law, whereby the outer and superficial conformeth itself,
to the inner and hidden, become deformed and hideous. Hence is man now
but a shadow, a skeleton of original beauty. The primeval perfection
and present degeneracy of man, are the tradition of centuries."

Holden paused; and Faith said, gently, "There is a way to regain the
happiness we have lost."

"There is a way," said Holden, "through Him, the second Adam, the Lord
from heaven. But mark: like him, must man be obedient. A faith without
works is fruitless and naught. How many imagine they have faith,
and have it not! Will they give their bodies to be burned? Will they
sacrifice the dearest thing they have, if it is His will? Nay, but
faith hath almost perished from the earth."

Bernard observing Holden wandering from his subject, here inquired,
"And by a reversal of the process by which it was lost, the outward
beauty may be recovered?"

"Yes. By the restoration of internal beauty. It is the latter that
shapeth and shineth through the former. But the eyes of men are
blinded, and they cannot, because they will not, see the truth. The
crust of inherited corruption interposeth betwixt them and the light.
Hence, having eyes they see not, and ears, and they cannot hear. There
is a law to control the spiritual, and a law for the material, and it
is by observance of these two laws, that man's first estate is to be
regained. He must, therefore be temperate, and sober, and wise in the
regulation of his appetites and passions, banishing those pernicious
inventions, whereby he degradeth and engendereth disease in a glorious
structure that ought to be the temple of the Holy Ghost, and must
diligently cultivate all noble aspirations, weeding out selfishness
and gross desires, loving his neighbor as himself, and the Lord his
God with all his heart, which latter is the admiration and love of
beauty, and truth and justice, and of whatever is excellent. Thus both
outwardly and inwardly will gradually be transformed, the marred and
defaced image of humanity into the glorious likeness of the Son of
God."

"That day so longed for and so glorious, is far distant I fear," said
Mr. Armstrong.

"Nay, but the signs of His coming are kindling in the Eastern sky,"
exclaimed Holden, "and soon amid the hymns and hallelujahs of saints
shall he establish His benign and resplendent empire. Then shall
commence the upward career of the race, whose earthly goal is the
state of primeval pe