“These arrows and bow will not make thee unfriendly, except thou pervert them to works of injustice to thy brethren. Thou knowest the history of David and Jonathan. When Saul sought the life of David, he was forewarned by an arrow, which Jonathan shot. It was well with David, and well with Jonathan, because they made a covenant with each other to avert wrong. The arrows were united, and being united were strong against resistance. Take these arrows as a sign of the covenant thou hast made with us, that no wrong shall come unto thee without warning; and take also this bow, which is the power of the covenant; and, with it, do thy work as thou hast covenanted to do, in friendship, love, and truth, and hope of mercy will descend without ending upon thee in thy labor.
“Take also this sling and these pebbles; and, when thou goest on thy mission, thou wilt not make war with those that oppose thee. They are given thee for another purpose. Thy soul will need its rest. Thy sling will bring thee rest. Thou wilt take the pebbles, one by one, and when thy opposer shall make war with thee, thou wilt teach him this lesson: That no wisdom is found in pebbles, and thou wilt say to him, ‘silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, give I unto thee. Take this sling and these pebbles, and when thou art without wrong, cast them at me, for I too, am poor and needy, and what thou doest, do as thy wisdom shall direct.’ Then shalt thou find thy sling and pebbles retained by thee, and thy opposer will be thy follower in the great reform of mind. And when thou shalt have need of our aid, blow the trumpet as thou hast been instructed, and thy companions will join thee in the good fight of reforming mind, without blood or treasure.
“Thou wilt now proceed on thy mission, and, when thou shalt aid with thy wisdom the needy, thy work will be thy reward. Hitherto, thou hast been instructed, but now thou wilt be an instructor of others. Thou wilt work thy work of reform, as thou canst. Take what thou needest for thy work, and go to the castle, where thou didst unfurl the banner, and when thou shalt sound the trumpet, thy circle will obey thy summons.”
CHAPTER VI.
SECOND VISIT TO THE CASTLE.
The deacon’s prayer—Thomas and Mary converse—Dialogue between the deacon and Thomas on rewards, a day of judgment, and the atonement—The deacon converted—Sung the new song—Departure for the temple—The deacon initiated into the mysteries of wisdom, and the secret explained—Thomas and the deacon revisit the castle.
It was an hour of devotion. The castle was ruffled by the storm of darkness. Not a voice betokened harmony, and each worshiper offered his words to God, as a dictator would his commands to his subjects. One mind wanted his brethren to be more faithful, and another desired the conversion of a third to some opinion, which would disgrace the mind who should practice it. At length, we went to a deacon of the most fashionable circle in the castle. He was offering his words to God. “Thou wouldst have been just,” said he, “if thou hadst cut us down as cumberers of the ground, and made our bed in hell; but we thank thee, oh God, that thou hast not been strict to mark our iniquities against us, lest our portion should have been as hypocrites and unbelievers.”
“Often hast thou not heard that accusation?” said my companion.
T. I recollect that was often said by many thoughtless religionists, when I was in the body.
M. And dost thou not know that what thou hast seen in the body, thou mayest see now thou art in this sphere, and more clearly; even so, what thou hast heard.
T. I see that death changes no error, which the mind has received. These minds must have been religious, in the first sphere. They are now religious, in words. They tell God he is not just; for, if he had been, he would have placed them with hypocrites and unbelievers. I see they are mistaken. God is just, and I find them with hypocrites and unbelievers. I see they offer words only. They pray to have God do what they ought to have done themselves. They want others to be converted by God, but they do not reform themselves. Do you know the reason?