o that the lights of the Sun of
Reality may shine. O Lord! Illumine our eyes so that we may behold Thy
light. O Lord! Attune our ears so that we may hear the call of the Supreme
Concourse. O Lord! Render our tongues eloquent so that we may become
engaged in Thy commemoration. O Lord! Sanctify and purify the hearts so
that the effulgence of Thy love may shine therein.

O Thou kind Lord! Bestow quick recovery through Thy power and bounty upon
the founder of this Association. O Lord! This woman has served Thee, has
turned her face toward Thy Kingdom and has established these conferences
in order that reality might be investigated and the light of reality
shine.

O Lord! Be Thou ever her support. O Lord! Be Thou ever her comforter. O
Lord! Bestow upon her quick healing. Verily, Thou art the Clement. Verily,
Thou art the Merciful. Verily, Thou art the Generous.

17 August 1912
Talk at Green Acre
Eliot, Maine

Notes by Edna McKinney

The physical beauty of this place is very wonderful. We hope that a
spiritual charm may surround and halo it; then its beauty will be perfect.
There is a spiritual atmosphere manifest here particularly at sunset.

In cities like New York the people are submerged in the sea of
materialism. Their sensibilities are attuned to material forces, their
perceptions purely physical. The animal energies predominate in their
activities; all their thoughts are directed to material things; day and
night they are devoted to the attractions of this world, without
aspiration beyond the life that is vanishing and mortal. In schools and
temples of learning knowledge of the sciences acquired is based upon
material observations only; there is no realization of Divinity in their
methods and conclusions--all have reference to the world of matter. They
are not interested in attaining knowledge of the mysteries of God or
understanding the secrets of the heavenly Kingdom; what they acquire is
based altogether upon visible and tangible evidences. Beyond these
evidences they are without susceptibilities; they have no idea of the
world of inner significances and are utterly out of touch with God,
considering this an indication of reasonable attitude and philosophical
judgement whereof they are self-sufficient and proud.

As a matter of fact, this supposed excellence is possessed in its
superlative degree by the animals. The animals are without knowledge of
God; so to speak, they are deniers of Divinity and