74 3IR. J. HASSELL 



Mind with the human mind may be a mystery^ its mysterious- 

 ness is no valid ground for its denial. There are many things 

 in nature which are mysteries, and yet we know them to be 

 facts. Thus the transmission of the magnetic force is a 

 mystery. Every student of science knows that the attractive 

 force of the magnet can pass through both solids and liquids, 

 as well as through gases. But not even a Faraday nor a 

 Tyndall can explain how it is done. There stands the fact 

 that the intangible power penetrates the solid mass, and 

 passes through it without losing any of its properties in its 

 passage ; but to the question, How is this accomplished ? 

 there is no answer. What is true, in this particular, of mag- 

 netism, is true also of many other forces of nature. If, then, 

 there be mysteries connected with the physical sciences which 

 we cannot unravel, and yet we believe in them, why should 

 we hesitate to accept the mystery of the communication of 

 the Divine Mind with the human mind ? In other words, why 

 should we doubt the possibility, or probability, of a revela- 

 tion from God concerning those things which relating to 

 Himself and man's future could not otherwise be known ? 

 Admitting, then, the possibility, and assuming the probability, 

 of a revelation from God, it may naturally be asked. Are the 

 Scriptures as we have them a Divine revelation ? are they 

 the communication of the Divine Mind to certain individuals ? 



In considering this part of the subject, it will be necessary 

 to notice the ways in which the Divine Mind could commu- 

 nicate His will to His creatures. 



In the first place, it is conceivable that God could, if He 

 pleases, make known His will to man through the instru- 

 mentality of angels. But such a revelation would need to be 

 constantly repeated, in order that each succeeding genera- 

 tion might be made acquainted with the truth thus made 

 known. In the second place, it is conceivable that God 

 could, if He pleases, make known His will to man by the in- 

 strumentality of language, or mental suggestions — God him- 

 self speaking to man either by an audible voice, or by silent 

 suggestion, or by visions. If it is possible, as we know it 

 is, for an intangible force to pass into a solid body, pro- 

 ducing — as in the case of heat — an alteration in the condi- 

 tion of the body, why should it be considered impossible for 

 the Divine Mind to pass into the human mind, and thus reveal 

 truths which could not otherwise be known. Nor is it un- 

 reasonable to believe that God can, if He pleases, grant to 

 man visions of Himself, and thus hold converse with His 

 creatures. And so we claim the right to adopt the language 

 of the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and say, "^God 



