Chapter III - Spirit and Matter
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conflict and separation between them, for good can
conflict and separation between them, for good can
never join hands with evil to gain peace, place, or
power. The impure are at peace only with the impure,
virtue is a rebuke to vice; and Truth to falsehood, etc.
Whosoever, therefore, has drank at the fountain of Soul
to the purification of sense, is in the harmony of sci-
ence that blends not with sin. Let him come in con-
tact with the sick, or sinner, a tobacconist, or an im-
biber of alcoholic drinks, and though a word be not
exchanged between them, in a majority of cases the
scientist will exterminate sickness and the bad habit;
but in some instances an individual is too opinionated,
or dishonest, to yield without a struggle, or to acknowl-
edge when he has yielded, and only in case he does this,
will the good done be recognized above the evil. The
meeting of opposite minds, is a spontaneous separation
when this commences, the unconscious individuals are
enemies without the preliminaries of becoming such;
else they unite on a new base, and the evil yield to
the good or the subtlety of error, conquers even the
latter; this separation of tares and wheat is obedience
to Science.
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Never soil your garments with conservatism, or let
Never soil your garments with conservatism, or let
another's error dim the lustre of your own Truth;
always separate yourself from evil. Right is radical,
and those walking in the light are like eyes accustomed
to the light, that must have it, for they cannot see
in darkness; while those accustomed to darkness, like
it, and push boldly on. Flowers turn to the sun, or
fade and lose fragrance in the darkness. If you have
grown out of former things, hesitate not to put them
away, and fear not, for conscience' sake, to overstep the
179:1
boundaries and break the strong chains of old opinions.
boundaries and break the strong chains of old opinions.
You must take up this cross if you follow Christ,
Truth, and never hold on to what you cannot under-
stand, or breathe an immoral atmosphere that you
cannot purify. When error confronts you, spare not
the rebuke, or the explanation that destroys it, if you
would benefit yourself or others; but if, "having ears
they hear not, neither will they understand, that they
might be converted and you might heal them," thereaf-
ter let them alone, but be sure you drop into no con-
servative position; always keep well burnished your
own armour. To sustain yourself in Truth, you must
meet error with a protest, and once beholding the
beauty of holiness, you are willing to leave all for it.
To gather yourself with sinners hardens the heart.
When the spiritual sense of being unfolds Life's harmo-
nies, you will take no risks in the policy of error; far
better is a frugal meal with contentment and virtue,
than the many gods of luxury and sense. If you
are not a Christian to-day, delay not to become one, for
no opportunity equals the present. We are not neu-
tral; all have some weight; then let the influence we
exert be thrown in the right scale.
179:24
Nothing is mortal that deserves to continue; there-
Nothing is mortal that deserves to continue; there-
fore decay belongs not to Truth; all that dies is the
offspring of belief, and not understanding. Left to the
government of Truth, all would be found harmonious
and eternal. Nothing in matter equals the power of
mind; the baneful effects of an evil associate are more
terrible than earthquakes or pestilence. The influence
one mind holds over another should be understood
and guarded with stronger keepers than it is. The