out naming it, calling it dead and yet alive. He showed that it has all the parts of a living mechanism, but that this mechanism is dead; without two great essentials. The clock was then shown to the audience and they were led to see that a spring is the source of power, but that power must be applied to the spring before the mechanism does its work. The preacher skilfully illustrated by these facts the importance of the soul, and the relation which it bears on the one hand to man and on the other to God. About twenty minutes were devoted to this illustration, after which the preacher quoted a number of texts from the Scriptures bearing upon the teaching of the value of the soul.—G. E. Dawson, Missionary Review of the World.
(3145)
SYMBOLISM
In Japanese art every flower has a meaning.
Certain flowers must never be seen together.
Certain others must never be seen
apart. Then, again, everything goes in
threes—blossoms, boughs, or sprays. Even
furniture has a meaning. The details of this
etiquette are endless, and, to the Occidental
mind, bewildering, unless one "has an imagination"—or,
at least, an esthetic sense to
which its poetic features can appeal.—Marshall
P. Wilder, "Smiling 'Round the
World."
(3146)
SYMBOLS
The Chinese claim that they do not worship
the idol in their devotions, but rather
the thought or the spirit that the idol represents.
So they worship at the shrine of
"Long Life," "Happiness," "Offspring," "Ancestors,"
"Agriculture," "Heaven," "Earth,"
"Rain," "Sunshine." The bat means happiness;
the peach, long life; the pomegranate,
many children; the dragon, power; indeed,
everything has its significance. This explains
their designs upon cloth, embroideries,
cloisonne, and porcelain, every figure and
stroke having its meaning. The material
thing represents a thought.
Is there not a legitimate use of symbols?
And may they not be made to
have a language that speaks through
the senses to the soul?
(3147)
Symbols may have value to those who can interpret them, even if we can not:
An American lady was at a dinner party
with Mr. Li Lo, the eminent Chinese philosopher,
when she said:
"May I ask why you attach so much importance to the dragon in your country? You know there is no such creature, don't you? You have never seen one?"
"My dear madam," graciously answered the great Chinaman, "why do you attach so much importance to the Goddess of Liberty on your coins? You know there is no such lady, don't you? You have never seen her, have you?"
(3148)
Symbols Interpreting Realities—See Realities, Invisible.
SYMBOLS, THE VALUE OF
In a private letter, written to a local paper by a resident of Cazenovia, N. Y., who is dwelling in Japan, the following was related:
I must tell a story connected with the visit
of our American fleet. One day, just as some
of the troops were marching to the railroad
station, an enormous arch which stood just
in front of the station took fire. Instantly
one of the Japanese soldiers climbed to the
top and brought down the United States flag
that hung over in his direction. No greater
act of courtesy could be performed, according
to Japanese ideas than to save our flag
from harm. But when without a moment's
delay, one of our blue-jackets ran up the
other side of the arch, as tho it were the
rigging of a ship, and snatched the Japanese
flag just before it fell, tho his hands were
scorched and he was nearly choked by smoke
from the burning evergreen, the crowds
nearly went wild with excitement and could
not stop cheering.
(3149)
SYMPATHY
When the great steamer receives its cargo
the captain must correct the compass, neutralizing
the influence of the iron cargo in
the hold. And sympathy keeps the needle
of justice turned toward the star, corrects the
aberrations of the intellect.—N. D. Hillis.
(3150)
Dr. Dunning, of the Congregationalist, tells of a very near friend of his who visited Tiffany's great jewelry store in New York. He was shown a magnificent diamond with its gleaming yellow light, and many other splendid stones. As he went along he saw one jewel that was perfectly lusterless, and
