59

brought forth through that Understanding, and which works, he said all those who understand him shall bring forth also. So if you ask me how I know that I understand the scriptures correctly and the world "lieth in darkness,” or in ignorance of the immortal Understanding, I shall reply: because I can prove it in a measure by my demonstra-tion, and through that demonstration I know that the Bible is a true explanation of the Understanding of God, without a contradiction from the beginning to the end. Jesus said the scriptures could not be broken, and the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The clergy differ in their religious views, yet each considers himself in the right, and the others, more or less in the wrong; and views which differ from any and all of those entertained by the acknowledged spiritual instructors of the people, are held in contempt, and regarded as nonsense, their advocates being considered as visionary, or lacking in common-sense.

Now to convince these wise people that I am of sound mind, and have a foundation for my views which underlies and overlies all things else and which cannot be shaken, I must first show them the lack of such a foundation for the views which they entertain, and show them what the foundation of their views really is. They all believe in God, but no one knows anything about him. The believing in that sense is nothing; for the scriptures say, "Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the devils also believe and shudder"; it also says, "All shall know me, from the least to the greatest of them"; and if we differ then we have not all, true knowledge or understanding, but some are holding opinions only, which have no foundation and bring forth no fruit. Paul said, "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you; but that ye be per fectly joined together in the same mind and

in the same judgment." Again, “Be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind." Again, "Let us therefore, as many as may be perfect, be thus minded and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." Some have said to me that it would be a strange world if we should all understand alike, and that it would be an utter impossibility, as we are constituted.

Why should the world seem strange, and why is it impossible? It is not strange because we do not differ regarding the understanding of mathematics, and as all who understand it are of one mind, you see to be like minded in a truth is not only possible, but necessary, in order for the truth to be of universal value. Where there is not union or oneness there is discord; and in truth, or the understanding of it, there can be no discord; therefore, when we are not of one mind regarding a truth, we may know we are not all correct, and wishing to

be correct does not alter the case if we are wrong. When we do not perfectly agree (as in mathematics) one must be right and one wrong, or all must be wrong; the only proof is the work; he who through his understanding, brings forth the fruits that truth promised, is correct, and the others. are in the wrong. If any one should differ from you in adding two numbers together, and you were right, you would pity his ignorance and not only tell him the result you obtained by the process, but show him. the proof, so that he could tell for himself the next time whether he was correct or not. He would then have an understanding which is demonstrable, and be his own master and judge in mathematics, no longer dependent upon his own or another's opinion, but have a rule whereby to prove his work. So in the understanding of God, I show you Christianity or the true Understanding and show you how to prove it, and make you your own master and judge. This the world.

you it

says is impossible, but I will show is possible. This was what Jesus meant when he said there was but one way of entering into the fold; he also said that the way was strait and narrow. If we can all interpret the scriptures one way, and that interpretation cannot be gainsaid, how could it, then, be wrong?

All who claim to be christians say that they worship one and the same God, but let us see if they make no mistake. One man believes in a God who will punish him for disobedience by sending him to hell, and he thanks this God for his mercies and begs for his forgiveness when he has transgressed the laws he supposes this God to have made. Now take a wicked man. He says: "I can do anything I please, everything is an undeveloped good. God made all things both the good and the evil and I cannot resist his will." This is his image of a God- the God, and he worships him, according to his idea of the homage