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THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
mise of power,' of which Mark XXI. 16-20 is a striking instance.
These passages are now generally regarded to be either worthless interpolations, mistranslations of the original text, or even ravings of religious enthusiasts. Those of a pious turn of mind, anxious to believe their scriptures to be infallible and yet unable to reconcile the text to the stern realities of life, satisfy their intellect with the idea that the 'promise' was only intended for the ages gone by. Truth, however, lies the other way; for the promise is neither false nor limited to any particular period of time, but a real living truth, possessing as much vitality now as it did at the time of its formulation. We do not understand it, and have no faith in its truth on account of our ignorance of the science of mental power which we have hitherto considered "immaterial, airy metaphysics," and, therefore, beneath the dignity of any learned or scientific man to study. The only "material metaphysics" with us are mammon, long robes, high places, hypocritical salutes, and crocodile tears, which Christ used to comment upon unceasingly. How, then, can there be any manifestation of the truth of the word of the Saviour in our midst? Understand what Christ meant by faith, and rest not till you have found it, for it is the one mysterious power which brings about the realization of the Kingdom of God from within. Take it to heart. What faith can do, nothing else can. In the sacred literature of all religions, faith has been considered the most essential requisite for success. No disciples were made or accepted unless they passed the period of probation-usually this consisted of a number
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