Chapter V - Prayer and Atonement
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of thanks, we had better examine our hearts and learn
of thanks, we had better examine our hearts and learn
what is there, and this will show us what we are, and
is the only honest expression of ourselves.
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How empty are the conceptions of Deity that admit
How empty are the conceptions of Deity that admit
theoretically, the omnipotence and omnipresence of
God, and then would inform the supreme mind, or
plead for pardon that is unmerited, or for blessings
poured out liberally. If we are not grateful for Life,
Truth, and Love, but return thanks to them, we are
insincere, and incur the sharp censure bestowed upon
the hypocrite. The only acceptable prayer in this
case is to put our finger to our lips and remember our
blessings.
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Praying for humility with however much fervency
Praying for humility with however much fervency
of expression, is not always to desire it. If we turn
away from the poor and set aside their judgment, we
are not fit to receive the reward of that which blesses
the poor. When confessing to a very wicked heart,
and asking to have it laid bare before us, do we not
know more of this heart than we are willing our neigh-
bor should know, and if a friend informs us of a fault,
do we listen to the rebuke patiently and credit what is
said, or rather join in thanks that we are not as other
men? It is many years that I have been more grateful
for a merited rebuke than for flattery; the only real
sting is the unmerited censure, the wicked falsehood
that does no one any good.
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Do we love our neighbor as ourself, or because we
Do we love our neighbor as ourself, or because we
do not, should we pray to be given this love and expect
it because of asking, while we pursue the old selfish-
ness satisfied with having prayed for something better,
without a single evidence of the sincerity of this re-
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quest by living consistent with that prayer. If selfish-
quest by living consistent with that prayer. If selfish-
ness gives place in us to Love, we shall love our neigh-
bor and bless them that curse us, but can never meet
this great demand by asking for it; there is a cross to
be taken up, before the reward is given.
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Do we "love the Lord our God with all our heart,
Do we "love the Lord our God with all our heart,
Soul, and strength?" This includes much, even the
surrender of all personal affections and personal wor-
ship; it is the ultimate of being, the science of Life that
recognizes only the consciousness, Spirit, wherein Soul
is our Master, and sense without a claim. Are you
willing to leave all for Christ, Truth, and be reckoned
with sinners? Have you reached this point? No.
Do you really desire to attain it? No. Then where-
fore make long prayers about it, and ask to become
Christ-like, when these are the footsteps of our dear
Master; if unwilling to drink his cup, wherefore
pray with the lips to be partakers of it? The only
consistent prayer is, to do right so far as we understand
the right, and to walk in the light so far as we receive
it, even though it be with bleeding footsteps, and let
our real desires and works be rewarded by the Father
who seeth in secret. The whole world will not un-
derstand Christianity for centuries to come. When
we are good enough to take His cup of earthly sorrows,
we shall have it, and until we are, and do drink of it,
all the vain repetitions that heathen use can never reach
the demonstration that Jesus gave and instructed his
followers to give, as the test of Christianity, saying,
"And these signs shall follow you." We learn in sci-
ence the necessity for Christians to suffer in this wicked
world of sense, insomuch as they oppose it, and are