Page:Democratic Ideals (Olympia Brown).djvu/100

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The Radiant Center


the magnetic power which the whole mass exerts is the original undiminished force of the magnet plus the magnetic power of each atom that has been magnetized by it. Thus, as we develop in spiritual power the Supreme Perfection adds power to its own to manifest higher perfection. This spiritual paradox is explained by the fact that the Absolute when manifested becomes relative and proceeds along the line of evolution.

Man was made in the image of God, the root idea of the word "image" being "shadow." It is interesting to note that a different word, which means an exact copy, is used in that passage (Hebrews 1, 3) which refers to Jesus as being "the express image of God." This is what man has to become. In the first chapter of Genesis God is represented as saying, "Let us make man in our image or shadow, but it is never said that He made man in his likeness. This is what the Divine in man himself has to achieve — to become, as Jesus did, the likeness or exact copy of God. Man is not a finished creation. "If he were," said Balzac, "God would cease to exist." He is working on himself, a coworker with God. He has now the vision of his final destiny and he lends himself to the Great Sculptor who sees the likeness in the image and with many a chisel stroke is bringing it out into the form divine.

The Bible says of man, "Thou hast put all