to the Christian overcomer that we are justified in devoting larger space to its discussion.

Sunday, September 25, 1904, Harriet H. Rix, of the Home of Truth, Alameda, California, delivered an address before the Unity Society, in Kansas City, on this subject. Most of this address was published in the October UNITY, of that year, and it has often occurred to us that it should be reproduced, and now is our opportunity. Here are the salient points and they are well worth the careful consideration of every reader of this magazine:

"Prayer is a subject that has been much misunderstood and misapplied throughout all the ages until the present. We do not pray as we should, and therefore we do not get the demonstrations. We ought to pray the prayer that heals; that heals sickness and sorrow and distress of every kind. It is the prayer that we can pray, the prayer that we must pray-it is our destiny.

But how are we to bring to pass the things we so desire? Jesus Christ had much to say about prayer, and how to pray; he had more to say on prayer than on any other subject. It is well for us to take the sayings of Jesus Christ and use them. His example and precepts will guide us aright; they are our watch and guide in deportment and conduct, to conform to the teachings of the Infinite Being, and none better were ever given.

Jesus Christ was a metaphysical prayer. Miracles were performed at a word or by a touch of his hand, but the touch sprang from the Word. This he called prayer. He had the essentials of Truth in his heart, and he accomplished whatever he desired by recognizing its truth and reality before it came into physical expression. He was the originator of many forms or methods of prayer, showing that it is not the form, but the spirit which produces results.

The work of Jesus Christ was not confined to his

disciples; his teachings are applicable to all men alike, for they are principles involving the scheme of existence, and necessary alike to all men. But his disciples asked, "Master, teach us how to pray?" for they knew that his work was not of himself alone. How simple and easy an answer he gave, the statement of a principle given to all who would receive it: "Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them." (R. V.) Now, do you believe in that thoroughly? Do you believe so thoroughly in the reality of spiritual substance that you can realize that you have received that substance before it has come into manifestation? so that under the joy of the inspiration you are able to produce higher and better things of this life?

There are three conditions to true prayer. First, you must ask for what you desire, seek it, pray for it. Prayer is the natural instinct of all creation. The birds pray when they carol forth the sweet songs of joy and acknowledgment; flowers send forth sweet prayer and acknowledgment in the delicate aroma, and greet the eye with beauteous colors; the streams murmur sweet bles, along through wooded glen and flowery dale; the rocks speak forth in their majesty of the grandeur and glory of the Universal Goodness, and they would cry out in words of eloquence were man's mouth stoppedall Nature reveals the presence of God.

We are all praying continually, whether consciously or unconsciously. We can no more escape aspiration for better things than a seed, in right conditions, can escape expressing the life within it into a beautiful and mighty tree; and aspiration is prayer. This aspiration makes for higher and better things, and such is the true nature of man. It is not ritualistic nor the attitude that counts, but the earnest, sincere desire of the

soul for the good and true that accomplishes the desire of the heart; it is the true prayer without ceasing.

Now notice the wording of our text. "Whatsoever" —every thing, every body; whatsoever is good and true and blessed; whatsoever will uplift, and promote, and help; whatsoever will bless, not only yourself but the community and the world at large. "Whatsoever"— acknowledge that there is a Source that holds that good here and now. It is the kingdom of heaven to you. Fear not! Fear has entered into many religions, and has been the source of worry and anguish instead of good to their believers. There is nothing in God to fear, for the will of God is shown in all Nature, and the character of God is Love. Love is the substance of God here and now present, the substance of your desire. He is here manifest as substance; if you do not believe that, you have departed from success.

Second, "Believe that you have already received." That is where most failures in prayer occur. It is so hard for the mortal mind to recognize the reality of things that cannot be seen and handled. We pray for things that are not essential, some material thing for the gratification of sense; our heart and soul so greatly desire it, and when it does not come we get discouraged and disappointed, and pray no more. It is better not to pray at all than not to pray aright. I would not repeat the Lord's Prayer if I could not consciously realize every word of it and make it applicable to myself. "Believe that you have already received"-this is Faith; Faith that does not depend on the outward manifestation, but recognizes the reality and truth of substance.

You cannot pray aright and exclude any of the conditions. When you have believed that you have already received, then make yourself receptive; know that your desire cannot fail of realization; know that your prayer cannot fail. Do not ask how it is coming, the

methods, whys or wherefores. But unless you are true to the conditions, your prayer will not be answered. "I shall receive❞—that is your word; say it, believe it, know

it.

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Back of all appearances is Mind, the true substance, the Cause of all things; and all the world is but symbology. Things go from sight, are lost, die; but, understanding the reality of true substance, we become like Jesus Christ, who is the substance, and we have "all these things added," which are necessary for our comfort, sustenance and joy. "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added." One must seek the Kingdom of God with a worshipful spirit, and then he will not pray for outward things-they will be added in due time.

The world of real thought, philosophy and religion has declared to us the truth that the invisible is the real, "the flesh profiteth nothing." The superficial mortal mind recognizes only the material manifestation, which is but a shadow; thus has the world suffered.

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Thoughts are things; principles demonstrate.

As

a man thinketh so is he. The world must be renewed by man's correct thought. Where would be the snake if there were no snake thoughts in our mind to sustain it? Remove the thought, and the thing is reduced to nothingness. True pure thought will give us the flower instead of the thorn; the lamb will lie down with the lion; and there will dawn upon man's consciousness the glory of the realization that only the good is real.

Nothing is without life. Instead of things being inanimate, we know that the table, the rock, the tree, all things live and breathe. There is an intuitive knowledge that we are alive everywhere, and all live things were thoughts to begin with. If you know it, you know it; it is a woman's reason, "I love because I love."

And if you love, if it is not only sentiment, but a fact, no time or experience can take it from you. If you don't know it, you don't know it, that's all. And if you do know it, by conscious acknowledgment of the presence of God, you will continuously demonstrate that God is Good and that God is Love.

Now we want to pray aright, for prayer is much like water—it will rise no higher than its source. If your prayer is selfish, if it is not for the benefit of all as well as for self, it cannot benefit the world or the individual. It must produce for the world a better experience everywhere. Prayer is not the means of success for the vicious, corrupt and narrow, for personal gratification or conditions. It is the means of upliftment, of betterment, of enlargement of faith, which, when answered, if a mother, will make you a better mother; if a father, a better father; if a neighbor, a better neighbor; if a citizen, a better government. It is right to pray for health, for there is no sickness in God. God is Health, and it is the will of God that no disease exist or attack you. God is Substance; therefore it is right for you to be healthy in purse, that you be a success, because God is Prosperity, and God is Success. Because you desire life, you may know that God is pressing upon you His abundant life. "I come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly." Then seek to live more richly, more deeply, more truly, more beautifully this is the law of God.

Suppose that I have a little patch of ground, on which I desire to grow things; it is in the time of fruit drying when the prunes and the raisins need the strong sunlight; then if I pray for rain, which could bless me alone, that would be vicious, because selfish. It is the prayer that ministers to others that is truly blessed.