T. What is Order?
G. Order is law. Law is immutable and universal. When I say, Order is law, I would that thou shouldst understand that it is obedience to law. Disobedience is disorder, and disorder is anarchy. Thou wilt see that nature is obedient unto law. Planets and suns, and systems of suns and worlds, are all obedient to law. The least disturbance might work a disorder, which no mind less than the Creator could possibly control. As thou beholdest order in the natural world, so let it be thy aim to observe order in the society into whose charge thou hast committed thyself.
T. What is Harmony?
G. Harmony is what we mean by social sympathy. It is congenial with order. It is union of minds. It is wisdom in unity of minds. It is sympathy of thoughts and works. It will not divide and distract, convulse or disturb the social enjoyment of the circle now assembled to witness thy progress in the knowledge of the truth. Thou wilt not do or say what will not be upheld and understood by those whose integrity is vouchsafed to defend thee in the cause of social refinement and peace. Hear, now, what thy Master sayeth unto thee from the throne of mercy.
M. Inasmuch, Thomas, as thou hast advanced to this temple with the aid of thy guide, and hast entered the courts of the glorified circle of this sphere, thou mayest ask what seemeth good to thee.
T. Then, I would inquire, why are those words placed on the banner which I see in your hand, and which seems to indicate the end of collision among minds?
M. Thou hast well judged. The sword and the spear will be converted into useful implements of industry, and the banner thou seest wave in glory over the world of mind. Thou wilt not wonder when thou seest the wisdom which thy progress will unfold to thee; for as the sun is true in its relation to the planets revolving around it, so will the prediction thou seest be verified, and nations shall learn war no more. As thou hast been instructed, so shall thy followers be, till wisdom shall unite all minds in harmony, and order save spirits in weakness and ignorance from their disorder and shame. Then will minds see a victory without blood, a harmony without force, a justice without cruelty, and a wisdom without folly.
T. But when shall these sayings come to pass?
M. That is thy work, as it is ours. Thou must know that what is thy work, thou must not require others to tell when it will be completed. According to thy labor and thy skill, so shall the work prosper in thy hands. But if we are negligent, so shall the day be, in advancing upon mind.
The guide then took me by the hand, and said: “Now thou art introduced into this company, it will be thy chief desire to remember the instruction thou hast received, and follow the counsel which thy seniors may impart to thee. Thou seest many things here, and many more will be revealed to thee, so that thy life will not be idle, but will be devoted to the lessons as they will be given thee. I will now introduce thee to a friend, who has a charge to give thee.”