 |
| Chicago, 1910 |
April 30, 1912
God has stated in the Bible, the Old Testament, "We have created man
in our own image and likeness" This statement indicates the fact that man
in some particular is of the image and likeness of God; that is to say, the
Perfections of God, the Divine Virtues, have become reflected or revealed in the
human reality. Just as the effulgent and the light of the sun, when cast upon a
mirror, is reflected fully, gloriously, if the mirror be polished, so likewise
the virtues of Divinity are possible of reflection in the human reality. And
this makes it evident that man is the most noble of God's creatures.
When you observe created beings, you find that the mineral kingdom is
endowed with certain virtues. And we observe that the vegetable kingdom has not
only the virtues of the mineral kingdom but it is endowed with another property
namely, the virtue augmentative or the power of growth. The animal kingdom
possesses the virtues or powers of the mineral kingdom plus those of the
vegetable kingdom, and moreover it possesses certain peculiar properties of its
own. The human kingdom is endowed with the virtues or perfections of the mineral
kingdom and those of the vegetable kingdom, and the perfections of the animal
kingdom, and moreover has the human virtues. This makes it evident that man is
superior and most noble, and he is the most glorious of beings!
Man is the microcosm and this endless world is the macrocosm. But the
mysteries of the macrocosm, the greater world, are expressed or revealed in the
microcosm or the lesser world. The tree is the greater world, so to speak, and
a seed holds the relation of the lesser world. But the whole of the tree is
potentially latent in the seed. An immense tree, a colossal tree, is latent or
hidden within a small seed. So when this seed is cultivated, is planted, then
it is made possible of revelation. Likewise the greater world, the macrocosm, is
latent and involved in the microcosm or the lesser world, and that is the
universality of the virtues which is particularized in man.
This man who has been called the image and likeness of God: Let us find
out just where and how he is the image and likeness of the Lord, and what is
the standard or criterion whereby he can be measured. The criterion or the
standard can be no other than the Divine virtues within men, which are Divine
and after His image. Therefore every man who is imbued with the Divine qualities,
who reveals the heavenly perfections and heavenly morals, who is an expression
of the praiseworthy attributes, ideal in nature, is verily an image and
likeness of God. If a man should possess wealth, can we call him an image and
likeness of God? Or is human honor the criterion whereby he can be called the
image of God? Or can we apply a color test as a criterion, and say such and
such a one is colored with a certain hue and he is, therefore, in the image of
God? Can we say, for example, a man who is green in hue is an image of God? Or
can we make another distinction, saying that one who is white is any more an
image of God? Is simply the white color a criterion whereby man is to be
judged? And shall we make a sweeping statement like that? Or is it reasonable
for us to choose the dark color, supposing we say a colored man is, after all,
the image and likeness, just because of his color, or the red-skinned man,
shall he be the image and likeness of God? Or shall we declare the yellow race
to be a creation and therefore an image and likeness of God? Can we say simply
that so and so is yellow in color, therefore he must be an image and likeness
of God? Hence we come to the conclusion that colors are of no importance.
Colors are accidental in nature. That which is essential is the humanitarian
aspect. And that is the manifestation of Divine virtues and that is the
Merciful Bestowals. That is the Eternal Life. That is the baptism through the
Holy Spirit. Therefore let it be known that color is of no importance. Man, who
is the image and likeness of God, who is the manifestation of the Bestowals of
God, is acceptable at the Threshold of God whatever be his color. Let him be
blue in color, or white, or green, or brown, that matters not. Man is not to be
pronounced man simply because of bodily attributes. Man is to be judged according
to his intelligence and to his spirit. Because he is to be judged according to
spirit and intelligence, therefore let that be the only criterion. That is the
image of God.
If man’s temperament be white, if his heart be white, let his outer skin
be black: if his heart be black and his temperament be black, let him be blond,
it is of no importance. Therefore, all importance is the character of the
heart. The heart which is brighter in the estimation of God, is dearer. Inasmuch
as God has endowed man with this Bestowal, such a favor, that he is called the
Image of God, this is truly a great station. And this great station is not to
be sacrificed for color's sake.
(Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 4, May 17, 1912)
