“In proportion to the measure of faith and wisdom which one can bring into exercise, he can perform the works. They who make themselves fit channels for the universal and abounding Life to flow through, will be meet to minister effectually to the ills of the souls and bodies of men. Until the time cometh when each can fully work out his own salvation, it behooveth us to strengthen the weak, raise the fallen, and heal the sick, as we have opportunity. We must needs beware of thinking any manner of evil, for ourselves or others, whether pertaining to soul or body.”
“Why hath not the New Faith spread more rapidly, since it was proclaimed in its purity by the prophet of [pg 393]Nazareth?” said Marcius. “It would appear that such a gospel would be received everywhere!”
“The world is not yet ready to discover the beauty and power of a spiritual faith. Religion, to the Roman, Greek, Hebrew, or barbarian, doth not signify a new and richer life, but some system, ceremony, sacrifice, or oblation. These have little moulding power, and have to do with the outer rather than the inner man. Religions of belief and tradition are many, but of the Spirit there is but one.”
“Cometh not such systems from the darkened and vain beliefs concerning God or the gods?” said Rebecca.
“Yea, verily! Both the Elohim and Yehovah of the Hebrews, and the many gods of other nations, have been invested with human passions, so that they must needs be appeased or propitiated. Thence cometh the universal dread and fear of an All-Powerful One, and the innumerable expiations, atonements, rites, oblations, and libations, so that peradventure some favors might be vouchsafed by a Deity or deities whose ruling disposition is that of anger. Men are not drawn by their fears, but through their loves. As the Omnipresent Love—the true God—cometh into recognition, the hearts of all will melt into oneness with him, and the children of men be lifted out of their fears, sorrows, sins, and sicknesses.”
“How plain; and yet how men are blinded to this great principle!” said Marcius. “My former life seemeth like a delusive dream, in that I have not before been awakened to the truth. I see that as man’s concept of God becometh purified, he is gradually transformed into his image.”
“Thou hast well described the very corner-stone of the divine life and perfection of man. To securely lay this was the work of the Man of Galilee. But verily the spirit of his advent hath been commonly darkened, not only by his enemies, but by many of his avowed followers.”
“How long, thinkest thou, O Serenus, will evil prevail on the earth?”
“Behold no evil ruleth the earth, for that which so appeareth is but the early, imperfect, and unripened Good. Only the eye of the impure can behold the impure. God is too pure to behold iniquity, for all things are working out, in due time, the universal Perfection. To our dim vision it seemeth slow, but time is but a sensuous limitation. All things, whether in heaven, earth, or hades, are working together, yea, are in travail, for the manifestation of the sons of God.”
“What is the teaching of the New Faith concerning life beyond the grave?” inquired Rebecca.