soul are one and the same: These faculties are but the inherent properties of the soul, such as the power of imagination, of thought, of understanding; powers that are the essential requisites of the reality of man, even as the solar ray is the inherent property of the sun. The temple of man is like unto a mirror, his soul is as the sun, and his mental faculties even as the rays that emanate from that source of light. The ray may cease to fall upon the mirror, but it can in no wise be dissociated from the sun.
In short, the point is this that the world of man appears supernatural in its relation to the vegetable kingdom, though in reality it is not so. Relatively to the plant, the reality of man, his power of hearing and sight, are all supernatural, and for the plant to comprehend that reality and the nature of the powers of man’s mind is impossible. In like manner for man to comprehend the Divine Essence and the nature of the great hereafter is in no wise possible. The merciful outpourings of that Divine Essence, however, are vouchsafed unto all beings and it is incumbent upon man to ponder in his heart upon the effusions of the Divine Grace, the soul of man being counted as one sign of it, rather than upon the Divine Essence itself. This is the utmost limit for human understanding. As it has previously been mentioned, these attributes and perfections that we recount of the Divine Essence, these we have derived from the existence and observation of beings, and it is not that we have comprehended the Essence and Perfection of God. When we say that the Divine Essence understands and is free, we do not mean that we have discovered the Divine Will and Purpose, but rather that we have acquired knowledge of them through the Divine Grace revealed and manifested in the realities of things.
In conclusion, these few words are written, and unto everyone they will be a clear and conclusive evidence of the truth. Ponder them in your heart: The will of every sovereign prevails during his reign, the will of every philosopher finds expression in a handful of disciples during his lifetime, but the power of the Holy Spirit shines radiantly in the realities of the Messengers of God, and strengthens their will in such wise as to influence a great nation for thousands of years and to regenerate the human soul and revive mankind. Consider how great is this Power ! It is an extraordinary Power, an all-sufficient proof of the truth of the mission of the Prophets of God, and a conclusive evidence of the Power of Divine Inspiration.
