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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.

Contents

I. The Existing Profound Mysteries.

II. The World's Benign Lights.

III. The Image of God, Man.

Chapter I. The Existing Profound Mysteries

First Corinthians 15 : 51 — Behold, I show you a mystery ; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

It is by no means the intention to turn the world of thought from its usual busy course of action, to divert the rivers thereof from their proper channels, to remove the fixed mountain facts from their bases, nor to hoist sails and launch out on a doubtful voyage into an imaginary sea of new ideas. But rather to let the aim be to encourage the joy of a really pleasant journey on the revolving globe as it completes its circle through space, so swiftly, seated by some selected picturesque mountainside, that runs down through some romantic forest to the banks of a peaceful, flowing river, and, during springtime, there dwell at early dawn of the morning, at the noonday's bright glare, and at the evening twilight's beautiful halo — there to muse thoughtfully and to discern the trend of the current of the universe, and to discover the source and stable foundation, while listening to its unmistakable voice of charm, admiration, and astonishment, to the height of all majestic sublimity, though not always fully appreciated nor comprehended

, at first, for it requires a great deal of education and training in these times to become able to see the beauty and usefulness of all nature.

It is, however,, nature in us to observe nature about us, and to enjoy it to the fullest extent possible; but we may err in judgment as to the best enjoyment. The universe is an ever-intercGting reality and a delightful description for our perusal.

The mysteries of the universe are pleasant, difficult tasks for us to undertake to solve with patience, persistence, and enthusiasm. Every step taken forward and upward in this direction helps to clear the way for new development and discoveries which are hailed with joy and satisfaction by us all in general. There is now less ground for doubt and total denial of new possibilities and inroads into the yet undiscovered fields, than ever before. Mysteries are being solved more and more to the adjustment and approval of the general intelligent mind with greater ease than ever before. Mysteries appear to us in different degrees, but usually the most mystified part is connected in some way with something that we are more familiar with and that gives us a clue to trace from the known unto the unknown. This is encouraging to venture into research and attempt development, thereby gaining insight into the more hidden things, until the clouds have all vanished and we dwell in the full brightness of revealed day.

In the nature of things we are often confronted with problems that our intelligence is not able to comprehend at first, much less solve to our own satisfaction. There are component parts whose use are in doubt by us, and forces existing whose power with proper connection united have not yet been discovered nor understood even by the most enlightened. There are possibilities of which we can only imagine at present that will in the near future become actual realities to the persons who are most incHned to doubt now. This is the experience in the past and we have all good reason to believe it shall continue so to be until knowledge is complete and understanding not failing. We are not satisfied to only doubt the existence of forces and their relation to matter because we can not understand them nor to flatly deny their being, but rather accept them as facts not yet developed to our sense of understanding ; while we with patience wait for new results to materialize from keener investigation, the natural outgrowth thereof. Greater efforts are exerted in this direction now than ever before, so we are encouraged to the conclusion that most mysteries will in time be revealed, or at least become adjusted to a closer range and greater satisfaction than at present.

The newly-invented instruments to help in probing and detecting hidden things are materials for a sure foundation on which to build our belief. Our minds accept anything imaginable as possible, based on reason, rather than to resort to doubt the existence of what we can not understand or demonstrate. This is a happy condition for the intellect to work in and a more pleasant field for the spirit of genius to occupy. Our imagination reaches out from present realities to future possibilities with great delight, and enjoys every new theory as it becomes an established fact. The more we can see a connection between the visible and the invisible, the more that harmonious beauty and dependence that really exists in all creation will become clearer.

This is not anything new, for it is just what Paul believed and taught. He says : 'T show you a mystery." He does not say, I will fully explain it to your satisfaction; nor does he say that he understands" all about it himself. It is, therefore, well for us to do as he did — look at the mysteries and examine them very carefully. By so doing, the mist will gradually disappear, and our vision will be clearer and more intelligent. Paul believed in mysteries and well should he, for he was a great mystery to himself.

He was mysteriously stopped on his way to Damascus, while in his rage of persecuting the saints ; mysteriously converted and called to preach the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles ; mysteriously enlightened, guided, and supported by the Holy Spirit during his whole earthly career in God's service, through adversity as well as prosperity. This is not all ; for he was mysteriously caught up into the heavens and there saw visions that he could not with human tongu'e describe and heard sounds that could not be uttered on earth ; nor did he know whether he was in the body or away therefrom. But he believed in it as an actual, real, and instructive experience that he went through. He did not in the least doubt these mysteries nor try to explain them away, although unexplainable by him and beyond his full comprehension. They were, however, his own mysteries and he alludes to them all at various times with the greatest delight and satisfaction.

Paul shows how converted sinners bound together in love and Christian church fellowship are united into one body with Christ as its head. This is an indissoluble union and the life-blood in the head is, distributed through all the members of the whole body by the action of the loving heart. Each member and function of the body serves the other in some way according to its adapted peculiarity and duty. How beautiful when all is harmony in the body, and the outward actions are but the true expressions of the inner life. Paul also sets forth this union and relation in the likeness of husband and wife who are in spirit and effect one. This Christian life is hid within us and becomes visible to others only as our lives reveal to them that Christ is our inner life, and there dwells the Christian's secret being and hope of future glory. With this new life within our hearts, we can also say to the world : "Behold ! I show you a mystery. I was a great sinner. I have repented thereof. I am converted and am living a new life."

This can not perhaps be fully explained in so many words, nor is it necessary that it should be; for a true and devoted Christian life reveals and explains itself day by day as it lives with whom it deals, and it takes a lifetime to do so, and then it is still a mystery to us all. We are saved by grace and believing on Jesus Christ and fully trusting in His plan of redemption. Thus by faith we lay hold of the new life that is offered us and by the heart accept it of God through Christ Jesus.

Paul deals with these facts without regard to time and partially raises the curtain that obscures the future by showing how mortality shall put on immortality in like manner as the grain falls into the ground and there dies, sprouts, and a new life grows up and appears in a new grain with its previous identity retained, with the same life principle preserved, although transferred to another kernel.

This most beautifully shows the mysterious change we must undergo from this life to the eternal life. It sets forth the close relation of the visible to the invisible existence. This also shows up the absurdity of admitting the one and denying the other. Paul did not do that, but laid the greater stress on the everlasting foundation seen by faith. This assurance therein outweighed all else. He was a man full of courage, zeal, and ambition. His early education and training was the best to be had at his time among his nationality. His devotion thereto and the use he made thereof in after life delineates the proper character of the man as various opportunities were presented. He adhered very closely to what he thought was right and used all efforts to bring it into active observance. He left no influence out that could be brought to bear on what he set out to accomplish. He was endowed with more than ordinary abiHty, high intellect, good reason, keen judgment, and apt in argument. This powerful influence was felt very forcibly by the opposing parties to their own defeat. The qualities of his character become more fully manifest as experience adds its glowing worth to his inborn genius. Paul was a wonderful man and his life is a revelation full of rich, ripe, Christian experience among all classes of people. He had a clear insight into human life and nature in detail. His vision was also as bright into the spiritual and its relation to God. The veils of both were removed from his eyes by divine help, to which he always ascribes due credit and reverence.

Life itself, in all its various forms, is a stern reality, but little understood. God, the origin and giver of life, reveals Himself partly through nature, His workmanship, partly through chosen agents, but most completely through the Son of God when He appeared as the Son of Man in due time. We are placed here in the midst of God's creation, endowed with most wonderful faculties for research in relation to matter and force and their harmonious working through the universe, and to delve into all minute and sublime realities therein. This we are invited to do. We have the privilege and opportunity to read and to study nature as an open book full of interesting lessons for us. We not only do this, but devise instruments to aid us to discover the grandeur, majesty, and sublimity of the Creator's work and to detect more fully the unswerving obedience of each formation, from the smallest dust to the largest orb, to the underlying law that governs all. The law of each rests on one common law which was uttered by the Creator when He said, "Be" and in obedience thereto all things in order took their, proper places and did their duty.

We can take up any kind or class of objects in the universe, analyze and dissect them, scrutinize the force that pervades them, follow the trend of its hidden power and we shall eventually be in the presence of the Word that spake in the beginning. Science and research will not be complete until they stand in the Creator's presence and there bend their knees to Him and acknowledge Him as such. It is very interesting to notice how Paul, together with the other apostles, the prophets, and Christ Himself calls our attention to the common earthly things with which we are familiar and then makes a spiritual application thereto and so teaching lessons therefrom.

We are told to consider the lilies of the field, the birds of the air, the fig-tree and the vine, for they represent something similar in the kingdom of God, and in some way reveal His dealing with us and His revelation toward us. The prodigal son, the king's wedding-feast, the men with the talents, offer like illustrations. Those who had been in the habit of catching fish and were acquainted with that occupation were called to be fishers of men. The seed of the sower fell in different soil and produced accordingly. This shepherd-like dealing with His chosen flock is one of the most apt comparisons to the spiritual watchfulness and care for His people.

There are abundance of manifestations among the visible things that offer indisputable evidence of unseen realities and a certain relation thereto, although not always so easily traced nor understood by us. What is wanting is someone to open our eyes and understanding; then shall we see a multitude of powerful evidences to which we are blind now. Even the eye of faith has need of clearer and more exact vision. Paul says: "Behold!" and it is well for us to give heed to those things to which he calls our attention.

We have the essence of all science and knowledge summed up for ages, and improved facilities for verifying the same. All this and every new discovery is a step nearer and a vision clearer to a more beautiful harmony of science, history, and the Bible. Every excavation of an ancient city or place of note bears us out in undisputable testimony in that direction. This is encouraging for those in search of truth and knowledge for they shall eventually arrive at the right conclusion.

There are many persons who delight to look into difficult problems with a view of solving them. Paul was one of these and tried to induce others to do likewise. There is also a mysterious dissolution and disappearance of the visible objects into the invisible realm. This is beautifully shown in the service of sacrifice by the ancients. They stood in the presence of the visible altar, with the wood, lamb, and fire on it, and saw it dissolve and ascend into the invisible space, there to exist in some other form more suitable to that place.

This process holds good in all decomposition and solution only in a slower process. Death itself is nothing else than a transition of our being into the realm beyond ; while we may stand by the bedside of our dear friends gazing into that region just a little before us. We all shall go that way or as Paul says, be changed, which is its equivalent. The spirit goes beyond while the earthly clay remains and is assigned to earth. This is a great mystery, which we are often called on to witness.

Mysterious as it is, it remains a solemn fact that we all, sooner or later, must experience. Paul encourages us to look into this matter and make necessary preparations therefor, while means are at hand and before it is too late. While life exists with all its variations, let us not cease to behold its mysteries nor neglect the most important part thereof, to choose the part that shall not be taken from us, neither in life nor in death. The result will be the unlimited joy of the gratification of our choice.

Usually all mysteries have a connecting part with what we can understand. Enoch was mysteriously taken away, but his living among men and his close walk with God we can in a large measure see into. Noah as a shipbuilder on dry land according to God's direction was a mystery to his generation, but we can better see through it since the ark was the means by which his family as well as himself was saved. Abraham's wonderful experience in life becomes plainer when seen through the eye of righteous faith. Moses's death and burial is surrounded with mystery as well as his whole life but the first by no means does away with the latter, while his life partly explains his glorious, calm, mysterious end. Elijah's ride home in chariots of fire is a mystery but his life is as real and significant, or more so, than any of the other prophets.

The association of the breath of God with earthly clay in the person of Adam is a mystery, but it is more fully explained and exemplified when, for the second time, the Son of God visits earth in person.

The Son of Man began earth's career as a child in the manger and grew to manhood among the common people. He took three of His disciples on top of the mountain of transfiguration and there communed with Moses and Elijah who both had mysteriously been taken away. This proves that mysteries are realities and they exist although not at all times plainly visible to all nor easily comprehended. Enough real is associated with mysteries so as to give us a sure foundation of hope to build on further. Christ came down and lived among us and although He went to the Father when His work was finished, He left the key to the hall of mysteries and sent the Holy Spirit to help us unlock, walk in, and make us at home in the understanding thereof.

''Behold, I show you a mystery," are Paul's words to us. Usually, all mysteries are interesting to us and what we can not fully understand is admired by us in a high degree. We all take fancy to beauty whether by nature or acquired by men, through education, genius, or skill. The accomplished product of a sculptor, painter, or architect attracts attention universally. That invisible skill that can take a block of marble from its natural state and change it to some statue so beautiful and so real, or can take a canvas and paint a picture so true to life and natural color, is admired by all. We laud and speak with praise of the symmetrical proportions and convenient plan according to which a comfortable house is built. We take note of and enjoy the perfection arrived at by the florist and gardener in their harmonious display of nature's most beautiful growths. We are highly amazed as the astronomer points out the majesty and precision of the heavenly bodies that revolve and complete their circles.

All this we partly see and imperfectly understand for there are mysteries connected therewith that are not yet fully solved. Life expresses itself so differently in each person, and yet it has a strikingly similar identity in all. We know of its existence and are conscious of its powerful results, but the very principle of life is a profound mystery for us to behold. As yet, human skill and research have not been able to find for it a proper solution or explain its connection with matter for a season and final disconnection; yet it is the most interesting study and will produce the most beneficial results.

A person's own work is the best compliment of himself, indeed, the most effective silent eulogy of his whole life. There is a lasting relation between the maker and the product of his hands, mind, and heart, no matter how much argument may be produced to the contrary. Our own work is a hve revelation of the mystery of hfe hidden within us and gives us character and manhood. We often make our choice of artisan from the impression of the thing made rather than from the appearance of the producer, who has transferred his mental image to the article made.

There are mysterious facts revealed between things visible and invisible when life's influence receives the oroper relation thereto.

In like manner the work of the whole creation, including man, testifies of the Creator and is partly a revelation of Him and His wise plan. From each item in the universe, no matter how small or large, there is a word of praise to the Creator in its own language, although we can not always hear or understand it plainly. There is also a law of order in the whole creation that has nothing but the highest regard for its authoritative giver. The Word that spake, and it was according to the force of His inherent quality, has left His trace among His work. The individuality of each kind is preserved for ages and transferred to a new object of the same class, yet never loses the identity; the will also in' like manner retains a lofty sentiment for its maker. This unansw^ering obedience to the Creator is partly a revelation of life itself which is in the last analysis, an invisible existing reality, whether associated with matter or not.

W^e carry this elem.ent with us in our bodies all through life. W^e study its movement in ourselves and in others. We feel the effect thereof within us and from others with whom we associate. Yet we do not understand it satisfactorily. Life is defended to the very last by ourselves and sympathizing friends, for life loves life and is set l8 The Existing Profound Mysteries.

against everything deadly; and yet we don't know what it really is.

There are marvelous revealed facts concerning life, but life itself is a mystery, and yet we believe in it as the most precious reality about us. Life is a mystery in the way of development, as is evidenced by the many noble lives that have lived and done wonders for humanity's welfare in service, sacrifice, and devotion. History is full of men of high manly character. It is the development of their lives that made them what they are in history and biography. Paul's words hold good here also : Behold ! A mystery. How they could live such good, noble lives among such corruption as that with which they often were surrounded. Their lives have a mysterious, noble, high-minded influence on us when we read of theni. Let us believe in mysteries and let them have their mysterious effect on us.

CHAPTER II. THE world's benign LIGHTS

Genesis i : 3 — And God said, Let there be light.

The earth had no form and was empty of all vegetable and animal life, but wrapped in utter darkness. This is the description given by the Creator before light was brought into existence. A more gloomy, desolate, and irregular state of things we can not conceive of. Indeed, it is a hard matter to grasp the state of things as described. It had nothing of the orderly harmony to make it agreeable to human life and sensation. It was a period and a region into which the human mind can not really enter and form any idea of the state of things, because life could not exist there; and where it can not exist, no clear conception can be reasonably formed or any mental picture be drawn. Let this impress our minds that it was a hideous, awe-inspiring state not in any way fit for life. Amid all this awful gloom and darkness the Spirit moved and caused a streak of light to flash in obedience to the Word: ''Let there be light."

Inanimate objects can exist without light, but vegetable and animal life can not. It was therefore necessary before light could be introduced that light should be brought into existence, thereby making it possible for life to exist, develop, and flourish. The Creator called forth light and with it came all the attending blessings connected therewith. Light and heat are very closely associated with life. They form the proper atmosphere for life to flourish in. The gentle, warm, yet powerful rays of the sun draws out vegetable life from the earth when spring comes and gives new expression to animal life also. They give color and beauty to all things growing with orderly harmony. Their various missions are among the many kind of plants in the universe to exert their powerful influence on each individual growth as well as each class of plants, draw out a striking, yet unified effect among them all in sprouting, developing, and ripening in fruitage. The silent and gentle appearance of the sun's rays are longed for and welcomed by all. Though gentle they are most powerful and can accomplish more than furious, blustering powers with greater demonstrations and noise.

Light is swift and far-reaching beyond comprehension of human genius. The full extent of their useful productiveness in all lines and branches of life is not fathomed as yet. By analyzing light and tracing its relation to and influence on matter and life, we can see the necessity of having it precede life. Its manifestations are much more beautiful and impressive when life flourishes in its gentle rays. Then the hidden treasures are brought out very strikingly in like manner as a photographer develops a negative from the darkness and shadow to show up complete in its fullness by the light. The gardener, by the aid of the sun's rays, changes the frozen, dead, and barren earth intO' a lovely garden spot, dotted with blossoms. Intervening objects obscure the light momentarily and, while casting shadows, help to measure distances and to determine the course of the planets.

Light is the main agent to detect and search out the hidden grandeur and sublime problems of nature by using its direct bearing on life's intelligent mind. The giver of light saw that it was good and useful to man. Its entire effect is loaded with continual blessings unmixed in its gentle appearance. It comes without any emotional disturbances whatever on its gentle wings in the morning with bright beams for all, rich or poor, high or low, sick or well alike. It has healing in its bosom and distributes it generously without favor to any particular chosen few. It has encouragement and inspiration for all. It gives strength, nourishment, and vigor to all things and persons growing. Light carries support with it for direct sustenance of life.

No wonder then that light must appear before life. No wonder that He who called it forth and saw it in all its beauty and use said it was good. The soothing and benign beams, indeed, are welcome to all and appreciated with full satisfaction by everyone. The pleasures they call forth to us are so many and varied that we can not count them all. Light has no sane enemy, for who could be so rude?

With all the good and glowing attributes we can ascribe to light, we can not develop the full meaning thereof until we apply the interpretation in a spiritual sense, with, a deeper significance and appreciation, with a higher ideal conception and brighter light for this and the next world. He who said, "Let there be light," also said, ''I am the light of the world." He comes and lights up the many things that were in darkness before. They were partly revealed by holy men of old who, through visions, dreams, and more direct communications with the Creator, had revelations concerning light, life, and things in general as well as spiritual. But the cloudy interpretations of erring men crept in and led the way to ruin, loss, and utter darkness. It was then that the true light appeared with its gentle, gleaming rays and lit up the way from darkness to the Father's home of eternal light.

Jesus, the spiritual light, came in lowliness and poverty from obscurity and humble parentage on the human side of life. Among these environments, in a gentle, winning way, he spread the light and in a measure bid the darkness to vanish. He gave life to the cold and dead religious forms of service into which the people had fallen at that time. He associated with those but little thought of such as the poor and the despised people more readily than with the rich and sightly. His life was given to serve the sick, weak, blind, and those in any way infirm. His aid was extended with the deepest sympathy for all needy. His assistance went out to the suffering ones. He worked in a quiet, gentle, and humble way, yet very effectively in establishing a lasting and far-reaching influence for good among men. Those who accepted His gracious offers and heeded His calls were greatly benefitted.

As the needy and infirm are looking for help, they found in Him a ready helper. He administered to all spiritual wants as readily as to physical. He puts forth great efforts to show that all are equally in need of repentance of sin and welcome to accept the spiritual life by grace through faith, and live a new life in the light of His glory. This light shows up human nature as none other had ever done before and revealed a more intelligent understanding of the Father and His attitude toward fallen humanity. The beaming smiles of love and assuring welcome by the Father were replete and unmistakable in the Son's calm face and bosom. He so fully represented the heavenly Father that He said, "He that seeth me hath seen my Father"; also, **I and my Father are one." He takes all pains and exerts such heartfelt efforts to show us God's attitude toward sinners and make known the good tidings of mercy, love, and forgiveness that comes from the Father to us fallen and erring sinners.

What a light He is in the world today. How powerful its 'beams are in spreading the gospel truth. Nearly all nationalities are under their wholesome, enlightening influence. These rays show up the brightest side of the life, also the necessity and desirability of its holiness. This light shows up our future home in the new Jerusalem, so beautifully described that it makes us long for a residence there, for an endless day of pleasure in the Father's house.