|
"The Endowment"
by Earl R. Curry
QUESTION NO 9: Are there any other ways besides the arising of a genera-
tion of deeply spiritual men, who by their spirituality, their
demonstration of the God-blessed power of increasingly
spiritual men, and their exaltation of the prophecy of
things to come in the day of endowment--are there other
ways that ministers and members, men and women, boys
and girls, can be aroused to a compelling desire to move
toward this day of endowment?
Indeed, there are many ways.
Let the intensity of your interest
lead you to search out these ways.
He who is the wisest of the wise, the most intelligent of the intelligent, has a multitude
of ways, and
resources which he can respond
to your ever increasing outreach toward Him.
The counsel that it is not meet that He command in all things
implies, as well, that
wonderful experiences
of uplift and
of insight will come to all who will
utilize the gifts and power that are theirs, particularly if they
do this with faith in Him.
Search out these ways, under the guidance of the spirit, and
practice them one by one.
Do this, and
as you shall climb
from the valleys to the hills,
from the low ridges to upper ranges,
from the low mountains to the lofty peaks,
verily, verily, verily you shall be made aware of
the practicality,
the reachableness,
the high wisdom and
the unfolding glory of this
concept and
promise and
principle of endowment.
Yes, there are other ways.
There is the way of the mighty prayer.
Who among you knows what is to call on the Lord in mighty prayer?
Few among the children of men, in all the ages, have known this.
Is it not true that the phrase "mighty prayer" is seldom found in all the records
of the scriptures?
In part, mighty prayer is prayer with the utmost of your personality in it.
It is prayer
about the issues of the moment,
about high purpose and achievement of great ideals.
It is prayer
for high vision,
for keen insight,
for expanding Godly understanding and intelligence.
It is prayer of
deepest thanksgiving for bounteous blessings of the past as well as
an abiding trust for all that lies in the boundless future.
It is prayer of deepest rejoicing
for all that you know of the altogether lovable Eternal Father,
for what you know about His exalted purpose, and
for all that may yet come to you about both Him and His purposes.
It is prayer, either in
thought or
written form or
uttered under the hallowed influence of the Holy Spirit,
remembering that He who prays in the Spirit prays according to
and in harmony with the Holy One, and all that He stands
for.
Mighty prayer is all this and more.
Such prayer will move both the individual and collective soul in the direction of that
endowment which is to be,
for the Great Father gladly hears and answers such.
How fitting then, is this hymn:
Awake, oh Israel, awake,
Call on the Lord in mighty prayer
That He your chains of bondage break,
That His glory may declare.
Awake, ye saints, the time is here.
When God would work in wondrous power;
The Saviour's comings now draw near.
Now is the foretold judgment hour.
Call on the Lord in mighty prayer,
That He lift up His servants now,
That all His people shall prepare
That He His church may soon endow.
Call on the Lord in high desire
For light and power you so much need,
For purifying holy fire
To cleanse you both in thought and deed.
Then, lo, from out His dwelling place
The Lord shall to His Temple come
To let His Spirit's boundless grace
Endow you, that His work be done.
Further, there is the way of fasting.
Fasting not alone from food, from time to time, but
fasting from worldly enticement which promises a fleeting and unstable
enjoyment.
Fasting also from mere sensual pleasures that bar you from the Spirit's
presence, and that are of the moment only.
Fasting as well from earthly conversation and association.
Fasting besides from the preoccupations and low concerns of the world.
Fasting of this, or like nature, can be entered into always.
Too much and unwise fasting from food weakens the body.
This higher sort of fasting
strengthens the body,
enlivens the spirit,
makes room for the holy concerns, and
causes all who so fast to enter into the larger life that leads toward the great
endowment.
Further, there is the way of research.
How many of you are completely aware of the record of God's
marvelous doings?
How many of you know what is written by Jesus and His prophets about
preparing for this rich experience?
How many know the promises and the covenants concerning the future?
How many know how to so draw near to the merciful Father that the angels
will gladly minister to you?
How many know how to so approach the great white throne that they may
have communion with both the Father and the Son,
as is their high promise?
Oh my people, you study so much about the past
that you largely neglect to study the future.
You could bring together those people who are deeply concerned,
in classes dedicated to spirit-guided research in these things--
the deeper life of the Spirit you so much need.
Besides these, there is a way,
somewhat akin to what you call the scientific method.
Based upon your advancing
spiritualized insights and
perceptions and
knowledge,
set projects of effort in application of what you see.
Just as your scientific world has made great progress in the achievement
of power in its field,
even more shall be your achievements in the field of deeply spiritual
things.
|
