It has been before explained that spirit is universally
divided into five categories: the vegetable spirit, the animal spirit, the
human spirit, the spirit of faith, and the Holy Spirit.
The vegetable spirit is the power of growth which is brought
about in the seed through the influence of other existences.
The animal spirit is the power of all the senses, which is
realized from the composition and mingling of elements; when this composition
decomposes, the power also perishes and becomes annihilated. It may be likened
to this lamp: when the oil, wick, and fire are combined
it is lighted, and when this combination is dissolved, that is to say, when the
combined parts are separated from one another, the lamp also is extinguished.
The human spirit which distinguishes man from the animal is
the rational soul; and these two names—the human spirit and the rational
soul—designate one thing. This spirit, which in the terminology of the
philosophers is the rational soul, embraces all beings, and as far as human
ability permits discovers the realities of things and becomes cognizant of
their peculiarities and effects, and of the qualities and properties of beings.
But the human spirit, unless assisted by the spirit of faith, does not become
acquainted with the divine secrets and the heavenly realities. It is like a
mirror which, although clear, polished, and brilliant, is still in need of
light. Until a ray of the sun reflects upon it, it cannot discover the heavenly
secrets.
But the mind is the power of the human spirit. Spirit is the
lamp; mind is the light which shines from the lamp. Spirit is the tree, and the
mind is the fruit. Mind is the perfection of the spirit, and is its essential
quality, as the sun’s rays are the essential necessity of the sun.
