Butsupposingthevalueofthewroughtlacetobesuchasthat，besidespayinginthemostcompletemannertheworkmanandhisemployer，itcouldaffordaclearrenttoathirdperson，itappearstomethat，incomparisonwiththelabouremployeduponland，itwouldbestillasunproductiveasever。Though，accordingtothereasoningusedbytheFrencheconomists，themanemployedinthemanufactureoflacewould，inthiscase，seemtobeaproductivelabourer。Yetaccordingtotheirdefinitionofthewealthofastate，heoughtnottobeconsideredinthatlight。Hewillhaveaddednothingtothegrossproduceoftheland：hehasconsumedaportionofthisgrossproduce，andhasleftabitoflaceinreturn;andthoughhemaysellthisbitoflaceforthreetimesthequantityofprovisionsthatheconsumedwhilsthewasmakingit，andthusbeaveryproductivelabourerwithregardtohimself，yethecannotbeconsideredashavingaddedbyhislabourtoanyessentialpartoftherichesofthestate。Theclearrent，therefore，thatacertainproducecanafford，afterpayingtheexpensesofprocuringit，doesnotappeartobethesolecriterion，bywhichtojudgeoftheproductivenessorunproductivenesstoastateofanyparticularspeciesoflabour。
Supposethattwohundredthousandmen，whoarenowemployedinproducingmanufacturesthatonlytendtogratifythevanityofafewrichpeople，weretobeemployeduponsomebarrenanduncultivatedlands，andtoproduceonlyhalfthequantityoffoodthattheythemselvesconsumed;theywouldbestillmoreproductivelabourerswithregardtothestatethantheywerebefore，thoughtheirlabour，sofarfromaffordingarenttoathirdperson，wouldbuthalfreplacetheprovisionsusedinobtainingtheproduce。Intheirformeremploymenttheyconsumedacertainportionofthefoodofthecountryandleftinreturnsomesilksandlaces。Intheirlatteremploymenttheyconsumedthesamequantityoffoodandleftinreturnprovisionforahundredthousandmen。Therecanbelittledoubtwhichofthetwolegacieswouldbethemostreallybeneficialtothecountry，anditwill，Ithink，beallowedthatthewealthwhichsupportedthetwohundredthousandmenwhiletheywereproducingsilksandlaceswouldhavebeenmoreusefullyemployedinsupportingthemwhiletheywereproducingtheadditionalquantityoffood。
Acapitalemployeduponlandmaybeunproductivetotheindividualthatemploysitandyetbehighlyproductivetothesociety。Acapitalemployedintrade，onthecontrary，maybehighlyproductivetotheindividual，andyetbealmosttotallyunproductivetothesociety：andthisisthereasonwhyIshouldcallmanufacturinglabourunproductive，incomparisonofthatwhichisemployedinagriculture，andnotforthereasongivenbytheFrencheconomists。Itis，indeed，almostimpossibletoseethegreatfortunesthataremadeintrade，andtheliberalitywithwhichsomanymerchantslive，andyetagreeinthestatementoftheeconomists，thatmanufacturerscanonlygrowrichbydeprivingthemselvesofthefundsdestinedfortheirsupport。Inmanybranchesoftradetheprofitsaresogreataswouldallowofaclearrenttoathirdperson;butasthereisnothirdpersoninthecase，andasalltheprofitscentreinthemastermanufacturer，ormerchant，heseemstohaveafairchanceofgrowingrich，withoutmuchprivation;andweconsequentlyseelargefortunesacquiredintradebypersonswhohavenotbeenremarkedfortheirparsimony。
Dailyexperienceprovesthatthelabouremployedintradeandmanufacturesissufficientlyproductivetoindividuals，butitcertainlyisnotproductiveinthesamedegreetothestate。
Everyaccessiontothefoodofacountrytendstotheimmediatebenefitofthewholesociety;butthefortunesmadeintradetendbutinaremoteanduncertainmannertothesameend，andinsomerespectshaveevenacontrarytendency。Thehometradeofconsumptionisbyfarthemostimportanttradeofeverynation。
Chinaistherichestcountryintheworld，withoutanyother。
Puttingthen，foramoment，foreigntradeoutofthequestion，themanwho，byaningeniousmanufacture，obtainsadoubleportionoutoftheoldstockofprovisions，willcertainlynottobesousefultothestateasthemanwho，byhislabour，addsasinglesharetotheformerstock。Theconsumablecommoditiesofsilks，laces，trinkets，andexpensivefurniture，areundoubtedlyapartoftherevenueofthesociety;buttheyaretherevenueonlyoftherich，andnotofthesocietyingeneral。Anincreaseinthispartoftherevenueofastate，cannot，therefore，beconsideredofthesameimportanceasanincreaseoffood，whichformstheprincipalrevenueofthegreatmassofthepeople。
Foreigncommerceaddstothewealthofastate，accordingtoDrAdamSmith’sdefinition，thoughnotaccordingtothedefinitionoftheeconomists。Itsprincipaluse，andthereason，probably，thatithasingeneralbeenheldinsuchhighestimationisthatitaddsgreatlytotheexternalpowerofanationortoitspowerofcommandingthelabourofothercountries;butitwillbefound，uponanearexamination，tocontributebutlittletotheincreaseoftheinternalfundsforthemaintenanceoflabour，andconsequentlybutlittletothehappinessofthegreatestpartofsociety。Inthenaturalprogressofastatetowardsriches，manufactures，andforeigncommercewouldfollow，intheirorder，thehighcultivationofthesoil。InEurope，thisnaturalorderofthingshasbeeninverted，andthesoilhasbeencultivatedfromtheredundancyofmanufacturingcapital，insteadofmanufacturesrisingfromtheredundancyofcapitalemployeduponland。Thesuperiorencouragementthathasbeengiventotheindustryofthetowns，andtheconsequenthigherpricethatispaidforthelabourofartificersthanforthelabourofthoseemployedinhusbandry，areprobablythereasonswhysomuchsoilinEuroperemainsuncultivated。HadadifferentpolicybeenpursuedthroughoutEurope，itmightundoubtedlyhavebeenmuchmorepopulousthanatpresent，andyetnotbemoreincumberedbyitspopulation。
Icannotquitthiscurioussubjectofthedifficultyarisingfrompopulation，asubjectthatappearstometodeserveaminuteinvestigationandablediscussionmuchbeyondmypowertogiveit，withouttakingnoticeofanextraordinarypassageinDrPrice’stwovolumesofObservations。Havinggivensometablesontheprobabilitiesoflife，intownsandinthecountry，hesays（Vol。II，p。243）：
Fromthiscomparison，itappearswithhowmuchtruthgreatcitieshavebeencalledthegravesofmankind。Itmustalsoconvinceallwhoconsiderit，thataccordingtotheobservation，attheendofthefourthessay，intheformervolume，itisbynomeansstrictlypropertoconsiderourdiseasesastheoriginalintentionofnature。Theyare，withoutdoubt，ingeneralourowncreation。Werethereacountrywheretheinhabitantsledlivesentirelynaturalandvirtuous，fewofthemwoulddiewithoutmeasuringoutthewholeperiodofpresentexistenceallottedtothem;painanddistemperwouldbeunknownamongthem，anddeathwouldcomeuponthemlikeasleep，inconsequenceofnoothercausethangradualandunavoidabledecay。
IownthatIfeltmyselfobligedtodrawaveryoppositeconclusionfromthefactsadvancedinDrPrice’stwovolumes。I
hadforsometimebeenawarethatpopulationandfoodincreasedindifferentratios，andavagueopinionhadbeenfloatinginmymindthattheycouldonlybekeptequalbysomespeciesofmiseryorvice，buttheperusalofDrPrice’stwovolumesofObservations，afterthatopinionhadbeenconceived，raiseditatoncetoconviction。Withsomanyfactsinhisviewtoprovetheextraordinaryrapiditywithwhichpopulationincreaseswhenunchecked，andwithsuchabodyofevidencebeforehimtoelucidateeventhemannerbywhichthegenerallawsofnaturerepressaredundantpopulation，itisperfectlyinconceivabletomehowhecouldwritethepassagethatIhavequoted。Hewasastrenuousadvocateforearlymarriages，asthebestpreservativeagainstviciousmanners。Hehadnofancifulconceptionsabouttheextinctionofthepassionbetweenthesexes，likeMrGodwin，nordidheeverthinkofeludingthedifficultyinthewayshintedatbyMrCondorcet。Hefrequentlytalksofgivingtheprolifickpowersofnatureroomtoexertthemselves。Yetwiththeseideas，thathisunderstandingcouldescapefromtheobviousandnecessaryinferencethatanuncheckedpopulationwouldincrease，beyondcomparison，fasterthantheearth，bythebestdirectedexertionsofman，couldproducefoodforitssupport，appearstomeasastonishingasifhehadresistedtheconclusionofoneoftheplainestpropositionsofEuclid。
DrPrice，speakingofthedifferentstagesofthecivilizedstate，says，’Thefirst，orsimplestagesofcivilization，arethosewhichfavourmosttheincreaseandthehappinessofmankind。’HetheninstancestheAmericancolonies，asbeingatthattimeinthefirstandhappiestofthestatesthathehaddescribed，andasaffordingaverystrikingproofoftheeffectsofthedifferentstagesofcivilizationonpopulation。ButhedoesnotseemtobeawarethatthehappinessoftheAmericansdependedmuchlessupontheirpeculiardegreeofcivilizationthanuponthepeculiarityoftheirsituation，asnewcolonies，upontheirhavingagreatplentyoffertileuncultivatedland。InpartsofNorway，Denmark，orSweden，orinthiscountry，twoorthreehundredyearsago，hemighthavefoundperhapsnearlythesamedegreeofcivilization，butbynomeansthesamehappinessorthesameincreaseofpopulation。HequoteshimselfastatuteofHenrytheEighth，complainingofthedecayoftillage，andtheenhancedpriceofprovisions，’wherebyamarvellousnumberofpeoplewererenderedincapableofmaintainingthemselvesandfamilies。’ThesuperiordegreeofcivillibertywhichprevailedinAmericacontributed，withoutdoubt，itssharetopromotetheindustry，happiness，andpopulationofthesestates，butevencivilliberty，allpowerfulasitis，willnotcreatefreshland。
TheAmericansmaybesaid，perhaps，toenjoyagreaterdegreeofcivilliberty，nowtheyareanindependentpeople，thanwhiletheywereinsubjectioninEngland，butwemaybeperfectlysurethatpopulationwillnotlongcontinuetoincreasewiththesamerapidityasitdidthen。
ApersonwhocontemplatedthehappystateofthelowerclassesofpeopleinAmericatwentyyearsagowouldnaturallywishtoretainthemforeverinthatstate，andmightthink，perhaps，thatbypreventingtheintroductionofmanufacturesandluxuryhemighteffecthispurpose，buthemightasreasonablyexpecttopreventawifeormistressfromgrowingoldbyneverexposinghertothesunorair。Thesituationofnewcolonies，wellgoverned，isabloomofyouththatnoeffortscanarrest。
Thereare，indeed，manymodesoftreatmentinthepolitical，aswellasanimal，body，thatcontributetoaccelerateorretardtheapproachesofage，buttherecanbenochanceofsuccess，inanymodethatcouldbedevised，forkeepingeitheroftheminperpetualyouth。Byencouragingtheindustryofthetownsmorethantheindustryofthecountry，Europemaybesaid，perhaps，tohavebroughtonaprematureoldage。Adifferentpolicyinthisrespectwouldinfusefreshlifeandvigourintoeverystate。
Whilefromthelawofprimogeniture，andotherEuropeancustoms，landbearsamonopolyprice，acapitalcanneverbeemployedinitwithmuchadvantagetotheindividual;and，therefore，itisnotprobablethatthesoilshouldbeproperlycultivated。And，thoughineverycivilizedstateaclassofproprietorsandaclassoflabourersmustexist，yetonepermanentadvantagewouldalwaysresultfromanearerequalizationofproperty。Thegreaterthenumberofproprietors，thesmallermustbethenumberoflabourers：agreaterpartofsocietywouldbeinthehappystateofpossessingproperty：andasmallerpartintheunhappystateofpossessingnootherpropertythantheirlabour。Butthebestdirectedexertions，thoughtheymayalleviate，canneverremovethepressureofwant，anditwillbedifficultforanypersonwhocontemplatesthegenuinesituationofmanonearth，andthegenerallawsofnature，tosupposeitpossiblethatany，themostenlightened，effortscouldplacemankindinastatewhere’fewwoulddiewithoutmeasuringoutthewholeperiodofpresentexistenceallottedtothem;wherepainanddistemperwouldbeunknownamongthem;anddeathwouldcomeuponthemlikeasleep，inconsequenceofnoothercausethangradualandunavoidabledecay。’
Itis，undoubtedly，amostdishearteningreflectionthatthegreatobstacleinthewaytoanyextraordinaryimprovementinsocietyisofanaturethatwecanneverhopetoovercome。Theperpetualtendencyintheraceofmantoincreasebeyondthemeansofsubsistenceisoneofthegenerallawsofanimatednaturewhichwecanhavenoreasontoexpectwillchange。Yet，discouragingasthecontemplationofthisdifficultymustbetothosewhoseexertionsarelaudablydirectedtotheimprovementofthehumanspecies，itisevidentthatnopossiblegoodcanarisefromanyendeavourstosluritoverorkeepitinthebackground。
Onthecontrary，themostbalefulmischiefsmaybeexpectedfromtheunmanlyconductofnotdaringtofacetruthbecauseitisunpleasing。Independentlyofwhatrelatestothisgreatobstacle，sufficientyetremainstobedoneformankindtoanimateustothemostunremittedexertion。Butifweproceedwithoutathoroughknowledgeandaccuratecomprehensionofthenature，extent，andmagnitudeofthedifficultieswehavetoencounter，orifweunwiselydirectoureffortstowardsanobjectinwhichwecannothopeforsuccess，weshallnotonlyexhaustourstrengthinfruitlessexertionsandremainatasgreatadistanceaseverfromthesummitofourwishes，butweshallbeperpetuallycrushedbytherecoilofthisrockofSisyphus。
CHAPTER18
Theconstantpressureofdistressonman，fromtheprincipleofpopulation，seemstodirectourhopestothefuture—StateoftrialinconsistentwithourideasoftheforeknowledgeofGod—
Theworld，probably，amightyprocessforawakeningmatterintomind—Theoryoftheformationofmind—Excitementsfromthewantsofthebody—Excitementsfromtheoperationofgenerallaws—Excitementsfromthedifficultiesoflifearisingfromtheprincipleofpopulation。
THEviewofhumanlifewhichresultsfromthecontemplationoftheconstantpressureofdistressonmanfromthedifficultyofsubsistence，byshewingthelittleexpectationthathecanreasonablyentertainofperfectibilityonearth，seemsstronglytopointhishopestothefuture。Andthetemptationstowhichhemustnecessarilybeexposed，fromtheoperationofthoselawsofnaturewhichwehavebeenexamining，wouldseemtorepresenttheworldinthelightinwhichithasbeenfrequentlyconsidered，asastateoftrialandschoolofvirtuepreparatorytoasuperiorstateofhappiness。ButIhopeIshallbepardonedifIattempttogiveaviewinsomedegreedifferentofthesituationofmanonearth，whichappearstometobemoreconsistentwiththevariousphenomenaofnaturewhichweobservearoundusandmoreconsonanttoourideasofthepower，goodness，andforeknowledgeoftheDeity。
Itcannotbeconsideredasanunimprovingexerciseofthehumanmindtoendeavourto’vindicatethewaysofGodtoman’ifweproceedwithaproperdistrustofourownunderstandingsandajustsenseofourinsufficiencytocomprehendthereasonofallwesee，ifwehaileveryrayoflightwithgratitude，and，whennolightappears，thinkthatthedarknessisfromwithinandnotfromwithout，andbowwithhumbledeferencetothesupremewisdomofhimwhose’thoughtsareaboveourthoughts’’astheheavensarehighabovetheearth。’
Inallourfeebleattempts，however，to’findouttheAlmightytoperfection’，itseemsabsolutelynecessarythatweshouldreasonfromnatureuptonature’sGodandnotpresumetoreasonfromGodtonature。Themomentweallowourselvestoaskwhysomethingsarenototherwise，insteadofendeavouringtoaccountforthemastheyare，weshallneverknowwheretostop，weshallbeledintothegrossestandmostchildishabsurdities，allprogressintheknowledgeofthewaysofProvidencemustnecessarilybeatanend，andthestudywillevenceasetobeanimprovingexerciseofthehumanmind。Infinitepowerissovastandincomprehensibleanideathatthemindofmanmustnecessarilybebewilderedinthecontemplationofit。WiththecrudeandpuerileconceptionswhichwesometimesformofthisattributeoftheDeity，wemightimaginethatGodcouldcallintobeingmyriadsandmyriadsofexistences，allfreefrompainandimperfection，alleminentingoodnessandwisdom，allcapableofthehighestenjoyments，andunnumberedasthepointsthroughoutinfinitespace。Butwhenfromthesevainandextravagantdreamsoffancy，weturnoureyestothebookofnature，wherealonewecanreadGodasheis，weseeaconstantsuccessionofsentientbeings，risingapparentlyfromsomanyspecksofmatter，goingthroughalongandsometimespainfulprocessinthisworld，butmanyofthemattaining，eretheterminationofit，suchhighqualitiesandpowersasseemtoindicatetheirfitnessforsomesuperiorstate。OughtwenotthentocorrectourcrudeandpuerileideasofinfinitePowerfromthecontemplationofwhatweactuallyseeexisting？CanwejudgeoftheCreatorbutfromhiscreation？And，unlesswewishtoexaltthepowerofGodattheexpenseofhisgoodness，oughtwenottoconcludethateventothegreatCreator，almightyasheis，acertainprocessmaybenecessary，acertaintime（oratleastwhatappearstousastime）mayberequisite，inordertoformbeingswiththoseexaltedqualitiesofmindwhichwillfitthemforhishighpurposes？
Astateoftrialseemstoimplyapreviouslyformedexistencethatdoesnotagreewiththeappearanceofmanininfancyandindicatessomethinglikesuspicionandwantofforeknowledge，inconsistentwiththoseideaswhichwewishtocherishoftheSupremeBeing。Ishouldbeinclined，therefore，asIhavehintedbefore，toconsidertheworldandthislifeasthemightyprocessofGod，notforthetrial，butforthecreationandformationofmind，aprocessnecessarytoawakeninert，chaoticmatterintospirit，tosublimatethedustoftheearthintosoul，toelicitanetherealsparkfromtheclodofclay。Andinthisviewofthesubject，thevariousimpressionsandexcitementswhichmanreceivesthroughlifemaybeconsideredastheforminghandofhisCreator，actingbygenerallaws，andawakeninghissluggishexistence，bytheanimatingtouchesoftheDivinity，intoacapacityofsuperiorenjoyment。Theoriginalsinofmanisthetorporandcorruptionofthechaoticmatterinwhichhemaybesaidtobeborn。
Itcouldanswernogoodpurposetoenterintothequestionwhethermindbeadistinctsubstancefrommatter，oronlyafinerformofit。Thequestionis，perhaps，afterall，aquestionmerelyofwords。Mindisasessentiallymind，whetherformedfrommatteroranyothersubstance。Weknowfromexperiencethatsoulandbodyaremostintimatelyunited，andeveryappearanceseemstoindicatethattheygrowfrominfancytogether。Itwouldbeasuppositionattendedwithverylittleprobabilitytobelievethatacompleteandfullformedspiritexistedineveryinfant，butthatitwascloggedandimpededinitsoperationsduringthefirsttwentyyearsoflifebytheweakness，orhebetude，oftheorgansinwhichitwasenclosed。AsweshallallbedisposedtoagreethatGodisthecreatorofmindaswellasofbody，andastheybothseemtobeformingandunfoldingthemselvesatthesametime，itcannotappearinconsistenteitherwithreasonorrevelation，ifitappeartobeconsistentwithphenomenaofnature，tosupposethatGodisconstantlyoccupiedinformingmindoutofmatterandthatthevariousimpressionsthatmanreceivesthroughlifeistheprocessforthatpurpose。TheemploymentissurelyworthyofthehighestattributesoftheDeity。
Thisviewofthestateofmanonearthwillnotseemtobeunattendedwithprobability，if，judgingfromthelittleexperiencewehaveofthenatureofmind，itshallappearuponinvestigationthatthephenomenaaroundus，andthevariouseventsofhumanlife，seempeculiarlycalculatedtopromotethisgreatend，andespeciallyif，uponthissupposition，wecanaccount，eventoourownnarrowunderstandings，formanyofthoseroughnessesandinequalitiesinlifewhichquerulousmantoofrequentlymakesthesubjectofhiscomplaintagainsttheGodofnature。
Thefirstgreatawakenersofthemindseemtobethewantsofthebody。（ItwasmyintentiontohaveenteredatsomelengthintothissubjectasakindofsecondparttotheEssay。Alonginterruption，fromparticularbusiness，hasobligedmetolayasidethisintention，atleastforthepresent。Ishallnow，therefore，onlygiveasketchofafewoftheleadingcircumstancesthatappeartometofavourthegeneralsuppositionthatIhaveadvanced。）Theyarethefirststimulantsthatrousethebrainofinfantmanintosentientactivity，andsuchseemstobethesluggishnessoforiginalmatterthatunlessbyapeculiarcourseofexcitementsotherwants，equallypowerful，aregenerated，thesestimulantsseem，evenafterwards，tobenecessarytocontinuethatactivitywhichtheyfirstawakened。
Thesavagewouldslumberforeverunderhistreeunlesshewererousedfromhistorporbythecravingsofhungerorthepinchingsofcold，andtheexertionsthathemakestoavoidtheseevils，byprocuringfood，andbuildinghimselfacovering，aretheexerciseswhichformandkeepinmotionhisfaculties，whichotherwisewouldsinkintolistlessinactivity。Fromallthatexperiencehastaughtusconcerningthestructureofthehumanmind，ifthosestimulantstoexertionwhicharisefromthewantsofthebodywereremovedfromthemassofmankind，wehavemuchmorereasontothinkthattheywouldbesunktothelevelofbrutes，fromadeficiencyofexcitements，thanthattheywouldberaisedtotherankofphilosophersbythepossessionofleisure。
Inthosecountrieswherenatureisthemostredundantinspontaneousproducetheinhabitantswillnotbefoundthemostremarkableforacutenessofintellect。Necessityhasbeenwithgreattruthcalledthemotherofinvention。Someofthenoblestexertionsofthehumanmindhavebeensetinmotionbythenecessityofsatisfyingthewantsofthebody。Wanthasnotunfrequentlygivenwingstotheimaginationofthepoet，pointedtheflowingperiodsofthehistorian，andaddedacutenesstotheresearchesofthephilosopher，andthoughthereareundoubtedlymanymindsatpresentsofarimprovedbythevariousexcitementsofknowledge，orofsocialsympathy，thattheywouldnotrelapseintolistlessnessiftheirbodilystimulantswereremoved，yetitcanscarcelybedoubtedthatthesestimulantscouldnotbewithdrawnfromthemassofmankindwithoutproducingageneralandfataltorpor，destructiveofallthegermsoffutureimprovement。
Locke，ifIrecollect，saysthattheendeavourtoavoidpainratherthanthepursuitofpleasureisthegreatstimulustoactioninlife：andthatinlookingtoanyparticularpleasure，weshallnotberousedintoactioninordertoobtainit，tillthecontemplationofithascontinuedsolongastoamounttoasensationofpainoruneasinessundertheabsenceofit。Toavoidevilandtopursuegoodseemtobethegreatdutyandbusinessofman，andthisworldappearstobepeculiarlycalculatedtoaffordopportunityofthemostunremittedexertionofthiskind，anditisbythisexertion，bythesestimulants，thatmindisformed。IfLocke’sideabejust，andthereisgreatreasontothinkthatitis，evilseemstobenecessarytocreateexertion，andexertionseemsevidentlynecessarytocreatemind。
Thenecessityoffoodforthesupportoflifegivesrise，probably，toagreaterquantityofexertionthananyotherwant，bodilyormental。TheSupremeBeinghasordainedthattheearthshallnotproducegoodingreatquantitiestillmuchpreparatorylabourandingenuityhasbeenexerciseduponitssurface。Thereisnoconceivableconnectiontoourcomprehensions，betweentheseedandtheplantortreethatrisesfromit。TheSupremeCreatormight，undoubtedly，raiseupplantsofallkinds，fortheuseofhiscreatures，withouttheassistanceofthoselittlebitsofmatter，whichwecallseed，orevenwithouttheassistinglabourandattentionofman。Theprocessesofploughingandclearingtheground，ofcollectingandsowingseeds，arenotsurelyfortheassistanceofGodinhiscreation，butaremadepreviouslynecessarytotheenjoymentoftheblessingsoflife，inordertorousemanintoaction，andformhismindtoreason。
Tofurnishthemostunremittedexcitementsofthiskind，andtourgemantofurtherthegraciousdesignsofProvidencebythefullcultivationoftheearth，ithasbeenordainedthatpopulationshouldincreasemuchfasterthanfood。Thisgenerallaw（asithasappearedintheformerpartsofthisEssay）
undoubtedlyproducesmuchpartialevil，butalittlereflectionmay，perhaps，satisfyus，thatitproducesagreatoverbalanceofgood。Strongexcitementsseemnecessarytocreateexertion，andtodirectthisexertion，andformthereasoningfaculty，itseemsabsolutelynecessary，thattheSupremeBeingshouldactalwaysaccordingtogenerallaws。Theconstancyofthelawsofnature，orthecertaintywithwhichwemayexpectthesameeffectsfromthesamecauses，isthefoundationofthefacultyofreason。Ifintheordinarycourseofthings，thefingerofGodwerefrequentlyvisible，ortospeakmorecorrectly，ifGodwerefrequentlytochangehispurpose（forthefingerofGodis，indeed，visibleineverybladeofgrassthatwesee），ageneralandfataltorporofthehumanfacultieswouldprobablyensue;
eventhebodilywantsofmankindwouldceasetostimulatethemtoexertion，couldtheynotreasonablyexpectthatiftheireffortswerewelldirectedtheywouldbecrownedwithsuccess。Theconstancyofthelawsofnatureisthefoundationoftheindustryandforesightofthehusbandman，theindefatigableingenuityoftheartificer，theskilfulresearchesofthephysicianandanatomist，andthewatchfulobservationandpatientinvestigationofthenaturalphilosopher。Tothisconstancyweoweallthegreatestandnoblesteffortsofintellect。TothisconstancyweowetheimmortalmindofaNewton。
Asthereasons，therefore，fortheconstancyofthelawsofnatureseem，eventoourunderstandings，obviousandstriking;ifwereturntotheprincipleofpopulationandconsidermanashereallyis，inert，sluggish，andaversefromlabour，unlesscompelledbynecessity（anditissurelytheheightoffollytotalkofman，accordingtoourcrudefanciesofwhathemightbe），wemaypronouncewithcertaintythattheworldwouldnothavebeenpeopled，butforthesuperiorityofthepowerofpopulationtothemeansofsubsistence。Strongandconstantlyoperativeasthisstimulusisonmantourgehimtothecultivationoftheearth，ifwestillseethatcultivationproceedsveryslowly，wemayfairlyconcludethatalessstimuluswouldhavebeeninsufficient。Evenundertheoperationofthisconstantexcitement，savageswillinhabitcountriesofthegreatestnaturalfertilityforalongperiodbeforetheybetakethemselvestopasturageoragriculture。Hadpopulationandfoodincreasedinthesameratio，itisprobablethatmanmightneverhaveemergedfromthesavagestate。Butsupposingtheearthoncewellpeopled，anAlexander，aJuliusCaesar，aTamberlane，orabloodyrevolutionmightirrecoverablythinthehumanrace，anddefeatthegreatdesignsoftheCreator。Theravagesofacontagiousdisorderwouldbefeltforages;andanearthquakemightunpeoplearegionforever。Theprinciple，accordingtowhichpopulationincreases，preventsthevicesofmankind，ortheaccidentsofnature，thepartialevilsarisingfromgenerallaws，fromobstructingthehighpurposeofthecreation。Itkeepstheinhabitantsoftheearthalwaysfullyuptothelevelofthemeansofsubsistence;andisconstantlyactinguponmanasapowerfulstumulus，urginghimtothefurthercultivationoftheearth，andtoenableit，consequently，tosupportamoreextendedpopulation。Butitisimpossiblethatthislawcanoperate，andproducetheeffectsapparentlyintendedbytheSupremeBeing，withoutoccasioningpartialevil。Unlesstheprincipleofpopulationweretobealteredaccordingtothecircumstancesofeachseparatecountry（whichwouldnotonlybecontrarytoouruniversalexperience，withregardtothelawsofnature，butwouldcontradictevenourownreason，whichseestheabsolutenecessityofgenerallawsfortheformationofintellect），itisevidentthatthesameprinciplewhich，secondedbyindustry，willpeopleafertileregioninafewyearsmustproducedistressincountriesthathavebeenlonginhabited。
Itseems，however，everywayprobablethateventheacknowledgeddifficultiesoccasionedbythelawofpopulationtendrathertopromotethanimpedethegeneralpurposeofProvidence。Theyexciteuniversalexertionandcontributetothatinfinitevarietyofsituations，andconsequentlyofimpressions，whichseemsuponthewholefavourabletothegrowthofmind。Itisprobable，thattoogreatortoolittleexcitement，extremepoverty，ortoogreatrichesmaybealikeunfavourableinthisrespect。Themiddleregionsofsocietyseemtobebestsuitedtointellectualimprovement，butitiscontrarytotheanalogyofallnaturetoexpectthatthewholeofsocietycanbeamiddleregion。Thetemperatezonesoftheearthseemtobethemostfavourabletothementalandcorporalenergiesofman，butallcannotbetemperatezones。Aworld，warmedandenlightenedbutbyonesun，mustfromthelawsofmatterhavesomepartschilledbyperpetualfrostsandothersscorchedbyperpetualheats。Everypieceofmatterlyingonasurfacemusthaveanupperandanunderside，alltheparticlescannotbeinthemiddle。Themostvaluablepartsofanoak，toatimbermerchant，arenoteithertherootsorthebranches，buttheseareabsolutelynecessarytotheexistenceofthemiddlepart，orstem，whichistheobjectinrequest。Thetimbermerchantcouldnotpossiblyexpecttomakeanoakgrowwithoutrootsorbranches，butifhecouldfindoutamodeofcultivationwhichwouldcausemoreofthesubstancetogotostem，andlesstorootandbranch，hewouldberighttoexerthimselfinbringingsuchasystemintogeneraluse。
Inthesamemanner，thoughwecannotpossiblyexpecttoexcluderichesandpovertyfromsociety，yetifwecouldfindoutamodeofgovernmentbywhichthenumbersintheextremeregionswouldbelessenedandthenumbersinthemiddleregionsincreased，itwouldbeundoubtedlyourdutytoadoptit。Itisnot，however，improbablethatasintheoak，therootsandbranchescouldnotbediminishedverygreatlywithoutweakeningthevigorouscirculationofthesapinthestem，soinsocietytheextremepartscouldnotbediminishedbeyondacertaindegreewithoutlesseningthatanimatedexertionthroughoutthemiddleparts，whichistheverycausethattheyarethemostfavourabletothegrowthofintellect。Ifnomancouldhopetoriseorfeartofall，insociety，ifindustrydidnotbringwithititsrewardandidlenessitspunishment，themiddlepartswouldnotcertainlybewhattheynoware。Inreasoninguponthissubject，itisevidentthatweoughttoconsiderchieflythemassofmankindandnotindividualinstances。Thereareundoubtedlymanyminds，andthereoughttobemany，accordingtothechancesoutofsogreatamass，that，havingbeenvivifiedearlybyapeculiarcourseofexcitements，wouldnotneedtheconstantactionofnarrowmotivestocontinuetheminactivity。Butifweweretoreviewthevarioususefuldiscoveries，thevaluablewritings，andotherlaudableexertionsofmankind，Ibelieveweshouldfindthatmoreweretobeattributedtothenarrowmotivesthatoperateuponthemanythantotheapparentlymoreenlargedmotivesthatoperateuponthefew。
Leisureis，withoutdoubt，highlyvaluabletoman，buttakingmanasheis，theprobabilityseemstobethatinthegreaternumberofinstancesitwillproduceevilratherthangood。Ithasbeennotinfrequentlyremarkedthattalentsaremorecommonamongyoungerbrothersthanamongelderbrothers，butitcanscarcelybeimaginedthatyoungerbrothersare，uponanaverage，bornwithagreateroriginalsusceptibilityofparts。Thedifference，iftherereallyisanyobservabledifference，canonlyarisefromtheirdifferentsituations。Exertionandactivityareingeneralabsolutelynecessaryinonecaseandareonlyoptionalintheother。
Thatthedifficultiesoflifecontributetogeneratetalents，everyday’sexperiencemustconvinceus。Theexertionsthatmenfinditnecessarytomake，inordertosupportthemselvesorfamilies，frequentlyawakenfacultiesthatmightotherwisehavelainforeverdormant，andithasbeencommonlyremarkedthatnewandextraordinarysituationsgenerallycreatemindsadequatetograpplewiththedifficultiesinwhichtheyareinvolved。
CHAPTER19
Thesorrowsoflifenecessarytosoftenandhumanizetheheart—
Theexcitementofsocialsympathyoftenproducecharactersofahigherorderthanthemerepossessorsoftalents—Moralevilprobablynecessarytotheproductionofmoralexcellence—
Excitementsfromintellectualwantscontinuallykeptupbytheinfinitevarietyofnature，andtheobscuritythatinvolvesmetaphysicalsubjects—Thedifficultiesinrevelationtobeaccountedforuponthisprinciple—Thedegreeofevidencewhichthescripturescontain，probably，bestsuitedtotheimprovementsofthehumanfaculties，andthemoralamerliorationofmankind—
Theideathatmindiscreatedbyexcitementsseemstoaccountfortheexistenceofnaturalandmoralevil。
THEsorrowsanddistressesoflifeformanotherclassofexcitements，whichseemtobenecessary，byapeculiartrainofimpressions，tosoftenandhumanizetheheart，toawakensocialsympathy，togeneratealltheChristianvirtues，andtoaffordscopefortheampleexertionofbenevolence。Thegeneraltendencyofanuniformcourseofprosperityisrathertodegradethanexaltthecharacter。Theheartthathasneverknownsorrowitselfwillseldombefeelinglyalivetothepainsandpleasures，thewantsandwishes，ofitsfellowbeings。Itwillseldombeoverflowingwiththatwarmthofbrotherlylove，thosekindandamiableaffections，whichdignifythehumancharacterevenmorethanthepossessionofthehighesttalents。Talents，indeed，thoughundoubtedlyaveryprominentandfinefeatureofmind，canbynomeansbeconsideredasconstitutingthewholeofit。Therearemanymindswhichhavenotbeenexposedtothoseexcitementsthatusuallyformtalents，thathaveyetbeenvivifiedtoahighdegreebytheexcitementsofsocialsympathy。Ineveryrankoflife，inthelowestasfrequentlyasinthehighest，charactersaretobefoundoverflowingwiththemilkofhumankindness，breathinglovetowardsGodandman，and，thoughwithoutthosepeculiarpowersofmindcalledtalents，evidentlyholdingahigherrankinthescaleofbeingsthanmanywhopossessthem。
Evangelicalcharity，meekness，piety，andallthatclassofvirtuesdistinguishedparticularlybythenameofChristianvirtuesdonotseemnecessarilytoincludeabilities;yetasoulpossessedoftheseamiablequalities，asoulawakenedandvivifiedbythesedelightfulsympathies，seemstoholdanearercommercewiththeskiesthanmereacutenessofintellect。
Thegreatesttalentshavebeenfrequentlymisappliedandhaveproducedevilproportionatetotheextentoftheirpowers。Bothreasonandrevelationseemtoassureusthatsuchmindswillbecondemnedtoeternaldeath，butwhileonearth，theseviciousinstrumentsperformedtheirpartinthegreatmassofimpressions，bythedisgustandabhorrencewhichtheyexcited。Itseemshighlyprobablethatmoralevilisabsolutelynecessarytotheproductionofmoralexcellence。Abeingwithonlygoodplacedinviewmaybejustlysaidtobeimpelledbyablindnecessity。
Thepursuitofgoodinthiscasecanbenoindicationofvirtuouspropensities。Itmightbesaid，perhaps，thatinfiniteWisdomcannotwantsuchanindicationasoutwardaction，butwouldforeknowwithcertainlywhetherthebeingwouldchoosegoodorevil。Thismightbeaplausibleargumentagainstastateoftrial，butwillnotholdagainstthesuppositionthatmindinthisworldisinastateofformation。Uponthisidea，thebeingthathasseenmoralevilandhasfeltdisapprobationanddisgustatitisessentiallydifferentfromthebeingthathasseenonlygood。Theyarepiecesofclaythathavereceiveddistinctimpressions：theymust，therefore，necessarilybeindifferentshapes;or，evenifweallowthembothtohavethesamelovelyformofvirtue，itmustbeacknowledgedthatonehasundergonethefurtherprocess，necessarytogivefirmnessanddurabilitytoitssubstance，whiletheotherisstillexposedtoinjury，andliabletobebrokenbyeveryaccidentalimpulse。Anardentloveandadmirationofvirtueseemstoimplytheexistenceofsomethingoppositetoit，anditseemshighlyprobablethatthesamebeautyofformandsubstance，thesameperfectionofcharacter，couldnotbegeneratedwithouttheimpressionsofdisapprobationwhicharisefromthespectacleofmoralevil。
Whenthemindhasbeenawakenedintoactivitybythepassions，andthewantsofthebody，intellectualwantsarise;
andthedesireofknowledge，andtheimpatienceunderignorance，formanewandimportantclassofexcitements。Everypartofnatureseemspeculiarlycalculatedtofurnishstimulantstomentalexertionofthiskind，andtoofferinexhaustiblefoodforthemostunremittedinquiry。OurmortalBardsaysofCleopatra：
CustomcannotstaleHerinfinitevariety。
Theexpression，whenappliedtoanyoneobject，maybeconsideredasapoeticalamplification，butitisaccuratelytruewhenappliedtonature。Infinitevarietyseems，indeed，eminentlyhercharacteristicfeature。Theshadesthatarehereandthereblendedinthepicturegivespirit，life，andprominencetoherexuberantbeauties，andthoseroughnessesandinequalities，thoseinferiorpartsthatsupportthesuperior，thoughtheysometimesoffendthefastidiousmicroscopiceyeofshort—sightedman，contributetothesymmetry，grace，andfairproportionofthewhole。
Theinfinitevarietyoftheformsandoperationsofnature，besidestendingimmediatelytoawakenandimprovethemindbythevarietyofimpressionsthatitcreates，opensotherfertilesourcesofimprovementbyofferingsowideandextensiveafieldforinvestigationandresearch。Uniform，undiversifiedperfectioncouldnotpossessthesameawakeningpowers。Whenweendeavourthentocontemplatethesystemoftheuniverse，whenwethinkofthestarsasthesunsofothersystemsscatteredthroughoutinfinitespace，whenwereflectthatwedonotprobablyseeamillionthpartofthosebrightorbsthatarebeaminglightandlifetounnumberedworlds，whenourminds，unabletograsptheimmeasurableconception，sink，lostandconfounded，inadmirationatthemightyincomprehensiblepoweroftheCreator，letusnotquerulouslycomplainthatallclimatesarenotequallygenial，thatperpetualspringdoesnotreignthroughouttheyear，thatitGod’screaturesdonotpossessthesameadvantages，thatcloudsandtempestssometimesdarkenthenaturalworldandviceandmiserythemoralworld，andthatalltheworksofthecreationarenotformedwithequalperfection。Bothreasonandexperienceseemtoindicatetousthattheinfinitevarietyofnature（andvarietycannotexistwithoutinferiorparts，orapparentblemishes）isadmirablyadaptedtofurtherthehighpurposeofthecreationandtoproducethegreatestpossiblequantityofgood。
Theobscuritythatinvolvesallmetaphysicalsubjectsappearstome，inthesamemanner，peculiarlycalculatedtoaddtothatclassofexcitementswhicharisefromthethirstofknowledge。Itisprobablethatman，whileonearth，willneverbeabletoattaincompletesatisfactiononthesesubjects;butthisisbynomeansareasonthatheshouldnotengageinthem。Thedarknessthatsurroundstheseinterestingtopicsofhumancuriositymaybeintendedtofurnishendlessmotivestointellectualactivityandexertion。Theconstantefforttodispelthisdarkness，evenifitfailofsuccess，invigoratesandimprovesthethinkingfaculty。
Ifthesubjectsofhumaninquirywereonceexhausted，mindwouldprobablystagnate;buttheinfinitelydiversifiedformsandoperationsofnature，togetherwiththeendlessfoodforspeculationwhichmetaphysicalsubjectsoffer，preventthepossibilitythatsuchaperiodshouldeverarrive。
ItisbynomeansoneofthewisestsayingsofSolomonthat’thereisnonewthingunderthesun。’Onthecontrary，itisprobablethatwerethepresentsystemtocontinueformillionsofyears，continualadditionswouldbemakingtothemassofhumanknowledge，andyet，perhaps，itmaybeamatterofdoubtwhetherwhatmaybecalledthecapacityofmindbeinanymarkedanddecidedmannerincreasing。ASocrates，aPlato，oranAristotle，howeverconfessedlyinferiorinknowledgetothephilosophersofthepresentday，donotappeartohavebeenmuchbelowtheminintellectualcapacity。Intellectrisesfromaspeck，continuesinvigouronlyforacertainperiod，andwillnotperhapsadmitwhileonearthofaboveacertainnumberofimpressions。Theseimpressionsmay，indeed，beinfinitelymodified，andfromthesevariousmodifications，addedprobablytoadifferenceinthesusceptibilityoftheoriginalgerms，arisetheendlessdiversityofcharacterthatweseeintheworld;butreasonandexperienceseembothtoassureusthatthecapacityofindividualmindsdoesnotincreaseinproportiontothemassofexistingknowledge。（Itisprobablethatnotwograinsofwheatareexactlyalike。Soilundoubtedlymakestheprincipaldifferenceinthebladesthatspringup，butprobablynotall。Itseemsnaturaltosupposesomesortofdifferenceintheoriginalgermsthatareafterwardsawakenedintothought，andtheextraordinarydifferenceofsusceptibilityinveryyoungchildrenseemstoconfirmthesupposition。）
Thefinestmindsseemtobeformedratherbyeffortsatoriginalthinking，byendeavourstoformnewcombinations，andtodiscovernewtruths，thanbypassivelyreceivingtheimpressionsofothermen’sideas。Couldwesupposetheperiodarrived，whentherewasnotfurtherhopeoffuturediscoveries，andtheonlyemploymentofmindwastoacquirepre—existingknowledge，withoutanyeffortstoformnewandoriginalcombinations，thoughthemassofhumanknowledgewereathousandtimesgreaterthanitisatpresent，yetitisevidentthatoneofthenobleststimulantstomentalexertionwouldhaveceased;thefinestfeatureofintellectwouldbelost;everythingalliedtogeniuswouldbeatanend;anditappearstobeimpossible，that，undersuchcircumstances，anyindividualscouldpossessthesameintellectualenergiesaswerepossessedbyaLocke，aNewton，oraShakespeare，orevenbyaSocrates，aPlato，anAristotleoraHomer。
Ifarevelationfromheavenofwhichnopersoncouldfeelthesmallestdoubtweretodispelthemiststhatnowhangovermetaphysicalsubjects，weretoexplainthenatureandstructureofmind，theaffectionsandessencesofallsubstances，themodeinwhichtheSupremeBeingoperatesintheworksofthecreation，andthewholeplanandschemeoftheUniverse，suchanaccessionofknowledgesoobtained，insteadofgivingadditionalvigourandactivitytothehumanmind，wouldinallprobabilitytendtorepressfutureexertionandtodampthesoaringwingsofintellect。
ForthisreasonIhaveneverconsideredthedoubtsanddifficultiesthatinvolvesomepartsofthesacredwritingsasanyardentagainsttheirdivineoriginal。TheSupremeBeingmight，undoubtedly，haveaccompaniedhisrevelationstomanbysuchasuccessionofmiracles，andofsuchanature，aswouldhaveproduceduniversaloverpoweringconvictionandhaveputanendatoncetoallhesitationanddiscussion。ButweakasourreasonistocomprehendtheplansofthegreatCreator，itisyetsufficientlystrongtoseethemoststrikingobjectionstosucharevelation。Fromthelittleweknowofthestructureofthehumanunderstanding，wemustbeconvincedthatanoverpoweringconvictionofthiskind，insteadoftendingtotheimprovementandmoralameliorationofman，wouldactlikethetouchofatorpedoonallintellectualexertionandwouldalmostputanendtotheexistenceofvirtue。Ifthescripturaldenunciationsofeternalpunishmentwerebroughthomewiththesamecertaintytoeveryman’smindasthatthenightwillfollowtheday，thisonevastandgloomyideawouldtakesuchfullpossessionofthehumanfacultiesastoleavenoroomforanyotherconceptions，theexternalactionsofmenwouldbeallnearlyalike，virtuousconductwouldbenoindicationofvirtuousdisposition，viceandvirtuewouldbeblendedtogetherinonecommonmass，andthoughtheall—seeingeyeofGodmightdistinguishthemtheymustnecessarilymakethesameimpressionsonman，whocanjudgeonlyfromexternalappearances。Undersuchadispensation，itisdifficulttoconceivehowhumanbeingscouldbeformedtoadetestationofmoralevil，andaloveandadmirationofGod，andofmoralexcellence。
Ourideasofvirtueandvicearenot，perhaps，veryaccurateandwell—defined;butfew，Ithink，wouldcallanactionreallyvirtuouswhichwasperformedsimplyandsolelyfromthedreadofaverygreatpunishmentortheexpectationofaverygreatreward。ThefearoftheLordisveryjustlysaidtobethebeginningofwisdom，buttheendofwisdomistheloveoftheLordandtheadmirationofmoralgood。Thedenunciationsoffuturepunishmentcontainedinthescripturesseemtobewellcalculatedtoarresttheprogressoftheviciousandawakentheattentionofthecareless，butweseefromrepeatedexperiencethattheyarenotaccompaniedwithevidenceofsuchanatureastooverpowerthehumanwillandtomakemenleadvirtuousliveswithviciousdispositions，merelyfromadreadofhereafter。A
genuinefaith，bywhichImeanafaiththatshewsitselfinitthevirtuesofatrulyChristianlife，maygenerallybeconsideredasanindicationofanamiableandvirtuousdisposition，operateduponmorebylovethanbypureunmixedfear。
Whenwereflectonthetemptationstowhichmanmustnecessarilybeexposedinthisworld，fromthestructureofhisframe，andtheoperationofthelawsofnature，andtheconsequentmoralcertaintythatmanyvesselswillcomeoutofthismightycreativefurnaceinwrongshapes，itisperfectlyimpossibletoconceivethatanyofthesecreaturesofGod’shandcanbecondemnedtoeternalsuffering。Couldweonceadmitsuchanidea，itournaturalconceptionsofgoodnessandjusticewouldbecompletelyoverthrown，andwecouldnolongerlookuptoGodasamercifulandrighteousBeing。ButthedoctrineoflifeandMortalitywhichwasbroughttolightbythegospel，thedoctrinethattheendofrighteousnessiseverlastinglife，butthatthewagesofsinaredeath，isineveryrespectjustandmerciful，andworthyofthegreatCreator。Nothingcanappearmoreconsonanttoourreasonthanthatthosebeingswhichcomeoutofthecreativeprocessoftheworldinlovelyandbeautifulformsshouldbecrownedwithimmortality，whilethosewhichcomeoutmisshapen，thosewhosemindsarenotsuitedtoapurerandhappierstateofexistence，shouldperishandbecondemnedtomixagainwiththeiroriginalclay。Eternalcondemnationofthiskindmaybeconsideredasaspeciesofeternalpunishment，anditisnotwonderfulthatitshouldberepresented，sometimes，underimagesofsuffering。Butlifeanddeath，salvationanddestruction，aremorefrequentlyopposedtoeachotherintheNewTestamentthanhappinessandmisery。TheSupremeBeingwouldappeartousinaverydifferentviewifweweretoconsiderhimaspursuingthecreaturesthathadoffendedhimwitheternalhateandtorture，insteadofmerelycondemningtotheiroriginalinsensibilitythosebeingsthat，bytheoperationofgenerallaws，hadnotbeenformedwithqualitiessuitedtoapurerstateofhappiness。
Lifeis，generallyspeaking，ablessingindependentofafuturestate。Itisagiftwhichtheviciouswouldnotalwaysbereadytothrowaway，eveniftheyhadnofearofdeath。Thepartialpain，therefore，thatisinflictedbythesupremeCreator，whileheisformingnumberlessbeingstoacapacityofthehighestenjoyments，isbutasthedustofthebalanceincomparisonofthehappinessthatiscommunicated，andwehaveeveryreasontothinkthatthereisnomoreevilintheworldthanwhatisabsolutelynecessaryasoneoftheingredientsinthemightyprocess。
Thestrikingnecessityofgenerallawsfortheformationofintellectwillnotinanyrespectbecontradictedbyoneortwoexceptions，andtheseevidentlynotintendedforpartialpurposes，butcalculatedtooperateuponagreatpartofmankind，andthroughmanyages。UpontheideathatIhavegivenoftheformationofmind，theinfringementofthegenerallawofnature，byadivinerevelation，willappearinthelightoftheimmediatehandofGodmixingnewingredientsinthemightymass，suitedtotheparticularstateoftheprocess，andcalculatedtogiverisetoanewandpowerfultrainofimpressions，tendingtopurify，exalt，andimprovethehumanmind。Themiraclesthataccompaniedtheserevelationswhentheyhadonceexcitedtheattentionofmankind，andrendereditamatterofmostinterestingdiscussion，whetherthedoctrinewasfromGodorman，hadperformedtheirpart，hadansweredthepurposeoftheCreator。andthesecommunicationsofthedivinewillwereafterwardslefttomaketheirwaybytheirownintrinsicexcellence;and，byoperatingasmoralmotives，graduallytoinfluenceandimprove，andnottooverpowerandstagnatethefacultiesofman。
Itwouldbe，undoubtedly，presumptuoustosaythattheSupremeBeingcouldnotpossiblyhaveeffectedhispurposeinanyotherwaythanthatwhichhehaschosen，butastherevelationofthedivinewillwhichwepossessisattendedwithsomedoubtsanddifficulties，andasourreasonpointsouttousthestrongestobjectionstoarevelationwhichwouldforceimmediate，implicit，universalbelief，wehavesurelyjustcausetothinkthatthesedoubtsanddifficultiesarenoargumentagainstthedivineoriginofthescriptures，andthatthespeciesofevidencewhichtheypossessisbestsuitedtotheimprovementofthehumanfacultiesandthemoralameliorationofmankind。
TheideathattheimpressionsandexcitementsofthisworldaretheinstrumentswithwhichtheSupremeBeingformsmatterintomind，andthatthenecessityofconstantexertiontoavoidevilandtopursuegoodistheprincipalspringoftheseimpressionsandexcitements，seemstosmoothmanyofthedifficultiesthatoccurinacontemplationofhumanlife，andappearstometogiveasatisfactoryreasonfortheexistenceofnaturalandmoralevil，and，consequently，forthatpartofboth，anditcertainlyisnotaverysmallpart，whicharisesfromtheprincipleofpopulation。But，though，uponthissupposition，itseemshighlyimprobablethatevilshouldeverberemovedfromtheworld，yetitisevidentthatthisimpressionwouldnotanswertheapparentpurposeoftheCreator，itwouldnotactsopowerfullyasanexcitementtoexertion，ifthequantityofitdidnotdiminishorincreasewiththeactivityortheindolenceofman。Thecontinualvariationsintheweightandinthedistributionofthispressurekeepaliveaconstantexpectationofthrowingitoff。
HopespringseternalintheHumanbreast，Manneveris，butalwaystobeblest。
Evilexistsintheworldnottocreatedespairbutactivity。
Wearenotpatientlytosubmittoit，buttoexertourselvestoavoidit。Itisnotonlytheinterestbutthedutyofeveryindividualtousehisutmosteffortstoremoveevilfromhimselfandfromaslargeacircleashecaninfluence，andthemoreheexerciseshimselfinthisduty，themorewiselyhedirectshisefforts，andthemoresuccessfultheseeffortsare，themorehewillprobablyimproveandexalthisownmindandthemorecompletelydoesheappeartofulfilthewillofhisCreator。