| A huge locomotive has rushed on over the line and a | | | | the dead all is bound and no freedom is possible, |
| small worm that was creeping upon one of the rails | | | | because there is no intelligence. This freedom that |
| saved its life by crawling out of the path of the | | | | distinguishes us from mere machines is what we are |
| locomotive. Yet this little worm, so insignificant that it | | | | all striving for. To be more free is the goal of all our |
| can be crushed in a moment, is a living something, | | | | efforts, for only in perfect freedom can there be |
| while this locomotive,so huge,so immense,is only an | | | | perfection. This effort to attain freedom underlies all |
| engine, a machine. You say the one has life and the | | | | forms of worship,whether we know it or not. |
| other is only dead matter and all its powers and | | | | If we were to examine the various sorts of worship |
| strength and speed are only those of a dead | | | | all over the world, we would see that the rudest of |
| machine,a mechanical contrivance. Yet the poor little | | | | mankind are worshipping ghosts, demons, and the |
| worm which moved upon the rail and which the least | | | | spirits of their forefathers -- serpent worship, |
| touch of the engine would have deprived of its life is | | | | worship of tribal gods,and worship of the departed |
| a majestic being compared to that huge locomotive. | | | | ones. Why do they do this? Because they feel that in |
| It is a small part of the Infinite and,therefore, it is | | | | some unknown way these beings are greater,more |
| greater than this powerful engine. Why should that | | | | powerful than themselves, and limit their freedom. |
| be so? How do we know the living from the dead? | | | | They,therefore,seek to propitiate these beings in |
| The machine mechanically performs all the | | | | order to prevent them from molesting them, in other |
| movements its maker made it to perform, its | | | | words,to get more freedom. They also seek to win |
| movements are not those of life. How can we make | | | | favor from these superior beings, to get by gift of |
| the distinction between the living and the dead,then? | | | | the gods what ought to be earned by personal |
| In the living there is freedom,there is intelligence; in | | | | effort. |