The Mind by Eliza H. Morton

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 24, 1878

The Mind.

By Eliza H. Morton

THE mind is the intelligent power in man which acts through the organ of the brain. The mind gains strength by exercise and is capable of infinite improvement. As the brain of the child expands and grows in size his powers of perception and memory increase. And, although, the body has attained its full growth, yet the brain may be enlarged by cultivating the intellect.

If we desire powerful minds we must think. Some people allow loose and disconnected ideas to run riot, where beautiful harmonious chains of thought should exist. Concentration of mind may be acquired by perseveringly recalling wandering thoughts and fixing them for the time being upon the subject under consideration. Our thoughts may be trained, governed and marshaled, until like a company of soldiers they stand ready to obey our slightest call.

Intellectual power is gained more by depth of thought than by extent of study. Ideas are obtained from observation and from books, but ideas are useless unless incorporated into the mind by patient thought. It has been said that the mind of man is like a farm, that to be of use "must be enriched with learning, plowed with energy, sown with virtue, and harvested with economy."

Thought always precedes action; hence if our thoughts are pure, our acts will be right. The constant presence of holy thoughts will make us spiritually minded and fit us for the society of the angels that surround the great white throne above.

Fellow-mortals : when you become wearied and faint in your minds, forget not the "Rock of your strength." Remember that the high minded, the double-minded, and the corrupt minded, will not be able to stand in the evil day; but those that mind heavenly things will be exalted far above kings and princes of earth. Yea, an everlasting kingdom, "many mansions," glittering harps and crowns and white robes are reserved for the faithful, and the promise is: "The pure in heart shall see God."

ELIZA H. MORTON.