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A Series of Lessons in Mystic Christianity1026
figure moving swiftly over the water toward them, were affrighted, believing
it to be a spirit or ghost. “It is I, be not afraid!” called out the Master to them.
Then Peter cried out, “Lord, if Thou it be, direct me to walk to Thee also
on the waves!” And the Master, smiling, so directed him. And Peter, whose
latent occult power was aroused by his great faith in the Master, sprang
over the side and took several steps toward Him. But, suddenly losing his
faith and courage, his power also left him, and he began to sink beneath the
waves. But the Master grasped his hand and led him in safety to the boat
and both entered it. Then the crew fell to and with great enthusiasm righted
the boat and proceeded to the shore near Capernaum.
In the case of Peter and his experience in walking on the water, we have
a striking instance of the well known power of the mental attitude of Faith
in the manifestation of occult power. All occultists know this, and without
feeling an implicit faith in the Power with them, they do not attempt
certain forms of manifestation. They know that with Faith miracles may be
performed which are impossible otherwise. So long as Peter held his Faith
he was able to counteract certain laws of nature by means of other laws not
so well known. But as soon as Fear took the place of Faith his power left him.
This is an invariable occult principle, and in the recital of this story of Peter
on the water is to be found a whole volume of occult instruction—to those
who are able to read it.
Arriving safely on the shores of the lake, Jesus resumed His work while the
ever-present gathering of people went on in its accustomed way. But on the
opposite shore of the lake the crowd who had been fed on the loaves and
fishes were in an angry mood. They cried out that they had been deserted
by their leader, and that the expected loaves and fishes—the free meals
that they had expected would continue—had been denied them. They also
complained bitterly that the reign of miracles had not continued. And they
began to revile the Master that they had acclaimed the night before. And
so Jesus experienced the ingratitude and the unreasonable words of the
public just as all great teachers have done. The seekers after the loaves and