Circle of Christhood

The Infinite Way Monthly Letter

Lesson for Children

July 1956

"The Universality of Truth"

Uppermost in our hearts is the desire to be good Children of God.  It is the purpose of The Infinite Way to teach us that God is our Father-Mother, and that in order to be good Children of God we must obey His Commandments.  The two most important Commandments are that we love God, and that we love our neighbor as ourselves.  And so, if we are to love God we must love every other Child of God, regardless of race, religion, color, or creed.

As this is our last lesson for the time being, we shall sort of review the various points which have been brought forth in our previous lessons to see how they all fit together, and we shall find that it is in observance of these various points that we are obeying the laws of God. As I promised, we will take a little journey into some of the scriptures of other peoples, whereby we will find that many of their teachings present the same Truths as those presented in our own Bible.

First we will go to China: "Be always studious to be in harmony with the laws of God, and you will obtain much happiness." Did we not learn the very same thing - that if we are to receive God's Blessings we must obey His Commandments?  Obedience and happiness always seem to go together, do they not?

Previously we learned that whatever we hold in consciousness will be shouted from the housetops. In other words, whatever we think or say or do in that little secret place within our hearts will be sensed and known by all the world.  In the Hindu-Buddhist scriptures of India we find this same thought presented as follows:"If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him." Also, "Be kind to all creatures that have life.  Do not speak harshly to anyone."  We stop for a moment in Persia:  "He is happy to make others happy." Now we go to Turkey where in the Mohammedan scriptures, we read:  "There is not animal on earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you."  Is this not what Jesus said about loving our neighbor as ourself?

We will linger a little longer in Turkey because as we read further we come across a very beautiful passage: "Your God is one God.  He it is who created you and all of us in the earth.  He taketh care of all things. Not a leaf falleth but He knoweth it; nor a grain amid the darkness of the earth.  Do  thou remember the Lord within thyself, humbly and withal; behold thy breath at morn and evening, and in the night time also; hymn Him His praise and at the setting of the stars." In our own Bible this same Truth is given in these words: "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord."  As we search further we are always finding similar Truths.  For instance:"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore, rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him."

If you will turn to the 5th chapter of Matthew, you will find the Sermon on the Mount wherein Jesus set forth a model way of life.  Later on it would be well for you to read and study this entire chapter, but just now we will touch on only a few verses.  "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth...Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."  "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

All of these scriptural passages bring out the universality of Love, Obedience, and Peace. When we took up the subject of Love, we learned that God is Love and that our purpose on earth is to admit love into our lives and to be a channel through which it finds its way to others.  If you studied these lessons well you will remember that Love is just another name for Peace.  When Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God," He was saying that you must assume the responsibility of carrying love and peace into all your everyday endeavors, indentifying yourself with the idea that you are a peacemaker bestowing the Love and Peace of God upon all whom you encounter.  If during the course of the day you chance to meet someone who is ill or unhappy, speak these words silently within yourself: "MY peace I give unto you." You will almost be able to see the peace of mind and soul, health and happiness steal over the faces of those so lovingly blessed.  If the Peace of God rules in your hearts, truely you can say: "In him we live, and move, and have our being," and be able to convey this peace to others.

Hawaii is called the Crossroads of the Pacific because our population is composed of native Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Samoans, Fijians, as well as natives of North and South America, England, Europe, and all the other countries of the world.  All these races, cultures, religions and creeds cross and intermingle constantly, but they are able to live and work and play together harmoniously, joyously, peacefully.  Instead of arguing or discussing differences, always they are able to find some common meeting ground of Truth upon which they can unite.  In observing these people, I have learned that there are three things we must do, and for which we are responsible, that will hasten the day when there will be true peace on earth and goodwill to all men.  First: obedience to the Commandment to love God. Second: to love our neighbor as ourself. The third is the lesson from last month - honor your father and mother by being deserving of honors; because if you will recall, all the honor and respect and love that the world pays you is in reality honoring your father and your mother - and thereby, honoring God.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Love, obedience, honor and peace - these are the messengers heralding the Kingdom of God on earth.  In farewell, once more I say, "Aloha." May the love of God shine upon you and keep you in perfect peace.