People's opinions are not generally formed or controlled by arguments or reasonings, as they fondly suppose.

They are imbibed by sympathy from those whom they like or love, and who are, or have been, their associates.

Thus people, when they arrive at maturity, adhere in the main to the associations, both in religion and in politics, in which they have been brought up, from the influence of sympathy with those whom they love.

They believe in this or that doctrine or system, not because they have been convinced by proof, but chiefly because those whom they love believe in them.

On religious questions the arguments are presented to them, it is true, while they are young, in catechisms and in other forms of religious instruction, and in politics by the conversations which they overhear; but it is a mistake to suppose that arguments thus offered have any material effect as processes of ratiocination in producing any logical conviction upon their minds.