Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15
The Fourth Dimension.
The Observations of a Philosophical
Friend OF Ours.)

klHc OD5ciFdiiOho u :"
Friend of Ours)
We ordinary mortals are satisfied that
there are only three dimensions--length,
breadth, and thickness. And yet philo-
sophers maintain that We are assuming
a great deal. There are a great many
things in Heaven and earth that we have
never dreamed OF; ana 1t proves nothing
that our experiences only contain certain
things. That does not prove that there
are not others very different or very
much beyond what we know.
Now. they say, II is conceivable that
there are beings who know OF only one
dimension-length. They move only In a
straight line, up OF down. They know no.
thing of breadth or thickness. They live
in Longland. Then, there may be be-
lngs who have only two dimensions
length and breadth. They live in Flat
land. and move on planes. and live on
flats. They are Flatlanders. They may
laugh at the people OF Longland; but they
know nothing OF us superior beings who
have three dimensions; and so We who
have length, breadth, and thickness are
absolutely confined to our condition, as
much as the Longlanders and Flatlanders
are to theirs. And how can we have
any conception OF those or higher
sphere? Why should there not be
fourth dimension, for which we have no
idea or name? We say We have only
five senses. But they are beginning TO
say We have good many more. An
engineer has a sense OF distance, or size,
OF adjustment. Outsiders see experts In
all calllngs by mere instinct perceiving
and Judging and determining things. We
are learning TO treat as sixth sense
faith, which enables US TO realize the
unseen Faith is said to be the substance
OF things hoped for and the evidence
OF things unseen. 1t is the perceiver
and realzer OF the supernatural. New
conditions and new environments and
new necessities develop new susceptiDlll-
ties, and new possibilities In us. A man rs
made an altogether new creature py MS
surroundings and influences. Our whole
life, from early babyhood to extreme oio
age. is unfolding and expanding DelnB'
one age is but the preface or preparation
for another-the antechamber. Unloidihs
and expanding Is the way OF HE. we are
bulbs with our roots all wrapped cloSeiy
tOSetner, or SeeuS VI lhhhitS b~AAtiNN.
We are little OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Ana
Just as the spring sun makes the earth
to feel its reviyifying power and causes
the seeds and germs that are In II 10
swell. TO bud. to blossom, TO bring forth
fruit. SO the light Of the Divine counte-
nance and the Spirit Of light and lie
cherish and enliven the souls or men.
As bulbs we throw out roots, our sympa-
thies. our senslbilitles, our cravings, our
asplratIons, that find their satisfaction
and enrich and enlarge the soul. Ad-
vancine years and enlarging hearts and
expanding minds develop and disclose and
make familiar new possibilities Oh hle'
and new susceptibilitles OF happiness.
They are veritable new dimensions. we
can among men almost designate Long
landers and Flatlanders as cherry-stones
or pea-dwellers-as Heretofore cave
dwelIersi And we meet characters that
ara 10 us revelations. We had not con-
ceived of such things as possible. And
modestly We say:
I'm their bright radiance and collateral
light
Must we be comforted not In their
sphere"
This DISCUSSION OF the fourth dimension
may be scholastic: but there Is sense and
a lesson I'm Il worth needing. II Is what
wonderful possibilities there are above
and beyond our experiences, and our
own attalnments OF knowledge. Of power.
OF virtue and grace. II is very dan
gerous thing to be hide-bound and mar
row-minded