2. When the organs of the so called religious sentiments are large, other things being equal, they are most likely to manifest their peculiarly religious function.
3. The objects of religion are so much more elevated and vast than any of the objects of mere time and sense, that they give a much more intense and powerful excitement and exercise to the faculties, especially of persons of vigorous intellect and cultivated minds. The low, groveling, sensual, and ignorant, do not so easily realise things of a spiritual nature. Hence persons with large and active organs of the higher sentiments, especially of Reverence, Marvellousness, Hope, and Ideality, find no where but in religion full satisfaction to their aspirations. They seem, as Dr. Spurzheim once remarked of such an individual, “not made for this world.” The objects which engross the minds of the world around them, appear “poor, stale, and unprofitable.” They literally go through the world as pilgrims and strangers. In such, the Christian character is incomplete; they especially need benevolence to interest them in their fellow-mortals, and to exert their energies in the glorious employment of doing good.
Our attentive readers will at once anticipate the remark, that those persons who are not converted, in whom the organs of the higher sentiments are large, other things being equal, are more susceptible of religious impressions than those who have small organs of the higher sentiments and large propensities. Does not observation of facts go to prove its truth? and is it not at least tacitly admitted by many? Indeed, this great truth has been too little known and appreciated by religious teachers, and especially in the selection of mission stations. The organisations of the inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands, and of some parts of Asia, are far more favourable to the reception of Christianity than are those of many other portions of the heathen world. But this is a subject to which we can only allude now; at some future day we hope to give it a full consideration.
We will add, for the benefit of those who have not made themselves acquainted with the leading principles of our science, that it is by means of intellectual organs that the affective faculties are all brought into relation with their objects. Hence they may be said to be in a measure the causes of excitement to such of the affective faculties, as are interested by the objects contemplated. The intellectual organs may be spontaneously active, and conjure up scenes which excite the feelings; or they may be acted upon by external objects or by other minds. We may therefore bring our feelings into a high state of excitement merely by the recollection of an exciting scene.
Reverence.—It is not easy to give a brief analysis of this sentiment. We think, however, it is constituted to be excited to action by whatever is perceived by intellect, or believed by Marvellousness to possess the quality of greatness or superior power, whether physical, moral, or intellectual. Many of the objects of respect in society are conventional. The vast works of nature excite the feeling strongly; so also do the majestic works of art, as shown in the temples erected to the Most High. Who would not feel more reverence in going up to worship in a vast temple than when seated in a hovel? None better understood how to excite the feeling of reverence than the ancient Egyptians. In them, as also in the ancient Jews, the organ must have been exceedingly developed.
2. But when the mind contemplates the Deity in all his wonderful attributes—the power which, with a word, could create a universe of worlds, and by whose wisdom all things are governed, and whose mercy, goodness, and justice, are past conception—how much greater is the excitement to the feeling of reverence! How different, too, is the emotion! It is more elevated, pure, and rapturous. When, too, the mind brings to its contemplation the wonderful dealings of the Almighty with his dependent erring creatures, as exhibited in his providences, his plan of redemption, and the influence of the Holy Spirit, our reverence scarcely knows bounds.
Marvellousness next claims our attention. 1, The simple secular function of this faculty is belief; the degree, kind, and conclusiveness of the evidence, are no part of its function. We may believe on mere authority. We may believe because it is rational, consistent, or agreeable to experience. Without this sentiment, we should scarcely believe the evidence of our senses, and perhaps we might say nothing would appear to be evident. The every day occasions for the exercise of this faculty are numerous. When large, it often becomes too active, and is apt to render persons weakly credulous. It also leads to believe in the wonderful, the spiritual, the improbable, the unnatural. 2, Its religious function is manifested in our belief in the existence and attributes of God—his revelation to man; the Saviour and his miracles—his resurrection and ascension; in the Holy Spirit and his influence on the heart, &c. How infinitely greater are these objects of belief than those of a secular kind! Immortality is spread before the eye of faith in brighter worlds above.
“The faith that unites to the Lamb,
And brings such salvation as this,
Is more than mere fancy or name—