The Christ-law in the star of Bethlehem ...

Contents

Preface. Pg.

1 Mind. The supreme law of perfection 23

2 Life. The action of Mind 35

Preface

In placing this subject of the healing Christ consciousness before the reader, it is to be considered as the supreme law of perfection coming from the Father-Mind or Spirit. By means of a diagram to be known as the "Star of Bethlehem" will be portrayed a clear and comprehensive explanation of the scientific principle of right thoughts, and it must be understood that these thoughts as states of consciousness are to be our states of spiritual being. This work is essentially a discussion intended to reveal the utter falsity of evil as a living power with action in its own name. Through logical reasoning in obedience to one spiritual law, and by reference to some of the axiomatic facts given by Jesus the Christ, it is to be hoped that through these means we may all come together on a common ground of understanding. An understanding in every way similar to that which we hold of the multiplication table, for the infallible and scientific law of good precludes all arguments as to its fact of being and Tightness as a law, even as this same multiplication table does.

It will be our daily work to establish in mind this law of perfection and to eschew the impotent and imperfect mortal sense concepts about material conditions, for we must enter into spiritual being.

The object of this book is to show how Christ's teaching as a scientific law of right living is spiritual in essence and cannot be reduced to mortality and defiled therein. Mortality must be put oif and spirituality put on through knowing the absolute scientific law of the Christ.

Few people realize that they as well as the struggling mass of humanity seen upon our streets are active mentalities only, constantly living, acting and doing something, and if not guided into the lawful channel of perfect right and held therein because of the fact of knowing the law of good, just as we are held by knowing the multiplication table, then what is to keep them from going astray following the carnal sense-mind in the suggestion of good and evil through the deceiving senses? For these people will continue living, moving, and doing something either good or bad, right or wrong.

Now there is a perfect law of righteousness which is completely finished and can be understood, it is just as absolute and certain in its demonstration as the law of mathematics, and just as applicable to our daily life and its living. But hitherto it has not been orderly revealed in its Christ-meaning of perfection as given in the diagram of the Star of Bethlehem. For this reason people generally have not been able to understand and use it through perception of its scientific perfection.

This perfect law is not contaminated with or in any way influenced by man-made laws; for nothing can be added to it or taken from its already perfect being. It alone is sufficient to teach and guide us in all right and true living, and apart from it there is no right living.

Through it would all the world come together into perfect harmony of being. Under the influence of this perfect law of the righteous Christ would all fighting and dominating mortal minds be laid aside, and the impotent mortal self be lost in the wonderful radiance and presence of the law of the Christ's perfection.

The fundamental analysis and classification of ideas, as given in the diagram to be known as the Star of Bethlehem, are to represent the principle or law of perfect idea entities as that Mind of the Christ, for Mind and Christ are one, in which evil is not considered neither has representation. The ideas, as given in the Star, are intended as a beginning, with the hope that study on the part of others may result in more perfect spiritual realizations, and clearer soul experiences of this constructive law of good, thereby enlarging and eventually perfecting the system.

To discern and arrange in right relation these perfect ideas, even to fill out the third and fourth circles, will be found to require a considerable ability in real spiritual understanding; and is seemingly difficult to attain to perfection with its inherent dominion. But it can be attained here and now in a practical way sufficient to meet all our needs, and surely will correct our imperfect thoughts and all of their fearful manifestations. Moreover, we must not forget that we are commanded by the Lord, even as Abram was long ago, as recorded in Gen. 17:1, to walk before the Lord in his law and be perfect.

In Matt. 5 :48, Our Master repeated this command, for he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

If it had not been possible for us to live in perfection then would we not have been so commanded, but how is it possible for us to live perfectly when we do not know that law which makes perfect? That is the Christ-meaning of all things as a scientific law of perfection; and more, when we are not skilled in its use and application, even as we are in other sciences such as logic, music or mathematics?

The progressive people of today are beginning to look for a law of perfection, shorn of all mortal contamination as of opinions, doubts, long standing customs, social supremacy, material wealth's seeming power, ecclesiastical domination, etc. They want a principle of perfect being apart from mortals which they can absolutely trust, and scientifically learn to know in perfection with all hocus-pocus eliminated, and be able to manifest it because they know it, and know how and why they know it.

Again they demand an understandable science of perfect being, as for instance the perfect law of righteousness, which gives forth everywhere the absolute freedom of spiritual thought, shorn of all mystery and bondage to material laws, which pretend to give a license of special privilege to some people for money, thinking thereby to limit God's law, or even to guide it in its perfect action.

The law, as given in the Star of Bethlehem, portrays the perfect principle of Mind's action, substance and perfection, as the one Christ-meaning of life, love, truth, which is the one meaning of all created things.

This law of the perfect Christ overcomes all other laws taking their place, because of the satisfying and final testimony of perfection given by Spirit to our spirit, which testimony is not contaminated with impotent mortality.

SOURCE OF THE STAR'S DIAGRAM

Before we take up the law of the Star of Bethlehem, it will be well to reveal the source of this diagram. To do this a description of the golden candlestick, with an illustration, is given, so that everyone may judge for themselves as to its authority and authenticity.

Moses commanded that there should be built a golden candlestick, which should be placed within the tabernacle of the Lord; and lighted, that it might give light over against it. A glance at the illustration will show that the light from the lamp of each branch is represented by a" triangle of either life, love, or truth ; each one of which must contain all three, for they are inseparable, and therefore each point of the triangle must represent life, love, truth. Now in the central branch we find all three triangles represented, each with a point of life, love, truth, making nine points; and this is where we get the Star of Bethlehem.

The light of its meaning is given in the infinite progression of its ideas in association, which are substituted for the life-love-truth-meaning. These perfect ideas, as the word of God, are our states of spiritual being in Mind, and constitute the governing power of the Christ.

In John 8:31,32 Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

From this it appears that we must continue in his word and walk in the knowledge of the Lord's law of perfection, for therein are we to be made perfect; made free from imperfections which we have acquired through following after false-sense suggestions.

Our freedom is to be gained through soul experiences of spiritual being only, as represented in the perfect law of the Christ.

It is with this thought of perfection foremost in mind that the Star and its law of the one Christ-meaning of life-action, love-substance, truth-perfection is presented to you; with the hope that you will find in the following pages a spark of spiritual light which is sufficiently clear and strong enough to light your candle; and by means of this light find the strait and narrow path of absolute law, which alone leads into the kingdom of heaven.

As a part of this preface is given the spiritual interpretation of the golden candlestick, which is the source of the diagram of the Star of Bethlehem. You are referred to the diagram in the front of the book.

THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK

A Revelation of Its Spiritual Meaning Through the Central Star

This golden ornament was a spiritual symbol, placed by Moses in the tabernacle of the Lord, about the year 1400 B. C.

It is again referred to about 100 A. D. in the account of St. John's vision of the Christ, given in the first three chapters of Revelation.

Again in 1900 A. D. attention is called to it through the revelation of the perfect Christ-law, as given in the Star of Bethlehem, for this law of the life-love-truth-meaning illumines the candlestick with light.

In Exodus 25:31-38 we read a description of the golden candlestick, which Moses commanded to be made and placed in the holy tabernacle of the Lord. "And they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it."

The candlestick was a symbol of God's holy law of righteousness, and made to illustrate the relation and association of all Christ ideas, as applied to man spiritual, in order to correct the imperfect and therefore deceiving-sense testimony of man mortal.

This candlestick was more than an ornament, for it was a symbol of the law of life, love, truth, to all generations.

This object of gold, as a thing of material appearance, could not of itself reveal its spiritual meaning, for matter cannot speak, think, or express anything. Spirit alone has this ability. It is the work of Spirit, which has revealed the law of the Star to the world, that it might have a substantial light to guide it through the paths of darkness.

In verse 31 we read that this candlestick was to consist of a shaft having branches, bowls, knops and flowers; all to be made of pure gold as a symbol of one substantial love.

In verse 32 a careful description of this symbol is begun, and in that which follows an endeavor will be made to associate with this description the ideas of the Star of Bethlehem, in order to give to the candlestick a spiritual meaning of law as that of the Christ righteousness.

The base of the candlestick stands as a representative symbol or foundation of the one source of all true meaning within the realm of the Father-Mind or Spirit; from which comes the shaft as the Christ, who is to be the revealing law of life-love-truth-meaning to all people and give them an understanding of God therein.

This shaft as the substance of the Christ-law includes three knops as seats of power to give forth life-action, love-substance, truth-perfection; and from them are to come every true idea of spiritual light.

We read that six branches shall come out of the sides of it, three branches out of the one side and three branches out of the other side.

These branches correspond to the first and last points of the Star in each realm of life, love, truth; but the central points all belong to the shaft proper and are placed in the seventh branch.

Therefore, on the one side of the shaft, coming out from the knop of love, extends the branch of obedience as the beginning of all understanding, and corresponds to the first point of the Star in the realm of love. On the other side, coming out from the same knop, extends the branch of harmony, and corresponds to the third point of the Star in the realm of love. Next, on the one side of the shaft coming out from the knop of truth, extends the branch of righteousness, which corresponds to the first point of the Star in the realm of truth. On the other side of the shaft, coming out from the same knop, extends the branch of dominion, which corresponds to the last point of the Star in the realm of truth. Next, on one side of the shaft coming out from the knop of life, extends the branch of intelligence, which corresponds to the first point of the Star in the realm of life. On the other side, coming out from the same knop, extends the branch of wisdom, which corresponds to the last point of the Star in the realm of life. Herein we have the six branches of the candlestick and the light of their meaning. Next goes forth the continuation of the shaft as the seventh branch; which is to be the center of the law itself. This branch is to represent three points of the Star — the point of the life of life in the center of the realm of life. The point of the truth of truth in the center of the realm of truth. The point of the love of love in the center of the realm of love. These points represent Being, Principle, Holiness.

The points of the Star, as well as the branches of the candlestick, are to be understood as lights of understanding coming from Mind, and as giving one meaning of life-action, love-substance, truth-perfection.

In verse 33 we read where each branch is supplied with three bowls — a knop, and a flower apiece — all of which correspond perfectly with the law as given in the Christ-meaning of life, love, truth. For the bowls holding the oil represent the source of light, from which comes understanding, and being three, they correspond to the three counterparts of each branch idea. For instance, the bowls, which represent the counterparts of the branch of obedience, are in the Star shown to be loyalty, service, loveliness; loyalty as the truth of obedience, service as the life of obedience, and loveliness as the love of obedience. In this way is one true meaning given to each branch of the candlestick, through the ideas in association with each point of the Star.

The knop is symbolical of the seed-bearing power, representing the life which is in itself ; the knop is a seat of energy having an ever-living power of life presence within it, bringing forth in likeness of itself, thereby continuing its particular phase of Mindexpression.

Above the knops come the bowls, which are symbolical of the substance of the Christ-mind, the source of all light as perfected ideas in the law.

The flowers are the ornament of realized good as the love therein. Above the bowls come the flame of light as the understanding of the one Christ-meaning of life, love, truth, which alone, because of its final testimony as all, makes us to know spiritual presence.

In verse 34 we read that in the branch of the shaft proper, that is, in the seventh branch, are four bowls, they are represCntative of Love as Holiness, Truth as Principle, and Life as Being; with Jesus as the perfect manifestation of them all.

The almond-shaped bowls are representative of the triangular divisions in the points of the Star, and are to contain the three ideas as the counterparts of the branch idea.

In verse 35 we read where there is a knop under each set of branches, which is as a seat of power to send out these branches. The first one represents the action and perfection of love; the second one represents the substance and action of truth; the third one represents the perfection and substance of life.

In verse 36 we read that it shall all be made of one substance, as of gold, which is symbolical of love as the very base of the Christ-law.

In verse 37 we read where seven lamps are made and commanded to be lighted, that is they must give forth an understanding as a meaning of one law of perfect righteousness; in a living expression of which we must abide, that we may be healed of all erroneous sense-imaginations.

Having associated together the Candlestick and the Star of Bethlehem, wherein each gives to the other a meaning, then let us turn to the first three chapters of Revelation, where this subject is continued.

Revelation, First Chapter.

In verse 11 of chapter 1, John is commanded to send to the seven churches in Asia the revelation given to him in a vision of the Christ. These seven churches represent the seven states of spiritual being as given in the candlestick, and also in the Star of Bethlehem, and when they are known give a complete concept of the one perfect church of Christ.

It is without doubt to the people of these churches, who are striving to manifest the different states of spiritual being, that this message is sent; at least the rest of the chapter and the lesson of the whole vision points that way.

In verse 12 John, being turned from observing sense testimony, saw the illumination of spiritual understanding, as the infinite presence of the seven separate candlesticks, which were seven states of individual spiritual being. He realized that it was the power of the Christ which gave them presence and that He was in and among them all.

In verse 13 John beheld the principle of the law of life,, love, truth, as the perfection of good in the midst of the candlestick, which was clothed with the garment of illumined understanding, and was girt about the heart with a golden girdle of love.

In verse 14 the head, that is the perfect intent of the law, was white with purity, being perfectly holy and good; and his eyes were aflame with the fire of truth, which was the understanding of the law of good.

In verse 1 5 his feet, that is the foundation of the law, was made firm and everlasting through the power of truth-perfection; and his voice was as the sea of perfect ideas in infinite expression of life, love, truth, through Spirit's testimony to our spirit.

In verse 16 the Christ-vision held within its illumination the seven stars of the candlestick, which were the lights of spiritual meaning given forth, the understanding of truth's perfection as a sharp sword to prevail against all error.

In verse 17 St. John realized his mortal impotence and beheld mortality in comparison to perfection as nothingness. But our Saviour said to fear not, for I am thy first understanding in obedience as the living action of love, and also thy ultimate and final understanding of love's substance in wisdom.

In verse 18 we all know that the Christ-law is the key which unlocks the bondage of death and hell, freeing us from its fearful mortal concepts of fury and confusion; and is the understanding which prevails over all evil, loosening our bonds of suffering because of sin, for it is to utterly destroy the false testimony of the carnal sense-mind.

In verse 20 the vision tells St. John that the seven stars are the angels (the soul entities) of the seven churches; these stars are the spiritual light and power of understanding in the seven candlesticks, and that the seven candlesticks are the substance of the churches as the Christ-law or the churches themselves. And in the next two chapters is given Christ's guiding words of advice and warning to the members of these churches.

Each branch of the candlestick represents an individual church as a state of spiritual being, which is a phase of Mind in the one law; we are all to attain each individual state of understanding within Mind's being, in order to gain membership in the perfect church; which is apart from all political organizations as a church. ,

The candlestick gives the seven stages of the one perfect church as the complete law of the Christ-mind; and we must pass through and attain the soul experience of each one of the branches before we are qualified to realize the last and final stage of the church of Laodicea and have a seat with our Saviour in his throne.

THE CHURCH OF THE LIFE OF LOVE. REV. 3:1.

The Spirit of Obedience as the Angel of the Church of Sardis.

Verse 1. "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest (obedience) and art dead." Not knowing that obedience is the life of love. In verse 5, "Shall be clothed in white raiment (holiness)." These refer to the realm of love.

Verse 2. Be watchful and strengthen your knowing of the law, for I have not found thy works (as expressions of love in obedience) perfect before God.

Verse 3. We are told that there is no place of safety except to live in obedience, actual loveliness; also that no excuse for disobedience will be admissable, for we are commanded to walk in the law.

Verse 4. There are some who are obedient in loveliness, not having defiled their garments in hate for any cause, and they shall walk with the Christ in consciousness of the law's good, and therein be made perfect because they are worthy and deserving of holiness.

Verse 5. Him that overcomes disobedience, as fear or hate, and manifests obedience as loveliness, I will confess this individuality before my Father and his angels, and he shall be clothed in holiness and harmony as the perfect state of love.

THE CHURCH OF THE TRUTH OF LOVE. REV. 3:7.

The Spirit of Harmony as the Angel of the Church of

Philadelphia.

Verse 7. "These things saith he that is holy." "He that hath the key of David" (perfect love as harmony). These refer to the realm of love.

Verse 8. "Behold I place before thee an open door (the law of love), and no man can overcome it." For thou hast but little strength, it being hidden by mortal concepts of weakness; still through strength thou hast kept my law and not denied my name as the life-love-truth-meaning of good.

Verse 9. Behold, I will make the discordant mortal consciousness to come and worship before thee in the law, that they may learn to know the truth of love as the harmony of spiritual presence.

Verse 10. Having the spiritual consciousness of harmony firmly fixed in the soul then will evil be cast out and we be protected therein.

Verse 11. We are commanded to hold fast to this expression of harmony, so that no mental suggestion in mortality shall take this crown of life from us and leave us in darkness.

Verse 12. Him that overcomes and gains this consciousness of the truth of love will I make a pillar in the temple of my God. He shall go no more out, for once knowing the truth of the law, then he can never know its opposite, and he shall have written in his soul a spiritual understanding of the Christ and power to express him.

THE CHURCH OF THE LOVE OF TRUTH. REV. 2:12.

The Spirit of Righteousness as the Angel of the Church

of Pergamos.

Verse 12. "He that hath the sharp sword with two edges." "With the sword of my mouth." These refer to the realm of truth.

Verse 13. The people of this church are not following the law in perfection, for they dwell in the seat of Satan, that is in the carnal-sense of things. But they are commanded to hold fast to the Christ-meaning of life-love-truth, and never to deny it, even in the fury of things of this world.

Verse 14. But I have a few things against thee, the acknowledgement of mortality and spirituality, as both being real and true, also idolatry, adultery, dualism, hypocrisy. These being unlawful as thoughts they must not be expressed.

Verse 16. Repent, that is turn from the evil and know the good, for if we do not,, we shall experience the power of the law against us to destroy Our error, and we shall suffer in the fury of its prevailing.

Verse 17. To him who obeys this head of the law of righteousness will I give to eat of the hidden manna, that is the experience of the love of truth, and he shall have a pure white stone given unto him (Christ), with the new name of the life-love-truth-meaning written therein; which no man can understand save him who has experienced it.

THE CHURCH OF THE LIFE OF TRUTH. REV 2:18.

The Spirit of Dominion as the Angel of the Church

of Thyatira.

Verse 18. "Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire." "And his feet are like fine brass." These refer to the realm of truth.

Verse 19. I know thy patience and thy works, and the last to be more than the first, for the healing power of dominion as proof of knowing is more than a blind faith of sense-belief in a theory of the law. For the Christ demands fruit from his followers as actual facts of good and not alone the sense impressions of that which seems to be good. The Christ has made it possible for us to produce these fruits through his law.

Verses 20 to 24. After revealing the death which lurks in adultery, also in all opposition to the law, such as the denial of the healing power of truth, he says that as we sow so shall we reap; that is in just the way which we build our house of conscience either of good or evil, so shall we be held responsible and receive our reward accordingly.

Verse 24. On as many as have not this doctrine of demonstrable knowledge of the law, but who are good in the intent of their hearts, I will put no other burden than that they hold fast to that which they have of good.

Verse 26. Him that knows dominion as the life of truth, and has gained its healing power, I will make him a ruler over many nations.

Verse 27. He shall rule with this rod of iron and break in shivers the testimony of the carnal sense-mind as a false consciousness of evil in the appearance of material conditions ; that is, all mortal imaginations shall be destroyed therewith.

Verse 28. He will be given the morning star (the power of dominion in knowing the Christ-presence). In Rev. 22:16 we read of Jesus as the morning star.

THE CHURCH OF THE TRUTH OF LIFE. REV. 2:1.

The Spirit of Intelligence as the Angel of the Church

of Ephesus.

Verse 1. "Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." Verse 7. "Will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." These refer to the realm of light or life.

Verse 2. And how thou canst not bear them which express the evil of ignorant sense in opposition to spiritual intelligence; for thou hast tried them by means of the law who say they are christian and are not, and hast found them liars ; because those who really know the law can manifest it and do the works of intelligence, instead of mortal imagination.

Verse 4. Because thou hast left thy first love, the love and radiant innocence of a little child, and gone over to the testimony of the carnal sense-mind of evil; to live in the material conditions and experiences of the things of the .world, therefore thou art not perfect.

Verse 5. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent, and do the first works of innocent love, for if not, the light of spiritual understanding will be taken away from you, and you will be left in the darkness of confusion and fury of mortality.

Verse 7. He that overcomes will I give to eat of the understanding of the tree of life, portrayed in the law of righteousness and shown in the candlestick and Star of Bethlehem.

THE CHURCH OF THE LOVE OF LIFE. REV. 2:8.

The Spirit of Wisdom as the Angel of the Church

of Smyrna.

Verse 8. ''Which was dead and is alive." Verse 10. "I will give a crown of life." These refer to the realm of life.

Verse 9- But thou art rich in wisdom; not so them which say that they are children of Israel and are not, because they live in the sensations of materiality and are therefore of the synagogue of Satan, dwelling in the animal sense-mind which blasphemes against the law of Christ.

Verse 10. Fear none of the things which this animal sense-mind shall do unto you, for this same carnal-sense shall cast you into prison, where you will suffer until you learn to obey the heads of the law, as given in the Star and Candlestick; wherein you will learn how to overcome all evil; and being faithful unto the end will gain a crown of life.

Verse 11. He that overcomes the bondage of mortal imagination shall not be hurt of the second death, or that which we commonly know as death. For having overcome imperfect concepts in this world we shall continue in the wisdom gained thereby after giving up mortality.