SPIRITUALITY OF LIGHT. 463 



other passages in the sacred writings in which 

 the Deity is more especially described as resid- 

 ing in, and operating through the agency of light 

 or fire : u who dwelleth in light inaccessible and 

 full of glory who is clothed with light as with a 

 garment who maketh his ministers a flaming 

 fire," &c. 



Whatever may be the true interpretation of 

 such language, it clearly shews how exalted were 

 the views of the inspired writers in regard to 

 the agency of light in the work of the universe. 

 The plain matter of fact is, that there is nothing 

 in nature so divinely pure, spiritual, and beautiful 

 as light. By means of this aetherial medium, we 

 hold communion with the starry worlds, and jour- 

 ney as on the wings of imagination, through the 

 celestial plains. The health and spirits of all 

 animated beings are awakened to renewed energy 

 by the solar rays ; but languish in their absence, 

 or when intercepted by mists and clouds. When 

 surrounded with cold and darkness, the bright- 

 ness of fancy, like the external colours of crea- 

 tion, is quenched, and all the energies of life are 

 brought low. 



The unsophisticated language of mankind, in 

 every age and country, has been obviously 

 founded on the intuitive belief, that fire is in some 

 way immediately connected with all the opera- 

 tions of life, sensation, and thought. The fol- 

 lowing expressions are not merely metaphorical, 

 but vivid and faithful representations of nature, 



