We call the body matter, but it is as much mortal mind, according to its degree, as the brains that furnish the evolution of all mortal things, — which, strange to say, start from the lowest instead of the highest mortal thought. The reverse is the case with all the formations of the Divine, Immortal Mind. They proceed from the highest source, and constantly ascend the scale of infinite being.
In the lower, basal thought of mortals begin the formations of embryotic mind. Next we have brains, matter, the formation of beliefs. From belief comes the reproduction of the species — first inanimate, and then animate mind. But brain is ignorant of thought, ignorant of what it produces in its circle upon the body.
Thought fills the man with beliefs of pain or pleasure, of life and death, arranging matter into five so-called senses, that presently judge a man by the size of his brain and the bulk of matter gathered about him.
The birth, growth, maturity, and decay of mortals are as the grasses that spring from the dark and dirty soil to become beautiful green blades, — then to wither and return to their native nothingness.
The Hebrew bard swept his lyre with saddening strains about mortal existence: —
As for man, his days are as grass.
As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth;
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone,
And the place thereof shall know it no more.
When hope rose higher in his heart, and he grasped
the realities of Divine Being, the Psalmist wrote: —
