|
Paris Talks
|
Pages 116-118
|
|
WE MUST NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY THE SMALLNESS OF OUR NUMBERS
November 25th
| |
1 |
When Christ appeared He manifested Himself at
Jerusalem. He called men to the Kingdom of
God, He invited them to Eternal Life and He told them
to acquire human perfections. The Light of Guidance
was shed forth by that radiant Star, and He at length
gave His life in sacrifice for humanity.
| |
2 |
All through His blessed life He suffered oppression
and hardship, and in spite of all this humanity was His
enemy!
| |
3 |
They denied Him, scorned Him, ill-treated Him
and cursed Him. He was not treated like a man--and
yet in spite of all this He was the embodiment of pity
and of supreme goodness and love.
| |
4 |
He loved all humanity, but they treated Him as an
enemy and were incapable of appreciating Him. They
set no value on His words and were not illumined by
the flame of His love.
| |
5 |
Later they realized who He was; that He was the
Sacred and Divine Light, and that His words held
Eternal Life.
| |
6 |
His heart was full of love for all the world, His goodness
was destined to reach each one--and as they began
to realize these things, they repented--but He had
been crucified!
| |
7 |
It was not until many years after His ascension that
they knew who He was, and at the time of His ascension
He had only a very few disciples; only a comparatively
small following believed His precepts and
followed His laws. The ignorant said, `Who is this
individual; He has only a few disciples!' But those who
knew said: `He is the Sun who will shine in the East
and in the West, He is the Manifestation who shall give
life to the world'.
| |
8 |
What the first disciples had seen the world realized
later.
| |
9 |
Therefore, you who are in Europe, do not be discouraged
because you are few or because people think
that your Cause is of no importance. If few people
come to your gatherings do not lose heart, and if you
are ridiculed and contradicted be not distressed, for
the apostles of Christ had the same to bear. They were
reviled and persecuted, cursed and ill-treated, but in
the end they were victorious and their enemies were
found to be wrong.
| |
10 |
If history should repeat itself and all these same
things should happen to you, do not be saddened but
be full of joy, and thank God that you are called upon
to suffer as holy men of old suffered. If they oppose
you be gentle with them, if they contradict be firm in
your faith, if they desert you and flee from before you,
seek them out and treat them kindly. Do harm to
nobody; pray for all; try to make your light shine in
the world and let your banner fly high in the Heavens.
The beautiful perfume of your noble lives will permeate
everywhere. The light of truth kindled in your
hearts will shine out to the distant horizon!
| |
11 |
The indifference and scorn of the world matters not
at all, whereas your lives will be of the greatest
importance.
| |
12 |
All those who seek truth in the Heavenly Kingdom
shine like the stars; they are like fruit trees laden with
choice fruit, like seas full of precious pearls.
| |
13 |
Only have faith in the Mercy of God, and spread the
Divine Truth.
| |
|