BELOW are copies of letters that should be very helpful to parents who are interested in the WAY OUT COURSE for children. The first one is to the Author of the Course, and the second is part of her reply. The third is the reply to the letter printed in the May issue under the title, “Spiritual Help for children.”

DEAR Friend:

I was much interested in your “The Love Fairy’s Magic Fingers,” and have thought about it a great deal. I had wished that I might write you, and then came your answer to a letter in the May Magazine and I knew now I might write.

This is my problem. I have had almost the entire care of Nancy, my little granddaughter, four years old last April. She undoubtedly is an old soul, she turns to me for every thing. I live with my daughter; neither she nor her husband are interested in Spiritual things, but Nancy seems hungry for them and is very responsive, is very bright for her age, learns easily and remembers well.

Now it seems as if I am called upon to look out for her spiritual welfare, or rather that I am to be the channel used, for I know that I of myself can do nothing. I have been studying The Sun Teachings for only about a year, am taking the Correspondence Course, THE WAY OUT. After five lessons I wanted to take at least five weeks to review them as there was so much in them to ponder over and to put into practice. I have the four bound volumes of the Magazine; have given myself fully to Him to be used in His service as He sees fit. My only desire is to be used in any way possible in helping to bring His Kingdom on earth, and your story and May article have been a real inspiration to me.

In our neighborhood we have about twenty children, Catholic and Protestants. The language, the screaming, the quarreling, etc., can be imagined. Nancy was getting to use slang constantly, and something had to be done. The thought came, grew and developed into a Club, to which I invited the children, and in which I talk to them, trying to instill some of the nicer and higher things into their little minds. Instead of using slang they now say the password, “I Do.” It’s a “Do unto others Club”—The Golden Rule. In one week’s time much has been accomplished. Now I would like to have this be a real lasting help in their lives, and I wondered what you would think of the idea and if you could give me some suggestions to use. The children are so interested. One boy of thirteen said he had wanted to move some place else, but not now. It seems as if it would be a fine thing to start similar Clubs all over the country. It will take time, thought, interest, patience, etc., but I love children and they love me, and nothing is too much to do to get them to know the truth about themselves and about God, and I want to know just how to teach Nancy. I will be most grateful for any ideas you can give me.

I do most of the work for my daughter and it is not always possible to be alone at noon, but I do the best I can, KNOWING that soon I will be able to observe the Noonday Silence as I wish. Would like to know just how you and your little girl observe it, also how you make your little girl feel “at one” with life. Nancy has a wonderful imagination. She clings to me and is so loving. We have such a time making her mind, and she does not want to eat. Her mother is inclined to tell her to do something but fails to see that she does it. She is more a plaything to her parents, to be enjoyed when they feel like it; so she is with me almost constantly. Have tried to tell you the things that would help you to answer this letter.

When Nancy is finished with her prayers at night she always adds her own ideas, “Dear God; Nancy, Nana, Mummie, Daddy and everybody (much emphasized) loves You.” After the flood she said every night, “Dear God, take all the people without a home into your Auto and take them home and take care of them.”

Another thing, the mothers of these children, sixteen members now, thoroughly approve of the Club. I shall be so grateful for any help you can give me. —J. B. E.

DEAR Friend:

You are most certainly being led by your Higher Self in the wonderful work you are starting for children. It has long been a cherished ideal with the writer to see JUNIOR Sun Center Groups all over the country, helping to guide young plastic minds into the Truth about the laws governing life and earthly manifestation.

Since whatsoever these youngsters think or hold in consciousness as being so must outmanifest for them, then whatever change you can lead them to make in their beliefs will actually change the course of their entire lives! And how much more readily does the simple child mind respond to Truth than does the set, cultured, adult mind! Children adore Clubs and meetings and thru them untold Good can be accomplished.

The Sun Center is preparing to try out a new series of lesson-stories written especially for children, called THE CHILD’S WAY OUT COURSE, which you probably have noted in The Inner Life Magazine. This Course, with its questions, would seem well adapted to the work you are doing, and I would suggest that you try it not only with Nancy, but also with the group of children you are helping. We would appreciate any comments, suggestions, or ideas which you could supply, after noting the reactions of the children to this first lesson, which is designed to answer a similar purpose to the definitions in the front of The Way Out booklet, as well as to help rid the child of the idea that he is merely a body.

Answering your question as to how to go about the Noon Meditation period with your four-year-old granddaughter Nancy, you could ask her whether she would like to come with you to find God’s Light (or whatever other approach you, from your experience with her, would care to use). Then either hold her on your lap, or close beside you, and in simple words talk to her as the Sun Center talks to us thru the front and back covers of the magazine. For instance one can quietly talk somewhat as follows (using different words and illustrations according to how one is impressed to do at the time from WITHIN):

“Now let’s shut our eyes and be real quiet, and see if we can feel God’s beautiful Love-Light all around us, in everything—just filling this room full. Tell me when you can feel it. . . . Now let’s breathe it way inside of us, deep within to where God’s Love-Light is in US. (Taking several deep, long breaths.) Do you feel it way inside of you growing bigger and bigger? Do you feel it going all thru you into every little cell of your body, making them so happy and full of life?—Do you feel it in your toes, your legs, arms, heart, head—everywhere? Do you feel it getting so big and beautiful that it is pouring right out of you? Fine! So do I!

“Now let’s pour our Light out to everyone who might need it. There! Do you feel it shining way far out? So do I! Do you want to send it to (name a playmate) in (town or street of residence) to make her happy too? All right, we will send it to ———— in ———— (child’s selection). Do you feel this Love-Light going right into her house? See, it is shining right on her.

“Dianne (speaking to the one chosen), open up your heart and let in God’s Light. Be quiet a moment so you can feel it, Dianne. There! Look how bright her Light is now getting. Our Light is shining on her’s and helping It to grow bigger and brighter! See how it is shining thru her eyes? She likes it and is happy,” etc.

This is a sample of how Colombe and I go about the noon period, which can be done at other times of the day if a noon meditation seems to be impossible. Often Colombe tells the ones contacted to “be quiet and open up your heart,” and is very interested and impressed. I never do more than invite her, treating this period as a rare privilege. The main object is to get oneself and the child into the proper attitude, then “let go” and allow the Higher Self of both to take charge.

With a child as imaginative as Nancy, wonderful things can be accomplished. After she becomes accustomed to sending forth her Light to various people and places, she can start sending it to trees, flowers, birds, animals, etc., “to make them happy, too.” Go with her in spirit to the top of the trees, allowing her to “take with her” the souls of her playmates or friends (they needn’t necessarily know of it, however). “Show” her the nests with their eggs, etc., explaining about how the mother guards and tends them, etc. It will surprise you how easily she will soon actually be in the treetops, and the things she will tell you about them, especially if you can enter strongly into the feeling of being there yourself. Tell her how the bird-soul is talking to her, and what it is saying, making her feel a love and friendship for the little thing.

This can be done with everything—grass, plants, etc., and later even the sky, stars, sun, and moon can be visited, with their accompanying opportunities for explanations and for answering questions asked by the child, often leading into wonderful revelations to both.

However, I caution you to do any of these things only as you feel urged from WITHIN, as a child can so quickly detect insincerity. You must be actually able to go in spirit yourself and to truly FEEL AND BE there in consciousness, before attempting to take along the child. Allow Nancy to take the lead as much as possible in these at-one-ment periods, and you will be delighted at her increased feelings of love and at-one-ment with all life, and with the much greater attunement, love, and understanding growing between you and her.

You mention that Nancy shows a disinclination toward eating. This condition is very often the result of too much concern being shown by those in charge about the child’s appetite, and can usually be corrected by a complete disinterest in whether or not the child eats—quietly placing a small portion of food before her (reserving the dessert for a treat, when and if she finishes the main course), allowing so much time—and no longer—for consuming it; and then quietly and unemotionally clearing it away when the allotted time is up, despite any coaxing or pleading by the child. Needless to say, nothing further should be given until the next meal—not even an apple, cracker, or cookie—and no candy whatsoever until full meals are eaten with relish. This of course requires much firmness and will-power on the part of the parent, and is a good test of the amount of self-control and self-discipline acquired by a Way Out student.

You also say that Nancy doesn’t mind well, due to a lack of firmness on the part of her parents. You fail to mention, however, whether or not Nancy minds you. Now my experience has been that the very most important item entering into any relationship with a child (or anyone else) is one’s own attitude toward it. And that is why I so strongly recommend a sincere study and application of The Way Out Correspondence Course for all parents or those dealing with young children who truly have the child’s best interest at heart.

I am happy to note that you are already enrolled in this Course, and assure you that you will find, as you proceed in truly applying these teachings, an entire change taking place in your attitude, not only toward the child, but also toward everyone and everything. You will gradually be able to see straight into the beautiful soul of a person, condition, or thing, right past the distorted and false appearance hiding it, and be able to talk, think, and act in direct harmony with this Soul-part.

Your thoughts and feelings, through this rigid Way Out training, will have become so concentrated and powerful that they will dissipate entirely the false appearances caused by past untrue thoughts on the part of less disciplined minds. This applies especially to children, whose minds are so very open and receptive, and who respond so readily to Love and Truth.

To help attain to this right attitude toward Nancy or anyone else, try the following: During any of your meditation periods, but best of all during the noon periods, after stilling the outer mind and entering into the Love-Light Consciousness, direct it straight to Nancy. In your consciousness feel yourself merging with her; realize her as a brilliantly shining Light growing larger and brighter as you direct your Christ-Light upon it, until you see it radiating forth from her, flooding her being, and shining thru her eyes. After such meditation try to hold this feeling and picture. Then actually SEE her all shining, beautiful, and perfect, and talk to and act toward her in such consciousness. It will then be your Higher Self talking to her Higher Self, and you cannot help saying and doing the correct things, nor can she help responding to such Love. A constant application of this Way Out teaching will soon solve both of your problems—of eating, and of her refusal to mind.

You are certainly to be commended for interesting yourself in such a wonderful field of service, and I am sure that it will eventually lead to great things for yourself and for those you are helping. Don’t hesitate to write me concerning any further information you may need, or regarding any points or methods suggested which are not yet quite clear to you. I know that you will find real happiness in this service, to which you have given yourself.

DEAR Friend:

I received your very helpful letter of April 16, and have delayed answering it because I wanted to thoroughly test the lesson you sent. It is indeed a splendid lesson, and the story helped so much to make it much easier to grasp.

If you intend to make the lessons available to those who are interested, then I, for one, should like to have them for Daniel. I believe you have the very thing for children which I have tried so hard to find.

All of your letter was very helpful, and for several days now Daniel has dropped what he was doing at noon and came in to meditate with me, without being asked. Daily he has sent his love to Colombe, and often spends his whole nap period “visiting” her, talking to her as though he were present with her. He seems to understand so well that the personal presence is not necessary to enjoy the companionship of one he loves.

Daniel has playmates and enjoys them too, but just a few days ago he surprised me by coming in to tell me that “I like kids to play with, but I don’t have to depend on them to make me happy, on account of God is always in me and around me so I can’t get lonesome.” He says God gives him joy and so many ideas, that how could he get lonely?

I believe this came to him because of so many disappointments in his playmates. Daniel is a very loyal soul and is so careful and considerate of people’s feelings, so when he sees children being rude or mean to one another, he sometimes broods over it, even though it doesn’t concern him.

Upon your suggestion, I have applied for The Way Out Correspondence Course, hoping that it will enable me to receive the inspiration of the Spirit as it has for so many others.

WE ARE pleased to report that we have received enough happy requests from parents to warrant our printing The Way Out Lessons for children in the Magazine. So Lesson number two will appear in the next issue. This next Lesson will prove a real treat for both children and parents, and we feel these Lessons will be most welcome and helpful.

The above letters are published first to show the great possibilities of this Study Course for children, and what it will mean not only for one’s own children but for their playmates and the neighborhood. The Club idea especially should appeal, and we urge any mother seeking some way to serve to call a few of her child’s playmates together and to suggest forming a Club to them, explaining about the Lessons, even reading them the first one, and one of our Fairy Stories.

If such puts her heart into it, she will be very happy at the children’s delight and approval. It will take a little study and effort, but is any trouble too great to take for the child’s spiritual welfare—to build into their little minds so early a true understanding of life that will influence and help them ever afterwards?

The author of the Lessons and the writer of the second letter above will be glad to answer any letters from mothers equally interested in their children’s spiritual welfare. They can write Mrs. Carol Snyder, care Sun Publishing Co., Akron, Ohio, and their letters will be forwarded her.

You will be pleased to learn that “The Love Fairy’s Magic Fingers” is now available in booklet form for reading and study in such a Club. Price only 27c postpaid.

AGAIN the quiet hours are here; earth sleeps. And I may enter deep within where Thou hast ever waited my awakening. Why did I sleep so long through wasted years?

And comes again the thought—of how alone are we who seek to grow more conscious of the Light. Alone upon the earth, but ever near that Great Unnumbered Host Invisible! Alone, yet where Thou art I need none else. Thou ’rt all to me—my Joy, my Peace, my Love!

Teach me, Beloved, use these hands and feet, this mind and all, to do Thy Holy Will. Thou art the Door, the Healer, Teacher, King, Who rules by Love and brings to earth Thy Peace!

—R. C. F.

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