he seed does not at once
become a tree; the embryo does not at once become a man; the mineral does
not suddenly become a stone. No, they grow and develop gradually and
attain the limit of perfection.

All beings, whether large or small, were created perfect and complete from
the first, but their perfections appear in them by degrees. The
organization of God is one; the evolution of existence is one; the divine
system is one. Whether they be small or great beings, all are subject to
one law and system. Each seed has in it from the first all the vegetable
perfections. For example, in the seed all the vegetable perfections exist
from the beginning, but not visibly; afterward little by little they
appear. So it is first the shoot which appears from the seed, then the
branches, leaves, blossoms and fruits; but from the beginning of its
existence all these things are in the seed, potentially, though not
apparently.

In the same way, the embryo possesses from the first all perfections, such
as the spirit, the mind, the sight, the smell, the taste--in one word, all
the powers--but they are not visible and become so only by degrees.

Similarly, the terrestrial globe from the beginning was created with all
its elements, substances, minerals, atoms and organisms; but these only
appeared by degrees: first the mineral, then the plant, afterward the
animal, and finally man. But from the first these kinds and species
existed, but were undeveloped in the terrestrial globe, and then appeared
only gradually. For the supreme organization of God, and the universal
natural system, surround all beings, and all are subject to this rule.
When you consider this universal system, you see that there is not one of
the beings which at its coming into existence has reached the limit of
perfection. No, they gradually grow and develop, and then attain the
degree of perfection.

52: THE APPEARING OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BODY

Question.--What is the wisdom of the spirit's appearing in the body?

Answer.--The wisdom of the appearance of the spirit in the body is this:
the human spirit is a Divine Trust, and it must traverse all conditions,
for its passage and movement through the conditions of existence will be
the means of its acquiring perfections. So when a man travels and passes
through different regions and numerous countries with system and method,
it is certainly a means of his acquiring perfection, for he will see
places, scenes and co