Which is the Best Gift?

" Covet earnestly the best gifts."

This does not mean that the gift of propecy, the gift of healing, the gift of tongues, or the interpretation of tongues, or even the gift of knowledge, is greater than the other, but it means that each human spirit should earnestly desire that which is best for himself or herself.

There were those in ancient days who most earnestly desired to be disciples and apostles, to whom the gift of teaching did not come. Undoubtedly there were those having the gift of the working of wonders or miracles, who might have preferred the gift of healing, and possibly some having a single gift who might desire all the spiritual gifts.

But is it not true that whom the spirit desires it will search out? It will find them in their accustomed places of labor, as the fishermen by the sea were called upon to labor with Christ, while in the temples the learned were not summoned. Is it not true that whom the spirit requires it will find, as down in Nazareth came the light, uncalled for, unsum-moned from those in power in Jerusalem?

Thus the spirit worketh ever for the world. These gifts were given by power of discernment from above, that from the weak the wise and strong might be confounded, and from the lips of little children the great men of the earth might learn wisdom. Is not this also true in every age? Have not prophets and martyrs endowed with these gifts, earnestly seeking the best from the spirit, been reared in their time and place and chosen for the work they were to perform? And have not some been chosen without reference to worldly wisdom, earth-ly position, elevation of place, just because the spirit saw that this was the wiser and better way?

In human life you generally wish, or covet, or seek that which brings the greatest power - wealth, fame, the crown, the kingdom. In human life you would seek much for little, and without giving from the spiritual wealth of your own possession would ask for all spiritual wealth to be bestowed upon you; giving nothing in return, you seek for the highest gifts. You ask that knowledge and wisdom, and the gifts of healing and of tongues may be yours, and still from the storehouse of your spirit, from within your own natures, you are content to give nothing unto humanity.

There are those who declare that these spiritual gifts of which we have been teaching in our late discourses have ceased and no longer exist in the world. Then where is the faith that makes them possible? Where is the belief that brings, as the fulfillment of the promise, these gifts? And where the wonders that the Christian Church has previously wrought in the name of the Holy Spirit? Nay, the gifts die out only where the love of the spirit does not abide. Those who believe in the spirit of Christ's teachings have these signs to follow them, whether it be within the pale of the Christian Church, or whether it be outside, and still it is evidence of the power that is there working its way from the invisible to the visible universe, and proclaiming its presence by the divine mandate of the spirit.

All are endowed in some measure with the gifts of the spirit. At any time the overflowing from the fountain within may bring unto your lives the working of some of these wonders, and to a great extent this prevailing power may shape the destiny and unfold the life until it shall grow in the semblance of that which is divine. To a great extent the working of so-called miracles is in the experience of every human life. Some deed or work springs to your life unaccompanied from without, that reveals the presence and guiding care of Infinite Love. None are so poor, are so forgotten, are so desolate in the kingdom of life that these gifts may not flow into their being and become a part of their existence. If you ask how? we answer, the methods of the spirit are still unknown to the man of science, and though he may claim it as an " occult force in nature," it is the occult force of spirit alone that bestows it.

If you ask in what manner you may cultivate these gifts, we answer, you cannot cultivate them by external knowledge, by any outward seeking, but only by that condition of spirit enjoined by the Great Teacher in the olden time; for it is the possession of the spirit that constitutes the power of these gifts; but it is neither intellect, science, knowledge, the treasures of art, the learning of earth, the power of priest, or king, or potentate, but the light that shines from that altar within the soul, inviting all ministrations from the spirit.

There are those who say: " I would seek the spirit if I could have the gift of healing, or of knowledge, or of the working of miracles, so I might convince others."

Why not seek the spirit without regard to what you will get? It is not bartered and sold; it is not something that you can have for a price, as you would deal in merchandise. When Christ said: "Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added unto you," there were those in the utilitarian age of the world who said: " This is nonsense; we must seek that which is required for our daily life. The kingdom of God, indeed! What can that bring?"

But is it not true, let me ask, that such as sow in the wind reap in the whirlwind? If you seek anger, and pride, and ambition, does it not bring you back the fruitage of Dead Sea wastes, and bitter herbs, and strivings, and contentions? Unto whom worldly power is given do not the summoning forces of the earth send everything that may lead at once to the reaction of his deception? If you seek mental power alone, does it not bring you face to face at once with the barren wall of desolation; with nothing to comfort you beyond the earthly life, and nothing in this life that is as valuable as the supreme treasure of existence? If you seek from humanity, from the tears, and groans, and labor of the poor that which shall upbuild your power, do you not reap the reward by and by of social anarchy and political despotism? And if you seek the gift of the spirit unqualifiedly and for its own sale, does it not bring in turn all powers and dominion, since your human passions are in subjection?