47

III

THE DAYS OF CREATION¹

The first day of creation unfolded one of the laws or attributes belonging to the cosmic totality, being that of power manifested in motion. The developments of the second day brought forth the attribute of wisdom.² Goodness was manifested on the third day in the arrangement and adaptation of all things. Those peculiar conditions and circumstances which characterised the fourth day and their results—which were very good—developed justice and reciprocity, as further aspects of wisdom. The fifth day produced a new order of beings, possessing faculties and sensibility not existing previously and capable therefore of estimating the distinction between higher and lower forms. In this manner forbearance came into expression, and a spirit of mercy was established in the animated tribes. The beauties which were unfolded on the sixth day, connected as they are with all previous forms and being a development of their interior qualities, correspond to the ultimate ascension of all parts and principles, the unfolding of all attributes latent in the first type, or the germ of all subsequent

¹ See The Principles of Nature, Part II, pp. 294, 295.
² It should be observed that this is a moral apologue arising in the mind of the seer after the pageant of creation had passed before the eyes of his vision. But as the universe for Davis exemplified the Divine Perfections, there is a sense in which it can be understood—as one might say—literally. A poet has said that "God reveals Himself in many ways," and hence the world is God's Gospel. His beneflacitum termino carens—as the Hermetists call it—abounds everywhere.

48

The Harmonial Philosophy

developments. The attribute of the sixth day is, in a word, immortal truth—at once in relation to all others, because it is the root of all and is exalted above all.¹ It comprehends that which is below and contains that which is beyond, being qualities which will unfold eternally in the future of worlds. It is the medium of association between all spiritually expanded minds and encompasses all Nature. It is that which is to be admired and adored above every other thing; it should illuminate the interior constitution of every being, and should lead the mind from that which is without, the understanding of things present, to that which is within, the term of all and the ultimate. It is an index to the whole creation of the sixth day. It will yet prepare the mind for the corresponding future day of a more perfect creation.

Looking in this direction and to that which unfolds therefrom, looking also behind and discerning in past epochs the germ of those which are to come, we enter

¹ It will be seen that this is a figurative delineation of the creative days, and there is an analogous presentation by Swedenborg, though Davis is concerned with the cosmic order and its development, while the author of Arcana Coelestia deals more especially with the microcosm. Both, without knowing it, reflect the Zohar, for which also man is the great intent of creation, and the story of creation unfolding, as given in Genesis, is that of the macrocosm certainly, but its vital import is as the spiritual history of Israel. According to Swedenborg, the six days or periods are successive states of human regeneration: (1) The spirit of God moving over the face of the waters of the soul; (2) The division between those things which are the Lord's and those that belong to man; (3) The state of repentance, which brings forth tender herbs, the herb yielding seed and the tree bearing fruit; (4) The state of love enlightened by faith, or the sun and moon; (5) The state of being confirmed in faith and goodness, producing living consequences—typified by fishes of the sea and birds of heaven; (6) The state of truth in its expression and deeds done from faith—typified by the living soul and the beast. So does the regenerate become a spiritual man in the image of God.—Arcana Coelestia, Nos. 6-13. There is nothing more arbitrary than this, and the moralities of Davis are to the manner born of Nature in comparison.

49

The Days of Creation

into a world of knowledge which has righteousness as its higher name. The field of truth expands; and there expand also within us the spirit of goodness and benevolence, of justice and reciprocity, the gifts of wisdom and the meaning of beauty. A pure and reverential regard for truth makes order in the whole mind, and from that which is mind in humanity we pass on to contemplate in its stupendous operations the Fountain of Omnipotent Mind.