The ear is one of the most useful members of the body. What an abundance of edifying information and instruction is communicated every day, from one mind to another, through its means! Knowledge is thus brought into general circulation, and, like every other gift of the Divine Providence, becomes common property. Nor is it knowledge alone which is conveyed from one mind to another by this wonderful channel. It must be obvious to every person of reflection and observation, that, by discourse, the affections are wrought upon, the will is moved, and the whole man, in many cases, becomes changed as to his purposes, his inclinations, and the general temper and spirit of his life. As therefore the eye is instrumental in the introduction of material images, necessary for the formation of intellectual ideas, and thus in giving birth and growth to the intellectual mind, in like manner, the ear is instrumental in admitting sounds, by means of which, not only the intellectual, but also the voluntary principle of man is operated upon and cherished, whether that principle be grounded in good or evil. The two organs of sight and of hearing, therefore, unite in this use,—that each is subservient to the purposes of mental growth and perfection,—the former being adapted principally to the service of the intellectual mind, whilst the latter is adapted to the service both of the intellectual and voluntary mind, but especially of the voluntary. It is the office of the eye to supply the rich materials or rudiments of thought and intelligence: but of the ear to furnish the more valuable materials or rudiments of those numberless affections which enter into the composition of the human will. Glory be to Him who planted the ear!
