capable of knowing
that the earth is round. In brief, abstract intellectual phenomena are
human powers. All creation below the kingdom of man is the captive of
nature; it cannot deviate in the slightest degree from nature's laws. But
man wrests the sword of dominion from nature's hand and uses it upon
nature's head. For example, it is a natural exigency that man should be a
dweller upon the earth, but the power of the human spirit transcends this
limitation, and he soars aloft in airplanes. This is contrary to the law
and requirement of nature. He sails at high speed upon the ocean and dives
beneath its surface in submarines. He imprisons the human voice in a
phonograph and communicates in the twinkling of an eye from East to West.
These are things we know to be contrary to the limitations of natural law.
Man transcends nature, while the mineral, vegetable and animal are
helplessly subject to it. This can be done only through the power of the
spirit, because the spirit is the reality.

In the physical powers and senses, however, man and the animal are
partners. In fact, the animal is often superior to man in sense
perception. For instance, the vision of some animals is exceedingly keen
and the hearing of others most acute. Consider the instinct of a dog: how
much greater than that of man. But, although the animal shares with man
all the physical virtues and senses, a spiritual power has been bestowed
upon man of which the animal is devoid. This is a proof that there is
something in man above and beyond the endowment of the animal--a faculty
and virtue peculiar to the human kingdom which is lacking in the lower
kingdoms of existence. This is the spirit of man. All these wonderful
human accomplishments are due to the efficacy and penetrating power of the
spirit of man. If man were bereft of this spirit, none of these
accomplishments would have been possible. This is as evident as the sun at
midday.

All the organisms of material creation are limited to an image or form.
That is to say, each created material being is possessed of a form; it
cannot possess two forms at the same time. For example, a body may be
spherical, triangular or square; but it is impossible for it to be two of
these shapes simultaneously. It may be triangular, but if it is to become
square, it must first rid itself of the triangular shape. It is absolutely
impossible for it to be both at the same time. Therefore, it is evident in
the reality of mater