Page:The astral world, higher occult powers; (IA astralworldhighe00tiff).pdf/69

 and every effort we put forth for the redemption of our fellow-man elevates our own souls. Hence the remark of the poet:

"Heart thrills to heart Throughout the wide domain of heavenly life; Each angel forms a chain which in God's throne begins, And winds down to the lowest plane of earthly minds; And only as each lifts his lower friend Can each into superior joys ascend."

We are told that we must seek our salvation. That is bad advice. He that seeketh to save his life shall lose it. It is this very seeking to save ourselves that damns us and the race. It is the very selfish desire for salvation which allies us to the sphere of lust. The true spirit is to seek to save our fellow-man; and as we can not save him except by adapting our ideas to his needs, we must, as instruments to his salvation, put away our lust. That effort will result in our own salvation. There is but one way to save ourselves, and that is by fitting ourselves as the instruments for the redemption of the world. Laboring to redeem our outcast and down-trodden brother and sister is the very best kind of labor to elevate ourselves, since it exercises in us the true love for our fellow-men. Thus it appears that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

I may go out into the streets some cold morning, and seeing a beggar, stop and debate with myself whether he is worthy or not; or for fear that I may refuse the right one, I may drop a sixpence in his hand. From such an act I will not receive a blessing. But if I (in forgetfulness of considerations of that kind, from the overflowings of a loving heart, from a