“ There is perfection in mechanics, when a machine is so constructed, that it cannot be improved, or made better, we call it a perfect machine. We say of the human system it is perfect; because we cannot suggest an improvement in any part of it, it is brought to as high a state as it can, being the contrivance of infinite wisdom, and if we were to say that the great Jehovah could not improve it, we think we should not insult him. ”

“ All these sayings must be very unmeaning, unless there is such a thing as being perfect before God; and unless those who obey the scheme of heaven are thereby made perfect.
We think this subject is easy of understanding, if we are willing to let our religion fall a prey to it; for such will be the case with the whole sectarian world, if the bible is to be our guide. Perfection then, is perfection, and nothing else but perfection, is perfection. When a person or thing is perfect, it is perfect, and when it is not perfect, it is not perfect. When any thing can be improved, it is not perfect. ”

“ When any scheme which is designed for the benefit of men can be bettered, it is not perfect, perfection reaches beyond improvement.
Let us premise a little, suppose some person should take a start in intelligence in these days, and reach beyond any others who had lived before his day. ”

“ If there are any attainments for the human mind which it has not reached, the mind that has not attained to them is not perfect; for the human mind to be perfect, is for it to have attained to all to which it can attain, and if it has not, the person is not perfect. ”

“ Having now the premises fairly before us, the subject of perfection among saints will be very easy of understanding. When the scriptures speak of men being perfect we see plainly by the quotation taken from Paul, that it means having attained all of which their natures are capable, otherwise they are not perfect.
Let us enquire a little after the capacities of the human mind, and of its capabilities. ”

“ In speaking of perfection, the Savior and his apostles have said some things which seem to be hard to understand by the present religious world: not that the sayings cannot be understood or are not sufficiently plain; but the consciousness there is among all the religious professors, of their coming far short of perfection, and taking it for granted that they are in the right way, and are as righteous as persons can be in this age of the world ”

“ When he firmly believes that it is impossible for any person to be so: he cannot think that the Savior said any thing wrong; but comes to the conclusion that he cannot understand him, there is some mystery about his sayings, some how or other. ”

“ Did he really mean that men should be perfect as God is? and if so, is such perfection necessary to salvation, or cannot a person be saved without it? are queries which often arise in the minds of many, indeed we may say all the religious world. ”

“ Matthew 5:48,th a deep consciousness at once says to all the professing world, that they are not thus perfect: but they are not only sensible that they are not perfect as their father in heaven is perfect ”