The word “heart” is used figuratively and metaphysically, but
with vivid impressiveness in Scripture, to indicate the capacity
of feeling after God without which faith is impossible. Men
of mathematical and philosophic training have in many cases
lamentably exemplified the atrophy of the finer feelings. Here
is the great fault in the glittering and brilliant writings of
John Stuart Mill. From early infancy he, a most precocious boy,
was taught to crush the heart, to repress all sentiments of
affection. The moral nature of the lad was shockingly distorted,
and as he grew up he judged of everything by the cold light of
intellect only. He wrote his autobiography, and in that book is
not a word about his mother. So the book absolutely lacks heart,
and it is devoid of all fascination. (Text.)
(1369)