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would be, first, Atheism, next Republicanism, and finally anarchy and ruin.

To avert these evils and for the welfare of the country and the people we hold fast to a stated form of religious belief. There is not one in the "Inner circle" but knows that it is absolutely false; yet a false religion,-it is argued by those cunning crafty men,-is better for the masses; for they are closely allied to brutes,-if the moral sense cease to restrain, they give as much rein to their appetites and passions as hyenas and tigers, and in some natures the moral sense is only kept alive by fear,-fear of offending some invisible force that pervades the universe:-a cruel, despotic power whose terrible attribute is destructive and not creative power.

To propitiate and pacify an unseen Destroyer is the aim of all religions:-It is for this reason that human sacrifice is of frequent occurrence; to me it is a shuddering horror that could well be dispensed with.

"Since the religion of which you speak" said Abram, "is merely a form of self-worship, why cannot all people worship themselves without consecrated altars and priestly service?"

"My friend without altars and priests no monarchy can stand; a monarchy can be held up only by an enforced religion. Greed is the God of kings and priests. It is by cunning and craft that the people are held in subjection. They say that a Supreme Deity whose character comprehends supernatural virtues is an impossibility;-but who knows,— there have been many disturbances of late,-the teaching of the philosophers has aroused a certain discontent, and there

are those who are weary of perpetual sacrifice and the shedding of innocent blood.

Moreover there is a prophet who teaches that God exists, and with infinite love is seeking to redeem mankind. This prophet and many wise men because of their boldness in proclaiming their knowledge broadcast, are now languishing in prison.

"Most illustrious Zamula," does not the fact that these luminous bodies in the heavens, move according to law, prove an intelligence above all. Do not the heavens proclaim the truth, the truth that God is there ruling above all-a Supreme Being?

"I know not. No one knows-God is an unproved identity, for my part I am too honest to worship a supposititious divinity. The scientists prove that there is no God." Abram replied: "God has identified himself. He has proved His identity. God has written his existence in nature and his law in the heart of man." "He has revealed himself in human history."

"Art thou acquainted with God?" Zamula asked-Abram replied: "That which is true can be known to a certainty, but a mere supposition can never be known as the truth, for the simple reason that it is not the truth."

Jehovah was known as King,—no one thought of taking the title, "King" until the mighty Nimrod became bold and arrogant enough to call himself king-but of whom is he king? A groveling, fawning, abject people, who chose not to remember the one only King and when they became corrupt and could no longer govern themselves, it pleased them to set up a man after their own fashion, to rule over them.

But a glorious Era is approaching when the free thinking and free speaking people of all nations will govern themselves rejoicing in the sovereignty of universal liberty.”

“I would it were here now,' 'said Zamula. At that moment Sarai came carrying a salver on which were placed a flagon, two jeweled cups, and a basket of fruit. She approached Abram first, who surveyed her with great admiration and interest,-how becoming was the primrose gown she wore, and as he poured out some wine into one of those glittering cups he noticed an added charm to her beauty,— the charm of matured character developed by the recent experience through which she had passed.-Zamula glancing at her smilingly inquired, "What news, Sarai, fairest of the fair?” “Ill news, and evil rumors there are enough. I am much pained, as I hear the common talk of sad and suffering men; there are mobs and riots in the market place, since the early morning,-moreover Nimrod is filled with wrath and driveth furiously, riding in his glittering chariot, he drives two jet chargers regardless of anything in his way, men, women and children are ruthlessly trampled under foot."

"Enough. Hold thy peace," Zamula interrupted; "thou art much too fair for a messenger of woe."

"Pardon, Sir Poet; thou shouldst never hear of the strife and commotion amongst the coarser tribes of men,thy path should be all woven sunbeams among roses." And she touched her head with her hand and smilingly went out, -the two young men watched her as she disappeared.

"She is a marvel of virtuous wisdom," said Zamula. I am sometimes amazed at the loftiness of speech with which she

converses.

"Come," taking Abram by the arm-"we will walk in the garden,- -the hour of sunset approaches, we will go to the green slope and behold the pomp and glory with which he goes down; and thou shalt tell me of God, for thou speakest as if thou art one akin to him."

Together they walked across the terrace out into the glorious garden, through winding paths of alternate light and shade. Here and there were the distant glimmer of tossing fountains. They ascended the hillock,-there Zamula threw himself gracefully down on the green turf pulling his friend down by his side.

Silently they gazed upon the resplendent panorama before them. The sun appeared to rest upon a sea of liquid gold with glistening rose color and blue fringed billows. The sky was of a dense yet misty blue; beaming shafts of light shot upward; far away in the distance floated white and blue clouds that looked like little fairy ships; below lay the City of Akkad, with its white domes, towers, and pinnacled palaces, on which the glory of the departed sun rested; through the misty haze it looked like a mirage rising on the border of a burning desert.

Then Zamula spoke: "I tell you, brother man, when I look upon the splendor of the heavens, I think, what a creature is man: And in my profoundest meditations, it seems to me, God exists, a vast, all glorious Being, who, in infinite wisdom controls and guides creation to some majestic end." This he said as he turned his soul hunger inquiring eyes upon Abram.

"True, my friend, God Is, he exists, the very term, creature, implies the Creator; and as certainly as an intelligent

creature is, he owes to the Creator all that he is, and in recognition of this fact, he owes to the Creator honor and devotion supreme; this in turn and the nature of things implies subjection and obedience on the part of the creature; and this is the principle of government."

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Government exists in the very nature of the existence of intelligent creatures; each one owes all to the Creator. Accordingly the first principle of government is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength." This is the inherent principle of government, eternally true; and no expansion, no multiplication of intelligent creatures can ever alter its scope or meaning; this distinguishes individuality as an eternal principle.

However, just as soon as a second intelligent creature exists there is an additional relationship; there is now not only the primary and original relationship of each to the Creator, but also an additional and secondary relationship of each to the other.

This is the second principle of government, and it is one of absolute equality; it is expressed in the second of all commandments, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

Each himself alone in his own individuality is completely subject and devoted first of all to the Creator, because to him he owes all. And in this subjection and devotion to the Creator first of all, each honors every other intelligent creature as his equal; as equally with himself occupying his place in the design of the Creator, and responsible individually and only to the Creator for the fulfillment of that design.

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