ACTA Et Dicta (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 Excerpt: ...it would have been a wonderful contribution to the times; but it will have a loftier and nobler purpose in the impression it will make upon the hearts and souls of mankind, not only today, but throughout the centuries which are to come, and may we not believe that from within the hallowed walls of this structure there will go out lessons which are to be as eternal as eternity itself. DISCOURSE OF SENATOR MOSES E. CLAPP. The universality of man's effort, which has no limitation of time or condition, to solve the mystery of his being, is strong presumptive evidence in itself of immortality. In his more primitive condition his investigation of the unknown was limited to that which affected his environment and modified his condition. As primitive man stood face to face with his material surroundings, his first concept was that of force seen in the manifestation of power which surrounded him. The transition from the outward manifestation of power to the concept of a principle was natural, as was the succeeding transition from the concept of a principle to its outward expression in the form of a symbol. Amid the varying faiths of the pagan world we may easily deduce the fact that temple, shrine and image had their origin as symbolic of faiths and beliefs, even though in time the latter faded from view. While the Inspired Word gave man his first clear, definite idea of Deity, it was not until Christ came that man had a clear view of his relation to Deity. The birtjh, teaching, death and resurrection of Christ was the mystic tie which not only stretched from God to man, but bound man to God. The faith which he founded thus differed from all other faiths. While he exalted God, he inducted man into his very presence. His simple teaching touche...