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XIII

OF PURITY IN PURPOSE¹

The spirit of man is constructed on a plan of pure reason and harmony, which lies in the very foundation of the human mind. The spiritual universe is filled with designs. It is owing to this fundamental fact that the question Cui bono? has been ever and still is asked of every new thing started. The first conception that must be reached—before the mind of the spirit is fashioned into the harmonious proportions of pure purpose—is that of inborn use. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit"; but that which is flesh dies, while that which is spirit goes on, is immortal and cannot die. A purpose that is conceived in the spirit, which is brought forth in the beauty of its powers, which goes before the soul like a pillar of guiding light, is certain to consecrate and renew. Pure and high purpose is possible to spirit alone. Ambition is earthly, aspiration spiritual. They are analogous, just as common sense bears a likeness to the superior condition, with its pure and independent clairvoyance. A human mind may be actuated by ambition and may succeed in the road which it indicates; but the success is for earth and its hour. Another mind floats dreamily in celestial rivers of aspiration and may not be successful according to popular standards; yet that soul succeeds in what is permanent and glorious, because its pure purpose brings the inmost spirit into harmony with

¹ See Morning Lectures, pp. 188 et seq.

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Of Purity in Purpose

truth which is eternal.¹ There is no failure for the mind that is moved exclusively by a high purpose in its external relations to mankind.

When a man desires to be of service to the universe, when he yearns to live not for his own sake alone but for the advancement and spiritualisation of millions, he has that saviour within him which will preserve him from harm and defeat through all disasters and besetments. Merchant or mechanic, however low and undignified or however high and commanding his business in life, he who goes to that business with a desire to benefit others is baptised and strengthened by the purity of his intentions. Take therefore that desire to your heart, so beautiful and heavenly in itself; live to make others better; and at the same time you will make yourself more effective in all you do, more gladsome also and still more ready for good deeds. A beautiful warmth will pervade your home, will follow you into street and society; noble beings will associate with you wherever you mingle wisely and lovingly with your fellow-men. Assuredly there is eternal value in pure purposes.

¹ There is a high sense in which purity of purpose may be defined as the concurrence of personal intention with the laws of being, in the light of which Davis counsels as follows: For physical happiness obey the physical laws; for organic happiness, obey the organic laws; for moral happiness, obey the moral laws; but let it be remembered that one set of these laws cannot be violated without disturbing the peace of the general economy and the life comprised therein. The moral law is superior to every other. Therein lies the true source of happiness and of the peace which the world can neither give nor take away.—The Great Harmonia, Vol. Ill, p. 344. That which is moral is here understood spiritually, as indeed should be all that which pertains to the order of things. In its plenary comprehension the reign of law is the reign of unity.