Lectionary Readings for Friday, December 6th, 2019

Book of Jehovih’s Kingdom on Earth Chapter 15

1. At six years of age, the children were entered in the school of oratory, and also given
the signs and graces of unspoken words by means of gestures. And, now, they began to
take part in theatricals and operatic performances.

2. For such purposes these two houses were provided with angel chambers adjoining the
stages, and during the performances the angels came in sar’gis, also taking parts in the
operas, ascending and descending before the audiences, singing and speaking audibly, so
all could hear them.

3. Many of the plays and operas were composed and prepared by the angels, who also
gave directions how to put the pieces on the stage. And in some of the pieces there were,
of the children and angels combined, more than three hundred performers on the stage at
one time.

4. Instead of the crude and loud-sounding horns and hideous instruments, as used by the
Uzians for their operas, the opera here was provided with an organ of full power, and
with instruments of delicacy and sweetness, so that the most refined ear should not be
shocked or pained by any crude or disgusting noise, so common in the Uzian orchestras.

5. Now, as to the plays, whether in the opera or in the theatre, they varied on different
nights, as to being adapted to young children, or to older ones, or to adults. But,
for the most part, the plays and operas pertained to illustrations embracing a life on
earth and an entrance into the lower heavens, showing also the part in real life which
angels of purity take in guarding and advising mortals, by inspiration, to righteousness,
and also showing how drujas inspire mortals to sensual things and to wickedness.

6. So, that the plays required the presence of angels, to illustrate their parts in
the affairs of mortals; and every play was made a lesson and sermon on life, so
simple a child could understand them and apply the instructions to its own soul.

7. Herein, then, was the difference betwixt the plays and operas in Shalam, as compared
with plays and operas with the Uzians: With the latter, they apply to the lives and
adventures of mortals, and to histories of mortal affairs and occurrences wrapt up in
inexplicable causes; but the plays and operas with the Faithists, in Shalam, illustrated the
same things by showing the causes that govern and control mortals by spirit-presence.

8. So that (for example), were it necessary to exhibit a drunkard on the stage, it was also
shown how the drunkard was surrounded by dark spirits (drujas), who inspired him to his
course; and also was exhibited the struggle of his guardian angels to save him, showing
thus how the choice lay with himself as to who he would serve, satan or Jehovih.

9. In the simple plays, where the children took their parts at first, they were taught without
books, by repeating after their teachers.

10. And here was a new school, not known amongst the Uzians; which was, to learn by
hearing words spoken, to repeat them. First, they practiced with half a dozen words, then
with a dozen words, then with two dozen, then four dozen, and so on. And it came to
pass, in a little while, many of the children could repeat whole chapters, by simply
hearing the words spoken once.

11. Tae said: Here, first of all, began to manifest that clearness of mind resulting from
an herbivorous diet which was and is wholly unknown amongst the Uzians.

12. Tae said: And Jehovih further blessed our children in su’is, so that many of them who
had not yet been taught to read, could lay a hand on a printed page, and repeat it word for
word.

13. Tae said: And their little playmates, hearing them, could repeat the same things.
And some of them would hold a sealed letter in their hands, and read it word by
word; so that dissemblance and secrecy were become as a farce before Jehovih’s children.