ΤΟ THE RIGHT REVEREND EDWARD HAROLD, LORD BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, CHANCELLOR OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY, AND PRELATE OF THE ORDER OF THE GARTER, This Work is Enscribed WITH EVERY SENTIMENT OF CHRISTIAN ESTEEM AND LOYALTY. A PRELUDE OF THOUGHTS. THOUGHTS ARE THE FIRST-BORN OF THE MIND. IN GIVING THEM LIFE AND FORM MAN TAKES RANK WITH THE HIGHEST INTELLIGENCES BEFORE THE THRONE OF THE ETERNAL-Dr. DAVIES. Thought.-The History of a Who can trace the history of a single thought? Its transmission from soul to soul, its manifold influence and infinite connections; its flowers of light, its fruits of righteousness, its leaves for the healing of the nations; its thousand meanings, its thousand powers, and its thousand seeds, making a thousand centres of similar existence; its history on earth, its history in heaven, unfolding with every unfolding page in the history of innumerable spirits that can never die! That thought is a single seed "cast upon the waters."-STANFORD. Thought. The Immortality of a The solitary thought of a great thinker will dwell in the minds of men for centuries, until at length it works itself into their daily life and practice. It lives on through the ages, speaking as a voice from the dead, and influencing minds living thousands of years apart. -SMILES. Thought.-The Province of It is the province of thought to refine, regulate, and humanize our affections-to map out the varied channels in which Heaven ordained them to flow for ever.-Dr. THOMAS. Thoughts. The Collector of The thoughts of the wise and the good are gems of the purest water; and he who enjoys them in the course of reading, and disposes them in analytic order for the mental and moral advantage of others, not only accomplishes a most excellent work, but forms a treasury more valuable than the riches of the Orient, or the diadems of kings.-Dr. DAVIES. Thoughts.-The Companionship of They are never alone that are accompanied by holy thoughts. The good and true thought may in time of temptation be as an angel of mercy purifying and guarding the soul.-SMILES. Thoughts.-Holy Holy thoughts breed holy words and holy actions, and are hopeful evidences of a renewed heart. Who would not have them? To keep chaff out of a bushel, one sure plan is to fill it with wheat.-SPURGEON. Thoughts.-The Intermixing of Holy Were we acquainted with the way of intermixing holy thoughts, ejaculatory eyeings of God, in our ordinary ways, it would keep the heart in a sweet temper all the day long, and have an excellent influence in all our ordinary actions and holy performances. This were to "walk with God" indeed; to go all the day long as in our Father's hand; whereas, without this, our praying morning and evening looks but as a formal visit, not delighting in that constant converse which yet is our happiness and honour, and makes all estates sweet. This would refresh us in the hardest labour, as they that carry spices from Arabia are refreshed with the smell of them in their journey; and some observe-that it keeps their strength, and frees them from fainting.-Abp. LEIGHton. |