would be well, if in the transformation they would drop this name).1
I think, that a great part of the evil of the world is due to our wishing to see the realization of what we are striving at, but are not ready for, and therefore being satisfied with the semblance of that, which should be.
Compulsory governement organization is indeed nought else, than the semblance of good order, which is maintained by prisons, gallows, police, army and workhouses. Of real order there is none; only, that which infringes, it is hidden from our view in prisons, penal settlements and slums. And I think, that the dicease remains so long uncured, because it is concealed. So likewise with brotherhood or church communities. They also are semblances. There cannot be a community of saints among sinners. I think, that the members of a community in order to keep the semblance of sainthood must necessarily commit many new sins.
We are so created, that we cannot become perfect either one by one, or in groups, but (from the very nature of the case) only all together.
The warmth of any drop (or particle) is transmitted to all the others. And were it possible to conserve the heat of one particle, so that it should not pass to the others and therefore did not cool — it would only prove, that we took for heat, was not true heat.
And I therefore think, that were our friends to direct towards their inner spiritual growth all the portion of attention and energy, which they devote to the sustainement of the outer form of a community amongst themselves — it would be better both for them and for God’s cause. Communities and external organisations seem to me to be lawful and useful only, when they are inevitable consequences of a corresponding inner state. For instance, if two men, from a calculation, that it is more profitable to live in one house and eat one dinner, were to say to each other: «let us live in one house and eat one dinner», there would be very little chance, that they would stay and live together without subjecting themselves to many disadvantages and much disagreableness, which would outweigh the expected advantages and pleasure; but if two men who often met, came to love each other and also became utterly indifferent to the accomodation, they have, and the dinner,
