“Whence comest thou?”
My guide responded, “From Edom.”
Workman. Hast thou brought a stranger with thee?
Guide. A stranger has called to serve as an apprentice in thy charge.
W. Hast thou examined the passports, and dost thou know his integrity?
G. I have examined all, and find him worthy of our confidence.
W. Then, wilt thou proceed to the station where wisdom will be unfolded, and his duties and obligations made known.
As we proceeded, an ode was sung by a great multitude. It was unlike any thing I ever heard before. There was a softness, a melody in the strain, that fell upon my mind with angelic loveliness, and I wondered why I was admitted into a society, where all was peace and harmony, and no discord grated the ear of worthy and tried servants, in this sanctuary of heavenly wisdom. As I wondered, I heard a voice saying: “What man hath rejected, that thou hast found. I saw thee a stranger, and took thee in; naked, and clothed thee; sick and in prison, and visited thee. When thou goest hence, bear this lesson in thy mind, that good may come unto thee from the good thou doest unto others of thy fellow servants, who may need thy aid and sympathy.” Then, I heard the multitude say, “Amen.” “Amen,” I responded; and as I spake this word, I found my voice had changed. It fell so sweetly from my lips, that I was surprised at the sound.
My guide then proceeded to instruct me, that this temple was none other than a miniature representation of nature. “It is a building of God,” said he, “and here is thy home. Here mayest thou worship, here bring thy gifts, and consecrate thy vows upon the altar of spirit progress, in the eternal realities of knowledge and virtue. Here pour out the oil of consolation for the bereaved, and here serve God by doing good to those who need thy assistance.”
I saw my name written in the record of eternal life; and I was rejoiced when my errors were corrected. When I was instructed, I saw my resistance to truth overcome, and when I found how my own wrongs were remedied, I saw how others might be reclaimed.