a
social order which is the best. Necessarily it is not always the present
order. Else why should we seek to change the latter? But it is that order
which ought to exist to realize the greatest good for humanity. God knows
it and wills it. It is for man to discover and establish it."

What, then, is the responsibility of the individual with regard to the
achievement of this highest good?

DAILY READINGS

First Day: The Kingdom of Hard Work

For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his
own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he
gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each
according to his several ability; and he went on his journey.
Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with
them, and made other five talents. In like manner he also that
received the two gained other two. But he that received the one
went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Now
after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a
reckoning with them. And he that received the five talents came
and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. His
lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many
things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that
received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst
unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. His lord
said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast
been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things;
enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received
the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a
hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where
thou didst not scatter; and I was afraid, and went away and hid
thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. But his lord
answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou
knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not
scatter; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the
bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own
with interest. Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and
give it unto him that hath th