d, and it attains to a life-giving spirit. The earth
was a lifeless body; it finds a new spirit, and produces endless beauty,
grace and freshness. Thus the spring is the cause of new life and infuses
a new spirit.

Afterward comes the summer, when the heat increases, and growth and
development attain their greatest power. The energy of life in the
vegetable kingdom reaches to the degree of perfection, the fruit appears,
and the time of harvest ripens; a seed has become a sheaf, and the food is
stored for winter. Afterward comes tumultuous autumn when unwholesome and
sterile winds blow; it is the season of sickness, when all things are
withered, and the balmy air is vitiated. The breezes of spring are changed
to autumn winds; the fertile green trees have become withered and bare;
flowers and fragrant herbs fade away; the beautiful garden becomes a
dustheap. Following this comes the season of winter, with cold and
tempests. It snows, rains, hails, storms, thunders and lightens, freezes
and congeals; all plants die, and animals languish and are wretched.

When this state is reached, again a new life-giving spring returns, and
the cycle is renewed. The season of spring with its hosts of freshness and
beauty spreads its tent on the plains and mountains with great pomp and
magnificence. A second time the form of the creatures is renewed, and the
creation of beings begins afresh; bodies grow and develop, the plains and
wildernesses become green and fertile, trees bring forth blossoms, and the
spring of last year returns in the utmost fullness and glory. Such is, and
such ought to be, the cycle and succession of existence. Such is the cycle
and revolution of the material world.

It is the same with the spiritual cycles of the Prophets--that is to say,
the day of the appearance of the Holy Manifestations is the spiritual
springtime; it is the divine splendor; it is the heavenly bounty, the
breeze of life, the rising of the Sun of Reality. Spirits are quickened;
hearts are refreshed and invigorated; souls become good; existence is set
in motion; human realities are gladdened, and grow and develop in good
qualities and perfections. General progress is achieved and revival takes
place, for it is the day of resurrection, the time of excitement and
ferment, and the season of bliss, of joy and of intense rapture.

Afterward the life-giving spring ends in fruitful summer. The word of God
is exalted, the Law of God is promulgated; all