308 The Ideal State 



has disappeared by means of a perfect environment 

 physically, intellectually, and spiritually, we must en- 

 deavour to conquer the misguided, or rather ill-treated, 

 member of society who has transgressed the laws of 

 righteousness, by the spirit of love. We must prove 

 to him that society desires nothing more than to re- 

 absorb him, to take him to her large heart, and do 

 everything to make his lot happy, and receive his help 

 in return. He ought to be taught useful work, given 

 ample leisure for physical exercise in the open air, 

 supplied with good literature, and advised from the 

 ethical side by men specially trained and chosen for 

 such work. The present method of choosing chaplains 

 — without special qualification, indiscriminately from 

 a body of men who have signed the " nine-and-thirty 

 articles " — can only be said to be deplorable. On 

 leaving, the prisoner must be met and receive every 

 care from people specially appointed ; and work secured 

 and his footsteps guided until society has re-established 

 faith in him. 



All castes and orders will undergo a process of 

 gradual elimination. In process of time it will possess 

 men's minds that no other honour is necessary than the 

 esteem and gratitude of their neighbours, conj oined with 

 the consciousness of self-abnegation and of good work 

 well done — the best possible attainment for the in- 

 dividual under the law of the Eternal and in accord 

 with the teachings of Jesus. 



We are entitled to look for the gradual disappearance 

 of the Army and Navy. These remain as evidences of 

 a still semi-barbarous phase of existence. At present, 

 no doubt, they are necessities of our continuance as 

 nations and great powers. With a higher plane of 

 ethical evolution, however, they will become unthink- 

 able and intolerable ; all disputes of every kind will be 

 settled by means of arbitration. The beginning of this 



