j s i n v j JtUARY 1979 i j U S I l T S d Thomas E. Witherspoon, Editor Stahr A. Pope, Art Director Pamela Yearsley, Associate Editor 90 Roy J. Howard, Circulation Manager YEARS OF Claborn Brants, Production Manager usimd* FEBRUARY 1979 VOL. 159 No. 2 UNITY Magazine was founded in 1889 by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.
CONTENTS
View from Unity Village Thomas E. Witherspoon Charles Fillmore—As I Knew Him II Ernest C. Wilson The Miraculous Pilot Light Hazel Jay Places I Have Been Joyce M. Volk Unity—Our Limitless Horizon Mary Rowe Unity Today Robert L. Stevens The Lincoln Legacy Ross Tucker ! Biology Lesson John D. Engle, Jr. ! Give Up to God Marilyn E. Rieger ! There’s a Dawn in Everyone Howard Caesar I Prayer Power A Message from Silent Unity James Dillet Freeman I February Verle Bell True Power William Earle Cameron 1 Be Strong in the Lord Charles Fillmore Monthly Thoughts ■ Building the Christ Consciousness XIV Frances W. Foulks The Living Christ Hal Lingerman ! Questions on the Quest Marcus Bach • Dream On My Soul Hettie Wallace < Letters to the Editor Book Mark Pamela Yearsley 1 Invitation Albert Abdulky Back Cov
C R E D IT S : N ancy D uell. cover; S u e Ja ck so n (28): A nn B regach, s ta ff a rtis t (37); D avid S. S trick ler (64).
UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY, Charles R. Fillmore, President; James Dillet Freeman, First Vice-President Secretary. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Charles R. Fillmore, Chairman; Otto Arni, I-ouis Vene Bass, Claborn Brants, ! William B. Dale, Robert L. Drescher, James Dillet Freeman, Frank Giudici, Martha Giudici, Roy Howard. Foster C Charles McGill, Keith McKay, Peter L. Rhea, Ralph Rhea, Rosemary Rhea, M artha Smock. Harold Whaley, Philip White Witherspoon.
UNITY Magazine (ISSN 0162-3567) is published monthly by UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY, Unity Village, Subscription price (United States and possessions, and Canada), 1 year. S3; 2 years, $5; 3 years, $7: additional subscripts order, $2 each. (Foreign odd $1 extra per year or subscription.) Single copy, 35 cents. Second-clasB postage paid at Lee's S 1979 by Unity School of Christianity. (Unity School also publishes the following periodicals: Daily Word, S2 a year; Diaria, S2 a year; Daily Word in large type. S4 a year; Wee Wisdom, S4 a year |10 issues!- Foreign add SI extra per year or si ► VIEW FROM c- » UNITY VILLAGE
After last month’s inspiring account by Ernest C. Wilson con cerning his recollections of Charles Fillmore, we are sure you will be eager to read the concluding chapter in this issue. In addition, a warm and personal human interest story by Hazel Jay sheds more light on the character and wisdom of Unity’s cofounder. It is entitled “The Miraculous Pilot Light" and starts on page thir teen. * Two more Unity field ministers, Mary Rowe of Christ Church Unity in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Robert L. Stevens of Christ Church Unity in San Diego, California, present their views ‘of Unity—past, present, and future—in articles beginning on page sixteen. Other ninetieth anniversary contributions come from Albert ‘Abdulky and his poem “Invitation" on the back cover and Verle Bell's “February” on page thirty-seven. This month’s special cover features the Administration Build ing and Activities Center at Unity Village in a typically snowy scene. The art is by Nancy Duell. Among many other fine articles and features this month are two which deserve special consideration. “The Lincoln Legacy" by Ross Tucker, minister of Unity Church of Decatur, Illinois, stresses the Truth of the spirituality of Abraham Lincoln—and delves into the idea that whether he knew it or not, President Lincoln made good use of the Twelve Power theory as developed by Charles Fillmore. The article starts on page twenty. Howard Caesar, minister of Unity of Olympia, Washington, has written a delightful story about his daughter Dawn, and her overcoming the challenge of first standing and then walking. His account is related to the challenges we each face in our own un- foldment and is a real joy to the heart. This article, starting on page twenty-nine, is richly illustrated by Sue Jackson.
In God’s love, CHARLES FILLMORE— As I Knew Him
B Y ERNEST C. WILSON
Part II « of them. Yet in less than three- years I was asked to do another wedding ceremony. Soon after the 1931 event Mrs. Fillmore came to my office to tell me how much people had liked the service;* that she was glad we had over ruled their protestations and had gone ahead with it. In late* September she visited me again to say that she felt she had completed her mission on this plane, and was going to make her transition. My plea that we needed her was unavailing. “Mr. Fillmore may be the mind of this minis try but you are its heart. We need you,” I declared. “Now, Ernest, you know bet ter than that,” she admon ished, insisting that she was weary and needed a change. WHEN ON MARCH 29, 1931, In love and faith, I could I officiated at the celebration only release her in my thought of Charles and Myrtle Fill to the will of the Lord of her more’s golden wedding anni own being. versary, I could not have On October 6 , after only a imagined that I would ever be day’s illness, she passed called upon to perform a simi serenely into the higher dimen lar ceremony involving either sion. I was called upon to con- duct the memorial service for reached the local press, and her (as I had done for Charles Lowell Fillmore called me on .Fillmore’s mother, and later the telephone to tell me that was to do for Rick Fillmore’s reporters were in the front wife, Harriet). A copy of the office wanting an interview. •effort I made to memorialize “Will you meet with them?’’ he Myrtle Fillmore’s life and tran asked. sition appears in the book, “It’s really your father’s Myrtle Fillmore: Mother of place to do so,” I responded, Unity, by Thomas E. Wither “since it is his decision. But I spoon. know how he dislikes such in In December 1933, Charles terviews so of course I will, but Fillmore, then in his seventy- I'd appreciate it if you and ninth year, made two decisions Rick, as members of the that were of special import to family, would join me.” the Unity movement. One was to relieve himself of some of his “ It’s All Unity!” duties and the other was to remarry. They did so. But unfortu He had served as minister of nately the reporters made the Unity Society of Practical same mistake that a lot of Christianity and as President other people do. They did not of Unity School of Christianity note or make a distinction be since their inception. He also tween Unity Society and Unity was writing books, pamphlets, School. (“I t’s all Unity to me” and magazine articles, and people frequently remark.) speaking on radio. He rejoiced The local story, further cir in the great growth of the culated by the Associated movement, but at one point, Press, announced that Charles when demands were especially Fillmore had resigned as head pressing, he commented, of Unity School, and had ap “Sometimes I wish I could get pointed me as his successor! ^way from so much formality Mr. Fillmore was amused by and go out in the woods and sit all subsequent mixed reac on a log for a spell.’’ tions. It simply had resulted He resigned as minister of from a confusion of terms. For Unity Society and appointed tunately the Fillmore family me to follow him as its minis understood this. But I was ter; a natural enough appoint glad that Lowell and Rick had ment, I suppose, since I had been present at the interview. been assisting him in the ser The more startling event was vices for several years. Word Charles Fillmore’s announce- ment that he intended to marry mirable qualities, and they his longtime secretary, Cora were to become more obvious' Dedrick. to me and to many others in Cora had been Myrtle Fill the years following her mar more’s secretary and later had riage to Charles. The great replaced Ida Mingle as Mr. mass of Unity students knew Fillmore’s secretary. Ida her only by her literary con Mingle was a zealous advocate tributions, notably her book of Mr. Fillmore’s most ad Christ Enthroned in Man, and, vanced teachings: the Twelve so little ever appeared in the Powers, reincarnation, bodily publications about the per immortality, and physical sonal life of contributors that regeneration. She felt that even her marriage to the these should be emphasized founder made little if any im: even more, so she left Unity, pression on readers at large. moved to Chicago, and there However, many persons at established an organization Unity H eadquarters were that featured these concepts. opposed to the marriage, espe Cora Dedrick had many ad cially Rick.
Charles and Myrtle Fillmore chat in front of one of their favorite fireplaces. Does it dismay you to read minister—performing mar this? Would you assume that riages, officiating at christen .these people, pioneers in the ings and funerals—years went great movement teaching con- by without a Unity ordination. ‘structive thought and feeling, In those early years the had no human feelings like founders would simply decide your own? Their lapses such as that someone should be or they were, were minimal, which dained and give him or her that in light of my own efforts at distinction. But, when I in self-discipline, I find rather quired about ordination they comforting and endearing. would say, “Were not doing it any more.” His Tastes Were Simple One day in September 1934, however, Elsie Shaw, head of All of us had a great feeling the Field Department, told me of respect for Mr. Fillmore’s it had been decided that Fran teachings, which were a re cis Gable, a field lecturer, and I markable blending of idealistic should be ordained by Mr. Fill potentials and a down-to-earth more in a private ceremony in practicality. As I came to serve the Conference Room. On him more and more closely schedule Elsie, Francis, and I through the years, I came to assembled as planned. admire and respect him more Mr. Fillmore did not appear as a great spiritual leader, and on time. to love him deeply as a kind of “He's probably been stopped second father. He was witty, by someone on the way,” Elsie amiable, and charitable in his remarked. attitude toward other teachers “You don’t suppose he’s for as well as to people in general. gotten it, do you?” Francis He also had a strong will. His suggested. tastes were simple. He disliked Elsie went to a phone and pretension, pomp, ceremony. came back with word that he A striking example of these had overlooked the matter, but feelings appeared in an inci would join us right away. dent that dismayed me at the Soon he appeared and joined time, but which I can now view the little circle we had formed. with amusement. It involved “About time you should be the matter of ordination. come legitimate,” he said smil I had been ordained long be ingly. “No use making a lot of fore I was called to Unity, but fuss about it.” although I was continually Mr. Fillmore led us in a called upon to act as a Unity prayer and then ordained us in IrJUtSt'z. zY© ^//TT’ ■£_ <>
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Charles Fillmore wrote this affirmation when he was ninety-four. a simple, quick manner. (I’ve never used it since.) Right on cue, Rick appeared The Marriage in the doorway, pleading with December 31, 1933, is one his father to forgo the mar New Year’s Eve I think I shall riage. (I know Rick dearly never forget, for it was on that loved his father and that his day, a sunny Sunday after intention was good, but he noon, that I met with the im needed to free his father to mediate members of the choose the course of his own Fillmore family, excepting life.) We were all stunned. It re Rick, in the living room of mained for Mr. Fillmore to Lowell and Alice Fillmore’s break the silence. “Let the beautiful home at the Village, ceremony proceed,’’ he said. to perform the marriage cere The service concluded without mony for Charles Fillmore and further incident. After his mar Cora Dedrick. The ritual that I riage to Cora, Charles Fillmore used at that time was derived took up residence in a cottage mostly from the one that Mr. on property she owned a short Fillmore had composed. Short distance from the Village. and simple, it included the The mental aspect of Mr. familiar admonition, “If in the Fillmore’s style brings to mind sight of the law there is any an incident that touched me reason why this marriage deeply at the time, an incident should not take place, let it that was intended as a compli now be made known. ” Unfortu ment to me, but actually com nately I did not have the fore pliments him in my opinion. sight to omit this question. It seems to have been a part of my mission in Unity to try as to me. I began .to have a ‘out new ideas. “Why don’t we strange feeling that a cycle of .have a Thanksgiving morning my life was closing and a new service?’’ I suggested. I found one was to open. 'that the general notion was In my very earliest ministry, ,that because many people at which began before I knew that tended the regular Wednesday there was such a movement as ‘evening service, they wouldn’t Unity, I had gone into the come out the next morning pulpit of the little church I when, presumably, housewives served in Galveston, Texas, for ''would be busy preparing the a quiet time of prayer with no traditional feast. “Let’s try one present to mortal sense, it!’’ I suggested. I asked Mr. but with a deep inward feeling 'Fillmore if he would take part of the Presence. I went to the with me, and he readily agreed. little reed organ, picked out the I gave the first talk, then there notes of a familiar hymn, then was a solo, and Mr. Fillmore entered the pulpit to read aloud was to give the featured clos the words of the 91st Psalm, ing talk. When I finished my which I was accustomed to ‘talk, I sat down next to Mr. reading every day on behalf of Fillmore in the chancel as a our young men who were serv soloist began a song. Then he ing their country in what leaned toward me, touched me proved to be the closing on the arm and said, “You months of World War I. Clos speak from your heart. I don’t. ing the Bible I turned to God in I speak from my mind; but I’m prayer, thanking Him for the .working on it!” opportunity to serve Him, with That he could let down his the thought in mind that I personal reserve, so often would probably be there for the masked by jest and banter, and rest of my life. speak to me from the heart (as In the midst of that prayer I he was kind enough to say that heard a voice. I do) touched me very deeply. I tell it here as a tribute to his Spiritual Message objectivity in self-appraise ment and ingratiating humili There was no physical entity ty. present through whom a voice The eleven years of my clos could come, yet the words were est association with Unity on as clear as any I have ever Tracy reached their climax in heard spoken. They were these: March of 1938. It came as a “You won’t be here very surprise to many people as well long!” Nothing more. No assurance at least new ways of wording of what would follow, but with them—and energy seemed to* a finality that could not be dis flow through me. puted. I turned to Charles Fillmore. They proved to be true. I con “Do you think I am perhaps' tracted a physical illness, just overdoing and need a rest, found help through it in a most or is this a leading of Spirit?” I extraordinary spiritual guid asked. ance (that I have recounted in a “It is a leading, but I wish chapter of my book, Like a you wouldn’t go,” he answered. Miracle), learned about Unity, “But if it is a leading, you* and indeed received a letter know I have to go,” I had to from Myrtle Fillmore proph say. esying that one day I would What resulted was a great* “be in Unity.” and ever-growing work in Los Her prophecy was fulfilled, Angeles, interspersed with though it took eleven years to many trips back to Tracy, later bring it about. Now, after to the Village, and finally a call another eleven years I had back to the founder’s church. another intimation from the It was on one of my trips to’ Presence. It was as though a Unity Village in 1948 when I strong voice I did not hear but was a house guest of May Row sensed said, “You must go!” land at her lovely home, Casa Not where or when or how. Serena, that I learned from her Just, “You must go!” that Charles Fillmore, then in It was difficult to justify. I his 94th year, was confined to was minister of the founder’s his bed, tended by nurses and church in Unity. I headed the the devoted Cora. Unity editorial department. “I think you should see him Four of my books were in print. soon,” May suggested, and I I was traveling up to six did. months a year, and presenting Cora greeted me warmly and my “Master Class Lessons” to ushered me to the bedroom thousands. I was on radio four where Mr. Fillmore lay snugly teen times a week. I had enwrapped in the bedclothes of spoken on CBS’s Church of the a big double bed that was Air six times. Why must I go? placed at right angles to the en True, I was really doing try, the foot of the bed just a about four jobs. It took a lot of few steps from the door. energy and I have never been a “Here's Ernest come to see robust person. Yet somehow I you,” she said, and stepped found a flow of new ideas—or back to remain standing in the Charles Fillmore poses while at his Unity School desk.
doorway throughout my brief tion which showed that his visit. strong convictions survived his Only Mr. Fillmore's head illness. was visible above the bed “Ernest, do you believe in covering. Though his face had eternal life?” he asked. lost most of that pink and “Of course I do,” I re white youthful look that had sponded. characterized his complexion “Well, if you do, you can and that of his mother as I demonstrate it,” he stated. remembered her, there was still the keen gaze in his eyes, and a Guided by Spirit friendly smile curved his lips. After a few casual words his From that he went on to talk expression assumed a serious about how he felt Spirit had aspect. He propounded a ques guided him and others of us in the work. With that he closed memorial service held in his eyes and remained silent a Fellowship Hall of Unity Tem few moments. Then, opening ple, which was still in the pro his eyes and looking intently cess of construction. across to me he murmured, “We have always been very Again at the turn of the year close!’’ 1965 I had a strong feeling of He closed his eyes again, and imminent change, as if my somehow I felt the visit was bags were packed for an over. unknown destination. It took “God is in charge,” I said me back to the congregation to and turned to join Cora and which so long before Charles bade her good-bye. Fillmore appointed me—this I had been deeply touched by time in beautiful Unity Tem his closing words. ple. “Tell me, Cora, did Mr. Truly, Charles Fillmore had Fillmore mean that he and “fought the good fight,” he Spirit had always been close, or had “finished the race,” he had did he mean he and I?” “kept the faith.” He had not “Oh, he meant you, Ernest," counted himself to have appre she assured me. hended; but one thing he had It was an assurance I have done, “forgetting what lies cherished through the years. behind and straining forward Not long after, on July 5, to what lies ahead,” he had 1948, he made his transition, pressed toward the mark of the and I flew back from Los high calling of God in Christ Angeles to take part in the Jesus.
From time to time, friends ask us to assist them in remembering this work in their wills. In response, we have now prepared a simple instruction booklet which contains much of the needed information and many suggestions. I f you wish to have one of these booklets, direct your request for it to LEGACIES Unity School of Christianity Unity Village, Missouri 64065 THE MIRACULOUS PILOT LIGHT
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BY HAZEL JAY
IN MY EARLY YEARS we faith and dedication to the heated our farm home with a God-inspired idea called Unity “round oak’’ stove that we had has made a new type of Chris to constantly stoke with wood tian. What, indeed, is a new and coal. One could get warmth type of Christian? It is not one from it according to one’s prox who has a special way to do a imity. It served its purpose, specific thing, but one who has though not entirely satisfacto a specific way to do all things; rily. Years later we moved to a it is a way to learn and know city and a new house with a the Truth. large, enclosed structure called Charles Fillmore was a soul a furnace. It didn’t require with unusual enlightenment. wood or coal, but it would not As he shared the Truth in his function without a pilot light— everyday life, he sparked many a small, permanent flame that persons to grow. He did me, I ignited the gas fuel. We took am sure. the miraculous pilot light for During the 1930s and the granted. Depression I found myself out Often I have thought about of school and in need of em the Unity teaching, how it was ployment. Jobs were scarce ignited and began its steady and there were more applicants glow when its pilot light, than available jobs. I didn't Charles Fillmore, shared his know then that God directs our spiritual insight and inspired way and that with Him, we wisdom through the printed always find our right place! I and spoken word. His constant thought it was I alone who directed my way, so I pursued he said, “Young lady, you need the idea of finding work that to learn more about the law of would give me a living. I prosperity. Never refuse your hadn’t reached the conclusion good. Remember, in order to that being employed could help receive one must first give. bring something known as You have given to me a special prosperity. I decided I would service and you are entitled to be content to just get along receive a blessing. This dollar with the necessities of daily liv has my blessing for I give it to ing. I didn’t know that God is you as a part of God’s bounty limitless. My expectations and also with a spirit of thank were limited because I had the fulness for His goodness to me, most meager understanding of now expressed through you.’’ any of God’s laws. Fortu Well, I had never heard such nately, and by divine appoint statements before and the im ment I am sure, I was selected pact of the feelings he ex from a very large group of ap pressed almost hypnotized me. plicants to work at Unity. One His pilot light was working day, to my utter surprise, a and mine was in its glow. I man of slight stature, with a could not dismiss the words of warm sparkle in his eyes, ap this kindly God-inspired man proached my desk and asked if and each time I would start to I would help him with some im spend the dollar, I simply portant papers requiring a couldn’t. Always I would put it good typist and some notarial aside. Somehow I realized it duties. Being eager to serve, I had an intrinsic value far quickly said yes. I didn’t know greater than any need I he was Charles Fillmore, but I thought I had. It had become a saw him as a loving and gentle symbol of God’s greater good person needing my help. When already in store for me, greater the work was completed, he than any I could yet conceive! thanked me and put a dollar It no longer was a symbol of bill on my desk, and for some my economic well-being; it was unknown reason I just couldn’t a spiritual treatment! Keeping find it easy to accept the it always with me has helped gratuity, even though a big me to recall and to remember part of me wanted it desper those faith-filled words of ately! That dollar bill looked years before. They caused me like a fortune to me for I had so to delve into the teachings of many places to use it, but his Unity, reading almost every searching blue eyes told me message possible and taking even more than his words when classes to improve my under- standing of God and my rela any situation, can redeem any tionship to Him. Thus Unity failure, can restore any loss, became my way of life. As a and can cure any illness. It is matter of fact, I spent some promised in Psalms 37: “Take forty years as an employee, and delight in the Lord, and he will my experiences in those years give you the desires of your have kept my pilot light aglow. heart.” I am still striving to accept the I still have the dollar, for it realization that it is faith reminds me of a moment in my coupled with the promised con young life when a miraculous stancy of God that can right pilot light began to glow. 0
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Editor's note: Some thirty Unity ministers have been invited to participate in Unity's 90th anniversary year plans. Each month this year two or three of the ministers will be presenting their ideas about what Unity has meant to the world in the past, what it is doing for mankind today, and Unity's potential for the future.
UNITY- OUR LIMITLESS HORIZON
BY MARYROWE
HOW CAN ONE describe something that has changed one’s whole life? Many times I have wondered to myself, “What is Unity?” Especially when asked this question by someone with little or no knowledge of this wonderful teaching and movement. After more than twenty years of con tinuous effort to apply it in my life, I still cannot answer this question in a few sentences. I feel like saying: “Try to live it Mary Rowe is minister of for twenty years, or more, then Christ Church Unity in Asbury come and tell me the answer!” Park, New Jersey. She was Unity to me is the inspira formerly editor of Weekly tion of God becoming manifest Unity Magazine and associate in this life through the con editor of UNITY Magazine. sciousness, the understanding For many years her column en of the individuals who seek titled “Dear Reader’’ appeared Truth through this channel. in UNITY Magazine. She has The flow of the inspiration had countless manuscripts began in the minds and hearts published by Unity through of Myrtle and Charles Fill the years. more. It flowed from the Christ center in them to the Christ wisdom and healing and faith. center in others who were Unity has no limits what drawn by their understanding, soever. Thank God! as it flows from each of us who The Unity movement takes are dedicated to its growth. its place beside and is one with This idea, this inspiration upon all teachings based firmly on which Unity is based is pure the inspiration of the Christ Truth, and to the degree that Spirit. Its place is to bring the we, its students, let this idea message which truly sets us free in our consciousness, to free from the bonds of negativ that same degree will we be ity in all its forms—fear, releasing and directing emana criticism, doubt, ignorance, tions of Truth into this belief in limitation, from the aniverse. sense of separation from other Unity can only be what we persons, other nations, other allow it to be for those of us planets, and from the sense of
There’s a Dawn in Everyone
BY HOWARD CAESAR
ON THAT SUNNY August grew in strength so that when morning when I brought my she was placed on the floor wife Diane and our newly born stomach down, and was given daughter Dawn Michelle home some encouragement, she often from the hospital, little did I would get excited and move realize the impact this blessed her hands and feet very rap child would have on my life. In idly, all without moving an the coming months there was inch from the spot where she so much I was to learn from her lay. Eventually she was able to about life—things that anyone assume the position of what can learn from any child, if one might be termed a disgraceful studies and observes the pushup. Now able to lift her growth process that takes head and look around at the place. confines of her world, she was Life at times is rather com intrigued with all she saw. Her plex and difficult to under big, blue, inquiring eyes glis stand. However, there are tened with delight as they moments when we are able to glanced around the room ob closely observe the things serving all they could. around us, thereby gaining in After some time, I noticed sights into life and the growth the delight began to fade and process that goes on within frustration took its place. It every unfolding soul. seemed she was not content I discovered Dawn was like with the rate of progression life any other normal, healthy in imposes on babies. It was fant-tiny, fragile, and totally almost as if she could not wait dependent. Since I was a father to grow up, to be able to move for the first time, I immedi around, explore her world, go ately set out in search of her in places, touch, and feel the herent, God-given talents. I things she saw around her. soon found out that in the early stages of a baby’s life not much Sign of Progress is accomplished outside of eat ing, sleeping, and crying. Before long she learned to With the passing of time she creep by pulling herself along on her stomach. This was a real and ambitions? As much as I accomplishment for Dawn, a would like to think this was go sign of progress, and she ap ing on inside her little head, it peared pleased. Then once again she became frustrated and discontent. She seemed to know there was something bet ter ahead for her and she was not satisfied with this mode of transportation. It wasn’t too much longer until she graduated to a “kamikaze” crawl. She had just learned to crawl on her hands and knees, but her arms were not very strong yet. Because of this, when she crawled her arms would give way and her head would plunge into the carpet. She took this new accom plishment of crawling rather nonchalantly; the signs of seemed rather improbable. frustration remained. I was Then something happened one puzzled about it. I had ob day that led me to believe it served her make great progress might be highly probable that which was in stride with other she really had caught sight of a babies her age. Why the dissat goal she had been striving for isfaction? Why the vexation? all along. It was after supper Why the nonfulfillment? Could and I was sitting down reading it be that she had caught a vi a magazine. Out of the corner sion of something greater for of my eye I noticed Dawn try herself which she was deter ing to pull herself up alongside mined to accomplish and would a coffee table. She had tried not settle for less? Might her this before with little success; sights be aimed at learning to however, this time she ap walk? Perhaps she had ob peared more determined. She served others walking and as a looked up at the ledge of the result was determined to do the table which was about eighteen same. inches from the floor. First one Being a naive father, I hand grasped it, then the other. wondered, do babies have goals Then she began to pull herself up. She was able to get her eyes would lose her balance and level with the table before tumble to the floor, occasion weakening and going down. ally getting a bump on the She whimpered a bit and once head. Nevertheless, she always again set about the task at tried again. hand. She was not to be denied. She had caught the vision of Again she grasped the table what it was to walk and she and this time as she pulled would meet the test. Although with her arms she also pushed she had not actually walked, with her untried yet gamely she now had gathered confi legs. It wasn’t a sudden thrust, dence and was ready to move but a gradual rise as she on to her ultimate goal. I strained with all her little couldn’t help but look forward might. She let out a grunt and to that moment when she suddenly she was standing. would take her first step with The ensuing moments moved out any assistance and to share me to tears of joy. As Dawn in the total victory of her first stood in triumph looking at me completed goal. she too was swept up in the joy I continued to reflect on that of her own accomplishment. eventful evening when Dawn Her face broke out in a tooth pulled herself up for the first less smile that carried from ear time. How many more tri to ear. Her dimples jumped out umphs would we share? How to what seemed the size of half many more moments of frus dollars. Her eyes sparkled with tration? Then I realized that all excitement. She laughed, she of life is a continual repeat of squealed, and she giggled with this cycle. After learning to delight. She was obviously ec walk, a new vision, a new goal static over having reached a takes its place. This process milestone in her quest to walk. continues throughout life. Surely the vision she had held With each new vision and with for herself all along had been to each new goal we set for our walk. self, the cycle begins again. Whether it is learning to play Try, Try Again the piano, mastering a new hobby, or venturing into a In the days that followed, totally new and untried profes she continued to pull herself up sion, the process begins anew. alongside pieces of furniture. In the early going there may be Each time, whether in anoth frustrating moments when it er’s company or all alone, she appears that we are spinning would laugh. At times she our wheels much as Dawn did when all she could do was lie on die and thread has taken the her stomach and kick her feet form of a stunning evening in the air. Eventually, faint gown; the business deal that signs of progress emerge. We has been months in the making have begun to creep and then is now confirmed in writing. crawl. Through it all we hold All these are the equivalent of fast to the vision that claimed a child attaining a standing us at the outset. We cling to position at a coffee table—all our faith in God, the one merit a sense of triumph and Source of strength from Whom satisfaction needed to carry us our vision was born. on to greater demonstrations Like a child falling to the of inherent potential. floor, there may be moments The single most important filled with bumps and bruises factor through it all, the one from temporary setbacks. We thing Dawn most clearly move through the clouds of taught me, was to never lose frustration and the moments of sight of the original aim. For seeming defeat, pushing, pull one cannot truly advance with ing, and climbing until finally out some vision of an attain the first great demonstration able goal. occurs. Suddenly, the ivory We all have things we desire keys of the piano pour out a in life, destinations we are beautiful piece of music; the striving for and accomplish clump of blue velvet with nee- ments we wish to attain. In the very same way that God in stills in babies the desire to Unity Churches, Centers, walk, He implants within every and Teachers person a vision of something greater for ourself. There may I f you would like to know the be times when our view of the location of your nearest Unity good which life has to offer church or center, and cannot seems to melt away before a find it listed in your telephone barrage of doubts and fears. directory, please write to The However, if we learn to focus Association of Unity Churches, our attention on success rather Unity Village, Mo. 64065. They than failure, on health rather will be glad to give you any than illness, on abundance desired information about rather than lack, we can pull Unity churches or classes in ourself up, stand tall, and see your vicinity. the dawn of victory move across the sky of our life ex periences. eighteen months. Several times during that hospital stay I was in PRAYER critical condition. Just prior to going into surgery, POWER my wife reminded me that God’s Spirit is in each cell and healing is the natural thing. She told me to Excerpts from letters to Silent Unity, quoted with permission “Just let go and let God.” As I of the writers. came out of the anesthesia I re membered her words, and I kept thinking on them. Successful Surgery Today I am full of joy and love, and as healthy as ever. During the Dear Silent Unify: Again I write past year only good has happened thanking God and Silent Unity. 1 to us. We are pleased to be a part called you the day before my gall of the Youth of Unity and are bladder operation. The beautiful sharing our unlimited joy and voice of strength came to me and I good with others. regained faith and trust. Although we know all good In the morning 1 knew that all comes from God, we thank you at was in God’s hands and I was at Silent Unity for letting Him come peace. Everyone was kind and through you to us in prayer, loving and now the operation is thought, and feeling. —S.S., over. I was released two days Michigan. early and my husband and 1 are so very thankful. I now feel stronger mentally, knowing that wherever 1 am God is. This is a time of great rejoicing. Please accept our gift of love and God bless you all.—L.K.L., California.
Open-Heart Surgery
Dear Silent Unify Friends: It is with deep gratitude and a great joy that I write this letter and the enclosed check. Over a year ago my wife called To call for prayer help, phone (816) 524-5104. (If you have an on Silent Unity for my healing. I urgent need and have no means was in a hospital for open-heart of paying for a call, dial our toll- surgery for the second time in free number: 800-821-2935.) A M e s s a g e ft
Here it is, February, and I Love. Were it a scientist and find myself writing about but mathematician instead of art terflies. Perhaps you find this ist and lover, the world would , strange—or perhaps you mere be very different. Not butter ly think, “This fellow writes flies or even birds, but jet-pow poems—and that accounts for ered little contraptions with almost anything!” super-alloy wings would go But I think of butterflies in zooming through the air—if February because February there were air, a lovely notion j makes me think of love, and in itself. These would be more butterflies are one of the efficient than butterflies, no reasons why I believe that doubt, but less interesting, whatever made the world, It too—and much less beautiful. has to be Love. The Mind that shaped the Mind makes the world—oh, world is Love. Only Love yes, even if you are a material would want to shape such un ist and think of mind as a expected and unnecessary love mechanism. For the world— liness as butterflies—and any world—is a pattern, a flowers and rainbows. Yes, and thing of shapes and forms. And clouds! Aren’t clouds some it is only mind that conceives thing to watch? If a Mind that things as having form and was merely reasonable shaped gives the forms a name. the world, clouds would prob But that Creative Mind that ably be square—or at least brings worlds into form is circles—a mathematical God
The Lighted Window decided to reproduce it on can vas. The more 1 painted the Dear Unity Friends: During a scene, the more I became aware winter blizzard, I, along with most of who and what I am—the everyone in my area, was literally uniqueness of my individual snowed in for about four days, so I qualities inherited from my decided to utilize the time in a Father-God. When the picture constructive way. was complete, I felt complete and I had a post card of the Silent so grateful to be a spark of a truly Unity prayer window in a night beautiful plan—God’s plan. snow scene. It was so beautiful I The picture hangs in my living n Silent Unity would have liked that! It has always delighted me that whatever made the world made it so that pi—the relation be tween radius and circumfer ence—has frustrated genera tions of mathematicians who would square the circle. And It James Dillet Freeman nade the earth go round the You may be thinking that if sun not in the perfect circle Love made the world, It would Reason would decree it should, have made things easier. But I put in a somewhat shaky el- don’t see that at all. There’s ipse—and not neatly, in a way nothing about Love that leads divisible by twelves or even me to expect Its world to be three hundred and sixties, but easy. Love makes things won n 365 days, 5 hours, 48 derful, not easy. ninutes, and not exactly 36 In fact, Love’s making the seconds, so that we still have world explains a lot that other to make constant adjustments wise is hard to explain. If Love ust to keep our calendars made the world, It made us to straight. be loving. And that’s the hard No, what made the world is est thing I know for human be L-ove, Something that takes ings to be. oy in beautiful and passionate surprises.
oom. Many times I sit and watch Marvelous Healing he window and the light emanat- ng therefrom. I think of all of you Dear Friends in Unity: Thank you vho devote your endless love in for the reassuring blessings from lelping people. I too, through the your prayer room when I phoned ight in the window of my picture, you. end my love and energy along We had brought my husband to vith those of you, and pray that it the hospital for gallbladder vill uplift and strengthen so many surgery. They had to perform vho reach out. I am blessed. surgery the same day we arrived -D.L.M ., Indiana. as conditions had become acute. When I phoned you at five p . m. pened so quickly. I told her I had the prayer given me to acknowl called Silent Unity and God’s edge was, “The healing currents healing power is beyond of health are making you whole.” understanding. By nine p.m. my husband was I praise God and the out back in his room and he was stabi stretched hand of Silent Unity. lizing so successfully that he Enclosed is a love gift.—J.G., bypassed the intensive care unit. Pennsylvania. The following morning his nurse, smiling, said, “Spring forth,” and he was on his feet. The Power of Prayer His healing has been almost in stantaneous and whereas most Dear Silent Unity: Through your postoperative cases are unable to support and prayers, 1 am so very assume their usual tasks until five delighted to report that hoped foi weeks after such an experience, events have occurred. he was back to work in two weeks. Of particular concern to me was Again my very great love to all my partner’s need to have the besl of you in your powerful prayer real estate job opportunity possi program. — W.L., Illinois. ble and I kept telling him that Goc was working on it, to relax anc God’s Healing Touch believe it would be done. I ever said, “Put in your order, thank the Dear Silent Unity: During the past Father, and then go and do wha year I have called upon you to you can.” stand with me in prayer and al We agreed on the best time tc ways you were so faithful to up start on the new job, with a par hold me in my search for God’s ticular man, and on a partial sal perfect healing touch. ary. I thought about it daily anc 1 called for my grandson who my partner began reading all the was suffering from congestion to information 1 sent or gave to hirr the point my daughter phoned me about the power of prayer. to take them to the hospital. He Today my partner called me could barely breathe. He told me that he was hired to gc I dialed your number and a to work on the day we had de calm voice of assurance said that cided on, with the man he hopec you would join me in prayer to work with, and on a partia immediately. salary. This is no surprise to m< Twelve minutes later, when I and we are both grateful to hav< arrived at my daughter’s house, learned so much from this par the baby was resting and breathing ticular event. quite comfortably. My daughter Please accept this gift fron didn’t understand how this hap us.—A.M., Idaho. By Verle Bell
“How long must I wait, my God?’’ Cries the impatient heart When denial of that heart’s hope Seems to last forever.
“Just long enough, dear child, For you to be ready for your goal. Trust Me.”
The Father of all seasons, In His wisdom and infinite patience, Knows the needs of our soul.
When the soil is ready, When the day is right, The seeds will sprout and grow.
Waiting . . . but with joyful expectancy . Will bring forth fruit in its right time.
Should those seeds send their soft green tendrils Through the frozen earth, They would die.
Let us wait for the thaw, the movement of life; Let us plan, dream, believe, make read} Let us give thanks for life And celebrate this season With love. True Power
b y WILLIAM EARLE CAMERON
OF ALL THE potentials and powers that we inherit from God as His spiritual children, perhaps none fascinates us more than the idea of power itself. The very thought of power usually brings a strange delight to the hearts of people. The desire for power is part of life’s basic motive force. People are always seeking power: to accomplish, to overcome, to control—even, unwittingly, to destroy. Power takes many forms. There is physical power—elec trical, chemical, and nucle ar—which gives us earth-mov ing equipment, automobiles, airplanes, and rockets. There are social powers which give life much of its color, drama, and tragedy, such as the allur ing, but always temporal influ ences of authority, jurisdiction, position, and advantages, lead ing often into “empire-build ing" and sometimes climaxing as dreams for world conquest There are also the powers oi usrrv the inner world—mental, emo tional, and spiritual—the crea tive forces that move through the minds and hearts of people. Few people yet realize even vaguely the awesome extent of our mind potential. One of the least understood of Jesus’ teachings is that which would awaken us to the operation of the benevolent, transforming spiritual powers latent in our selves—forces that He referred to as “the Father who dwells in me.” There is in reality only one Power in the universe and it is always everywhere equally present. Therefore, all power is interrelated; some is static, some is stored, and some is dynamic and active. Power is essentially the “doing" idea in Divine Mind, the spiritual pro ducer of the universe. It is our privilege to specialize it. Per haps our best understanding of it can be gained by dividing power into two general, rela tive classifications: human and divine, temporal and eternal. Collectively, humanity’s chief quest for power now is to dominate our earthly environ ment. The aim of present edu cation largely is to extend our ability and controls to master mr physical world. As individ- jals, we tend to personally seek power over others, often mconsciously and subtly. As a •esult of these two main pur- suits for power in our lives, we dom, love—all that can be seen' live in a world undergirded by in Jesus. We have approached the combination of mechanical the understanding of ourselves and personality power. We somewhat in this way, too. measure (and value) our ma Even in science, Freud stated chines by horsepower, people the psychiatric view of our by economic, social, or political basic nature as being merely a power, and nations by the bundle of conflicting animal in might of military power. stincts motivated only for But every day we discover physical self-gratification; not marvelous disclosures of new a very lofty image of the powers or forces in the uni spiritual offspring of God. verse, always available for our However, soon his own contem use, but until now, unknown, poraries began to advance telling us more and more of the higher concepts. Adler went a greater divine aspects of God’s step up by noting that as peo creation. ple grow older and all other The needs and benefits of desires and drives of the libido learning to correctly master begin to wane, one motivation our environment seem to be a tends to remain, and even natural part of spiritual grows stronger: the drive, the growth, but the desire to con lust for power. From this he trol others is something that concluded that this strong will need to be overcome. human desire for power is a Scientific research has given compensation for an underly us some insight in understand ing inferiority complex, an ex ing and dealing with the pecu aggerated effort to correct our liar human trait to dominate feelings of inadequacy. others. Often we first approach subjects like this from the Holding Things Back negative, growing from there into higher and better under A major problem even ir standing. We did this in our un Biblical times was the ten derstanding of God Whom we dency of older persons to hole first thought of as a fearsome, younger ones down, to en vindicating, revengeful old trench and hold things back (e man on a throne, not very flat major theme in the stories o: tering even in human terms. Samuel, Saul, David, anc From that, all true religious ad Solomon). The real problem ir vancement has come by elevat retirement today often in ing the concept of God with volves this special unhap qualities, such as peace, wis piness. This quest for powei over others, of course, is the his own kind of “big wheela real cause of all human tyran world leader, a corporation ny, either as the mailed-fisted, president, a tycoon, a member obvious tyranny sometimes of Congress, a society leader, a found in government, politics, crusader, a symphony conduc finance, unions, education, reli tor, a judge, or a policeman—to gion, the news media, and be important, to be “in charge” others, that strives to govern, of people and things, to influ decide, enforce, and rule what ence what they do! other people must do, or as the Everyone wants to be power gentle “apron string” tyranny ful and great in some way; it is of putting strings on things we a part of the divine urge do (“after all I’ve done for planted in each of us as the im pou”), or even the bonds of age and likeness of Almighty dependency, sickness, and God. We were created to be a oelplessness. Dictatorship also center of cosmic power in our exists very strongly in culture, own life and world—an affirma irt, and academic snobbism. tion of the greatness of God’s Perhaps even worse is the over- infinite nature in us. oearingness of anti-snobbery, We are to follow the urges, ft is also fairly common that yet we are right to oppose vhen people feel inferior in the tyranny in every form in obe major roles of their life, they dience to the higher call of our compensate by becoming ty- divine desire. Especially in •ants about how their eggs are spiritual growth we have the cooked in a restaurant, or in important responsibility of ;heir treatment of clerks, sales overcoming all the misguided people, bellboys, or young peo drives and longings within ple and children. A very com ourself and to let the true mon tendency in dictators is to aspirations of our soul find put down all opposition and si- their rightful expression. The ence every voice raised against dominion and authority of our -hem. higher nature will govern with The most important insight the altruistic activity of God’s ve can gain from this is the loving, gracious Spirit. mderstanding that all these Power (the “doing” idea) is -hings exist in each of us. (Did the ability to produce change mu tend to think of others?) under control. True power is »Vho among us doesn’t wish for the transforming power of power, authority, prestige, and Spirit which makes all things luman prominence? Who, new. Its true purpose is to lown deep, would not like to be bring forth and sustain God’s good in His creation. It finds spiritual achievement not only its highest expression through maintains itself, but enlists the the minds and hearts of people. increasing support and cooper The secret of true power is in ation of all things that are recognizing that “ . . . there is related to it in Spirit. no authority except from God, True power is not a power and those that exist have been that oppresses or subdues or instituted by God" (Rom. can be used to diminish, defeat, 13:1), and in knowing the or destroy. True power is a Creator within, the Father who power that creates, that adds ‘‘does the works." the qualities of God’s nature and uplifts everything so that The True Kingdom it contributes to the welfare and good of everything and The life of Jesus was char everyone. True power has all acterized by true power. People the potential and all the forces have always been drawn to of the universe behind it to pro Him because of His extraor mote and fulfill God’s univer dinary power, yet He used a sal plan of good. different expression of power This brings us to our true than almost anyone seeks. He power. When we recognize our said: ‘‘My kingship (the source spiritual importance in the of my power) is not of this universe (as God’s image), we world . . . "—not the power of will know that although we politicians (which He rejected never create power, (God is the in the temptations), not the source and cause of every methods and techniques of the thing), we specialize it. The business world, or even the creative process attains reformers’ crusades (often en its highest accomplishments forced in His name), but the through us. We all have the power of the Spirit within, the power to believe in God, to activity of the movement of establish dominion and author God through Him. ‘‘Not by ity over our own thoughts, feel might, nor by power, but by ings, words, and actions, and my Spirit, says the Lord of thereby release the potential oi Hosts" (Zech. 4:6). our own indwelling Christ. From Jesus’ example, an im Few people are aware of the portant law to remember in all degree of power that God has life is that anything we achieve conferred upon each of us by worldly force must be main through the gift of conscious tained by that same force, or it ness. This great inner power is withers, whereas the power of part of every person’s right and heritage as a child of God. why Jesus made such a frontal The real work is always in con attack on those things. sciousness. The right use of This is often far from the power never involves control- case these days. Many people ing others, but in achieving of wealth and prestige now do a dominion and authority over great deal of good with their ;he inner world of our own advantages. Not only govern thoughts and feelings. ments and corporations, but Inner power always responds museums, art galleries, sym ;o constructive, positive phonies, charities, hospitals, thoughts and suggestions and churches, and colleges are n specialized, often mysterious often built and sustained by vays, translates these people of means and influence. thoughts and feelings into “liv- Theoretically the more you ng” power—an authentic, be- have the more you can do. On levolent, spiritual power that the other hand, amazing things nultiplies our latent abilities are done by people without ind makes possible much more worldly means and influence, )f God’s good in all that we do. but who have in some way found and used that hidden in Talk About Your Powers ner power that can change and improve anything. I have noticed that when peo- I heard this story a long time )le come together, they often ago and I will try to tell it the alk about their problems. way I remember hearing it. It When the first century Chris- is about someone called Uncle ians gathered during the rag- Ben. Ben was the town ne’er- ng Roman persecutions, they do-well who worked in menial alked about their powers! jobs and spent all the rest of rrue power, recognized, appre- his time in the local tavern, un :iated, and well-used, is in til his seven nephews and creased power. It becomes a nieces became orphans by an >ower to overcome, to heal, to accident to their parents. As dess, and to grow into that their only relative, Uncle Ben Mature from which the power went before the local magis comes. trate and said that he knew he In the time of Jesus, those did not have much to offer, but vith wealth and worldly power he would change everything ilmost always misused it. about himself that he had to inhere was no thought of help- and do anything he could to ng others, only of “holding keep the children together and >n” and exploiting, which is raise them as a family. He was more than true to his word. He and a standing ovation as the not only changed and improved most outstanding citizen oi himself but as a result he did their community. an uncommonly good job of helping those young people You Can Have It grow up, and he became an in spiration to the whole town. Do you have that kind ol One by one, each of the power? You can have! You youngsters graduated from should have! That is true high school and with Uncle power! The right and creative Ben’s help went on to college. use of the one Presence anc Finally, it was time for the Power in the universe! It is ab youngest niece to graduate solutely no respecter of per from high school. But she came sons or positions. It is able tc to the superintendent of the move completely independent school with a specific problem. of worldly power and princi Uncle Ben had remained hum palities. It needs only the sup ble and unassuming through port of transformed conscious all this, and he had never felt as ness—a changed heart. though he ought to sit in the Do not give up the advan section reserved for parents tage you now have. Instead during graduation. But the start where you are. Considei young niece and all her other that you are where you are nov brothers and sisters wanted by divine appointment, wit! somehow to get him to sit there the magnificent opportunity t< and to honor him for this last use the power you now have t< graduation. The superinten uplift and transcend your pres dent told the young girl not to ent position. Do not worn worry, that he would take care about the power you do no of it. have. Greater is the power o During the ceremony, Uncle God in you than any demam Ben sat in the back of the that you can place on it. auditorium. After the cere Learn more and more even mony was concluded and day to recognize the Source o everyone else had been that power that lies waiting honored, the superintendent within you, and when you art said: “Now one thing more, are ready for it, the power will b there any Uncle Bens here to there. Prayer and meditatioi night?” Of course, everyone are the greatest avenues fo was in on it and when they power that we have. It is in th finally got Uncle Ben on his silence—the higher realms o feet, they gave him an award consciousness—that livinj power is born. It is increased your thoughts and feelings to and multiplied in spiritual it! You will find that there thought and feeling and with enters into your life new and right use. marvelous power that you Whoever we are and what never had before. You will ever position we are in, we know what the apostle Paul should all leave this world bet came to know about true ter than it was when we came power: “It is no longer I who into it. Within you is a waiting live, but Christ who lives in adequacy for everything you me.’’ truly need. Find it! Attune O
•fto iif,% W i itiiuls Of' i f fit riot,
Be Strong in the Lord
I praise and give thanks idealism. that I am strong in the A study of Truth reveals Lord and in the power of that words based upon the au His might. thority of Spirit develop dynamic force. The difference rO BE “strong in the Lord, between the force of a word ind in the power of his might” based in physical things and neans that we are seeking one based in spiritual things is strength and power from the difference between the ef sources other than the physi- fect one gets from contact with :al. Food and exercises are the a wire carrying a light and a lsual sources of bodily vigor. wire carrying a heavy voltage. Ne are not discussing mental The time will come when rigor, which is gained by com- scientific metaphysics will >ining diet, discipline, and measure mathematically the point within, we repeat silently any set of words that carry a spiritual idea. With practice we can make the inner connection without closing our eyes. In His directions for effec tive prayer Jesus told His disciples to go into the secret place and close the door, there to pray to the Father in secret, and the response would appeal outwardly. Jesus sometimes prayed all night. He taught persistence in prayer. We fine that contact with the super mind—which Jesus named the Charles Fillmore Father—is sometimes quickl} made in concentrated prayer then again, sometimes oui currents of energy emanating mind is slow to see the innei from a brain charged with ma light. The relation of our mine terial ideas and one charged to creative Mind may be com with spiritual ideas. At present pared to the relation of a radie the science of mind is quite receiving set to a broadcasting primitive. We are, like Frank station. As we must tune oui lin, flying a few kites and mak radio set so that it will pick uf ing cursory excursions into a waves from the proper station field of energy the control of so we have to acquire the abil which will eventually change ity to attune our mind tc our whole world. Divine Mind, so we may learr We have found however that by spiritual understanding th< very definite changes occur in true ideas that exist eternallj our mind and body when we in Divine Mind. practice concentration in the Every word has a qualit} silence. This means that when that sympathetically relates ii we want to gain spiritual power to an idea innate in the mind we get still mentally and physi and when the word is releasee cally and turn our attention it radiates an energy that con within. On our first entering tracts or expands the bod} this “silence” we close our eyes cells and through them exter and ears, and with our atten nal nature. For example, word: tion fixed on an imaginary of praise, gratitude, or thanks (2'MontljL] giving expand, set free, and in every way radiate energy. Words of failure or impotence congest energy and cause the cells to crowd together, making ILLUMINATION -I n love God perves trembly and bones brit gave His only-begotten Son, the tle. fullness of the perfect man idea in When the thoughts are lifted Divine Mind, the Christ, to be the up to the contemplation of our true, spiritual self of every in all-pervading and all-powerful dividual. Spirit-Father and our voices God’s love in me is a light ring out in words of praise and on my path. I follow thanksgiving, the withered divine guidance with ease hands and shackled feet are and confidence. reed, the walls of negation are ihattered, and we step forth HEALING—When divine love nto a new consciousness of enters into our thought process, ife. every cell in our body is poised To those in the clutches of and balanced. Love overcomes all idverse words it seems a trav- states of consciousness where isty to praise and give thanks there is mental or physical friction. o the God of strength and A treatment for love is a healing Dower, but thousands of those balm for all. vho have endured poverty and The healing power of sickness for years find that God’s love within me is .heir prison doors open when my assurance of healing. .hey praise and give thanks, I am cleansed and ike Paul and Silas, as related restored. n the 16th chapter of Acts. They were praying and singing PROSPERITY—Jesus revealed hymns to God when suddenly the mind of the Father to us, and there was a great earthquake, He demonstrated that supply de all the prisoners' chains were pends on faith. Our faith must be loosened, and Paul and Silas in loving communion with the stepped forth free men. Christ mind to draw down to our So you will find that you can thoughts the necessary substance. be freed from all the prison God’s love is my all- cells of mind’s blind thinking sufficient supply. I live in by lifting up your voice and the midst of plenty and heart in songs of praise and am abundantly prospered. thanksgiving to the God of freedom, light, and life. 0 W atchword: ABUNDANCE
Building the Christ Consciousness
BY FRANCES W. FOULKS
PART XIV
Beloved of God: manifest on the visible plane Each time I write these for our joy and the glory of words to you there comes a God. In right living there is deeper realization that we are constant reciprocity between indeed the beloved of God. To God and us, extending into the me, just to repeat these words same expression between per is a benediction. In our daily sons for mutual benefit and living we do not always realize universal good. No one can live that we are beloved of God, to himself alone if he would be even necessary to Him as He is healthy and happy and success necessary to us, for we are the ful. Each must learn to use the manifestation of His desire to law of giving and receiving in express His own perfection. human as well as in spiritual For His desire concerning us to relationship. truly express takes our recogni Messages come to me from tion of this and our will to be it. all directions, telling of higher His will is constantly to give. vision and truer living as the Ours is constantly to receive result of words given me by the and use life, beauty, and a omniscient mind, and sent wealth of good, so that it may forth in this publication. In your times of silence will you prosperity, a prosperity that is further cooperate with me by dependable and always present asking the Father to make you and usable. In our old way of more fitted for His work, to thinking of prosperity we give you deeper inspiration and thought in terms of houses and greater opportunity to reach lands, stocks and bonds, bank others of His children hungry accounts and jewels, that is, an for Truth, to make you con accumulation of this world’s stantly realize the strength of goods to which to turn for daily the Lord in you, and the trea bread and in times of greater sury of God Himself open to needs. Thus we put our depen vyou, that you may “carry on" dence on things. We strained more fully for His glory ? and strived to accumulate, The Watchword for the building a consciousness in I nonth is abundance. which materiality was the god. Our soul knows from many ex XIV. True Prosperity periences that when it returns to the spirit realm it can take Meditation: . . endow ing nothing with it except that with wealth those which has been built in con who love me, and sciousness. It knows also that filling their trea in the Father’s house is plenty, suries" (Prov. provided for each of us in the 8:21). beginning, and it seeks con We are constantly being stantly to turn the mortal of us shown higher ways of thinking toward the Giver, the Lover, which unite us more fully with the Knower. Some listen to the our Father-God and draw forth soul’s plea: “Seek first his in us the likeness of the Creator kingdom and his righteous and the power and dominion ness, and all these things shall which are ours when we put on be yours as well.” O what joy the God-likeness. We are mind, and peace come when we cease and whatever is ours in body, straining and trust God utterly environment, and affairs is and absolutely for our daily ours because of what we hold in bread and all the dearest consciousness. The higher we desires of our heart! reach toward God in visioning Some have reversed the and thinking, the more of order of seeking success and God—good—do we manifest in prosperity. They have sought our living. In seeking to know to acquire things instead of at God in His fullness, we have taining a consciousness of found a new understanding of oneness with the Source from which all things come. They There is a higher conscious have been laying up treasures ness and a fuller, more power on earth instead of laying up ful life for us when we have treasures in heaven, and there established full faith and trust fore they have not filled their utterly the great Giver. It is consciousness with rich yet for us to know the Father , thoughts toward and of God as did Jesus Christ. He who and toward and of the self. If changed water into wine, who Jesus Christ should appear fed vast multitudes by blessing before you today and say: a few loaves and fishes into “Ask what I shall give you," overflowing abundance, who would your answer be: “Give could direct one to take money thy servant an understanding from the mouth of a fish for heart. . . that I may discern His own and the other’s need, between good and evil?’’ This who could have nets let down test comes to each of us, even and take abundantly where as it did to Solomon, and some before there was nothing, who day each of us will desire a wore the seamless robe as an knowledge of God and His everyday garb, knew as we righteousness more than any seek to know, “All that the thing else. When this time Father hath is mine.” A con comes, with it will come the sciousness of oneness with the “all things added,” making for Father until there is no separa us a happy, useful, even glori tion between us and our good, ous life. They will come natu to see and know as He sees and rally, bountifully, in the way in knows, to be worthy of enter which we have chosen to walk ing His storehouse and han the natural life. Success and dling His substance and bring prosperity will follow whatever it forth into visibility by our we do, and without the old spoken word of praise and Adam way of hard earning thanksgiving, is yet to be ours. when our search for God is Better to have such a con made the first consideration in sciousness than to hold posses our life. sions equal to all the wealth of
Think the Right Thought!
Everything begins with thought. Each person has freedom to think as he pleases. Thinking controls all action, and all physical activity. Responsibility for thinking is something that each in dividual must assume, sooner or later —George LeRoy Dale. the ages. Material possessions is that bears much fruit, for have a way of departing, but a apart from me you can do rich consciousness is an eternal nothing.” soul quality which nothing nor When there comes a time of nobody can take from its need that your visible re owner, and which produces ac sources do not cover, how do cording to the need and in over you meet it? Do you begin to flowing measure. One can only seek outer ways and means; do build such a consciousness you look to people or your own through faith in God as the endeavor; do you become wor Giver and in the self as the ried and anxious, fearful that it Son, through testing and prov will not be met? If so, you are ing and living according to the taking yourself away from teachings of the Way-Shower. your true Helper. If you will When one truly knows, “ If you turn to God when a need seems abide in me, and my words apparent, and excluding all abide in you, ask whatever you downward thoughts commune will, and it shall be done for with Him, listen for the an you,” he never again will seek swer, wait in faith and expec in the outer in times of need tancy, and act as if you were but will seek to abide with the expecting it, a way will open Father, that the promise be to meet the need, perhaps made manifest. The one who through some old channel, per trusts God fully in his daily life haps through a new one. God shall not want for any good never fails us, and always if we thing, for the Father, who trust Him fully in our time of knoweth that the human of us need, our path will be made has need of things to live and plain and our supply bountiful. express fully and freely here, Hear Him say: “Is anything , supplies these according to His too hard for me?” What is even riches in glory. Success in our a million dollar need to one daily undertakings? Yes. whose invisible storehouse Plenty to meet the needs and covers the universe and holds the joyous desires of our life? good beyond our comprehen Yes. To spare and to share? sion, all for the use of His , Yes. All this and more than we children! Our needs are so have yet conceived is in the paltry compared to His love plan and purpose of our Father, and ability and readiness to for you and for me as we enter give! To establish a conscious the Christ consciousness of ness that knows this at all oneness with Him. “He who times as did Jesus Christ, is . abides in me, and I in him, he it the end and aim of our exis- tence. It is our birthright, and ginning. Omnipresent held potentially within each of substance, the garment us in all its glorious possibili with which Thou clothes ties, even to the “greater works Thy universe, with which than these shall ye do," of the Thou nourisheth all Thy Master’s promise. Each of us creation, is also mine to must do the work of bringing have and to use for my forth our Christ-likeness, but every desire and to bless as long as we fear and hold to other of Thy children. I lack and limitation, think in open myself fully through terms of not enough, envision my faith in Thee, through poverty and failure and accept my vision of Thy abun them as ours, we are far from dance, through my expec claiming our inheritance and tancy of its manifestation manifest little of it. Momently for me. I open my hands, we are to lift our vision, to keep my pocketbook, my ward the Christ omnipresent in our robe, my business, my thought realm, to bring our bank account, and from words and acts to conform to Thy rich storehouse Thou the Jesus Christ teaching; yes, dost fill every vessel in spite of appearances and un which I hold out to Thee til the appearance of lack and to overflowing with Thine limitation entirely disappears. own omnipresent good, The following meditation is to and in Thine own good help you do this, that you may measure, pressed down, build a rich mentality and shaken together, running come to a dependence on your over. I thank Thee my true Source. Memorize it so Father-God that through that you consciously and sub the Christ in me I can consciously meet every need of touch Thine omnipresent your life in its incipiency with substance, and all my this realization: world is clothed with Thy My Father-God, I place opulence. I praise and all my dependence in give thanks that now and Thee, Thou Giver of every throughout eternity I am good and perfect gift. one with Thee, and that in Thou who art the Source this union all Thine is of my being art also the mine and mine is Thine Source of my supply. All forever and ever. that I shall ever need is in May this union come quickly Thy Mind for me, pre and fully to you, beloved. pared for me from the be “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
WHAT LIGHT-GIVING power the name of Jesus Christ stirs in every receptive person today! Whenever anyone in deep sincerity begins to follow the path of Jesus Christ, that person is immediately linked to a power for good that will galvanize each moment of the day. The cur rent of the living Christ force offers humanity unlimited opportunity. The more each of us deeply desires to feel, live, and breathe in alignment with the Christ stream of
cosmic, God-energy, the more our body, heart, mind, and soul become radiant and light-oriented vehicles of cre ative service, clear expressions of the will of the Highest, the one God of love and Truth. Jesus Christ is a living, historical example. He stands before us, our Way-Shower and friend, a real and em bodied human being, whose incarnation into this planet occurred at a definite time in Earth history. His life in spires all lives and offers to us the supreme possibility of a person able to meet and motivated: single-pointedness, master Earth conditions by order, reliable character, disci living a surrendered and God- pline, sensitivity, and poise in centered life of love, Truth, and the midst of joys and sorrows. service to others. These qualities stand out in The Christ is a living, inborn Jesus’ earthly life of love and principle and seed-center of caring and are signals for us divine direction in each of us. from the life of one “who went This dimension of Christ about doing good." reveals the knower in each per We need to acquaint our son which must be discovered, selves thoroughly with the life awakened, and released out of of Jesus Christ on Earth. constant inward listening and Through repeated contact with prayerful quiet in the midst of the Master’s life, we can be outer challenges. come more familiar with what Christ is the living Lord of is required in our own life. We this planet, a cosmic Spirit and can learn more about what to Presence that fills every inch expect along the way as we and cell of Earth. The Christ come to trust God more, ask Spirit is an energy for good ing the Spirit of love and Truth that would empower every life to guide our ego, thoughts, that lets it enter, and it calls all emotions, and body. We can of us to know and to express also begin to discern the deeper our soul’s highest destiny in meaning of taking up our cross God, the one Creator of every and following Jesus Christ into life. ways and decisions that are not always pleasing personally oi Jesus Christ acceptable even to those we dearly love, but which finall} Our lives are enriched by yield their fruits of joy anc studying and reflecting upon deepest fulfillment for all. other noble lives in action. Any The earthly life of Jesus life will teach us something, Christ also reveals a devotee and great souls stimulate the involvement with matter anc best in us and awaken us to material conditions. To evolve what is more beautiful, loving, one must experience the root: and creatively uplifting. In the of involvement. The materia scriptural accounts of Jesus of world, as a manifestation of tli Nazareth, we discover repeat Spirit at this moment and ii edly the ingredients of one who this space, is sacred as i is God-oriented, Self-directed, stands, while at each instant i and spiritually and unselfishly is also changing, becoming and seeking its higher expres transformed into Truth. sion. It is the pilgrimage itself What else can we learn from that is sacred, and every mo the earthly life of Jesus Christ? ment, if seen as an adventure in Three qualities stand out the Spirit, can be rewarding above others: a God-centered, and even pleasing. While being creative life requires one’s own, “in the earth, yet not of it,” worked-out alternating rhythm Jesus Christ shows us the life of activity and quiet. As Jesus of one who “knew the hearts of spent much time teaching and all men," and felt deeply into healing the multitudes, so also human suffering and race long did He spend other times alone ings. While caring deeply and in the mountains, in the desert, 3ven weeping with others in or by the sea, praying and still the midst of mutual trials and ing Himself to receive higher :hallenges, Jesus Christ also directive energies. By taking Drought discernment and time to let God guide Him, objective understanding to Jesus was better able to be ivery situation. He thus calls Self-directed from within and iach of us to fuse the human better able to help others find condition with the divine inten God's Truth in themselves. So sion. Jesus Christ reveals the does each one of us need to lealing, transforming love of work out joyfully in ourself, Jod that pierces through "in awe and trembling,” our mman suffering, kindling in own flow in the Spirit. ’very soul the creative fires of As Jesus Christ worked out he Spirit. As the light of His rhythm in the Spirit, so ligher energies descends from also did He reveal an all-inclu ibove, all lives in their needful sive love. His life emanated a eaching are touched, re- non-favoring reverence and harged, and redirected toward acceptance of every life, no /hat is more heightened, re matter what class, age, shape, ined, and essentially creative or color He met. Likewise, He i God. By loving deeply what recognized that God is no 3 earthly, in whatever lives respecter of persons, that the nd places we encounter, yet Creator in His love and wisdom y not condoning or violating sees all lives progressing and ur highest internal directive, equally lovable and sacred- re let in all the light that is angel, human, animal, plant, ossible, and so move closer to mineral. Every atom and parti le time when we will behold a cle of life is alive with meaning ew earth and see limitations and divine purpose, important nd all temporary conditions to the total, evolving plan of house, town, city, state, coun highest in us, yet filter out try, continent, planet, galaxy, what is unnecessary, distract cosmos. ing, a waste of time, and not Jesus Christ’s life was a life mutually beneficial and of character. His heights of complementary to God’s high conscious attunement with the est for us. It is the life of cre heavenly Father were built ative simplicity that finds and from firm underpinning of obe expresses its highest destiny in dience to God’s moral law and God, and such a life will the accumulation of wise demonstrate loyalty, reliabil choices and faithful decisions ity, and strength of character, made along the years. Prefa pure yet unrigid and forgiving tory to every life of higher con love in relationships, coopera sciousness in God is the neces tive building together in cre sary fulfillment of the law. ative group work, and times of Jesus Himself reminded us of withdrawing in the Spirit out this when He said: “Think not of which will come renewed ac that I have come to abolish the tivity in the world. Such a life law and the prophets; I have will learn to distinguish that come not to abolish them but which is to be a part of itself to fulfill them.” Elsewhere, He and will lovingly relinquish tc states these powerful words: God all that does not share e “For truly, I say to you, till complementary purpose oi heaven and earth pass away, direction. So in the spirit o not an iota, not a dot, will pass Jesus Christ’s life may we from the law until all is accom with integrity and joy, learn t< plished” (Matthew 5:18). live ours. Today, in a time of so many possibilities and options, we The Indwelling Christ should be spiritually discern ing. We need to “choose this It is one of the inspire* day” what is most important teachings of Jesus Christ an< to our own soul-expression, and most of the great spirituE be genuinely sensitive to the teachers that there is in each c real requirements that we are us an inborn seed of God-dire< devoted to meeting. In these tion, a seed of soul that know times of accelerated energies, our needs and, if appealed to b we simply cannot experience us in deep, prayerful sincerity all knowledge, all persons, or will guide and inspire oi all pursuits. We must be open choices and decisions. Th: on our road in the Christ Spirit center of spiritual authority to what helps us to release the what Jesus Christ calls tl LNIl “seed of God" within us; flow of spiritual healing elsewhere in the Bible it is rays. called “the light that lighteth every man,” and Paul calls it, The dedicated spiritual life “Christ in you, the hope of begins with a firm underpin ?lory.” It is important to recall ning of the law: an ethical, diat Charles Fillmore, the wholesome life of character jreat teacher and spiritual which follows the spirit of eader, has called the indwell- Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, ng Christ center in each of us and the three great command ‘the most important words in ments to love the Lord our God -he world." Near the end of his with all our heart, soul, ;arthly life, Mr. Fillmore asked strength, and mind, to love our i friend: neighbor as ourself, and “even as I have loved you, that you "Do you know what the also love one another.” Beyond most important words in this important beginning, one the world are ?” must also cultivate his own inner “Knower” or Christ The friend shook her center, for God speaks to us head. "No, Mr. Fillmore, I through practical externalized don't." teachings of the ages and through our own indwelling “ 'Christ in yow, the hope center of spiritual authority. of glory'—those are the To contact this “pearl of great most important words in price" within ourself, we must the world." truly desire to love God first, and if necessary, we must be And further, James Dillet willing "to sell everything” so 'reeman, another Unity as to be psychologically freed Bacher in the Spirit, empha- and open to the inner riches izes the receptivity of the pouring through our own soul. hrist center in each of us: As we learn from observation, from trial and error, and from Any declaration man may deep listening in prayer to live make, in which the name more fully out of our own in Jesus Christ is used dwelling Christ center, we will reverently, will contact find that a deep, informing the spiritual ether in guidance will help us meet all which the Christ I A M outer needs. We will discover lives and will open the that God’s infinite abundance soul and body to the in- will manifest in our daily life, and that our rich heavenly emotions, mind, and soul, we Father wants to share His are more readied to receive the bounty with us and wants us to powerful energies of the Christ pass it on to all lives that we light. Myrtle Fillmore points meet. out to us so beautifully the pro cess of learning to turn toward Jesus Christ, our indwelling Christ Self. As the Lord and Cosmic Spirit we direct all needs, challenges, and difficulties to the Christ We need to feel and know center of knowing in us, we find more of the immensity of God’s that center opening wider to re presence. We should take time ceive unlimited inpouring of periodically to glimpse more the Christ light from above: deeply into the cosmic reaches of time and space. By so doing Study and practice daily, we gain a greater perspective keeping your mind and and a deepened love for “how heart, your vision and great Thou art.” When we your emotions fixed on think scientifically and devo- God—God in you. "Christ tionally about the billions of in you" is your "hope of stars, galaxies, and multi glory. " ... The very fact dimensions, all interacting and that you try to close out interpenetrating in the great the undesirable things, unfolding plan of divine intelli that you love and take a gence, we can only become great interest in your more humble and prayerfully fellow man, and that you teachable. We realize that our want to accomplish much, own mind, by itself, cannot proves that you are ready fathom a love and a wisdom so to awaken to the Christ infinite yet “closer than our light—in which you will very breath.” understand that there is Jesus Christ, in His great really only one Presence achievement of deep union and Power: omnipotent with God and Earth, released Good. into this planet a love and a light so profound that even Thus, by turning to th now, almost 2000 years after Christ center of our being, w His life, death, and resurrec open the doors not only t tion, we are just beginning to Christ in us, but also to great* be able to absorb the power of cosmic energies from oc His gift. Today, as we become Lord's presence, filling us froi increasingly purified in body, beyond ourself with His omn UMTI present love and caring and with the Christ way guiding us “drawing all men to Him,” to from within ourself, and more where “He has been lifted up.” spirit-expanded and filled with The profound love of the the joy of His uplifting, inpour abiding Christ Spirit enters us ing, cosmic, loving presence. and fills all our cells through May each of us find our real our own inner Christ center. completion in the movement of So, may each of us live in the Christ's Spirit, leading us ever true calling of Jesus Christ, higher into the infinite light of more centered in the living of His teachings, more in tune
RELAX, LET GO, LEARN!
A Unity Village Vacation Retreat is an experience of relaxation, refreshment, and rejuvenation. Take a leisurely stroll through the Unity Rose Carden, the Lowell Fillmore Carden, and the Myrtle Fillmore Grove. Join fellow truth-seekers in a mind-expanding program of meditations, lectures, and workshops. Experience one or more of the ten Unity Village Vacation Retreats this year.
Easter Retreat April 14-20 Maytime Retreat May 20-26 Rose Festival June 2-8 Summertime Retreat July 26—August 1 August Festival August 4-10 Mid-Season Retreat August 26 — September 1 Autumn Retreat September 9-15 Flarvest Festival September 23-29 Indian Summer Retreat October 6-12 Thanksgiving at Unity November 18-24
For more information, rates, and reservation forms, write to: Unity Village Vacation Retreats Unity Village, Missouri 64065
■ —^ — — i ^ — — 4 vital awareness of the eternal essence of life is slowly surfac ing. Science is joining religion in establishing the indestructi bility of life. A new and whole some attitude toward death and dying is contributing to a new consciousness. Questions But all of this, too, was part ° » f , % of the teaching of the Christ and it has always been known. ^ Quest J Years ago when the wife of the well-known minister, Dan Poling, made her transition, Dr. Poling said, “For me this is . . . with answers by an empty world with Lillian MARCUS BACH gone out of it, but I know where to find her.” This insight THE IDEA To answer is building in all of us in oui readers’ questions about relationship with Life Aftei anything related to increased Life, Life Before Life, Death spiritual understanding and less Dying, Beyond and Back deeper integrative growth. To and all the other expression? discover not only what people which now affirm the meta are asking but what people physical insight that death i: are thinking about in the area death only to those who refus< of beliefs and practices in the to know or believe that God i; world within and without. To help others—and us—in the spiritual search. To stimulate the search itself. Question: Whose fault is it Question: With all the current that communication between interest in death and dying parents and children has what is being said that hasn't broken down? been said before? L.V. Answer: I am not so sure it ha broken down absolutely. Bu Answer: Not much that has not where it has, it is the fault of s already been said by metaphys many that it is easy to “pas ical students. A convincing and the buck.” A fault lies wit parents who insist on being is not yet capable of dwelling less than truthful, with chil on such ideas? And what ex dren who insist on being less planation can you give as to than respectful, experts who children ’s diseases such as have usurped parental preroga measles, mumps, etc.? And tives, educators who set them can you also tell me if you selves up as moral and ethical think nutrition influences adjudicators, religionists who health. I know that God assume the role of saviors of wants the best for all of us! our youth, promoters of new P.F. lifestyles whose values are distorted, and so forth. In the Answer: The power of sugges midst of which, all that is tion on the mind of a child is needed is a changed and con fully as forceful as it is on the trite heart on the part of the mind of an adult. Many TV ads parent, and extended hand of make me sick, though not pre understanding on the part of a cisely in the way you mean. child, and a quiet, sincere, Subliminal advertising, such ‘let’s talk it over” on the part as is alleged to be featured in }f all concerned. TV ads can be especially subtle M.B. and persuasive. I have no doubt that in certain instances it can make children ill. It can Question: I am a Truth stu penetrate into the thought pro dent and have been following cess below the level of con Unity's philosophies for quite sciousness. Many children are some time. There is one prob- also natural imitators and re em concerning illness that spond to actors who simulate sou may possibly help me fig- sniffles and sneezes, who get ire out. My question deals runny noses, and watery eyes. vith children and especially These conditions often become nfants. I have witnessed my self-induced in the children hree-year-old daughter suc- who watch these actoral ■umb to a cold only days after demonstrations. catching TV ads for cold What about infants of only a nedicine. This I can under- few months who may not yet tand to be a mentally condi- have watched TV? Why do ioned occurrence, but my they take cold or come up (or 'uestion is, why does an in down) with a fever? There are ant of only a few months also some people who theorize that et a cold or fever or other even the concern of parents for uch sickness when the child their children may have an ad- verse effect upon the health of consciousness among Ameri the child. There are, they claim, cans that there is a personal “induced diseases." However responsibility for health all that may be, there are other along the line. Exercise pro factors to be considered. For grams, a new determination to one thing, though we are “shape up,” an increasing in equipped indigenously for life terest in proper nutrition, and on Earth, there are adjust the continuing emphasis on ments that life must make holistic living are cases in which require orientation, point. You might want to turn climatization, confirmation, back in your Unity file to the and the like. There are rules July 1978 UNITY Magazine and laws governing these ad and the article, “A Case for justments and there are rules Holism." Meantime, here’s to and laws of health; sickness is the best of health for you and often part of the adjustment. It those whose well-being is near is rather well established that a and dear to you. You are quite cold may act as a cleansing for right, “God truly wants the the body and a fever is often a best for all” and He wants us friendly ally in nature's healing to learn the rules by which the process. game of life may best be The entire equation of health played. and healing is definitely related M.B. to nutrition and our eating habits. Here again, it is neces sary to learn something about Question: Would you please the laws of health and the de explain to me why we have to velopment of a lifestyle that change the Lord's Prayer to will be conducive to fitness and “Our Father-Mother who art well-being. Proper food is the in heaven," just because a best medicine. To a large de vocal group is advocating it? gree we are what we eat. All of What about the rest of us whc the world’s great religions have enjoy reading God's word as dietary suggestions for their it was spoken? I used to enjo3 followers, indicating that there reading all the writings in are laws governing the welfare UNITY. But as more and of the body which is usually more of the articles use the referred to as “the temple of Father-Mother expression, God." non-sex pronouns, etc., I get a Your letter is more than sinking feeling in the pit of timely and your questions are my stomach. Now I scan the being answered in the growing articles first and if written in his fashion I pass over them. Relieve me, la m not alone in implies, for many orthodox his. Christians, an automatic inclu sion of God as Father, God as WLC Son, and God as Holy Spirit. inswer: The best approach in You do not have to repeat all latters of social and spiritual three to know that the three hange is to be a well-informed are One. Furthermore, God as Spirit’ is most certainly oninterventionist, unless your deling on issues is so strong bisexual, for God is unlimited by context, no matter what the hat you want to intervene, 'he popular hue and cry these context may be. And I know, ays is, “Get involved!” From too, that the term Homo sa loral to immoral movements, piens covers both male and fe male. And so on. So I saw no •om parenthood to politics, m yone is urged to get into reason to make an issue of it. le fray. Since I used only your in itials in your letter, it seems When I first heard the Lord’s fair that I should make clear rayer changed to, “Our that WLC is a man, even at the ather-Mother who art in heav- risk of someone accusing you 1” it bothered me, too, but of having a male bias in this in lostly on aesthetic grounds quiry. id as a feeling factor rather My answer to your question lan as someone’s attempt to is: Rest easy and keep your ake God androgynous. I cool. These things will work ?ver got very excited about it out in time. Remember, as I r on this issue I am a non- have said, there are people who terventionist because of in- feel as strongly about their de information. I know there point of view as you feel about e people who feel very yours. rongly that “Father” is defi- Release them and let them be tely masculine when applied free to follow their light and God. I do not feel this way. their guidance. Most of all, do iod” spelled with a capital not allow the “sinking feeling” y means “Supreme Being” to continue because it is an d “Being" is that which ex- almost sure way to get a ;s in time and space as an all- stomachache, and it is not elusive entity. In other worth it. Pick and choose what >rds, both masculine and you wish to read just as you ninine qualities and natures pick and choose your radio and 9 already implied in the word TV programs, your news, your lod" just as the term “God” commercials, and even your food and your friends. Bless ting this off your chest, you for your letter and for get- MB
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By Hettie Wallace
Dream on my soul, Though dreaming has outgr The shining raiment Childhood's dreams had wo They still can be as fair, And still as true, As those that blessed you And each day anew. It matters not Just when or where or why The Glory waned— It is enough to cry, “Father once more Make me a little child, Give me glad dreams again Let me be reconciled To earlier faith, ’Letteis to tlfe lulittn
I love UNITY Magazine. What a praises to the swelling chorus. leautiful gift it is. I look forward to UNITY Magazine must be the eceiving it every month, and en- most interesting and inspirational ay every article. My heartfelt of all time.— E.W., New York. hanks to you for your wonderful houghtfulness. — M.S., Pensyl- 0 ania. Some months ago I came © across one or two very old copies of UNITY Magazine. They did I have been an active partici- something for me. I know that this ant in Unity for the past few is the Truth, and I . . . would like ears. One thing that was always to order a regular copy. — C.T., oublesome to me was the use of England. ffirmtions—somehow they just 0 ever came across for me. Then 1 I thoroughly enjoy UNITY Mag jad the series of articles by Jerry azine every month, but “the light ankhauser. I decided to give his dawned” with special brilliance for lethod a try. What is happening me as I read the July 1978 issue. > me as a result is nothing short of It was like a textbook written to ’volutionary. 1 feel as though for answer my particular questions! le first time in my life I am learn- Thank you especially for “Hang ig what it really means to love. I On,” “What the World Needs t i a woman almost sixty years Now Is . . . Order,” and “The Id who considered herself to be Power of Affirmations II.” — J.F., merally a loving person! Even Washington. ie inevitable pitfalls emerge as a 0 lallenge—no longer a threat. It is uly an exciting way to live.— I just received my UNITY Mag '.H., Texas. azine. The articles in it are the very 0 thing I needed; how did you know my need? They also are very well I have been reading some of the written; every word is plainly arm, appreciative letters from ready to apply. Thank you.— )ur subscribers. May I add my A.M., Canada. ’liook'Muth \
THE HEART SINGS A T throughout history, and those EASTER, Unity Easter contributing to this lovely Greeting Booklet; 15 booklet are exemplary of the booklets for $3; each addi great variety of ways to ex tional order of 15, only press it: $2.50. Individual enve lopes included (15 book We come to springtime lets per package). Order every year from Unity, Unity Vil With awe and wonder in lage, Missouri 64065. the heart, Beholding miracles of leaf The glory of Easter lies in and flower; . . . the Resurrection—that joyous event celebrated each year by * * * Christians the world over. In Unity, the Resurrection is My heart has been at wintei celebrated not simply as a With snow upon the sill; singular event in the life of one I heard no robin singing, man long ago, but as an event I saw no daffodil that happens to each of us. It is that time when we “put on the Until a voice within me Christ”—when we are reborn Cried, “Lift your head an into a consciousness of our see oneness with the loving God. The ice gone from the brool This year’s greeting booklet, side, “The Heart Sings at Easter,” The blossoms on the tree is a joy-filled collection of many authors’ and poets' A meditation, “God 1 thoughts about this special Here,” by Mary Kupferle, fil time. us with the happiness tlit The Resurrection is paral comes with knowing the omr leled in all life, but most ob presence of God. viously in nature, when in Mary Rowe, a longtime f springtime new life begins to vorite Unity author, tells us sprout from trees and plants “Celebration” that Easter which throughout the winter “the time to remember wil had appeared to be dead. The gratitude and joy that Chri springtime/Resurrection theme within us is resurrected has been a favorite of poets —Pamela Yearsle “ Oh, resurrection glory! Oh, earth made strangely fair! Mine is the Easter story. And God is everywhere.’’ Eleanor Halbrook Zimmerman.
“ O fall life’s good and lovely things Most precious is a heart that sings.” R. H. Grenville.
The lovely thoughts above are a few examples of the wealth of inspi- ition you will find in THE HEART SINGS AT EASTER, the 1979 nity Easter greeting booklet. By sending this colorful 24-page booklet • your friends, you can share with them in a joyful celebration of aster. You can obtain THE HEART SINGS AT EASTER in a package of > booklets for just $3. You can also order an assortment of five copies ich of THE HEART SINGS AT EASTER and two previously- iblished favorite booklets, Easter Speaks to the Heart and The Earth ejoices for $3. Additional packages of 15 on the same order are only !.50. Share your Easter joy this year—use the convenient flap to order >ur copies of THE HEART SINGS AT EASTER—today! L N M ® February 1979 Unity Village, Mo. 64065
in v ita tio n
By Albert Abdulky
Old world flavored complex, Spanish tiled, columned and dashed with ivy, framed in rolling woodland, in the sweet voice of a winged spirit, where the fountains sing of love and the buildings speak of truth. Spry little yellow bright finch of a man who sat and listened to God. The spirit flowed the praises rang, “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm.” The presses touch the diadem words to inspire and uplift. “Come ye who toil,” sit with this vibrant spirit. Keep that daily appointment with God. Dedicate each moment to love.
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