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CONVERSATIONS.

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Introduction.Method.-Sentiment of Spirit.

I. METAPHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTS.

1. Testimony of External Senses, - Their Office; Fruits.

2. Testimony of Internal Senses, - Their Offige; Intuition of Spirit; Analysis of Functions and Offices; Terms.

Introduction.

MR. ALCOTT, WE are now going to speak of the Life of Christ. If any of you are interested to understand how Jesus came into this world; and lived; and acted; and went back to God;

and will try to give me your whole attention, and not let your minds wander, you may hold up your hands. (Many did so.)

Some of you, most of you, will sometimes let your thoughts wander; but you will all try, I hope, to keep them as steady as possible; for only by doing so, can we have interesting conversations. The best thoughts do not lie on the surface of our minds. We have to dive under for them, like pearl fishers. This morning I am going to ask some questions, that I may prove to you, by your own answers to them, that you are all, every one of you, capable of thinking on this subject; and of having thoughts come from your minds, which will interest all, teaching yourselves to know yourselves, and teaching me.

Method.

We are going, all of us, to study the life of Jesus, the Christ. As often as it is studied, it is better understood, and suggests new thoughts. I do not know all I am going to say, thoughts, that I never had before.

for I shall have new

Still less do you know

all you are going to say; for you have not thought so much of the subject as I have. But if we will all think, and all say what we think, not repeating the words and thoughts of others, we shall teach each other.

CHARLES. But sometimes several of us will have the same thought, of ourselves.

MR. ALCOTT.

be no repetition.

Record.

Then you can say so, and there will

The Recorder then said, that she was going to keep a record of the conversations, not of the same kind as before, when she was making a picture of the school; but, in the first place, to preserve Mr. Alcott's thoughts, as far as they were expressed; and, in the second place, to preserve their thoughts, when they seemed sincere. (See Note 1, in the Appendix.)

(All expressed great pleasure in the coming lessons, —were very ready to promise attention;

and seemed perfectly to understand what was meant by sincere conversation.)

MR. ALCOTT. Now, when I ask a question, each one may think of an answer to it, and as soon as he has one, hold up his hand. I shall then ask any one I please to speak; perhaps I shall ask every one to give an answer to some of my questions, so that I may compare your answers. Let no one speak without I ask him, but only hold up his hand.

(After a pause, during which there was a profound silence of expectation on the part of the children ;)

Instinct and Sentiment of Spirit.

Mr. Alcott asked; Have you a clear feeling, idea, of something, which is not your body, which you never saw, but which is, which loves, which thinks, which feels?

(All gradually held up their hands.)

Now what are your proofs ?

(Many hands fell.)

Those who have proofs may answer in turn,

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LEMUEL. I am sure of it, but I do not know why.

ALEXANDER.

I have heard you say so.

MR. ALCOTT. You have trusted to me? Well! that

is faith in testimony.

WILLIAM C. I cannot prove it, but I feel it.

MR. ALCOTT.

consciousness.

You and Lemuel have the evidence of You cannot think otherwise.

GEORGE K. I thought of my mind as my proof. ANDREW. I thought of my conscience; when I do

right I feel that I have one.

WILLIAM B. I thought and I felt. That is Spirit. CHARLES. I felt your question working within me, and that was my proof.

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