It is not from nature, but from education and habit, that our wants are chiefly derived. Architecture is a design process, in many ways the ultimate design process, the process that determines what America looks like. The State Capitol Castle of California is essentially theatrical space in the heart of the state.

The Sun’s light and its shining rays fill the temple, one would say that the space is not lit by the Sun without, but the source of light is to be found within, such is the abundance of light…The scintillations of the light forbid the spectator’s gaze to linger on the details; each one attracts the eye and leads it on to the next. The circular motion of one’s gaze reproduces itself to infinity…The spirit rises toward God and floats in the air.

The idea was to create an essentially theatrical space in the heart of the city, a downtown area of spectacle and glamour that would attract not only suburbanites (and their dollars) back into the city on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, but tourists as well.

The Capitol Castle and Downtown of the state Capitol of California, is thus reconceived not as business center, but as an entertainment complex, it is an arena of wholesome family entertainment, notably free of crime and drugs, thronging with happy people having a good time, praising the Lord, and spending money. This state represents a Kingdom, but functions in the contemporary imagination like a continuous World’s Fair, a Tomorrowland projection of how we would like the real World to appear.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. I have great confidence in you: I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

For when we came into Sacramento, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn, conflicts on the outside, fears within. However God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort you had given him. (Titus was a native of Greece, and a Gentile by birth; but was converted to the Christian faith by the apostle Paul, who, in consequence of his strict adherence to the doctrine of Christ, calls him son.) He told us about your longing for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it, I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while, yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings death.

See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. By all this, we are encouraged.

In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. However, just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.

And now, people, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe Macedonian churches, and out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. However, just as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.

I do not see why, when it comes to falling in love, a man should not fall in love with a rich girl as easily as a poor one. There is nothing in love more requisite or more delectable than pleasant and wise conference; neither can there arise any storm in love which by wit is not turned into a calm.