The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-09

rOlling ocean, almost with thef swift
ness OF light, is due to this supreme
mastery of the human spirit. The
materialist says that what we call the
soul is but a blossom of matter. But
see how completely this blossom con-
trolls the stem upon which it hangs. 1t
is wonderful that the mind should have
such complete control over the outward
movements of the body. Do you not
think of this when you see the fingers
of the pianist sweeping the ivory
keys2 Did you not think of it the
other evening when that young
man touched the strings of the harp
with such consummates kill +? But the
mind exercises a greater influence
over the body than this. 1t yields its
scepter even over the vital forces of the
body in no small degree. Is it reason
able to say that this regal spirit is an
inseparable part Of this earthly house
in which it lives, and which it so COM
pletely rules Is it not more reason
able to say that it is tenant, that at
some period moved in, and gradually
awakened to the consciousness of its
abode? Not fame from an earthly
candle but flame from quite another
cource. Now this is what religion as
serts; and it is what Solomon suggest
ed centuries ago: "The spirit of man
Is the candle of the Lord" 1t is a
beam from the everlasting sun of
righteousness. 1t is a divine flame
shining out from an earthly lamp, and
whatever may happen to the lamp this
flame cannot be destroyed. If not soon-
er broken by calamity or wasted by
disease, the lamp will crumble to
pieces by and by, but the flame that
has shone from it for a little while
here will shine on forever.
Now let us turn our attention for as
few moments to some suggestions of
this sublime thought. That which we
call ourselves cannot be destroyed. 1t
is immortal in its nature. We our
selves. are intellectual; our spiritual
being lives on forever. Does not this
doctrine lend vast additional impor-
lance to this present life? The COM
plant is sometimes made against this
world that it is not very satisfactory
field of action. 1t is sometimes said that
there is not any great encouragement
for effort here; that our accomplish
ments, however successful we may be
in them, scarcely repay the cost. We
are permitted to enjoy them at the
longest, but brief period.
'.'Tis the wink of an eye. It's the draught of a
breath
From the blossom of health to the paleness of
death"
Man lays his plans for fortune and
happiness. He strives to fulfill them.
He is ambitious of position. He covets
the coronet of fame. Suppose he
achieves what he attempts. Possibly he
barely begins to enjoy the harvest of
his labors when he is called from the
field. At the longest, he is permitted
to remain but little while among his
garnered sheaves. He may be surround
ed by the trophies of many victory, but
there soon comes an unconquerable
enemy that despoils him of it all and
sends him empty handed away.
Now whatever reason materialism
may offer for this complaint, on the
supposition that 1.-THE spirit of man is
the candle Of the Lord that what we
call ourselves bears an undying life
there is certainly no reason for it. The
words of the apostle that, 1--WE brought
nothing into this world and it is certain
we can carry nothing out" can refer
only to the earthly. We can carry
something out. We can carry out our
material possessions in sense. They
can be made to yield a spiritual equiv
alent for themselves. Wealth may be
built not only into brick blocks but into
the walls OF the soul. 1t may be trans
formed into knowledge and goodness.
Gold may be made into pens, asst were,
that will writ e beautiful memories
upon the heart. knowledge and good
ness are the most valuable acquisitions
of life, and these are gathered into our
selves, become part of our spiritual
being and so live on. A person can
change his land into jewels and so, in
sense, carry it with him wherever he
goes. So we can change earthly pos
sessions into spiritual jewels and take
them as ornaments for the heavenly
home. We need leave only the husks
of our harvest behind; the grain we
can take with US. Every fact learned,
all good done is furnishing and orna-
ment for that "house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" Every
good deed done, is "a thing of beauty
and joy forever"
The question may be asked whether
there is not much less pleasant sug-
gestion from this doctrine, that our
spiritual house is to be eternal in the
heavens. Suppose a person has not
been diligent in the harvest field of
wisdom and goodness. Suppose he has
lived selishly, sinfully; that he has