18 Nay, man, my Father scorns deceit, and I am here to do his will. 19 Deceive these priests! Not while the sun shall shine. What I have said, that I have said; I will be true to them, to God, and to myself. 20 And then the tempter left, and Jesus was again alone; but in a little time a white-robed priest appeared and said, 21 Well done! the Logos has prevailed. This is the trial chamber of hypocrisy. And then he led the way, and Jesus stood before the judgment seat. 22 And all the brothers stood; the hierophant came forth and laid his hand on Jesus’ head, and placed within his hands a scroll, on which was written just one word, SINCERITY; and not a word was said. 23 The guide again appeared, and led the way, and in a spacious room replete with everything a student craves was Jesus bade to rest and wait. CHAPTER 49. _Jesus passes the second brotherhood test, and receives the second degree, JUSTICE._ The Logos did not care to rest; he said, Why wait in this luxurious room? I need not rest; my Father’s work upon me presses hard. 2 I would go on and learn my lessons all. If there are trials, let them come, for every victory over self gives added strength. 3 And then the guide led on, and in a chamber, dark as night, was Jesus placed and left alone; and days were spent in this deep solitude. 4 And Jesus slept, and in the dead of night a secret door was opened, and, in priest’s attire, two men came in; each carried in his hand a little flickering lamp. 5 Approaching Jesus, one spoke out and said, Young man, our hearts are grieved because of what you suffer in these fearful dens, and we have come as friends to bring you light, and show the way to liberty. 6 We once, like you, were in these dens confined, and thought that through these weird, uncanny ways we could attain to blessedness and power; 7 But in a luckful moment we were undeceived, and, making use of all our strength, we broke our chains, and then we learned that all this service is corruption in disguise. These priests are criminals just hid away. 8 They boast in sacrificial rites; they offer to their gods, and burn them while alive, poor birds, and beasts; yea, children, women, men. 9 And now they keep you here, and, at a certain time, may offer you in sacrifice. 10 We pray you, brother, break your chains; come, go with us; accept of freedom while you may. 11 And Jesus said, Your little tapers show the light you bring. Pray, who are you? The words of man are worth no more than is the man himself. 12 These temple walls are strong and high; how gained you entrance to this place? 13 The men replied, Beneath these walls are many hidden ways, and we who have been priests, spent months and years within these dens, know all of them. 14 Then you are traitors, Jesus said. A traitor is a fiend; he who betrays another man is never man to trust.