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MAN AND NATURE 48 |
If we look with a perceiving eye upon the world of creation, we
find that all existing things may be classified as follows: First—Mineral—that is to say matter or substance appearing in various
forms of composition. Second—Vegetable—possessing the virtues of
the mineral plus the power of augmentation or growth, indicating a
degree higher and more specialized than the mineral. Third—Animal—possessing the attributes of the mineral and vegetable plus the
power of sense perception. Fourth—Human—the highest specialized
organism of visible creation, embodying the qualities of the mineral,
vegetable and animal plus an ideal endowment absolutely minus and
absent in the lower kingdoms—the power of intellectual investigation
into the mysteries of outer phenomena. The outcome of this intellectual
endowment is science which is especially characteristic of man. This
scientific power investigates and apprehends created objects and the
laws surrounding them. It is the discoverer of the hidden and mysterious
secrets of the material universe and is peculiar to man alone.
The most noble and praiseworthy accomplishment of man therefore
is scientific knowledge and attainment.
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Science may be likened to a mirror wherein the images of the
mysteries of outer phenomena are reflected. It brings forth and exhibits
to us in the arena of knowledge all the product of the past.
It links together past and present. The philosophical conclusions of
bygone centuries, the teachings of the prophets and wisdom of former
sages are crystallized and reproduced in the scientific advancement of
today. Science is the discoverer of the past. From its premises of past
and present we deduce conclusions as to the future. Science is the
governor of nature and its mysteries, the one agency by which man
explores the institutions of material creation. All created things are
captives of nature and subject to its laws. They cannot transgress the
control of these laws in one detail or particular. The infinite starry
worlds and heavenly bodies are nature’s obedient subjects. The earth
and its myriad organisms, all minerals, plants and animals are thralls
of its dominion. But man through the exercise of his scientific, intellectual
power can rise out of this condition, can modify, change and
control nature according to his own wishes and uses. Science, so to
speak, is the “breaker” of the laws of nature.
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Consider, for example, that man according to natural law should
dwell upon the surface of the earth. By overcoming this law and
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restriction however he sails in ships over the ocean, mounts to the
zenith in aeroplanes and sinks to the depths of the sea in submarines.
This is against the fiat of nature and a violation of her sovereignty
and dominion. Nature’s laws and methods, the hidden secrets and
mysteries of the universe, human inventions and discoveries, all our
scientific acquisitions should naturally remain concealed and unknown,
but man through his intellectual acumen searches them out of the
plane of the invisible, draws them into the plane of the visible, exposes
and explains them. For instance, one of the mysteries of nature is
electricity. According to nature this force, this energy should remain
latent and hidden, but man scientifically breaks through the very
laws of nature, arrests it and even imprisons it for his use.
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In brief, man through the possession of this ideal endowment
of scientific investigation is the most noble product of creation, the
governor of nature. He takes the sword from nature’s hand and uses
it upon nature’s head. According to natural law, night is a period of
darkness and obscurity, but man by utilizing the power of electricity,
by wielding this electric sword overcomes the darkness and dispels
the gloom. Man is superior to nature and makes nature do his bidding.
Man is a sensitive being; nature is minus sensation. Man has memory
and reason; nature lacks them. Man is nobler than nature. There are
powers within him of which nature is devoid. It may be claimed that
these powers are from nature itself and that man is a part of nature.
In answer to this statement we will say that if nature is the whole and
man is a part of that whole, how could it be possible for a part to
possess qualities and virtues which are absent in the whole. Undoubtedly
the part must be endowed with the same qualities and
properties as the whole. For example, the hair is a part of the human
anatomy. It cannot contain elements which are not found in other
parts of the body, for in all cases the component elements of the body
are the same. Therefore it is manifest and evident that man, although
in body a part of nature, nevertheless in spirit possesses a power
transcending nature; for if he were simply a part of nature and
limited to material laws he could possess only the things which
nature embodies. God has conferred upon and added to man a distinctive
power, the faculty of intellectual investigation into the
secrets of creation, the acquisition of higher knowledge, the greatest
virtue of which is scientific enlightenment.
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As material and physical sciences are taught here
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and are constantly
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unfolding in wider vistas of attainment, I am hopeful that
spiritual development may also follow and keep pace with these outer
advantages. As material knowledge is illuminating those within the
walls of this great temple of learning, so also may the light of the
spirit, the inner and divine light of the real philosophy glorify this
institution. The most important principle of divine philosophy is the
oneness of the world of humanity, the unity of mankind, the bond
conjoining East and West, the tie of love which blends human hearts.
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Therefore it is our duty to put forth our greatest efforts and
summon all our energies in order that the bonds of unity and accord
may be established among mankind. For thousands of years we have
had bloodshed and strife. It is enough; it is sufficient. Now is the time
to associate together in love and harmony. For thousands of years we
have tried the sword and warfare; let mankind for a time at least
live in peace. Review history and consider how much savagery, how
much bloodshed and battle the world has witnessed. It has been
either religious warfare, political warfare or some other clash of human
interests. The world of humanity has never enjoyed the blessing of
Universal Peace. Year by year the implements of warfare have been
increased and perfected. Consider the wars of past centuries; only ten,
fifteen or twenty thousand at the most were killed but now it is
possible to kill one hundred thousand in a single day. In ancient
times warfare was carried on with the sword; today it is the smokeless
gun. Formerly battleships were sailing vessels; today they are dreadnoughts.
Consider the increase and improvement in the weapons of
war. God has created us all human and all countries of the world are
parts of the same globe. We are all his servants. He is kind and just
to all. Why should we be unkind and unjust to each other? He provides
for all. Why should we deprive one another? He protects and preserves
all. Why should we kill our fellow-creatures? If this warfare and strife
be for the sake of religion, it is evident that it violates the spirit and
basis of all religion. All the divine Manifestations have proclaimed
the oneness of God and the unity of mankind. They have taught that
men should love and mutually help each other in order that they
might progress. Now if this conception of religion be true, its essential
principle is the oneness of humanity. The fundamental truth of the
Manifestations is peace. This underlies all religion, all justice. The
divine purpose is that men should live in unity, concord and agreement
and should love one another. Consider the virtues of the human
world and realize that the oneness of humanity is the primary foundation
of them all. Read the gospel and the other holy books. You will
find their fundamentals are one and the same.
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1. | Columbia University, New York City. [ Back To Reference] |