first view, be regarded as being of a temporary use only, inasmuch as they constitute a reconciling medium between the animal and intellectual principles. But in considering them further, it appears, that they go beyond this lower office, and in fact mingle themselves with the highest and purest of our moral feelings. The imaginative sentiments, may thus serve at once to facilitate a nearer approach to the ineffable glory."*

The state of existence in which mind and matter, or to speak more plainly, body and soul are united, is called a state of probation, or trial.

This earth, so fitted for the enjoyment of our sensual nature, is not the abiding place of the immaterial part. Daily experience teaches us, that death will soon dissolve the connexion, * Physical Theory of another life.

however pleasant, between the body and the soul. The soul, often unwilling, must give up its partner, so long cherished, so incessantly cared for, to return to the dust whence it was taken; while the noble companion of its earthly career, bursting like a winged insect from its crysalis state, goes, as the inspired volume tells us, "to God who gave it."

Experience also shows us, that the enjoyments of the body are much enhanced by the cultivation and rectitude of the mind. The body even becomes disordered and sinks prematurely to the tomb, unless held in subjection and carefully used, by its master, the soul. Man rises to respectability, or sinks to degradation, as he improves or wastes his intellectual powers. He is punished or rewarded, according to his moral conduct. The consciousness that the soul is the better part, he carries within himself. Titus, one of the best of the Roman Emperors, exclaimed in regret, upon the review of a day spent without the performance of a good action, “I have lost a day.” And why? Something within, declared to the soul of the philosopher, that he was born to a nobler purpose, than to waste himself upon the gratifications of sense. This period of our existence, is plainly intended as a preparatory state, similar to the period of childhood and youth, in which the mind and body are educated or trained for the high duties of life.

From these considerations, I invite you, young ladies, to prize the period of life, or the union between your material and immaterial natures, by turning it to the account intended by the AllWise and most Gracious Creator. Let the body be carefully preserved by means of the reason, bestowed, as a precious and distinguishing gift, upon the human soul. Enjoy with moderation, the good things of earth adapted to the senses, always remembering, that they are but subordinate enjoyments, and must not impede the progress of your education for another and higher state of existence. "Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun,” but “remember the days of darkness," and while you "walk in the way of your heart," that is, follow the inclinations of your minds, and "in the sight of your eyes," delighting yourselves in the pleasures of the senses, "know that for all these things, God will bring you into judgment."

CHAPTER IV.

IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.

The Immortality of the Soul is a point that the believer in revelation will at once be ready to admit. The assurance so abundantly given of

it in the sacred Scriptures, is proof sufficient to establish this belief in a mind untainted by the érrors of Materialism. "Our faith and hope rest upon the testimony of heaven. We look for another life, not as theorists, but as believers."

Upon the "testimony of heaven," we are assured, that this "mortal shall put on immortality," and that "death shall be swallowed up in victory." Death will overcome that part which was taken from the dust, but the immortal soul, released by his stroke from the mortal prisonhouse, shall defeat in turn the mighty enemy. Hence the triumphant exclamation of the inspired Apostle, "Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory ?"

And where is the difficulty in this belief? Can not the same Almighty Being that breathed an immortal spirit in a form of dust, continue to sustain that spirit without its earthly partner? Can He not provide it another clothing, another house, a spiritual body? With God all things are possible. And are not such dealings according to the course of his natural providence? Wę see in Nature a perpetual renovation that marks the preserving goodness, as strikingly as Creation displays the Almighty power and wisdom of the great Creator. Water changed into vapor, descends again from the clouds in water, to refresh the ground. The sun in his progress towards

the south, binds up the earth in frost, and vegetable matter withers and decays; but soon his returning beam, bringing softening showers, causes the herbage to spring from the ground, and covers the trees with leaves and flowers. Shall this care be taken of the inanimate creation, and shall man, the noblest of the things of earth, sleep in the dust to wake no more to beauty and to life? The tree, with its leaves and flowers, and fruit, springs from the little shapeless seed. The winged warbler of the air was once an inanimate egg, the beautiful butterfly, a loathsome, crawling caterpillar. Why may not the noble frame of man, contain the germ of immortality?

"Shall man alone,

Imperial man be sown in barren ground,

Less privileged than the grain on which he feeds?"

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Considering him as an animal," says St. Pierre, "I know of none so wretched. Exposed to insects, wind, rain, cold, heat and laid under the necessity in all countries to find himself clothing. He knows nothing naturally as other animals do. If he wants to cross a river he must learn to swim; he must in his infancy be taught to walk and speak, he is obliged to prepare his food with care and trouble." Suppose him a grade above the brute, endowed with more intellect and feeling, but intended to finish