servant David my father great lovingkindness, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great lovingkindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

7. And now, O Jehovah my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child; I know not how to go out or come in.

8. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

9. Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?

10. And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

11. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice;

12. Behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

13. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor, so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

14. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

15. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream: and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and offered up burnt-offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his

servants.

SILENT PRAYER: The All-Knowing Mind now reveals its presence and wisdom and I behold the Inner Illumination.

Gibeon means "pertaining to a hill." It was a sacred place five or six miles from Jerusalem, where the tabernacle had been erected for a time, and with its buildings had been a center of worship.

People are continually running to and fro seeking spiritual knowledge, and asking how they shall know what the will of God is, that they may do it. Here the first step toward learning the will of God is given, "Go up into the hill of the Lord." This Gibeon is an attitude of mind and may be attained in various ways. It is written, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The word "fear" is in the original "reverence;" it is then the reverence of the Lord that opens the way to spiritual understanding. An earnest desire to know God is often all that is necessary to put the mind in touch with the kingdom within. Jesus said, "Ask and ye shall receive."

But still another step is required to make permanent in mind the spiritual condition, and that is sacrifice. "A thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar." The mind that is filled with thoughts of sense must give them up to make room for the new spiritual thoughts which the Lord will give.

Man's mind and body may be compared to a hive of bees. There is a constant gathering of substance by the busy thoughts, which is stored up in ten thousand little pockets in the subconsciousness. If new honey

is desired the old must be taken away. If you want your thoughts to gather the sweets of the Spirit, put away the honey of the old material life.

You may think you are not especially attached to materiality, but self-examination will doubtless show you that there are unseen thought attachments that hold you. A small boy whose hand was caught in a narrow-mouthed vase, was told to open his hand loosely. He answered, "If I do that I will drop my penny." The reason his hand would not come out was that he was gripping a penny all the time. The inner will is gripping many a scant desire that holds man in sin.

It may be that the creatures you are to sacrifice are the animal appetites or passions, or some of the so-called enjoyments of mere animal existence Where

bodily comfort has been considered of importance hoggish habits gradually creep over one. Instead of getting up in time for church Sunday morning we stay in the warm straw with the hog, under the delusion that we are resting from the week's labors. Actual rest is attained through a change in thought which may be had at religious services. Right here is an opportunity to sacrifice the creature unto the Lord. Again, it may be that you have money, or clothes, or food, or some material thing, and are clinging to them, fearing that you will come to want. This is animal selfishness and must be "sacrificed unto the Lord" before you can realize the things of the Spirit. Begin at once to give to some good cause, or worthy person, part of your money, or whatever you are hoarding. Denial of material bondage will open the way to this "letting go," and you will find it easy and natural.

Solomon took the attitude of a little child, which is receptive to higher authority and obedience. Jesus understood the necessity of this state of mind in those who come under Divine guidance, and he said, “Ye must become as a little child."

The only safe spiritual development is based on an "understanding heart." Superficial people think that they would be supremely happy if the Lord would pour out upon them riches and honor. But do they know how to handle these things that are apt to lead to misery with those who are inexperienced? The power of money is considered great in the world, and it masters the man unless he is very wise.

Understanding should be the foundation of all spiritual seeking. If we earnestly strive to find God he will open the way of communication. When the outer thoughts are quiet in sleep the Spirit finds easy access to man's soul. This narrative of Solomon's dream reads as if God talked to him, but the almost universal testimony of those who communicate with the Lord in dreams, is that he uses symbols, like the

dreams of Jacob, Joseph, Daniel and Peter. The mind makes a mental picture of everything that comes within its ken, and if we were always still enough mentally, and free from the darkness of sense deception, we would naturally see these pictures in one another's minds and communication would be open and universal without language. In this realm of thought pictures God meets man consciously and communicates with him. Watch your dreams and rightly interpret them and you will open up a source of instruction far superior to the wisdom of men.

TRUE SYMPATHY

The love of God is a strengthening, sustaining, healing power, quite different from the weak, sympathetic feeling which is sometimes called love. The difference is apparent in a case of suffering. One who realizes and expresses the love of God will be a real helper, sending out a strong, harmonizing, uplifting force, while the one who has only a weak sympathy to give will not only be unable to help, but will be open to receive in himself the conditions he sympathizes with.

Sympathy is a much misunderstood word. It is really the Divine compassion, and it should flow freely from every heart. The world has much need of it. But, mistaken and misdirected, as it often is, it lifts no burdens and does no healing.

Everyone who feels himself yielding to the weakness often called sympathy should brace up and declare his divinity. He should insist on expressing that true love which first nerves and strengthens him with power to accomplish according to his Word of life, and strength, and health.

Life is not made up of great sacrifices of duties, but of little things, of which smiles and kindness and small obligations given habitually are what win and preserve the heart. Sir Humphrey Davy.

SOCIETY OF SILENT UNITY

Be still, and know so

that I am God.

INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

The Society of Silent Unity is the Absent Healing Department of the Unity work.

It has members everywhere, and helps them in every need of life.

You can become a member of this Society and receive its help, if you have faith in the power of God.

We will pray to the Father in secret and he will reward you openly. This promise is being daily fulfilled in this work.

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Our temporal needs are met by the freewill offerings of those to whom we minister. Give, and it shall be given unto you, full measure, heaped up, pressed down and running over."

All letters are confidential.

UNITY SCHOOL of CHRISTIANITY

SILENT UNITY DEPARTMENT

Tenth Street and Tracy Avenue,

Kansas City, Mo.

CLASS THOUGHT

August 20 to September 20, 1918
Held daily at 9 p. m.

There is no power in evil nor the fear of evil. The
fearless mastery and dominion of the Spirit
frees and heals me.

PROSPERITY THOUGHT

August 20 to September 20, 1918
Held daily at 12 m.

I have left the "far country" of want; I hear the
Father saying, “Son, thou art ever with me,
and all that is mine is thine."