Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/192

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The doctrine of mental or spiritual spheres was unknown to the first Christian Church. And to the great majority of Christians even in our own day, it is entirely new. But nearly every one recognizes its truth as soon as it is clearly stated; yet not until it is thoughtfully pondered, can we expect one to see how important it is in a practical point of view.

It is easy to believe that there are particles too small for the eye to discern even by the aid of the most powerful microscope, constantly emanating from all material objects, and forming around each a kind of atmosphere which, in its essential nature, is similar to the object itself. This atmosphere is generally too refined and subtle to be detected by the senses; yet its existence round about thousands of objects, often manifests itself to the sense of smell; and in a dog this sense is so acute that he can scent his master's sphere in the print of his shoes, and distinguish his tracks from all others many hours after they were made. The perfume of the lily or the rose, is but the extension of the flower's own substance—the radiation or emanation of its own essence in the most subtile form. And so of all other objects that diffuse an odor, grateful or otherwise.

From the analogies of nature, therefore, it is