There is a phrase in the Lord's Prayer which sometimes
is lightly passed over - "For Thine is the Kingdom,
the Power and the Glory, for ever and ever.'' If we
were suddenly asked to prepare ourselves to enter into
the Presence of One Who is the Creator of all things,
what would be our feelings? Would it not be with a
deep sense of humility; would not our first desire
be to offer Him thanks for all He has done for us?
To-day the world needs more than ever a practical approach
to Religion and a practical answer to questions about
the After-Life, as well as evidence of the power of
the Spirit to work and transform human life. If this
power was able to change history through a handful
of earnest men and women working with their Lord and
Master nearly 2,ooo years ago, we can be certain that,
given the same degree of sacrifice, similar miracles
of Divine grace are just as possible in these times.
In every approach to God, surely our desire is that
the Divine Power may be so released on earth as to
be able to overcome the materialism of this age.
The Forms of Service given in this book have been built
up out of knowledge and experience of Spirit Communion.
The Holy Spirit must find dedicated channels through
which a living witness can be proclaimed of the realities
of the Life to come. Only when it is realised that
the servants of God, free from the flesh, can link
up with us on earth, can our religious life take on
that constructive aspect that God intends shall be
made our own.
We must try to realise in our worship that between
ourselves and God there is a vast unbroken chain of
Ministering Spirits, which include Angels and "just
men" made perfect, and in this way the Divine
Law of Service is worked out.
It will be noted that an effort has been made to achieve
simplicity in the construction of the Services, and
to make them self-explanatory. The truths embodied
will be found applicable to all members of the Christian
Faith, and the book is offered for the use of Churches
and Chapels and groups of people at home and abroad.
The Service for Animals is something new, and is the
result of the wider vision which is being given to
Mankind. Our responsibilities extend far beyond our
own kind, and the full expression of love includes
other forms of Creation.
In thus breaking new ground let us remember that these
Services are but a contribution to a living and active
Faith, and provision must always be allowed for each
one to express his inspiration in his own way. But
the written word is valuable as guidance and this Book
is for the special use of those who feel they can be
helped by it.
