Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-02-02
THOUGHT.

| Ihe theme presented for our con
! temptation is one of profound interest.
There are facts i'll regard to its inves-
tIgatiOn that are beyond the cOmpre-
hensioa of the thinking faculty itself
Though it requires q penetration oil
thought, a deep, protracted eXamina-
tlOn, to understand its nature and
| operations; yet, there is no study more
delightful in itself, or usefnI in its CON
sequences. II goes back to time
| when all was one dark chaotic night,
and naught existed save Triune God.
Thought is governed 10y fixed, um-
ceasing laws, just as this pondruua
earth, shooting swiftly along its orbit
| aud the sun with all his attendant
| planets, sweeping OH forever through
shOreless space. BY the laws of asso-
| citation, thoughts frequently occur to
us which have for years slumbered in
forgetfulness, and were seemingly lost
forever Though years may have
rolled on, and new scenes occupied
our minds since they passed into that
unknown REGION yet, they are liable
| 10 be renewed, even To the very end of
| life. No thoughts will ever be lost
They continue virtually to exist. y
The time Will come when 8lI the re-
miniscences of the past will come
thronging upon US, wildly presenting
all that we have ever experienced
a higher type of thought than ever
exhibited by mai, is displayed in the
| mind of the Great Architect Of the
Universe, in bringing about tie stu
peudous work of creation. Wonder
| ful beyond all human conception is
the power of thought displayed in the
mighty law that governs the millions
of worlds whirling through space III
perfect harmony. We behold its pow
er III The formation of mans body in
preparing every organ for its proper
work, and making each member to
harnoniZe with the others. But we
contemplate the Growing work OF ere
at1ve power, not only in the formation
Of mans body. but in that eternal
thought of GOd that surpasses all
others in power and wisdom the
thought that spake into existence
mind immortal. which is the grand
distinction between man and the in
ferior orders of creation Without
this he would be mere creature of
time. But being endowed with this
Cox like principle, he is destined to
live on throughout the endless sweep
of eternal ages. This power makes
him an accountable being, the free
agent of his own motives, aid stampS
upon him the image of his great Sire.
No limit can be set to the power of
thought. 1t ranges wide creation,
penetrating the deep recesses of the
earth. uuTock4 the mysteries of nature,
drives to the throne of God, and CON
TO q fl,a ,,f
Man having been created with this
mighty principle which has wrought
the wonders of every age, how care
fully should he study its extent, and
the numberless sONrces OF its enjoy
ment It's not by one thought or act
that great deeds are accomplished but
by constant study. de tvelopment of the
mind, and adding thought to thought,
until all have felt its mighty power
The small stream issuing from the
mountain side possesses but little
strength, but it flows OF unitiiiG with
others until the great oce3ii is formed
bearing Oh its bread bosom the wealth
and commerce of nations. The pow
er of thought has been developed in
earnest, aspiring minds, until the
world has been lifted upward, aud the
Ignorance and superstition that once
shrGuded it in darkness has been dis
pelleh. Though thought may at times
seem to develop itself but slowly vet
it will ever be found approaching to
truth al the great object toward which
it is attracted. When the minds of
Luther, Melancthan. Zwingle, and
others were being developed, the pow
er of thought approached nearer and
nearer to truth ; the seed of the refor-
nation terminating, until with sud
den outbreak came forth the decisive
words that cast down thornes, and
shook the whole fabric of human So
ciety.
Nothing On earth has wrought such
wonders as thought, We behold its
power in the complicated construction
of the steam engine, flying along its
iron track across our continent, send
ing forth its dark volume of smoke. !
and drawing its long and heavy
freighted train aud thus converting
years into months. months into weeks, |
and weeks into days. What a grand
exhibition of its power do we behold |
in the telegraph. with It's wires stretch !
ing from the Atlantic to the Pacific, |
and even erected across the bed of the |
great ocean, along which the electric |
spark is sent with the rapidity light |
ming. by this means of improvement |
men separated thousands Of miles are |
brought in whispering distance of each !
other. We behold its mighty power
in the works of Aristotle, Homer, |
Cicero, and others. who by penetra-
ton of thought have procured a ce-
lebrity that will be perpetuated. to the |
end of time. All the deyelC pments in |
science and art, are. paintings that
decorate the imposing dOmes oil !
thought. All the temples OF virtpe-l
all the stars in freedoms disdem, mark
the wonderful achievements won by |
the power OF thought. 1t is observed !
even in the mind of the infant ere it |
has acquired he use of language even
then, going through processes |
which are admitted by the wisest
TO involve the incest |
and thus it has been sub
timely said:
I'll ought leaped ont to wed with thought,
Ere thought could wed itself 10 speech."
By means of this wonderful power !
man is enabled with the mighty tele-