Article February 4, 1911 Issue

FROM OUR EXCHANGES

with contributions from H. C. Ledyard, David Walters, George Batchelor

[From a sermon by Rev. H. C. Ledyard in Everybody's Journal, Newport, N. Y.]

"The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." These were the words spoken by Jesus, in commissioning his disciples to go forth and preach the gospel. We cannot help but notice that everything said to have been performed by Jesus is here also expected of his followers. Jesus has never drawn a line which can in any way separate him from the rest of humanity. The same power nursed and developed by him lies dormant within each one of us, only waiting for us to arouse ourselves and realize our own divinity.

This power of healing which was so potent a factor in the ministry of the Galilean, and which he impressed upon the minds of his disciples as being of paramount importance, the church in general has allowed to pass outside of its jurisdiction. For some years the early Christian maintained this healing work, but gradually, with the spiritual decline of the church owing to the growth of the desire for commercial power, this great light seemed to be moving farther and farther away, until there seemed to be an impassable gulf separating humanity from Deity. This condition continued for years. Then there came a desire on the part of some to return to the Father and enter into the inheritance which belongs to man. These leaders were, as are all leaders in the search for truth, vilely slandered and abused. But recently, and especially today, there is a great desire on the part of man to come into full realization of a real God,—one who is tangible, one who is able to be a real source of help in this present life. Man today desires a God to whom he may go in complete confidence and trust.

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