Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-19

RegccYpty Inserted To wyJoir friend, 4. J. H.
| believe that it is an established philo-
sophical axiom, that all things in Nature
seek their level. There are two active prin-
ciplcs in man the intellectual, and the SEN
sual. When the sensual predominates, we
dcsccad in search Of Il level with the ~soullcss
animals of the brute creation: when the in
tcllcctual is ia the asccndancy, we rise to
seek n level with the Divine Author of our
existence.
In proportion as the mind is cultivated,
and refined by religious influence, we APP
proach the projections of the Deity in the
same ratio in which the mind becomes de-
based by the sordid pursuits, and the sensu-
al qualifications of the flesh, we approximate
10 the brutal condition of the lower orders Of
the animal creation.
The mimi is never at rest, neither can it he
f~ettercd-chains and prison bars arc as inn
potent to restrain it in it's wanderings, as
green withcs were to hold in bondage the
sincwy arms ofthe mighty Sampson, Earth,
He'll and Heaven are alike its fields of exer-
else. 1t first learns to comprehend the
scenes Of every day life, with which it comes
in continual contact then to grasp at, and
speculate upon things not seen The
mind is no sooner satisfied upon one point
than it strides to anothcr-forever seeking
something H6r. The secret drawers in Ma
lures great bureau are continually being ran
sacked to find something that may satisfy
the morbid cravings Of this divine principle.
Leaving our insignificant little sphere be-
hind, the mind scars out into the ethereal re-
gions of space, oyerhauling in its way planet
after planet, and star after star, and enquir-
ing into the secrets aud peculiarities of their
several systems and organizations. Not con.
tent with these daring adventures, it still
scars onward and upward-vainly toiling to
unlock the sacred vaults of heaven, peerinc
into the "lloly Of holieS," and even specula.
ting upon the mysterious nature Of the grea,
JEHOVAH himself!
Such are the aspirations Of the hlmar
mind. Coeyal with the creation we Sc,
this principle exemplifed in man. 1t wa
this that caused our fall. Until Satan in
stillcd into our minds a "thirsting afte
KNOWLEDGE" Adam and Eve were passive be
ings in the hands of God. 1t was not tn
delicious taste Of the apples which grew VI
on the forbidden tree, nor their temptin
beauty, that caused Eve to violate the con
mandS Of God; but the morbid cravings {
the minds-the inherent longing to kHo
everything pertaining to her existence. C,
rios.ty prompted her u test the truth of IL
words Of her tempter. She plucked and ca
and straightway she KNEW that she was mo
taj-that she was n powerless being in Il
hands Of her Maker her eyes were opent
and she saw her miserable and helpless CO
dition, and, for the first time in her lifS f
her utter dependence on God.
So it has ever been with those who thir
for, and grasp after forbidden lore" and
it will ever be. The more We learn CO
%cerning ourselves, the farther we penetra
the labarynthian mazes Of science-the dee
err We dive into the secrets Of Nature, a
the higher we soar in search of conceal
mysteries, the more will we feel our deps
dence upon Il Supreme Power.
HENRI LA VEDE.
December oath, 1858.