CHAPTER XV.

A GEOGRAPHICAL GOD IMPOSSIBLE.

ANY metaphysical revelation that violates the positive requirements of the intellect, is no aid to human progress; yet, there is in man's mind a power-call it the INTUITION of all his thinking and feeling faculties-which transcends the perceptions, capacities, and attainments of his Intellect; a faculty of PURE REASON, to which the knowledge-acquiring faculties are constitutionally subservient, while they protect and guard the whole mental nature from myths and sentimental delusions.

The chief error of the religious world consists in heeding the mysterious intimations of the higher and intuitional, to the exclusion of the legitimate offices and truly friendly guardianship of the intellectual part. Hence the discrepancies and vagaries of supernaturalism, so repugnant to every philosophical mind, because they are impossibilities in the very nature of things. The intellect has a self-ruling and self-governing power, which, while it brings to its possessor a sure and perfect knowledge of its own limitations, acts beneficially and conservatively in protecting the higher faculties from error and extravagance.

It was an error in my interpretation of the "Arabula "" to suppose that it was a person who addressed

me. And yet it said, or, rather, I made it say, “I am come a LIGHT into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." In the presence of that illumination I realized the existence of a fundamental, unchangeable, and impersonal PRINCIPLE which also seemed like an invisible personagewhich could, would, and did judge me not only, but all mankind, and also possessed the power of saving me and all who would love him (or it) and follow his (or its) commandments. Without Intellect I should hereafter be superstitious, and a believer in the supernatural; with it, guided by the more profound love of eternal truth, I am saved and reconciled.

Το say that the Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, emanates from a person, is to annihilate all relation and proportion between cause and effect. Give God geographical limitations and you destroy his infinite existence; in other words, Intellect detects your absurdity, and proclaims your atheism. A special history, limited to time and space, with local associations and worldly events, are compatible to finite beings. The shocking absurdity of Christendom consists in affirming the philosophical and scientific impossibility that the Infinite once had a local, special, finite expression. Until that stumblingblock is removed, there will be, in the religious and theological world, no progression. Intellect, without trying to enter the saving light-realm of Arabula, will advance the Arts and Sciences; and, adhering resolutely to its positive requirements for experimental knowledge, will end in atheism, selfishness, and disgust.

CHAPTER XVI.

IMPERSONALITY OF ARABULA.

LIKE the "desire of the night for the morning" was my persevering prayer for one prolonged communion with the white golden Light, which had burst through the selfishness of Intellect and enfranchised my being.

One afternoon far spent, when the sun was gathering in its evening urn the ashes of its day of golden burnings, I walked to a sequestered seat beneath the dark maples, and resigned my soul to the voice of Eternal Light.

The dawn's rays, awakening the depths of intuitive life and love, entered my being and blessed me. Father Eternal! Thy universe is loaded and flooded with love, light, hope, and harmony. The dismal darkness of selfishness has departed. All is charity, faith, unfathomable goodness, infinite perfection. Moments, days, years, ages! They appear and disappear like the lights and shadows among flowers and trees. Persons, families, races, empires! They come and go like the rise and fall of waves upon the ocean's bosom. Heavenly Voice of Light! O, let me ask

INTELLECT." How can I comprehend thee?"
ARABULA." By studying my manifestations.”
INT.-"How am I to commence ?"

ARA.—“With the history of mankind.”

INT.-"Does the history of mankind contain evidences of your presence?"

ARA.-"I am inseparable from human life; for I am the LIGHT, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

INT.-" How can I comprehend this mystery?"

ARA." It is no mystery. My life is your life; my light is your light; my existence is your existence."

INT.—“ Do you mean that heaven lies about man in his infancy; or, that we are nearer God when innocent and youthful?"

ARA.-"Not that alone. I am born into man's intellectual consciousness only through the virgin motherthe love of the soul for truth."

INT." Is the soul's love for Truth an evidence of its virginity?"

ARA. "When the soul loves Truth for selfish purposes, it is lustful and corrupted. A virgin soul is single-eyed for Truth, and in the love of such a soul the Saviour is born."

INT. "What Saviour?”
ARA.-"The Light."

INT.- "From what does the Light save man ?"

ARA. "It judges his actions, approves his virtues, condemns his evils, rewards his obedience, punishes his transgressions, shines into his darkness, rebukes his selfishness, overthrows his skepticism, lifts him above the animals, and makes him immortal."

INT. "What are the circumstances under which this virgin mother brings man's Saviour into the world?" ARA. "In the utmost simplicity-a manger of natural relationships. is the cradle, wherein the holy mother

reposes her babe, to the surprise of worldly shepherds, beneath the wandering stars of power, compelling the admiration of proud magi in Science, and rejoicing the hearts of watching angels."

INT." Why do you speak after the manner of a received history of the birth of a personage?"

ARA.-"Because that history is the familiar drapery worn by an Eternal Verity."

INT." What Eternal Verity?"

ARA. "This! That that Light, which is the light of the world,' the living Emmanuel in the minds and hearts of men, is born of a virgin, is cradled in simplicity, preaches to the world, works wonders among the selfish, is too certainly crucified, dies into temporary darkness, is most loved by women, is guarded by angels, is resurrected, is revealed in greater glory on the mountain of experience, and in clouds of light returns to continue the work of salvation among men."

INT. "Is Christ the name of an historical personage?"

ARA.- "Christ is an ancient title for the present word, 'Arabula'an idea, the mystery of Judean religionists, the sacred Shekinah of the Oriental secret sects, the holy name for the Pure Presence, the Word, the Logos, the Symbol, the Holy Ghost, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.”

INT." What is meant by the other title, Jesus ?”

ARA.- "Jesus is the name of a personage, in whose half-mythical history is mixed the mysteries of the secret Christ. The error of sacred history, is this mixture of personalities and events with ideas and principles."