Unbalanced Minds
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It is agreeable, but not most profitable, to exercise those faculties
which are naturally the strongest, while we neglect those that are weak,
but which need to be strengthened. The feeblest faculties should have
careful attention, that all the powers of the intellect may be nicely
balanced and all do their part like well-regulated machinery. We are
dependent upon God for the preservation of all our faculties. Christians
are under obligation to Him to so train the mind that all the faculties
may be strengthened and more fully developed. If we neglect to do this,
they will never accomplish the purpose for which they were designed.
We have no right to neglect any one of the powers that God has given
us. We see monomaniacs all over the country. They are frequently
sane upon every subject but one. The reason of this is that one organ of
the mind was specially exercised while the others were permitted to lie
dormant. The one that was in constant use became worn and diseased,
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and the man became a wreck. God was not glorified by his pursuing
this course. Had he exercised all the organs equally, all would have
had a healthy development; all the labor would not have been thrown
upon one, therefore no one would have broken down.
Ministers should be guarded, lest they thwart the purposes of God
by plans of their own. They are in danger of narrowing down the
work of God, and confining their labor to certain localities, and not
cultivating a special interest for the work of God in all its various
departments. There are some who concentrate their minds upon one
subject to the exclusion of others which may be of equal importance.
They are one-idea men. All the strength of their being is concentrated
on the subject upon which the mind is exercised for the time. Every
other consideration is lost sight of. This one favorite theme is the
burden of their thoughts and the theme of their conversation. All the
evidence which has a bearing upon that subject is eagerly seized and
appropriated, and dwelt upon at so great length that minds are wearied
in following them.
Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really unim-
portant, and which would be taken for granted without producing
proof; for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be
made as plain and forcible as language and proof can make them. The
power to concentrate the mind upon one subject to the exclusion of
all others is well in a degree; but the constant exercise of this faculty
wears upon those organs that are called into use to do this work; it