Youth's Magazine,  8 (1835), 113–22.

Associations

Observator

Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Reason, Piety, Christianity


    The author has recently visited some of the places described in the letters and poems of William Cowper, and, since 'the merits of Cowper seem at the present to be more than ever appreciated', offers some descriptions. Observes that, in addition to the relations of cause and effect discussed in a recent article (YM3/8/3/1), 'there are relations of another kind which we usually call associations'. Argues that the human species is 'not "a reasoning animal", but an animal that can reason'. Those who can 'draw inferences' find that God 'is associated with them in every relation of creation, providence, and grace; for to such the "radiant deity" speaks through all His works in language which they are at no loss to interpret'. The author observes that 'the conviction that "my Father made them all", is not the only one that arises' when he or she surveys a rural scene. (114) Suggests other ways in which the natural world can call to mind various aspects of Christian faith, before turning to other associations which scenery can have, as illustrated by the narrator's recent visit to Cowper's home country.



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