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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

Section IX. Of Contemplation and Reflection

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Section IX. Of Contemplation and Reflection.

53. Q. Is there not one special form of recreation most necessary, yet much neglected?

A. One of the most desirable forms of recreation is contemplation and reflection.

54. Q. Why is contemplation beneficial?

A. Because in contemplation our minds are drawn from ourselves to a wider view of nature and human life, and thus we obtain higher ideas of man's duty and destiny.

55. Q. And why is reflection beneficial?

A. Because by it we sec our own weaknesses and learn to guard against them, also to cultivate those qualities which will hold them in check.

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56. Q. Will reflection teach us anything; further?

A. Learning and seeing our own weaknesses will teach us to think kindly and charitably of others, and will lead us to lend a helping hand to others in trying to conquer! their tendencies to folly or evil.

57. Q. Should reflection be engaged in by all?

A. In the hurry of life from home duties or business cares, all should from time to time pause to think and reflect.

58. Q. For what reason?

A. Because many mistakes and follies would be avoided, and many misjudgments of others prevented, if we took time to reflect upon the present and future results of our actions upon ourselves and upon others.

59. Q. What should be chiefly sought in all recreations?

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A. Purity and nobleness; the cultivation of true manliness and womanliness in both our physical and intellectual recreations.

60. Q. How may these be tested?

A. Briefly, whatever in our reading or other recreations improves our better self, by teaching us to restrain our tempers and appetites, to sacrifice our inclinations and comfort to benefit others, and to do our duty in any sphere of life we occupy, is to be commended.

61. Q. And what to be avoided?

All that tends to debase the mind, or make us selfish and extravagant, or lessen our recognition of the duty we owe to others.

62. Q. State the reasons.

A. Because purity of thought and action improves and enlarges the range of the mind, ever adding new pleasures, whilst impurity lowers the moral tone and dulls the intellect.

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63. Q. Should all seek to improve their minds?

A. As the powers and capacities of the mind are not limited, it is the sacred duty of all to seek to improve their minds by reading and study.

64. Q. What subjects can most profitably be studied?

A. This must be decided by the tendencies or tastes of each, but the study of history, the operations of nature, science, books of travel, or the record of the lives of great and good men and women, are all well calculated to improve the mind.

65. Q. How does study of the subjects named inprove the mind?

A. Because thus the mind is lifted from the occupations and cares of life to wider fields of thought, and sees more clearly the greatness of the world which is outside and apart from itself.