12 And then a poor, frail woman came, who carried in her face and form the marks of sin and shame; and without mercy she was spit upon, and jeered, and driven from the hall. 13 And then a little child, with timid ways and hungry mien, came in and asked for just a morsel of their food. 14 But she was driven out uncared for and unloved; and still the merry dance went on. 15 And when the pleasure seekers urged that Jesus join them in their mirth, he said, 16 How could I seek for pleasure for myself while others are in want? How can you think that while the children cry for bread, while those in haunts of sin call out for sympathy and love that I can fill myself to full with the good things of life? 17 I tell you, nay; we all are kin, each one a part of the great human heart. 18 I cannot see myself apart from that poor man that you so scorned, and crowded to the wall; 19 Nor from the one in female garb who came up from the haunts of vice to ask for sympathy and love, who was by you so ruthlessly pushed back into her den of sin; 20 Nor from that little child that you drove from your midst to suffer in the cold, bleak winds of night. 21 I tell you, men, what you have done to these, my kindred, you have done to me. 22 You have insulted me in your own home; I cannot stay. I will go forth and find that child, that woman and that man, and give them help until my life’s blood all has ebbed away. 23 I call it pleasure when I help the helpless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, and speak good words of cheer to those unloved, discouraged and depressed. 24 And this that you call mirth is but a phantom of the night; but flashes of the fire of passion, painting pictures on the walls of time. 25 And while the Logos spoke the white-robed priest came in and said to him, The council waits for you. 26 Then Jesus stood again before the bar; again no word was said; the hierophant placed in his hands a scroll, on which was writ, PHILANTHROPY. 27 And Jesus was a victor over selfish self. CHAPTER 52. _Jesus spends forty days in the temple groves. Passes the fifth brotherhood test and receives the fifth degree, HEROISM._ The sacred temple groves were rich in statues, monuments and shrines; here Jesus loved to walk and meditate. 2 And after he had conquered self he talked with nature in these groves for forty days. 3 And then the guide took chains and bound him hand and foot; and then cast him into a den of hungry beasts, of unclean birds, and creeping things. 4 The den was dark as night; the wild beasts howled; the birds in fury screamed; the reptiles hissed. 5 And Jesus said, Who was it that did bind me thus? Why did I meekly sit to be bound down with chains? 6 I tell you, none has power to bind a human soul. Of what are fetters made? 7 And in his might he rose, and what he thought were chains were only worthless cords that parted at his touch.