Key to the Science of TheologyPratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Religion
Key to the Science of Theology
Pratt, Parley P. (Parley Parker)
Latter Day Saint churches; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines
But the two fluids differ very widely. The one is a property nearly
allied to the grosser elements of matter; not extensively endowed with
the attributes of intelligence, wisdom, affection, or moral
discrimination. It can therefore be imparted from one animal body to
another, irrespective of the intellectual or moral qualities of the
subject or recipient. The other is a substance endowed with the
attributes of intelligence, affection, moral discrimination, love,
charity, and benevolence pure as the emotions which swell the bosom,
thrill the nerves, or vibrate the pulse of the Father of all.
An agent filled with this heavenly fluid cannot impart of the same to
another, unless that other is justified, washed, cleansed from all his
impurities of heart, affections, habits or practices, by the blood of
atonement, which is generally applied in connexion with the baptism of
remission.
A man who continues in his sins, and who has no living faith in the
Son of God, cannot receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through the
ministration of any agent, however holy he may be. The impure spirit
of such a one will repulse the pure element, upon the natural laws of
sympathetic affinity, or of attraction and repulsion.
An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ,
attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power
and gift, which is possessed by God Himself.
But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a
subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes
are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a
bud--a germ, which gradually developes into bloom, and then, by
progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind.
The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or
attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases,
enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and
affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful
use. It inspires, developes, cultivates and matures all the fine toned
sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our
nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness
and charity. It developes beauty of person, form and features. It
tends to health, vigour, animation and social feeling. It developes
and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual
man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In
short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light
to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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