Page:The Collected Works of Theodore Parker volume 3.djvu/320

Rh are slaves to the baser part of their appetites, and yet do not get the manly delight which even those parts of us were meant afford. Bat in forming man, God provided us with a power to rule all these passions, and make every appetite not only secure its own special satisfaction, but serve likewise the general welfare of the whole, and promote the development of the highest faculties of the spirit. Man's body and his soul are a unit, and there is not a passion in the body but the soul needs it all, and needs its normal satis- faction.

To this end, to harmonize those appetites and passions, I know no help like true ideas of religion and the natural emotions thereof; they lead unavoidably to noble actions.

How we misjudge the value of common things! "What a fortunate young man is Augustus," said the men and women of Boston many years ago, "he inherits so much money,—and of course so much social respectability, which is the function of money!—born in one of the first families,"—that is, the richest,—"and inheriting such an estate; what a fortunate man!" "I wish I had his lot," said the young men; "I wish I could give such a fortune to my children," said the old ones. Ah me ! the fortunate man is he who starts in life with the true religious idea of man, of God, of His providential care for you and me, and all mankind; with the true religious feelings of reverence, gratitude, trust, love, and the unconquerable will to keep his every command. The culture which brings about this is not always costly, it must be precious, and that for ever. II. But the great battle of life is not over when we have put down wrath, lust, and drunkenness, and have got through the wild land of the appetites. There are vices of conscious reflection not less than of instinctive passion. In New England I fear these are the greatest dangers, for few men warn you against them. Nay, what in a commercial and political town is called a great success in life is commonly the greatest defeat of the manliest thing which is in you.

The subtler vices are love of approbation, often degenerating into mere vanity, which is to honour what the