Yes, ancient Ento spirits have informed us that long antecedent to the establishment of their religious system Ento's various races held various religious beliefs and violent religious differences were of common occurrence. Like the peoples of our own and other planets they created Gods on a level with their evolvement, and loyally fought for their supremacy, but at the time of the establishment of the national religion this chaotic condition was regulated. The creeds of the various sects with their attendant legends, as far as practicable were harmonized and formulated, and thus the Sacred Writings, the Ento Confession of Faith, became the Sacred Law from which there was no appeal. These Sacred Writings contain many admirable lessons, but so inwrought with cruel Commandments, puerile conceptions and chimerical legends, that during later centuries the evolved intelligence of priests and peoples gradually has brought about a tacit disuse of rites and ceremonials once strictly observed. The worst feature of these Sacred Writings is the doctrine of utter annihilation of the Life Principle, inducing in the minds of the people the hopeless attitude of one ever walking in the shadows of death and despair, but having outgrown some of the worst features of their religion the Entoans now are prepared for still larger liberty of thought, and soon they will be released from the bondage of ecclesiastical tyranny. Of course, there are priestly zealots, who as far as they may dare, will oppose the introduction of a new religion, but so overwhelming and universal is the desire for relief from their ever present despair that as thirsty travellers in a barren land eagerly the people will drink of the life giving waters of hope and joy held to their lips by hands of their dear ones whom they had consigned to the Silence. Gentola̤, you little realize the joy that will fill your Soul when you shall behold the smileless faces of the gentle Entoans irradiated through the consciousness that like a worn garment the dread past has fallen away from them, and that from glorious Spirit Realms radiant Angels have proclaimed for them life, life, life forevermore, is the heritage of all of Andûmana̤'s children of Ento, and of countless worlds in space.
Nay, Gentola̤, not another question, for inevitably soon we will be called to Da̤o, so we must improve the hours remaining to us. There are features of this city that would interest you and Bernard but we must defer the pleasure to a more opportune time. I now may say to you that the approaching climax of our Mission will not at all end it, and although it will not be necessary that you shall continuously accompany us, emergencies are likely to arise in which your services will be of vital importance. At such times we may take advantage of your presence on the Planet to observe much that now we cannot even glance at. In pursuance of our plans we will survey other irrigated regions and adjacent waste lands, thus you and Bernard will acquire a general knowledge of a large portion of Ento.
Gentola—Do not make too much of my now seeing this or that. I am not over curious and can wait for times that may be more propitious for observing whatever may be instructive or interesting.
De L'Ester—It is my opinion that curiosity is not strictly a feminine trait. As for you, you are incurious to a fault. You would have been an admirable Eve.
Gentola—I am not so sure of that, but certainly I never would have looked at, much less have listened to such a monstrosity as a talking serpent.
George—Gentola̤, Bernard is resolved to share with me the pleasure of assisting you. Dear boy, you grow so strong that I suspect you soon will oust me altogether.
Bernard—I wish I were strong enough to assist you unaided, and, mother, dear, soon I shall be.
De L'Ester—If you two boys have arrived at a decision as to who shall assist our traveller, we will rise a little higher so as to gain a more comprehensive view of this large and very beautiful city, which is one of the greatest manufacturing centres of Ento. Below us now is an extensive shipyard where are built and launched into that extensive Basin many of Ento's largest vessels; thence they find their ways through nearly all the navigable waters of the planet. Toward the southeast you may observe a series of large buildings. In them are constructed Air Transports and various motor vehicles.
As you have seen many rich silken stuffs it may interest you to learn that this city is the principal centre of Ento's silk industry. Those wide spreading groves, to which at times we have called your attention, afford sustenance for the myriads of cocoon producing worms, which, structurally, are exactly like the silkworm of our Planet. Zenesta̤ informs us that since very ancient times the silk industry has for the most part been in the hands of certain peoples, and as an inheritance is transmitted from generation to generation of the same families who have become experts in all pertaining to it. Dyeing processes are similar to some in use on Earth, though Ento chemists also produce exquisite dyes from atmospheric substances as yet unknown to chemists of our Planet, but during the coming century in this direction they will make surprising discoveries.