The subject now to be considered is that of the second sphere of mind, both in its perceptions and affections. Our last discourse was upon what we denominated the first sphere, which was characterized as being a sphere of self-love or lusting after self-gratification. The individual in this sphere was described as being in the lowest department of his mind, and as allied in his affinities with the lowest pleasures of existence. It was remarked that this plane of lust could be manifested as well in the intellectual, moral, and religious plane, as in the animal or physical plane. The criterion by which we determine whether it is selfishness is to inquire whether the motive prompting to activity has for its object desire after gain. If this is the ruling impulse, then the individual’s love is the love of self. Though the grossness of the lust may depend upon the direction given it, yet it is essentially the same whether exercised in the moral, intellectual, or physical plane. An individual who sought the happiness of another without reference to his own interests was described as belonging to the second sphere. He would seek association by the affinity of his moral or second-sphere nature. We meet with individuals in society who affirm that man is essentially selfish—that he can not conceive a wish which does not originate in a desire for self-gain. I have no doubt that the individuals making that affirmation are very honest in it, and speak from their own conscious experience. There are many such to be found in society, who know no higher love than self-love, and their highest benevolence is based upon selfishness. I doubt not that there are those who entertain such sentiments, but I utterly protest when such men attempt to speak for the Race. I will allow every person to speak for himself upon this point, and to ascertain if there are not some actions which have not this lustful basis; and when we find that there are such actions arising within ourselves which are not contaminated with this selfish thought, and which go forth to seek expression out of ourselves, we may know that they do not belong to the first, but to the second sphere of action, I mean the sphere of relation, as separate from the individual considered in his individual love or individual selfish impulse. I will give a few illustrations of this kind.