Elements of Intellectual Philosophy

true business of philosophy to meet all facts, whatever they may be, and give them a thorough consideration.

If, when excluded from all possible connection with this world, the soul can have such exalted communion with another; if it can see, hear, feel, and in the highest degree realize, things so far transcending all that the natural eye hath seen, or ear heard, or heart known; if such a man as Paul, in this state, could say, "that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter; if, in a similar state, such a man as William Tennent could say, "The ravishing sounds of the songs and hallelujahs that I heard, and the very words that were uttered, were not out of my ears, when awake, for at least three years; all the kingdoms of the earth were in my sight as nothing and vanity; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing, which did not in some measure relate to it, could command my serious attention," it surely becomes us, scarcely less as profound philosophers than as enlightened Christians, to put an infinite value upon our spiritual nature, and to make it the great object of this brief existence to prepare for a higher and an endless life to come.

* 2 Cor. xii. 4.

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV.

What is trance? Are trances of various degrees? How may they be induced? Relate the instances here mentioned. What is said of the person? What is one of the most remarkable trances on record? What is our authority for it? What is said of the subject of it? Relate the trance as recorded by the biographer. What was the condition of the subject after the trance? The state of his mind? The incidents in connection with his brother? His narration to the writer of his Memoir? Substance of the letter to the author? First remark on the above? Second? Third? Suggestions? Fourth? Fifth? Concluding thoughts?

If we have taken the right view of animal life, as the medium through which the soul acts upon the body, we cannot suppose that persons while in trance are ever actually dead. They may be in the incipient stages of somatic death, but never in a state of molecular or absolute death. The soul may either remain in connection with the principle of animal life, making no manifestations to this world through the body, on account of its suspended animation, in which case its experience of the heavenly glories is subjective; or the soul may for a time leave the body, pass into heaven, actually see and realize the objects of that world, and then return to its earthly tenement: as the principle of animal life revives, and the organs of sense come into play, the soul may resume her dominion over the body, and through it again commune with the objects of this world.

Paul says, that, when he was in trance, he could not tell whether he was "in the body or out of the body;" and if an inspired apostle could not tell, even in respect to himself, we may as well not attempt to decide the question.

4. These facts throw interesting light upon the subject of memory. They prove, that although men may forget all that they have ever learned or experienced for a long period, it may be subsequently recalled. When Mr. Tennent was apparently dead, he remembered and reflected upon the events of his past life. His memory was then in full vigor. After he was resuscitated, his memory failed him. As his strength returned, his memory revived.

This shows, that although, through the infirmities of sickness or age, a man's memory may fail, when he shall have done with the body as an instrument, and entered upon a spiritual state, like that of the soul in trance, he may have a wakeful and perfect recollection of all the events of this life.

5. These facts conspire with Christianity to teach us the immense value of the human soul. Some may be disposed to disregard them as the dreams of a distempered imagination; but this is not the part of a true philosopher. Here are incontestable facts; and it is the

true business of philosophy to meet all facts, whatever they may be, and give them a thorough consideration.

If, when excluded from all possible connection with this world, the soul can have such exalted communion with another; if it can see, hear, feel, and in the highest degree realize, things so far transcending all that the nat ural eye hath seen, or ear heard, or heart known; if such a man as Paul, in this state, could say, "that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter; if, in a similar state, such a man as William Tennent could say, "The ravishing sounds of the songs and hallelujahs that I heard, and the very words that were uttered, were not out of my ears, when awake, for at least three years; all the kingdoms of the earth were in my sight as nothing and vanity; and so great were my ideas of heavenly glory, that nothing, which did not in some measure relate to it, could command my serious attention," it surely becomes us, scarcely less as profound philosophers than as enlightened Christians, to put an infinite value upon our spiritual nature, and to make it the great object of this brief existence to prepare for a higher and an endless life to come.

* 2 Cor. xii. 4.

QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER IV.

PART VI.

SUMMARY VIEW OF THE LEADING PHILOSOPHICAL SCHOOLS.

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF PHILOSOPHY.

THE remaining chapters will be devoted to a summary view of the principal advocates and doctrines of the leading philosophical schools. To give any thing like a history of philosophy, in so short a space, would be impossible; I design merely to give an outline of the most important historical facts connected with mental science.

PHILOSOPHY LESS ANCIENT THAN POETRY.

In the early ages, men were more poetic than philosophic. Opening their eyes upon a universe of unexplored wonders, imagination was roused; wonder fired the soul; the glowing language of poetic inspiration fell spontaneous from all lips. Hence poetry is the earlier offspring of the human mind; philosophy is of later birth. The ancient Egyptians were a comparatively learned

people; but vainly we interrogate their hieroglyphic scrawls, and even the more legible records of history, to learn much of their philosophy. The ancient Jews and Arabians were eminently poetic; but while time has transmitted some of the sacred histories and seraphic lyrics of the former, and a few fragments from the fairy dreams of the latter, she has left us next to nothing by which to learn the results of their philosophical inquiries, or whether, indeed, such inquiries were any very serious part of their studies.

Among the still more eastern nations of India and China, we find the same preponderance of imagination.

PHILOSOPHY ORIGINATED WITH THE GREEKS.

Subsequently, in the palmy days of Greece, her thoughtful sons began to look earnestly into the nature and reason of things. "The Greeks seek after wisdom" became a proverb, which divine inspiration has handed down to us. This proverb seems to single out the Greeks as the only people at that time engaged in philosophical inquiries; at least, it gives them prominence in this particular.

PLATO AND ARISTOTLE.

PLATO was the father of Grecian philosophy, and, about the year 400 before Christ, became the founder of a school. He was soon followed by ARISTOTLE, his pupil, who became also the founder of another school. Let me not be understood to say, that all the peculiar doctrines of these schools originated with these patriarchs in philosophy. They collected and arranged thoughts suggested at various times and places by others, adding thereto the fruits of their own great genius and research, so as to institute the beginnings of well-defined systems of philosophy.

« Poprzednia Dalej »

Książki

Elements of Intellectual Philosophy: Designed for a Text Book and for ...