Opinions vary as to which is the better course, invocation of the Divine Help, or self-surrender to the Divine Will. In some cases the one is preferable, in others the other, according to the tendency and condition of each individual. If invocation induces _unfolding_, it is good. If it induces _infolding_,[8] it should be stopped. If it induces neither the one nor the other, its performance and omission are of equal value. If _knowledge_ preponderates at the time of invocation, it is to be continued, for such an invocation is a worship in itself. If _Divine Wisdom_ preponderates at the time, silence is preferable.... [8] See p. 30. What is the use of invoking the Divine Help, if the Divine Will is irrevocable?--Answer: The revocation by invocation is also in accordance with the Divine Will, the invocation being simply an ordained means, as a shield is a means to repel an arrow, and watering is a means to grow seeds. If one resorts to an invocation, it is to be repeated three, five or seven times.--_Letter 36._ THE DIVINE ALLEGIANCE. The Divine Allegiance gives freedom and the sovereignty of the whole world.... God never made anything so precious as the heart of His Servant, because it is there that He treasured up the wealth of His Wisdom: "I cannot be contained in heaven or earth, but I am contained in the heart of My faithful Servant." What is Service?--To be resigned to the Divine Will without a murmur. A Servant is he who does not think of wages, and has been liberated from the bonds of desire. He who serves God for wages is the servant of the wages, not of God. =Khwâjâ Hasân Basri= says: "Seek the Knowledge that is revealed by Service, and seek the Service that is revealed by Knowledge." Knowledge and Service are equally necessary, but Knowledge is superior, being the root and guide. Hence it is that the Prophet says: "Knowledge rules conduct, and conduct follows it." Again, He says that the sleep of the wise is better than the prayers of the ignorant, and that the ignorant do more evil than good by their acts.--_Letters 37-39._ THE SACRED FORMULA.