Page:The Philosophy of Creation.djvu/156

 the instrumentality whereby we may investigate and understand the larger world of the macrocosm, both spiritual and natural.

As the human body derives its powers and faculties from the soul, and is formed by it, we can find in the body a likeness of the soul. The body upon the outside, the epidermis, is dead and passive. As we pass inward, there is the sensitive tissue of the dermis, the muscles, the veins and arteries; still more interiorly is the nervous system, and then the nervous fluids that infill it. This organism of ascending degrees is thus formed that it may receive, contain, and preserve life. The epidermis is dead and senseless that it may contain and protect the more delicate structures within, and provide a basis upon which they may rest, as required by the law of power in ultimates. The nervous fluids and blood would evaporate or flow away without a grosser covering. There could be no reflex action without a fixed and passive basis that terminates action. The nerves would continually suffer were they brought immediately in contact with the earth and the atmosphere; so they are protected and cushioned by an insensate covering. Within the nerves are the nervous fluids, which originate in the brain, whereby through their purity they are in touch with the substances of which affection