The centurion came, and said, “the king desireth a report from thee, and I am the messenger.” The elder of the elders replied, “Tell the king we have found favor with God; for, verily, he dwelleth not in temples made with hands, and we are satisfied with all we have seen and heard.” M. Dost thou wish to return to the fold again? E. We have come to tarry only while we may do thee and thy fellow servants good, as our Master hath commanded us. Wilt thou say to the king, that the half was not told us before we left the castle. We have tidings of great good for all who obey the truth, and are faithful to the law of harmony and peace. We invite the king and his household to hear our report, which will end thy fasting, and soon change thy sadness into joy. M. Then I will report thy wish to the king. I went with him, but the elders remained. The messenger entered by the north gate, and when he approached the palace, the king’s servant required us to wait. Soon the king made his appearance, and said, “Bringest thou a report?” M. I have a message for thee from the elders. K. Thou mayest say to them, come where I am, that I may see them face to face. M. Lo! they are waiting thy pleasure. K. Invite them all to my council chamber. We all went where he requested. “I am now ready to hear the report of the elders,” said the king. “May it please thee,” said the senior, “we have found favor with God, and grace and peace are multiplied unto us. We have washed in a stream, and thou seest our garments are white as snow. The circle will receive thee, when thou art willing to cast thy crowns into the treasury of good, and learn war no more. Thou wilt not regret the sacrifice, for what thou consecratest to the good of mind, will do thee more honor than all thy works of power. We saw a mystery unfolded to us, which will not do thee good, until thou shalt become acquainted with it also. The mystery of iniquity thou hast understood, from thy reception into the throne of power; but the mystery of godliness thou mayest yet learn. There are minds who can teach thee the mystery of mutual confidence. It will not be taught thee here; for now thou art surrounded with minds distrustful of each other. Thou distrustest them, and they distrust thee. But we have found a circle where no mind distrusts, because they know each other’s thoughts. The whole circle need no compulsion to do right, because right is their meat and drink. They delight in right, and wisdom is always with them. They worship God without fear, and love one another without dissimulation. There is a rainbow over their heads, and a cloud of fire by night to warm their hearts with love forever. There no iron rule becomes necessary to enforce obedience; for obedience is loved, and what is loved is not avoided. The Master is not a tyrant, but a father; and, when the father commands, his children delight to obey his commands. What is the wish of the father, is the wish of his children.