of God, is not expounded by conferring with flesh and blood, material understanding, the wisdom of man. Man's understanding is of materiality, and consists of different. shades of material thought, but the soul's spiritual understanding of eternal Truth consists of but one shade of spiritual thought, or oneness in one mind and one judgment with the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom there is no variation nor shadow of turning. There are no differences in perfect Truth. If there be a disagreement respecting perfect Truth, either one or all persons taking part in it must be wrong, -all cannot be right. That which is Truth can be demonstrated and does not rest upon opinions or beliefs. Paul says "But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preach unto you, let him be anathema.' St. John says "I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man

shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book: and if any man shall take away the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of Life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book."

By adding unto or taking away the words of the prophecy, the understanding of it may be altered, or the true meaning obscured by the different shades of material thought which may thus be produced or sown in the soul; and these seeds or thoughts will bring forth fruit according to their kind. In this way the soul is led, through the wrong inter pretation, in the wrong direction, and instead of being brought to God or Truth, is carried away from it.

CHAPTER VII.

INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE.

THE Lord's supper is not a material feast with which to nourish the body, but it is the soul's participation in the understanding of immortal Truth, which gives everlasting life. Jesus' kingdom was not of this world, his weapons of warfare were not such as the world uses, neither were his gifts such as the world bestows; he said, "Not as the world giveth give I unto you." Jesus never enjoined on his disciples any material forms or ceremonies, on the contrary, he very plainly taught them that outward observances were of no avail to bring them nearer God, he said, "And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind." John came in righteousness, as the voice of one crying in the

wilderness (material understanding). When Jesus suffered John to baptize him saying, "Suffer it now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness," he knew that no out. ward form, or baptism of water could purify the inward conscience, and produce a new creature (soul) which should be separated from the material or worldly understanding, and united with God in the spiritual understanding.

The eating of bread and drinking of wine with a belief or blind faith in God, could be no more instrumental in cleansing the soul from sin and uniting it with God, than the offering of burnt sacrifices. John said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance" (unto the leaving off all evil in materiality); “but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost" (give unto you the full understanding of God) "and with fire" (purification of the soul). Thus, plainly indicat

ing that when he who was greater should come, the necessity for baptism by water would be done away. John's teaching was as a stepping-stone to the teachings of Jesus; it was to draw them away from the evil in materiality, and prepare them for the spiritual understanding of God which was to come to them through the teaching of Jesus. When Jesus came to John he insisted upon being baptized by John, although John thought it not fitting that he who was the lesser, or in the material understanding, should baptize him who was greater, or in the spiritual understanding, and said to Jesus, “I have need to be baptized of thee and comest thou to me?" Jesus, throughout his mission humbled himself, making himself the servant of all instead of the served; striving to show them the first step or foundation of godliness which was meekness.

Paul, understanding the immortal Truth, said, “Christ" (Understanding of God) “sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel;