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 the winter there is much light, but, comparatively speaking, little heat, and thus all nature is in a state of torpor, so with regard to our science, knowledge, and intelligence of any and every kind, although they proceed from the sun of heaven, and have in them a principle of heavenly heat when they come to us, still we may have stifled or perverted that heat. Let us see how this is. We observe great numbers of persons, in pursuing certain sciences, intent only on gaining the applause of the world, lusting after distinction, eagerly seeking pre-eminence, aiming after titles, honorary distinctions, a splendid name, wealth, and power. They acknowledge no source of superiority, believe in no God, cannot say from the heart, "The Lord is my light." Such is the class of persons calling themselves Secularists, who believe in no other God than humanity, and worship at no other shrine than nature. All their success is attributed to independent ability; and while they look upon their achievements in science or in art, theirs is the language of Nebuchadnezzar of old: "Is not this great Babylon, which I have builded?" Such persons do not say the Lord is light, for they do not acknowledge any Lord. Thus they in reality are destitute of both light and heat, and the Lord is neither their light nor their salvation. But when by the light of the Holy Word the Lord is acknowledged as the source of all goodness and truth, then the rational mind is open to receive the divine influx of spiritual illumination in the natural man, which is the light of life, and the Lord becomes our light and our salvation, the strength of our life. Life here signifies the inner life of the spirit, and strength is predicated of love or goodness. When, therefore, it is said, "The