The Inner Life

AS I SAT in physical, mental and spiritual silence, it was as though a heavy curtain were drawn aside and a vision commenced to unfold.

In it I saw myself as one of a band of Workers. We were not working together, but were separate, in different places; but all were clearly conscious of each other. We were in a very large city. The congestion of both people and traffic was intense, strain and hurry seemed to reign, and among the crowds only a few faces were calm, the others appearing tense, tired and old, their bodies keyed to race through life with the milling crowds—seeking what? Seeking the idols which self craved, the idols of money, fame, name, wealth, possessions, ease and comfort, which would “someday” enable them to live in idleness.

Each of the Workers however was silently, lovingly and most unostentatiously going about the Father’s Business among these demoralizing conditions. Many listened, but few answered to the Call. There were those who seemed interested in the messages, but because they did not fit into their ideas or way of living, they turned away, to seek, in their ignorance until they were unable to discern the false from the true.

There were others who came to be entertained, but the simplicity of the teaching did not attract them. Some came to find a panacea for every thing; for health, wealth, peace of mind and contentment of heart; but were almost angry when they learned there was something they had to do to win these desires.

Nearly all of these seekers we found in the more prosperous parts of the city, but among the poor we found the tired hands and the weary hearts, broken through hunger and discouragement, mind-sick from the hopeless battle of life; most of them ready to grasp at anything which would ameliorate their condition, too tired to resist or even to have any ideas of their own.

Yes, there were times when some of them had heard a lecturer, read some book, sought something from a teacher; all of which claimed to be the last word, and the whole of truth, or promised to give them the golden key with which they could open the gate to the Kingdom. For these they paid, but did not receive. Much money was paid for what was claimed to be the truth, only to find it inapplicable and unsatisfying, because the truth cannot be bought with money, neither can it be sold.

We went, filled with love, among the men of earth, listening to the tales wrung from the broken, disillusioned hearts of men and women.

As I worked with the other great souls serving under Christ, I learned the Way, the Way the Master walked on the street called Straight, which leads to God’s Kingdom of the Soul, and I found within my heart the Key which opened the Gate thereto; and I knew that this Key is unselfed Universal Love, unconditional, unconcerned and wholly unworldly. With IT I unlocked the Gate, and the “hands” of my understanding lifted the “bars” which obstructed the opening.

All of this was but retrospection, and as I mused, in the Garden of God I looked, and saw a picture unfolding—the end of the night of man.

BEFORE me there appeared a soft luminous vapor, and out of it a Voice spake, saying, “Behold, the Admatha is passing over My land. Those who choose Me I will not destroy; those who will not, I will gather together in the place of Tophet, where, because they have worshipped the idol of self, and have nurtured it with the milk of vipers and the brood of avarice, they shall be driven into Taberah; none shall escape but those whose life is mine.”

As the vapor lifted I saw a great city burning. From windows, balconies, roofs and ledges the frenzied cries of those gathered there rose above the roar of the fire. People on the street were rushing madly hither and yon, shouting and screaming to the firemen who were working as one to extinguish the flames, and encouraging the people above to jump. The water made no impression on the flames, and soon ceased flowing altogether.

Greater terror seized the people who jammed the streets; men, women and children pushing, struggling; many were thrown down, trodden under foot and crushed by the milling, maddened crowd. Automobiles, crowded with people and their possessions, tore through the crowds, vainly seeking an exit from the furnace of horror; those in them having one thought—to save themselves and as many belongings as they could, but with no thought for any one else. Long lines of them passed, only to be caught in the flames which exploded their gas-tanks, spraying the defenseless crowds with bits of living flame.

From houses and stores, from offices and from churches, people rushed, their arms full of prized possessions; safes were hurled from windows, causing more injury and death; relics and idols were being hastily carried from churches and placed in any possible conveyance and moved away—but not far enough; for the flames spread, louder and louder their terrible roar became, as I passed untouchéd along the streets where I met other Workers.

With me, as I walked, were many who seemed to trust to me to save them, and with the other Workers also were those who “seeing the Light” had followed. Thus we were altogether a great band of people standing there amid the flames waiting. Some of those with us seemed anxious to be on their way out of the city, but our attitude of calmness assured them and they became quiet. Some asked why we waited, and as if in answer to their question a vivid shaft of Light appeared and a Voice said one word, “Follow.”

We followed, and It lead us unharmed to a place which had apparently been a park. The fire had died down leaving only ashes of what had been beautiful trees. As we Workers stood here with the dear ones with us we realized for the first time that our robes were white, with cowls or hoods which we had drawn over our heads; that our robes had not been touched by the fire, neither were they soiled; they gleamed white and beautiful among the soiled and torn clothes of the men, women and children who crowded round us.

THE FIRE still raged on around the park, and as we all stood quietly watching the flames eat up the buildings on either side, we saw one building which the flames did not touch, standing alone, a most imposing mansion which we thought must belong to some rich family. Smoke was everywhere, and everything around this house had been destroyed.

Out of the smoke the Voice spake, “Tebaliah; go forth into this building of man; the end is not yet,” and a finger pointed to the house. Gathering the people together, in order we went in. Everywhere were signs of unlimited wealth, lavish expenditure for interior decoration and furnishings, but the place seemed abandoned; fear had perhaps caused the owners to leave quickly, and in their hurry they left everything.

As we went from room to room, from floor to floor, we came to a room richly decorated in ivory colour ornately trimmed with gold paint. Gold brocade drapes hung at the three long windows, and draped the large gilt bed, upon which lay a man, not young nor old. All around him on the bed was heaped money; gold and silver coins, bundles of bills, and deed boxes, perhaps containing stocks and bonds; jewels were scattered amongst this, and several open jewel boxes, in which the glittering jewels were seen, and were held close within his arms around them.

The man lay trembling, speechless with terror. When the power to speak returned, he told us his family were fools, they had fled leaving so much behind; and his servants were cowards, they had filled their pockets and arms full of what was his and had left him helpless. As his family and servants left the house he had seen them burned up by the flames. He said, “I am wise; I have gathered my valuables close to me. I am a rich man, a prominent man in this city; the fire shall not touch me.”

We spoke to him, asking him to leave these things and come with us to that which could not be destroyed; but he only laughed at us. And as he laughed some of the people who had followed us came into this room, and seeing the money and jewels fought with each other as they made their way to the bed to possess themselves of the earthy riches; and in the fight the man was killed.

The temptation was too great, the test of their faith too strong. They gathered up everything from the bed, throwing the man to the floor so that they could search inside the clothing for what might be hidden there. We followed them as they rushed downstairs glutted with the sense of possession of something which they could sell and could thus replace what the fire had destroyed. Here they found food and wine which they took to a large room, locking the door against all intruders.

Taking the tender, trusting souls that remained with us we went up onto the roof. Looking down, we saw some among the crowds with arms outstretched toward us, crying to us to come down and help them to the roof also. We told them to come up through the doors; but in their frightened state of mind they refused, and commenced jeering and hooting at us, finally to be caught in the fire which seemed to be creeping nearer.

Standing all close together, a deep peace began to fill very heart as we prayed for them, and for all those who would not hear; and, as we prayed, still standing and looking down, a ladder of glistening white was slowly unrolled from the roof to the ground. The people at once began to fight and crowd to climb it, but only a few reached the roof. Many tried to climb with their arms full; they came but a few steps, then the flames burned the ladder from under them, and they, falling back, were crushed by those fighting to climb. Then there were others who got half way up by pushing someone else off; they never reached the top.

SO, THROUGHOUT three days and three nights this drama continued, and then the fire gradually burned itself out everywhere else except quite close to us. And again from out the smoke the Voice spake, “Listen, all ye whom I have tested and tried in the place of Barmah (examination). Hold fast, for the last day of Taberah (burning) is come. After this Day thou shalt see Neapolis (the new city); make there thy dwelling, and abide there in peace for evermore.

“Thou hast come by the Way, the One Way, to the long sought Kingdom of the One King. From this City thou shalt go forth unto Nahaliel (pasture), and bear the Cup and the Platter, with My Wine and My Bread, to the poor in spirit. That which thou hast received freely, go and give freely. In giving, thou shalt receive again. Barter not My words for the gold of men, but exchange it for the golden Crown of My rewarding. Teach My Word to those whose ears are not stopped by the hardened “wax” of self. The open ears and selfless heart will hear and rejoice, and hearing, shall receive that which My Voice will reveal. When they find Me within as The Self, My work for them is finished. Then I will work through them, for I will reveal to them the Place where the Key is hidden.

“Others will I send to thee; attracted by the Light of thy Lamp they shall come, as one, or two, or three. The curious ones will come, for curiosity is a mighty seed in the hearts of the children of men. But though thought can be used at a time, among many people a thought may be lost, in the confusion of many minds. So take only a few, and teach them as little children, word by word, again. By the sound of My Voice of Love, teach them to come to Me humbly, as a little child comes, creeping before it can stand upon its feet; then they will learn to stand alone upon their feet of understanding, unafraid; then they will need no crutch upon which to lean, for am I not their One support? And as they walk, step by step, and the Light within becomes brighter, more revelations will I unfold to them, so that their understanding becomes firm faith.

“Thus taught, they of themselves shall read the lessons at the testing-time, and see My Love in the trials which shall come. They shall not lean as parasites upon others, but having learned of Me, shall run with all as One. For to all who welcome Me when they find Me in the Citadel of My Kingdom, I give the same Gifts. To each and all I am ever the One Giver, Teacher and Law.”

After the Voice had finished speaking, we saw the flames rising through the building, but we did not seem to fear, and stood silently waiting. As the fire burned the building from under us, instead of falling, we found ourselves standing upon the peak of a mountain of Light, and as the structure “made by hands” went down, we saw the physical bodies of those others who had come with us—burning.

And again the Voice was heard saying, “Tebaliah, Tebaliah” (Jehovah purifies). And all these words were written before us in letters of gold.

And we came down from the peak, into the valley of desolation, and went far, even into the Garden of God, gathering the surviving souls we found among the ruins into the Father’s House.

THE EDITOR considers this Vision published in March 1936 to be worthy a place in the Inner Life Magazine today. It is not only an allegorical prophesy of what is probably to occur in the last days, but is also a promise of the safety assured to those who listen to and follow faithfully the Workers sent to redeem and save them.

The words of the “Voice”, as given in italics, clearly tells what will happen after the Lord’s coming “in the air”, in the succeeding period until His final descent.

Note how the Workers are unconcerned about themselves or the danger everywhere around them. Note that their only concern is the saving of those who will listen to and follow them. Note the white robes they wore which nothing could touch or soil. Note also how all that were held and influenced by self and by the things of the world were destroyed. Why? In this remarkable description is shown what must be the consciousness attained by all Inner Workers when the Great Tribulation comes—perfect faith and trust in God’s love and protection, and an absolute unconcern about self. Many of our Workers have almost attained that consciousness, and the more they selflessly serve, such service being the most compelling force in their lives, the more they will free themselves from the influence of the flesh and the physical world, until, in very truth, they will find that fire cannot burn, storms cannot touch, and danger, no matter how terrible, cannot reach them.

Think on this, dear Workers, and learn what awaits the true and selfless ones in Christ.

“MORE things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of, wherefore let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep or goats
That nourish a blind life within the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole round earth is every way
Bound up by gold chains about the Feet of God.”
—From Morte D’Arthur by Tennyson.