The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-07
''iJ AS ruiHE,
4 local habitation and a name -

by which the mind is enabled TO seize
upon and comprehend. In some measure
intelligently, what, without this aid, would
pass oil from 1t in Il mere chime Of words
To this principle We may refer the
whole system Of trope and metaphor. and
comparison in human language. 1t is a
principle in the human mind which God
has seized upon in his communications to
man. Hence, all that system Of type and
symbol, of allegory and parable, with
which both the Old and the New Testa-
ment abound. We have an example of it
in the sacraments Of circumcision and the
Passover, Of the old dispensation. and of
baptism and the Lords Supper, of the new.
We have examples of it in the various ex-
ternal and symbolic representations through
which, as a vehicle, the events predicted
in ancient prophecy were conveyed. We
have it especially cEcnplifcd in all that
vast and splendid system Of rites and GER
emonics given to the Jews for their dircc-
tory in worshi p-the services and sacrifices
Of the tabernacle and temple-the lark.
the altar, and the priest"
We have the same exemplifed in the
mode Of our Savior teaching. He scarce
ly ever taught by abstract principle, but
almost always by example, by parable. or
by illustration. Does He wish to teach
the effect of divine truth upon different
minds; He presents the abstract truth in
sensible form, in living, moving reality.
Hear Him: "a sower went forth 20 sow.
and some fell by the wayside, and some on
stony ground, and some among thorns.
and some on good ground &c Does He
wish to show the mixture of evil and good
in the world, or of hypocrites with real
Christians in the church; "An enemy
came and sowed tarcs." Does He wish
to teach the union Of himself and his mem
bers; i am the vine and ye are the
branches"
On a certain occasion, being asked bv
one what he must do to inherit eternal
life, after enjOining on him the observance
Of the commandments, He does not 90 on
to teach him in abstract form that he must
have that disposition of love to God and
love to man-that feeling of perfect devo-
tedness Of heart, and purpose. and life.
and all to the glory of God and the good
Of His intelligent creatures. which alone
can fit man for the enjoyment and inter
course Of heaven but puts the thing to a
plain, practical test. ''Go," says He. "sell
that thou hast, and give to the poor"
The instruction was understood and felt
far better than would have been length
ened didactic discourse and the test had
Its effect, for the man event away sorrow
full"
On another occasion, he was asked bv
one the question, ''Who is my neighbor ?''
He does not go on to prove, by a train of
abstract moral reasoning, that all men are
neighbOrs and brothers, but He tells
plain and simple story about 4 certain
man, VIII was going down from Jerusalem
to Jericho. and who fell among thieves
and about priest and a Levite. his own
countrymen, passing him by, and leaving
him IN his distress, and about a good Sa
marian, with whom his nation would have
no dealings, befriending him and saving
his life; all bearing upon and illustrating
the point he wished to inculcate, till bv the
time the story was through the answer to
the question, "Who was neighbor to him
that fell among the thieves? ?' flowed sponta-
neOusly from the mouth of the induirer
himself; ''He that showed mercy on him"
Examples might be multiplied illustrative
of the mode adopted by this Divine Teacher
in communicating instruction, by which it
was brought home to the mind of the hear
er with an irresistible power.
Now why is it that student will nomi-
nallly go through the study of branch of
science or literature, and memorize all the
rules and theoretical principles and vet
know nothing understandingly about it
have no practical or valuable KNOWLEDGE of
the subject Because the words and ideas
have not been to him the real pictures of
things. He has never thought of laying |
the principles alongside of the resultant or
facts, and therefore has no
true idea of their coincidence or relation.
aid young miss to her uncle, as he was
holding up'an apple ano. .twirling it round to |
illustrate to her the figure and rotary motion |
'f Lthe earth, But do you mean, uncle, that
the earth is really round. and turns round lil-s