"an

open book" to many.

Without the exercise

of any fancy or ingenuity on our part, the perfect and "pre-ordained harmony" between natural and spiritual things is here unveiled—a harmony which will be clearly seen by all who thoughtfully read what we have written, because it is stated so briefly and simply that no person of ordinary intelligence need make any mistake or fail to comprehend it. May all who learn to read the spiritual meanings of the great book of symbols not only delight in them themselves,

but also endeavour to open the eyes of others to their sublime and beautiful significance, and thereby give to them the power and privilege Of a new or enlarged vision, and also a pure, satisfying, and uplifting enjoyment.

One word more. An intelligent and friendly critic in The New Church Magazine-who had discerned in reading the following pages that we are not very familiar with the writings of Swedenborg-advised us (before printing another edition)

to acquaint ourselves with that great writer's Doctrine of Correspondences. We thank him heartily for his kind suggestion, and will gladly comply therewith so far as the reading of Swedenborg's works is concerned. But we need not postpone till then the issuing of another edition of this book, inasmuch as we are quite sure that whatever may be the correspondences which the great seer-as his disciples delight to call himhas unfolded they will not lead us to alter or modify those which we have unveiled, because they are an indisputable harmony in themselves, and in perfect and manifest accord with the teachings of Scripture.

April, 1895.

W. M.

PREFACE

And

THERE are many books which deal with natural phenomena, some of which are vividly and beautifully descriptive of material things, just as they appear to the ordinary intelligent observer. There are others which scientifically describe the operations of natural laws by which the growth and decay of all earthly things are determined. there are others-not so many, but still a goodly number-which regard the objects of Nature as emblems of Christian realities, and all her laws as analogous to other and higher laws, which act in the sphere of spiritual life and experience. The first class speak of what we may call the body of Nature, the second of her soul, and the third of her spirit. The authors of the first

observe and admire in the outer court of the infinite tabernacle; those of the second investigate and admire in the inner court, and those of the third observe and adore in the Holy of Holies.' But so far as we are aware, there exists no work in which the whole visible universe is shown to be a moral unity, and strictly analogous to the higher unity of the written Revelation of God. It is our purpose in the following pages to fulfil, in some humble measure this lofty end, by unveiling the spiritual significance of Creation, and exhibiting, not merely the similarity but the actual identity of its teachings with those of the sacred Scriptures. It is true that the Bible tells us more than Nature can, being an express Revelation of the Divine mind and will to sinful men; but so far as the moral relations are concerned which existed between God and humanity in the beginning, and which shall all be restored and eternally perpetuated when redemptive grace has finally triumphed over sin and all its effects —

the teachings of Nature and the Bible exactly agree. This surely is a wonderful agreement. and worthy of being understood, not only because it is beautiful in itself and confirmatory of Scripture, but also and chiefly because it is fitted to bestow great mental and spiritual benefits. The deep satisfaction and pure delight which the clear apprehension of this perfect harmony brings are enlightening to the mind, comforting to the heart, and strengthening to the spirit. We have not allowed imagination any room for play, in dealing with this agreement. They are facts and not fancies which we exhibit, as every one will freely acknowledge who may comprehend what we have written. We have not selected this object and that in Nature and spiritualized them; there is no spiritualizing here. The Bible and Nature have been put side by side, and are seen to be counterpartal. It need hardly be said that this large and most attractive theme has not been treated exhaustively; it