WORKS

 

WORKS are the doings of a worker. Indolence is not work. Industry is work. Industry, accompanied with wisdom, works a wise work. Wisdom works wisely, and the works of wisdom are not works of vanity. But who works in wisdom? Who works a foolish work? The man who builds on the sand, builds a work which must come to naught. But who builds on a rock? Who builds on the sand? These questions may be determined by the durability of the structure. When a work is eternal, it is durable. All works, enduring forever, evince a foundation in wisdom. When a work perishes, it perishes because the workman did not possess the wisdom or skill to make it eternal. When, therefore, God works a work, it is eternal because he makes a work only in wisdom. When God made the heavens and the earth, his work was wise, and wise because it was good. It was good, because it was fitted for man and beast. It was good, because it was adapted to the condition contemplated for all that live and move upon it. It was good, because all that live and move upon it, enjoy its productions. It was good, because what is productive of wisdom is productive of happiness.

 

All things were made in wisdom. All things were made by God, and without him was nothing made that is made. He made the world. It is his work. He made what man can not unmake. He made the creatures of earth, sea, and sky, and he made them all in wisdom. Folly is nowhere seen in his works. It is no where visible in any thing which he has made; and it is no where visible, because all his works are good; and they are good because good is enjoyed as the result of the work.

 

When God made man, he made a work that was the result of other works. All other works were necessary to man, and man could not have been wisely made without those works. Hence, when man was made, all other things were made, and made because they were necessary to what the Maker designed when he made man. No other condition would have subserved the purpose of the Maker. If, then, the conditions were necessary in order to make man as he was made, they manifest wisdom, because they harmonize with all which wisdom contemplated in making man. Nothing which was made, could have been left unmade without allowing the work to disappoint the Maker. Wisdom was employed in making the conditions, because, without the conditions, folly only could have made man. Hence, as man could only have been made as he was made, the conditions form a part of the work of God, and as all parts are indispensable to the whole, so the whole was a work of wisdom, because it resulted in the production of that which was good—an eternal good to the thing made.

 

When the worker made the world, it was made as a beginning of a work in contemplation. By world we mean the material world—the inanimate world of matter. That being done, he made what is called the primary orders of animal life. These were all links in the chain, stones in the edifice, means in the work, which were necessary to the construction of a thing which wisdom contemplated. Wisdom controlled the means to a good result—the everlasting good of an immortal work, a work, bearing the image of the Being who made it. What, then, are the works of God, but works of wisdom? What are the conditions connected with the creation of man, but conditions essential to the work itself? Strike out one link, omit one means, control what was done otherwise, and where would you push the result? Where would you find a work so complete and perfect, as now presents itself in the creation of an immortal soul—a soul wonderful in its powers, magnificent in its structure, beautiful in its proportions, and congenial in its condition, with the grand purpose of eternal progression.

 

Works will prove the wisdom of the worker. Works reveal God. Works show what words do not show. Words are representatives of ideas. Words may be used correctly, or incorrectly. Words may not be understood, but works never. Words will ensnare, but works never. Words may deceive, but works never. Words may be illy chosen, but works never. We mean works of wisdom. We mean the works of God. We mean the works manifest in nature. Heaven is true to himself. No work of God is made in ignorance. All his works praise his wisdom. The sun, and moon, and stars reveal his wisdom. Night unto night sheweth knowledge. Day unto day uttereth wisdom. There is no language where the wonders of God are not seen. There is no darkness where he can not see. There is no wealth not his own, no means not at his command, no power not under his control, no wisdom too great not to belong to him, and no reward but what is consonant with the eternal principles of his love. He is worthy, because he is good, and good because he doeth good.

 

Works are the representatives of his character. They are the beautiful unfoldings of his wisdom. And no work more satisfactorily establishes this fact than the creation of man. He is the apex of earth's inhabitants. He is the master-piece of all works. He is what no other work equals. He is what all other works represent. He is the work of other works, with the mind of immortality superadded. He is above all other works. He is above, because be will live forever—live when other works are no more—live when the visible forms of man and beast have perished—live when dust to dust shall return, when worldly wisdom and worldly folly shall mingle in wretched oblivion— wretched because ruin is what no one calls prosperous, wretched because wisdom is not there, and wretched because mercy will have no compassion on them. But this work of mind is not perfected. It is a building not furnished, or, if furnished, furnished with furniture that must be removed. The old must give place to the new. The dark chambers of the soul must be illuminated. The old candlestick must be taken away, and the lamp of wisdom supply its place. The rust of former ages, the fixtures of other generations, the wisdom of darker days, the poverty of human speculations, must no longer govern the temple made without hands. It is a work of God, and should not be desecrated to an unholy use. It should not be filled with wants which are not satisfied, with desires which wealth can not supply, with inmates which nature's law rejects, with toys which children will cast aside, with follies which weep tears without correction, with anguish that smites without mitigation, and burdens which weary without a reward.

 

The works of God are one thing; the works of man another. Wisdom rules the former; folly, in degree, the latter. Nothing is perfect which is the work of man. Nothing is eternal made with hands. The glory of man is like the fading flower. His works must perish, because the wisdom of God is not in them. Wise men are wise only when the wisdom of God inspires them. And they are wise in the same degree in which that wisdom developes the soul. We write, we preach, we do, as the wisdom of God permits. We are subordinates, not supreme. We are dependent, not independent. We are learners, not teachers of God. We are pensioners, not givers of good things, only as they are given for others' benefit.

 

Such is the work of God. Such is man. What, then, are works? Look up! See works! works which deck the cloudless evening with gems of silver brightness—stars which gaze with unblushing beauty on other stars in their mystic dance—circles encircling circles of suns in unlimited expansion, in order controlled, in wisdom made, as wisdom designed, for a purpose yet unbeheld by men on earth, or spirits in heaven. Works such as these, are works of God. Neither men nor angels have surveyed the boundlessness of infinity. It is a work which we wish to understand. It is a field which we wish to explore, and, wishing, we are permitted to gratify our wish.

 

We have seen what men have not seen. We have seen the works of God on other planets. We have seen spirits of a finer mould than earth affords. We have seen temples of God, where the wisdom of God shone sweetly in all their works, where the winter of ignorance was unknown to its inhabitants; because wisdom was an intuitive element of their existence, and because they were the citizens of a country where music warms into life the social harmonies of circles, and the dullness of stoic apathy is quickened in the blaze of divine glory, revealing the words of wisdom on every leaf of this paradise of the spirit. We have seen many planets where the corruptions of earth are unknown, where the inhabitants are never sick, where the cry of poverty is never heard, where the wail of sorrow never visits, and where the counselors are never deceived, nor the counseled betrayed. We have seen strangers of another clime, spirits of another planet; we have been welcomed to the banquet of their hospitality, and we have wondered why oar fathers had not taught us the lesson. All is wonder. What is man but a wonder? What are the conditions of human life but a wonder? What are the imaginings of the human soul, but a wonder? What are the teeming myriads of worlds on worlds but wonders—wonders of astonishment—wonders which none but a God of wisdom could unfold—wonders which wisdom alone could create—wonders which concern the soul in its wondrous development.

 

There is wonder where wisdom is found, and wisdom may be found everywhere. In the low caverns of earth, in the deeper caverns of the sea, in valleys, rocks, and rivers; in seas, mountains, and water-falls; in air, earth, and sky; wherever man has trod or spirit dwelt, the works of God proclaim his wisdom infinite. His temple is the universe, his universe without beginning or end, without centre or circle, without disorder or confusion, without parallel or unfoldings, and without measurement of wisdom of the Creator.

 

Works are wisdom in God. Works are vanity in men. They are vanity, because they are frail and perish. They are good or bad, as they work the good or bad of those who are affected. No work is good, unless it be productive of enjoyment. No work is bad, unless it be productive of unhappiness. Good and bad are the representatives of these two conditions. They are the exponents of both conditions. But when we say a work is good, we must first know its use and influence. What may be good for one, may be bad for another. What is sweet to one, is sour to another; or what is good to one, is evil to another. All are not alike. Difference in conditions require difference in treatment. Under wise treatment, wisdom works what is best for the good of those who ask her advice.

 

Works affect mind as well as matter. Matter is not mind, mind is not matter. Matter is matter, and mind is spirit. Mind is God, and God is mind, infinite and eternal. Spirit is mind, or rather spirit is mind in progress. It is work in progress. It is the work of God in progress. It is not the work of man. It is not the wisdom of man, but it is what God has made, and he has made it good. Mina wills, and will is power in action. When will is controlled, it is controlled by a superior. All things are superior which control. All things superior will control what is inferior to themselves. God is infinite, and therefore superior to all things. All things are controlled by him as he wills. He wills to create, and the creation comes forth. He wills to rule, and rule is over all. He wills to work by means, and means subserve his purpose. This is work. This is action. This is wisdom.

 

But what means does he employ? How does he work? As he wills, so does be work. As he is wise, so does he choose means in wisdom to execute his will. All things are but means chosen to advance the purpose of his will. What is it that wills, but the will of wisdom in love? What are earth, and seas, and skies, but the habitations of enjoyment? What are the disorders of society, but transitions in the scale of progress? What are the convulsions of civil war, but the growth of mind, bursting the shell which encloses and confines. What are the conflicting antagonisms of mind, but elements of will in will of God, working the elevation of wisdom from ignorance and folly? What are the chains which enslave, the fetters which bind, the prisons which confine, the halters which murder, the witchcraft which controls, the ignorance which prevails, but the expression of conditions, undeveloped and unimproved by the wisdom of God? What are all things, but the production of infinite wisdom, the work of an Almighty Power, and the conditions which are essential in the work of developing the mind of man?

 

"All are but parts of one 'infinite' whole, whose body nature is, and God the soul."

 

Works are parts. Works are many parts of wisdom. Works are manifestations of wisdom. No work of God is a part of a work. Works are parts, but work embraces all parts. It is the whole in parts. It is all in all. Man, then, is the work, and works are but parts. Without the parts, the work would be incomplete, and, without the work, the whole would be only parts. The deficiency would exist, and exist till supplied. Where a deficiency is found, there is folly; and where folly is found, the wisdom of God is not found. What, then, are works but the parts of a work? What, then, is work, but the doings of a worker? And what are the doings of a worker, but the results of wisdom?

 

Works will prove their value. Their value may be determined by the enjoyment they afford. Does God require works to consummate what is not complete in him? Nothing is incomplete in him. Who, then, is benefited by the work of God? We know not, unless it be the work? We know not unless it be man? How, then, is he benefited, unless he enjoys? and how can he enjoy, unless he is conscious? and how can he be conscious, unless he lives? and how can he live, unless he is immortal? That which is mortal dies. That which is immortal never dies. If man be mortal and die, who enjoys? For what then, were all the parts which are essential to the whole made? For what! Answer, ye who doubt, but answer in wisdom. Then, doubts will weigh nothing in the result. But they weigh! Alas! they weigh like rods upon a fool's back. They weigh like irons upon the feet of slaves, like shackles on the hands of victims, like mountains on the sides of streams, like famine on the mind of want, like curses on the brow of folly, like mildew on the face of despair, like darkness on the world of night, like peace on the world of hope, like joy on the soul of wisdom, like rainbows on the arch of heaven, like tears on the melting clouds, like light on the weary world of sorrow, chasing away the sadness of bereavement, and unfolding the doors of a building not made with hands, which no man can shut.