When we consider the statement "Greater things than these shall ye do," we must not omit the second part of the statement, "because I go unto the Father," although this second part is usually not quoted. However, it is the second part of the statement that explains why the greater works shall follow; and we shall understand presently the reason why.

There are two interpretations that can be given to this statement, and both of them are true, although the one is necessarily only a part of the whole truth.

We know that Jesus had taught his disciples and friends the mysteries of the kingdom, and therefore they understood these higher laws and these higher powers that we, in this age, have rediscovered, and are trying so faithfully to study and apply. He had performed remarkable things, and some of his disciples had also performed what would seem miraculous to the people at large. However, he declared that they should perform still greater things later; and he gave as a reason, "because I go unto the Father."

At first thought, we discern very clearly the reason why they should accomplish more after he had gone, because while he was with them they naturally depended very largely upon him to do what they themselves might do if left upon their own individuality; and here it is worthy our time to pause a moment to consider a very important principle.

If we want to do the greater works, whatever they may be, or if we want to gain higher power and enter into higher discernment, we must not depend too much upon individuals aside from ourselves; we must not be dependent, but on the contrary must try to give expression to all the life, power and talent that we, ourselves, possess.

We know that there has been a tendency all along in the history of the human race, especially among those who have tried to understand higher things, to select some great soul upon which to depend; and we know that a very large portion of the world is depending upon the personality of Jesus for everything pertaining to the spiritual life. We find, however, among the millions and millions that depend absolutely upon Jesus, but very few who have any spiritual power of their own. They are, spiritually speaking, negative entities, and they have no control over physical ailments or conditions, and are unable to master any situation in their environment to any satisfactory degree. They are largely entities drifting with the stream of fate; and with regard to spiritual understanding, most of them have not even entered the "a b c" class. They are depending upon that wonderful personality, and depend so absolutely upon that personality that their own spiritual powers continue to be latent, having in most instances never been awakened in the least.

In this connection we realize that if the vast Orthodox world, with its perfect organizations, would add spiritual power to its many factors, we would soon experience one of the greatest revivals the world has ever seen; and it would be a permanent revival, transforming practically the entire race from materiality to spirituality, and thereby eliminating from this planet practically all the ills and wrongs that may exist in the world to-day. But the vast Orthodox world is not manifesting any degree of spiritual power, and it is practically impossible to find a soul among them who is doing the greater works. Their spirituality, as it is called, is nothing more than a passive goodness, which in most instances, is not strong enough to maintain itself in the midst of temptation without a constant supply of external aid. We have here, therefore, a powerful illustration, and a far reaching illustration, of the mistake of depending upon any personality, or worshiping any personality, no matter how wonderful that personality may be.

The truth in this regard is, that we should not depend upon any entity whatever that may have appeared in manifestation; but should depend exclusively upon the Infinite; and in reality we find that we do not depend absolutely upon the Infinite, because the act of depending upon the Infinite becomes rather an act of cooperation with divine power; that is, we are simply uniting with God, instead of depending absolutely upon his wisdom and power.

When we enter into the spiritual understanding of this divine unity, we realize the full meaning of the statement, "My Father worketh and I work"; and this is the attitude we should assume. The human soul should enter into harmony with higher spiritual power - that power that is gained through this higher consciousness of oneness with God. We should not assume the attitude that our whole personality is acted upon by Higher Power, for the fact is we must do our part just as positively and continually; that is, we must work, doing our utmost in the fulfillment of the purpose we have in view; but if we are conscious of oneness with the Infinite while we work, we are constantly receiving aid and assistance from Higher Power; and we live ac cording to the statement, "My Father worketh and I work."

We know that the great prophets of all ages, as well as the seers and the wonderful souls that have appeared upon earth, all walked with God. They were constantly living in such close spiritual contact with the Supreme that they could truthfully consider the Supreme their companion under all circumstances. They did not leave everything to be done by the Supreme; they did not fold their arms and say, "I am an instrument in the hands of Higher Power; do with me what you like." On the contrary, they sought constantly to give expression to their own individuality, trying to ascend in the scale of spiritual life and illumination; but whatever they were doing, they always walked with God, and whatever they attempted to do, they always sought divine aid.

We find that an awakened soul never assumes the attitude of a mere instrument in the hands of Higher Power; an awakened soul is not a mere instrument to be played upon by any power; and it is not the will of God that any soul should be a mere passive entity, to be used by outside forces, regardless of the purpose or consequence. The truth is, we are here to work out a wonderful destiny, and it is only as we do something ourselves, and work for this purpose ourselves, that we reach the high goal in view.