“How can that be?”
“Behold, every man giveth color to things without, by the manner of his thought concerning them. To the good, all things are good, and to the pure, all things are pure. We gradually transform them by a transformation in ourselves, and such an inward growth may be compassed in an orderly manner with assurance.”
“But worldly wisdom hath not discerned this hidden path.”
“Verily it hath not! But it will be our delight to help in spreading this truth, and to enlighten darkened minds, as effectual doors are opened unto us. As you have learned also, the bodily tabernacle may be lifted from vexatious conditions so that it may render reasonable and pleasing service through the renewing of the mind.”
“Light of my life! truly the understanding of these things is above the price of rubies!”
“Thou speakest wisely, dear Amabel! Its very nearness causeth it to be veiled from the logic and learning of the schools. They look only with the eyes of outward observation and are moved by ‘lo here,’ and ‘lo there,’ having no light within. The creative power of high thoughts and divine ideals hath not been discovered by them. God in Nature is the Universal Life, and in man, the Son and Brother,—the Christ!”
“How beautiful! Did the prophet of Nazareth teach these things?”
“Yea, verily; to him Nature was transparent. The lilies of the field and the fowls of the air furnished him with lessons to men, and the childlike spirit of little ones was interpreted and likened to the kingdom of [pg 250]heaven. His judgment had to do with the thoughts and intents of the heart rather than with outward appearances and observances. He saw God’s image in himself. Other men have it in the inmost, but ignorantly cover it with vain and delusive imaginings. They will continue to be self-deceived so long as they behold their bodies as themselves. They who dwell in appearances cannot discern the Spirit. Some of the ancient prophets and poets saw God everywhere; but of this generation, both Jew and Gentile only feel him in special temples and synagogues, and at set times and seasons.”
“But, O Serenus! if all forces and lives are a part of the one and universal life of God, whence cometh tempests and lightnings and floods?”
“The lack of a spiritual self-consciousness, and the mistaken feeling that our seen forms are our real selves, make such things seem evil. They are but the labor and travail of Nature, and with our spiritual growth their terrors will disappear. At length we shall learn their laws, and make them our willing servants. This would be so now, were we not, ignorantly, slaves of the seen!”