In every generation, and in every clime, men and women have appeared who were in possession of remarkable power; but they all did not seem to gain their power from the same source. Among them were many who depended upon the Infinite alone, while others made no secret of the fact that they were the instruments of invisible entities. And in many instances the latter seemed to exercise just as great a power, and just as high a power, as the former. Much inquiry therefore has arisen among all who are in search of higher spiritual power, as to what course to pursue; whether to go directly to God for this power, or to go to mediators in the realms of the invisible.

In all these things there is one infallible guide - "by their fruits ye shall know them" - but in searching for the fruits or the consequences, we must not examine isolated circumstances only; we must examine the whole life, from beginning to end, of the one who has the power; and also examine the results of that power upon all that have come directly under its influence.

When we pursue such a course, we shall find that all those who are in possession of remarkable power, naturally array themselves into two separate and distinct groups; the one group depending absolutely upon the Infinite for all spiritual power, and the other group depending principally upon "invisible orders," "invisible helpers," or invisible entities of some kind. And as we pursue this course to its ultimate state or condition, we find that the one group follows unmistakably the right-handed path, leading directly into eternal light, while the other group follows the left-handed path leading eventually into utter darkness.

To all appearances, both groups may seem to be, in the beginning, on the same path - the path of true spiritual power; and they all may seem to be prompted by the highest and purest motives; but as the two groups advance, farther and farther, upon their respective pathways, a marked difference begins to arise between them; and this difference becomes greater and greater until it finally becomes an impassable gulf.

At first sight, there may seem to be nothing wrong in receiving higher power directly from invisible entities; and there may be certain temporary periods, or conditions, when such a course may be permissible; but no soul can continue very long to receive, or "borrow" spiritual power from other souls, in the invisible, without drifting directly into the left-handed path. And the very moment any one finds himself upon the left-handed path, the temptation, and the inclination, to use higher power for unholy ends, becomes stronger and stronger until the conscious self gives in almost continually. Besides this, a marked weakening of character and principle begins almost at once the soul drifts into this path; and finally the desire to resist the temptation to misuse such power almost entirely disappears.

The principal reason why it is wrong to seek spiritual power from groups, or "orders," or invisible entities, and why such a course leads directly and inevitably into the left-handed path, will be clearly understood when we realize what it truly means to grow and advance in spiritual things. Then we shall be fully convinced of the great truth that there is only one way to the light and the power of the spirit; and that one way may be defined briefly, in the flaming words of the prophet, "Return Ye Unto God."

We advance spiritually by becoming more and more conscious of our oneness with the Infinite; and all true spiritual growth depends directly upon the realization of higher and higher degrees of this very consciousness. But when we proceed to depend upon invisible entities for higher power, we turn our attention away from the realization of oneness with God, and seek, instead, a more perfect unity between ourselves and those invisible groups from which we expect to receive greater power. We turn away from the One Source of power; and whenever we turn away from that Source we step out of the right-handed path into the left-handed path.

We cannot depend upon God unless we depend upon him absolutely. Our eye must be single, otherwise we cannot see the light. We must follow the Supreme in all things, or we cannot follow him truly in anything. We must turn either to the right or to the left. There is no intermediary path. If we turn to the left we turn away from God. But we cannot turn to the right unless we are prepared to depend upon God, absolutely, for all spiritual wisdom, for all spiritual power, and for all the gifts that pertain to the spiritual life.

The way is simple, and the inner truth is so clear that all can understand. Know that you are one with God, and you are on the way. Realize that God is "closer than breathing, nearer than hands and feet," and the dawn of spiritual consciousness will have begun in your own life. And as you grow in that consciousness you will find yourself gaining possession, in greater and greater measure, of higher spiritual power.

Your spiritual vision will open, more and more, to the great eternal light; and you will know, in your own soul, that you have found the way, the truth, and the life.

When we pursue this wonderful study we shall meet many minds that will reason in this fashion: "We know that we are receiving our power from invisible entities; but we are convinced that the power is pure; and we feel that our acceptance of this power will prepare us for a higher life and a greater work. In the meantime, we are doing a good work; we are helping many; we are thoroughly sincere, and our purpose, both in our life and in cur work, is the very highest con-ceivable."

In reply, however, to this mode of reasoning, plausible as it may seem to be, we must consider the truth as it is for all time, and not judge merely from a certain amount of good work that may be carried on in the present. We cannot judge from motives or intentions either, and judge wisely, for we all know that any one can have good motives; any one can be sincere; but in the midst of his sincerity he may be mistaken. He may be good and kind to-day, and still he may gradually be drifting in the wrong direction.

The truth is this, that if you wish to be helpful to the world, you need not go to invisible entities for your power. You can gain greater power and higher power by going directly to God. You have no excuse, therefore, in that respect, for attaching yourself to invisible groups, or "orders," the true existence of which has been, and always will be, very doubtful. For here we must remember that invisible entities who really know God, will never undertake to "lend" spiritual power to man. Enlightened entities in higher realms will forever seek to inspire man to go direct to God for all spiritual power, for they well know that any other course will inevitably lead into ages of distress and darkness.

When we consider this phase of the subject, we realize, in a most positive manner, that we cannot "borrow" spiritual power from enlightened entities in higher realms; and we would not want to receive power from those who are not enlightened. We can, however, receive remarkable power from invisible entities under circumstances favorable to that end; but such entities do not know God; they do not know the way, the truth and the life; if they did know, they would not lead man away from God, by encouraging him to accept power from them, instead of from the Supreme. They are therefore "spirits of darkness"; and they themselves are already on the left-handed path. But even the "power of darkness" can perform miracles at times, and do "good work" for a season. Therefore, we must not be misled by "signs," "wonder works" or remarkable "appearances." We must first inquire the source of their power; then we shall know, whether or not, they are on the path that leads to eternal light.

Your work may at present be good, and your intentions may be good; but if you are not receiving your power directly from the Infinite, you are gradually and surely drifting away from the true Source of light, power and truth. And before you may be aware of it, you will find yourself on the left-handed path. In truth, you may continue for years on this downward path without knowing where you are drifting, for the way to darkness does not always reveal its true nature to the human soul, or warn any one from going farther. Such warning must come from the way of light; but there is a simple secret that will always inform us, truthfully, where we are. Ask yourself from whence you receive your power. If you know that you are receiving your power from the Supreme, and if you are trying to so live that you may realize, more and more perfectly, your oneness with the Infinite - then you are on the path of the light. But if you must admit to yourself that you are depending principally upon other sources, both for power and guidance, then heed instantly these inspiring words of the prophet - "Return Ye Unto God."

The first and greatest principle in all spiritual advancement or attainment is this - "Enter more and more perfectly into the conscious realization of your oneness with God." This is the way; this is the truth; this is the life. The whole of human existence, therefore, must be so constructed that every thought and act will tend directly to increase and deepen this conscious realization. Our one greatest purpose must be to know absolutely that we are eternally in the Spirit of God, and forever one with God. And everything in life that may, in any way, interfere with the constant advancement of that purpose, must be eliminated completely.

Herein we find the full meaning of the great commandment, that we should seek no other gods but the one only supreme God. The power we may gain from lesser lights in the invisible world, is but temporary; and their guidance leads inevitably away from the light and the truth. They alone are on the true spiritual path, who depend absolutely upon the Supreme. They alone are worthy to lead mankind who follow implicitly the guidance of the pure, white light of the One Spirit.