G. Thou canst wrong thyself by denying the laws of nature; but thou
canst not do what thy mind forbids thee. Nature is denied, when
resistance to attractive power is seen. Nature is disobeyed, when
oppression denies the freedom which we enjoy. Thou camest to these
courts because thou didst desire more wisdom. No force was necessary to
bring thee here. No resistance didst thou offer to the pilgrimage thou
hast made. Thy will was as free as air, and when thou didst come, it
was control which brought thee. Thou wast drawn by affinity, by law of
rule and power over thee, so that thy coming was as free as thy will,
and thy will was as free as thy coming. Thou wast drawn, and drawn
as thy desire sought. When thou seest, as thou wilt see, the harmony
of this temple and its just proportions, thou wilt not wonder at its
arrangement, nor need instruction to displace thy errors. If thou
wouldst be wise, let not thy prepossessions forestall thy judgment.
T. But what must I do with these implements of industry?
G. Take them in thy charge, and with them this compass, to aid
thee in thy work. Remember, also, that wherever thou goest, these
thy implements shall be a sign of thy masonry, and thy work thy
recommendation among thy fellow servants. As thou hast received them at
our hands, so use them as not to abuse the purposes for which they were
intended.
T. Have I no one to commend me, but these tokens of my profession?
G. These tokens will reveal thy work, which thou hast received, and thy
work will not dispute the use of the implements. Thy name will be known
wherever thou goest, because thy works will follow thee.
T. When I go hence, unto whom shall I go?
G. Thou wilt go as thou seest need of thee. Thou wilt see need of
thee where thy work will adorn the uncomely things with the beauty
and usefulness of this sphere of wisdom. Thou wilt reveal with thy
skill the hidden beauty of deformity, and develop the intrinsic value
of mind, concealed beneath the rubbish of error and wrong. Let thy
dexterity and moderation be known by thy works, so that the whole
building of God may resound with shouts of joy.
When my guide had aided me thus far, he said: “Now, Thomas, thou wilt
turn thy face to the left, and receive a lesson from the High Priest of
this temple.”
I turned and walked about four or five paces, when he said, “This is
the High Priest. He has a message, and will now aid thee in thy duty to
those with whom thou wilt henceforth be associated. Listen attentively
to what he may say, and let thy mind be opened to the words which he
may speak for thy benefit.”
As he arose, a mind said to me, “Kneel.”
“Why so?” I inquired.
“This is the order when he speaks.”
I knelt, and he proceeded: “Thomas, wouldst thou understand more of the
mysteries of this company?”
I responded, “What is useful, I would not refuse.”
P. Open then the book, and read.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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