An example of the Master consulting with the friends

The train arrived in Sacramento at noon.

An elegant woman, who had previously received a promise from the Master, was at the station. She begged Him to grace her home with His presence. He accepted and we rode in her automobile to her home. Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper enthusiastically assisted the other friends accompanying the Master. En route the Master remarked to us, ‘Let us consult together about staying at this lady’s house.’ When we arrived at her home, the Master requested that Mrs. Goodall and Mrs. Cooper be telephoned and asked to come. When they arrived we could see that they too did not wish Him to stay at the house. The Master then said, ‘We must act according to the consultation with the friends.’

After the Master bestowed His kindness on the hostess, He said:

You desired greatly that we should come to your house. We have come. We shall also take luncheon here. But at night we will stay in the hotel, for in each city we have stayed at hotels. Notwithstanding the supplications of the friends to stay in their homes, we have not accepted these invitations. But today we have come to your house.

The Master spoke in this vein until the woman finally agreed. He then went to the Hotel Sacramento. On the way He spoke and said, ‘I desire to act always according to the counsel and wishes of the friends unless it is a very important matter which is not good for the Cause of God, then I do hold tenaciously to whatever is advantageous to the Cause.’ Continuing, He said: ‘The value of my conduct and fellowship is not known yet, but it shall be known later.’