Chapter III - Spirit and Matter
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is the more merited name for modern knowledge, that
is the more merited name for modern knowledge, that
like the ancient "tree," greatly multiplies our pains, sin
and mortality.
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An absolute and perfect Principle, named God, gov-
An absolute and perfect Principle, named God, gov-
erns man and the universe harmoniously; belief, and
personal sense never yet made a harmonious man, or
universe. Jesus taught and proved by demonstration,
our dominion over matter; also, that a sinless and im-
mortal existence is obtained only through triumph over
the body. The Scripture saith, all things are possible
to Spirit; but our theories practically deny this, and
make healing the sick possible only to matter; but the-
ories are false and the Scripture true. Beliefs rob God
and slay man, then spread their table with cannibal titbits
and give thanks. Christianity is not dishonest, but our
religions are; to rule mankind and conciliate society at
the expense of Truth, yea, to be popular is the weak-
ness of the world. He that leaves all for Truth, and
is falsely accused and hated because of Christianity,
is wise; the world will believe error and be slow to
admit Truth. In this manner the man of sorrows gave
to a mocking world the demonstration of the science of
being. The cross is the central emblem of history, in-
dividually and collectively; all must take it up, and
deny pleasure or pain, of personal sense. The history
of science over eighteen centuries ago, will repeat itself;
persecution for righteousness sake has begun, and those
very sects that bore the lash in the past, are the first
to flog progress to-day. Jewish rites and ceremonies,
and the more modern creed, and ritual, as types and
shadows, point to the coming of the Truth of being
when the substance or Spirit of those emblems shall
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appear in demonstration; hence when their Spirit or
appear in demonstration; hence when their Spirit or
Truth is gained, all forms should be laid aside; we can-
not serve two masters, and keep the commandment,
"Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
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We worship spiritually only as we cease to worship
We worship spiritually only as we cease to worship
through material forms; the material must and will
give place to the spiritual; let it be so then, and not
as in the fable, because the wind blows that would
take off the cloak, hug more closely what the wind
should remove. Displace the belief of God in matter,
or Soul in body, and happiness and immortality will be
understood, and never can be until this is done. We
gather not grapes of thorns; nor fill vessels that are
unemptied.
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To empty mankind of error so that Truth may flow
To empty mankind of error so that Truth may flow
into the mind, is the work before us; and those com-
missioned for this work will suffer tribulation such as
has not been since the beginning. When Truth ad-
vances, error must recede, but will cry out as it goes:
"Why art thou come hither to torment me before
the time;" persecution, however, advances the true
idea, for it sets thought at work on the subject at issue.
Our individual sufferings for Truth, serve to spirit-
ualize us; hence the benediction on those persecuted
for righteousness sake, "For theirs is the kingdom of
heaven."
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Christianity is not a creed, doctrine, or belief; but
Christianity is not a creed, doctrine, or belief; but
the demonstration of Life, Love, and Truth; it is not a
special gift from a personal Jehovah, but the understand-
ing of God, that is gained through much tribulation in
the world, but great peace in Truth; error must and
will make war on Truth, because it is proof, and not