Chapter III - Spirit and Matter
179:1
boundaries and break the strong chains of old opinions.
boundaries and break the strong chains of old opinions.
You must take up this cross if you follow Christ,
Truth, and never hold on to what you cannot under-
stand, or breathe an immoral atmosphere that you
cannot purify. When error confronts you, spare not
the rebuke, or the explanation that destroys it, if you
would benefit yourself or others; but if, "having ears
they hear not, neither will they understand, that they
might be converted and you might heal them," thereaf-
ter let them alone, but be sure you drop into no con-
servative position; always keep well burnished your
own armour. To sustain yourself in Truth, you must
meet error with a protest, and once beholding the
beauty of holiness, you are willing to leave all for it.
To gather yourself with sinners hardens the heart.
When the spiritual sense of being unfolds Life's harmo-
nies, you will take no risks in the policy of error; far
better is a frugal meal with contentment and virtue,
than the many gods of luxury and sense. If you
are not a Christian to-day, delay not to become one, for
no opportunity equals the present. We are not neu-
tral; all have some weight; then let the influence we
exert be thrown in the right scale.
179:24
Nothing is mortal that deserves to continue; there-
Nothing is mortal that deserves to continue; there-
fore decay belongs not to Truth; all that dies is the
offspring of belief, and not understanding. Left to the
government of Truth, all would be found harmonious
and eternal. Nothing in matter equals the power of
mind; the baneful effects of an evil associate are more
terrible than earthquakes or pestilence. The influence
one mind holds over another should be understood
and guarded with stronger keepers than it is. The
180:1
following rules, observed, would open the way for
following rules, observed, would open the way for
science.
180:3
Teachers of primary and high schools should be
Teachers of primary and high schools should be
selected as much for their morals, as learning; these
nurseries of character should be strongly garrisoned,
and parents demand a faithful fulfillment of such high
trusts. The examination of schools should embrace
this thought, paramount to all others, that education is
both classical and spiritual, to lift one's being higher;
schools should not be applauded for a good show, while
the thoughts of teachers constantly imparted to their
pupils are disregarded, and any thing but pure and
uplifting. Physicians, whom the sick employ under
circumstances of great helplessness, should be the guar-
dians of virtue, and spiritual guides, when Life and
death tremble in the balance; not only should they be
able to impart soundness of body, but a higher moral
tone of being. Clergymen, standing on the watch-
towers of the world, should grasp most firmly, and hold
more fearlessly the standard of scientific Truth; they
should be teachers that turn the sinner from his way,
heal the sick, and cast out error from the land. Hus-
bands and wives should fulfill their tender trusts wisely
and well; yielding faithful obedience to the law of
spiritual Love, aiding each other to gain its harmo-
nies through the blessing of mutual affection lifting
the being higher. Children should obey their parents;
insubordination is a growing evil in the nursery and
through the land; parents should teach their children
Truth through precept and example, and love them,
if they would be loved in return. Abstain from
secular labor and frivolous amusements, on the