Chapter Sixteen
Now, when The Faith of Spirit had first started, The Priests
of the temple of Tr had laughed at it.
2 "Such a foolish faith would never catch on," they
laughed. Imagine, no gods! Everyone knew there were gods and that
Tr was the mightiest god, the king of gods, for without Tr, there
could be no rain, no livelihood of any kind.
3 He was the holder of the precious water, the keeper of the sky
dams. He was the first born of the sun and the earth. His sky
fire struck down any who opposed him.
4 How could these foolish people say he was nothing but a sick
spirit, that thought himself a god? Surely such foolishness would
quickly pass away! Had not the people of The One failed to make
converts in Tr? No, this Religion was nothing. It would soon pass
away.
5 But with each passing month The Priests of Tr became more
concerned. In some villages almost all the people deserted their
temples. In some cities almost half the tribute stopped coming.
The situation was getting out of hand. These Children of Spirit
and their ridiculous lies were robbing the temple of its share of
goods.
6 Something had to be done! Worried priests from every temple
throughout Tr wrote to The High Priest in the capitol until one
day The High Priest called two of his assistants. "These
Worshipers of Spirit," he said, "are getting out of
hand. It is time we put an end to it. Tomorrow is Worship Day.
Let us put on disguises and go to Their temple. Let us hear this
Old Fox's heresy ourselves. Perhaps he will speak some form of
treason, and we can take the matter before The King! If he does
not, perhaps some of his followers can be persuaded to say he
has.
7 The sooner we put an end to it, the better. Tr is the only lord
in his kingdom. These fools will not deny his power, and rule
much longer!"
8 So it was, the next Fifth Day of Worship The Priest and his
assistants disguised as commoners came to The Old Fox's house and
seated themselves in the back of The Temple.
9 As they were waiting for the service to begin, a rich man and
his servants entered The Temple. The servants went to the front
of The Temple and told the people to move back, and make room for
their master. Now, this was not the custom in The Temple of
Spirit, but as not to make discourse in The Temple, the people
obeyed.
10 Now the service began, and the people sang The Lords Praises,
and heard The Old Fox speak about two rich men who thought they
could amend their wrongs by bribing the gods, and how sorrowful
was their fate.
11 They came to the part of the service where The Old Fox asked
if there were any in need, that desired to be prayed for, and the
rich man rose. "Good priest," he commanded, "I
have heard you have marvelous powers, much great magic, and that
you heal the sick. So I have come here so you can heal me. For
the physicians have said I am gravely ill, and will soon die.
Tell these Lords of yours to heal me, and I will do for your
Temple great things!"
12 The Old Fox spoke angrily. "Foolish man!" he cried,
"Did you not hear any of my words? Did nothing reach your
heart? Unless a man repent and turn from his evil The Lords will
not help him. For if there is no spark of good in a man, The
Power of The Lords cannot reach him.
13 You push your way into our Temple, demand and exalted place,
then ask....no...demand Healing? Yes, you are sick. You are
dying. You will not see the coming of summer, and your first born
has learned from you. He is as foolish and ignorant as yourself.
14 Within a year of your death your family will be ruined, all
you own, thrown away, and your children sold into slavery. The
Lords will not heal you, but They will give you some advice.
15 If you want to save your family, pay back those you have
cheated, and make your youngest son your heir. He will protect
your goods, and your family will prosper. This is the only mercy
The Lords will give you. Now arise from our Temple and be gone!
The likes of you are not welcome here!"
16 "How dare you!" screamed the rich man. "How
dare you? I am rich! A councilman for The King. I could do good
things for your people! How dare you treat me so?"
17 "You are rich with gold," The Old Fox answered,
"but nothing shines in your heart. Begone! Get out, before I
say more than I should! For The Lords know all the secrets of
your houses."
18 The rich man looked startled and somewhat afraid. Gathering
his servants he swiftly departed. Now those in the congregation
began to murmur and talk among themselves, and The Priest of Tr
leaned to the eldest of his assistants. "See how foolish
this Religion is?" he whispered. "Everyone knows the
rich are rich because the gods favor them, and they should be
shown the most respect. This old man is a fool. He has no wisdom
at all."
19 The Old Fox, who had been watching the rich man leave, turned
in The Priest's direction. "And you begone, also, High
Priest of Tr," he cried. "Get out of our Temple! We
need none of your lies here. You favor the rich because they
cover you with costly garments and give you rich meals in their
houses, and their young wives take you to their beds.
20 You are an absurdity, a blasphemy, even to your own faith!
Take your lies, take your falsities and get out of our Temple,
you who cheat the poor and lie to the sick! Get out of The House
of Truth!"
21 The Priest of Tr rose, like an angry beast. "Fool!"
he screamed, "Liar! How dare you speak such of the servant
of Tr? I am The Voice of Tr. I am his glory! None question my
honesty!"
22 "Not all men are blind," answered The Old Fox,
"not all men are fools. The poor will learn how you deceive
them. They will learn the secrets of your temple. They will
desert you. And the day will come when you will try to flee, but
your own guards will pursue you, and administer unto you The
King's Justice!"
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