What is mystery to many men, what feeds their worship and at the same time spoils it, is that area round all great truth which is really capable of illumination, and into which every earnest mind is permitted and commanded to go with the light. We cry "Mystery" long before the region of mystery comes. True mystery casts no shadows around. It is a sudden and awful gulf yawning across the field of knowledge; it's form is irregular, but its lips are clean-cut and sharp, and the mind can go to the very verge and look down the precipice into the dim abyss.
"Where writhing clouds unroll,
Striving to utter themselves in shapes."
~ Natural Law: "Biogenesis."
1851
The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of the Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppresssion neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator.
~ Footsteps of Truth
1890
God's Extras
God could have made the sun to rise
Without such splendor in the skies;
He could have made the sun to set
Without the glory greater yet.
He could have made the corn to grow
Without the sunny golden glow;
The fruit without those colors bright,
So pleasent to the taste and sight.
He could have made the ocean roll
Without such music for the soul —
The mighty anthem, loud and strong —
And birds without their clear, sweet song
The God who fashioned flow'rs and trees,
Delights to give us things that please,
And all His handiwork so fair
His glory and His love declare.
Yes, He Who made the earth and skies
Gave "extras" for our ears and eyes,
And while my heart with rapture sings,
I thank Him for the "extra things."
~ Margaret K. Frazer