Spirit force is the one and only force, and the spiritualized force of humanity is cumulative, hence each succeeding generation becomes heir to the accumulated energies of their predecessors. I am aware that the records of extinct races and nations may appear to contradict this statement, nevertheless it is correct. Thus it occurs that Ento's peoples inherit a tremendous spiritual force, and the bonds of ecclesiasticism once severed, eagerly they will turn from the old to accept the new faith, and the very heavens will resound with their pæans of joy and praise to the Supreme One, who, in answer to their ceaseless prayers, has at last vouchsafed them the priceless boon of an assurance of a continuity of life. Ah, professors and students are reassembling, and for the present your questionings and our replies must cease. The very distinguished looking person robed in white and maroon is about to address the young people. Be attentive, Gentola̤, for I shall attempt to translate into your language what he may say.
Professor—Dear youths and maidens, in further commemoration of the virtues and deeds of the illustrious dead, to whom we, and all Entoans, owe so great a debt of reverential love, we have decided that on this occasion it will not be amiss to deviate from our usual order of exercises. Thus, in addressing you, I shall venture to touch upon subjects hitherto considered too abstruse for immature minds. In these enlightened days it is thought that the education of the young should be of a more comprehensive nature; that, although a positive knowledge of facts is an imperative requirement, it is well that youthful minds shall also consider speculative theories, so that they may readily judge between truth and untruth. Until recently it has been thought not only unwise but irreverent to discuss the many theories, doctrines and unscrupulous declarations of illy regulated persons, who, through all times, have sought to mislead the people through calling in question the authenticity of statements of the Sacred Writings. But of late a growing belief of observant, thoughtful minds is that that which is true is indestructible, and that the intelligence of the people is quickened through comparing the spurious with the genuine. Believing that these propositions are irrefutable I have carefully prepared a paper which I anticipate will both interest and instruct you. At least it will inform you of some of the strange and erroneous, though possibly sincere, ideas which, from time to time, have occupied the attention, not only of the ignorant and credulous, but also the attention of some miscalled scientists.
To you all it is well known that Genessano Allis Immo and his family ever were faithful observers of the teachings and rites of our Holy Religion. Also you are aware that when the body of the Lady Camarissa̤ was incinerated it was made known to the people that no ashes remained, and that when the body of her adored husband was consumed the same strange mystery occurred. By many it was and is believed that because of the sublime purity and nobility of their stainless lives they were, by the Deific Ones, borne to Astranola̤. But it is not for us to attempt to learn the secrets of the gods, to whom our reverent thoughts are ever due.
De L'Ester—Gentola̤, stand near the youth in purple. He is Prince Dano, and presently you will speak to him.
Professor—You will now honor me with your attention while I shall read the result of some recent researches into records written in a language of ancient times. It is related by Tsohûta that during the ofen ryzo entevah (seventh century) succeeding the establishment of our holy religion, Zēnano Yoda̤s, a very learned man, but of a perverse nature, who feared neither Andûmana̤ or the vengeance of the gods, sought to gain a knowledge of forbidden things. Through the aid of some strange device he professed that he had learned the mystery of the realms of Astranola̤, which he blasphemously averred had no existence, and that neither did Andûmana̤ dwell in Diafon ēvoiha̤ (the Sun), but was an ever active, all pervading, intelligent, unknowable personality or principle. That there were neither gods nor goddesses. He also dared to declare, and what was, if possible, more sacrilegious, that Andûmana̤ had not created Ento, which was in a sense self-created. With utmost seriousness he declared that in man was an essence which was his life, and that at death of the body this essence, which was intelligent, took form and somewhere continued to exist. That these essences, not the gods, peopled space, and that, under certain conditions, he had even seen these essences in form, had conversed with them, had been touched by them, and, most incredible of all, he claimed to have recognized in certain forms, friends and loved ones who had gone into the silence. Of course these assertions were the ravings of one of lost mind or the hallucination of one who irreverently sought to gain knowledge of things known only to the Deific Ones. We who continually mourn for our loved ones who have gone into the silence, whither, reluctantly, our footsteps also tend, can well understand that Zēnano Yoda̤ may have been bereft of his dearest ones and in his despair became so disturbed in mind as to really have thought the vagaries of a diseased imagination were realities. It is well known that similar cases have been and are treated in our retreats for mental illness. Certainly no man mentally whole would have dared to be so impious as was he, and only one of unbalanced senses could have imagined a thing so strangely preposterous as that the life essence continued to exist after the form which had contained it had been wholly consumed and whose ashes——
De L'Ester—Now, Gentola̤, speak to Prince Dano.
Gentola—Emano, Ento noan ista̤ parû tenû. Efon analos esto para̤ com bano Earth. Andûmana̤ esti com banû ēlos tissima̤.
De L'Ester—Springing to his feet in great excitement, he cries aloud: "Zēnano Yodas, esta̤ pûrva̤. Zēnano Yodas, esto pûrva̤. Emanos, Emanos, Efon vala̤ genista̤ tima. Ah, camano ûfan tsi non ista̤ valo? Camano ûfan tsi non ista̤ valo?"
De L'Ester—Touch him on his face and hands. That will do. Trembling and amazed, swooning almost, he staggers and falls into the arms of his alarmed friends. The startled professors endeavor to quiet the excited students who are crowding about them, eagerly questioning them as to the cause of Prince Dano's strange seizure. All heard him cry out: "Zēnano Yodas spoke truly, Zēnano Yodas spoke truly. Friends, friends, I see a form. Ah, cannot you see it? Cannot you also see it?" Professors and students alike are greatly disturbed. Really, I am sorry for the professor, whose paper is thought to have had an effect quite contrary to his anticipations. His mind is so full of misgivings as to the propriety of having called attention to such an unusual subject that he declines, though urgently pressed, to further pursue it. What a commotion. Dano quietly, but strenuously, asserts that he did see a form, the form of a strange appearing woman who was clothed in shining garments. He also declares that she touched him on his face and hands and that she said, "Friend, Ento is not my home. I come from another world called Earth. Truly, Andûmana̤ is everywhere." He expresses the hope and earnest desire that he may again see the Earth woman, and he shall not be disappointed. Zēnano Yodas at least has one convert to his belief. As yet we only can convey the consciousness of these sensitives' detached sentences, but soon they will grow accustomed to the new and strange experience, and will learn to remain passive, hence receptive.