CHAPTER IV.
1. When the time of the festival had come, there congregated in Hored, besides theetherean hosts, more than a thousand million souls, to witness and participate in theceremonies. Sue said: Here is wisdom and folly; false Gods and their dupes; lazinessand industry; swiftness and sloth. Yea, here is a world worthless before Jehovih.
2. And why? Simply for lack of discipline and harmony. Every one is for self, and noneare producers for the general good. Alas, they are the same as mortals, but stripped offlesh. They are of no value to themselves. Now will I show thee, O God, that thesehapless beings, with no joy in life nor hope of resurrection, shall become a great glory tothe Father and His Kingdoms.
3. God said: Pity them, O Father! It is over a thousand years since they have been visitedby the higher heaven. Many of them are learned, but doubting if there be other heavens,save the plateaus of the atmospherea of the earth. Millions and millions of them havenever seen an etherean. Alas, I fear for them.
4. Sue said: Fear not, O God. They are as mortar in my hands. Neither shall there bepreaching to them, nor praying for them. They are tired of these things. But I will found anew light amongst them, and it shall speak for us. Hear me, then, and with the populace Ishall be as One that is unknown. Call, then, thy es'enaurs, and thy trumpeters and harpists,and all the musicians belonging to thy kingdom and to the kingdoms of thy Lords, and letthe procession begin.
5. For in all public matters those who are at the front, if wise, can lead on forever. Bepolitic, therefore, and shape the populace whilst the self-Gods are amazed at theimmensity of the hosts assembled.
6. God did as commanded, and the people saw there was a head to the proceedings. Suesaid: Send thy marshals and decorators to follow close after the musicians, distributingraiment to all who will follow in the procession. My etherean hosts are advised. They willstand by the way, and, with marvelous swiftness, provide the raiment. And all possibleextravagant colors and fabrics, and hats and ornaments, shall be distributed, andgratuitously.
7. My hosts shall be arranged in plain white; and they shall march not, but be asservants and workmen. And when the atmosphereans have played and sung over all theboundaries of Hored, then shall My etherean band sing and play and start the dance.
8. All these things were done, and from the very start to the termination of the musicthere was harmony in every place and corner amongst the thousand millions assembled. Nor was there ever so extravagantly equipped a multitude in the earth's heaven. And,so completely captivated were the people, their enthusiasm was boundless. Thencame the etherean dance, the which so far surpassed the capacity of the atmosphereansthat not one could join in. Neither could they take part in the etherean music.
9. So the atmosphereans looked on, confounded by the excellence of that which wasbefore their eyes.
10. Thus ended the first day's proceedings, which to describe in full would require a largebook. So the people were called to refreshment. And the ethereans, still dressed in white,and as servants and laborers, provided the viands. For they had previously madeconvenience for a supply of material. And so easily and with such swiftness did they theirwork that now for the first time did the more learned of atmospherea begin to observethem with surprise and wonder.
11. Presently inquiries were made as to who they were and whence they came. For soJehovih created man, that when of his own accord he admireth the excellence of hisneighbor, he goeth to the extreme in praising him.
12. So God said: On the morrow shall a new entertainment be given, and new raiment andnew viands for the feast. And the hosts shouted with great vigor and praise. Then thepeople mingled together to converse on all they had witnessed; neither comprehendedthey the object, save for pleasure only.
13. When the next day came the ethereans had been divided into groups, and the rites ofthe ancients and of the hosts of a'ji in Partha were announced, requiring extravaganttoilets and millions of atmosphereans as assistants.
14. So great was their ambition to take part that only by promises of something in thenext rites could the marshals make selections.
15. Sue, Jehovih's Son, had previously stationed signal bells at remote distances from oneanother, but connected them so that the sounds would answer quickly. And in theintervening places, extemporized forests and waterfalls were arranged; and near themiddle space one thousand columns of fire were erected.
16. So, in the morning of the second day, when all these glorious scenes were completed,and the ethereans, still plain and in white, stationed about, the atmosphereans were moreconfounded than ever, and more loudly shouting in their praise.
17. First came the birth-rites; then marriage-rites; then death-rites and the firstresurrection; then the rites of harmony. And the play represented a million of ethereanswho went to a corporeal world and followed it through its life, and to death andresurrection; its darkness and inharmony and terrible suffering in atmospherea; endingwith a tableau of a great sun of light descending, to deliver them into everlasting paradise.
18. So grand was the spectacle, and so sublime the music and the spoken words, that thehosts of Hored wept, and laughed, and shouted, and prayed, as if their souls would breakwith joy.
19. Thus ended the second day, and so complete was the glorious work that every soulhad sworn a solemn oath to forsake the earth and lower heaven forever. Then Godannounced for the third day, the display of etherean power.
20. And the people were so bewildered already that a child could have led the moststubborn of all. For thus Jehovih created man, who, having become much conceited inhimself, turneth right about and maketh himself a submissive fool.
21. So, on the third day, the ethereans displayed their power over the elements ofthe atmosphere; making corporeal substances and dissolving them at pleasure; makinglight into darkness, and darkness into light. Weaving fabrics and making diademsand precious stones. Gathering viands from the essence of things evaporated up fromthe earth; founding plateaux and temples in heaven. Making ships and chainsand musical instruments. And, lastly, the etherean marshals, with half a millionethereans, turned the winds and sent a heavy shower of rain down to the corporeal earth.
22. And all the while, the musicians of the hosts of Sue were discoursing music, thesweetness and grandeur of which surpassed the atmosphereans so far that they were asnothing.
23. So, because of the exhibition of great power and wisdom, the third day had changedthe fortunes and aspirations of every man and woman in the lower heaven. And they wererunning hither and thither, pleading to be taken as apprentices or servants, pledgingthemselves to do anything required of them. Neither would they be put off, demandingthat half of the next day should be given to initiating them as real beginners in the secondresurrection.
24. Then God spake to them, saying: Ye know not what ye speak. Behold, I havecommanded ye for hundreds of years to put away your fine raiment and sparkling gems,and to begin adorning your souls, so as to become Brides and Bridegrooms of the GreatSpirit.
25. But ye would not, but strove continually to adorn yourselves, forgetting to labor forthose beneath you. Behold, now stand Jehovih's Brides and Bridegrooms before you.What is their worth compared to yours? Are they not plain? And are ye not decorated?
26. But millions of voices rose up, saying: We will do whatever thou commandest,O God. There is no God like unto thee. Then God spake, saying: Hear me, then, further: This is to begin the second resurrection: to put away your jewels and diadems andornaments, and, above all things, to forsake self, and henceforth labor for otherswho are beneath you. If ye do this in a brotherhood, ye are already beginningthe second resurrection. Neither is there any other road to wisdom and power.
27. Again the multitude cried out: We will do anything; we have faith. And Godanswered them, saying: Suffer, then, a few to be initiated on to-morrow; but be ye patientand of good judgment; slow to resolve, but firm forever.
28. So on the fourth day, in the morning, behold, more than a hundred millions of spiritshad abandoned their showy raiment and stood arrayed in white, devoid of jewels anddiadems, ready to be initiated and take the vows of the second resurrection, as above. Andaccordingly new music was prepared, and the procession and ceremonies so arranged thatthe greatest possible glory would be manifested.
29. Canopies were stretched overhead, and arches and columns on the borders of themarch, decorated with flowers and vines; and amidst these, half concealed, were nestledthe response singers, who were to speak for and with the initiates. But concealedfrom view, and afar off, were bells and explosives, which were the morning signals.
30. And the glad and solemn sound of the Immortal Voice came upon the souls ofmillions impatient to vow themselves to a new life; and God and his hosts welcomedthem with great joy. So grand and imposing were the ceremonies, that, ere midday,another hundred millions came, robed in white, to be initiated also. Neither desired thepeople any other entertainment.
31. And so the initiations were continued on the fifth day; and yet another hundredmillions applied, also robed in white. And this was continued on the sixth and seventhand eighth and ninth and tenth days. And, lo and behold, a thousand million angels hadtaken the vows of the second resurrection.
CHAPTER V.
1. After this manner were the words of the initiation, led by the etherean hosts, to wit:
2. God on the throne said: O E-O-Ih (Jehovih)! Almighty! Boundless!
3. Response: How shall I comprehend Thee, Thou Mighty One?
4. God: Thou Higher than All Gods and Lords!
5. Response: Who movest the universe, with power unlimited!
6. God: Creator and Controller of the corporeal worlds!
7. Response: In Whose hands the etherean firmament is like a fruitful garden, wider thanthe boundaries of time!
8. God: Whose members are All Space!
9. Response: Whose members are the All that is within place, beyond measure!
10. God: Thou, E-O-Ih! Thou Fountain and Terminus of all things!
11. Response: E-O-Ih! E-O-Ih! Of Whom all things are but parts, attuned to Thy will!
12. God: Thou All Person, O E-O-Ih! Incomprehensible!
13. Response: Who speakest in the Light! Whose voice is the progress of the universe!
14. God: E-O-Ih! Thou All Giver! By giving, Createth!
15. Response: What are Thy secrets, O Mighty One? O E-O-Ih, Everlasting, and Greaterthan Magnitude!
16. God: I see nothing in all the universe but Thee! All selfs are but fractions of Thyself,O E-O-Ih!
17. Response: Who hath not beholden Thee, O E-O-Ih? Thy Person is in the east and westand north and south! Below and above; far and near.
18. God: Who hath not heard Thy voice? Who hath not found Thy hand, that pusheth himalong?
19. Response: Without Thee, O E-O-Ih, I go not; I move not. I set out to do things ofmyself, and fail utterly.
20. God: What is man before Thee, O E-O-Ih? He setteth up a kingdom, and it falleth as ahouse of straw.
21. Response: O E-O-Ih, how I have wasted my time! My buildings were lighter thanchaff! My virtues were but bubbles, and they are burst and gone!
22. God: When will man learn to attune himself to Thee, O E-O-Ih?
23. Response: How can I put away myself, O E-O-Ih? Have I not said: I cannot put awaymine own judgment?
24. God: Man saith: I will not put away my judgment! and lo, therein doeth he it!
25. Response: Have I not said: To protect myself is the first law, and to preserve mineown the highest law?
26. God: Man assumeth to protect himself, because he is without faith in Thee, O E-o-ih! And to preserve his own, which, in fact, is not his.
27. And here the Light fell upon the throne, and Jehovih spake out of the Light, saying:
28. I have called thee, O man, from thy youth up! My voice hath never ceased in thineear. Who can come into life without Me? Who can measure his own footsteps? Behold, he treadeth on My ground. Of all that he is made, the substance is Mine.
29. The kingdoms of the earth and the kingdoms of Gods and Lords in heaven, what arethey more than imitations of My works? Wherein they imitate Me well, I am with them inwisdom, love and power. Shall a man butt his head against a wall to prove he is greaterthan his Creator? Behold, I came in the ancient days, saying: Strive to become one withMe, and thou shalt rejoice that I created thee. Strive to set up for thyself, and thy vanityshall in time pierce thee as a two-edged sword.
30. Hear the love of thy Creator, O man! For I made thee with fondness for thy sons anddaughters. Of love like Mine Own I gave thee a part. And as thou sendest to thy waywardson, beseeching him to return to thee, so do I bring My messengers from higher worlds tocall thee. And, that thou mayst not mistake their higher place, I give them power andwisdom surpassing thee.
31. The voice ceased, and then the initiates said:
32. Henceforth I will serve only Thee, O E-O-Ih! Nor will I more think what shall becomeof me. For I know Thou wilt appropriate me wisely, O E-O-Ih!
33. Accordingly, as the stone is hewn and polished, so wilt Thou put it in the walls of Thyhouse.
34. My labor is to hew and polish and perfect mine own soul forever!
35. My soul shall become as a shining star.
36. My love like Thy etherean angels.
37. And plain my raiment, and clean, forever!
38. Nor more will I boast, nor speak untruth, forever!
39. Nor sloth attain me.
40. Nor vanity, nor self; nor will I talk of myself.
41. Nor criticize my brethren, nor my neighbors, for they are Thine, O E-O-Ih !
42. To do righteous works and lift up my fellows shall be my labor henceforth, forever!
43. Make me strong in Thee, O E-O-Ih!
44. And wise to do Thy will forever. Amen!
CHAPTER VI.
1. So great were the words and music of the ceremonies that the people were entrancedbeyond measure; the old and divided kingdoms, which were without unity and discipline,were now replaced by extreme sanctity and decorum.
2. Sue said: Hear me, O God, I will counsel thee further: Know, then, that the false Godsand false Lords have gone off to build up kingdoms of their own, nor know they whathath happened in Hored. Suffer them to proceed until they have purified the corporeansfrom familiars and fetals; but when they have finished, call thou another festival of allthese people, and also send word to the false Gods and false Lords who deny Jehovih, theAll Person, and they will come, bringing their slaves, having themselves adorned inextravagant raiment and jewelry. For they will expect, by their pageantry, to triumphover all other Gods and men, hoping to carry back with them millions of subjects.
3. God said: I perceive, O Sue, Son of Jehovih. So, God did as commanded, and sureenough, in course of time, the false Gods and false Lords stripped the barbarians of theearth of their familiars and fetals, making slaves of such spirits in heaven. And it came topass that God gave another festival, and it was greater than the first, and there werepresent upward of three thousand million angels, who had become enlisted in righteousworks.
4. This was the beginning of the third year of Sue; and his wisdom and power were nowmanifested all around the world, on earth and in heaven.
5. And this is what happened in reference to the false Gods and false Lords, who came tothe festival, equipped in chariots and ships, and with banners and flags, and crowns anddiadems, and such wonderful extravagancies, the like of which had not been in heavensince the flood. And each and every false God and false Lord endeavored to outdo theothers in show and parade.
6. As might be expected, the first day of the festival neither won their applause norcensure. The second day they ceased to attract attention; for the thrift and purity andwisdom manifested in the countless millions of the second resurrection caused evenchildren to receive more praise than the Gods and Lords with all their glitter and show.
7. On the third day one-half of the false Gods and false Lords cast aside their adornmentsand appeared in plain white, pleading to be initiated into the mysteries of the secondresurrection. And on the day following, the rest of them came also, seeking likeadmission.
8. Whereupon the Light of Jehovih spake through God on the throne, saying:
9. Bethink ye, O ye Gods and Lords! What are ye doing? But as yesterday ye askedfor kingdoms, desiring to be leaders and great workers, over and above your fellows.
10. And ye obtained your desires, becoming Gods and Lords over millions. And thesebecame your dutiful subjects, and ye adorned your throne and your persons in greatsplendor.
11. Behold I gave a festival, and ye came as living witnesses of what self-made Gods andLords could accomplish. And your dutiful subjects came with you to attest their loyaltyand good faith in your wisdom and power.
12. Now have ye cast aside your crowns and high estate, praying to become workersamongst the host of men and women! Are ye not mad? And are ye not making yourselvesthe destroyers of your own subjects? For, behold, because of your abjuration of self-pompand self-glory, all your subjects are cast aside in ignorance and misery.
13. With one voice the self-Gods and self-Lords answered, saying: Alas, O God! Whatshall we do? Our crowns we can give away; our raiment and jewels, and our thrones andkingdoms. But, O God, we cannot give away our subjects; they will not go. We havebound them to us; and we are bound to them because we accepted them. What shall wedo, O God? The burden is more than we can bear!
14. God said: Be not disconsolate, O Gods and Lords! Ye have done a great work. Ye have rescued millions and millions of familiars and fetals. And even before yeapplied for the resurrection, behold, most of your subjects had already deserted you!
15. Hear the judgment of your Creator, which is that when all your subjects and fetals arerisen in wisdom and virtue and good works, so as to take the second resurrection, evenon that same day shall ye be promoted. For only until then can ye have freedom of soul.
16. The voice ceased, and the self-Gods and self-Lords answered: Thou art just, OJehovih. We will go to work amongst our poor and ignorant subjects, and make themcomprehend Thy wisdom, power and justice.
17. For ten days the festival lasted, and then it ended. Thus were first established rites and ceremonies in the lower heaven as a power to work wisdom and virtue. And from thattime ever after, music and marching and dancing were included in all ceremonies by theGods and Lords of heaven.
