~ecamber 24, 1905 Isa. 9:1-7. UNITY magazine.

Transcription

1 t v.. Si T ~ecamber 24, 1905 sa. 9:1-7 i. But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. n the ormer time he brought into contempt the land o Zebulun and the land o Naphtali, but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way o the sea, beyond Jordon, Galilee o the nations. 2. She people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: tl.;y that dwelt in the land o the shadow o death, upon them hath the light shined. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy beore thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. s"~jj4- For the yoke o his burden, and the sta o his shoulder, the rod o his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day o Midian. 5. For all the armour o the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be or burning, or uel o ire. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. 7. O the increase o his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne o David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with judgment and with righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The real o Jehovah o hosts shall perorm this. The relation which Jesus o Nazareth bears to the Christ o God, who is to be ormed in everyone, is a matter requiring careul thought. we hold with the orthodox Christian church that Jesus was the only son o God, and we are saved rom the result o our sins and insured a place in heaven ater we die, through his personal cruciixion on the cross, we get lost in inconsistent situations that our logical minds reuse to accept. n the irst place, it was not a post-mortem salvation that Jesus proclaimed. He said, "Let the dead bury their dead; ollow thou me. Where Martha construed his statement that he was the "resurrection and the lie," to mean a uture resurrection, he plainly said, "He that believeth on me shall never see death." The lie-giving orce that animated his body was so great that the usual methods or putting out lie did not work in his case he raised that same body up ater three days. ' Thus the proposition that we are saved by the death o Jesus is not tenable, because o the act that he is not dead. He reanimated that Jesus organism and walked about in Galilee and showed himsel to many people, according to the Scripture, then set its atoms into such a high rate o vibration that the eyes o his disciples could not receive the light, and they reported his ascension. That ascension was not up into the clouds and ar away, but interior. Jesus, passed into the Universal Ether, a plane o consciousness right here in our midst. Those who open their minds on that plane can. commune with him, as did Paul on the way to Damascus, and at other times. Thousands have personally talked to Jesus since that time, and are still doing so, as he is a most potent actor in the Christian movement o today everywhere. t was not Jesus o Nazareth that Paul reerred' to when he said, " Christ in you the hope o glory," " Let Christ be ormed in you," " We have the mind o Christ," "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus," etc., but a certain principle or expression o God called Christ or Messiah. t is quite evident that it is this saving principle in man reerred to in saiah 9. The "people" are our thoughts, and they are in the "darkness" o materiality, but they perceive that there is a higher way, they have seen a "great light" that is, the true understanding has dawned upon them that Spiritual Consciousness may be developed and save man rom the shadow o death. This is the real Messiah, which Jesus brought to light in the mentality o the race. n doing this he proved our grsatest leader, and among all the countless millions o earth none have surmounted the almost universal race negation called death as did Jesus. Aa a orerunner o that mighty demonstration which we must all make beore we can enter into eternal lie, he is our Savior. But we must bring orth this High Sel within us as he brought it orth in no other way can we round out the strength and beauty o the true man-character. This wonderul saving principle makes its irst appearance in consciousness as a little child. t has to grow in the individual as i he had become an inant again and was learning all over the lessons o lie. We must realize that this new birth, which the little child represents, is the guiding genius o man, inspired by the Most High. His "name," or nature, is all one can conceive o as Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. Then the Christ, or Messiah, is God demonstrated in man. This is our salvation. UNTY magazine.

2 September 3, 1911 sa. 9: But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. n the ormer time he brought into contempt the land o Zebulun and the land o Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way o the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee ot the nations. 2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land o the shadow o death, upon them hath the light shined. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy beore thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. *. For the yoke o his burden, and the sta o his shoulder, the rod o his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day o Midian. 5. For all the armor o the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be or burning, or uel o ire. 6. For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall i be called Wonderul, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting i Father, Prince o Peace. 7. O the increase o his government and o peace there, shall be no end, upon the throne o David, and upon his king-, dom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with i righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The seal o ; Jehovah o hosts will perorm this. To understand the metaphysical import o this lesson, it is necessary to know somewhat o the constitution o man. The Man-dea is a living picture in the Godmind. This is the "image and likeness o God." This picture is irst cast in a thought o substance. "The Lord God ormed man o the dust o the ground." Then lie is breathed into it- "breathed into his nostrils the breath o lie; and man became a living soul." But this living soul in its body o divine substance is not conscious o the inbreathing Spirit, the Lord God, until it has reached a certain perception. This is described by the prophet in the irst verse o the lesson. The breath o the Lord God, which became the soul o the man maniestation, includes all emotions and energies that move in and through the organism, and it is always designated as eminine. Psyche is the name o that subtle essence that lows in and out o the great heart center called in physiology the solar plexus. But jshe inhabits the whole organism, and it is'through her that we send our thoughts to the various organs and members o the body. She is like a very sensitive mirror that makes a living orm o every thought-image relected into it. She has brains in every part o the body, and they think the thoughts she relects into them. Zebulun is the brain at the pit o the stomach that presides over the chemistry o the organism, separating and apportioning to each part its share o the ood. Naphtali is the brain in the back, whose oice is to direct the elimination o certain watery elements rom the blood. This presiding genius is called Strength, because it keeps up the positive tone o the circulating: medium. When we have been worshiping material 'things and.illing our thoughts with worldly conditions to the exclusion o the spiritual, there is a deterioration o the soul quality. A gloom and dimness o the mind prevails, that "alicts" (R. V.) Zebulun (stomach) and Naphtali (kidneys). This is accomplished through the "Sea," or nerve luid, that is connected with the magnetic vibration (Galilee "to whirl"). This was brought about by the sins o Ahaz (the Will), as described in Kings 16:1-8, ; Chron. 28. But error works its own destruction. The organism gets weak and the unctions no longer do duty the soul and body will separate unless something is done. What is the'saving element? t is through meditation the thought o death. When man has time to think about God and himsel, there dawns upon him a "great light." We cannot describe how we see this light in the soul spirit cannot be translated into sense but we have the increasing joy and peace o that perception, and the battling thoughts o contention and antagonism, the warring conusion o error, all are puriied by the ires o Divine lie. This "great light" is the open door that loods the soul and body with a power it has never beore realized; there is a new birth the Christ o God is beginning to orm in man's consciousness. This is the most wonderul experience that the soul can have. t is beyond all words. We can only exclaim, as this exalted orce begins its descent into consciousness, "Wonderul, Counselor,-Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace 1" This great opening o the soul to the Supreme Sel has its degrees o initiation. We do not put on Christ at a single bound, nor does a single illumination put us in permanent unity with this "Father within me" o Jesus. t is a development rom the irst little ray o light and power, step by step. But "o the increase o his government and peace there shall be no end." UNTY - magazine. is i

3 February 13,1916. sa. 9: But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. n the ormer time he brought into contempt the land o Zebulun and the land o Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way o the sea, beyond the Jordon, Galilee o the nations. 2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land o the shadow o death, upon them hath the light shined. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy; they joy beore thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4. For the yoke o his burden, and the sta o his shoulder, the rod o his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day o Midian. 5. For all the armor o the armed man in the tumult, and the garments roiled in blood, shall be or burning, or uel o ire. 6 For unto us a child is bora, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. 7 O the increase o his government and o peace there shall be no end, upon the throne o Oavid, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The zeal o Jehovah o hosts will perorm this. What does Zebulun represent? The intelligence at the pit o the stomach which directs the digestion. What does Naphtali typiy? The strength center at the back. What is the eect o material thought? The eyes o the understanding are dimmed and shadows o mortal thought gather in consciousness. The whole organism is aected, particularly the stomach and kidneys. What is the restorative power? The light o the Spirit How is the mind opened to the light? Through prayers and spiritual meditations. The light increases rom day to day and the soul grows into consciousness with the Christ Mind. oqdtember 24, 1939 sa. 9: But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. n the ormer time he brought into contempt the land o Zebulun and the land o Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way o the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee o the nations. 2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land o the shadow o death, upon them hath the light shined. 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou, hast increased their joy: they joy beore thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4. For the yoke o his burden, and the sta o his shoulder, the rod o his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day o Midian. 5. For all the armor o the armed man; in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be or burning, or uel o ire. 6. For unto us a child is bom, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. 7. O the increase o his government and o peace there shall be no end, upon the throne o David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The zeal o Jehovah o hosts will perorm this.... _'. s the birth o the Christ in the heart' o man according to the established order? The birth o the Christ is the soul's act o.conceiving lie as pure and the bringing orth o that idea into visibil- ity- What light is reerred to as shining, upon those who dwelt in darkness? The light o reedom that comes: through the entering into man's consciousness o the Christ love and wis-; dom. What analogy exists between the joy o one who has become conscious o Christ in himsel and the joy o a. harvester? Perect ulillment is the basis o joy: in both cases. What orecast o peace is made possible by the coming o the Christ into maniestation? The prophet's vision that "all thej armor o the armed man in the tumultiand the garments rolled in blood, shall; be or burning, or uel o ire," ollow^ ing the birth o the Prince o Peace m the hearts o mankind/one burns v-ha is o no urther use, outdated arid si/pers tiuous; ' ' ' ' *.': ih On what qualities is the Christ king^ dom ounded? ^ On perpetual justice and righteous^ riess actuated hv riivin- ** ' - ~ w * 1

4 December 16, 1945 «_,,...,_ J _. J a a, 9:2...^._..^ December 21, 1947 Shorn me nam«"wc«clerulj E'i'The people that walked in darknw _ saiah 9r2-j ^Counsellor," "Mighty God," "Eve have seen a great light: they that dwelt mi 2. j ^ a^o walked b'dammp" 5 ^ Father," and "Prince o Peace SLTil t i j t ^ dmt^ UP0Q *«* se great light: they that dwelt in iare to be applied. 1 t T n c u t K u S the nation, thou * U ^ t S " *" ^ **"? 7 ^ * '* T 7 " " " ^? H hast increasedi twir joy: they joy beore ^ V t b S " multiplied the»&* ^ " M ' * **'... j according to die,oy in harvest, as men re- ^ ^ increased meir ^ } ^ Because permanent peace is thei la* joice when they divide the spotl... ^ aaording t0 me joy' i n ^ 4 ^ n^ sign o dorrunion to be realized. t * Who are "the people that walked in rejoice when they divide the spoil, must and will come through the wor H u art - For the yoke o his burden, and the o those who are actuated by th darkness" ( stag 0 hi s s h 0 ulder, the rod o his op- jtsrist Soirit ': Those who are bound within the pressor thou bast broken ^ m the day o p n» /, " n4» BM1Mm a 3 7 imitations o sense consciousness and kdian'. [ *» "*""» { h $ V A who have no knowledge o anything 5. For all the armor o the armed man *»* o peace there shall be no end A ni her or more satisying ***= t u m u l t ' *<= garments rolled in JT/wt dow this prophecy envisage? rvrw is "the land o the shadow bl< i >_ shau ** or ^rning, or uel o ire, j t implies the triumph o the Chri i± j Pl, t ij>? - For unt0 m a chlid u ^r 0 - mt0 5* over materialism and sense dominions ru J / a son is given; and the goverrument shall U. i A A e c u ^ The domain or the senses. Death is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be \ _ c 1..,..J the end o all in this domain, and its called Wonderul, Counsellor Mighty God, p e e. The Spirit o truth is to u shadow lies always across the lie that Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. grease, becoming maniest m great v, A. r #~ J 7. O the increase o his government ;and greater measure, and the peacj is without consciousness o God or ^ r thee ^ ^ J 5 ^ upoa ^ * understandin is dso to J the promise o endurmg or eternal be- ^ o David> -mo" u p o n ^ k^g. ^ ^ inini ihg in Christ. dom, to establish it, and to uphold it with ; '' u. ternt g j n //{ ; What light shines upon this hope- justice and with righteousness rom hence-. ntme we ",.* less state o mind and lits those J**}** *>' ever The zeal o Jehovah o W o * o/» ^ «, We i i i W * * «>* rwwr a» hosts W,U P"' 0 * *. T b i» our, work a W e heve il " demanding and the joy o living? What is the "great light' seenby 1& 6, to rule ourselves. \ The light o the Christ mind with* t, ose wo0 oave <> wa lked in darkness''? its message o peace, good will, love,! t is ^ understanding that lie is and Truth. eternal and that death is not a part o :: How is the joy o individuals and ^ aiyme law. This "light" removes o nations increased? ^ shadow o ear o death rom the By their hecommg assured that their race mind. Death is not the end o lie. 1 lie is in touch with the inner springs Uununed by Christ, we see that lie j o the eternal and that the substance does not end but is continuous. 1 o Truth that they have realized will Uow does increase o joy "multiply endure i they hold it ast in mind. a ttatj 0 n? * By giving them such an uplit o mind and soul that they gain additional strength, initiative, inspiration, and contentment. Joy has magniying power. What besides understanding dissi- % pates the ear o death? The light o divine love as it is 1 ound in the Christ. By what is military and material might to be set aside as o no impor- tance or power? By divine love grown triumphant, although it dawns irst on the mind as an idea without strength or power (as a newborn child). How is the magnitude o thje power o divine love represented ar\-outpictured in this lesson? u By the prophet's description o the growth o the Christ rom newborn babe to spiritual head o the world, to

5 ., M i d i a n. / - L 1 i " December 2 5, 1949 ' ^t' yoke" or "burden" is "bro- Taa through the Christ conscious- 2. The people that walked in darkness 77 * have seen a great light: they that dwelt in The burden or yoke o domination _ the land o the shadow o death, upon them by the sense mind. The Christ con- -_ hath the light shined. seriousness rees us rom all such ma- 3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou t e r i a i bondage. n sense consciousness hast increased their joy: they joy beore thee..,..., according to the joy in harvest, as men re- ia * 1S a continual struggle.. joice when they divide the spou. Ar * the deenses erected by the sense 4. For the yoke o his burden, and the consciousness against the shocks o a?: sta o his shoulder, the rod o his op- U e o strie and contention (Midian) pressor, thou hast broken as in the day o 0 any usg (0 tl g one who is ; thg - 5. For all the armor o the armed man Ch " st consciousness? in the tumult, and the garments rolled in, they lose all meaning and are blood, shall be or burning, or uel o ire, dissipated like wood when it is bumed. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us What is indicated by the words "unv a son is given; and the government shall,, L-U- J.; j be upon his shoulder: and his name shall t0 US a chid ", hom ; and the i»-! be called Wonderul, CounseUor, Mighty eminent shall be upon his shoulder"? God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace. n these words we see that the truth 7. O the increase o his government Q &«, c h i s t c o n s ci ousness grows and s and o peace there shall be no end, upon J j n _. _- j the throne o David, and upon his king- d e v e l o P s gradually in a person s mind; * dom, to establish it, and to uphold it with _, justice and with righteousness rom hence-it is not a sudden attainment. he term orth even or ever. The zeal o Jehovah o "Everlasting Father" also suggests that hosts will perorm this. we grow m Christ consciousness as we What is "the land o the shadow & ovr m vmderstanchng, rom inancy % o death"? to maturity. ' t is the race consciousness, in which What are the chie characteristics o % death is thought o as the inevitable the realm o the Christ kingdom? end o lie. Justice and righteousness, ounded Who are "the people that walked upon the reign o love ("the throne o in darkness 11? David" V Those who are in the race consciousness, that is, in darkness as ar as their understanding ot the ultimate destiny o man is concerned. What "great light?' comes to the race? The light o the Christ consciousness, which gives understancling o eternal lie and has power to make it maniest here and now. n what sense does the dawn o the Christ consciousness in the mind and heart o man "multiply the nation"? By giving the people ground or rejoicing. Joy makes or more abundant lie by quickening the lie o the people, making them conscious o love, peace, wisdom, power, and other spiritual qualities inherent in lie.

6 R P B > -. y - / ' -! > " * March 25, 1954 ebslbi^lssjl sa. 9:6.,&;Tie':p«##^JSv»? r sc L i P^ur e.?,?. e..jk 2 "* "^iaivirall:'-atiia.i 07=-. p ^ - ^SBonlnterBretteon;^;,:- ^ "i,;ovj can the'unseen kingdomo ideal sel,thus ealh^gitlr^ ^itnctple 6e racde maniest to oislon. J-*. ^ sri " J»idh' Why do vie study the lie o Jesust t j;..by right thought and conduct and' Jesu3 was the Great Exemplar, and 3>y ollowing only worthy impulses,*n His lie.we md our own possi- the inner kingdom is made a mani e s t bilities magniied and made clearer deality to all tons. His devotion to Principle i» a By Does the birth o the Christ Spirit constant challenge to our endeavor. l ian man ollow a deinite law? -.. ] Where does the Christ Spirit irst elyes, there is irst the embryo, o pecome active in man? V s llea o possible perection in thej The sphere o action o the Christ \ rsrter lie; next, the laying hold o Spirit is irst the unseen thought lie, Parrounding substance through ^nd rom there it works out, by the * ^thought and action; then the acceler- process o spiritual evolution, into xation o growth through habitual h>an's visible aairs. practice in spiritual living; inally, the! What lesson do we ind in the para- ull lower o the Christ Spirit. pie o the leaven and o the ntustard & What is the importance o true\ 9ee^' ' " % {words? ] -.' We learn that the kingdom o the j> k : To gaining the habit o clear, con-j keavens MM a constantly increasing- ^tractive thinking, the.use o trueipkce - <>** ^ e ^hen we implant the 1 irords is essential. The word o aith, Mea in mind; and think o it con- j *the! word o praise, and the word o itantiy ** a reahty*. ^r: ^«e^ ^. toye all. belong in this list What practical inerence can be topidde rom the saying that the tree «:known by its ruit?- p Man is known by his lie, as.the Ltree is known by its ruit. The two iitre produced by the same process o; ^growth rom within outward.,! p-through what avenue do man's,t lwesstnps reach him? >. Through the gateway o his own; consciousness man receives all his; pood. ^ ; lipjpha work does JaW aceompwh p^aith. rees us rom, inharmohy? ewith divine law, and allows the true r instinct o the soul to express itsel ^inaction. '. j U n what other way can man estab-* H Ess, harmony in Ms lie? \. By habitually recognizing the good,; eman brings himsel into harmony's Kwith.-lie...,..;.....,._...;.'.. i,-^ "i

7 jm maam December 21, 1941 aa. 9:6,7._ *.j 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon bis shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlastinc Father, Prince o Peace. 7. O the increase o his government and 1 o peace there shall be no end, upon the throne o David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice' and with righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The zeal o Jehovah o hosts will perorm this. What "child" is born unto us on whose shoulder the government is to he? The idea o the Christ as the AM within each one o us is the "child" or j initial idea o sel-dominion that is born in us when we are quickened to perceive Truth. j To what does the new idea o our divine nature lead us? To the Christ consciousness. The names "Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince o Peace" given to the Christ show a wide range o power and maj* esty. What else do they indicate? That the Christ idea, when it is received into the mind and cherished? there, becomes all-pervasive. t is ail things to all men. ' j What aspect o the Christ conscious* ness do men need most urgently at} present? - - ] That o Prince o Peace. ndividually; and collectively man's chie need, is to realize the peace that surpasses mortali understanding. This realization wilp lead in time to world peace. How can peace surpass understand-: ing when it is through mutual under-- standing that lasting peace must cometo the world?? Peace so. well ounded that nothing? can disrupt it is beyond our human un#j derstanding; But when men's mmdsj are opened to realize that all are pnev :in Spirit and that the destmy o eachj lone, iss.to express lie heres in him as a son o'god; mutual. J iimderstandihg will come to them at thej [same bme.and lastingj peace vvill be; established.-. v/~.j., / < What does the "throne o Da *, v -- December* 16, 1945 aa. 9:6, 7 6. For unto us t. child is bom, unto or a. son is given; and the government shat be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderul, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince m Peace. 7. O the increase o his government and o peace there shall be no end, upon the throne o David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness rom henceorth even or ever. The zeal o Jehovah o hosts will perorm this. What ground or rejoicing havh those who accept the idea o the Christ as indwelling? The courage or living that is gained by reliance on the strength, power, and love o the ever-present Christ Spirit is ground or rejoicing on the part o all who have ound the responsibilities o lie weighing heavily on them.' "The government shall be upon his shoulder." They need not meet in their human strength alone what lie brings them. What is signiied by the diversity o names that the Christ bears? That the Christ is "all things to all men" and that no one looks to Him in vain or help. All. bring their* inadequacy to the Christ power and ind there whatever they need to supplement their Own need. ". J How is the Spirit o the Christ best expressed? \ By divine love. As love is made a>: 'rule o.{conduct and^l.mailinajddj puie toward others, he who ioyes en-; ters the Christ consciousness and knows God. :;o/:i- : :«