I say, just think of a few of the scientific discoveries we have made of
late years. I need not stay to note the wonderful developments in
surgery and medicine. They may be regarded as commonplace now; but every
one of them was a discovery. Think of the discovery of how to use steam,
and all that the discovery has led to. Allied with that, think of the
immense quantities of coal we burn, and only extract a small percentage
of its heat as yet. One of these days there will likely dawn on some
mind the correct way of using it, and then what a revelation. Think of
the tar evolved in the process of making gas, that lately went to loss,
and that is now used in dyeing. Think of the telephone wire, and more
lately the telephone without wire. Think of the heat, light and power
evolved from electricity. Think of the inventions and discoveries that
we read of almost every day. The by-products that are now a source of so
much wealth and comfort, were not dreamed of a few years ago. Do we not
see here how little we know, even in the domain of Science?
And is it to be supposed that in the spiritual realm there is not much
more to learn? Our special affinity is for things material; yet in this
domain we are only in our infancy. How much more is it so in things
spiritual. Surely it does not become us to balk at a new revelation.
In justice, however, to our backwardness in receiving any new spiritual
truth, there are some explanations. I have referred to our special
affinity for truth that relates to things physical. We have a
corresponding slowness to apprehend spiritual truth. But in addition to
this, we have to note that the truth in reference to material things is
usually subject to demonstration. We can see the thing actually done. It
is an absolute certainty; there is no room for doubt. In regard to
spiritual truth it is different. "The kingdom of heaven cometh not with
observation." There is no demonstration. The truth is apprehended by
faith, sometimes aided by revelation, or reason, or intuition, or spirit
revelation. This is where sin has obscured our spiritual vision; and
often we are still made more blind by our material employments
and pursuits.
It is not surprising then that we are slow to take up a new spiritual
idea. And we ought to be slow, lest we imbibe error in the guise of
truth. But at the same time we ought to keep an open and receptive mind,
believing that there are vast and high domains of truth yet unrevealed.
In this regard how sad it is that some of the brightest lights that
ever illuminated the world were clouded all their days by inherited
errors. Take Luther as an example. For years and years he was haunted by
the dread of eternal reprobation. And so it has been with thousands and
thousands more of the devoutest and sincerest souls. Oh, if they had
only known that there is no such thing as eternal reprobation!
XIV.
TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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