Of the host of Spirit men and women thronging this apartment, the entire residence and the aura inclosed space about it, what can I, what shall I say? To my unfolded vision the walls oppose no barrier, and with inexpressible awe and wonder I gaze upon these luminous ones, whose faces and forms possess a beauty and majesty indescribable. I can think of no other word than Godlike that will convey my idea of their appearance, but I—but language fails me—I—can say—no—more.
De L'Ester—Before narrating what occurred after Gentola̤ ceased speaking I will say that the Organization controlling this Mission consists of seven Bands of advanced Spirits of various Planetary Spirit Spheres, and that our Mission is not an isolated one. On all Planets inhabited by Spiritualized humans, Spirit Missions for the accomplishment of various purposes, constantly are being carried forward. On Earth, at this time, more than one Mission is in progress. Some will elevate humanity; others, under control of Spirits not of bad intentions, but of a low plane of evolvement, hence ignorant as to results, will debase and retard progress. I make mention of this matter so that if perchance some may read this story of our Mission they will understand that it is but one of many.
Having become submerged to a degree that rendered her incapable of further speech, and the moment of Valloa̤'s departure being close at hand, it became imperative that our Instrument should be illumined to her highest capacity, so that she might deliver our message to Omanos Fûnha̤, to Dano, to the Most High Priest, and to others surrounding the passing girl.
At the moment of midday Gentola̤ was made to call softly but distinctly, "Dano! Dano!" All heard the voice, and a look of startled inquiry was on each face. Raising his head for a moment Dano intently listened, then breathlessly he questioned, "Who calls me? Who calls me?" But for a little there was no reply, and only the faint, fitful breathing of the dying girl broke the profound stillness. Then the seven Bands of Spirits formed in Circles, and their combined forces were brought to hear upon Omanos Fûnha̤, Dano, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, and upon Valloa̤, whose vital energy for the moment was augmented. Instantaneously Dano's Spirit Senses were so quickened that he perceived not only Gentola̤, but in a less perfect manner our entire Band, upon whom he gazed curiously, evidently doubting our reality. His interest being centered in Gentola̤, quickly he turned toward her, his face irradiated with surprise and joy. Inclining his head near Valloa̤'s in low, trembling tones he exclaimed, "She has come, as she promised; she has come, Valloa̤. Valloa̤, my dearest one, see you not a strange Being by the side of your father?" The yet conscious girl smiled and murmured, "Yes—yes." Looking about him the greatly disturbed Omanos Fûnha̤ exclaimed, "I see no one, I see no one. Oh, my children, our mutual sorrow confuses our senses, and we imagine unrealities. Dano, Dano, I pray you compose yourself lest we disquiet our dearest one." As Omanos Fûnha̤ uttered these words an expression of intense surprise and bewilderment stole over his face, and over the face of Ozynas Dûlsa̤, for at that moment their Spirit Senses were so unfolded that in awed and terrified silence they saw and heard.
Then, at my dictation, in a voice low but audible to all, Gentola̤ delivered our message. "Dano, Dano," she said, "as I promised so have I in your hour of deepest sorrow come to you. You perceive that Valloa̤, the Real Spiritual Valloa̤, is well nigh freed from the frail, beautiful form you all love so well. In a few moments she will be released; then her golden haired mother and her Aunt Sylvian, whom you also perceive hovering above the couch, will bear your love to her home in the glorious Spirit World, where you and all her dear ones ere long will rejoin her. In this hour of your greatest sorrow I bear you a Message that henceforth will fill your life and the lives of Ento's children with immeasurable peace and joy. Omanos Fûnha̤, and you, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, Priest of a hopeless religion, listen that you, too, may receive knowledge of the grandest Truth that can be revealed to man. Through purity of life, and a noble ambition to serve rather than to rule, and recently through keenest anguish of soul, you, Omanos Fûnha̤, have so unfolded your Spiritual Self that you are prepared to accept this Truth, and you, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, through lofty aspiration and exceptional ability to perceive that which hitherto you have not understood, will proclaim the Revelation that the physical body is but the casket in which the priceless jewel, the Immortal Self, which is the deathless expression of the Infinite Spirit whom you name Andûmana̤, is enshrined. Hitherto, because of the positiveness and materialism of your religious beliefs, so dense has been the aural atmosphere about you, that light from Ento's and other Spirit Worlds has not penetrated your Spiritual consciousness. During past centuries the Immortals of many Spirit Worlds have striven to communicate with the children of Ento, that thus they might bring hope to despairing ones who have lived, loved and sorrowed, even as you who love this, your dearest one, now sorrow. Striving, watching, waiting, loving, pitiful spirits, who once were mortals like yourselves, at last have found their opportunity and have hastened to bring light into darkness, joy for sorrow and hope for despair. They, with glad hearts, have come to proclaim to you that life and Spirit are one and indestructible. That, though unseen by mortal eyes, the animating Principle, the Real Self, is Immortal, and in Realms indescribable by human language, those who have passed from Ento and other Worlds, live, love and enjoy, or sorrow, in accordance with the purity or impurity of their mortal existence. They also have come to proclaim to you that there is but One God, Who is the Infinite Spirit, Who permeates all things. The Infinitely Intelligent Spirit, who knows all things. The Infinite Energy, who is the Source of all things. The Dual, Unseeable, Unknowable One, whose manifestations alone declare the Infinity of their origin. They have come to proclaim to you that Ento is but one of myriads of Worlds, comprising an illimitable Universe, whose every atom is vitalized and permeated by this Infinite Spirit, who no more lives in the shining Orb which sheds its radiant beams over the lands and seas of Ento and over other greater Worlds far away in space than in the petals of the rodel, or in the atoms floating in the atmosphere. When the great flaming Star you ignorantly have thought the abode of Andûmana̤, the Supreme One, has for a time disappeared from your view, and the darkness of night has fallen over this portion of your Ento World, reverently you have gazed toward the shining points in space, aye, so far away in space, that you can form no conception of the immensity of their distances from Ento, and you have believed them the Lamps of the Realm of Astranola̤. Learn, oh children of our common Father, Mother God, that they are Worlds, some of them of such vast proportions that, compared with them, Ento and the Earth World, where I dwell, are dwarfed into insignificance. Some of these worlds are peopled by very advanced and exalted humans, others by mortals in various stages of evolvement, and all are the children of the Infinite One. I cannot now speak more fully of these matters, but, concerning them, later on you shall receive further instruction.
"Dano, dear youth, let the words of our Message sink deeply into your heart, for you are the chosen herald, who first shall proclaim the new Faith to the children of Ento. Be courageous, be faithful, and in accordance with the measure of your courage and your faithfulness shall be your consciousness that ever by your side will walk your spirit bride, your other Self, Valloa̤. Dano, Dano, are you strong enough, are you courageous enough to give to your sorrowful people the Message of the new faith?"
For a little Dano hesitated, and Valloa̤, over whose fair face the whiteness of death was stealing, reached toward him a tremulous hand and faintly murmured: "Dano—my beloved—you will—you—will—give—this truth—to—our—despairing—people, and—and—your Valloa̤ will—walk—with you—until—your glorious—work—shall—be—ended."
In her dimming, azure hued eyes was an expression of immeasurable entreaty, and, overwhelmed with emotion, gently, tenderly, Dano pressed her cold hand to his lips, and in low, fervent tones said: "I believe in One Supreme Being, who is beyond my finite comprehension. I believe that beyond this sorrowful life there is another state of existence, where all will find their beloved dead, with whom they will live and love forever, and I promise you, oh, my dearest, that for as long as I may live in my mortal body, I will proclaim to our peoples the amazing, the glorious Truth that has been revealed to us. That it is a truth I well know, for even as I gaze upon your beloved mortal form, rising above your head I see your Real Self, radiant and lovely beyond all beauty of mortal woman. I see, too, your mother, your wondrously beautiful golden haired mother, and Sylvian, the lovely and gracious woman whom in my childhood I revered as I revered the Goddesses of Astranola̤. They support you in their arms, my dearest, and they are about to bear you away from my sight. Valloa̤—Valloa̤—oh, my beloved, open your beautiful eyes—oh, speak to one once more. Do you hear me, Valloa̤? Do you hear me? Answer me if but with a word, or a smile, so that I may know that you have heard my vow." As though in answer to his piteous appeal Valloa̤'s eyelids quivered and slowly her blue eyes unclosed and gazed into Dano's, and a faint smile played about her parted lips. Then, with a supreme effort, her gaze turned upon her father, who bent his head near her to catch her whispered words, the last he would hear from the mortal lips of his idolized child. "Father, father," she sighed, rather than said, "it is true—promise—me—your—child—to—give—this—truth—to our—people. Fath—er, prom—ise——" The blue eyes closed, a smile wreathed itself about the sweet mouth, and—all was still.
We, who have observed the release of many Spirits, seldom have witnessed a scene so pathetic, so profoundly touching. About the spacious chamber were grouped the Seven Spirit Circles, deeply sympathizing with the bereft ones, who for a time remained in voiceless apathy, their overwhelming grief finding no utterance in word or outcry. Cradled in the arms of her Spirit mother and of her Aunt Sylvian, the Spirit Valloa̤ laid like a smiling, sleeping infant. By the side of the couch knelt Dano, holding in his warm clasp the cold, lifeless hands of his love, and gazing upon her pallid face in speechless agony. Bending over him his mother by her silent sympathy sought to console him, her fast falling tears evincing the depth of her own sorrow. Still by the side of Omanos Fûnha̤ stood Gentola̤, and though intently listening to our Message, not once had he looked at her, but now impelled by our concentrated desire, slowly, timidly he turned his gaze upon her, and for the first time fully realized the presence of a spirit. She alone of the assembled spirits being perceptible to his but partially unfolded Clairvoyant and Clairaudient Senses, awe stricken and trembling he sank to his knees, and in broken accents questioned: "Who art thou? What art thou?" At my dictation she replied:
Gentola—By some spirit friends I have been named Gentola̤, and am not of your people, but am of a World afar in space, which by its peoples is known as Earth. In a manner which I now cannot explain I can leave my living physical body, and by some wise and strong Spirits who understand Spiritual Laws, I have been borne from Earth to your World, that through me they might reveal to you and to your people that the Spirit, the Real Self of humans survives death of the physical body. For the reason that I am less etherealized than wholly freed Spirits, you, Dano, and you, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, perceive me, and were your superior Senses more fully unfolded, you would behold Sēlona̤, the purple eyed, golden haired wife of your youth, and her sister, Sylvian, too, who will assist in bearing to her beautiful home in your Spirit World your angel daughter Valloa̤. Sēlona̤ and Sylvian implore you to remember Valloa̤'s last words, and if in your consciousness the new Faith may find a steadfast abiding place you will gladden the hearts of your beloved and loving ones by openly declaring it. Remember that though you are not conscious of their presence, often they are near you, reading your every thought, and that your joy is their joy, and that in their hearts your griefs find quick response. Ever your gentle, loving wife guards and guides you in your ways. Ever, as you walk to and fro, silently her foot-falls keep pace with yours, and when the hour of your release from your mortal body shall arrive she and Valloa̤ will be with you, and in a World whose skies are ever radiant with a light unknown to mortals, over whose brightest days shadows ever are falling, you will be reunited with those whom you have mourned as having gone into perpetual Silence. In this Spirit World the flowers are fadeless, the balmy air is vibrant with Divinest harmonies and joys such as mortals cannot conceive of await all whose exalted lives have prepared them for lofty states of Being. The Guiding Spirits who have brought me here say that ere long I shall come again to offer to you a fuller knowledge of the Truth we are striving to reveal to you, a Truth which shall dispel your fear of death, which is but a transition to a higher state of existence, and shall bring to you and to your people consolation and peace inexpressible.
De L'Ester—Ere Gentola̤ ceased speaking, through grief and amazement Omanos Fûnha̤ was so overwhelmed that had not Ozynas Dûlsa̤'s strong arms sustained him he would have fallen prone. Swaying like a drunken man, he extended his trembling hands toward Gentola̤, crying: "Thou sayest thou art from another World, a World afar in space. Thou sayest that my child Valloa̤ still lives, and that her mother and Sylvian are here to bear her away to a World invisible to me. Where is this invisible World of living ones, and do my dear ones indeed dwell there? And when the breath of my life shall cease shall I, too, surely continue to exist, and with them abide forever? And truly are there in space other Worlds, where men and women live, love and die as do we of Ento? The thought is too stupendous. I cannot realize it. Speak, I entreat you, ere my senses totter to their destruction."
Quickly our Forces combined to quiet his somewhat frenzied state, and again Gentola̤ was made to address him and those about him.
Gentola—I, who am but the Instrument for Spirits more exalted than myself, can only say that which they dictate to me. When daylight has merged into twilight, and twilight has deepened into darkness, myriads of shining points dot the vast expanse of the night sky, and you have been taught that these shining points are the Lamps illumining the abode of your Gods and Goddesses, whom you have regarded as the Messengers of Andûmana̤ the Supreme One. Among those shining points is one gleaming with a soft, silvery radiance, which your Priests have named Inglos ēvecto Fryda̤, which, I am told, would in my language mean Fryda̤'s lamp or light. Truly this silvery point is the Earth world where I dwell. Like all the Worlds in space it is spherical in form and nearly twice the size of Ento, which it closely resembles, and, like your world, its surface is composed of divisions of land and water, and its products of all kinds are very similar to those of Ento. Our learned ones believe that it is a younger World than this, as much of its land surface is quite rugged, and there are mountains so lofty that their peaks pierce the clouds. Its hills, too, are still elevated, and its valleys deeply depressed, whereas time has nearly levelled the surface of Ento, necessitating your vast System of Irrigation, which on the Earth World only in isolated instances is required. We consider your civilization more advanced than is ours, which indicates your greater maturity, and in the arts and most of the sciences your attainments equal or surpass those of our people, who generally aspire to acquire wisdom and a knowledge of all that may advance their best interests. Like the Entoans we have trials and sorrows for our loved ones also pass to the World of Spirits, and we miss their presence, as you will miss Valloa̤'s, but our knowledge of continuous existence enables us to endure what cannot be avoided, and we well know that when we too shall pass to our Spirit World we will find all our dear ones who have preceded us.
Among our learned ones are those who have constructed instruments very like those through which from the summits of your great Watch Towers you gaze across the surface of Ento. Through these Instruments, known as Telescopes, men and women versed in the science of astronomy are enabled to observe and study the Worlds in space just as the learned ones of Ento may do when an acceptance of the new Faith shall free them from their superstitious fears of the Gods and Goddesses who do not exist, the only God being the Supreme One, who is a God of Love, and not a vengeful destroyer of his children.
Like Ento, our Earth World also has divisions of day and night, which in their duration very nearly correspond with your own, and the Sun, the same glorious Orb that blesses Ento with light and heat, shines on our World as well. During a certain period of our year, which is a little more than half the length of yours, when darkness falls and the sky is unclouded, afar we behold a beautiful ruddy Star, known to us as the planet Mars, and of all the Worlds in space none so attracts our attention as this Star, which truly is this, your Ento World. Those who have brought me here desire me to say that certain instruction they now would gladly offer for your consideration must for the present be withheld, but that when a more propitious hour shall arrive, through me they will reveal to you much that will add to the happiness and well being of yourself and peoples.
To your question relating to the locality of the World of living ones I must reply briefly. About all Worlds sufficiently matured to afford sustenance and habitation for various life forms and for the children of the Incomprehensible, Infinite Intelligent Energy you name Andûmana̤, there are a Series of Spirit Realms which envelop material Worlds as the husk of the Plûyma̤ envelops its crimson fruit. These Realms are suited to the requirements of their inhabitants, who are Spirits, who through death of the physical body have been released, and as men, women and children live a more real life than do mortals. In these Realms all progress toward higher attainments and greater perfection, and when fitted for the change they pass from lower to higher realms and greater joys. In Ento's Spirit Realms your real Self will find all whom you have loved but not lost, for they live and love you, and in the grandly beautiful home prepared for you they await your coming. Be patient, then, and from time to time all that is for your good will be revealed to you. Now, as never before, Spirits of the higher Realms can penetrate the aura surrounding the peoples of Ento, and to you three illumined ones will be revealed that which will inspire and unfold your inner consciousness, so that with clearer vision you will perceive the Immortals who ever are about you and all who yet abide in the mortal form. At this moment this apartment is thronged with Immortals, who are here to assist in your unfoldment and that of Dano and Ozynas Dûlsa̤, who better than yourself comprehends this, to you, strange occurrence. Gladly these exalted Spirits will aid you in your search after Truth, which is wholly Divine and which alone can assist humanity in its ever onward progress. There, Omanos Fûnha̤, lies the inanimate form of your beloved daughter, and Dano's affianced wife, the form which for a brief time was the dwelling place of the Spirit Valloa̤, who now in the arms of her mother and Sylvian is about to be borne to their and her home in your Spirit World. What Message shall they convey to other dear ones who await their coming?
De L'Ester—While Gentola̤ was speaking, Omanos Fûnha̤, Dano, Ozyras Dûlsa̤ and Dano's parents, who heard her quite audible voice, stood like so many statues, every sense absorbed in the intense desire to catch her every word, and when silence followed speech they looked into each others' faces with an expression of awed inquiry, but no one uttered a sound. Some moments elapsed, then Omanos Fûnha̤ slowly turned toward the couch and silently gazed upon the pallid face framed in a wealth of golden, curling tresses, then within his trembling palms he folded Valloa̤'s small, cold, stiffening hands, covering them with kisses and wetting them with his tears, then tenderly he laid them over her bosom and turned away from the couch. Standing erect, with uplifted eyes and hands, and with an expression of deep emotion on his dark, handsome face, in impassioned tones his voice broke the stillness.
Omanos Funha—Oh thou Infinite and Supreme One, whose ignorant but adoring children we are, as our fathers and mothers have worshipped so have Thy children of a later time worshipped Thee. When light and heat have brooded over Ento, causing all living things to fructify and yield sustenance to Thy children and the creatures of Thy Creation, we have said, "Praise be unto Andûmana̤, the Supreme One, who, from His shining abode, smiles upon us His children, and with such offerings as we have conceived acceptable we have sought to manifest our gratitude for Thy beneficence. Yet ever as we have rendered homage unto Thee our hearts have been heavy through fear and despair. Ever the noiseless, dusky wings of the dread Messenger Phra have so overshadowed our lives that now that Thou callest to us we are too blind to see our way to Thee, too deaf to clearly hear Thy voice, but since it is Thy Will that now we shall receive the light of the grandest, most priceless Truth that Thou canst vouchsafe to us, Thou Wilt lift the shadows from our eyes and humbly, adoringly, we will strive to find our ways to Thy glorious presence. The brightest, most precious jewel of the crown of my life this day hath gone from me, and I am desolate, but it is Thy Will and I murmur not, for through this Thy Messenger Thou sayest that after the body ceases to live, in an invisible but fairer World than Ento the Real Selves of Thy children consciously continue to exist, and after what Thou hast made us to see and to hear, I, Omanos Fûnha̤, doubt it not. Then praise be unto Thee, that through Thy love for Thine own, after the breath of our lives shall cease we shall find our beloved ones, and with them ceaselessly adore Thee for this Thy most precious gift to Thy undeserving but loving children. Raû, raû, raû."
De L'Ester—All in attendance, spirits and mortals, fervently responded, "Raû, raû, raû." After a brief pause he turned to the Most High Priest and said: "Your Sacredness, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, long hast thou administered the rites of the old faith; what sayest thou of this new Revelation from Andûmana̤, the Supreme One to whom be adoration forever, that He hath heard our fervent petitions and hath granted to us and to our sorrowful peoples a knowledge that though our bodies shall die we shall continue to exist. So long hast thou been my close friend that thou wilt bear with my rapture, which alas is tinged with deepest sorrow," and he stooped and kissed Valloa̤'s smiling lips and folded hands. Silently, attentively, Ozynas Dûlsa̤ listened to Omanos Fûnha̤'s words, then with a certain tenderness of manner he replied: "Thou art the Supreme Ruler of Ento, and thou art a wise, just, loving and learned man, and even as the chalices of the snowy rodel turn their perfumed hearts toward Diafon ēvoiha̤ (the sun) so do the hearts of the people turn toward thee for counsel and sympathy. Thou knowest why the people sorrow, and thou knowest that even at their feasts joy is a rare guest. It hath pleased Andûmana̤ to withhold from His children of past times this wondrous Revelation that life is continuous and that in Realms invisible to mortal vision the children of His Love shall abide forever. It is not for us to question His Will or His Wisdom. It is for us to listen and to obey, so I pray that thou wilt not withhold from the children of Ento the glad Revelation which hath been vouchsafed to us in this the hour of our deepest sorrow.
"It may greatly surprise thee to learn that many Priests and Priestesses of the Temples see and hear as thou now seest and hearest, but the meaning of it hath not been understood, and fear of Andûmana̤ and the Deific Ones hath caused them to keep silent and to cling to old traditions. So convinced am I that the Truth is being Revealed to us that with thy approval I, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, gladly will aid in proclaiming the glorious, the wondrous words of Andûmana̤'s Revelation to His children."
While Ozynas Dûlsa̤ spoke, Dano knelt by the side of the couch, steadfastly gazing upon the lovely face which soon would be naught but ashes, but toward the close of Ozynas Dûlsa̤'s speech he arose and in deep entrancement stood motionless. Aided by our combined Forces, Zenesta̤ Ha̤o was enabled to control his Senses and through him to address Omanos Fûnha̤, Dano's parents and Ozynas Dûlsa̤.
Zenesta Hao—I, who through the lips of this entranced youth will attempt to address you, may be remembered as Zenesta̤ Ha̤o, long a Professor of languages in the renowned Galarēsa̤ of Camarissa̤. During my mortal existence I, like all the peoples of Ento, was ignorant of the fact that death of the mortal body releases the Immortal Spirit, which is the real Self of man, or, to state the fact more clearly, when the real Self, the Immortal Spirit, finds the mortal body no longer suited to its requirements, it releases itself and under the higher, better conditions of the Spirit World, continues its progress onward, onward forever. Not until I was released from my worn and aged body did I learn the glorious truth that I was Immortal. In the sorrowful belief that death was the end of all, I fell asleep. I awakened to find about me my dearest ones who had come to bear me to their and my home in the World of the Immortals. Oh, the joy that filled my enraptured Being when I became fully conscious that continuous existence, progress and happiness inexpressible was the reward of a life devoted to virtuous conduct and loving service for others, and that for those who had not lived in accordance with their highest ideals there was endless time and opportunity for the amending of the mistakes and wrongs of mortal life, and for progress as endless as eternity.
Dear friends, were your Spirit vision fully unfolded, in this chamber you would behold forms and faces of Spirits who are revered and famous in the history of Ento. Here are Genessano Allis Immo Rû, and his little less famous spouse, the Lady Camarissa̤, and their two sons Inidora̤ and Genessano, who offer to you all their kindliest greetings and an assurance of their immeasurable joy that at last the light of a great Truth is about to irradiate the sorrowful lives of the peoples of their ever beloved Ento. Here, too, is Ha̤-Moûfi Adassi whose name ever is on the lips of all students of nature. He also greets you all and joins with all the Invisibles present in expressions of love and sympathy for you in this your hour of mingled joy and sadness.
Omanos Fûnha̤, thou art favored beyond all men who ever have lived on Ento, for even in the hour of thy deepest anguish a joy hath come to thee, which henceforth shall fill thy days with blessedness and peace. Then hasten, oh, hasten to crown the days of the children of Ento with unlooked for gladness. Give to them the assurance that the old, hopeless faith is no more. That Andûmana̤, the Supreme One, hath revealed to His ever sorrowful children the highest expression of His love for them, and that henceforth death shall be known as the Angel who guards the portal between mortal and Immortal Life.
Basto Andûlēsa̤, I salute thee and thy gracious spouse, and it is my pleasant duty to convey to her beloved parents a most tender and most loving greeting from one who in her early youth passed to the World of Spirits. I speak for thy ceaselessly mourned daughter Onta̤, who joins her entreaties with ours that you earnestly shall assist in the introduction and acceptance of the new Faith, which for you and Ento's peoples shall change the face of all things, and she entreats you and her mother to encourage her brother Dano, whose clear seeing vision and understanding of Spiritual things, fits him for a Teacher who shall proclaim to the peoples the glorious Truth which is being Revealed to you chosen ones. Since entering our Spirit World I have learned that during the passing centuries advanced Spirits with but slight success, persistently have endeavored to penetrate the consciousness of Ento's peoples, but ever the gross materialism of their religion, which is founded upon the legends and crude conceptions of undeveloped, ignorant, primitive peoples, has opposed an impenetrable barrier to their approach. Baffled and wearied through perpetual failures, finally Bands of strong, determined Spirits of our and other Spirit Worlds resolved to attempt to fit this Earth woman, whom we have named Gentola̤, to serve as a means of communication between Spirits and certain Sensitives of Ento. Being yet embodied in flesh she is less Spiritualized than ourselves, whose Spirit bodies like that of Valloa̤, are of such inconceivably refined substances as to be imperceptible to most mortals. To Omanos Fûnha̤, to Ozynas Dûlsa̤, and to thy son Dano, whose Spiritual Senses to a degree are unfolded, she is perceptible, and later on they and thee and thy spouse Ellita̤ will unfold the ability to perceive wholly released spirits.
Of necessity this Revelation from the World of Spirits is so fragmentary as to be confusing to minds accustomed to other beliefs, but from time to time Omanos Fûnha̤, Ozynas Dûlsa̤ and this thy son Dano shall receive distinct instruction pertaining not only to the new Faith, but to other affairs of moment. When Dano shall have awakened we desire that he shall be informed as to what I have said, then, through Gentola̤, will be given to you all some parting words, and may the Spirit of All Spirits, the Infinite One, whom Entoans name Andûmana̤, ever be present in your thoughts, for from this Divine and inexhaustible Source cometh all that is beneficent. And now, dear friends, I must say Info oovistû.
De L'Ester—During Zenesta̤ Ha̤o's address Omanos Fûnha̤ and Ozynas Dûlsa̤ gazed upon Dano in amazement and alarm, and his parents who stood near the apparently sleeping youth in awed silence listened to the strange speech issuing from his lips, but no one ventured to speak to him or to touch him. When Zenesta̤ Ha̤o spoke of Genessano Allis Immo and his wife and sons and of HaMoûfi Adassi and Onta̤ Andûlēsa̤, surprise tinged with terror sat on every face, and in speechless, questioning wonder they looked into each others' eyes.
When he delivered Onta̤'s greeting and Message, a great trembling seized Basto Andûlēsa, who scarcely could sustain his own form and that of his weeping wife, who, through violent emotion, swooned into unconsciousness. Gentola̤, in her now partially conscious state, realized what was occurring, and to our momentary dismay, her sympathies became so active that only through our instantly united efforts were we enabled to prevent her release from her greatly devitalized physical body. Restoratives quickly revived Dano's mother, who was gently entreated to withdraw from the chamber, but she refused to do so, and sat sobbing and murmuring: "She lives—she—lives, our—Onta̤, our precious—Onta̤, our—roina blossom lives, and some—time we shall find—her. Oh, the joy—of it, the joy—and wonder—of it. Andûmana̤, we adore Thee that Thou hast taken—pity upon Thy sorrowful—children; that Thou hast shown us—that we shall—find our beloved child, our—Onta̤." And thus as a loving mother would she, between smiles and tears continued her gentle, loving crooning. Now there was a quivering of the eyelids, a slight start, and Dano, in a bewildered manner looked about him and in a hushed tone eagerly questioned: "What has occurred? Have I been asleep and dreaming? Have I said aught to disturb you, that you regard me so strangely?" At our desire Gentola̤ drew near him and at my dictation again spoke to him audibly.
Gentola—Dano, dear youth, even as the dew silently falls into the perfumed hearts of night's snowy blooms so early into your heart entered Valloa̤. In the flower of her beautiful womanhood she has gone from you and from those dear to her, but she has not gone into Silence and nothingness, but into a higher state of existence, where, after your work shall be done, you, too, will go and with her forever will glorify the Infinite Spirit of all that is. That I may comfort you I will reveal to you the wondrous fact that all existences in their nature are dual, the Male and Female Principles constituting the Duality, and truly Valloa̤ is your other Self, and for all time you two are one and inseparable. Until you shall release yourself from your physical body, as your guiding Star ever she will be near you, and when you shall fall into your last slumber ere long you will awaken to meet the enraptured gaze of Valloa̤'s azure eyes.
Dano, our Mission to Ento is only in its inception, but now I must return to Earth, where other duties await my attention, but you will not be left unaided, for now that the way has been made plain, Valloa̤, her mother, Sylvian, your sister Onta̤ and other Spirits will be able to communicate with you three illumined ones, and very soon other Sensitives will become unfolded, through whom Spirits can convey instruction to the people, and I am informed that when you may need me I shall be brought to you, so be courageous, be faithful to the duties our Mission has imposed upon you, and all will be well with you and with the children of Ento, before whom you will stand as a Priest of the New Religion.
The moment has arrived in which, for the present, we must say Info oovistû, and may a sense of the joys awaiting you all in the glorified existence of Ento's Spirit Realms illumine your lives and console and sustain your sorely grieved hearts until in the hour of your release from your physical bodies you shall hear the glad cry, "Loha̤û, loha̤û, vraimēon mēnoisa̤." (Hail, hail, dearly beloved.)
De L'Ester—At this moment a ray of the setting Sun stole through the slightly parted window drapery, falling upon Dano, who, with uplifted face and outreaching hands, entreatingly whispered: "You will come again, oh, you will come again?" and Gentola̤ was made to reply: "I will, I surely will," and Dano sank to his knees beside the couch. It stole athwart the white, calm, lovely face of Valloa̤, and for a little it lingered in the silken mesh of her golden hair, glorifying the majesty and mystery of the change called death. It crowned Dano's flowing blue black hair as with a halo and it stole across the stilled form of the dead girl and rested upon two faces one would not be likely to forget—the faces of the stately Supreme Ruler of Ento, Omanos Fûnha̤, and that of the Most High Priest of the Most Sacred Temple Zim, Ozynas Dûlsa̤, than whom no handsomer or gracious gentlemen exist on Ento. As, side by side they stood, the fading sun ray revealed in the face of the bereaved father an expression of infinite sadness, a little lighted by the dawning of a priceless hope. In the eyes of Ozynas Dûlsa̤ was the expression of one whose Inner Vision has penetrated the Veil falling between the hither and the thither sides of existence. A moment longer and the sun ray disappeared, a passing cloud obscured its afterglow, and in the spacious apartment were shadows and silence. Then, through the activity of Forces ever at our command, slowly with a soft, silvery radiance we so illumined the chamber that the strange glory of it overwhelmed Omanos Fûnha̤, Dano, and his parents, but Ozynas Dûlsa̤, who, in the Inner Sanctuary of the most Sacred Temple Zim, had beheld Spirit Illumination, murmured: "Tymonas, Tymonas, thou hast said to me that thou art not a God, but a man, like other men, and I understood thee not, but now with an humble and grateful heart I recognize that thou art an exalted Spirit man, and that thou hast been infinitely patient with me as with other Priests who have served in the Temple Zim, and now I Vow that henceforth I will be as faithful to the new Revelation as ever in my ignorance I have been faithful to the superstitions which soon will be of a dead past," and through the stillness an audible whisper ran: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; though thou hast not understood, sincerely thou hast worshipped the Most High," and tremblingly Ozynas Dûlsa̤ recognized that Tymonas, the Spirit of the Inner Sanctuary, had spoken.
At the height of the radiance musical notes, soft as zephyrs whispering to flowers, filled the chamber with vibrant melody, and the minds and hearts of those about the couch with emotions indescribable. Gradually the melodious tones died into silence, and the silvery glow faded into the gray of deepest twilight, whose shadows, like dark hued drapery, fell over the snowy couch and stilled form of the dead girl and over the awed but enraptured faces of the living. Then the tremulous, hushed, adoring tones of Omanos Fûnha̤'s voice broke the stillness.
Omanos Funha—Supreme, all Wise, loving and most merciful One, Whom in our blindness we have not rightly perceived, in Thine own time and way Thou hast more clearly revealed Thyself and the marvel of Thy glory to us, Thy humbly adoring children. So dulled by erroneous beliefs are our Senses that as little children we reach our hands toward Thee, and I doubt not that Thou wilt guide our ways. Since to us hath been revealed the amazing, the glorious Truth that the Real Self of Man does not die, and that our dear ones who have gone from our sight can, in some not yet understood manner, hold converse with us, and that they will instruct us as to how we may attain greater knowledge concerning this life and the life to come, we cannot find words to express our gratitude to Thee or to those of Thy Spirit children whose love hath prompted them to serve us, who are so unworthy of Thy pity, or their immeasurable goodness to us. We know not how to repay Thy Infinite beneficence or their goodness, but I, Omanos Fûnha̤, am inexpressibly grateful to Thee and to Thy Messengers, and with all the ability with which Thou hast endowed me, henceforth I will proclaim to the children of Ento that Life is continuous, that endless progression is a Law of the Infinitely Supreme One, and that there is one God, and none other.
De L'Ester—Through the silence and the shadows fervently the lips of Immortals and Mortals responded, "Raû, raû, raû," and then the living were left with the beautiful dead body, whose released inmate swiftly was borne to her Celestial home, and through the measureless spaces from joyous Spirit Bands rang out the glad Pæan, "Glory to the Infinite Spirit in Whom we live and move and have our Being. Glory be to Thee through whom success has crowned our Mission to Ento. Glory and highest praise be unto our Father and Mother God, forever and forever."
September 16th, 1894.
APPENDIX.
INTERVIEW WITH MEMBERS OF THE EVON-THIA, JANUARY 10TH, 1895.
De L'Ester—Yes, madame, again we are here to greet you, but our visit must be brief, as neither you or we can afford to overtax your returning vital energy. Nearly four months of Earth's fleeting days have elapsed since your Spirit gaze rested upon the dead form of the mortal Valloa̤ and upon the living form of the Spirit maiden as in the arms of her equally youthful mother and of her Aunt Sylvian she was borne from the darkening chamber and the presence of her stricken father and of her weeping lover, whose tearful eyes beheld her departure. That during this lapse of time we have maintained over you a careful watchfulness you may feel assured, and you cannot so much regret as do we, that at the culmination of our Mission we felt obliged to tax to the utmost your depleted vitality, and we rejoice that under the constant ministrations of loving friends, you are recovering your usual strength. We are aware that your peculiar experiences of the past two years are as slightly remembered dreams, yet to a degree you are curious as to what recently has been transpiring on Ento. Shall I inform you as to the progress of the new Faith?
Gentola—It will greatly please me if you will do so, for I feel more than curious to learn how it may be affecting the people.
De L'Ester—I am sure that it will gratify you to learn that Dano's parents are converts to the new Faith, and that their hitherto sombre faces are irradiated with the joyous expectation of Immortality, not only for themselves but for all of Andûmana̤'s children. Through Dano Andûlēsa̤ they receive cheering Messages from their daughter Onta̤ and other dear ones whose words they value as jewels beyond price, and the passing days do not suffice for their continuous adoration of the goodness of Andûmana̤, Who has heard and granted the desire of the hearts of His children.
Dano has renounced his claim to the Supreme Rulership of the Planet and has declared himself a Priest of the new Revelation, which he devotedly offers to the despairing multitudes, who eagerly listen to his eloquent presentation of its wonderful declarations. All over the Planet the minds of the people are profoundly stirred, and some are filled with consternation, dreading they know not what. Though still clinging to the old beliefs, others timidly reach toward the new Faith which promises that for which ever they have prayed, and still others are in a state of dumb amazement, not daring to voice either hope or fear. Of course, largely, the Priesthood stand aghast at the threatened downfall of the Time-Honored Religion, which ever has made them the dominant power of Ento. They declare that Dano's utterances are the result of mere hallucinations, and that the experiences of Omanos Fûnha̤, of which he speaks openly, are outgrowths of grief over the death of Valloa̤. On the other hand, an ever increasing number of Priests and Priestesses are listening to the Most High Priest Ozynas Dûlsa̤, and joyfully professing their belief in the new Revelation, which he boldly declares to the multitudes who daily crowd the great Temple Zim. To them he relates his experiences with Tymonas in the inner Sanctuary, and with amazement, not unmixed with terror, they ponder over his strange revelations. He has gone so far as to prohibit animal sacrifices and offerings to the Deific Ones, whom he pronounces myths, Andûmana̤ being the One and only God, Whom fervently he adores.
How fares Omanos Fûnha̤? One moment he cries to Andûmana̤ to restore to him his lost Valloa̤, to grant to him one glimpse of her beautiful and beloved form and face, one tone of her voice, that was the sweetest music of his desolated life. Anon, he entreats Dano to comfort him with a Message from the dear ones who are veiled from his sight, and at times his Clairvoyant and Clairaudient Senses become so quickened that he communes with them. Then his soul is so filled with ecstatic fervor that to all about him he proclaims that truly life is continuous, that the dead do communicate with the living, and they, with beating hearts and breathless attention, listen to his rapt utterances. As time passes he grows into a clearer perception and realization of the Truth, and soon his feet will stand upon firm ground; then confidently and authoritatively he will offer to the people that which shall be to them as the very bread of life.
Dano, whose Clairvoyant and Clairaudient Senses are unfolding in a surprising manner, holds continuous communication with Valloa̤ and other freed Spirits, who are instructing him, and his faith has grown into actual knowledge. Thus he no longer doubts or questions the reality of his own experiences, and of course, this state of mind renders him very receptive to exalted Influences from the Spirit side of life. In his zeal to offer to the people the wondrous truths which have been revealed to him and to others he addresses them in Temples and elsewhere. Recently we listened to the youthful disciple, as, with glowing face, luminous eyes, and form trembling from emotion, he spoke to a large assemblage of people in a Temple of Da̤o. Firstly he addressed himself to the people, then, as one who speaks because he must, in tones that filled the vast edifice, he cried, "Oh, ye Priests, ye blind leaders of the blind, open your eyes that you may see, your ears that you may hear the glorious truth, which, through His appointed Messenger, Andûmana̤ hath revealed to His despairing children. Long have the peoples of Ento listened to the manifestations of the ignorance of bygone centuries, and now that light hath entered the darkened chambers of our minds, you would build yet higher walls of superstitious reverence for what hath been misnamed religion, which ever hath stood between us and the light. Ever you have walked in the shadows of a hopeless faith, and your mummeries have so dulled the senses of the people that, as from birth to death they grope their ways, bewildered they sink into the darkness of hopeless despair. Then awake, oh, awake, ye sleeping guides of the people, for a new day hath dawned for the children of Ento, a day whose effulgence shall fill all hearts with gladness inexpressible."
"Since most ancient times it hath been taught that the home of Andûmana̤, the Supreme One, is in radiant Diafon ēvoiha̤, which sheds life giving beams on land and on sea. Now, concerning this matter I will tell you an amazing truth. Those exalted ones with whom I am permitted to hold converse, some of whom once were men and women of Ento, but who now dwell in Realms so glorious that mortal eyes cannot endure their radiance, declare that Andûmana̤ is Spirit, and is everywhere, formless, unseeable, unthinkable, even by those who have attained to the highest wisdom. Also they declare that Ento is but one of innumerable Worlds peopled with beings like ourselves, and that the shining points in the night sky, which we, in our ignorance, have regarded as the lamps lighting Astranola̤, are Worlds, many of them vaster far then Ento, and that the dreaded Gods and Goddesses are the myths of ancient ignorance, perpetuated by a sincere but unenlightened Priesthood."
This and much more he teaches, and both Priests and people, in doubt, fear and perplexity question as to which may be true, the old, hopeless, cheerless faith, or the new promise of joys immeasurable. But the leaven is leavening the masses, and ere long Priests and people will embrace the Truth.
You are aware that through electrical and vibratory forces between all portions of the Planet communication is instantaneous, thus quickly to nearby and remotest places the utterances of Ozynas Dûlsa̤ and of Dano are heralded, and you cannot imagine the effect, which is beyond our fondest expectations, and it is but the beginning of what necessarily must result, for now that the positiveness of the Spiritual atmosphere is penetrable, hosts of Spirits from various Realms will see to it that the darkness which long has enshrouded the lives of the Entoans shall flee away, and then the effulgence of the grandest Truth that mortals can know will forever abide with them.
Gentola—You who more easily read my thoughts than I can express them will understand that what you have related fills my heart with joy. Even at greater cost to myself I would not for a moment hesitate to undertake a like Mission. But, friends, may not I soon again go with you to Ento?
De L'Ester—Yes, soon, but not until you shall have grown a little stronger. Then we will make good a promise made to you, but which you do not now remember. That you may more quickly regain your strength we advise that you shall go outdoors every day, so that your feet may come in contact with the earth, thus you will rid yourself of devitalized magnetism, and at the same time you will accumulate energized magnetism, which you greatly need. It would delight us to prolong our visit, but we must consider the urgent necessity for your speedy return to health. With kindest, truest regard, we must say adieu.
OPENING OF THE WATERWAY INTO ETZOINA LOISA.
January 19th, 1895.
De L'Ester—Good-morning, madame. As we promised, so have we come in a body to escort you to Ento, and we have joined in your earnest invocation to Divine Influences to guard and guide you in the ways of truth, and to Inidora̤'s fervent response, "Evoiha̤a̤, ino ēvosta̤n, tsû felistan, ra̤û, ra̤û, ra̤û," we also have responded, for we, too, desire the guardianship and guidance of exalted spirits, whose angelic ministrations assist all aspiring souls. This morning we find you difficult of control. You appear timorous and disturbed. Cannot you trust yourself to our care, who never have failed you? Compose yourself, pray, and passively yield yourself to our protection, but first instruct your watchful Vena to not allow you to be disturbed for two or more hours. That is well arranged, and now close your eyes and be at rest.
George, we are ready for our journey, and you, comrades, will lead the way. You no longer are afraid, and is not this motion and the views grand, glorious and exhilarating? Truly, it is well that your experiences while with us are as half remembered dreams, otherwise they would unfit you for the routine of mortal existence. You now understand that this journey to Ento is the fulfillment of our promise to afford you the pleasure of witnessing the opening of the great Central Waterway into Etzoina̤ Loisa̤. Yes, the further wall of the Loisa̤ has been pierced, but the continuation of the System is not yet in readiness for either navigation or irrigation. Yes, we will proceed directly to Etzoina̤ Loisa̤, else we may miss some features of the pageant. Now that we are nearing the lake we will descend to such an altitude as will afford you a view of the entire spectacle. At times we lose sight of the fact that your vision is not so far reaching as our own. A little lower, George. Now is every object clear to your vision?
Gentola—Quite so.
De L'Ester—Then for the present we will remain where we are, and we have arrived none too early, for, coming from every direction are air Transports laden to repletion with eagerly curious Entoans, and from north, south and west small water craft laden with men, women and children are hastening along the canals leading to the lake, where already a multitude of people have assembled. Look westward, madame, and attempt a description of the scene presenting itself.
Gentola—As far as my vision reaches I see the sparkling water of the great Waterway, and of the intersecting canals. Scarcely four months have elapsed since we visited this region and at that time you informed me that only recently had the barren lands come under the influence of irrigation. In this brief interval nature has accomplished a miracle in so quickly converting what then was little more than waste lands into fertile fields, covered with luxuriant verdure and blooming plants, and it is quite as amazing to observe the many villages and structures of various kinds which have been erected since we were here. It seems incredible that such vast improvements should have been accomplished in such a brief time. Some of the peoples of our Planet are very enterprising, but I question their ability to successfully compete with the quiet, persistent, industrious Entoans, whose very superior mechanical appliances greatly facilitate their undertakings, but even then the results are surprising.
Dear me, what a wonderfully strange scene. Those air Transports hover over the lake like great birds, and the rising and falling tones of their whirring climbers are really musical. I wish I were clever enough to understand how they are constructed and controlled in their movements, and how—oh, De L'Ester, George, Bernard, see, see, yonder in the west is a fleet of large vessels and numerous smaller ones coming toward Etzoina̤. How swiftly the great vessels are advancing, leaving in their wake tumultuous billows of snowy foam. The foremost vessel is quite covered with rodels, and there are ropes of rodels, wreaths of rodels, banners of rodels, and around the entire deck is a fringe of rodels trailing their creamy beauty quite to the surface of the foaming water. Surely it has taken all the rodels on the planet to so bedeck the great vessel. All the large vessels are similarly decorated, each one with a single variety of flower, and how very beautiful they all appear. Now I hear strains of music, and on the decks of the vessels I perceive many people, and as the fleet draws nearer, nearer, I perceive on the rodel-decked vessel a group of persons whom I seem to remember. Yes, surely, one is the Supreme Ruler, Omanos Fûnha̤, and by his side is Basto Andûlēsa̤ and other stately looking officials, accompanied by a number of lovely women, one of whom is Madame Ontellena Andûlēsa̤, by whose side are the Most High Priest Ozynas Dûlsa̤, and Dano, in Priestly garb. Ah, how vividly the closing scene of our Mission returns to my memory, but I must not now think of that. On Dano's youthful, handsome face is an expression of exaltation and of peace passing the understanding of those who know not that the individual conscious existence of Spirit has neither beginning or ending, and it fills my heart with gladness to know that into the lives of the once despairing Entoans has entered the joy of the new Revelation. De L'Ester, really I cannot convey a correct idea of this marvellous scene, so I pray you to permit me to desist from attempting the impossible.
De L'Ester—As you will, madame, but I am of the opinion that my attempt will be quite as unsuccessful as your own. However, as no one is expected to describe the indescribable, our failures may be excusable.
Below us is the quiet lake, mirroring in its unruffled water the nearly cloudless azure sky and the slowly moving air Transports laden with people who evidently are enjoying the unusual scene. On either side of the entrance to the lake large numbers of people are massed, and as you perceive perfect order and decorum are observed. Indeed, among the Entoans, disorder is considered not only impolite, but indecent, as really it is.
The group occupying the foreground on this side of the entrance to the lake is composed of those who have conducted the stupendous undertaking, which has demanded infinite patience, endurance, versatility and engineering skill of the highest degree of excellence, yet not alone to engineering skill is due the credit of this achievement, for chemistry, too, has been a powerful factor in the destruction of the nearly impregnable vitrified wall of the lake. But the moment for the grand entry has arrived, so attention all.
As he advances toward the prow of the vessel what an imposing figure Omanos Fûnha̤ presents. His tall, fine form, clothed in crimson and gold, his long, curling, raven hued hair, bound back from his serene brow by a richly gemmed gold fillet, his large, dark, expressive eyes, like two veiled lamps, lighting up his bronze hued face, his handsome features expressing kindliest emotions, all contribute to render him a very striking and attractive man. Now, to stirring music, the rodel-decked flag ship moves toward the entrance to the lake, followed by the flower clad fleet of seventeen huge vessels. From a hundred or more air Transports showers of rodels and other blooms rain down upon them and the air is rent with the enthusiastic acclamation of the people in the Transports and of the multitudes below. It quickens one's pulsations, this wave of human emotion, but see now the flag ship pauses at the entrance of the passageway through the wall of the lake and the Most High Priest advances to Omanos Fûnha̤'s side, bearing in his hands a great tray of rodel blooms. We will descend a little so that you may more closely observe the Ceremony of the union of the Waterway with the lake.
Omanos Funha—Even as these fragrant rodel blooms open their golden hearts to the radiant beams of Diafon ēvoiha̤, so we, oh Andûmana̤, open our hearts to Thee that thus we may receive Thy love, which is the light and life of Thy children and of all living things. Through the knowledge which Thou hast imparted to Thy chosen ones they have brought to a successful conclusion this gigantic undertaking which through Thy beneficence, shall be a perpetual blessing to the peoples of Ento, to whom, oh Thou Supreme One, it hath pleased Thee to reveal that truly we are the children of Thy love, and that through endless time we shall continue to live and to praise Thee for all Thy goodness to us. Ra̤û, ra̤û, ra̤û.
De L'Ester—Through an atmospheric system of communication every word uttered by Omanos Fûnha̤ has been made known not only to the vast assemblage in the air and below us, who reverently have joined in the invocation and fervent amen, amen, amen, but to the peoples of the entire Planet.
Omanos Funha—These rodel blooms, which no longer shall serve as emblems of death but of life and its joyous occasions, I now cast upon the lips of this great Waterway as, for the first time, they kiss the sparkling water of Etzoina̤ Loisa̤.
De L'Ester—Amid profound silence the barrier separating the Waterway and the lake is quickly removed and Omanos Fûnha̤ casts the rodels in front of the slowly moving vessel. Now an immense banner of rodels is run up to the apex of the flagstaff and a grand volume of musical notes fills the air with sweetest melody. Now the great vessel, followed by the fleet, moves swiftly through the ample passage, while from overhead as well as from below cheers upon cheers rend the air and from the Transports, which keep pace with the fleet, showers of blooms in glowing beauty rain down upon the heads of the people crowding the upper decks, and now the flag ship has plunged onto the lake as though purposing to pass straight across to the further side, but no, it turns to the right, leading the fleet in a triumphal procession around the lake. May I ask for an expression of your impression of the spectacle?
Gentola—Truly, it is both magnificent and to me, very wonderful, and I shall not forget, dear friends, that to your kindness I owe my thanks for the pleasure of witnessing it. Yes, I feel assured that if I shall attempt to tell my friends of this strange experience they will conclude that my imagination has been running wild, or that I have been dreaming, and as I gaze upon the flower-decked fleet so noiselessly, so swiftly, passing around the lake, upon the air Transports hovering above them and mirroring themselves in the now gently undulating water, upon the multitude of people, in boats and motor vehicles, or swarming on the broad rim of the lake, really I am at a loss to realize the situation, and shall not find fault with any one who may question, either my sanity or my veracity.
De L'Ester—We who understand the relation between what some of your wise ones term the conscious and subconscious self, but which we recognize as the intelligent, human animal Soul, and Ego, or Spirit Self, readily comprehend your difficulty of realization when applied to matters outside the plane of your earthly existence, and until you become a fully freed Spirit you cannot escape certain physical conditions. But come, friends, we will pay Omanos Fûnha̤ and Dano a brief visit. At this moment they are the central figures of a group of personages intent upon viewing the eastern exit of Etzoina̤ into the continuation of the System, which ere long will be in readiness not only for navigation but also for the irrigation of the wide stretches of arid lands extending eastward. Now the flag ship, followed by the fleet, continues its course around the lake, whose rim presents a living front of enthusiastic people, whose unceasing acclamations express their satisfaction over the completion of a most difficult and seriously necessary enterprise.
George, we will alight, taking a position quite apart from the group surrounding Omanos Fûnha̤, and you, Bruno, will attempt to impress Dano to move in our direction. Well done, well done. Our young Priest is so very sensitive that, with a startled, listening air, he turns his head, thinking that some one has addressed him, and now slowly and apparently aimlessly he draws away from the group and toward us. Gentola̤, touch him lightly on his lips, and he will understand that it is the signal of your presence. Ah, he is so startled that he covers his eyes with his hands, murmuring, "Can it be, can it be? Oh, art thou here, thou whose name is Gentola̤?" In a moment he will perceive you, then you will follow my dictation.
Gentola—Yes, Dano, I am here, and joyfully greet you as a Priest of the new Revelation which has come to you and to your people, and I and those who are with me rejoice with you that the old dread faith surely is yielding to a belief in the glorious Truth of the continuity of life, and that all men and women are their own Saviors. We rejoice, too that we perceive that already this knowledge is illumining the minds of many, and be assured that even as the vertical beams of Diafon ēvoiha̤ irradiate this beautiful scene, so, ere long, knowledge of the Truth will irradiate the lives of your people, who will learn that the dwelling Place of the Supreme One is the limitless Universe, yet that He is ever present in the hearts of those who seek to know Him Who is the Father, Mother God, the Dual One, in whom we all exist.
Nay, it is not an illusion—the forms you dimly perceive, are the Spirit friends who have borne me across the vast space between Earth and Ento, and through me they extend to you a loving greeting. Your joy that light from Spirit Realms is dispelling Ento's long night of despair, finds in them fullest response, and an earnest assurance that they and countless Spirits of Ento's and other Spirit Worlds unceasingly will aid you and those who like yourself are teaching the Gospel of the new Revelation. And now, Dano, for these friends and myself I must say Info oovistû.
Dano—I pray you, stay one moment. Will you come again, will you surely come to instruct my ignorance, to strengthen me in the new Faith, which is so glorious, so overwhelming, that did not my Valloa̤, by her sweet presence and counsel sustain me, I indeed might faint by the way.
Gentola—These spirit friends say that many times I shall come to you, that through me they may afford you such Wisdom Lessons as they and Spirits of your and other Spirit Worlds have learned. They and I entreat you to be courageous and steadfast. Trust to the guidance of Valloa̤ and of other dear ones who ever are near you, and all will be well with you. Again Info oovistû.
De L'Ester—Omanos Fûnha̤ and those about him are curiously observing Dano, who now arouses as from a profound reverie. As quietly he returns to his friends on his fine, youthful face is an expression of smiling exaltation, and in the splendor of his dark, luminous eyes is the reflected radiance of Realms unseen of mortal vision.
The Ceremonial we have so slightly sketched is drawn to a close and now you must take a last view of the great flower-decked vessels, so swiftly pursuing their way westward. Of the air Transports, like huge birds winging their ways through the quiet atmosphere, of the numerous small water craft, gliding off through the canals, of the many motor vehicles, which rapidly bear away many of the dispersing assemblage, of the placid water of Etzoina̤, in which the rays of the glowing sun sparkle like gleams of fire, and of the face of the verdure-clad lands which well may typify the Resurrection of Death into Life.
Ento, thou redeemed one, in our gladness we cry, Hail, hail, thou who art one of the blest among the System of Worlds, ever pursuing their unvarying, ceaseless journeys around our Sun, which is but one of countless Suns, encircling the one Central Sun, whose immensity and glory is beyond all conceptions of Angels or Archangels, whose vivifying energy controls the heart-beats of the Universe, whose intelligent, tireless, ceaseless activity is that which is known of by many names, to us is known as God, the Infinite One, whom only in accordance with the degree of our spiritual unfoldment can we apprehend.
Now we must return you to Earth, else we may not return you at all, and the time has not yet arrived for such a desirable consummation of your present life work. Make your adieus to our friends, and, to your wistful eyed son, for George and I will see that you shall safely arrive in your quiet home, where Vena impatiently and somewhat anxiously awaits you.
Now unclose your eyes, for you and your soul again are united and Vena breathes a sigh of relief as she sees you move and hears you call, "Vena, please bring me a glass of water," and we may say the same for ourselves, for indeed we have held you over long for your safety, but obey our instructions and soon you will recover your usual condition.
Yes, soon again we will make our presence known to you. Until then, adieu.
GLOSSARY.
A.
Andûmana̤—Supreme One. Creator of all things.
Acclinum—Zoölogical collection.
Acrocustēno ingola̤vion—Amphibious flesh eater.
Angossa̤—Hornless animal. Hornless.
Astranola̤—Realm of Deific ones.
A-Mûista̤—Manlike Anthropoid.
Andoma̤h—Primary school.
Azēon—God of Love.
Alista̤—Mountain. Very lofty, etc.
Alzoytas—Sacred bird of Astranola̤, whose wings over-shadow the
Death Realm.
Ayon mûya̤—Good bye, or may the Gods protect you.
Anadillo Pylo—Scaly armored amphibian.
Anadillo akēdon—Scaly armored reptile.
B.
Bomûz himmû—Manlike tree climber.
Birrsch—Trowser.
Birrscha̤—Trowsers.
Bomûz—Man.
Brillo—Froglike creature.
Bendolû—Rainbow.
Bendolû iffon—Rainbow hued.
Bûda̤s—Tremulous.
Bûdas lota̤—A gigantic tree, whose palmlike foliage trembles
incessantly.
C.
Camarissa̤—Capitol of Province of Ondû.
Comina̤ da̤a̤—Class rooms.
Callo—Wharf landing.
Cryfimo—Great Ocean.
Cryfimanû—Small Ocean. Sea.
Cēhylû—Rushing. Tumultuous.
Chifa̤—An eel-like fish.
Chima̤ Loisa̤—Mirror Lake.
D.
Dia̤fon ēvoiha̤—Sun, the dwelling place of Andûmana̤.
Da̤o—Capitol of Ento.
Dia̤—Life. Life Essence, or Principle, animating the body.
Da̤a̤—Room.
Dylû—Tossed. Shaken.
Diafa̤ avina̤—Many hued. Iridescent.
E.
Efon—Personal pronoun, I.
Esploina̤—Globe. Sphere.
Eyamo Yanos—The Infinite, Intelligent energy.
Endoina̤—Bridge. Endoinaa. Bridges.
Ento—Chosen. Set apart.
Elipso—Year. Elipsa̤a̤. Years.
Emano—Friend, masculine gender. S gives the plural.
Emana̤—Friend. Feminine gender. A gives the plural.
Etzoina̤—Placid, quiet, still.
Etzoina̤ Loisa—Placid Lake, or water.
Enora̤—Strange. Remarkable, wonderful.
Etza̤—Sweet pulpy fruit, resembling an orange.
Entola̤, and Ementola̤—Moons of Ento.
F.
Fenēta—Catlike animal.
Fava̤ a̤ croidas—Burial place, or place for urned ashes of the dead.
Frilvodii—Species of Anthropoid, known as housekeepers.
Fûnaveh—Intersection.
Fûnaveh Ritza̤—Town of the Intersection.
Fondorûveh—City, named after its founder, Tamon Fondorûveh.
G.
Gentolano—Prince. Son of Supreme Ruler, or heir apparent.
Gentolana̤—Princess. Daughter of Supreme Ruler.
Gentola̤—Lady. Friend. Gentle one, and other gracious meanings.
Gentolissima̤—Queen, or Supreme Lady. Applied to the wife of the
Supreme Ruler.
Gentolēna̤—Darling, dear one. Also little one, when applied to
children, or pets.
Gûfon—Bitter.
Gandûlana̤—Serpent. Gandûlanos, serpents.
Gowhya̤—Hibernating animal, resembling a bear.
Gariffo Tsûvon—Bird of the cloud God, Tsûvon.
Gûlnoyas—Egg shaped.