that
this generation is ready for the 'blinding light of truth'? You believe
that you have been given a mission. I do not question your good faith.
You believe that throughout a series of earlier physical experiences you
have been preparing for this mission. Granting for a moment that this is
so, what proof can you offer of your having attained to that state of
perfection which you, yourself, lay down as a _sine qua non_ of
mastership? If it should be revealed to you that you have actually lived
before, but as a man enthusiastic, ardent and blinded by those passions
which are a wall between humanity and the angels, should you not take
pause? You have granted the authority of Rome. Wherein does your own
reside? Are you sure that for you the veil is wholly lifted? Are you
sure that you have no false friends? Are you sure that you comprehend
the meaning of your own tenet--'Perfect Love and Fulfilment'? If you
have any doubts upon these points, Mr. Mario, hold your hand. It can
profit the world nothing to restir the witches' cauldron. Love must
always be the mainspring of life and honour its loftiest ideal. Teach
men how to live and leave it to Death to reveal the hereafter. Not for
the good of mankind do I tremble--God has the world in his charge--but
for yourself. We all are granted glimpses of our imperfections, perhaps
in the form of twinges of conscience, or dreams, or as you would say in
the form of hazy memories inherited from earlier imperfect lives. If
these gentle lessons fail, swift blows rain upon us. But we are never
permitted to fall into error unchecked. Read well the tablet of your
soul and read between the lines. Measure your strength and test your
purity ere you dare to attempt to shatter at a blow the structure of the
ages. When Lucifer fell from the Divine order, it was lust of knowledge
that prompted him to set his own will in opposition to the Almighty. I
speak in figures which you will understand. Lucifer became the great
Self-Centre as opposed to the greater God-Centre. He is more active
amongst us to-day than he has been for many ages. He has numerous
servants and handmaidens. Are you sure, Mr. Mario, that you can
recognise them when they pass you by? Remember that the Devil is a
philosopher. If we may learn anything from the ancient creeds surely it
is that the secret of governing humanity is never to tell humanity the
truth."

VII

Some days later Flamby was taking tea by appointment in Orland