Days and nights of closest consideration, of closest calculation as to adaptation of means to ends followed. So absorbed were we with the tremendous problem which so suddenly had presented itself that we scarcely ate or slept. At length greatly wearied I one day threw myself on my couch and slumbered. Again the scene of my dream was before me, but some years seemed to have elapsed since first I had gazed upon it. How my vision was very far reaching, and I beheld fruitful lands richly clothed with verdure. Cities, towns and villages adorned the landscape. Want and discontent had disappeared, and prosperity like a gracious ruler smiled upon the people. From overhead the fleecy clouds dropped into the chalices of myriad, many-hued blooms, their sparkling treasures. Among the spreading tree branches sweet throated birds sang their love notes. Everywhere the shining waters gave drink to the thirsty lands, and everywhere all things seemed to be breathing praise and thankfulness to Andûmana̤, their creator.
After awaking, my dream remained a vivid, pleasant memory, but fearing that my husband might think me grown fanciful, I shrank from speaking of it; but as our thoughts and experiences ever were mutually shared, I at length made my dream known to him. As before, he considered it a message given not only for our guidance, but also for our encouragement. "Ah, heart of my heart," he said, "your dreams may yet become realities;" and my thoughts grew full of hope and eager anticipation of some great good which might come to the suffering people. Very soon afterwards, my husband proposed that we should go to the capitol to lay before the supreme ruler, Tyvon Oiranza̤, our plans whereby we hoped to at least reclaim a portion of our unfruitful lands, and thus rescue the people from their pitiable condition. But I entreated that I might remain at home with our children, and he went alone. With the result of his interview with Tyvon Oiranza̤, you already are acquainted.
Before the conclusion of our mortal existence the vast enterprise had progressed far beyond our original plans and most sanguine hopes, and my dear husband and I passed to our spirit world, fully assured that, even as the arms of the loving mother encircle her child, so in coming time would the beneficent system encircle Ento's entire central regions.
Ere meeting you, Gentola̤, I with my sons surveyed the length and breadth of the system, and my gratification that the great work goes forward toward completion is beyond expression. My joy too, that the time approaches nearly when Ento's sorrowful peoples shall rejoice in the knowledge that life is continuous, is boundless. To you who are devoting toward its accomplishment your time and very life force will come your reward. That I may not by one hour retard the glorious mission I shall for the present leave you, but not for long; for I shall, from time to time, give myself the pleasure of meeting you and these friends, and also of witnessing the progress of the children of Ento out of darkness into the light of spiritual knowledge.
De L'Ester, I owe you more than thanks for your patient attempt to translate into Gentola̤'s language my poorly expressed words, which have at least made us better acquainted with each other. With loving thoughts for all, I regretfully hid you Info oovistû (adieu).
De L'Ester—We now will proceed to the Galarēsa̤. Ah, seated under yonder vineclad arbor are two of our student friends, Prince Dano and the Quend youth, Favēon. They very earnestly are discussing some topic which may interest us. We will draw nearer.
Dano—Favēon, you are quite mistaken in your conclusions. Only yesterday I had a demonstration of this not at all understood law. After classes I as usual retired to my apartment where I amused myself by sketching whatever for the moment caught my imagination. Now it was a fragment of a half-remembered scene, anon it was a dream face or some grotesque fancy, and thus in an idle fashion I whiled away the moments. Presently, in some unremembered manner and through what means I know not, I seemed to drift into an unknown country where, through some unrecognized agency, I moved from one locality to another beholding unfamiliar scenes, while beings of surpassing beauty greeted me exchanging with me such kindly courtesies as one stranger offers to another. Amazed, I asked myself can it be that the gods have transported me to Astranola̤ that I may behold the glories of their blest abode? Although I felt exceedingly curious as to how I had arrived in this strange country, it did not occur to me to question any one; but as I stood musing over my perplexing position I was amazed to see approaching me one whom in my childhood I had known well, and whose surprise appeared to equal my own, as with extended hand he hastened toward me, exclaiming: "Dano, Dano, son of my dearest friend, Basto Andûlēsa̤, I give you a loving welcome to our world of living ones, our world so beautiful, so glorious." For the moment I seemed too shocked, too overwhelmed to reply, then collecting my senses, I evasively answered: "My father often recalls the memory of Iklos Mûyta̤, and mourns that no more shall he behold your beloved form or feel the warm clasp of your ever generous hands." Then I cried: "Has not death claimed you? Do you indeed live here in Astranola̤? I remember the lamentations of your family and friends over your dead body and urned ashes, and I doubt the seeming evidence of my confused senses. Tell me truly, do I behold Iklos Mûyta̤? Do I hear the well-remembered voice of my father's honored, well beloved friend? Surely, surely, I dream or my mind wanders, and I grow afraid, I grow afraid," I tremblingly cried.
Taking my hands in his own he gently, soothingly said: "Dano, Dano, dear youth, be not alarmed, calm your agitation, and listen to what I shall say. As all of Ento's children have been taught, so was I taught that only for Andûmana̤ and his messengers was immortality possible. That when breath, the life of the body ceased, endless silence was the fate of all. Ah me, I yet remember the bitter, hopeless anguish that filled my mind, my heart, my days, when death came and I was bereft of my dear ones. I only recall such sorrowful memories that you may be reminded that the belief that death ends all of existence still holds in bondage the heavy hearted children of Ento; and that you may be assured that this dread belief is untrue let your visions wander over the marvellously beautiful scenes of this world, which far exceed aught that you may behold on Ento, and over these multitudes of happy men, women and children who once lived, loved and labored and then passed into this world of living ones, and who, with myself are taught that through earnest striving to fulfill the law of love we all shall attain to other realms far exceeding this in the glory of their inexpressible beauty, and a happiness so exalted that I can neither comprehend or realize it."
He further said that when death has stilled the activities of the body the living principle, the real self, invisible to limited physical vision continues a conscious, individualized existence in realms suited to the requirements of the changed condition of the self. "This, dear Dano," he said, "is not Astranola̤, the fabled abode of fabulous gods; it is but one of the realms surrounding Ento, as its petals surround the heart of the rodel."
With profound attention I listened to this strange speech which so moved me that I cried: "Oh, Iklos Mûyta̤, tell me, I implore you, will my dear ones, will I, continue to exist after passing into the silence?" Releasing my hands, he, with a dignity, a majesty and a tenderness of manner inexpressible, said: "There is but One Infinite, Eternal, Intelligent Life Principle, and all things are partakers of it and cannot cease to exist. Your body and the bodies of all creatures must return to the elements from whence they originated; but the self, the indestructible principle, will continue to exist in the world of the immortals, and to the children of Ento this glorious truth shortly will be revealed. Throughout our realms of the living ones there is one thought, one resolve, one expectation, that but little longer shall darkness and despair, like evil birds, brood over your lives, turning your smiles into weeping, your joys into hopeless sorrow. In this grand work I, alas, have no part. Not yet have I grown strong enough to enter the repellent atmosphere surrounding Ento's peoples; but in higher realms there are those who are as gods, and they long have been striving, through such means as they command, to penetrate this atmosphere; and to all who dwell in highest or lowest realms the glad tidings have been heralded that soon the children of Ento will emerge from the shadows of their cheerless beliefs into the light of a joyous truth. I am not fully informed as to how this glorious event is to be brought about. I only know that the means will be equal to the desired end and I and all await with eager anticipation the consummation of our dearest wishes. Dano, you now will return to Ento, but remember that surely you will again come to this realm of living ones, and I, Iklos Mûyta̤ will be but one of many friends and loving ones who will give you greeting."