The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ
Transcribed from The Book of God’s Remembrance (Akashic Records)
by Levi H. Dowling (1844-1911)
––– Continued –––
SECTION VII
ZAIN
Life and Works of Jesus in Tibet and Western India
CHAPTER 36
Jesus in Lassa. He meets Meng-ste who aids him in reading the ancient manuscripts. He goes to Ladak. Heals a child. Relates the parable of the king’s son.
IN Lassa of Tibet there was a master’s temple, rich in manuscripts of ancient lore.
2. The Indian sage had read these manuscripts, and he revealed to Jesus many of the secret lessons they contained; but Jesus wished to read them for himself.
3. Now, Meng-ste, greatest sage of all the farther East, was in this temple of Tibet.
4. The path across Emodus heights was difficult; but Jesus started on his way, and Vidyapati sent with him a trusted guide.
5. And Vidyapati sent a message to Meng-ste, in which he told about the Hebrew sage, and spoke for him a welcome by the temple priests.
6. Now, after many days, and perils great, the guide and Jesus reached the Lassa temple in Tibet.
7. And Meng-ste opened wide the temple doors, and all the priests and masters gave a welcome to the Hebrew sage.
8. And Jesus had access to all the sacred manuscripts, and, with the help of Meng-ste, read them all.
9. And Meng-ste often talked with Jesus of the coming age, and of the sacred service best adapted to the people of the age.
10. In Lassa Jesus did not teach. When he finished all his studies in the temple schools he journeyed toward the West. In many villages he tarried for a time and taught.
11. At last he reached the pass, and in the Ladak city, Leh, he was received with favor by the monks, the merchants, and the men of low estate.
12. And in the monastery he abode, and taught; and then he sought the common people in the marts of trade; and there he taught.
13. Not far away a woman lived, whose infant son was sick nigh unto death. The doctors had declared, There is no hope; the child must die.
14. The woman heard that Jesus was a teacher sent from God, and she believed that he had power to heal her son.
15. And so she clasped the dying infant in her arms and ran with haste and asked to see the man of God.
16. When Jesus saw her faith he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said,
17. My Father-God, let power divine o’ershadow me, and let the Holy Breath fill full this child that it may live.
18. And in the presence of the multitude he laid his hand upon the child and said,
19. Good woman you are blest; your faith has saved your son. And then the child was well.
20. The people were astonished and they said, This surely is the Holy One made flesh, for man alone cannot rebuke a fever thus and save a child from death.
21. Then many of the people brought their sick, and Jesus spoke the Word, and they were healed.
22. Among the Ladaks Jesus tarried many days; he taught them how to heal; how sins are blotted out, and how to make on earth a heaven of joy.
23. The people loved him for his words and works, and when he must depart they grieved as children grieve when mother goes away.
24. And on the morning when he started on his way the multitudes were there to press his hand
25. To them he spoke a parable; he said, A certain king so loved the people of his land that he sent forth his only son with precious gifts for all.
26. The son went everywhere and scattered forth the gifts with lavish hand.
27. But there were priests who ministered at shrines of foreign gods, who were not pleased because the king did not through them bestow the gifts.
28. And so they sought to cause the people all to hate the son. They said, These gifts are not of any worth; they are but counterfeits.
29. And so the people threw the precious gems, and gold and silver in the streets. They caught the son and beat him, spit upon him, drove him from their midst.
30. The son resented not their insults and their cruelties; but thus he prayed, My Father-God, forgive these creatures of thy hand; they are but slaves; they know not what they do.
31. And while they yet were beating him he gave them food, and blest them with a boundless love.
32. In certain cities was the son received with joy, and he would gladly have remained to bless the homes; but he could tarry not, for he must carry gifts to every one in all the king’s domain.
33. And Jesus said, My Father-God is king of all mankind, and he has sent me forth with all the bounties of his matchless love and boundless wealth.
34. To all the people of all lands, lo, I must bear these gifts–this water and this bread of life.
35. I go my way, but we will meet again; for in my Fatherland is room for all; I will prepare a place for you.
36. And Jesus raised his hand in silent benediction; then he went his way.
CHAPTER 37
Jesus is presented with a camel. He goes to Lahore where he abides with Ajainin, whom he teaches. Lesson of the wandering musicians. Jesus resumes his journey.
A CARAVAN of merchantmen were journeying through the Kashmir vale as Jesus passed that way, and they were going to Lahore, a city of the Hand, the five-stream land.
2. The merchantmen had heard the prophet speak, had seen his mighty works in Leh, and they were glad to see him once again.
3. And when they knew that he was going to Lahore and then across the Sind, through Persia and the farther West, and that he had no beast on which to ride,
4. They freely gave to him a noble bactrian beast, well saddled and equipped, and Jesus journeyed with the caravan.
5. And when he reached Lahore, Ajainin and some other Brahmic priests, received him with delight.
6. Ajainin was the priest who came to Jesus in the night time in Benares many months before, and heard his words of truth.
7. And Jesus was Ajainin’s guest; he taught Ajainin many things; revealed to him the secrets of the healing art.
8. He taught him how he could control the spirits of the air, the fire, the water and the earth; and he explained to him the secret doctrine of forgiveness, and the blotting out of sins.
9. One day Ajainin sat with Jesus in the temple porch; a band of wandering singers and musicians paused before the court to sing and play.
10. Their music was most rich and delicate, and Jesus said, Among the high-bred people of the land we hear no sweeter music than that these uncouth children of the wilderness bring here to us.
11. From whence this talent and this power? In one short life they could not gain such grace of voice, such knowledge of the laws of harmony and tone.
12. Men call them prodigies. There are no prodigies. All things result from natural law.
13. These people are not young. A thousand years would not suffice to give them such divine expressiveness, and such purity of voice and touch.
14. Ten thousand years ago these people mastered harmony. In days of old they trod the busy thoroughfares of life, and caught the melody of birds, and played on harps of perfect form.
15. And they have come again to learn still other lessons from the varied notes of manifests.
16. These wandering people form a part of heaven’s orchestra, and in the land of perfect things the very angels will delight to hear them play and sing.
17. And Jesus taught the common people of Lahore; he healed their sick, and showed to them the way to rise to better things by helpfulness.
18. He said, We are not rich by what we get and hold; the only things we keep are those we give away.
19. If you would live the perfect life, give forth your life in service for your kind, and for the forms of life that men esteem the lower forms of life.
20. But Jesus could not tarry longer in Lahore; he bade the priests and other friends farewell; and then he took his camel and he went his way toward the Sind.
SECTION VIII
CHETH
Life and Works of Jesus in Persia
CHAPTER 38
Jesus crosses Persia. Teaches and heals in many places. Three magian priests meet him as he nears Persepolis. Kaspar, and two other Persian masters, meet him in Persepolis. The seven masters sit in silence seven days.
FOUR-AND-TWENTY years of age was Jesus when he entered Persia on his homeward way.
2. In many a hamlet, town and neighborhood he paused a while and taught and healed.
3. The priests and ruling classes did not welcome him, because he censured them for cruelty to those of low estate.
4. The common people followed him in throngs.
5. At times the chiefs made bold to try to hinder him, forbidding him to teach or heal the sick. But he regarded not their angry threats; he taught, and healed the sick.
6. In time he reached Persepolis, the city where the kings of Persia were entombed; the city of the learned magi, Hor, and Lun, and Mer, the three wise men.
7. Who, four-and-twenty years before, had seen the star of promise rise above Jerusalem, and who had journeyed to the West to find the new-born king;
8. And were the first to honor Jesus as the master of the age, and gave him gifts of gold, gum-thus and myrrh.
9. These magi knew, by ways that masters always know, when Jesus neared Persepolis; and then they girt themselves, and went to meet him on the way.
10. And when they met, a light much brighter than the light of day surrounded them, and men who saw the four stand in the way declared they were transfigured; seeming more like gods than men.
11. Now, Hor and Lun were aged men, and Jesus placed them on his beast to ride into Persepolis; whilst he and Mer led on the way.
12. And when they reached the magi’s home they all rejoiced. And Jesus told the thrilling story of his life, and Hor and Lun and Mer spoke not; they only looked to heaven, and in their hearts praised God.
13. Three wise men from the North were in Persepolis; and they were Kaspar, Zara and Melzone; and Kaspar was the wisest master of the Magian land. These three were at the home of Hor and Lun and Mer when Jesus came.
14. For seven days these seven men spoke not; they sat in silence in the council hall in close communion with the Silent Brotherhood.
15. They sought for light, for revelation and for power. The laws and precepts of the coming age required all the wisdom of the masters of the world.
CHAPTER 39
Jesus attends a feast in Persepolis. Speaks to the people, reviewing the magian philosophy. Explains the origin of evil. Spends the night in prayer.
A FEAST in honor of the magian God was being held, and many men were gathered in Persepolis.
2. And on the great day of the feast the ruling magian master said, Within these sacred walls is liberty; whoever wills to speak may speak.
3. And Jesus, standing in the midst of all the people, said, My brothers, sisters, children of our Father-God:
4. Most blest are you among the sons of men today, because you have such just conceptions of the Holy One and man.
5. Your purity in worship and in life is pleasing unto God; and to your master, Zarathustra, praise is due.
6. Well say you all, There is one God from whose great being there came forth the seven Spirits that created heaven and earth; and manifest unto the sons of men are these great Spirits in the sun, and moon, and stars.
7. But in your sacred books we read that two among these seven are of superior strength; that one of these created all the good; the other one created all that evil is.
8. I pray you, honored masters, tell me how that evil can be born of that which is all good?
9. A magus rose and said, If you will answer me, your problem will be solved.
10. We all do recognize the fact that evil is. Whatever is, must have a cause, If God, the One, made not this evil, then, where is the God who did?
11. And Jesus said, Whatever God, the One, has made is good, and like the great first Cause, the seven Spirits all are good, and everything that comes from their creative hands is good.
12. Now, all created things have colors, tones and forms their own; but certain tones, though good and pure themselves, when mixed, produce inharmonies, discordant tones.
13. And certain things, though good and pure, when mixed, produce discordant things, yea, poisonous things, that men call evil things.
14. So evil is the inharmonious blending of the colors, tones, or forms of good.
15. Now, man is not all-wise, and yet has will his own. He has the power, and he uses it, to mix God’s good things in a multitude of ways, and every day he makes discordant sounds, and evil things.
16. And every tone and form, be it of good, or ill, becomes a living thing, a demon, sprite, or spirit of a good or vicious kind.
17. Man makes his evil thus; and then becomes afraid of him and flees; his devil is emboldened, follows him away and casts him into torturing fires.
18. The devil and the burning fires are both the works of man, and none can put the fires out and dissipate the evil one, but man who made them both.
19. Then Jesus stood aside, and not a magus answered him.
20. And he departed from the throng and went into a secret place to pray.
CHAPTER 40
Jesus teaches the magians. Explains the Silence and how to enter it. Kaspar extols the wisdom of Jesus. Jesus teaches in the groves of Cyrus.
NOW, in the early morning Jesus came again to teach and heal. A light not comprehended shown about, as though some mighty spirit overshadowed him.
2. A magus noted this and asked him privately to tell from whence his wisdom came, and what the meaning of the light.
3. And Jesus said, There is a Silence where the soul may meet its God, and there the fount of wisdom is, and all who enter are immersed in light, and filled with wisdom, love and power.
4. The magus said, Tell me about this Silence and this light, that I may go and there abide.
5.And Jesus said, The Silence is not circumscribed; is not a place closed in with wall, or rocky steeps, nor guarded by the sword of man.
6. Men carry with them all the time the secret place where they might meet their God.
7. It matters not where men abide, on mountain top, in deepest vale, in marts of trade, or in the quiet home; they may at once, at any time, fling wide the door, and find the Silence, find the house of God; it is within the soul.
8. One may not be so much disturbed by noise of business, and the words and thoughts of men if he goes all alone into the valley or the mountain pass.
9. And when life’s heavy load is pressing hard, it is far better to go out and seek a quiet place to pray and meditate.
10. The Silence is the kingdom of the soul, which is not seen by human eyes.
11. When in the Silence, phantom forms may flit before the mind; but they are all subservient to the will; the master soul may speak and they are gone.
12. If you would find this Silence of the soul you must yourself prepare the way. None but the pure in heart may enter here.
13. And you must lay aside all tenseness of the mind, all business cares, all fears, all doubts and troubled thoughts.
14. Your human will must be absorbed by the divine; then you will come into a consciousness of holiness.
15. You are in the Holy Place, and you will see upon a living shrine the candle of the Lord aflame.
16. And when you see it burning there, look deep into the temple of your brain, and you will see it all aglow.
17. In every part, from head to foot. are candles all in place, just waiting to be lighted by the flaming torch of love.
18. And when you see the candles all aflame, just look, and you will see, with eyes of soul, the waters of the fount of wisdom rushing on; and you may drink, and there abide.
19. And then the curtains part, and you are in the Holiest of All, where rests the Ark of God, whose covering is the Mercy Seat.
20. Fear not to lift the sacred board; the Tables of the Law are in the Ark concealed.
21. Take them and read them well; for they contain all precepts and commands that men will ever need.
22. And in the Ark, the magic wand of prophecy lies waiting for your hand; it is the key to all the hidden meanings of the present, future, past.
23. And then, behold the manna there, the hidden bread of life; and he who eats shall never die.
24. The cherubim have guarded well for every soul this treasure box, and whosoever will may enter in and find his own.
25. Now Kaspar heard the Hebrew master speak and he exclaimed, Behold, the wisdom of the gods has come to men!
26. And Jesus went his way, and in the sacred groves of Cyrus, where the multitudes were met, he taught and healed the sick.
CHAPTER 41
Jesus stands by a healing fountain. Reveals the fact that faith is the potent factor in healing and many are healed by faith. A little child teaches a great lesson of faith.
A FLOWING spring that people called the Healing Fount was near Persepolis.
2. And all the people thought that at a certain time of the year their deity came down and gave a virtue to the waters of the fount, and that the sick who then would plunge into the fount and wash would be made whole.
3. About the fount a multitude of people were in waiting for the Holy One to come and potentise the waters of the fount.
4. The blind, the lame, the deaf, the dumb, and those obsessed were there.
5. And Jesus, standing in the midst of them, exclaimed, Behold the spring of life! These waters that will fail are honored as the special blessing of your God.
6. From whence do healing virtues come? Why is your God so partial with his gifts? Why does he bless this spring today, and then tomorrow take his blessings all away?
7. A deity of power could fill these waters full of healing virtue every day.
8. Hear me, you sick, disconsolate: The virtue of this fount is not a special gift of God.
9. Faith is the healing power of every drop of all the waters of this spring.
10. He who believes with all his heart that he will be made whole by washing in this fount will be made whole when he has washed; and he may wash at any time.
11. Let every one who has this faith in God and in himself plunge in these waters now and wash.
12. And many of the people plunged into the crystal fount; and they were healed.
13. And then there was a rush, for all the people were inspired with faith, and each one strove to be among the first to wash, lest all the virtue be absorbed.
14. And Jesus saw a little child, weak, faint and helpless, sitting all alone beyond the surging crowd; and there was none to help her to the fount.
15. And Jesus said, My little one, why do you sit and wait? Why not arise and hasten to the fount and wash, and be made well?
16. The child replied, I need not haste; the blessings of my Father in the sky are measured not in tiny cups; they never fail; their virtues are the same for evermore.
17. When these whose faith is weak must haste to wash for fear their faith will fail, have all been cured, these waters will be just as powerful for me.
18. Then I can go and stay a long, long time within the blessed waters of the spring.
19. And Jesus said, Behold a master soul! She came to earth to teach to men the power of faith.
20. And then he lifted up the child and said, Why wait for anything? The very air we breathe is filled with balm of life. Breathe in this balm of life in faith and be made whole.
21. The child breathed in the balm of life in faith, and she was well.
22. The people marveled much at what they heard and saw; they said, This man must surely be the god of health made flesh.
23. And Jesus said, The fount of life is not a little pool; it is as wide as are the spaces of the heavens.
24. The waters of the fount are love; the potency is faith, and he who plunges deep into the living springs, in living faith, may wash away his guilt and be made whole, and freed from sin.
SECTION IX
TETH
Life and Works of Jesus in Assyria
CHAPTER 42
Jesus bids the magians farewell. Goes to Assyria. Teaches the people in Ur of Chaldea. Meets Ashbina, with whom he visits many towns and cities, teaching and healing the sick.
IN Persia Jesus’ work was done and he resumed his journey towards his native land.
2. The Persian sage went with him to the Euphrates; then with a pledge that they would meet again in Egypt land the masters said, Farewell.
3. And Kaspar went his way unto his home beside the Caspian Sea; and Jesus soon was in Chaldea, cradle land of Israel.
4. In Ur, where Abraham was born, he tarried for a time; and when he told the people who he was, and why he came, they came from near and far to speak to him.
5. He said to them, We all are kin. Two thousand years and more ago, our Father Abraham lived here in Ur, and then he worshipped God the One, and taught the people in these sacred groves.
6. And he was greatly blessed; becoming father of the mighty hosts of Israel.
7. Although so many years have passed since Abraham and Sarah walked these ways, a remnant of their kindred still abides in Ur.
8. And in there hearts the God of Abraham is still adored, and faith and justice are the rocks on which they build.
9. Behold this land! It is no more the fruitful land that Abraham loved so well; the rains come not as in the former times; the vine is not productive now, and withered are the figs.
10. But this shall not forever be; the time will come when all your deserts will rejoice; when flowers will bloom; when all your vines will bend their heads with luscious fruit; shepherds will again be glad.
11. And Jesus preached to them the gospel of goodwill, and peace on earth. He told them of the brotherhood of life, and of the inborn powers of man, and of the kingdom of the soul.
12. And as he spoke, Ashbina, greatest sage of all Assyria, stood before his face.
13. The people knew the sage, for he had often taught them in their sacred halls and groves, and they rejoiced to see his face.
14. Ashbina said, My children of Chaldea, hear! Behold, for you are greatly blest today, because a prophet of the living God has come to you.
15. Take heed to what this master says, for he gives forth the words that God has given him.
16. And Jesus and the sage went through the towns and cities of Chaldea and of the lands between the Tigris and the Euphrates;
17. And Jesus healed a multitude of people who were sick.
CHAPTER 43
Jesus and Ashbina visit Babylon and remark its desolation. The two masters remain in company seven days; then Jesus resumes his homeward journey. Arrives in Nazareth. His mother gives a feast in his honor. His brothers are displeased. Jesus tells his mother and aunt the story of his journeys.
THE ruined Babylon was near, and Jesus and the sage went through her gates and walked among her fallen palaces.
2. They trod the streets where Israel once was held in base captivity.
3. They saw where Judah’s sons and daughters hung their harps upon the willows, and refused to sing.
4. They saw where Daniel and the Hebrew children stood as living witnesses of faith.
5. And Jesus lifted up his hand and said, Behold the grandeur of the works of man!
6. The king of Babylon destroyed the temple of the Lord in old Jerusalem; he burned the holy city, bound in chains my people and my kin, and brought them here as slaves.
7. But retribution comes; for whatsoever men shall do to other men the righteous Judge will do to them.
8. The sun of Babylon has gone down; the songs of pleasure will be heard no more within her walls.
9. And every kind of creeping thing and unclean bird will, in these ruins, find their homes.
10. And in the temple Belus, Jesus and Ashbina stood in silent thought.
11. Then Jesus spoke and said, Behold this monument of folly and of shame.
12. Man tried to shake the very throne of God, and he assayed to build a tower to reach to heaven, when, lo, his very speech was snatched away, because in lofty words he boasted of his power.
13. And on these heights the heathen Baal stood–the god wrought out by hands of man.
14. Upon yon altar, birds, and beasts, and men, yea children have been burned in awful sacrifice to Baal.
15. But now the gory priests are dead; the very rocks have shuddered and have fallen down; the place is desolate.
16. Now, in the plains of Shinar Jesus tarried yet for seven days, and, with Ashbina, meditated long upon the needs of men, and how the sages could best serve the coming age.
17. Then Jesus went his way, and after many days he crossed the Jordan to his native land. At once he sought his home in Nazareth.
18. His mother’s heart was filled with joy; she made a feast for him, inviting all her kindred and her friends.
19. But Jesus’ brothers were not pleased that such attention should be paid to one they deemed a sheer adventurer, and they went not in to the feast.
20. They laughed their brother’s claims to scorn; they called him indolent, ambitious, vain; a worthless fortune hunter; searcher of the world for fame, who, after many years returns to mother’s home with neither gold, nor any other wealth.
21. And Jesus called aside his mother and her sister, Miriam, and told them of his journey to the East.
22. He told them of the lessons he had learned, and of the works that he had done. To others he told not the story of his life.
SECTION X
JOD
Life and Works of Jesus in Greece
CHAPTER 44
Jesus visits Greece and is welcomed by the Athenians. Meets Apollo. Addresses the Grecian masters in the Amphitheatre. The address.
THE Greek philosophy was full of pungent truth, and Jesus longed to study with the masters in the schools of Greece.
2. And so he left his home in Nazareth and crossed the Carmel hills, and at the port took ship, and soon was in the Grecian capital.
3. Now, the Athenians had heard of him as teacher and philosopher, and they were glad to have him come to them that they might hear his words of truth.
4. Among the masters of the Greeks was one, Apollo, who was called, Defender of the Oracle, and recognized in many lands as Grecian sage.
5. Apollo opened up for Jesus all the doors of Grecian lore, and in the Areopagus he heard the wisest masters speak.
6. But Jesus brought to them a wisdom greater far than theirs; and so he taught.
7. Once in the Amphitheatre he stood, and when Apollo bade him speak he said,
8. Athenian masters, hear! In ages long ago, men, wise in nature’s laws, sought out and found the place on which your city stands.
9. Full well you know that there are parts of earth where its great beating heart throws heavenward etheric waves that meet the ethers from above:
10. Where spirit-light and understanding, like the stars of night, shine forth.
11. Of all the parts of earth there is no place more sensitized, more truly spirit-blest, than that where Athens stands.
12. Yea, all of Greece is blest. No other land has been the homeland of such mighty men of thought as grace your scrolls of fame.
13. A host of sturdy giants of philosophy, of poetry, of science, and of art, were born upon the soil of Greece, and rocked to manhood in your cradle of pure thought.
14. I come not here to speak of science, of philosophy, or art; of these you are the world’s best masters now.
15. But all your high accomplishments are but stepping stones to worlds beyond the realm of sense; are but illusive shadows flitting on the walls of time.
16. But I would tell you of a life beyond, within; a real life that cannot pass away.
17. In science and philosophy there is no power strong enough to fit a soul to recognize itself, or to commune with God.
18. I would not stay the flow of your great streams of thought; but I would turn them to the channels of the soul.
19. Unaided by the Spirit-breath, the work of intellection tends to solve the problems of the things we see, and nothing more.
20. The senses were ordained to bring into the mind mere pictures of the things that pass away; they do not deal with real things; they do not comprehend eternal law.
21. But man has something in his soul, a something that will tear the veil apart that he may see the world of real things.
22. We call this something, spirit consciousness; it sleeps in every soul, and cannot be awakened till the Holy Breath becomes a welcome guest.
23. This Holy Breath knocks at the door of every soul, but cannot enter in until the will of man throws wide the door.
24. There is no power in intellect to turn the key; philosophy and science both have toiled to get a glimpse behind the veil; but they have failed.
25. The secret spring that throws ajar the door of soul is touched by nothing else than purity in life, by prayer and holy thought.
26. Return, O mystic stream of Grecian thought, and mingle your clear waters with the flood of Spirit-life; and then the spirit consciousness will sleep no more, and man will know, and God will bless.
27. When Jesus had thus said he stepped aside. The Grecian masters were astonished at the wisdom of his words; they answered not.
CHAPTER 45
Jesus teaches the Greek masters. Goes with Apollo to Delphi and hears the Oracle speak. It testifies for him. He abides with Apollo, and is recognized as the living Oracle of God. Explains to Apollo the phenomenon of oraclular speech.
FOR many days the Grecian masters listened to the clear incisive words that Jesus spoke, and while they could not fully comprehend the things he said, they were delighted and accepted his philosophy.
2. One day as Jesus and Apollo walked beside the sea, a Delphic courier came in haste and said, Apollo, master, come; the Oracle would speak to you.
3. Apollo said to Jesus, Sir, if you would see the Delphic Oracle, and hear it speak, you may accompany me. And Jesus did accompany him.
4. The masters went in haste; and when they came to Delphi, great excitement reigned.
5. And when Apollo stood before the Oracle it spoke and said:
6. Apollo, sage of Greece, the bell strikes twelve; the midnight of the ages now has come.
7. Within the womb of nature ages are conceived; they gestate and are born in glory with the rising sun, and when the agic sun goes down the age disintegrates and dies.
8. The Delphic age has been an age of glory and renown; the gods have spoken to the sons of men through oracles of wood, and gold, and precious stone.
9. The Delphic sun has set; the Oracle will go into decline; the time is near when men will hear its voice no more.
10. The gods will speak to man by man. The living Oracle now stands within these sacred groves; the Logos from on high has come.
11. From henceforth will decrease my wisdom and my power; from henceforth will increase the wisdom and the power of him, Immanuel.
12. Let all the masters stay; let every creature hear and honor him, Immanuel.
13. And then the Oracle spoke not again for forty days, and priests and people were amazed. They came from near and far to hear the Living Oracle speak forth the wisdom of the gods.
14. And Jesus and the Grecian sage returned, and in Apollo’s home the Living Oracle spoke forth for forty days.
15. One day Apollo said to Jesus as they sat alone, This sacred Delphic Oracle has spoken many a helpful word for Greece.
16. Pray tell me what it is that speaks. Is it an angel, man, or living god?
17. And Jesus said, It is not angel, man, nor god that speaks. It is the matchless wisdom of the master minds of Greece, united in a master mind.
18. This giant mind has taken to itself the substances of soul, and thinks, and hears, and speaks.
19. It will remain a living soul while master minds feed it with thought, with wisdom and with faith and hope.
20. But when the master minds of Greece shall perish from the land, this giant master mind will cease to be, and then the Delphic Oracle will speak no more.
CHAPTER 46
A storm on the sea. Jesus rescues many drowning men. The Athenians pray to idols. Jesus rebukes their idolatry and tells how God helps. His last meeting with the Greeks. Sails on the vessel Mars.
IT was a holy day and Jesus walked upon the Athens beach.
2. A storm was on and ships were being tossed about like toys upon the bosom of the sea.
3. The sailors and the fishermen were going down to watery graves; the shores were strewn with bodies of the dead.
4. And Jesus halted not, but with a mighty power he rescued many a helpless one, oft bringing back to life the seeming dead.
5. Now, on these shores were altars sacred to the gods supposed to rule the seas.
6. And men and women, heedless of the cries of drowning men were crowding all about these altars calling on their gods for help.
7. At length the storm was done, and all the sea was calm, and men could think again; and Jesus said,
8. You worshippers of wooden gods, how has the fury of this storm been lessened by your frantic prayers?
9. Where is the strength of these poor, weather-beaten gods with painted swords and crowns?
10. A god that could abide in such a little house could hardly hold a frantic fly, and who could hope that he could hold at bay the Lords of winds and waves?
11. The mighty powers of worlds unseen do not give forth their help till men have done their best; they only help when men can do no more.
12. And you have agonized and prayed around these shrines, and let men sink to death who might have been, by your assistance, saved.
13. The God that saves dwells in your souls, and manifests by making use of your own feet, and legs, and arms, and hands.
14. Strength never comes through idleness; nor through a waiting for another one to bear your loads, or do the work that you are called to do.
15. But when you do your best to bear your loads, and do your work, you offer unto God a sacrifice well pleasing in his sight.
16. And then the Holy One breathes deep upon your glowing sacrificial coals, and makes them blaze aloft to fill your souls with light, and strength and helpfulness.
17. The most efficient prayer that men can offer to a god of any kind is helpfulness to those in need of help; for what you do for other men the Holy One will do for you.
18. And thus God helps.
19. His work in Greece was done, and Jesus must go on his way to Egypt in the South. Apollo, with the highest masters of the land and many people from the varied walks of life, stood on the shore to see the Hebrew sage depart; and Jesus said,
20. The son of man has been in many lands; has stood in temples of a multitude of foreign gods; has preached the gospel of good will and peace on earth to many people, tribes and tongues;
21. Has been received with favor in a multitude of homes; but Greece is, of them all, the royal host.
22. The breadth of Grecian thought; the depth of her philosophy; the height of her unselfish aspirations have well fitted her to be the champion of the cause of human liberty and right.
23. The fates of war have subjugated Greece, because she trusted in the strength of flesh, and bone and intellect, forgetful of the spirit-life that binds a nation to its source of power.
24. But Greece will not forever sit within the darkness of the shadow land as vassal of a foreign king.
25. Lift up your heads, you men of Greece; the time will come when Greece will breathe the ethers of the Holy Breath, and be a mainspring of the spirit power of earth.
26. But God must be your shield, your buckler, and your tower of strength.
27. And then he said, Farewell.
Apollo raised his hand in silent benediction, and the people wept.
28. Upon the Cretan vessel, Mars, the Hebrew sage sailed from the Grecian port.
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