Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1868-06-05
The Great Enigma.

ciearer conception OF tne nature fnu ues-
tiny of everything else in the universe,
than of his own. "What is man that
thou art mindful of him p exclaimed
the inspired writer And what IS manf"
repeats the philosopher.
The great enigma of mankipd IS man.
And still, therefore,
The proper study of mankind is man.
He is conscious of the possession of
powers and faculties which exalt him
immeasurably above the brutes that per-
ish. Although, in his organic nature,
closely related to all below, he feels, in
some mysterious way, allied to all that is
above. While tracing his origin back
to the very dust of the earth, he is con-
scious of endowments which place him
at the head of all created things and he
is ever stirred with soul-aspirations which
reach onward to the highest heaven.
But mhy thus formed and fashioned ?
from achence derived? and aohither tend
ing? are problems which still exercise
and perplex the profoundest thinkers of
the age.
Every individual is aware of propen-
sites inherent in his organization, clam
oring for qualification. They are impul-
ses which he cannot resist. His thoughts
are compelled to seek out, and his hands
are moved to take hold of it, the objects
which the passions demand. He must
indulge them or be miserable. Yet the
very means which satisfy them for the
moment are often among the causes of
his future suffering. Evil is in the world.
Go where he may, do what he will, all
the good he can find comes to him more
or less mingled with evil. The bodily
wants and the mental powers are contin-
ually coming in conflict. Passion and
propensity are frequently warning with
the Judgment and the concience. He
finds one law in his member, and anoth-
er law in his spirit. He seems to himself
to be living, acting, moving heteroge-
neity. s...
Other creatures are not SO. They find
in their lower instincts infalliable and
harmonious rules of conduct They all
e work out their destiny in the appointed
Q way. But man finds in his higher intel
] lect source of innumerable mistakes
:. He reasons OH all subjects, and errs in
| many. His observations are often de
1 ceptive, his reflections fallacious, and his
conclusions false; and thus his superior
e nature becomes the very source OF his
: mistakes and his errors. And paradox
e cal as the statement may seem. it is new
v ertheless true, that the very freedom witt
d which he is endowed, makes him nee
a essary slave to thousand falsities, Will
o the very elements of restless and endles
1t progression which SO distinguishes hin
r in the scale of being, leads him int
rs many vices and crimes.
If What then, is evil? Is it an entity
< or is it a mere relation? Is it an eterna
" principle in the universe, or is it ten
ty porary condition? This is problem 0
if which the mightiest minds of the worl
Mt have expended their energies for age
W. and they will still confess themselve
ey unable to solve. The nature and origl
a of evil is still regarded as ga profoun
in and terrible mystery" Many dee
er thinker, after devoting lifetime to tn
investigation Of the subject, unavailingl,
g, has come to the conclusion that it is el
ed tirely without the pale of human compr
ne hension. 81.
Is there no key by which this mysteI
I'M may be unlocked2 For all practic
ne purposes We think it may be found in Il
t; simple idea of use and abuse. Man
IRE destined to be educated. He must
taught his proper relations to all el
that exists in the universe. This is Il
ce, aim and end of all experience, of all di
icy cipline, of all punishment, of all Lii
lff. This is the process of education. 1
led may use all the things in the univeis
The and gain knowledge and happiness. !
len may abuse them, and find error and m
ate cry. Good or evil is to him accordil
ex- to the uses or abuses of the world
ms which he dwells. Misery or punishme
wv is not vindictive infiction because
nd his misdeeds, but the corrective to
;ch strain his wanderings and guide him
the way he should go. Punishment
lst, his preserver. Evil is his friend.
ink long as he goes assay he will need
< 1 kindly chastenings, and he will surf
, il have them. When he walks upright