It has been a fascinating experience during this North American Pilgrimage, going to some of the oldest churches and synagogues in the country and discovering the potency of Spirit in each one. It has also been interesting to note in this exploration of God’s great body, that even in realizing God as the indwelling Presence, and He is with me always, there are still variations in spiritual power in this place versus that, in one person more than another. So, while God is known as the eternal Self within, and He is to be found in all creation as its Creator and Sustainer, and in truth it is He who manifests Himself as all there is, still the vibration of Spirit in creation comes in different hues, colors and strength throughout His vast expression. In appearance, He seems to be more equally present in some places than others!
Recently we have been to two very different churches in South Carolina, one in Charleston and another on Daufuskie Island. Charleston has historical interest to me as Fort Sumter, at the mouth of its harbor, is where a battle ensued that were the first shots of the momentous Civil War. Also, across the water is Fort Moultrie. In the Revolutionary War the fort was constructed of Palmetto logs–the logs were very soft and when the colonists were attacked by nine British warships the logs absorbed the cannon balls, and some of the balls even bounced off the fortifications! As a result of an exchange of cannon fire the heavily damaged British ships left–the battle was a huge lift in the war for independence. To this day South Carolina proudly wears the official nickname the “Palmetto State.”
While in Charleston we made a point of visiting some of her churches. Charleston is known as the “holy city,”, due to the number of her churches, the towering height of some of the steeples (also useful in early days for ship navigation), and its reputation for religious tolerance during colonial times. Two beautiful spires drew us, one to Saint Michael’s, another to Saint Philip’s, Anglican/Episcopal Churches. Both had a wonderful feeling, but Saint Philip’s is really extraordinary. The church is beautifully done, and each pew section is surrounded by a wood paneled rectangle to reflect the warmth of its inhabitants in the winter cold. The congregation first began in 1680, and the church has gone through a change of location and various rebuilds as storms and wars have caused damage. George Washington once attended this church and sat in the pew right over there, along with the invisible presence of other notables.
As we sat in contemplation upon the One whose house this is, I saw the air itself had waves of spiritual power shimmering throughout, the sound of Amen/Aum was tremendous, and individual consciousness easily merged with uplifting God-awareness. We sat for some time immersed in this temple of God. It has also been a note of interest that in each of these special places, Carla and I have been in complete agreement when we compare notes after leaving it as to its spiritual potency. The artwork and architectural details get higher marks at St. Michael’s, but for purity of vibration St. Phillip’s remains heads above. On leaving St. Phillip’s there was an elderly lady sitting at the back acting as host for the many tourists coming. I thanked her for opening her church to us, and I commented on what a tremendous feeling we experienced there. She looked at me through cataract clouded eyes and said, “Yes, the Holy Spirit is here!” Her physical vision may be dimmed with time, but her inner vision is bright–and I agreed with her assessment most emphatically.
Days later we returned to Hilton Head to retrieve our car that was in for some repairs and a new timing belt that her age and mileage required. God, as our impeccable tour guide prompted us to take a day trip to Daufuskie Island. We boarded a passenger ferry and had a pleasant sail over to the island, then received keys to a golf cart for our transportation. Off we went to tour the island, it has had constant habitation for two thousand years, and archeologists have found human remnants here from 12,000 B.C.! In amongst our stops we discovered the First Union African Baptist Church, established in1881. Inhabitants of the island include the Gullah People, descendants of enslaved Africans who lived in relative isolation until the 1970s in the Lowcountry of Georgia and South Carolina–they also share language and culture with those who live in the Bahamas.
Behind the church is a Praise House. In front of this log cabin is a fire circle. In the evening a fire is lit, this signals there is to be a gathering that night. Slowly a silent group grows. A woman starts to hum a gospel tune with its musical roots going back to Africa. Others pick up the tune, adding words to a well-known gospel. As the music builds there is a clapping of hands and soon all are swaying and praising the Lord.
Coming around to the front of the church we enter in and find simple but elegant arrangements of bench seats and an altar, with a rustic wooden cross of two sticks from the woods gracing the wall. We sit for some time and took in the Amen/Aum, as it is tremendously loud and speaks eloquently for the spiritual feeling of the congregation. Indeed, the Holy Spirit is here–as well as St. Philip’s!
“Oh Lord, what a demonstration, You are equally present, both at a church in Charleston where presidents and the famous have prayed, and here on this rural island where sons and daughters of slaves have sung and praised the one God of us all.” Surely God is not a respecter of rank, privilege or skin color, nor creed or religious affiliation. Heavenly Father and Divine Mother listen to the heart and soul of the individual and those who gather in His name. Our Beloved responds in kind whenever there is a keen desire for union with the all-pervading Spirit. “Thank you God for once again showing us how You are everywhere, equally present in all of Your sincere lovers.”
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We celebrate Good Friday, in which all Jerusalem sings blissful songs of praise for the coming of the Christ (Consciousness). This feeling of upliftment, and the intimacy of the last supper, are preludes to the most difficult time to come: the Mystical Crucifixion. Consciousness along the spine (the twelve disciples) thrills at the joyous response of Jerusalem (higher consciousness of the brain), but the all-knowing Christ is aware of what is to follow. And you, as you share in the bliss of upliftment will think, like the disciples, “This bliss will never end” However, the time of testing and purification will commence at its appointed time. With this test comes the solace in the promise of the Christ, “Lo, I am with you always.” And so He is, even though you may not always be conscious of this fact. Do not fear, God guides, and His direction is correct and true. Do not hold back–go on boldly–knowing that though your humanness dies when it is mystically crucified, the eternal Christ-Consciousness is resurrected in you for all time.
