The Chautauquan, Vol. 03, May 1883Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
History
The Chautauquan, Vol. 03, May 1883
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
Chautauqua Institution -- Periodicals; Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle -- Periodicals
This God is a spirit; not having such a body, such parts, or passions,
as men have. It was the opinion both of the ancient Jews and the
ancient Christians, that he alone is a pure spirit, totally separate
from all matter: whereas, they supposed all other spirits, even the
highest angels, even cherubim and seraphim, to dwell in material
vehicles, though of an exceeding light and subtile substance. At
that point of duration, which the infinite wisdom of God saw to
be most proper, for reasons which lie hid in the abyss of his own
understanding, not to be fathomed by any finite mind, God “called into
being all that is;” created the heavens and the earth, together with
all that they contain. “All things were created by him, and without him
was not anything made that was made.” He created man, in particular,
after his own image, to be “a picture of his own eternity.” When he had
raised man from the dust of the earth, he breathed into him an immortal
spirit. Hence he is peculiarly called, “The Father of our spirits;”
yea, “The Father of the spirits of all flesh.”
“He made all things,” as the wise man observes, “for himself.” “For his
glory they were created.” Not “as if he needed anything,” seeing “He
giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” He made all things
to be happy. He made man to be happy in himself. He is the proper
center of spirits; for whom every created spirit was made. So true is
that well-known saying of the ancient fathers: _fecisti nos ad te: et
irrequietum est cor nostrum, donec requiescat in te_. “Thou hast made
us for thyself; and our heart can not rest till it resteth in thee.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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