Índice Geral das Seções   Índice da Seção Atual    Índice da Obra Atual   Anterior: 18 -  A Voz de Deus ou Nada   Seguinte: 20 - Os Três Véus entre o Homem e Deus

(p. 103)

19. UM CONSELHO DE PERFEIÇÃO (1)

            I DREAMED that I was in a large room, and there were in it seven persons, all men, sitting at one long table; and each of them had before him a scroll, some having books also; and all were grey-headed and bent with age save one, and this was a youth of about twenty, without hair on his face. One of the aged men who had his finger on a place in a book open before him, said: ‑

            “This spirit who is of our order writes in this book, ‘Be ye perfect therefore, as your Father in heaven is perfect.’ How shall we understand this word ‘perfection’?”

            And another of the old men looking up answered, “It must mean Wisdom, for wisdom is the sum of perfection.”

(p. 105)

            And another old man said, “That cannot be; for no creature can be wise as God is wise. Where is he among us who could attain to such a state? That which is part only cannot comprehend the whole. To bid a creature to be wise as God is wise, would be a mockery.”

            Then a fourth old man said: – “It must be Truth that is intended. For truth only is perfection.”

            But he who sat next the last speaker answered, “Truth also is partial; for where is he among us who shall be able to see as God sees?”

            And the sixth said, “It surely must be justice; for this is the whole of righteousness.”

            And the old man who had spoken first answered him: “Not so; for Justice comprehends vengeance, and it is written that vengeance is the Lord’s alone.”

            Then the young man stood up with an open book in his hand and said,

(p. 107)

“I have here another record of one who likewise heard these words. Let us see whether his rendering of them can help us to the knowledge we seek.” And he found a place in the book and read aloud: –

            “Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

NOTE

(103:1) Dreams and Dream-stories. Nº. 3.

Índice Geral das Seções   Índice da Seção Atual    Índice da Obra Atual   Anterior: 18 -  A Voz de Deus ou Nada   Seguinte: 20 - Os Três Véus entre o Homem e Deus