No doubt an optometrist, specializing in the functions of our eyes, would tell us that we have given only a few details on the previous page, but lack of space prevents giving additional facts at this time.
The Brain The brain, one of the most important parts of the body, fits snugly into a strong protective skull which in a newborn baby remains rather soft so it can grow with the baby's development. At a certain age the skull hardens and becomes a strong shield for the brain.
There are three main parts to the brain: the cerebrum, made up of two halves, the cerebellum in back of it, and the medulla oblongata (sometimes referred to as the brain stem) located at the back of the head just above the spinal column.
The cerebrum is the most important part-taking messages from all over the body and sending instructions back to all these places, telling them what they are to do at any given moment.
The cerebellum's principal job is to keep in touch with all the muscles, telling them when they are to be in action or when to relax and be still. For instance, if a boy is standing at home plate on a baseball diamond, he doesn't think about what is going on inside his brain. But whether he knows it or not, he can't lift the bat over his shoulder until the cerebellum tells his arm and hand muscles exactly what to do; nor can he swing at a pitched ball unless muscles all over his body-such as in his legs, arms and back-have received instructions from his brain. Finally, running off to first base, his entire body is obeying those brain-given instructions without his having to consciously think about it.
The brain stem is important, too. One of its chief duties is to see that what are termed "instincts" are not neglected, but put into action when necessary. This would include the functions of the nose and lungs, the beating of the heart, the blinking of the eyes, the swallowing of a bite of food, etc.
All in all the duties of every part of the brain are far beyond anyone's ability to understand and are much more wonderful than the achievements of all the world's latest specialized computers put together. And this represents just one area of the Creator's wonderful provisions for us.
When we think of the wonderful works of the Lord, how it must please Him to hear us say, just as Isaiah did: "O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things" (Isa. 25:11O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1)).