MR. ALCOTT. FRANKLIN. Did Jesus get free before he died? He never was down. MR. ALCOTT. What does it mean by his being "lifted up," if he never was down? (No answer.) Do any of you feel that your spirit has gone down into your appetites, &c.? (All.) Peccability of Do any of you think that if a little baby's parents were perfectly good and wise, and arranged every thing about it just as they the child having the same kind of help from God that children always can have, it would never go down, and would not need to be born again? should; (All rose.) Do any think it will necessarily fall? (Several rose.) MR. ALCOTT AUGUSTINE. EDWARD J. succeed. MR. ALCOTT. Why do you think so? Because there is so much wickedness. Because people have tried and did not Do you think they tried hard? EDWARD J. I know they tried; but I don't know whether it was hard enough. MR. ALCOTT. It would be an excellent way for each of us to try, for God would try with us. He helps us if we wish it. ELLEN. Every one will fall till another Jesus Christ is born. MR. ALCOTT. Was he essentially different from us? AUGUSTINE. He was God himself. JOHN B. I do not think we can be born again, without trying. MR. ALCOTT. How many of you have tried to bring your understanding away from the senses, your fancy from the world, your feelings from bad passions; in short, have tried to come back to yourself? MR. ALCOTT. And to be born of the Spirit? MR. ALCOTT. Out of what world must you come? FRANKLIN. Out of this material world. Do you "marvel" at these words? GEORGE K. and OTHERS. No; the wind itual Agency. is an emblem of the Spirit's coming and going out of the Body. Emblem of Spir MR. ALCOTT. It is an emblem of the Inexplicable, and therefore of the Spirit's movements; and have you not felt the spirit flowing in yourselves? First there was no thought, then a thought; and you were ready to say with Nicodemus, How can these things be? Type of Self- Type of What is meant by Jesus' being "lifted up"? GEORGE K. MR. ALCOTT. question. Conscience. Let us leave Jesus Christ out of the AUGUSTINE. I do not think it is right to have the idea that we can be as good as Jesus Christ. MR. ALCOTT. You think there is no sense in which men are God? Jesus may be considered as the emblem of Conscience; and "only begotten" as Conscience in the Son. Does it not mean that God alone quickens Conscience? Is not that true of all of you? Does any one but God illuminate Spirit? Open-Heartedness. How many of you can say that your conscience does not condemn you to-day? As many of you as can come to the light" with your deeds, may rise. (Several rose.) EDWARD J. When I do wrong, I am willing people should know it. WILLIAM C. Sometimes I have the desire to do wrong and do not do it. MR. ALCOTT. Who are willing, or feel that they ought to be willing to show themselves forth, as God knows them? (Several rose.) GEORGE K. Yes; except one or two things. (Some of the others thought they were not willing.) CONVERSATION XXX. SPIRITUAL UNION. FAITH AND LOVE. John's Testimony to Jesus, from the Sacred Text. -Efficacy of Faith. Supremacy of Spirit. - Paternal and Filial Union. - Perpetuity of Spirit. Idea of Death and Heaven. - Type of Spiritual Union. · - Faith in the Supernatural. Supremacy of Faith. Retribution. Spiritual Union. Mr. Alcott, having enquired what was the subject of the last conversation, read Before the JOHN'S LAST TESTIMONY TO JESUS. Vulgar Era, 27 Charity. Julian Period, 4740. Judæa. * 1 John iv. 2. JOHN iii. 22-36. 22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judæa; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, † Ch. i. 7, 34. he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. Heb. v. 4. 1 John ii. 20. 27 John answered and said, ‡ A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. Before the Vulgar Æra, 27. Julian Period, 4740. Judæa. *Rom. iii. 4. † Matt. xi. 27. Hab. ii. 4. 1 John v. 10. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that be testifieth ; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony, *hath set to his seal that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. He then asked what most interested them. Efficacy of Faith. LUCIA. I liked the last verse, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life," &c. JOHN B. I liked this, "A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven." Goodness comes from heaven. MR. ALCOTT. Why do not some people get it? you do want it and try for it. But it comes when MR. ALCOTT. What faculty works in wanting and trying? JOHN B. Conscience, the spiritual faculty. MR. ALCOTT. What is that act of Conscience when it strives looks up? Prayer. JOHN B. LUCIA. Resolution and Hope. GEORGE. Faith. MR. ALCOTT. Yes; unless man has faith, even God does not give, for you cannot receive except into your faith. How much holiness there is ready for you |