T. Because it is unknown. Most fears are of this description. Minds
seldom fear real things.
C. Do not slaves fear their masters?
T. Not their masters, but what their masters may do.
C. Is not the will of the master a reality?
T. The will is well; but the abuse of the will is ill. Slaves fear
the abuse of power over them. The abuse will not be feared, when the
reality of wisdom corrects it. It will be corrected, when slaves no
longer fear their masters; but so long as they fear, they will be
servants.
C. Then, servants are to blame for their fears?
T. I blame no mind, it is not my prerogative to condemn. But I may
say, when slaves cease to fear, slavery is at an end. The master
can not coerce without fear, nor can he make others do his bidding,
when they are disinclined. Fear, then, hath its bonds, and those who
generate fears contribute to enslave mind.
C. Does not God make mind fear?
T. Never.
C. But minds fear God.
T. Minds fear what their conditions make them. When ignorance
overshadows the soul, so that it can only see a twilight view of
nature, the mind is subject to the rule of ignorance. That rule will
correspond to the light which shines. The whole reflected upon the
vision at once, would induce sight to be dazzled by the flood. Hence,
in the organization of mind, as an individual, the wisdom of God is
manifest, because what is natural, is adapted to its condition, and
what is adapted to its condition, is productive of enjoyment. Hence,
what is natural is free, not being prohibited by law, and what is
free, is not a monopoly. In nature, there is no law which justifies a
monopoly of her gifts. All things in her storehouse, belong to a common
family; and each member may enjoy what is needful to enjoyment. I have
seen a monopoly of what nature has provided for the good of mind. I
have seen churches established upon the assumed right of holding the
treasures of this and other spheres in their hands, to dispense or
withhold as the policy of worldly wisdom wished for its aggrandizement.
I have seen minds, in this sphere, overshadowed with the darkness of
such idolatry and injustice; and I have seen them bow down in terror,
and work in fear before a God, whom heathens would reject for its
supposed cruelty. Now, have you not had fears of this description?
C. I must acknowledge that I have.
T. Would you know the cause?
C. You have laid the cause bare in your remarks.
T. How long will you tarry here in this midnight of wrong?
C. Till I can be released.
T. Will you be free?
C. If I can.
T. There is no wrong whence I go. Will you follow me?
C. I will try; but I know not where you will lead me.
T. I will lead you where the weary find rest, and the light hath no
darkness. But when you reach the door of the temple, I will bid you
wait till I gain permission to introduce you.
C. Suppose permission should be denied.
T. Suppositions never enter there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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