Gentola—Sir, you owe me no apology for your relation of that which has more than interested me. Through death I, too, have lost many dear ones, and only that I know that we shall meet again, I should be in as deep despair as were you, as are the peoples of Ento. Your sad recital has added to my desire to lend my poor aid toward bringing to your peoples the priceless knowledge of continuous existence. May I ask how long you have been in your spirit world?
Zenesta Hao—According to your computation of time, I passed from Ento's physical realm nearly eighty years ago. Yes, since then, but not very recently, I have visited Ento, but only when duty has impelled me to do so. You may know that on entering the atmosphere, or aura surrounding the scenes of their mortal existence, Spirits experience mortal sensations, and unless duty requires, or attractions are exceedingly powerful, spirits progressed beyond the first, or physical sphere, do not care to undergo the discomfort of return.
Somewhat to my regret it has not fallen within my sphere of duties to be engaged in the work of this mission, but through my own desire and the solicitations of the members of this Band, for a time I shall be with you and them. Rather recently I have become acquainted with some of these friends, but my first meeting with De L'Ester and Giordano Bruno occurred soon after I entered our Spirit World, which, of course, was previous to your present re-embodiment, but not previous to your having been chosen as a possible Instrument for the furtherance of this mission. You may have been informed that this is but one of many missions, for many purposes, in many worlds; that this one may prove successful it is necessary to use as an intermediary one still connected with the physical body. Yes, through our own experiences and those of spirits of other Planetary Spirit Worlds, we have learned that generally sensitives can be approached directly, but on Ento conditions are so positive that although spirits can aid in developing in those who are highly sensitive such phases as are most prominent, they cannot become directly en rapport with them, so cannot control them. Oh no, this is but one of many attempts to reveal to the Entoans the truth of continuous existence, but never before have conditions been so favorable as they now are. The culmination of certain events, which must exert a tremendous influence in assuring the success of this Mission, draws very near, and countless hosts of Ento's, Earth's and of other Spirit Worlds, watch the movement with deepest interest and ardent longing for the dawning of a glorious day for a people who long have lived and died in a hopeless faith.
Gentola—While I am deeply interested in their spiritual condition, I should like to know more of the social condition of the Entoans.
Zenesta Hao—Within certain limits the government of Ento is absolute, and the Supreme Rulers never exercise a power exceeding these limits. Neither do they permit any infringement of the laws, which are simple, direct, forceful and just. In the Supreme Ruler is vested the privilege of appointing such Counsellors and other officials as may be necessary for the proper administration of laws enacted for the general welfare, and being the representative of such laws, it is his or her bounden duty to see to it that they shall be strictly observed. By the Entoans it is considered no more a duty than a privilege to be of one mind in their obedience to both civil and religious enactments.
Nominally, ever since the establishment of the national religion, the Supreme Rulers have been its chief representatives, but through the following centuries, gradually, an ever arrogant Priesthood assumed claims to certain prerogatives, which grew into such oppressive abuses that eventually the people, unable to longer endure, rebelled, and the priesthood were obliged to abolish the horrible rite of human sacrifice. Yes, this occurred during a rather recent century. Since then the Entoans have grown, or rather they have outgrown the rigidity of old beliefs, still they have but one religion. If at times certain restless minds have dared to question the statements of the Sacred Writings, or impiously have indulged in new and vain theories they have been silenced. Ever Ento's Supreme Rulers have set an example of entire obedience to the Priestly interpretation of the Sacred Writings, and as they have believed so have the people believed. Should Omanos Fûnha̤, Ento's present chief representative, arrive at a belief in a continuity of existence, generally, the Priesthood will oppose such a radical innovation, but with the tide in the minds and hearts of the people setting in that direction, they will be obliged to yield, indeed many of them will gladly yield, for Priests, like other people, love and sorrow.
Gentola—But how will so great a change of religious belief be received by the less enlightened peoples? May it not occasion strife, or even war?
Zenesta Hao—Oh, no. That is not possible. Ento's peoples are too highly evolved to indulge in violent recrimination, which inevitably must result in harm to all concerned. War is purely barbaric, and on Ento there are no really barbaric peoples. There are those who are somewhat primitive in their ideas and modes of living, but they are far too civilized to think of murdering their neighbors. Largely, such peoples are engaged in agricultural pursuits, and not being constantly in touch with the finest expressions of civilization, they, to a degree, lack its nicest distinctions of speech, manner, dress and so on, but innately they are just, truthful, generous and humane peoples, possessing the essential principles of true civilization.
Oh, yes, the Entoans are very human, and at times differences of opinion relating to commercial, social, scientific or other matters arise, but Governors and Advisory Councils of the various Provinces, being arbitrators of provincial affairs, such trifling difficulties are readily adjusted. It is an Ento axiom that "he who injures or condemns his neighbor injures and condemns himself." So universally is this axiom accepted that seldom is it disregarded.