The Equinox (Volume III, Number I)

THE EQUINOX take it. These persons cannot accept the Law. This also is understood and provided for in the Book of the Law: “The slaves shall serve.” But it is possible for any apparent slave to prove his mastery by fighting his oppressors, even as now; but he has this additional chance in our system, that his conduct will be watched with kindly eye by our authori- ties, and his prowess rewarded by admission to the ranks of the master-class. Also, he will be given fair play. You may now ask how such arrangements are possible. There is only one solution to this great problem. It has always been admitted that the ideal form of government is that of a “benevolent despot,” and despotisms have only fallen because it is impossible in practice to assure the good- will of those in power. The rules of chivalry, and those of Bushido in the East, gave the best chance to develop rulers of the desired type. Chivalry failed principally because it was confronted with new problems; to-day we know per- fectly what those problems were, and are able to solve them. It is generally understood by all men of education that the general welfare is necessary to the highest development of the particular; and the troubles of America are in great part due to the fact that the men in power are often utterly devoid of all general education. I would call your attention to the fact that many monastic orders, both in Asia and in Europe, have succeeded in sur- viving all changes of government, and in securing pleasant and useful lives for their members. But this has been pos- sible only because restricted life was enjoined. However, there were orders of military monks, like the Templars, who grew and prospered exceedingly. You recall that the Order of the Temple was only overthrown by a treacherous coup 228