Chapter II - Imposition and Demonstration
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materiality, and through his stripes must they be healed;
materiality, and through his stripes must they be healed;
because error had felt the blow Truth gave it, the
scourge and cross awaited Jesus. The man of sorrows
was not in danger from salaries or popularity; deserv-
ing the homage of a world, and sharing pre-eminently
the approval of Soul, brief was his triumphant entry
into Jerusalem, and followed by the desertion of all
save a few mourners at the cross. This is what it means
to be spiritual in an age of materiality. The impossi-
bility for worldly favor to attend Christianity is seen in
its great moral distance from it. When personal sense
approves, Soul condemns, and where man praises, God
receives no thanks. One of the evidences of material-
ism and error is when the belief of Life in matter is
full of worldly prosperity.
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History informs us that Jesus, feeling the gross mate-
History informs us that Jesus, feeling the gross mate-
rialism that surrounded him, at times experienced a
momentary weakness, and turning, asked "Who hath
touched me?" The more material, thought this inquiry
was occasioned by contact with his body, but he knew
it was mind in the multitude that called on him for aid
to destroy its beliefs, and make it more spiritual, even
as himself. His quick apprehension of this arose from
his spirituality, and their misconception, from their
materiality; not that he deserved less the advantages
of adroitness, because of his goodness; but possessing
the insight and honor that cometh from Soul, only, he
had less personal sense; these two come from opposite
directions, and the treasures of our Master were laid up
in Spirit, not matter. Christianity turns from sense to
Soul, as naturally as the flower turns from darkness to
light; those things eye hath not seen, or ear heard,
128:1
neither hath it entered into the heart of man to con-
neither hath it entered into the heart of man to con-
ceive, belong to it.
128:3
Paul and the loving John had a very clear sense of
Paul and the loving John had a very clear sense of
the science of being; they knew a man achieves not
worldly honors except he labors for them, and lays a
sacrifice upon the altar of mammon, by giving his affec-
tions to the world. And they also knew to make this
offering to wealth or fame, was not to leave all for
Christ, Truth, that comes from the opposite direction,
and from opposite means and aims; also, that a man
walks in the direction he is looking; and that, "where
his treasure is there is his heart also." If our hopes are
spiritual, we are not looking, or yearning for the mate-
rial, but will wear the "image and likeness of God," at
any worldly cost; in reality we are coming out from
the world of sense, and being separated from it. The
favor of sectarianism, the homage of wealth, and smiles
of ambition flee before Christianity; but Wisdom
crowns its brow.
128:20
If my friends are going to Europe, and I am making
If my friends are going to Europe, and I am making
my way to California, we are no longer journeying
together; but have separate time-boards to consult, and
different routes to pursue; in fine, our paths have
parted, and we have no interests in common, to help
each other on in opposite directions; but if they will
pursue my course, I will give them my railroad guide,
and interest myself to make their passage pleasant; or
if I will take theirs, they will help me on, and our com-
panionship will continue. Thus the scientist must
choose his course, and be honest, acting consistent with
that choice; his route lies not with the world of sense,
and if he gravitates thitherward, he is like a man who