l culture. The intrinsic difference between the ignorant man and
the astute philosopher is that the former has not been lifted out of his
natural condition, while the latter has undergone systematic training and
education in schools and colleges until his mind has awakened and unfolded
to higher realms of thought and perception; otherwise, both are human and
natural.

God has sent forth the Prophets for the purpose of quickening the soul of
man into higher and divine recognitions. He has revealed the heavenly
Books for this great purpose. For this the breaths of the Holy Spirit have
been wafted through the gardens of human hearts, the doors of the divine
Kingdom opened to mankind and the invisible inspirations sent forth from
on high. This divine and ideal power has been bestowed upon man in order
that he may purify himself from the imperfections of nature and uplift his
soul to the realm of might and power. God has purposed that the darkness
of the world of nature shall be dispelled and the imperfect attributes of
the natal self be effaced in the effulgent reflection of the Sun of Truth.
The mission of the Prophets of God has been to train the souls of humanity
and free them from the thralldom of natural instincts and physical
tendencies. They are like unto Gardeners, and the world of humanity is the
field of Their cultivation, the wilderness and untrained jungle growth
wherein They proceed to labor. They cause the crooked branches to become
straightened, the fruitless trees to become fruitful, and gradually
transform this great wild, uncultivated field into a beautiful orchard
producing wonderful abundance and outcome.

If the world of nature were perfect and complete in itself, there would be
no need of such training and cultivation in the human world--no need of
teachers, schools and universities, arts and crafts. The revelations of
the Prophets of God would not have been necessary, and the heavenly Books
would have been superfluous. If the world of nature were perfect and
sufficient for mankind, we would have no need of God and our belief in
Him. Therefore, the bestowal of all these great helps and accessories to
the attainment of divine life is because the world of nature is incomplete
and imperfect. Consider this Canadian country during the early history of
Montreal when the land was in its wild, uncultivated and natural
condition. The soil was unproductive, rocky and almost uninhabitable--vast
forests stretching