Think you that we all know the power of thought, or know it even in a degree? The Bible says, and says truly, that “ as a man thinketh, so is he.” We are exactly what thought has made us; no more, no less. Upon the mental condition depends all else.
Error is wrong thinking. One of the subtlest errors, common to many, is the error of self-satisfaction. How often have we heard it said: “ The religion that was good enough for my parents is good enough for me.” But does this person think that the candles which his parents used are good enough for him? Are the stage coaches good enough for him? Does he not delight in the use of the telephone, the automobile, and the electric train? It behooves us to be consistent, and to rejoice that we may be numbered among the growing throng, progressing in the onward march of thought.
We can all have the companionship of good thoughts. Is there one who does not desire health, happiness, and prosperity? Then let us “ put off the old man with his deeds (lay aside all wrong thinking)”; and let us “ put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge (regenerated by right thoughts) after the likeness of him that created him.”
Do we know that every evil thought which we think reacts against us until we have paid the penalty or suffered in proportion to the evil thought? Do we realize that each thought which we think will bring forth “ fruit after his kind ” ? Indeed, we may not all be “ like unto whited sepulchers,” but should each of us look within, we would certainly see some error which needs to be eradicated. Wrong thinking lets in errors of all sorts. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land.” First, then, we must be ‘willing to part with wrong thinking. The prophet Jeremiah declared that it is our sins which withhold good things from us. In the parable of the prodigal, the father did not run to meet his son until the son had abandoned his false way, and had come to him in meekness and in humility.
Every school-boy knows that a mistake, to be corrected, must be detected, erased, and the truth placed in its stead. If we are cherishing thoughts of malice, hate, hypocrisy, revenge, jealousy, resentment, self-righteousness, self-love, self-justification, self-will, pride, or criticism, let us be as willing, nay, as anxious, to forsake these evils as we are to fly from some robber or thief. For do not these wrong thoughts rob us of our peace of mind, our joy, happiness and health? And will they not steal from us our sincerity, humility, meekness and purity? “ Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.” That countless millions are not at peace, but are sick, sinful, and dying, shows conclusively that they are not properly acquainted with God. That many thousands are manifesting greater love, greater health and happiness, greater holiness, peace, and prosperity, shows that the world is advancing and is attaining in some degree “ the mind which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Is it not time that the error of the ages be uncovered and removed, and that mortals be shown their way out of bondage into the freedom that God intends for them? If we wish to gain success and happiness, we must not only be willing to leave our old ways of thinking, but we must be obedient to the law of right thinking. If we would overcome some peculiar trait or habit, we must be constant, persistent, earnest and conscientious in our efforts. “ By denying ungodliness ” and by holding the perfect condition in our thought and working cheerfully and faithfully to gain it, we shall win. Each of us has work to do in overcoming the habit of careless thought with thoughts of health, love and purity. We cannot afford to be apathetic or slothful in our efforts. If we are obedient and faithful, we shall find our reward in character, poise, wisdom, health, wealth, purity, and self-control under God. Knowing that our thoughts and purposes are right, brings us that consciousness of peace and satisfaction which nothing else can give—the consciousness that trusts all with God.
Go and sell that thou hast.” These words were uttered to the separation, young man who desired to enter the heavenly kingdom. The same voice is speaking to us today. Go and sell, part with, get rid of, whatever separates you from good, from right thinking. We must part with arrogance, prejudice, stubbornness, self-will and superstition, if we would become as a little child; if we would enter the kingdom, the abode of right thinking, the realization of peace and harmony.
Why is it that when we ask a „ ..person what his idea of God is, first the where heaven is, or some other pertinent religious question, he changes color, looks uneasy, and evidently wishes that he was elsewhere? Is it not because he has not a satisfied thought regarding these subjects? Should we ask a musician a question regarding music, he would probably return to us a prompt reply. Why ? Because he has studied music; he understands it and is therefore capable of an intelligent reply. Should not the man who has given time to music, to mathematics, to art, to natural science, much more give time to the understanding of God? Should he not take time to consider the problem of man’s origin and destiny? God is the author of all, the Creator of the universe and man, the one Substance, Power, Love, and Intelligence. It behooves us to “ seek first the kingdom (knowledge) of God,” and with this spiritual seeking and finding, all else will “ be added unto us.”
Why do many people refuse to unite with a church? Because the creeds of the churches do not satisfy their longings. They desire a practical religion, one that can be lived seven days of a week instead of one day—a religion that will lift them out of their sorrow, heal them of their diseases, and deliver them from their sins. They hunger for a religion that will teach them how to stop sinning, instead of a religion that admonishes them not to sin. The progressive thought of today demands more than the dogmatic theology which has been substituted for the teachings of the Master.
The truth of these words from Archbishop Whately is unquestionable : “ Ten thousand of the greatest faults in our neighbors are of less consequence to us than one of the smallest in ourselves.” Let us not hold thoughts of animosity or revenge toward those who have wronged us; rather let our minds be so full of love for all that there will be no room for error of any kind. “ Love is the fulfilling (the filling full) of God’s law.” Love is the law of heaven, and “ everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.” It is easy to love those who love us; but our love should not cease there, “ for if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? ”
If someone thinks wrong about us and manifests this thought in an unkindly way, how are we to overcome such injustice? Certainly not by returning hate, but by giving love.
If we put out of our own consciousness all thoughts other than love, and manifest this love— God’s love—toward our brother or sister, the unkindly thought will cease, and we not only have gained a friend, but have done a work for our own spiritual growth and for humanity.
Let us reverse the tendency to cover our own errors and to expose the errors of our neighbors. Let us cease beholding the mote (sliver) that is in our brother’s eye while entertaining a beam in our own. Let us examine ourselves daily to see how much of error there is in our thought, and let us daily strive to overcome it. Let us confess our faults, repent of them, and forsake them; for thus, and thus only, do we attain progress.
How many of us are prone to see faults in our neighbors and then seek to expose them? How many of us take it upon ourselves to criticize the actions of others, repeat idle gossip, and sit in judgment on our neighbors? If we are doing these things, let us stop it. Let us refuse to think or utter an unkind thought. “ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, . . . this man’s religion is vain.” As we are harshly condemning others, it would be well for us to pause and consider the sayings: “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Do we know under just what conditions our neighbors are laboring? Are we quite sure that were we placed under the same conditions we might not see things in a different light? What one of us is wise enough to say whether or not another has done what was best under his circumstances? We think that we would do better were we in his position, but how little we may know of the struggles that he may be having, the burden that he may be carrying, and the earnest efforts that he may be putting forth. Let us not be so anxious to hear of the conduct or business of another, but rather let our anxiety be for ourselves, lest we overlook the Golden Rule. Let our gaze be turned within and above, that we may make each day better than yesterday, and continually feed our thought on the divine rules of Life.
If we would cease criticizing, let us learn to praise. If we feel tempted to speak disparagingly of others, let us instead utter some words of commendation or love. Let us work earnestly and persistently to overcome these errors, remembering that “ not that which goeth into the mouth defileth the man, but that which cometh out of the mouth.” Each one must evangelize self if he would know the joy of living ; if he would gain health and happiness.
We should examine our conduct in the common round of existence. Let us be kind in the face of provocation, patient when trying circumstances are present, and calm amidst excitement. Above all, let us put on the robe of charity, gentleness, meekness and humility. Let us yield our thought to the divine government and thus consecrate, ourselves to God.
Let us not burden ourselves unduly with what others may say or think regarding us; rather let a deaf ear be turned to all utterances of unjust criticism. If we are free from the habit of criticizing ourselves, and know that “ no weapon formed against thee shall prosper,” then indeed, shall we be at peace with ourselves and with the world.
Let love alone fill our consciousness and radiate from it; then we shall not only refrain from doing and thinking evil, but we shall forsake it.
If we look for imperfection we shall surely find it everywhere, for while we entertain sin ourselves, we shall certainly imagine that we see it in others. The chronic critic is a menace to himself and to his associates. We should curb our words of faultfinding, our meddlesomeness, our desire to know of the business of others; for think you that any good will ever come out of such propensities? Shall we be helping others or helping ourself? The sooner we begin to think more about God and about the ideal man of His creating, and less about the mortal and false around us, the sooner shall we find the kingdom of heaven within us, and see good everywhere.
“ Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” Truly are words without deeds but “ as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” We must not only know what is right and true, but we must live it and love it. The question is not, How much am I reading and studying the Bible? How much am I talking to others about the beauty of the spiritual life? But rather is it, How much am I living the truth that I now understand? How much of sin am I removing from my consciousness, that I may be able to think aright and help my brother? Let us have a heart to heart talk with ourselves. We need not be afraid to confess to ourselves just how much of sin we are believing in and practicing. If we know what is right, and if we do it not, it is sin. If we know that our thoughts about our neighbor, whether he be friend, foe, husband, wife or brother, are not such thoughts that we should be willing to lay bare to the world, then they are sinful thoughts; and we may rest assured that we shall never enjoy true health or happiness until we forsake them, and replace them with right thoughts.
If we are entertaining certain thoughts which are sinful and give little heed to the loving counsel and admonition given to us by one who has seen our error and pointed it out to us, but rather continue in our wrong thinking and acting, we shall certainly be punished. Did not the great teacher Jesus say: “ And that servant which knew his Lord’s will and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes”? Greater punishment is received by the willful sinner than by the ignorant sinner; for the Master adds: “ But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes.” The more we know of the path of true thinking, the more is required of us; and would we have it otherwise? Were we not punished for sinning, the world would be deluged with sinners. It is a just and right law which punishes the wrong thinker, for if he will not willingly give up his wrong thought, he must expiate it through suffering.
“ Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Except we be regenerated through obedience to the divine utterances of the Christ, we cannot see, behold, or partake of heavenly good. It is imperative that mortals put off the sinful thoughts, lusts, and desires of the human mind, and yield obedience to Truth; for man can never understand God, nor enter His kingdom, while he believes in the reality of sin, sickness, and discord. The mentality must be cleansed, healed of wrong thinking, and the right thoughts take dominion, else the body will be sick, crimes will be committed, and disobedience to the law of God will continue.
We must each work out our own salvation, God working with us. Someone may help us along the way, may uncover the sin that we did not know was binding us; someone may show us the open door through which we can gain our freedom; but no one can force or push us into glory. “ For every man shall bear his own burden.” “ Every idle word that men speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” “ For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” The day of judgment is not in the hereafter, as many have believed. It is today, this very hour. For the idle or sinful thought which we uttered today, we may receive our punishment today, tomorrow, or next year, but nevertheless the judgment is today. In the very moment that sin is thought or committed, it is judged. Unless we see the sin and forsake it, punishment will overtake us, and at a time perhaps least expected and least desired. Therefore let us choose today whom we shall serve.
Let us strive for the true consciousness that “ thinketh no evil ”; then shall we gain in health, love, and good. The peace of God is the one thing worth having, and this we shall never gain while we harbor any thought toward our brother which we know God does not think toward him. If we would serve God, let us be willing to see our faults and our shortcomings. Let us give heed to the voice that ever gently whispers, “ Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” “ Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Dear reader, it rests with us whether or not we become free from sin, sickness, and discord. Sin is the root of all our troubles. The voice of Truth and Love is ever uttering itself to us as a still, small voice, ever bidding us rise from our belief in evil to the understanding of God as our only Mind. Man as the child of God reflects goodness, purity, and health, and has dominion over “ the world, the flesh and the devil.”
Let us know today that we need not sin longer, we need not be sick longer, we need not despair longer. The ideal man, Christ Jesus, declared the way for us and showed us how to escape from bondage; and as we study the Bible with the light of spiritual understanding, we shall find the perfect Father-Mother, God, and find our true self as God’s own image.
If we are longing and wishing to be like somebody else, to have more of the pleasures that others seem to have, let us quiet such longings with thoughts of gratitude and thankfulness for the blessings already given to us. Let us rejoice that we are living in the age of progress, and that we may be among the many who are learning every day that health, happiness, and prosperity are within the reach of all. We can live nobly, work joyously, and thus not only help ourselves, but help all mankind. Instead of wishing to do great things, let us work earnestly to overcome what we may term the smaller errors in ourselves. The great Master said, “ He that is faithful in that which is least is also faithful in that which is much.” “ If ye are faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” Jesus conquered every foe, overcame every obstacle, and we may have within us the mind that he had.
We must have courage to persevere, and, with right thinking, victory is the inevitable result. Can victory be gained at once you ask. Progress is the law of life and it is through growth that we enter heaven. We must think our way into the kingdom.
As the sunlight penetrates every nook and corner, and casts out darkness, so will thoughts of love and truth cast out the darkened thought of evil, and let in God’s radiant light. Have we not glorious opportunities before us, and should we not awaken to them? We can all learn to think rightly. We are thinking something all the time, either truth or error; therefore, let us heed the admonition of Paul: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Let us strive vigilantly and courageously to eradicate whatever errors may be keeping us from right thinking. Do you say that you are discouraged? that you have striven for patience, for endurance, for strength, for spirituality, and have failed? God’s Word is true, and truth cannot be reversed. “ Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” We may not reap today’s sowing tomorrow, nor next week, but every right thought does help us on our journey heavenward; its good is never lost and does bring us nearer perfection. Let us not go back to our old ways of thinking because we do not see immediate results from our faithful strivings. Let us ever look up and rejoice, and “ not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Jesus said, “ No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” So he who turns again to error for consolation, after having participated from Truth’s fountain, is not ready to hear the words,
“Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things.”
Let us walk nearer and nearer in the footsteps of our dear Master and his disciples, constantly refreshing our thoughts from the living waters, endeavoring to forget our crosses in helping others bear theirs. Should we feel that we are not advancing as rapidly as we would like to advance, let us not be gloomy or cast down; rather let us manifest greater activity than ever, working with renewed interest and vigor, and we shall win, for our reward is as sure as our existence. These few words of Longfellow are ever comforting:
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate ;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Let us strive to progress in concentration, in power, in alertness, in persistency, in faith, love, ardor, liberality, and spirituality.
Many of us have severe lessons to learn while endeavoring to overcome the wrong with the right. We shall have to learn to receive merited rebuke with gratitude; to receive unmerited blame without loss of temper and with self-control; to be told of our faults without feeling resentment; to achieve success without false pride and vain-glory. We must learn to acknowledge with love and warmth the good work of our neighbors; to be misjudged and condemned without feelings of discouragement and self-pity; to be reviled and not revile again; to forgive and forget all sins committed against us. Let us begin today to think heavenward and the way will grow ever brighter even “ unto the perfect day.” Let us silently declare that the divine Wisdom reigns in our thought; that the one God, the one Mind, is everpresent; and that “there is no power but of God.” Let us maintain a perfect mental poise, remembering that Truth demands of us only the thoughts of today. If we live in the present moment, yesterday’s failures will be forgotten, and tomorrow’s burden will not be added to our cares. We reflect Life, Truth, and Love and have dominion; therefore, let us exercise it. Let our hearts, warmed with gratitude and love, ever turn to our Maker for the true substance, “ the bread from
Heaven,” and the great Heart of divine Love will reward our unselfish and faithful efforts with that peace which the world can neither give nor take away.
Our heavenly Father is the “ Shepherd and Bishop ” of our souls, satisfying the starved desires, strengthening the feeble courage, and giving impartial good to all.
Since God is Love, and God, Sin and Love, fills all space, we should therefore remember that sin and destroyed, sickness are not real or eternal, and have no rightful place in our thoughts. Let us put out the thought of sickness and hold the thought of health; put out the thought of hate, jealousy and revenge, and hold the thought of love. We should give up our stubbornness, our temper, our bitterness, and our self-will, and let our thoughts reflect upon the good, pure and true. We must bear in mind that God gave us dominion over all things. Since sin and disease are not of God, and have no God-given principle or power, we need not fear them nor be subject to them; but we can with Truth overcome them.
Health is one of the results of right thinking,—the knowing of the truth about God and man. Purification of thought is necessary to the right understanding of God and man. Seeing God as He is,—omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence,— and understanding that man is made in God’s image, opens the door of thought to health and harmony. “ The people which sat in darkness saw great light (the light of spiritual understanding).” If we would have health and happiness we must give up wrong thoughts for right and true thoughts; thus will “ a new heaven and a new earth ” appear. The law of God is the law of health and holiness, as Jesus proved; and as he applied this truth mentally, so must we apply it today. Sin, sickness, and death have no place in God’s consciousness, and should have no place in ours.
If you are borne down with sickness, with sin, or with sorrow, and think that God has aught to do with it, you are under an illusion. These conditions are wholly the results of sin, fear or ignorance; and you can destroy these conditions by using the truth that Jesus taught. Hear these words of the Way-shower: “He that believeth on me (understands Truth), the works that I do shall he do also.” The promises of the Bible are true today and can be relied upon. Truly is it God “who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.”
How many people in our land, think you, are spending time in talking about sickness and who take a special interest in pouring into the ears of their friends graphic descriptions of each ache and pain that is manifested in their bodies? How many are allowing thoughts of disease, sin, accidents, and death to be constantly voiced in the home? Do you not know that these unhealthful and abnormal thoughts create fear, sickness, and discord? Banish such thoughts from the home, and in their stead seek to have normal, healthy, and happy thoughts uttered.
Fear is one of the weeds which needs to be ejected from our mental garden. And what are people afraid of? We all know people who are afraid of food, of climate, of heat, of cold, of water germs, air germs, and food germs. They are afraid to eat, and afraid not to eat; afraid to sleep, and afraid to stay awake; afraid to stay in the house, and afraid to go outdoors; afraid to drink the water boiled, and afraid to drink it unless it is boiled. They are afraid to live; afraid to die; afraid of man; afraid of the devil; afraid of God. These dear ones need to read and study well such words as these: “ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” “ Nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Really, man’s only safety lies in good thoughts,—in a spiritual consciousness. The belief that there is reality in sickness, sin, and death, will disappear as we become more fully conscious of our relationship to God. Let us see to it that the meditation of our hearts as well as the words of our mouths glorify our Father-Mother, God. Let us be lovable in our dispositions; honorable in all our dealings; and charitable to all. Let us continually radiate thoughts of love, cheerfulness, and holiness ; then into our lives will flow
There is a story told of an inexperienced carpet layer filling his mouth so full of tacks that, mental, while working, he inadvertently swallowed one of them. He became intensely frightened and hastened to a friend experienced in this line of work. The friend listened to his hurried tale, laughed at his fears, and merely said: “ Oh, that is nothing. I swallow many tacks every day and I never think about them.”
The young man departed greatly relieved and gave the matter no further thought. How different would have been the result had the friend told him that he was in great danger; had he told him that he had heard about many men who had died from swallowing tacks and other such objects. We cannot be too watchful in overcoming fear in every form in which it presents itself to us; for surely the Bible is right in saying, “ Fear hath torment.” If we really know that God did not make fear, and did not make anything for us to be afraid of, then we shall acquire calm and peace.
We all know how easy it is to reply to another in the same manner, or tone of voice, that he uses. If our friend appears haughty, we may try to be haughtier. If his voice is unkind, we are not so careful of our own. Even children are affected in the same way. If we speak kindly and lovingly to them, they are likely to respond in the same spirit, whereas different results may be apparent if our voices be other than kind life’s sweetest blessings.and gentle. The writer knows of a father who impatiently told his little five-year-old daughter of her faults, and endeavored to impress upon her mind that she would grow up to be a naughty girl. The little one replied, with flashing eyes: “Well, what did you born me for? ” Had the father lovingly and gently told the child of her faults and helped her to correct them, such an outburst of temper would not have occurred. We should not seek to antagonize, but seek to help each other.
Someone has said, “ Be good, Evil and you’ll be happy; but you’ll miss a lot of fun.” Such a sentiment is not the truth. A great many people, when they become religious, put on long faces, and lay aside many of the harmless pleasures and joys of life. We need not be excluded from harmless and innocent fun or amusement ; but the so-called pleasures belonging to evil are not good and cannot make us happy. Their seeming pleasure is not lasting and must inevitably end in suffering. Let us love the good, the pure, and true. Let us exchange the pleasures of the human mind for joys that are lasting. Those who dwell “ in the secret place of the most High (secret, or apart from all evil)” feel the peace of ever-present Love and entertain unspeakable joy and harmony. Let us spend more of our time in thinking of spiritual things and let us give less time to the material; for “ every knee shall bow to me” and “all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.”
The world will be regenerated; good will prevail; and all evil, hate, disease, and death will pass away before the spiritual vision of the new heaven and new earth. Let it be said of us that “ whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”
“ And an highway shall be there, . . . and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; . . . the redeemed shall walk there; . . . they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
Do you still ask, How can this be? The Revelator tells us that “ he that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment.” To eradicate wrong thinking and all its attending evils and to usher in the religion of Love———— the realization of health, harmony, and happiness—was the mission of Christ Jesus, the great Teacher. So do we see “even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest.”
The End