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SCIENCE
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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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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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