13 The conflict was a bitter one, for king Ambition is a sturdy foe to fight. 14 For forty days the higher wrestled with the lower self, and then the fight was won. 15 Faith rose triumphant; unbelief was not. Ambition covered up his face and fled away, and Jesus said, 16 The wealth, the honor, and the fame of earth are but the baubles of an hour. 17 When this short span of earthly life has all been measured out, man’s bursting baubles will be buried with his bones. 18 Yea, what a man does for his selfish self will make no markings on the credit side of life. 19 The good that men for other men shall do becomes a ladder strong on which the soul may climb to wealth, and power and fame of God’s own kind, that cannot pass away, 20 Give me the poverty of men, the consciousness of duty done in love, the approbation of my God, and I will be content. 21 And then he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, 22 My Father-God, I thank thee for this hour. I ask not for the glory of thyself; I fain would be a keeper of thy temple gates, and serve my brother man. 23 Again was Jesus called to stand before the hierophant; again no word was said, but in his hands the master placed a scroll on which was written FAITH. 24 And Jesus bowed his head in humble thanks; then went his way. CHAPTER 51. _Jesus passes the fourth brotherhood test, and receives the fourth degree, PHILANTHROPY._ When other certain days had passed, the guide led Jesus to the Hall of Mirth, a hall most richly furnished, and replete with every thing a carnal heart could wish. 2 The choicest viands and the most delicious wines were on the boards; and maids, in gay attire, served all with grace and cheerfulness. 3 And men and women, richly clad, were there; and they were wild with joy; they sipped from every cup of mirth. 4 And Jesus watched the happy throng in silence for a time, and then a man in garb of sage came up and said, Most happy is the man who, like the bee, can gather sweets from every flower. 5 The wise man is the one who seeks for pleasure, and can find it everywhere, 6 At best man’s span of life on earth is short, and then he dies and goes, he knows not where. 7 Then let us eat, and drink, and dance, and sing, and get the joys of life, for death comes on apace. 8 It is but foolishness to spend a life for other men. Behold, all die and lie together in the grave, where none can know and none can show forth gratitude. 9 But Jesus answered not; upon the tinseled guests in all their rounds of mirth he gazed in silent thought. 10 And then among the guests he saw a man whose clothes were coarse; who showed in face and hands the lines of toil and want. 11 The giddy throng found pleasure in abusing him; they jostled him against the wall, and laughed at his discomfiture.