free choice.

Man reacheth perfection through good deeds, voluntarily performed, not
through good deeds the doing of which was forced upon him. And sharing is
a personally chosen righteous act: that is, the rich should extend
assistance to the poor, they should expend their substance for the poor,
but of their own free will, and not because the poor have gained this end
by force. For the harvest of force is turmoil and the ruin of the social
order. On the other hand voluntary sharing, the freely-chosen expending of
one's substance, leadeth to society's comfort and peace. It lighteth up
the world; it bestoweth honour upon humankind.

I have seen the good effects of your own philanthropy in America, in
various universities, peace gatherings, and associations for the promotion
of learning, as I travelled from city to city. Wherefore do I pray on your
behalf that you shall ever be encompassed by the bounties and blessings of
heaven, and shall perform many philanthropic deeds in East and West. Thus
may you gleam as a lighted taper in the Kingdom of God, may attain honour
and everlasting life, and shine out as a bright star on the horizon of
eternity.

80: O THOU WHO ART TURNING THY FACE TO GOD! THY ...

O thou who art turning thy face to God! Thy letter was received. From its
contents it became known that thy wish is to serve the poor. What wish
better than this! Those souls who are of the Kingdom eagerly wish to be of
service to the poor, to sympathize with them, to show kindness to the
miserable and to make their lives fruitful. Happy art thou that thou hast
such a wish.

Convey on my behalf to thy two children the utmost kindness and love.
Their letters have been received but, as I have no time, separate letters
cannot be written at present. Show them on my behalf the utmost kindness.

81: THOSE SOULS WHO DURING THE WAR HAVE SERVED THE ...

Those souls who during the war have served the poor and have been in the
Red Cross Mission work, their services are accepted at the Kingdom of God
and are the cause of their everlasting life. Convey to them these glad
tidings.

82: O THOU WHO ART FIRM IN THE COVENANT, THY LETTER ...

O thou who art firm in the Covenant, thy letter was received. Thou hast
exerted a great effort for that prisoner, perchance it may prove to be
fruitful. Tell him, however: 'The denizens of the world are confined in
the prison of nature--a prison that is continuous an