by N. J. Berridge
The correspondence of spiritual things with natural things is the means by which the internal sense of the Word may be understood. Thus an adequate knowledge of correspondence enables us to recall spiritual knowledge when we ponder on objects of the external world. But this correspondence is not an arbitrary symbolism; it is also the law of creation; it relates natural things to their spiritual causes. Thus we may do even more. We may, by means of correspondences, interpret our knowledge of natural things into spiritual terms, whereby our understanding of spiritual things is strengthened. We must, however, proceed with great caution, because at first sight this appears like making spiritual knowledge dependent on natural knowledge; but this is not really so, for spiritual truth will always be in the first place and will select and use that natural truth by which it can enrich itself. There will be much other natural knowledge which cannot be so used. This will be either because the spiritual truth or understanding is lacking, or, probably more often, because the natural knowledge is incomplete or misinterpreted. This knowledge will have to be put on one side till our advancement is such that it becomes useful. In this way we shall attempt to apply the “principle that leads to all wisdom” (A.C. 2568, 2588).
by Charles R. Pendleton
It would seem the height of folly for any rational mind to think that the universe could be created from mathematical points. Such points are nothing but imagination. They have no existence independent of imagination. Nevertheless, it is true that there have been many who have thought that they could explain the universe on this basis.
