Max Kappeler’s Teaching Moments
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The Pioneer of Truth is Blessed
In today’s “arena for conflicting forces” (S&H 96:12-13) it is easy for each one of us (regardless of our personal ideologies) to feel persecuted for our beliefs, especially now when there is an insurgence of anti-Semitism and the fear of a world-wide assault on Judeo-Christian values—an assault on Western Civilization itself. Those who adhere to the Science of Christian Science may feel a general attack on the divine idea by animal magnetism.
A Teaching Moment
Max Kappeler
(The following is an edited excerpt from Max Kappeler, The Pioneer of Truth is Blessed, booklet, 1977)
It is a general claim of animal magnetism that the spiritual idea is always persecuted by the dragon of inflamed and infuriated mortal mind. When in “The Revelation of St. John” (Revelation xii.1–4) the “woman clothed with the sun” was “with child,” the great red dragon “stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born,” — thus symbolizing “evil, holding untiring watch, that [it] may bite the heel of truth and seemingly impede the offspring of the spiritual idea, which is prolific in health, holiness, and immortality” (S&H 563:19-22). “The serpent,” or animal magnetism, “is perpetually close upon the heel of harmony. From the beginning to the end, the serpent pursues with hatred the spiritual idea.” (S&H 564:28-31) It is the inherent nature of mortal mind to be “inflamed with war against spirituality … loathing the brightness of divine glory” (S&H 565:3-5), making “war upon the spiritual idea” (S&H 565:24); but we must not forget that in such a situation it is also the inherent nature of divine womanhood to lift the idea “to the zenith of demonstration, … to be caught up unto God,—to be found in its divine Principle” (S&H 565:25-28). The best protection for a newborn spiritual idea lies in taking it back to its divine origin and consciously holding it there, embedded in its divine Principle, Love. Then animal magnetism can touch it no more. So let us face this new-old claim of animal magnetism by dealing with it through a scientific law. What is this law? As animal magnetism tries to institute a so-called universal law which demands punishment for spiritual pioneering, we must counteract it by reassuring ourselves with the law of Life which states: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea I partake of God’s boundless blessings and love.
Let us see what this divine law implies when viewed from the standpoint of the seven synonymous terms for God:
Mind: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Mind loves me in boundless measure; Mind loves me so much that only Mind’s ideas can come to me, influence me, abide with me and operate as me. As a result of searching, studying and discovering the divine Mind in its more infinite meaning, Mind gives me renewed vision, more spiritual perception, filling me with the Mind of Christ whereby all my spiritual activities, motives and desires are divinely supported and maintained. I am conscious of this fact, I know it and I feel it. Therefore, mortal mind finds no response in me.
Spirit: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Spirit loves me in boundless measure; Spirit loves me so much that Spirit bestows on me the infinite substance of good and infinite unfoldment in heavenly order. As a result of separating me from the old landmarks with their well-worn paths, Spirit fosters the new birth in me, bringing forth the newness of Life, enlarged opportunities and divine faculties. I know this is true and I feel it. Therefore, frustration finds no place in me.
Soul: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Soul loves me in boundless measure; Soul loves me so much that it keeps me safe, unfallen and untouched by maliciousness and brutality. As a result of being steadfast, unshaken and selfless in my endeavors to drink the cup and eat the bitter herbs in the face of misunderstanding, slander and ridicule, Soul blesses me with inward heavenly joy and satisfaction. I am conscious of this, and I feel it through every pore. Therefore, maliciousness finds no entry into me.
Principle: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Principle loves me in boundless measure; Principle loves me so much that it brings to me the harmony of divine system, impersonal government and authority. As a result of giving up personal views, doctrinal platforms, obedience to ecclesiastical authorities, loyalty to people, but instead letting myself be governed alone by God and His Christ, (letting myself be governed by divinely scientific investigations and conclusions). I reach out to Science in place of religious beliefs. As a result, Principle loves me by crowning my endeavors with heavenly and timeless honors. I know that this is an indisputable fact, and as I love it—I feel it. Therefore, ecclesiastical despotism and human pride cannot defy my mission.
Life: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Life loves me in boundless measure; Life loves me so much that it prepares every step of the way for me, removing all obstacles, and thus, leading me into Life’s abundance. As a result of taking up the cross and following the new light without heeding persecution, Life leads me into the infinite realm of being, uncluttered by mortals’ finite and rigid sense of existence. We are free to roam as a God-given individuality without the censure of narrow-mindedness and antiquated opinions. I rejoice in this and feel satisfied. Therefore, inadequacy, narrow-mindedness, lack and decay cannot harm me.
Truth: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Truth loves me in boundless measure; Truth loves me so much that it gives me health, wholeness, dominion, Christ-stature and divine conscious-ness, whereby I am ushered into my incorruptible divine inheritance. As a result of acting in accordance with my highest sense of Truth: of adhering to the standard of Truth and supporting those in the front line who carry the banner of Truth, Truth makes me worthy of future generations, strengthening in me the manhood of Christ, making me invulnerable to my enemies. I am constantly aware of this and feel its power. Therefore, the world’s consciousness has no part in me.
Love: In adhering to a progressive spiritual idea, Love loves me in boundless measure; Love loves me bountifully, bestowing upon me infinite motherhood, protection and all-encompassing forgiveness, thus crowning my love for the spiritual idea with success. As a result of loving God more than persons, places and things, of loving God with all my heart and soul and mind, Love makes me a blessing to all, and all become a blessing to me. I know that this law is true and fulfils itself; I feel its promise. Condemnation, curses, hate, excommunication are unknown to me.