MYSTERY, REASON, FAITH. MYSTERY Reason Faith. These three subjects are closely connected together. One runs into the other, and the understanding of one may help us to understand the other. We propose to remark on each of them, and on their relations each to the other. Mystery is a name of ignorance. It suggests that, of which something may be known, but about which, as yet, we know nothing. As we travel on and ascend to the summit of the hill, a bank of vapor rises up between us and the prospect. Behind it may be a valley with its shining river, or a hill surmounted by temple, or tower, or town. Something is there. But what, we know not. It is a mystery. This is the scripture use of the word. In Matthew xiii. 11, for example, we read "Because unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given." These myste ries, as appears from the connexion, were truths respecting the nature of Christ's kingdom and the reception of his religion, which were as yet unknown. Our Savior says that the multitude were unable to understand them, but his disciples were, and he proceeds to disclose them. A mystery is a secret a thing unknown. When it is revealed and disclosed, it ceases to be a secret, a thing unknown- a mystery. The mystery is done awaylight shines in the truth appears. An illustration may aid us to understand this subject, In reading a history containing an account of the first discoverers of this continent, one cannot but feel how great must have been the awe and wondering curiosity of those early navigators, as one sign after another gave indication that they were approaching a new world. Enter the barque of Columbus as his prow neared these unknown coasts. Every seaman even, is looking over the side of the vessel to speculate on a weed, or an unknown plant, or the branch of a tree from no European shore, that is drifting by. A bird on weary wings seeks the refuge of their vessel, and the very air seems to their watchful senses to carry in its bosom the odors of the land. But what land is it? — and what its character? Is it lined by currents that set in, to draw their vessel on a coast of rock? Is it a desolate island that for ages, in solitude, has reared its cliffs against the eternal roar of breakers, or is it a fertile continent? What people, if any, shall greet them? Savages rushing down with shouts and war clubs, or a civilized race, crowned with cities and useful arts, approaching to give the hand to the comers from an unknown world? All is unknown; all is mystery. The whole West was to them embosomed in Mystery. -- 4 But they approached the shore; they landed; new navigators came; travellers explored the interior, crossed its mountains, sailed up its rivers, became acquainted with its inhabitants, and thus, slowly, the mystery was done away. These voyagers returned to their own countries. Europe, to whom this whole region was invested with mystery, listened with awe. And from before her eyes the veil of mystery was withdrawn and the secrets of half the globe laid open. Till the sailing of these early navigators, all west of the European islands was a mystery; afterwards the mystery was disclosed, and done away. Thus all men stand on the coast, ready to embark or a sea, which no one has visited and returned. Its shades hide mysteries which man cannot fathom. No voyager has gone from this world to explore them and returned again. But from that world, as it were from beyond the going down of the western sky, God has sent a messenger, even his own Son, to reveal to us so many of its secrets as it is good for us to know. He has revealed some of its mysteries, and being revealed, they cease to us to be mysteries. The world is full of mysteries. The chamber in which the infant opens its eyes, is a universe of mysteries. The father's voice, the mother's smile, reveal to it slowly the mysterious world of the affections. The child solves many of these mysteries, but as the circle of knowledge is enlarged, its vision is still always bounded by a wall of mystery. The sun that wakens it at morning and again at night looks into its window to bid it farewell. - the tree that shades its home, and into whose branches the birds come and sing before the dews are dry the clavi shining edges that moves across the sky, calm and stately like the chariot of an angel, — all are mysteries. Nay; to the grown up man there is not a thing which the hand touches or on which the eye rests, which is not enveloped in mystery. The flower that springs at my foot, — who has revealed the wonderful secret of its organization? Its roots shoot down, and leaf and flower rise up and expand into the infinite abyss of mystery. We are like emigrants travelling through an unknown wilderness. They stop at night by a stream of water, they tether their horses and set up their tent and build a fire. And as the flames rise up, all within the circle of a few rods around, is distinct and clear in its light. But beyond and bounding this, rocks dimly seen and trees with vague outline stoop forward to the blaze; and beyond, the branches creak, and the waters murmur over their bed, and wild and unknown animals howl in the dark realm of night and silence. Such is the light of man's knowledge, and so is it bounded by the infinite realm of mystery. The world then is full of mysteries. But so far as religion is concerned, it has chanced most unhappily that men have made articles of faith out of mysteries, made them the most important articles, and looked on religion as if its main purpose were to introduce mysteries into the world. From these things have arisen very much of the idle theology and of the miserable disputes that have disgraced Christendom. That which is the most important fact practically in this subject is this, viz. that there are less mysteries in the world now than there were before Christianity. Christianity has not added to the number of mysteries, but has lessened their number. And not only this, those which it has done away were |