rming
voices, are accidents which affect the air--for sound is the term for
vibrations of the air--and by these vibrations the nerves of the tympanum
of the ear are affected, and hearing results. Now reflect that the
vibration of the air, which is an accident of no importance, attracts and
exhilarates the spirit of man and has great effect upon him: it makes him
weep or laugh; perhaps it will influence him to such a degree that he will
throw himself into danger. Therefore, see the connection which exists
between the spirit of man and the atmospheric vibration, so that the
movement of the air becomes the cause of transporting him from one state
to another, and of entirely overpowering him; it will deprive him of
patience and tranquillity. Consider how strange this is, for nothing comes
forth from the singer which enters into the listener; nevertheless, a
great spiritual effect is produced. Therefore, surely so great a
connection between beings must have spiritual effect and influence.

It has been mentioned that the members and parts of man affect and
influence one another. For example, the eye sees; the heart is affected.
The ear hears; and the spirit is influenced. The heart is at rest; the
thoughts become serene, and for all the members of man's body a pleasant
condition is realized. What a connection and what an agreement is this!
Since this connection, this spiritual effect and this influence, exists
between the members of the body of man, who is only one of many finite
beings, certainly between these universal and infinite beings there will
also be a spiritual and material connection. Although by existing rules
and actual science these connections cannot be discovered, nevertheless,
their existence between all beings is certain and absolute.

To conclude: the beings, whether great or small, are connected with one
another by the perfect wisdom of God, and affect and influence one
another. If it were not so, in the universal system and the general
arrangement of existence, there would be disorder and imperfection. But as
beings are connected one with another with the greatest strength, they are
in order in their places and perfect.

This subject is worthy of examination.

70: FREE WILL

Question.--Is man a free agent in all his actions, or is he compelled and
constrained?

Answer.--This question is one of the most important and abstruse of divine
problems. If God wills, another day, at the beginning of