Among the doctrines of Belial is the theory that we must familiarize
ourselves with evil if we would have power to resist it.
Jean François Millet in the middle of the last century was
engaged on his early pictures. As they appeared one after
another they astonished and delighted all lovers of art
throughout the world. What were the subjects of these wonderful
paintings? They were all deeply religious--the “Angelus,” the
“Sower,” the “Man with the Hoe,” the “Winnower,” the “Gleaners.”
These masterpieces were not only spiritual, but were replete
with beauty, pathos, power, and with all the works of the
highest genius. Now, the theory had been popular that an artist
must revel in fleshly and voluptuous presentations of life. But
Millet hated the salaciousness of Greece, and Rome was abhorrent
to him. He was a lifelong lover of his Bible, and his life was
one of devotion and purity. (Text.)
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