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SCIENCE 60 |
The virtues of humanity are many but science is the most noble
of them all. The distinction which man enjoys above and beyond
the station of the animal is due to this paramount virtue.
It is a bestowal of God; it is not material, it is divine. Science is an
effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the power of investigating and discovering
the verities of the universe, the means by which man finds a
pathway to God. All the powers and attributes of man are human and
hereditary in origin, outcomes of nature’s processes, except the intellect,
which is supernatural. Through intellectual and intelligent
inquiry science is the discoverer of all things. It unites present and
past, reveals the history of bygone nations and events, and confers
upon man today the essence of all human knowledge and attainment
throughout the ages. By intellectual processes and logical deductions
of reason, this super-power in man can penetrate the mysteries of the
future and anticipate its happenings.
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Science is the first emanation from God toward man. All created
beings embody the potentiality of material perfection, but the power
of intellectual investigation and scientific acquisition is a higher virtue
specialized to man alone. Other beings and organisms are deprived of
this potentiality and attainment. God has created or deposited this
love of reality in man. The development and progress of a nation is
according to the measure and degree of that nation’s scientific attainments.
Through this means, its greatness is continually increased and
day by day the welfare and prosperity of its people are assured.
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All blessings are divine in origin but none can be compared with
this power of intellectual investigation and research which is an eternal
gift producing fruits of unending delight. Man is ever partaking of
these fruits. All other blessings are temporary; this is an everlasting
possession. Even sovereignty has its limitations and overthrow; this
is a kingship and dominion which none may usurp or destroy. Briefly;
it is an eternal blessing and divine bestowal, the supreme gift of God
to man. Therefore you should put forward your most earnest efforts
toward the acquisition of sciences and arts. The greater your attainment,
the higher your standard in the divine purpose. The man of
science is perceiving and endowed with vision whereas he who is ignorant
and neglectful of this development is blind. The investigating
mind is attentive, alive; the mind callous and indifferent is deaf and
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dead. A scientific man is a true index and representative of humanity,
for through processes of inductive reasoning and research he is informed
of all that appertains to humanity, its status, conditions and
happenings. He studies the human body politic, understands social
problems and weaves the web and texture of civilization. In fact,
science may be likened to a mirror wherein the infinite forms and images
of existing things are revealed and reflected. It is the very foundation
of all individual and national development. Without this basis
of investigation, development is impossible. Therefore seek with diligent
endeavor the knowledge and attainment of all that lies within
the power of this wonderful bestowal.
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We have already stated that science or the attribute of scientific
penetration is supernatural and that all other blessings of God are
within the boundary of nature. What is the proof of this? All created
things except man are captives of nature. The stars and suns swinging
through infinite space, all earthly forms of life and existence whether
mineral, vegetable or animal come under the dominion and control of
natural law. Man through scientific knowledge and power rules nature
and utilizes her laws to do his bidding. According to natural limitations
he is a creature of earth restricted to life upon its surface, but through
scientific utilization of material laws he soars in the sky, sails upon the
ocean and dives beneath it. The products of his invention and discovery
so familiar to us in daily life were once mysteries of nature. For
instance, man has brought electricity out of the plane of the invisible
into the plane of the visible, harnessed and imprisoned that mysterious
natural agent and made it the servant of his needs and wishes. Similar
instances are many but we will not prolong. Man as it were takes the
sword out of nature’s hand and with it for his sceptre of authority
dominates nature itself. Nature is without the crown of human faculties
and attributes. Man possesses conscious intelligence and reflection;
nature is minus. This is an established fundamental among philosophers.
Man is endowed with volition and memory; nature has neither.
Man can seek out the mysteries latent in nature whereas nature is not
conscious of her own hidden phenomena. Man is progressive; nature is
stationary, without the power of progression or retrogression. Man is
endowed with ideal virtues, for example intellection, volition,—among
them faith, confession and acknowledgment of God, while nature is
devoid of all these. The ideal faculties of man, including the capacity
of scientific acquisition are beyond nature’s ken. These are powers
whereby man is differentiated and distinguished from all other forms
of life. This is the bestowal of divine idealism, the crown adorning
human heads. Notwithstanding the gift of this supernatural power, it
is most amazing that materialists still consider themselves within the
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bounds and captivity of nature. The truth is that God has endowed
man with virtues, powers and ideal faculties of which nature is entirely
bereft and by which man is elevated, distinguished and superior. We
must thank God for these bestowals, for these powers He has given us,
for this crown He has placed upon our heads.
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How shall we utilize these gifts and expend these bounties? By
directing our efforts toward the unification of the human race. We
must use these powers in establishing the oneness of the world of humanity;
appreciate these virtues by accomplishing the unity of the
white and colored races; devote this divine intelligence to the perfecting
of amity and accord among all branches of the human family, so
that under the protection and providence of God, the East and West
may hold each other’s hands and become as lovers. Then will mankind
be as one nation, one race and kind; as waves of one ocean. Although
these waves may differ in form and shape, they are waves of the same
sea. Flowers may be variegated in colors but they are all flowers of one
garden. Trees differ though they grow in the same orchard. All are
nourished and quickened into life by the bounty of the same rain; all
grow and develop by the heat and light of the one sun; all are refreshed
and exhilarated by the same breeze; that they may bring forth varied
fruits. This is according to the creative wisdom. If all trees bore the
same kind of fruit it would cease to be delicious. In their never ending
variety man finds enjoyment instead of monotony.
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And now as I look into your faces I am reminded of trees varying
in color and form but all bearing luscious and delectable fruits, fragrant
and delightful to the inner and outer senses. The radiance and
spirituality of this meeting is through the favor of God. Our hearts are
uplifted in thankfulness to Him. Praise be to God! you are living upon
the great continent of the West enjoying the perfect liberty, security
and peace of this just government. There is no cause for sorrow or unhappiness
anywhere; every means of happiness and enjoyment is
about you, for in this human world there is no greater blessing than
liberty. You do not know. I who for forty years have been a prisoner,
do know. I do know the value and blessing of liberty. For you have
been and are now living in freedom and you have no fear of anybody.
Is there a greater blessing than this? Freedom! Liberty! Security!
These are the great bestowals of God. Therefore praise God!
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