Chapter 20
And two hundred adults volunteered, and went out of Shalam with more than three hundred children, of whom more than a hundred were infants.
And they went into another part of the country, and came to a place called Busiris, which was unoccupied. And they purchased the country there, and settled, and called the colony Illaem, signifying, healing waters, for mineral springs were located there, said to contain great virtue in healing the sick.
Now, in a manner similar to Shalam, Illaem set about building and improving the place. But the people of Illaem had less hardship, for they drew supplies and assistance from Shalam.
Nevertheless, they also had many hardships and trials, for several years.
And Jehovih prospered Illaem also, so that, over time, it was established in great perfection.
As to Shalam, after the first swarm departed, the inhabitants sent some of their women back to Uz, and they collected more infants, castaways and orphans, and brought them to Shalam, and there raised them in the same way.
From this time onward, every year, a goody number reached the age of fourteen, and they were also liberated from infancy, and admitted as brothers and sisters. And nearly every year, a swarm departed out of Shalam.
In addition to the infants admitted into Shalam, many adults were also admitted. But these were examined in the same manner as those at the first founding of Shalam.
And none were accepted except those who were Faithists in the All Person, Jehovih, and who were willing to work.
But many of the poor of Uz came, seeking membership for charity’s sake.
But none of them were admitted. || Jehovih had said: The laborers, in establishing My kingdom, shall not do for charity’s sake. Their labor shall be to provide a way to prevent poverty, not to alleviate it. Behold, I will have a new race of people in the world, and they shall not waste their substance on those who deny Me. ||
But the poor were fed and sent on their way.
Now, it happened that many lazy people from Uz, having heard of the beauty and peace in Shalam, also sought to become members, being willing to make any covenant and to swear any oath, for the sake of living in idleness.
But the Light of Jehovih had also made this matter clear; so that they were permitted to remain a while in Shalam at work, and to attend the schools of discipline, so that they could be judged; and, if found worthy, they were admitted, but if unworthy, they were rejected.
But it happened that many who came with no thought of self-resurrection, looking for a home, or to be cared for by others, were entirely changed in their habits in a few months, being converted in truth, from worthlessness to industry and self-improvement.
And many of these became zealous in purification and good works, even above the average.
But nearly all who applied for admittance were poor, misfortunate, or discouraged with life and with the ways of the world in particular.
Nor did many of the rich come; thus fulfilling the saying, the difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
For, having corporeal comforts, they held little concern for the spirit, especially as to affiliation.