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The Promulgation of Universal Peace
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Pages 205-206
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18 June 1912 Talk at 309 West Seventy-eighth Street, New York
Notes by Emma C. Melick
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No matter how much the world of humanity advances in material
civilization, it is nevertheless in need of the spiritual development
mentioned in the Gospel. The virtues of the material world are limited,
whereas divine virtues are unlimited. Inasmuch as material
virtues are limited, man's need of the perfections of the divine
world is unlimited.
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Throughout human history we find that although the very apex
of human virtues has been reached at various times, yet they were
limited, whereas divine attainments have ever been unbounded
and infinite. The limited is ever in need of the unlimited. The
material must be correlated with the spiritual. The material may be
likened to the body, but divine virtues are the breathings of the
Holy Spirit itself. The body without spirit is not capable of real
accomplishment. Although it may be in the utmost condition of beauty
and excellence, it is, nevertheless, in need of the spirit. The
chimney of the lamp, no matter how polished and perfect it be, is in
need of the light. Without the light, the lamp or candle is not illuminating.
Without the spirit, the body is not productive. The
teacher of material principles is limited. The philosophers who
claimed to be the educators of mankind were at most only able to
train themselves. If they educated others, it was within a restricted
circle; they failed to bestow general education and development.
This has been conferred upon humanity by the power of the Holy
Spirit.
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For example, Christ educated and developed mankind universally.
He rescued nations and peoples from the bondage of superstition
and idolatry. He summoned them all to the knowledge of the
oneness of God. They were dark, they became illumined; they
were material, they became spiritual; earthly they were, they became
heavenly. He enlightened the world of morality. This general,
universal development is not possible through the power of
philosophy. It is only attainable through the pervading influence of
the Holy Spirit. Therefore, no matter how far the world of humanity
advances, it fails to attain the highest degree unless quickened
by the education and divine bestowals of the Holy Spirit. This ensures
human progress and prosperity.
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Therefore, I exhort you to be devoted to your spiritual development.
Just as you have striven along material lines and have attained
to high degrees of worldly advancement, may you likewise
become strengthened and proficient in the knowledge of God. May
divine susceptibilities be increased and awakened; may your devotion
to the heavenly Kingdom become intense. May you be the
recipients of the impulses of the Holy Spirit, be assisted in the
world of morality and attain ideal power so that the sublimity of the
world of mankind may become apparent in you. Thus may you attain
the highest happiness, the eternal life, the everlasting glory,
the second birth, and become manifestations of the bestowals of
God.
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