July

Again we extend a hearty invitation to our Readers to visit us at “Bryngoleu” as paying guests. "We have very happy memories of pleasant days spent with many of our readers last summer. It is very pleasant to come into-personal contact with those whom we have only known before by…

The Light of ReasonJuly 1906Published MonthlyEdited by James Allen Vol. VIII. July 2nd, 1906 No. 7 The price of “The Light of Reason" is now increased to four pence. We adopted this course for the following reason:—We have, all along, sustained a considerable loss on those magazines which are sold…

The actual needs of men are few, their wants are many. Alexander weeps for more worlds to conquer, and dies in his drunkeness because he wants so much. Life is rendered often almost insupportable by the multiplication of its wants, when its needs are so few that modest comfort might…

E’en at the Master’s holy feet, low kneeling,Came one who knew nor worldly want nor stress,Yet sad with fruitless search for Truth, and feelingPerchance the Teacher of the world might bless;Then asked he softly, and with humble pleading,—“Good Master, canst thou calm my inward strife?Show me the lofty highway of…

Peace of mind cannot be understood or properly valued until one has passed through the furnace of suffering. When one has reached a haven of rest after severe mental struggle and suffering, then the true meaning of it is very clear to us. To appreciate joy fully, one must have…

If your child comes to you with a cut finger, you know that it was caused by a knife or some other sharp instrument; but you do not waste time in thinking of that. You know. And so you comfort the little sufferer, and bind up the wound. Nevertheless, when…

My soul has ever loved to draw apart,To steal unnoticed from the noisy din,And listen to the voice within,The still small whisper of the quiet heart. I ever loved to listen long and deep,And strain the spirits‘ inner ear to catchThe gentle lifting of the latchOf chamber doors where sweetest…

Than to Receive Giving does not alone consist of giving bread to the hungry, or clothing to the naked, of giving shelter to the homeless, or work to the unemployed; but it also consists of giving kind words, helpful thoughts, loving looks, and good deeds, and surely we can all…

“Mind alone is the maker of slavery or freedom."—Bhagavad Gita “The mind alone is the maker of slavery or freedom.” What does Shri Krishna mean by this? What is mind? What is slavery? What is Freedom? What have each of these to do with the other? Apparently it seems a…

The Sanskrit word for religion is profoundly suggestive. It comes from a root which means to hold, to keep. Religion is that which holds. The Rishi who coined this word must have been one of deep insight. He saw that there is something in the world—some Power, Principle, Person, or…

Against the threatsOf malice or of sorcery, or that powerWhich el-ring men call chance, this I hold firm,Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt;Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled;Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm,Shall in the happy trial prove most glory;But evil on itself shall back recoil,And…

When the anchors that faith has castAre dragging in the gale,I am quietly holding fastTo the things that cannot fail.I know that right is right;That it is not good to lie;That love is better than spiteAnd a neighbor than a spy.I know that passion needsThe leash of sober mind;I known…

Phrases are freely uttered;—often to obscure the real thoughts; sometimes to avoid direct contact with the subject; occasionally to compress a whole chapter of experience into a few words. Men talk of Public Opinion, and the Force of Circumstances, as though they were abstract ideas far removed from the actual…

It is somewhat of a pleasant surprise to find in the Autobiography of a philosopher like Herbert Spencer the confession that ‘castle-building,’ so often condemned, is in his opinion of great practical utility. Day dreams were to him the beginnings of a Constructive Philosophy for which the world is today…

The Lord direct your hearts into the patience of Christ.—Thess. II.—3,5 The patience of Christ. What is this Patience? Certainly not mere quiescence, nor resignation to existing conditions which men often designate by this sublime word Patience. How often we hear some sick person, or one in a state of…

Hope might be rightly named a refuge, a last refuge to the aspirant for truth, particularly before the stronghold Faith is reached. When actions take place without clear and well defined purposes, we resort to hope, trusting the conditions which ensue will bring the desired result. It governs that state…

Where worry or over-anxiety dwell peace of mind cannot abide, for they are opposites, and one will always banish the other. Worry is a sin, and indicates want of faith in the Law of Good. Anxiety is but human at times, and an anxious person is at least free from…

The simplest things are often the truest and the most beautiful. The simplest modes of dress, of speech, and of living, claim to be modest as well as honest and good. Yet Complexity is the word stamped upon things of today. A false god is being elevated—that false god of…

One stood and gazed upon another’s pain,And marked how bravely he its burden bore,Then turned him to his own loathed task again,More discontented even than before,And ever after idly did repine—“Oh that such strength, such fortitude were mine!”Another listened to the words of praiseShowered by the many on a wealthy…

How we try to do big things; to make some great sacrifice; to do some noble, heroic deed! yet immediately complain that only small, mean things fall to our lot. “Oh that I could do something great!” we cry. Little things we have no patience with. Let us think a…

Liverpool and Birkenhead Group—On June 1stour Secretary, Mrs. Duckworth, gave us a charming account of a contemplation which had been hers in her own garden. While her senses were regaled with the scent and beauty of the flowers, the song of the bird sand the breath of the sort wind…

Reason in Belief, by Frank Sewall, M.A., D.D.; published by Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, London, E. C. This work deals with old questions concerning faith, revelation, the personality of God, etc., in the light of modern science and thought. The author, however, arrives at the old theological conclusions which…