T. I would that the sun might illumine other minds, now abiding in the gloom of despair. The morning light has scarcely dawned on these terraces. The wail of woe reverberates along the cold walls of scorn, and the moaning night-breeze bewails the sorrows, which rise where the sins of wrong grieve the oppressed of millions. I have wondered why nature has omitted the conversion of the deluded, who pine in weariness over the misery to which they are subject. W. When nature is not perverted, and minds are not corroded by the abominations of mythological opinions, no conversion from sin will be necessary. It is not the wrongs of nature, but the ignorance of nature, which makes conversion indispensable to higher enjoyment. Thou seest what wretchedness pervades the minds of these self-righteous converts to the ignorance of other days. Thou seest, that they are not content to work without reward. They have no love of righteousness; no real sympathy for each other’s woes; no melting compassion for the unfortunate; no soul to do any thing, unless a golden crown of reward is set before them. It is not a very great virtue to love self, or what will contribute only to selfish enjoyment. When mind loves self, it loves what will do self good. Brutes may do even more than this. They love their young. But mind, which works for self alone, is not active without a prospect of success in its object. The wheel is moved by a hope of gain, or fear of loss; and all minds, controlled by such unworthy motives, must be converted, before they can be wise in the wisdom of God. They must receive an illumination of their minds by the light of nature, unfolding wisdom to the immortal soul. Such, therefore, as thou seest in this castle, who are moved only to aid the needy by hope and fear, to do what God and humanity require, because of rewards, are within a wall of ignorance and wretchedness, which demand the active energy of the more devoted to deliver them. Thou seest the king’s heart. Thou seest he is deceived. He believes not the truth. He professes the greatest veneration for God, and the utmost confidence for revelation; and yet he will not believe the revelation which we have found, though corroborated by the natural law of progress. His mind is walled in the fortress of self security. He has built a gallows to terrify others like himself, so that they may fear and tremble before him. Thou seest what will save his mind from the conceit of his perverted imagination. T. I see he needs to be converted. W. Then what needs to be done, go thou and do. T. Thou wilt go likewise. W. That thou knowest. T. That will not work his conversion, without other aid. W. Other aid will come, when required. Thou knowest thy companions are waiting at the gate of the temple, to catch the signal. Lift up thy banner, and let the castle walls now bear the words, which will wave in the breeze.