The Greater Light.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

                The Cover Page of "The Greater Light" was designed and drawn by Mr. Latch, and is intended to represent the world emerging from the darkness, of the old teachings and beliefs, and beginning to be illuminated by the greater light of new interpretations and discoveries in the world's history, and in the greater sense, the history of every star, planet and heavenly body visible and invisible that constitutes Aggregate Matter. The old theories and methods are depicted by the page with the time-worn and frayed edges. The diagonal shadow on this page should pass over the sphere, also thus showing the entire design in partial eclipse; the mistake is due the engraver and Mr. Latch decided not to have a new block made.

The small symbol in the lower left hand corner represents the Triskele with its three sublime angles relating to the Trinity; the angles are 90°, 157° and 113° respectively.

                 The number "33" seems to be connected with the Latch family: thus, Mr. Latch was born during the thirty-third year of the nineteenth century. The house he lived in was erected in the thirty-third year of the nineteenth century. When he was 33 years old he became a Mason; this order consists of thirty-three degrees. The Latch home has thirty-three steps on the main stairway from the first to the third floor. Photographs of his mother, taken many years ago, show a shield surrounded by thirty-three five-pointed stars, and the Mosaic system of chronology is divided into thirty-three divisions as covering time from' the beginning of the creation to the end of time. Mr. Latch was of a quiet, retiring disposition and seldom talked about his works and theories to any one unless questioned, and then he would talk in a manner most pleasant to listen to; of an extremely kind and generous nature, he was ever ready to extend the hand of sympathy and help in a very substantial manner. His doors were always open, and after a day spent with him and his sister, who was his companion, he having never married, one always went away feeling that they had been welcome, and the invitation to call again was always extended to all. He was very fond of music, and in his younger days an accomplished flute player. As a composer he wrote two or three very pretty songs, both words and theme. Possessed of a wonderful memory, he at one time absorbed the entire contents of a book on geometry in three nights in order that he might draw on the subject-matter during an examination about to take place. As a mathematician he ranked high, being able to solve very difficult problems mentally with ease. All literature appealed to him strongly, and he thoroughly enjoyed a good story or joke. He would drop his pen and leave his desk at any time to walk through the fields with his friends, for he loved nature, the trees, birds, animals, all seemed to have their own special mission, and he was able to see it more than any one. As an art critic he had few superiors. His inventive ability in the mechanical line was never at rest. A patent was issued just prior to his death on a "lifting device for air-ships." He discussed with the writer over twenty-five years ago the present wireless telegraph, the present method of flying or raising an aeroplane, the submarine boat and later a plan for using as a motive power for submarine propulsion an explosive that did not require air as one of the factors, the idea being to save the air for breathing purposes and dispense with electricity as a motive power, thus giving the boat a much greater radius of action. Strictly non-sectarian in all of his views, his great plans embraced both Pagan and Christian; in fact, all of the creator's creatures or works were included within its scope. His family were members of the Old Blockley Baptist Church, of West Philadelphia, and he always retained his membership in the same, and the eloquent tribute paid his memory by Rev. Clarence Adams, pastor of that church, on the day of his funeral will long be remembered by those assembled to pay their last respects, "a Christian gentleman of the old school," Mr. Adams termed him, and it seemed to cover all the ground without anything more being added; as such he was laid away in the family vault, in the Lutheran Cemetery at Ardmore, Pa., alongside the mother, brothers and sisters he loved so well, and as the soft afterglow of an evening sun spreads and lights his tomb so will the works of this good man spread and bring joy and peace to thousands in the future. Well might the words of Abraham Lincoln "With charity toward all and malice toward none," be engraved on his monument. Edward Biddle Latch's lifework is done. He was a faithful servant to his country and his Maker, and there is nothing left for those who loved him but memory.

"For memory is the only thing that grief can call its own."