Chapter 29
Te-zee, the king, said to Chine: Because you have given me this great light, it seems to me I should issue a decree commanding all my people to accept your doctrines?
Chine replied: O man! How short you are in understanding our Father! Violence is His enemy. Such a decree would be no better than a decree establishing any other heavenly ruler. It would thwart itself. He does not come with sword and spear, like the idol-Gods; He comes with education, the chief book of which is the example of good works, and of peace and liberty to all.
Te-zee said: You reason well. Hear me, then, you greatest of men; command me even as if I was the lowliest of servants, and I will obey you.
Chine said: O king, you torment me with my own inability to make you understand! You shall not make yourself servant to any man, but to Ormazd, the Great Spirit.
The king said: Then I will put away my kingdom. But Chine said: Consider first if you can best serve Him by doing this way or that way, and then follow your highest light, and you shall not err.
The king asked: What do you think, shall I put aside my kingdom and my riches and do as you do?
Chine said: You shall be your own judge. If I judge for you, and you follow my judgment, then I am bound to you. Allow me to have my liberty also.
Te-zee said: If the Great Spirit would give me your wisdom, then I would serve Him. How long, do you say, a man shall serve Him in order to reach great wisdom?
Chine said: Suppose a man had several pieces of glass; some clear, some clouded with smoke and grease; how long, do you say, would it require to make them all clear? For such is the self in man; it clouds his soul; and when he has put self away, then his soul is clear, and that is wisdom, for then he beholds the Father through his own soul; yes, and hears Him also. And until he does this, he does not believe in His Person or Presence, no matter how much he professes.
The king kept Chine many days, and questioned him with great wisdom and delight. One day Chine said to him: Jehovih says to me: Go quickly to the four other great provinces of Chine’ya, and explain to their kings who I am. Chine added: Therefore, O Te-zee, I must leave you, but after many days I will return to you and exhibit to you the testimony of immortal life.
The king provided camels and servants, and sent Chine on his way. And, after Chine was gone, Te-zee said to himself: Although I cannot decree Chine’s doctrines, I see no reason why I cannot decree the extinction of Te-in and other idol-Gods. And so he did as he thought best, prohibiting the priests from doing sacrifice [worship –Ed.] to Joss (God), or Ho-Joss (Lord God), or Te-in, or Po, or any other ruler in heaven, except the Great Spirit.