that they have [30]
no intrinsic quality and that there is no matter? What
should be thought of an individual believing in that

[Page 109.]

which is untrue, and at the same time declaring the unity [1]
of Truth, and its allness? Beware of those who mis-
represent facts; or tacitly assent where they should dis-
sent; or who take me as authority for what I disapprove,
or mayhap never have thought of, and try to reverse, in- [5]
vert, or controvert, Truth; for this is a sure pretext of
moral defilement.

Examine yourselves, and see what, and how much, sin
claims of you; and how much of this claim you admit
as valid, or comply with. The knowledge of evil that [10]
brings on repentance is the most hopeful stage of mortal
mentality. Even a mild mistake must be seen as a mis-
take, in order to be corrected; how much more, then,
should one's sins be seen and repented of, before they
can be reduced to their native nothingness! [15]

Ignorance is only blest by reason of its nothingness;
for seeing the need of somethingness in its stead, blesses
mortals. Ignorance was the first condition of sin in the
allegory of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Their
mental state is not desirable, neither is a knowledge of [20]
sin and its consequences, repentance, _per se_; but, ad-
mitting the existence of both, mortals must hasten through
the second to the third stage,--the knowledge of good;
for without this the valuable sequence of knowledge
would be lacking,--even the power to escape from the [25]
false claims of sin. To understand good, one must discern
the nothingness of evil, and consecrate one's life anew.

Beloved brethren, Christ, Truth, saith unto you, "Be
not afraid!"--fear not sin, lest thereby it master you;
but only _fear to sin_. Watch and pray for self-knowledge; [30]
since then, and thus, cometh repentance,--and your
superiority to a delusion is won.

[Page 110.]

Repentance is better than sacrifice. The costly balm [1]
of Araby, poured on our Master's feet, had not the value
of a single _tear_.

Beloved children, the world has need of you,--and
more as children than as men and women: it needs your [5]
innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontami-
nated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you
preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through
contact with the world. What grander ambition is there
than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to [10]
know that your exa