Daniel T. Bourdeau - The Eternal Gospel Church

future state given by Mahomet; also in the doctrine of
purgatory, and in many other fanciful doctrines which are
the fruit of unsanctified imaginations. p. 26, Para. 6,
[HOLINESS].
Imagination is naturally unruly, and is often used in
picturing scenes that encourage the practice of sin, in
magnifying the faults of others, and in manufacturing
mountains of difficulties out of nothing. To illustrate we
will suppose a case: A. and B. meet together. They have
always been on good terms. A. moves along toward B. to pass
compliments as on other occasions, but observes that B. is
sad and rather backward in his remarks. These individuals
part. A. looks back to the interview he has had with B. and
calls up B. in his imagination, and says, How cold and sour
he looked. How he stood off. How little he said. He never
treated me so coldly. And the enemy comes in, and adds and
adds to the picture, till B. looks ugly, independent and
hard, and A. feels that he has been slighted and abused
without a cause, and that B. has something against him.
Soon A. and B. meet again. But this time B. comes up
cheerfully, and A. stands off. Says B. What is the matter,
Bro. A.? What is the matter, replies A.? You ought to know.
You treated me coldly the other day without a just cause,
and you have something against me. What makes you think so
says B.? I know it is so, answers A. But B. replies, Why,
dear Bro., I was examining my own heart and thinking about
my imperfections, and since then I have got help, and I now
feel free. p. 27, Para. 1, [HOLINESS].
This is one case out of many in which we see the wrong use
that is made of imagination. p. 27, Para. 2, [HOLINESS].
If A. had examined his own imperfections and checked his
imagination, this trial might have been avoided. With many,
an unsanctified imagination takes the lead, and the fruit
is evil-surmisings, hatred, envy, lust, evil-speaking,
unnecessary trials in families, in neighborhoods, and in
the church of God, castles built in the air, fanaticism,
etc. p. 27, Para. 3, [HOLINESS].
But imagination may be very useful, and a source of much
comfort. Would you derive real benefit and comfort from
this faculty? Then employ it in picturing useful objects
and scenes. Let it represent all that is lovely in the
appearance and actions of others, and if you suffer it to
represent the evil conduct of others, let it be only that