Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

240 INFLUENCE OF SCRIPTUREpeople against the heathen conqueror, or to assist them in the observanceof the commandment.1257. The plea on which the commandment was founded is manifestlygroundless that an omnipotent God could he so weary as to require rest.But it has been suggested by enlightened Christians, that the six days wereperiods of immense duration, and of course the seventh day being like therest could not be a day of twenty-four hours, like the Jewish Sabbath socalled, but, on the contrary, an era comprising many ages.If Creatures he not so created as to love their Neighhours as themselves,precepts can no more alter them in this respect, than change the Colourof their Hair, or the Niimher of Cuhits in their Stature.1258. In the spheres, agreeably to the communication received fromspirits, great importance is attached to the friendship, the affection, andthe ardent love, which may subsist between congenial minds or souls;they seem to recognise love as something which cannot be felt by allto allso that while benevolence, charity, and sympathy may be sentiments entertainedto mankind generally, there are other sentiments which require concentration,in order to have any efficacy. Of this nature are parental,filial, and conjugal affection, as well as other intimate friendships.1259. Sympathy between the parent and child, between husband andwife, and likewise occasionally between brothers and sisters, or such friendsas Pylades and Orestes, may be so strong as to induce the risk, if not theloss of life, but this sympathy cannot be self-induced.Where, from principle,a person may determine to make the sacrifice, not from impulse, hecannot endow himself with the sensitiveness which would make him feelfor the sufferer as for himself. A being may admire such a sentiment, andhave an ambition to be so actuated, but that would not create the sensibilityto which its existence is due. It has been alleged that Napoleon'smother said of him, as I remember to have read somewhere :" He wished tohave a good heart. ^' The most that can be done is to act as if we did love,and consequently sympathize, so as to feel the pains and privations of anotheras if they were our own. But it were inconsistent to entertain a loveso powerful and peculiar, and not give our time, thought, services, or attentionto the object of our afi"ection. It were inconsistent so to love and keepat a distance, and behave toward the object as if we were indifferent. Butwere the sentiment to be felt universally, or even generally, there wouldbe such a cutting up of our time, service, or attention, that, as respectsany individual in particular, it would be nugatory, and i^ight as well notexist. There would likewise be such a multiplicity and perplexity ofyearnings that it would distract the heart, perhaps place it in a less happycondition than if it were devoid of any affection whatever.1260. Although temporal life may at times be sacrificed by one beingto save that of another, it is manifestly because the being who makes the