As I stand here tonight and look upon this assembly, I am reminded
curiously of a beautiful bouquet of violets gathered together in varying
colors, dark and light. This is an evidence and indication that the United
States of America is a just and free government, for I see black and white
seated together in perfect harmony and agreement. Hearts are united. This
just government makes such a meeting possible. You should thank God
continually that you enjoy the security and protection of a government
which furthers your development and rules with impartial equity and
equality toward all, even as a father; for in the human world there is no
greater blessing. This evening I will speak to you upon scientific
subjects.
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 superpower 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 science 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
callous and indifferent mind 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 this. Man, as it were, takes the sword out of
nature's hand and with it for his scepter of authority dominates nature
itself. Nature is without the crown of human faculties and attributes. Man
possesses conscious intelligence and reflection; nature does not. 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, faith, confession and acknowledgment of
God--while nature is devoid of all these. The ideal faculties of man,
including the capacity for 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 bonds 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 whites and blacks, 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 ye God! I will now pray in your behalf.
24 April 1912
Talk at Children's Reception
Studio Hall
1219 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C.