The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 80

THE CREATION

40

by the Son and kindled a spark from above. sonality

;

Let us distinguish art

itself,

in each

by the Holy

persojml talent

Spirit as

to practise

it,

by

and

the vocation thereto.

Art is not man's invention, but God's creation. In all nations and ages men have pursued the arts of weaving, embroidering, skilful dressmaking, casting and chasing noble metals, cutting and polishing diamonds, molding iron and brass; and in all these countries and ages, without knowing of each other's eflfbrts, have applied the same arts to all these materials. Of course there is a difference. Oriental work bears a stamp quite different from that of the West. Even French and German work differ. But under the differences, the endeavor, the art applied, the material, the ideal pursued are the same.

So, too, art did not attain perfection all at once

the nations forms at

first

;

among

crude and awkward gradually developed

into forms chaste, refined, and beautiful. Successive generations improved upon previous achievements, until among the various nations comparative perfection of art and skill was attained. Hence art is not the result of man's thought and purpose; but God

has placed in various materials certain possibilities of workmanship, and by applying this workmanship man must make out of each what there

Two

is in it,

and not whatever he chooses.

things must cooperate to effect

gold, silver, wood, iron, possibilities,

In the creation of in

them

certain

and have created inventive power in man's mind, per-

severance in his

will,

strength in his muscle, accurate vision in his

eye, delicacy of touch

him

this.

God must have placed

to evolve

what

the same nature

is

and action in his

fingers, thus qualifying

latent in the materials.

among

all nations,

Since this labor has

the perpetual progress of the

same great work being accomplished according

same majestic and executive ability must be wrought in man by a higher power and according to a higher command. Viewing the treasures of an industrial exposition in the light of the revealed Word, we shall see in their gradual development and genetic unity the downfall of human pride, and exclaim " What is all this art and skill but the manifestation of the possibilities which God has placed in these materials, and of the powers of mind and eye and finger which He has given the children of men!" to the

plan, through successive generations, all artistic skill

:

Consider, now, personal talent as utterly distinct from art.

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