Part 1 (1/2)
The Spirit of G.o.d As Fire.
by D. Mortimore.
PREFACE.
In presenting this volume to the ”intelligence of the world,” the author is fully aware of the incredulity with which it may meet in many literary minds. Nevertheless, the truths which it contains will remain unmarred by the salient attacks of ”critics,” when they have pa.s.sed away and have ceased to be remembered. Thus it has ever been with the discovery of all great and important truths, from the creation of man down to the present day. For more than eighteen hundred years now past, the succession of a once prominent race have disbelieved in the Messiahs.h.i.+p of Christ. And even the Christian world are still divided in their belief as to a Trinity in Unity.
Some three hundred years ago, the great and learned philosopher and astronomer, Galileo, made an ascent in the empire of mind and science, and promulgated immutable truths founded upon the laws of creation, emanating from G.o.d himself; yet these were, for a time, disbelieved, and, through the bigotry of a controlling Priesthood, he was even forced to renounce them before a court of ”Cardinals” of the Romish Church, sitting as ”_inquisitors against heretical depravity_” at the city of Rome; and at the venerable age of seventy years, to accept the sentence to a dungeon for life, in the ”Inquisition;” and yet these same truths have universally prevailed. So, also, are there unbelievers to-day, in the existence of a G.o.d, and the immortality of the soul--the truth of which all Christians, and even heathens, believe.
We, therefore, feel that in advancing a new theory, especially one of such magnitude and import, that we shall meet more or less opposition; but we are willing to abide time's inevitable changes, in advancing the mind to grasp and comprehend truths which G.o.d himself has revealed for our contemplation. Still, we believe that there are many millions who are now ready to comprehend and believe, and are only waiting for a little additional light, or the grouping together of facts founded on the revelations of G.o.d, and examined in the light of a true science.
Philosophers and astronomers have advanced the idea of ”a plurality of suns, and a plurality of worlds,” and have sustained this theory by the most convincing evidence. This lays the foundation for a further advance in the contemplation of the wonderful works of the Creator, and justifies the hypothesis of a _plurality of heavens_; and we think the revelations of G.o.d, and revelations through the science of astronomy, will sustain the additional hypothesis that within what are denominated ”suns” there are vast globes or worlds, separate and apart from the surrounding _photosphere of ethereal fire_, and that within what we denominate our sun, _is our heaven_.
We have, therefore, penned the following pages with this impression fixed in our mind, and send this volume forth to encounter the enlightenment of the age, to be sifted and weighed in the _sieve_ and _scale_ of intellect; and, relying on the Word of G.o.d and His revelations to man, we feel satisfied that when the ordeal is past, we shall still have remaining ”full measure and weight.”
In order to afford a more perfect comprehension of the ”wonderful works of G.o.d,” and of His revelations to man, we have, necessarily, availed ourselves largely of the results of the science of astronomy, quoting the writings and conclusions of various eminent authors, giving due credit therefor; and to them the author acknowledges his indebtedness for statistical data and facts which could not otherwise be obtained by any single individual. Grouping these together as a.s.sistant lamps, we have relied, mainly, upon the Word of G.o.d, and His revelations, as found recorded in the Bible, and evidences manifest in perceptible and visible nature around us, while we trust that all we have written will the more forcibly impress the mind with deep humility, and with awe and reverence for the Great Jehovah, who created all by the ”Word of His power.”
We have endeavored to avoid sectarian issues, as to Protestant communities, throughout the world--save our own convictions of immutable truth in regard to the true principles of Christianity, and that salvation is offered alike freely to _all_, and that by due repentance toward G.o.d, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, all may come to the knowledge of His Truth, and ”know the Lord, whom to know aright is eternal life.” And, believing as we do, that every soul is held alike accountable to G.o.d alone--and in nowise to Pope, Bishops, or Priests--there were historical facts connected with our subject, which, we thought, justified our strictures on the Romish Church, and these it may be well for Protestants to consider.
We, therefore, dedicate this volume to the
PROTESTANT WORLD,
and, while we acknowledge our inability to do the subject ample justice; yet--hoping we have been made the humble instrument, under the direction of Divine Providence, of opening up to the mind a new field for profitable contemplation--we ask for it a candid perusal, in the spirit of prayer and Christian leniency, commending all to a careful consideration of the words of the _Psalmist_:
”By the word of the Lord were the Heavens made, and all the hosts of them by the breath of his mouth.
”The Heavens declare the glory of G.o.d, and the firmament sheweth His handy work.
”Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.”
THE AUTHOR.
THE THEME.
The theme we are now about to contemplate is one of deepest interest to the human mind. If we can fathom and unfold the mystery--as we believe we shall--by a.n.a.logy, founded in the light of _reason_, Divine revelations, and the lights afforded us by the science of Astronomy, and give tangibility to the--hitherto--chaos of the mind upon the subject, we may lay the foundation for a more comprehensive and intimate knowledge of G.o.d, the great Creator of all things, and this knowledge should lead to more speedily Christianizing the world.
G.o.d has made himself manifest in everything, and to every individual.
Nature yields to this manifestation, yet does not comprehend it. Even man, the human family--the only creatures of a high order of intelligence placed by Him upon this earth--seem not to have risen to that comprehension of knowledge to which they should attain from his lessons of the Past, as well as those of the Present, and which lessons are renewed unto us day by day.
Our princ.i.p.al theme is that of _the place of our future existence--especially_ HEAVEN.
We approach the subject with fear and trembling, asking wisdom and Divine aid of Him who hath said, ”Seek and ye shall find,” and of whom it is written, ”If any lack wisdom, let him ask of G.o.d, and it shall be given him.”
We know that we cannot throw that flood-tide of light upon the subject that the theme demands, yet we may be the humble instrument, under direction of Divine Providence, to mark out a path through the wilderness of doubt, along which may s.h.i.+ne, or through which the ”eye of faith” may catch, a ray of light from the bright ”celestial throne,” which may induce others--more able minds and giant intellects--to step forth, wielding mightily ”the sword of the spirit,” and open out to the mind a plainer path, as the ”king's highway,” leading up to that celestial world, to glory and to G.o.d.