De L'Ester—Very, and we now promise you that some day we will show you a greater and far more beautiful White City, than that ephemeral one on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Gentola—I shall try to remember your promise. May I ask where are Inidora̤ and Genessano?
De L'Ester—Since your last visit to Ento a dread catastrophe has occurred, and they and other Ento spirits have been, and yet are engaged in aiding sufferers, both in and out of the physical body. They were to meet us here, and we expect them at any moment.
To-day is the 29th of October, 1893. When will it suit your convenience to accompany us to Ento? We hope that you may name an early day.
Gentola—You cannot be more anxious than am I to resume our journeys. On November 1st I shall be ready. Ah, here are Inidora̤ and Genessano. You are most welcome. I have been inquiring about you, and with regret have learned that some calamity has befallen Ento.
Inidora—I can say for my brother and myself that we are delighted to again meet you, and doubly glad that soon you with our Band will resume the duties of our mission to our sorrowful people. Yes, truly, a dread calamity has befallen the inhabitants of a densely populated region in a locality, corresponding, De L'Ester says, to about the latitude and longitude of Berlin, in Germany. It is regrettable that fear of ridicule, in case of mistakes, renders you too positive to be able to record some scientific matters. Believe that I do not mean to chide you. You do your best, and we are satisfied with your efforts.
Nearly two centuries of your time have elapsed since Ento has been subjected to a destructive earthquake. Occasionally, in various localities, slight seismic disturbances have occurred, but not since the destruction of Petucy has there been a serious convulsion. Corresponding with your morning of the 26th of September, peculiar and alarming rumblings and tremors of the underground attracted the attention of the people on the southern confines of the Province of Dyrin. At intervals during two days and a night these disturbances occurred, and in affright many of the more timorous or prudent fled to other parts for safety; but thousands remained, praying to Andûmana̤ and the Deific ones for protection. Their priests offered the propitiatory animal sacrifices and the temple altars were laden with offerings of the most precious things; but alas, Andûmana̤ and the dwellers in Astranola̤ were deaf to all entreaty. On the evening of the second day Diafon ēvoiha̤ (the Sun), enshrouded in a mantle of lurid clouds, from which angry gleams emanated, sank from view below the faintly outlined horizon, and for a space deathlike stillness reigned, and in mute terror the people waited. But not for long, for suddenly tremors, faint at first, but quickly increasing in violence seemed to shake the very foundations of Ento. Temples and other great structures tottered, then fell in shapeless ruins, and smaller edifices and private residences were utterly demolished. So appalling were the convulsions that the affrighted, frenzied people ran hither and thither, seeking to save their own and the lives of their dear ones; but many were crushed under falling buildings, and thus passed from death to unlooked-for life in our spirit realms. In one locality, suddenly a great fissure opened, and as suddenly closed, engulfing almost an entire village. Then the disturbance subsided, and on the following morning the rising glory of Diafon ēvoiha̤ gleamed athwart a pitiable spectacle. Homes destroyed. Great public structures fallen. The living seeking the dead, and rescuing the injured, and to our spirit vision spirits releasing themselves from their crushed physical bodies were some of the features of the deplorable event.
Of course, our duty, as well as our sympathy, has impelled us to assist them, and we have been engaged in the work of restoring to full consciousness the many bewildered ones, who scarcely can be made to realize the marvel, the joy of continued existence. So touching has the experience been that many times my eyes have filled with tears. Other Ento spirits are engaged in the incomplete work, for as you are aware, some newly freed spirits, especially those who suddenly pass to the spirit side, remain unconscious, not only for days, but for prolonged periods. No, the spirit spheres of different planets are not alike, for all correspond with the conditions of such planets as they surround. Yet in a sense the conditions of all spirit spheres are so in harmony with each other that spirits sufficiently progressed, and who have learned the laws involved in these conditions, can visit any Spirit Sphere of any planet. Yes, I recall that once during my childhood a considerable seismic disturbance occurred under, and adjacent to the plateau on which was our home, and that the alarmed people hastened to offer sacrifices, and Andûmana̤ spared his offending children. The Band approving, you may be shown the scene of the late catastrophe. At present the conditions are so harrowing that it would not be wise to subject you to them. The local and neighboring crematories, not being equal to the incineration of the dead, many of the mutilated bodies have been taken elsewhere. The cries and lamentations of the living that no more shall they behold the forms of their dear ones is pitiable in the extreme. Oh, that the time may quickly arrive when Ento's despairing people may learn that their sorrowful belief in utter annihilation is false. That continuity of existence is a glorious reality.
Gentola—With all my heart I pray that it may be so, and if I, in the slightest degree, may be made to further the fulfillment of your desire, I shall rejoice that I have not lived in vain.
Genessano—Emana̤ (friend), no one lives in vain. From the least developed to the highest evolvement of the human of any planet, all are fulfilling the Infinite, Intelligent, Divine Will. All are portions of the waves of human progress, and no one can go forward without directly or indirectly aiding his weaker, consequently less highly evolved brother. In the spirit worlds, so well understood is this law that sooner or later all spirits desire re-embodiment, that thus they may not only aid mortals less evolved than themselves, but that in so doing they also may advance their own spiritual evolvement. Yes, it would appear that in this desire there is an element of selfishness. Not so. It simply is the fulfilling of a law of the All Wise, Infinite One, whom you name God.