“They were,” they inspirited themselves, possessed the life, vitality, or spirit, the Creator gave them, and having that spirit, life, or energy, under proper regulation, in due degree, they were worthy of the esteem, regard, sympathy, and good word of others.

To be.

This is considered the root of all the words we have considered, and to it all others are referred for a definition.  Dictionaries give no definition to am, is, are, was, and were, all of them as truly principal verbs as be, and possessed of as distinct a meaning.  It can hardly be possible that they should form so important a part of our language, and yet be incapable of definition.  But such is the fact, the most significant words in our language, and those most frequently used, are undefined in the books.

Mr. Webster says =to be= signifies, “to exist, to have a real state or existence,” and so say Walker and Johnson.  Now if it is possible to “=have= a state of being without action or passion,” then may this word express neutrality.  But the very definition requires activity, and an object expressed.  It denotes the act of being, or living; to exercise the powers of life, to maintain a position or rank in the scale of existent things.

The name of the action is being, and applies to the Almighty BEING who exists unchanged as the source of all inferior beings and things, whose name is Jehovah, I AM, the Being of beings, the Fountain of light, life, and wisdom.

Be is used in the imperative and infinitive moods correctly, by every body who employs language. “Be here in ten minutes.” “Be it far from thee.”  “I will be in Boston before noon.”  If there is any action in going from Providence to Boston at rail-road speed, in two hours, or before noon, it is all expressed by the verb be, which we are told expresses no action.

The teacher says to his scholars when out at play, “I want you to be in your seats in five minutes.”  What would they understand him to mean? that they should stand still? or that they should change their state of being from play in the yard, to a state of being in their seats?  There is no word to denote such change, except the word to be. Be off, be gone, be here, be there, are commands frequently given and correctly understood.

The master says to a bright little lad, who has well learned his grammar, “Be here in a minute.”

“Yes, sir, I will be there;” but he does not move.

“Be here immediately.”

“Yes, yes, I will be there.”

“Don’t you understand me?  I say, be here instantly.”

“Oh, yes, I understand you and will obey.”