Previous to the building of the Temple, and for centuries afterward, the Entoans scarcely realized the increasing aridity of the soil of the equatorial countries. Thus while they gloried in and bore to the altars of their great and beautiful Temple their most valued possessions, the already greatly lowered mountains were growing less majestic, elevations imperceptibly were becoming levelled, valleys were being filled to the level of the plains, and flowing streams were being lost or diverted from their courses. The changes of centuries are as the long, long thoughts of the Infinite Mind. They go forward, perhaps almost imperceptibly, but they go forward.
Thus in time the region about Tena̤va̤h grew infertile, and gradually the population drew away to more favorable lands. The multitudes who, during many centuries, had journeyed to the Temple to worship and to offer sacrifices, gradually ceased their attendance. The altar fires which, during centuries, had glowed incessantly, burned fitfully, then died away and the Temple fell into disuse, then into decay, its treasures serving for the enrichment of other shrines. With disuse of the Temple, Tena̤va̤h became entirely deserted, and for centuries past its ruins have found sepulture beneath the shifting sands, which, ere long, through the influence of the beneficent system, will yield up many buried pages of its history.
Now I will reply to your question. These statues are regarded with such reverential awe that ever the Priesthood have protested against their removal elsewhere, and the Government sees to it that at stated times competent persons are dispatched to this lonely spot to clear away drifting sands and to keep them and the altars in perfect repair.
From Entoans who recently have come into our Spirit Realms, we learn that when the system shall have reached this locality, on this spot the Government will erect another Temple. Is it too much to hope for, too much to expect, that it will be dedicated to the One Whose chiefest attribute is love?
De L'Ester—We will hope that it may be so. This we know, that no more on these altars will the crime of human sacrifice be perpetrated. These survivals of a tragic past do well to observe perpetual silence, for if they might even whisper the story of the atrocities committed in their names, the more enlightened, gentler Entoans of to-day would shrink from it in horror.
Now we must be up and away. Gentola̤, of all the scenes you have observed, none, I think, have appeared so utterly lonely, so pathetically forsaken as this verdureless plain and those sombre, gigantic statues standing like silent sentinels over the buried city and temple.
We now will follow northward the western shore of Yoitan-dylû, and shortly we will arrive at some irrigated lands and an inconsiderable and rather modern city named Crysta̤ Fûyon, the name of its founder, and it is the capital city of this province, A-Shinoh. Yes, those green, luxuriant growths are in strong contrast to the adjoining desert lands. No, they are not irrigated by the water of Yoitan-dylû. You forget that it is a salt sea. To procure water for irrigation and for the service of the city, Crysta̤ Fûyon instituted a system of artesian wells, which was not difficult of accomplishment, as at no great depth, even under desert lands, there is an abundance of water.
George, for a few moments we will pause here. Yes, it is an attractive scene. In the near distance is Yoitan-dylû, on whose foam capped waves vessels of various kinds are tossing on their ways, and on its hither shore is white Crysta̤ Fûyon, with its beautiful snowy temple and many fine structures. On its landward side the city and its pretty suburban homes are surrounded by the luxuriant greenery of grains, grasses, fruit-bearing and other trees, and a wealth of blooming shrubs, vines and plants. Certainly Crysta̤ Fûyon, the founder of the city and of the Irrigating System which has reclaimed many miles of arid lands, deserves high praise for his efforts. Oh, yes, for over half an Ento century he has been on the spirit side, yet his interest in the city and its fortunes is unabated. Ah, Sylvian and Inidora̤ are coming to meet us.
Inidora—Lohaû, lohaû, ēmanos.
De L'Ester—Hail, and a loving welcome for you, dear friends.