SCIENCE

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 super-power 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 sciences 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 mind

callous and indifferent 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. Man as it were takes the sword out of nature's

hand and with it for his sceptre of authority dominates nature itself.

Nature is without the crown of human faculties and attributes. Man

possesses conscious intelligence and reflection; nature is minus. 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,--among them faith, confession and

acknowledgment of God, while nature is devoid of all these. The ideal

faculties of man, including the capacity of 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 bounds 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 the white and colored races;

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 God!