What thou wouldst raise as hindrance to my work Doth but confirm my purpose; thou hast proved That in thyself I now have one friend more To stand beside me in my search for truth. How could I have conjectured up till now Thy knowledge of the nature of those souls Who fain would come and join me in my task? Thou know'st the perils ever threat'ning them. So will their actions make it clear to thee That they know paths where they are kept from harm. Soon thou wilt doubtless know that this is so, And I shall find henceforth as in the past In thee a counsellor, who doth not fail. MANAGER: I cannot lend my strength to fashion deeds Whose processes I do not understand. Those men in whom thou trusted seem to me Misled by the illusion I have named: And others too, who listen to their words, Will victims to that same illusion fall Which doth o'erpower all thought that knows its goal. My help and counsel evermore shall be Thine to command as long as thou dost need Acts based upon experience on earth; But this new work of thine is not for me. HILARY: By thy refusal thou dost jeopardize A work designed to further spirit-aims. For I am hampered lacking thine advice. Consider how imperious is the call Of duty when fate designs to make a sign, And such a sign I cannot but behold In these men being here at our behest. MANAGER: The longer thou dost speak in such a strain More clearly dost thou prove thyself to me, The unconscious victim of illusion's spell. Thy purpose is to serve humanity, But in reality thou wilt but serve The group which, backed by thee, will have the means To carry on awhile its spirit-dream. Soon shall we here behold activities Ordained no doubt by spirit for these souls, But which will prove a mirage to ourselves And must destroy the harvest of our work. HILARY: If thou wilt not befriend me with thine aid Drear doth the future stretch before my soul. (Enter Strader, left.) HILARY: Dear Strader, I have long expected thee. As things are now it seems advisable To spend the present time in serious talk And later on, decide what we shall do. My dear old friend hath just confessed to me That he can not approve what we have planned. So let us now hear counsel from the man Who promises his spirit to our work. Much now depends upon how at this time Men recognize each other in their souls, Who each to each seem like a separate world And yet united could accomplish much. STRADER: And so the loyal friend of Hilary Will not join with us in the hopeful work Which our friend's wisdom hath made possible? Yet can our plan alone be carried out If his proved skill in life be wisely joined In compact with the aims of future days. MANAGER: