See the army of men in disorder! Soldiers are in line, too, with horsemen from all sides of the land and waters. Dread dismay, yet with keen-edged expectancy in evidence. Behind the kingly form there is a tower--strength-- though there is the unlighted torch at the top. Some large bird in the back scene will venture into peril. Near the shaft at its base are caverns. On closer inspection you can see the vapors arising. You see the entire world appears interested--so many heads of men.
One of the party had expected some special news from distant lands, saying: "Verily, the atmosphere is filled with these things,"--Auto thought or otherwise. Secrets after all are not so hidden, though I believe this reading to pertain largely to the city of Rome, the Vatican palace and famed historical Tiber.
You see, we have all been reading the news. We are in this floating ether of thoughts, no matter what little wishes we have of our own. Our untutored minds cannot yet apply some of these lessons. Everything is in form atmospheric, to be photographed for tangibleness to our crude senses. How then can we be held in blame for the committal of even some desperate acts? Are we not at the perpetual mercy of evil men and powers, which blind fair reason?
Listen, friends, are there not better objects everywhere? Yet modest things are apt to be overlooked. Are we not dazzled by pomp and show? Did we not all cry out, "Oh, what a wonderful cup--a king, a king with a crown?" We must not allow our morals to thus easily hang like conventional cowards. This cup of the king's is full of strife. Numerous virtues are not observed.
See the little tables and the tender vines so choked by grasses, even modest flowers by the fallen walls! Let us note these, yet glory and pomp are man's highest aim in life. I say we should all become a freer people, but we are flattered by show and even despotism. I behold wonderful promises.
This strong trail is for a long time. See the cutting instruments again. The rasp and the little scissors shadowed beneath the larger symbols. Behold the bed-rock, with crevices to catch the feet, and here, a small road comes near a tunnel, looking ambitiously towards the large avenue where splendor, prestige and power are seen. See modern fashion so careless of the rights of others--these poor little people. Yes, I will describe some of these figures, to teach, if so we may, a bit of entertaining, benevolent sense.
Again, look at this upper row of soldiers, machine-made men. See the trumpets, I can almost hear their blast, and see the dust and life-blood of degrading, cruel wars, which impoverish and grind into filth the entire afflicted human race, though there are very excellent people of wealth, were there to wisely co-operate. There is some promise in this reading. If rich men could become active benefactors--see the little banners--wars would at once end, and the Christ would live with mankind.
MINISTER'S SPEECH.
I cannot believe that a loving, merciful God bids man to further wars, strife and blood-shed for mere aggrandizement. It is really a libel on all progress, grace and moral justice. The God and dear Saviors whom I love and honor are not monsters of cruel vengeance. There exist so many excellent signs of the good time to dawn on the human race, when the tidal wave once really sets into combined, perpetual motion. Let us all desire to thus aid the race along these lines, or in whatsoever ways we can.
I am forever indebted to a dear, high-souled lady, who loved young folks, for my first deep moral thought-lessons in cupology, and in character readings. Life-long impressions and aids have these brought to many others, in this high-art sensing of human needs, therefore let us supply an atmosphere in which good thoughts can germinate, believing that nature has a bank which is a sure one that can never break. A bank of full justice; life's worthy inheritance; your acts.