that now engages the pursuit of man, and this grand system of abundant life, and the attainment of transcendent capacities of mind, is all contained in the words of the Christ, and becomes clear if we but approach them in the true spirit,-to understand righteousness that we may be righteous, not in our own estimation but in conformity with a universal system that is evolving a world and its people because that world is a necessary part of a system of worlds, because countless systems of worlds are joined in a perfect whole and because all is order. It is our work to learn the order and carry forward the work. The spirit of truth will reveal the purpose if we only seek to know, in order that we may do accordingly.

OUR CALLING.

There are days and periods of days when conditions seem to combine to break our hold upon the Spirit. We are apt to multiply the trouble by struggle. We forget that such trials have come and gone, and shall continue to come and go; but that spirit, the spirit of truth, abides ever; and if the soul will identify itself with the spirit of God, nothing can disturb it, for God is love, God is Spirit: all the universe is obedient to him, because love owns all, controls all, and wisely provides for all.

If we abide in the everlasting spirit of the Father, he will give all things into our hands, because, loving all, we shall be guardian of all.

The question is, how shall we receive of the spirit of truth? By making a use for it, we prove our right to it. Let us look abroad over the body of humanity and feel and declare: All souls, are in my care; my work is to lead them to the Father.

THE VALUE OF MEDITATION.

Nothing permanent can be accomplished without a definite object. It is questionable if any great end is ever attained until it is a recognized necessity.

In other words, nothing great is done without prayer, and, as prayer is that sincere desire of the heart which spontaneously

avails out of real necessity, let us discover our necessities, that we may be honest and sane, and able to understand and grow into the magnificent stature of our Lord, the Christ.

There are no utterances in all the world that compare in wisdom with his life and teaching: but it requires a great earnestness to comprehend the vastness in his simple statements; but in them he has given the laws that dominate nature, the key to eternal life.

There is a current maxim in the world, that wherever there is a demand there is a supply: this is a law, which for its operation, is dependent upon fatth, Now faith is back of prayer, and necessity is back of faith, and the soul, only, knows necessity. The work then is to uncover the soul. The soul is the only real part of us, the only part of man that is purely sane, that is able discriminate, judge and decide.

This brings us to the point of meditation, its value in discovering real issues, and deciding upon a definite purpose and line of accomplishment, in the name of the Spirit.

Unless we practice quiet reflection, meditation and musing, we are pretty much adrift all the time: we appear to get somewhere; and, while we do progress,-is it safe? Surely not our progress is much like a vessel that does not from day to day correct its course, hence, may reach a point for wide of its destination, or may encounter sudden dangers.

Meditation clears the way; gives the soul expression, that we may exercise wisdom of selection between error and truth, and clearly fix in mind the soundness of our choice, so that in the midst of confusion we may not be confused, nor at any time be led from the true course.

During meditation one is able to calmly consider what is best, what is true and good and eternal, to separate, as it were, the wheat from the chaff; to choose and make firm decision that under no circumstances will he be caused to do or be other than is consistent with those things which meditation has brought to

light as actual soul-needs; for these are the way of life; and if the issue is not made clear and well established during the hours of quiet, they will not be our holding power in times of trial. So, let us be diligent in marking out and impressing, again and again, our "reasonable service": when that is well established we have the power of faith and effective prayer by virtue of conscious right. Only thus, it truly appears, is divine law operative for us. We must be well grounded in definite principles of truth from the depth of the soul. Then we can take up the Master's promises, and, understanding them, apply them and witness their fulfilment in our own life: "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled;" "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy;" "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you;" et cetera. This great store of wisdom is revealed to the earnest, reflective soul in its order and relatedness as a perfect working system out of death into

life.

The spirit can, for time pervade and control every member and function of the body, and transmute what in form is the grossest sensuality into purity and devotion. The generative energy, which, when we lose, dissipates and makes us unclean, when we are continent envigorates and inspires us. Chastity is the flowering of man; and what are called Genius, Heroism, Holiness, and the like, are but various fruits which succeed it. Man flows at once to God when the channel of purity is open. By turns our purity inspires and our impurity casts us down. He is blessed who is assured that the animal is dying out of him day by day, and the divine being established.

Henry D. Thoreau.

Mr. H. E. Butler.

CORRESPONDENCE.

San Jose, Cal. Aug. 26, 1904.

Dear Sir: Will you, if you please, answer the following questions: After putting one's self under a teacher and healer could he, if so disposed, take one's center from him? and what is one's center? and if taken from one what effects would it bring to pass? Could another healer and teacher take it back from the one who had taken his center, and restore it to the one from whom it was taken? I have good reason to ask these questions. I was referred to you by one of your subscribers.

Please accept my thanks in advance.

I remain truly yours, an earnest seeker for truth,

M. B. H.

Ans. To the thoughtless mind your questions would seem unreasonable and even fanatic, but those who have had some experience in the power of suggestion and that of psychology, know that they are very reasonable.

There are many teachers and practitioners in what is called "Christian Science," "Mental Healing," et cetera, who are entirely devoid of morals and are working on the principles of suggestion and psychology for selfish and sensuous motives. When a person goes to a teacher in order to learn from him, he must to a very great extent become like a little child, that is, he must yield his own mentality in order to become receptive to the mentality of the teacher. This places the pupil in the hands of the teacher, whoever he or she may be, and, if the teacher is disposed to selfishly take control of the pupil, he may so far psychologize him as to take away his center, as you put it, and

give him no other except that which will serve the purpose of

the teacher.

An individual's center is his object and purpose in life and his standard of morals. When this has been interfered with, the individual has truly lost his center. Psychology and mental suggestion can very easily do this, and a person of immoral and selfish designs can so far change the fixed motives and standard of a person as to leave him entirely at sea, subject to the suggester's caprice.

Can another healer restore that center? Certainly not, but another person of a high moral standard of honor and sense of right might change the immoral and chaotic state produced by the immoral healer and produce in the individual a new standard of right and morality, but that would not be the individual's own center. We believe the only way for those who have lost their center to regain it is to go by themselves, thoroughly examine their feelings, desires, and tendencies of mind, and discern thereby to what extent their own conclusions and standards have been changed through the influence of the teacher; then by the power of their own will turned against the principles that have been projected into them, they can again establish their center by deciding upon their purpose, their standard of morals, and their hopes and aspirations, and if they hold to this center, no one can change it. Once a person realizes that he has been influenced by an unprincipled psychologist, his natural repugnance to those unprincipled ideas will free him of their influence. It is almost identical with a person starting out to conquer the abnormal waste of the life forces. The race has become so contaminated by perverted sex conditions that the suggestion tending toward immorality is constantly being made on the mind of all persons. Therefore the advice given in "Practical Methods to Insure Success" would undoubtedly be the very best that we can give and we advise you to read it carefully and practice the methods; for, if you do, you will be free to do as you choose.