The High Call
January 2, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Luke 24:45-47

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:45-47

"Turn unto me. Come unto me," says the Master. To turn is to repent. Repentance means "to be sorry for, change of heart, change of attitude, to give up." To repent, we must first see where we stand, see clearly wherein we have failed.

We must become meek before God, but strong before men. We do this by the Power of the Holy Breath. The Breath is the heavenly essence of inspiration, which we inhale; to breathe is to be moved by inspiration.

Remission means "to clear away from, dropping away from, falling from." The "remission of sins" is Light going forth to dissolve the taint. We remit our own sins by letting go of the taint that causes them!

Forgiveness means "to give for what my brother has against me." Will is the key to the Fountain of Life in man. What we bind on earth is bound in heaven. What we hold by the Will, we crush and thus lose. What we loose on earth, we loose in heaven.

The One Source never alters, never changes. All roads lead to Light, but some take a long time to get there. Who wants to go backwards? If not showing us high courage, anything making it too easy leads downward, and is not taking us home, but the "long way around." The road home is always ascending higher and higher.

No past is too dark to be forgiven. God will wipe it all out. St. Augustine traveled to Rome and became the greatest saint because he lay everything on the altar. The voice of self always tells us to take it back.

I shall put on my regal robes, take up my scepter and crown, and hold to an attitude of delight. The new year is sweet, young, one we wouldn't hurt or harm. What are we doing? It is a new page.

Let's sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy" in a state of ecstasy and peace, filled with God's Joy-Love. Let's love more and praise more. Let's release more Power and walk this year on the Heights. Listen to the High Call.

The Sunlit Way
January 5, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Matthew 7:1-2 & Matthew 7:13-14

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:1-2

Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it, because narrow is the gate, and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

The true climber on the Path of Ascension learns to judge righteously. How would you like to be judged? Based on one visit? One sentence? One opportunity? One moment of weakness?

The follower of the Via Christa asks: What is my vision? Where will it lead me? Am I seeing only Truth? Do I follow imagination instead of true Vision?

The Master of responsibility learns discretion and silence. What is discretion? Discretion is knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. What is the Golden Silence? What is an impression? What do I know? What do I live? When I fail, do I get up?

We never falter nor hesitate on our difficult path upward, despite downed timber or mountain streams to cross. We climb up out of the valley of shadows until we reach the straight sunlit way.

Our only concerns are "Am I watching my step? Am I an inspiration to others? Am I a radiant sun center of Light and glorifying my Father?"

Abandonment to the Supreme
January 9, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 21:22

Jesus saith unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." John 21:22

Abandonment to the Supreme means to give up to the Supreme, not to nature, the world or man, but to God, to be meek toward God, with no thought of self or "me." I accept God's plan for me, reaching the place of high "I AM." The little "I am" speaks from the heart; high "I AM" speaks from the head.

Job first blasphemed when all that he had possessed was gone. Job then praised, and became greater than ever. Joshua praised God, and surrendered to His will when he faced the Midianites. The sun stood still, a great accomplishment in one day's conquering. Gideon asked, "Who am I, a man of poor family," when chosen by God for service. He surrendered one step at a time.

Daniel, weak, shaken and quivering, obeyed the angel who told him, "Arise! Stand upon thy feet." He became a prince, possessing all knowledge. It took Moses forty years to let God move in and possess him. Yet he possessed all authority when he bowed to God and stood before Pharaoh.

"What is that to thee? Follow thou me," the Master commands. When man's will lets go, God moves in as Wisdom. The White Light of Splendor moves in.

When you bow down before God only, you become a prophet, a seer, infallible. The "I am" of "me," becomes submerged in the high "I AM" of God, the center of Light, conferring all authority, all power, all seeing.

You can sing in darkness, and make it light. Wherever Jesus looked, something happened. When Jesus walked, something happened. When Jesus spoke, something happened. When Jesus moved, something happened.

Jesus could not pass his tests alone; he did it with God. Approach the Throne of Grace boldly, so that all these things may be added unto you.



Peter's Great Confession
January 13, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Luke 9:18-26, 1 Peter 2:5-6

And it came to pass, as he [Jesus] was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, "Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again." He said to them, "But whom do you say that I am?" Peter answering said, "The Christ of God." And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; saying, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day." And he said to them all, "'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." Luke 9:18-26

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he who believes in him shall not be confounded." 1 Peter 2:5-6

At a certain place in some professions, medicine, the law or the ministry, for instance, we are called upon to make an open declaration. We may wonder, "What does the world think? What do I think?"

When we reach the right place and find the right answer, the Masters say to us, "Go, and tell no man." Silence then becomes our vow.

Daily we must lift our cross of little "I am" into high "I AM." You lose your life when you cut off your contact with God. If you are ashamed of the Christ, you are ashamed by heavenly things.

"The Son of man shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." He sees little "I am" and is ashamed. Where and what is the spiritual house for which God has laid the cornerstone? It is Zion, wit its unobstructed view of sunshine and Light.

Learning to Be Great
January 20, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 13:1-17 & 1 Peter 5:5-6

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come that he should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended; the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands; and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside his garments, took a towel and girded himself. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. Then he came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to him, "Lord, are you washing my feet?"

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For he knew who would betray him; therefore he said, "You are not all clean." So when he had washed their feet, taken his garments, and sat down again, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." John 13:1-17

Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-6

Jesus' disciples followed him faithfully. He had clear-seeing eyes. Save for Judas and Peter, the rest were lukewarm. He wanted to leave something behind as a symbol of his great love. Nothing could mean quite the same as washing their feet.

To anoint anyone with oil, you must overcome any natural distaste, and you must love something or someone enough. It would stick in their minds as a symbol, to lead them to understanding. They would forever remember his attitude, his words.

"Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

This describes an attitude of willingness, of service. A child wants to help, needs to help, to be a grownup in God's service. Pride puts up a great barrier. Peter wanted the Master to wash his hands and his head!

No one can show us the way. We must do the rest for ourselves, even betray friends, like Peter did, for we cannot assume willingness. It must be real service through understanding. The reward of humility is a happy, active, doing life!



Understanding
January 23, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Proverbs 4:5-9

The king of Syria was making war against Israel, and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there." Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?" And one of his servants said, "None, my Lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom." So he said, "Go and spy where he is, that I may send and get him." And it was told him, saying, "Surely he is in Dothan." Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early, and went out, there was an army surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" And he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:8-17

Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you: love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you: she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory she will deliver to you. Proverbs 4:5-9

Wisdom, Love and Selflessness crown us with the Glory of God. Wisdom, which is of the Father Principle, alone is not enough, but we must add the Mother Love of God, to get Understanding.

When we do get understanding, this text promises us certain benefits. If we "keep" understanding, she will preserve us. If we "exalt" her, she will promote us. If we "embrace" her, she will bring us to honor. When we do these things, she will place on our heads an ornament of grace, a crown of glory.

The "crown of glory" is the high place for the soul, Jerusalem, the Light of our Oversoul Star. The Master commanded us not to depart from Jerusalem, but to "wait for the promise of the Father," until we receive the Power of the Holy Spirit. We call upon the Christ, who is the Head Master, no substitute.

John, the revelator, said that "no one in heaven or on earth" was worthy to open the book sealed with seven seals. Why? No one was persistent enough. We must ask, seek, and knock! "Open in the name of Jesus the Christ" is our "Open sesame!"

The Light from above is the Light of understanding. Only on the "mountain peaks" of consciousness do we hear the "High Call" of Christ.

Throughout history, groups of people in desperate straits have prayed and decreed, "It shall not pass," and have found themselves safe. Britain repelled the Spanish Armada. Washington and his Continental Army endured Valley Forge. Leonidas, the Spartan king, withstood the Persian army against overwhelming odds. No one ever knew what really happened.

We now begin to touch the Power that has been hidden for ages. "Understanding" means "standing under" the Light of God.

Speak the Word in a mighty voice, not a whisper. Declare, "Come forth," and it will manifest. If I decree, "It shall come to pass," it will, after my decree!

If I leave the heights, and fall back in consciousness, I must arise and march to the heights once more. Looking forward, I am mindful (Mind-full). Looking back, I am mindless (Mind-less).

It is time that we opened our eyes to see the protection that surrounds us. We can see the "chariots of fire!"



The Sifting of Faith
January 26, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Mark 14:27-31, Mark 14:54 & Mark 14:66-72

Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Peter said to him; "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." Jesus said to him; "Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." But he spoke more vehemently, "If I have to die with you, I will not deny you!" And they all said likewise. Mark 14:27-31

Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Mark 14:54

Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man of whom you speak!" A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him. "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept. Mark 14:66-72

The warning always comes from someone, our Oversoul, the voice of conscience, a Great Guard or teacher. The Master warned Peter that he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed twice.

A crowing rooster represents arrogant attitudes, a feeling that we can do no wrong. If we make a challenge of warning, we must make it good. When Peter said, "If I have to die with you, I will not deny you," he was boasting!

First, he denied the Master to the maid in privacy. Second, he denied him before a few who did not understand. Finally a group of men accused him, proving that the world hears and sees! The first time he heard the cock crow. The second time, he was deaf to the sound. Finally, he blew up in anger before the men.

Peter then wept, as he recalled the Master's words. "Blessed are those who mourn." We weep and are cleansed. Faith, followed intellectually, warms us at an outer fire, where we are tempted to deny. When we enter into faith, we are warmed at an inner flame, with no denial.

Christ warns that we must be offended: "It is impossible but that offenses shall come." Offenses left behind in the subconscious memory must "come out."

We have no other way to grow strong after being raised in soul consciousness. Christ is always in charge, and there is no getting away; we are always raised up until we are perfected.



The Single Vision
January 30, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Hebrews 11:24-27

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:24-27

To endure, "as seeing the invisible," "as seeing Him who is invisible," is the Mystic Way. Thousands seek the Invisible and never find, for it reveals itself only to the earnest enduring one. To endure means to suffer gladly all sorts of punishment to become strong.

History throughout the world abounds with stories of warriors, monks and saints, who punished the body to be brave. We flinch and quail at the first sign of pain. We think we can't suffer, have pain, nerves, and want only a report we can believe or change.

What is our desire? God has given us authority, power, dominion, a scepter, supreme and glorious. Yet we must accept it, and pick it up! We must endure as if we "see!" What is this seeing? It is apperception beyond physical sight.

"Seeing" progresses from Perception to apperception and intuition. The world issues a challenge. Do we accept, or not? Nothing can pass us by when we are seeing the invisible.

Daniel, seeing the invisible, stepped into God's timing, and out of timing with the lions' desire. They were helpless to see him. Everything of darkness becomes powerless, helpless in Light, which blinds their eyes, until they cannot see. Are you helpless in the glare?

David sang, "The Lord is my strength, my high tower, my shield and my buckler." A phonograph record is old fashioned. Now we know about new cosmic rays. We voice our prayer, lift our eyes in high vision, and praise, praise, praise during an endurance test!

The essence of Light cast forth relieves pain, and rebuilds us into steadfastness while we are joyously enduring.

Restoring Faith
February 3, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 21:11-19

Simon Peter went up, and dragged the net to land full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three: and although there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, "Come and eat." Yet none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" -- knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after he was raised from the dead. Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and take you where you do not wish. This he spoke, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him, "Follow me." John 21:11-19

The grieving disciples had fished all night, caught nothing. Jesus appeared on the shore, built a fire and cooked bread and fish.

The first phase of this story deals with the outer world. Peter's net was full to overflowing because he was about his Father's business, doing the next thing next in the outer material world. If he had done wrong, the Master would have said something.

The Master told them to come and eat, to break their fast. We must eat to build the body, which is our consecrated temple.

The second phase of the story is spiritual. Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" Then he told him, "Feed my lambs." A second and third time, Jesus asked him if he loved him, and Peter again said yes.

Jesus presented the Initiation three times in love, in person. Peter had properly mourned and repented his betrayal of Jesus, he was ashamed and knew he deserved it. He hurt because of his failure.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were young, you dressed yourself, and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you, and take you where you do not wish."

The young are usually selfish. When we are older in experience, we may go where the little self would not go alone. To complete the death of the old self, we must surrender to the Power and Light, and put all our faith in God.

The Master bids us to "Come. Follow me." It is always now in the Father's House. The doors are always open. "Come!"



Faith Brings the Christ Consciousness
February 10, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Acts 2:22-28 & Acts 2:36-41

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.' " Acts 2:22-28

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:36-41

This text contains three significant verses. First, "Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through him in your midst." God did miracles, wonders, and signs through him!

Second, "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death." God used men as agents of His Will.

Third, "Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it." It was not possible that death should hold him because God made both, Lord and Christ, Law and Principle. We are both Law and Principle, as Jesus was both.

We need to come into a clear understanding of Christed consciousness. We begin the long journey by first recklessly seeking the Christed Mind until we catch a glimpse of it. Then we repent of our old ways in a change of mind and heart. When we reach the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we experience the cleansing power of Spirit, which possesses us, to saturate and infuse of minds.

Denial may mean simply ignoring or agreeing with God that this is good, and lifting the self. When we deny the self, we are ready to "follow me." When we lift self, we "follow me."

Our soul's greatness is then 100% steadfast and glorious. God's greatness is 100% joyously enduring. How great shall we be when God adds Himself to us? We receive a thousandfold dividend, which is God's 10%.

The world looks on, thinking we have done this on our own power. No! God's Power is forever the greatest, the only channel!



Real Christianity
February 20, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Luke 24:45-48 & John 15:22

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:45-48

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. John 15:22

What is real? A boil on your neck, an empty purse, anything one has any belief in is real to them at that time. Yet real is something that lasts, something immoveable, the unchangeable Truth of reality, not the appearance of truth.

Christianity is the reality of the Christ Principle. Jesus was the first one who achieved perfection.

His followers have always described and explained any great man's life; they must account for his life in the world. Jesus' life was rich in glorious experiences. It must have been a marvelous experience to have walked with him by the Sea of Galilee. It is richer today for us today to catch a glimpse and picture it.

When "he opened their understanding," it set the world afire, and it is still flaming today! Then he made us "witnesses" of truth."

"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin" is the gospel of Christianity, the gospel of Light. Each teacher in all ages, Socrates, Plato, Seneca all taught light. There is no new teaching; the only new thing is the teacher.

Jesus' newness made an old message vital with new life, new light, and he lived it. The cross was not the end! It was the way to the "hope of glory."

"In the cross of Christ I glory" is the final sacrament of daily living. "Ye are the offspring of God."

Faith Discerns Deception
March 3, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Acts 5:1-6 & Acts 8:18-24

A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and breathed his last. So great fear came on all those who heard these things. And the young men arose, wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Acts 5:1-6

When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you poisoned by bitterness, and bound by iniquity." Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken come upon me." Acts 8:18-24

This whole lesson is an outline of the misuse of Principle for selfish purposes. The Father God Principle is Wisdom; Mother God Principle is Love as the Creative Principle, and the Son is the Christ Principle of Selflessness.

The name Ananias means "graciousness, compassion of Jehovah." Sapphira means "beautiful, splendid, a sapphire stone," which is blue for truth.

The first half of the story deals with using Creative Power in worldly affairs. Ananias represents the positive principle of aggressive will, the misuse of intelligence. Sapphira symbolizes the negative principle, truth misused as deception. They both died.

When Peter, who represents faith, rebukes Simon of Syria for an offering to buy the powers of high I AM, he did so because it would have made the Will of God the instrument of human will. Human will, exercised as deception, will always causes death, sometimes by shock, and usually suddenly. The aggressive human will harasses and drives love, faith and intuition into misuse. Both Ananias and Sapphira must die to deception. Their sin was not against man, but against God.

Simon of Syria, who represents outer hearing and receptivity, lacks understanding; Simon must hear, listen, and know. Intellectually wanting and the selfish desire to use Power is not enough. We may place no price on Love, Wisdom, Selflessness, which operate in our lives as all faith, compassion, and graciousness. Simon, when he knew the penalty of misuse, became receptive, and asked in pure faith for Peter to save him by prayer.

Faith Freed from Materiality
March 17, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Acts 12: 1-17

Herod the king stretched forth his hand to harass some of the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him forth to the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison: and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, "Arise quickly!" And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and tie on your sandals." And so he did. And he said to him, "Put on your garment and follow me." So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I know for certain, that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the Jewish people". So when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter's voice, because of her gladness, she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, "You are beside yourself!" Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, "It is his angel." Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Acts 12:1-17

Herod, who represents personal will in man, had killed James, the brother of John, and put Peter in jail, bound in chains between two soldiers. An angel of the Lord, a messenger of the Law, smote Peter in the side saying, "Arise!" Peter's bondage ended when he did so.

To "gird yourself" first means drawing in a deep breath and lifting your "self" in faith. The sandals represent understanding. Peter's "garment" represented truth, purity, and self lessons.

Peter thought he was asleep and dreamed that the outer gate of the prison had opened. After accompanying him one street away, the angel left.

Peter "came to himself," which means he returned to outer worldly reality. He went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, where they were gathered, praying for him. Peter knocked at the gate and the maid, hearing his voice, was so glad that she left Peter standing outside!

When Rhoda told them Peter had arrived, they said "It is his angel," his soul come back after death. Peter knocked again and they finally opened the door, amazed.

Peter, here, represents faith, imprisoned by personal will; the angel symbolizes his high soul, which always sends an answer. The gate to reality is always open, and that always surprises the multitudes.

We must focus our attention and intention upward to become Christed. We may then become a "savior" to those who are like-minded. We do not need to be concerned about our sins or our own souls, but to lift.

When we walk on the heights, we shall all know that our own soul is like the Father-Mother! See the Light! "I rise in victory, not in the glory of carrying a cross. I glory in the victory of following!"

The Saving Power of Christ Consciousness
April 14, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
John 3:14-17, Romans 5:6-10 & Philippians 2:5-11

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,"that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:14-17

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:6-10

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

The First Begotten Son of God was the first Creation of God, made in the Form of God. He became the Servant of Power under the necessity to go through all steps and planes in Ascension, to show us the way. He emptied himself, and poured himself into an earthly form, just as any other ego coming into incarnation.

He was "obedient unto death," which is the complete surrender and sacrifice of self. Surrender exalts us into the highest Sphere.

The "serpent lifted" represents the sublimation of the five senses into Wisdom, out of darkness into Light.

God gave His only son to save sinners, reconciled first through death by Crucifixion, and exalted through life by Resurrection.

Palm Sunday is a day of triumph, a day of Glory. Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing that he was ready, knowing that he was finished. He was ready to be exalted and ascended before they turned him over to Pilate for justice.



Eternal Life
Easter Sunday, April 21, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York

Throughout his life, the Master always "knew," was always open to the Light from above, conscious of his Father, and in direct communion with Him. His was a life of sacrifice, from beginning to end, never faltering, never hesitating.

He loved life. The last sacrifice he could make was to give up his life at the height of his ministry's success.

Do we appreciate his last suffering? He came to fulfill Law, and taught obedience to all commands, beginning with the Ten Commandments. "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt honor thy Father and Mother."

Do we follow him? On the first day after his Crucifixion, his disciples awakened, surprised that he was not with them. They had lived together for more than three years. They remembered him telling them that all this would happen to him.

The women, who operated on intuition, accepted that he had ascended to his Father; he had gone on to prepare a place for them. They were still serving, being loving and compassionate. They looked at the perfect Golden Mesh. They went through the Hall of Wisdom in the Temple of the Sun.

On the road there, we come to a crossroad and are confronted by two meshes. Only one is perfect, the other is our own. Will we like it? Deceit, such as white lies, for instance, will tarnish it, according to the depth of the deceit.

We judge ourselves, hard or soft, tough or easy, according to our faith. If our judgment is hard, our faith increases. If soft, with excuses, we return to the Desire Plane.

We must judge ourselves rigorously to ascend to the Father direct, to be able to go on into greater Glory. The Master is forever saying, "Come."

Prayer: The Broad Highway
May 15, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York

Aspiration is an awakened desire toward God, good and perfection. Communion implies sending and receiving, receiving and sending. We give and receive during communion.

Words represent ideas and thoughts. Thought is the medium between the idea and the word. The thought must be of the Truth of Reality, which means realization and recognition.

Develop the habit of right thinking, and you'll always speak the right words. "Every man's words become his burden," so make your words as buoyant as a balloon.

Prayer can move or remove mountains when you fast from habits of negative thinking and using negative words. Opinions distort vision, like looking through dirty glass. Faith cleanses the glass into perfection.

How to Pray
May 16, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38

Prayer is a state of being, communion, devotion, the intelligent desire to communicate with our Father-Mother God. We pray with treatments, asking and receiving. We can give treatments while we are sitting, standing or lying down, by releasing Power and lifting, but we lift our hands to God when we ask. We receive from God after we have praised to express our thankfulness and gratitude.

Why do we pray at all? The Law is, "Give and you shall receive." If no current stirs the water, it becomes stagnant. A becalmed ship is worthless. Becalmed souls are worthless to themselves and world.

When a ship spreads its sails, it slips swiftly, smoothly through the water. If even one sail is gone, the ship drifts off-course. When you spread the wrong sails, life's winds toss the ship around. A ship's captain knows every sail and what it will do.

We have three sets of foundation sails on each side to balance our Faithfulness and Steadfastness, our Hope and Patience, our Gracious Giving and Receiving. Our "heart sails" include Purity and Sacrifice, Desires and Compassion, Meekness and Courage. The imagination sails are Pictures and Tolerance, Justice and Right, Truth and Appreciation. The top sail is Love.

Prophecy and the Christ
September 15, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Matthew 24

The Old Testament is full of prophecies, full of warnings to special nations and tribes. It also contains prophecies for the future, which is now, since we are living in the Old Testament's future.

The New Testament contains many prophecies made by Jesus the Christ. For instance, this entire chapter of the Gospel of Matthew (Chapter 24) is filled with warning and prophecy.

We often overlook one verse: What shall occur to nations and individuals, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom? How will it affect people?

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake" (Matthew 24:10). To us in the present, he says, "then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:11-12).

We must ask ourselves three questions: 1. How may I avoid this and be safe? We must choose to become one of the "set aside" ones: "He who endures unto the end shall be saved."

2. When may I look for an end? When "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).

3. How do I know the end now? The first promise is "for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." The second promise is that a "sign of the Son of man" shall appear in heaven.

The nova flare in Hercules began December 12, 1934, peaked at Easter 1935, and died out. Newspapers reported that it was like unto the star of Bethlehem. Flared again in June 1935, thirty times more bright, twice more. "For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:28).

Each who accepts, or "elects," sees. The promise holds true to all who "elect" to be true sons and daughters of God.

We must praise to open our eyes, praise to lift our sight, praise to create what we desire. Leave past behind. Declare, "This one thing I do now." Move under the Light and lift all people.

"I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). We must lift our consciousness and draw all people to us. The Christ has come. He does walk and talk with us!

The Lord's Prayer
October 13, 1935 Outline
Buffalo, New York
Matthew 6:9-13

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught, is the "Prayer of the Law." It contains all the steps we need to make our prayers legal.

"Our Father who art in heaven" acknowledges that God is everywhere evenly present, of all things, of all ways, in all places, meaning that God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient. Heaven is harmony, and hell is disharmony, or a lack of knowing truth.

"Hallowed be Thy name," I AM THAT I AM, which is blessed, sacred and sainted. To sanctify or consecrate someone or some thing is to make it holy, to honor God.

"Thy kingdom come" must be restated as "Thy kingdom is come," for it has. The kingdom is here, now. What is the kingdom? It is "all things added."

Similarly, "Thy will be done" must be restated as "Thy will is done." God's will is Wisdom beyond dreaming. We must disintegrate the old to prepare a way, a place to rebuild in perfection.

"On earth as it is in heaven." Earth is the outermost plane of expression. Earth's expression brings our life's lessons, wherein we learn how Laws work.

"Give us this day our daily bread." We must forget tomorrow's needs and use all that the Father gives us today.

"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." How have we forgiven, grudgingly or lavishly? Our prayers and their "tone" must reflect "as we have forgiven."

"Lead us not into temptation" means that Law reacts perfectly, bringing our needed lessons until we are perfected Creator gods.

"Deliver us from all evil" refers to our seeing or declaration of any darkness at all, such as "Oh! That's awful!"

The Kingdom is Thine. The Power is Thine. The Glory is Thine. This is the prayer of the "Creator gods, the "Lords of the Flame, the "Lords of Peace" to Father-Mother God.

The "Prayer of the Law," the Lord's Prayer, is a model prayer that covers four great phases: Supply, Forgiveness, Deliverance from the reaction of Law, and Praise.

What is prayer? It is to identify, to discover, to realize, and to know. Prayer is then a consciousness of being Christed.

 

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