It was an hour of devotion. The castle was ruffled by the storm of darkness. Not a voice betokened harmony, and each worshiper offered his words to God, as a dictator would his commands to his subjects. One mind wanted his brethren to be more faithful, and another desired the conversion of a third to some opinion, which would disgrace the mind who should practice it. At length, we went to a deacon of the most fashionable circle in the castle. He was offering his words to God. “Thou wouldst have been just,” said he, “if thou hadst cut us down as cumberers of the ground, and made our bed in hell; but we thank thee, oh God, that thou hast not been strict to mark our iniquities against us, lest our portion should have been as hypocrites and unbelievers.” “Often hast thou not heard that accusation?” said my companion. T. I recollect that was often said by many thoughtless religionists, when I was in the body. M. And dost thou not know that what thou hast seen in the body, thou mayest see now thou art in this sphere, and more clearly; even so, what thou hast heard. T. I see that death changes no error, which the mind has received. These minds must have been religious, in the first sphere. They are now religious, in words. They tell God he is not just; for, if he had been, he would have placed them with hypocrites and unbelievers. I see they are mistaken. God is just, and I find them with hypocrites and unbelievers. I see they offer words only. They pray to have God do what they ought to have done themselves. They want others to be converted by God, but they do not reform themselves. Do you know the reason? M. I see that they are blind to their own condition; they are blind to a more exalted principle of holiness. They have done nothing to reform themselves, because they have expended all their strength in words. They have sought to establish their own righteousness, and thou seest that their righteousness is words; and, when they have worked to convert others, they have made only a convert like unto themselves; they have made a convert with words, and with words they will convert others. T. When they were in the body, how were the needy neglected? M. As they would be here, were no other help to be found.