Truth is the source of all eternal realities, the origin of all that is high, divine, infinite. Absolute truth is immutable—the same yesterday, today and forever. He who teaches a doctrine that is absolutely true proclaims an everlasting substantialism which rests upon the authority of God. But he who proclaims something that is destined to become obsolete speaks of things merely and not of the principle which holds them together in harmony. When Newton discovered the law of gravitation and proclaimed it to the world he did not set forth a private and peculiar thing but an absolute, immutable truth founded upon an Eternal God. The question—What is truth ?—is the beginning, middle and end of all inquiry. As the term is understood here, it might seem that an angel's mind could not furnish the answer, yet a simple and imperishable definition appears ready to our hand. So far as the world is concerned, the question is answered everywhere according to individual convictions.2 We must there-
fore—on our part—disrobe our minds of all preconceived opinions and remembering that while we may consult testimony to get at historical matters, perception for things external and reflection for logical subjects, we must interrogate intuition if we would be enlightened upon religious or moral concerns. Intuition is the deepest source of truth, an innate power by which it is felt—in a word, it is the genius of the soul. Let us realise in the first place that truth is always simple, while error is always complicated.1 The one is easy as the growth of flowers, but the other is dark and mysterious. Moreover, truth is not susceptible of limitation. That which was true yesterday cannot be merely probable today and only possible tomorrow. It is God-made, and the man who gives it an expression vocalises the celestial life-song of Deity. If this be correct, then people have erred greatly in the use of language. We call it, for example, a truth that yesterday was cold, but the statement may refer only to certain localities. It would be far more correct to designate all occasional or local occurrences as facts and to make use of the word truth only in respect of that which is of broad, unchangeable and universal application. In other words, let us assign to truth a position far above individual minds and circumstances, that it may be superior to everything but God. If we adopt this view we shall
rise superior to all forms of sectarianism and pursue the golden pathway which leads the pilgrim eternally upward to the City of the Living God.
And now as regards the promised simple definition, let it be affirmed that truth is the universal relationship of things as they are, while error is the interpretation of things as they are not.1 As things are, so God has unfolded them. He is Author of the relationship between them, and He is therefore the truth. Of this universal relationship it matters not how much or little I know. If I comprehend the first principle which binds a piece of iron-ore together, I know something of truth, and no human authority can make it more true, though a wiser man may lead me to further truth in the same or in another and higher department of creation. Now the question arises as to how we may know when we have the truth. The answer is to listen like a child to the subdued whisperings of that soul which God has given us. No man can enter the kingdom of truth and happiness unless he be simple of mind, by which I mean an honest, guileless, uncalculating, truth-loving state—a state which in the past and present conditions of human society is about as frequently developed as a Christ is born.
By willing strongly to see and feel truth—irrespective of creeds, men, books, or systems—you are certain to attain it, at least in such a measure as you can employ to any advantage.2 If you seek what is wonderful or
mysterious, you do not seek truth. There are myriads of mysteries, but this is due solely to our ignorance of their nature and relationship. The great standard is that facts are things, while truths are principles.1 Things exist and their right relation one to another is based upon and is the truth. From such relation the music of harmony issues perpetually. Discord issues from error, because the relation is wrong. See well to this doctrine in all departments of existence, and remember that now is the time to think, feel and do right. By putting off till tomorrow you defraud yourself of immediate happiness and do a similar injury to the neighbour. Let your understandings expand and thus obtain reasons for the inward hope. Remember always that marvels confound and stultify the intellect, while principles2 are certain to dignify the whole nature of man.