第14章

buttheearthhasscarcelybeenhabitablesincethesunwaslastinitspresentpositioninitsorbitaroundCosmos。Thecurvethatoursystemfollowsisofsuchradiusthatitwouldrequirethemostpreciseobservationsforcenturiestoshowthatitwasnotastraightline。

"Wecallthistheuniversebecauseitisallthattheclearesteyesortelescopeshavebeenabletosee,butitisonlyasubdivision——infact,butasystemonavasterscalethanthatofthesunorofSirius。Farbeyondthisvisibleuniverse,myintuitiontellsme,areothersystemsmoregiganticthanthis,andentirelydifferentinmanyrespects。Eventheeffectsofgravitationaremodifiedbythechangedcondition;forthesesystemsarespreadoutflat,liketheringsofthisplanet,andtheetherofspaceisluminousinsteadofblack,ashere。Thesesystemsarebutinalaterstageofdevelopmentthanours;andinthecourseofevolutionourvisibleuniversewillbechangedinthesameway,asIcanexplain。

"Inincalculableages,theforwardmotionoftheplanetsandtheirsatelliteswillbecheckedbytheresistanceoftheetherofspaceandthemeteoritesandsolidmattertheyencounter。

Meteoritesalsoovertakethem,and,bystrikingthemasitwereintherear,propelthem,butmoreareencounteredinfront——anillustrationofwhichyoucanhavebywalkingrapidlyorridingonhorsebackonarainyday,inwhichcasemoredropswillstrikeyourchestthanyourback。Thesameruleappliestobodiesinspace,whilethemeteoritesencounteredhavemoreeffectthanthosefollowing,sinceinonecaseitisthespeedofthemeteorminusthatoftheplanet,andintheotherthesumofthetwovelocities。Withthischeckingoftheforwardmotion,thecentrifugalforcedecreases,andtheattractionofthecentralbodyhasmoreeffect。Whenthistakesplacetheplanetorsatellitefallsslightlytowardsthebodyaroundwhichitrevolves,therebyincreasingitsspeedtillthecentrifugalforceagainbalancesthecentripetal。Thiswouldseemtomakeitdescendbyfitsandstarts,butinrealitytheapproachisnearlyconstant,sothattheorbitsareinfactslightlyspiral。WhatistrueoftheplanetsandsatellitesisalsotrueofthestarswithreferencetoCosmos;thoughmanyevenofthesehavesubordinatemotionsintheirgreatjourney。Thoughthesatellitesofthemoonsrevolveabouttheprimariesinorbitsinclinedatallkindsofanglestotheplanesoftheecliptics,andeventhemoonsvaryintheirpathsabouttheplanets,theplanetsthemselvesrevolveaboutthestars,likethoseofthissystemaboutthesun,insubstantiallythesameplane;andwhatistrueoftheplanetsisevenmoretrueofthestarsintheirorbitsaboutCosmos,sothatwhen,afterincalculableages,theydofall,theystrikethismonstersunatornearitsequator,andnotfallingperpendicularly,butinalinevaryingbutslightlyfromatangent,andatterrificspeed,theycausethecolossustorotatemoreandmorerapidlyonitsownaxis,tillitmustbecomegreatlyflattenedatthepoles,astheearthisslightly,andasJupiterandSaturnareagooddeal。EventhoughnotallthestarsareexactlyintheplaneofCosmos"sequator,asyoucanseetheyarenotthereareasmanyaboveasbelowit,sothatthegeneralaveragewillbethere;andasallaremovinginthesamedirection,itisnotnecessaryforalltostrikethesameline,thosestrikingnearerthepoles,wherethecirclesaresmaller,andwherethesurfaceisnotbeingcarriedforwardsofastbythegiant"srotation,willhaveevenmoreeffectinincreasingitsspeed,sinceitwillbelikeattachingthedriving—rodsofalocomotiveneartheaxleinsteadofnearthecircumference,andwithenoughpowerwillproduceevengreaterresults。AsCosmoswaxesgreaterfromtheresultofthesecontinualaccretions,itsattractionforthestarswillincrease,untilthosecomingfromtheouterregionsofitsuniversewillmoveatsuchterrificspeedintheirspiralorbitsthatbeforecomingincontacttheywillbealmostinvisible,havingalreadyabsorbedallsolidmatterrevolvingaboutthemselves。Theseaccessionsofmovingmatter,continuallyreceivedatandnearitsequator,willcauseCosmostospreadoutlikeSaturn"sringstillitbecomesflat,thoughthebalanceofforceswillbesoperfectthatitisdoubtfulwhetherananimaloramanplacedtherewouldfeelmuchchange。

"Buttheseuniverses——or,moreaccurately,divisionsoftheuniverse——alreadyplanes,thoughthevastsurfacesarenotsoflatastoprecludebeautifulandgentlyrollingslopes,arespirit—lands,andwillbeinhabitedonlybyspirits。Thentherearegreatphosphorescentareas,andthecolourofthesurfacechangeswitheveryhouroftheday,fromthemostbrilliantcrimsontothesoftestshadeofblue,radiantwithmanycoloursthatyoureyescannotnowsee。Therearealsomyriadsofscentedstreams,consistingofhundredsofdifferentandmulti—colouredliquids,eachwithaperfumesweeterthanthemostdelicateflower,andpouringforththemostheavenlymusicastheygoontheirway。Butbenotsurprisedatthemagnitudeofthechange,forisitnotwritteninRevelation,"Isawanewheavenandanewearth;forthefirstheavenandthefirstearthwerepassedaway"？Norcanwebesurprisedatvastness,sublimity,andbeautysuchasneverwasconceivedof,fordowenotfindthisinHisword,"Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatloveHim"？Inthisblissfulstate,thosethatfearedGodandobeyedtheirconscienceswillliveonforever;buttheirrestcanneverbecomestagnation,forevolutionisoneofthemostconstantlaws,andneverceases,andtheymustalwaysgoonwardandupward,unspeakablyblessedbytheconsciencestheymadetheirruleinlife,tillinpurityandpowertheyshallequalorexceedtheangelsoftheirLordinheaven。

"Butyoumenoffiniteunderstandingwillask,asImyselfshouldhaveasked,How,bythelawofhydrostatics,canliquidsflowonaplane？Rememberthat,thoughthesedivisionsareastronomicalorgeometricalplanes,theirsurfacesundulate;butthemovingcauseisthis:Atthecentreoftheseplanesisapole,theanalogue,wewillsay,ofthemagneticpoleonearth,thathasamoreeffectiveattractionforagasthanforaliquid。Whenliquidsapproachtheperipheryofthecircle,therapidrotationanddecreasedpressurecausethemtobreakup,whereupontheelementarygasesreturntothecentreintheatmosphere,ifnearthesurface,formingagentlebreeze。Onnearingthecentre,thecauseoftheseparationbeingremoved,thegasesreunitetoformaliquid,andthecentrifugalforceagainsendsthisonitsjourney。"

"Istherenoway,"askedBearwarden,"bywhichamanmayretrievehimself,ifhehaslostormisusedhisopportunitiesonearth？"

"Thewayamanlaysuptreasuresinheaven,whenonearth,"

repliedthespirit,"isbygladlydoingsomethingforsomeoneelse,usuallyinsomeformsacrificingself。Inhellnoonecandoanythingforanyoneelse,becauseeveryonecanhavethesemblanceofanythinghewishesbymerelyconcentratinghisminduponit,though,whenhehasit,itisbutashadowandgiveshimnopleasure。Thusnoonecangiveanyoneelseanythinghecannotobtainhimself;andifhecould,sinceitwouldbenosacrificeonhispart,hewouldderivenogreatmoralcomfortfromit。Neithercananyonecomfortanyoneelsebyputtinghisactsoroffencesinanewlight,foreveryoneknowsthewholetruthabouthimselfandeverybodyelse,sothatnothingcanbemadetoappearfavourablyorunfavourably。Allthis,however,issupposingthereisthedesiretobekind;buthowcanspiritsthatwereselfishandill—disposedonearth,wheretherearesomanysofteninginfluences,havegoodinclinationsinhell,wheretheyloatheoneanotherwithconstantlyincreasingstrength？

"Inasmuchasboththegoodandthebadcontinueonthelinesonwhichtheystartedwhenonearth,wearecontinuallydrawingnearertoGod,whiletheyaredeparting。Thegulfmaybeonlyoneoffeeling,butthatisenough。Itfollows,then,thatwithGodasourlimit,whichweofcoursecanneverreach,theirlimit,inthegeometricalsense,mustbetotalseparationfromHim。Thoughallspirits,wearetold,liveforever,itoccurstomethatinGod"smercytheremaybeagradualend;forthoughtothehappysoulsinheavenathousandyearsmayseemasnothing,existenceinhellmustdragalongwithleadenlimbs,andasinglehourseemlikealifetimeofregret。Sinceitisdreadfultothinkthatsuchunsoothedanguishshouldcontinueforever,Ihaveoftenponderedwhetheritmightnotbethat,byaformofinvolutionandreversalofthepastlaw,thespiritthatcametolifeevolvedfromthe,mineral,plant,andanimalworlds,maymercifullyretraceitsstepsonebyone,tillfinallythesoulshallpenetratethesolidrockandhideitselfbybecomingpartoftheplanet。Manypeopleinmydaybelievedthatafterdeaththeirsoulswouldenterstatelytrees,andspreadabroadgreatbranches,droppingdeadleavesovertheplacesonwhichtheyhadstoodwhileonearth。Thismightbethelaststepintheawfultragedyofthefallandinvolutionofahumansoul。Inthisway,thosewhohadwastedthepricelessopportunitiesgiventhembyGodmightbemercifullyobliterated,foritseemsasiftheywouldnotbeneededintheeconomyoftheuniverse。TheBible,however,mentionsnosuchend,andsaysunmistakablythathellwilllastforever;sothatinthissupposition,asinmanyothers,thewishisprobablyfatherofthethought。"

"But,"persistedBearwarden,"howaboutdeath—bedrepentances？"

"Those,"repliedthespirit,"arefewandfarbetween。Thepainsofdeathatthelasthourleavebutlittleroomforaughtbutvainregret。Amandiessuddenly,ormaybeunconscioussometimebeforetheend。Buttheydooccur。Thequestionis,Howmuchcreditisittobegoodwhenyoucandonomoreharm？Thetimetoresistevilanddothatwhichisrightiswhilethetemptationisonandinitsstrength。Whilelifelaststhereishope,butthebooksaresealedbydeath。Thetreemustfalltoonesideortheother——thereisnomiddleground——andasthetreefalleth,soitlieth。

"This,however,isagloomysubject,andonethatinyourheartofheartsyouunderstand。Iwouldrathertellyoumoreofthebeautiesandsplendoursofspace——oftheorange,red,andbluestars,andofthetremendouscyclonicmovementsgoingonwithinthem,whichareevenmoreviolentthanthestormsthatrageinthesun。Theclouds,asthespectroscopehasalreadyshown,consistofiron,gold,andplatinumintheformofvapour,whiletheopeningsrevealedbysun—spots,orratherstar—spots,aresotremendousthatacomparativelysmallonewouldcontainmanydozensuchglobesastheearth。Icouldtellyoualsoofthemysteriesofthegreatdarkcompanionsofsomeofthestars,andofthestarsthatarethemselvesdarkandcold,withnaughtbutthefarawayconstellationstocheerthem,onwhichnightreignseternally,andthatfaroutnumberthestarsyoucansee。Alsoofthemultiplicityofsexandextraordinaryformsoflifethatexistthere,thoughonnoneofthemaretheremortalmenlikethoseontheearth。

"Nature,intheprocessofevolution,hasinallthesecasesgoneoffonanentirelydifferentcourse,themostintelligentandhighlydevelopedspeciesbeingintheformofmarvellouslycomplexreptiles,wingedserpentsthatsingmostbeautifully,butwhosebloodiscold,beingpreventedfromfreezingintheupperregionsoftheatmospherebythepresenceofsaltandchemicals,andwhicharesointelligentthattheyhavepracticallysubduedmanyofthesedarkstarstothemselves。Onothers,themosthighlydevelopedspecieshavehollow,bell—shapedtentacles,intowhichtheyinjecttwoormoreopposinggasesfromoppositesidesoftheirbodies,which,incombination,produceastrongexplosion。Thisprovidesthemwithaneasyandrapidlocomotion,sincetheexplosionsfindasufficientresistanceinthesurroundingairtopropelthemonstersmuchfasterthanbirds。

Thesecanatpleasuremaketheirbreathsopoisonousthatthelungsofanycreaturesexceptthemselvesinhalingitareatonceturnedtoparchment。Otherscangivetheirenemiesortheirpreyanelectricshock,sendingaboltthroughtheheart,orcanparalyzethemindphysicallybyaneffortoftheirwills,causingthebraintodecomposewhilethevictimisstillalive。Othershavethesamepowerthatsnakeshave,thoughvastlyintensified,mesmerizingtheirvictimsfromafar。

"Stillothershavesuchdelicatesensesthatinawaytheycommunewithspirits,thoughtheyhavenosoulsthemselves;forinnopartorcorneroftheuniverseexceptoneartharethereanimalsthathavesouls。Yettheyknowthemeaningoftheword,andoftenbewailtheirhardlotinthatnopartofthemcanlivewhenthehearthasceasedtobeat。

"Ah,myfriends,ifwehadnosouls——if,liketheaestheticreptilia,weknewthatwhenourdustdissolvedourexistencewouldbeover——weshouldrealizethepreciousnessofwhatweholdsolightlynow。Manandthespiritsandangelsaretheonlybeingswithsouls,andinnoplaceexceptoneartharenewsoulsbeingcreated。Thisgivesyouthegreatestandgrandestideaofthedignityoflifeanditsinestimablevalue。Butitisasdifficulttodescribethehigherwondersofthestellarworldstoyouastopicturethegloriesofsunsettoablindman,foryouhaveexperiencednothingwithwhichtocomparethem。Insteadofseeingallthatreallyis,youseebutasmallpart。"

CHAPTERIX。

DOCTORCORTLANDTSEESHISGRAVE。

"Isitnotdistastefultoyou,"Cortlandtasked,"tolivesoneartheseloathsomedragons？"

"Notintheleast,"repliedthespirit。"Theyaffectusnomorethanthesmallestmicro—organism,forweseebothwithequalclearness。Sincewearenotobligedtobreathe,theycannotinjureus;and,besides,theyservetoillustratetheworkingofGod"slaws,andthereisbeautyineverythingforthosethathavethesensesrequiredforperceivingit。Afeatureofthespiritualworldis,thatitdoesnotinterferewiththenatural,andthenatural,exceptthroughfaith,isnotawareofitspresence。"

"Thenwhy,"askedCortlandt,"wasitnecessaryfortheAlmightytobringyoursoulstoSaturn,sincetherewouldhavebeennoovercrowdingifyouhadremainedontheearth？"

"That,"repliedthespirit,"waspartofHiswisdom;forthespirit,beingableatoncetolookbackintothenaturalworld,ifinit,wouldbetroubledatthemistakesandtribulationsofhisfriends。Now,asarule,beforeaspiritcanreturntoearth,hisorherrelativesandfriendshavealsodied;or,ifhecanreturnbeforethathappens,heissoadvancedthatheseestheulteriorpurpose,andthereforethewisdomofGod"sways,andisnotdistressedthereby。Lastly,astheirexpandingsensesgrew,itwouldbepainfulfortheblessedandcondemnedspiritstobetogether。Thereforewearebroughthere,whereGodrevealsHimselftousmoreandmore,andtheflightoftheothersouls——thoseunhappyones——doesnotceasetilltheyreachCassandra。"

"CanthesoulsonCassandraalsoleaveitintimeandroamatwill？"askedCortlandt。

"Ihaveseennoneofthemmyselfinmyjourneystootherplanets;

butasthesunshinesuponthejustandtheunjust,andthereisnoexceptiontoNature"slaws,Icanreplythatintimetheydo,andwithequalpowerstheirincentivetoroamwouldbegreater;

forwearedrawntogetherbycommonsympathyandpure,requitedlove,whiletheyaremutuallyrepelled。Ofcourse,someobtainameasureoffreedombeforetherest,andthesenaturallyroamthefarthest,andthemoretheyseeandthefarthertheygo,thestrongerbecomestheirabhorrenceforeverythingtheymeet。"

"Cannotyouspiritshelpus,andthemortalsnowonearth,toescapethisfate？"

"Thegreatesthopeforyourbodiesandsoulsliesinthecommunionwiththosethathavepassedthroughdeath;fortheleastofthemcantellyoumorethanthewisestmanonearth;andcouldyouallcomeorsendrepresentativestothemultitudesherewhocannotasyetreturntoyou,butfewonearthwouldbesoquixoticallysinfulastorefuseouradvice。Since,however,thegreatestgoodcomestomenfromthelearningthattheymakeanefforttosecure,itisforyoutostrivetoreachus,whocanactasgo—betweensfromGodtoyou。"

"Itseemstome,"saidBearwarden,"thatpeoplearebetternowthanformerly。Thesinofidolatry,forinstance,hasdisappeared——hasitnot？"

"Menstillsetupidolsofwealth,passion,orambitionintheirhearts。Thesetheyworshipasindaysgoneby,onlytheformhaschanged。"

"CouldthesoulsonCassandradousbodilyormentalinjury,ifwecouldeverreachtheirplanet？"askedBearwarden。

"Theymightoppressanddistressyou,butyourfaithwouldprotectyouwhereveryoumightgo。"

"Canyougiveusatasteofyoursenseofprescience？"askedBearwardenagain;"for,sinceitisnotclearinwhatdegreethecondemnedreceivethis,andneitherisitbyanymeanssurethatIshallbesaved,Ishouldlikeforonceinmyhistorytoexperiencethissenseofdivinity,beforemyentityendsinstone。"

"Iwilltransfertoyoumysenseofprescience,"repliedthespirit,"thatyoumayforeseeasprophetshave。Insodoing,I

shallbutanticipate,sinceyouwillyourselvesintimeobtainthissenseinagreaterorlessdegree。Isthereanyeventinthefutureyouwouldliketosee,inorderthat,whenthevisionisfulfilled,itmaytendtostablishyourfaith？"

"SinceIamtheoldest,"repliedthedoctor,"andshallprobablydiebeforemyfriends,revealtous,Iprayyou,themannerofmydeathandtheeventsimmediatelyfollowing。Thismayproveanobject—lessontothem,andwillgreatlyinterestme。"

"Yourdeathwillbecausedbyblood—poisoning,broughtonbyanaccident,"beganthespirit。"Somedaybreakwillfindyouweak,afteratroublednight,withyourbodilyresourcesatalowebb。

Sunsetwillseeyouweaker,withyourpowerofresistancealmostgone。Midnightwillfindyouweakerstill,andbutlittleremovedfromthepointofdeath。Afewhourslaterakindhandwillclosethelidsofyourhalf—shuteyes,whichneveragainwillbeholdthelight。Thecoffinwillincloseyourbody,andthelastearthlyjourneybegin。Now,"thespiritcontinued,"youshallallusemysightinsteadofyourown。"

Thewallsofthecaveseemedtoexpand,tilltheyresembledthoseofagreatcathedral,whilethestalactitesappearedtobemetamorphosedintoGothiccolumns。Theyfoundthemselvesamongalargecongregationthathadcometoattendthelastsadrites,whilethegreatorganplayedChopin"s"FuneralMarch。"Thehighvaultandarchesreceivedtheorgan"stone,andasombrelightpervadedtheinterior。Therewasaslightflutterandacraningofnecksamongthoseinthepews,astheprocessionbegantoascendtheaisle。Whiletheslowstepofthepallbearersandthosecarryingthecoffinsoundedonthestonefloor,theclearvoiceoftheclergymanthatheadedtheprocessionsoundedthesewordsthroughthecathedral:"IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth,andthatHeshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth。"Asthebieradvanced,BearwardenandAyraultrecognizedthemselvesamongthepallbearers——theformerwithgreymustacheandhair,thelatterconsiderablyaged。Thehermeticallysealedleadcoffinwasinclosedinawoodencase,andthewholewasdrapedandcoveredwithflowers。

"Oh,myfaith！"criedCortlandt,"Iseemyfacewithin,yetitisbutadecomposingmassthatIoncedescribedasI。"

Thenagaindidtheminister"svoiceproclaim,"Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord;hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive;andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie。"

Thebearersgentlysetdowntheirburden;theministerreadtheever—impressivechapterofSt。PaultotheCorinthians;abishopsolemnlyandsilentlysprinkledearthonthecoffin;andthechoirsangthe398thhymn,beginningwiththewords,"Hark,harkmysoul！angelicsongsareswelling,"whichhadalwaysbeenCortlandt"sfavouriteandtheservicewasatanend。ThebearersagainshoulderedallthatwasleftofHenryCortlandt,andhisrelativesaccompaniedthistothecemetery。

Thencameasweepingchangeofscene。Ahostofmonumentsandgravestonesreflectedthesunlight,whileabroadriverebbedandflowedbetweenhighbanks。Asextonandawatchmanstoodbyagranitevault,theheavydoorofwhichtheyhadopenedwithalargekey。Hardbyweresomegardenersandlabourers,andalsoacrowdofcuriosity—seekerswhohadcometowitnessthelastsadrites。Presentlyafuneralprocessionappeared。Thehearsestoppedneartheopenvault,overthedoorofwhichstoodoutthenameofCORTLANDT,andtheaccompanyingministersaidashortprayer,whileallpresentuncoveredtheirheads。Afterthisthecoffinwasbornewithinandsetatrestuponaslab,amongmanygenerationsofCortlandts。Intheheartsoftherelativesandfriendswasgenuinesorrow,butthecuriosity—seekerswenttheirwayandgavelittlethought。"To—morrowwillbeliketo—day,"

theysaid,"andmoregreatmenwilldie。"

Thencameanotherchangeofscene,thoughitwascomparativelyslight。Thesunslowlysankbeyondthefartherbankofthebroadriver,andthemoonandstarsshonesoftlyonthegravestonesandcrosses。TwogardenerssmokedtheirshortclaypipesonabenchbeforetheCortlandtvault,andtalkedinaslowmanner。

"Hewasagreatman,"saidone,"andifhissoulbloomsliketheflowersonhisgrave,hemustbeinparadise,whichweknowisafinerparkthanthis。"

"HewasexpertfortheGovernmentwhentheearth"saxiswassetright,"saidthesecondgardener,"andhemusthavebeenascholar,forhiscalculationshaveallcometrue。Hewasoneofthefirstthreementovisittheotherplanets,whiletheobituariesinthepaperssayhishistorywillbereadhereafterlikethebooksofCaesar。Afterburyingallthesegreatpeople,IsometimeswishIcoulddothesameformyself,forthepeopleI

buryseemtoberemembered。"Afterthistheyrelapsedintotheirmeditations,thesilencebeingbrokenonlybyanoccasionalmurmurfromtheriver"ssteadyflow。

Hereuponthevoyagersfoundtheywereoncemoreinthecave。Thefirehadburnedlow,andthedawnwasalreadyintheeast。

Cortlandtwipedhisforehead,shivered,andlookedextremelypale。

"ThankHeaven,"hecried,"wecannotordinarilyforeseeourend;

forbutfewwouldattaintheirpredestinedendingcouldtheyseeitinadvance。Maytheveilnotagainberaised,lestIfaintbeforeit！Ilookedinvainformysoul,"hecontinued,"butcouldseeitnowhere。"

"Thesoulsofthosedyingyoung,"repliedthespirit,"sometimeswishtohoverneartheirashesasifregrettinganunfinishedlife,ortheopportunitiesthathavedeparted;butthosedyingaftermiddleageareusuallygladtobefreefromtheirbodies,andseldomthinkofthemagain。"

"Ishallappendthelinesnowinmyheadtomyhistory,"saidCortlandt,"thatwhereitgoestheymaygoalso。Theycanscarcelyfailtobeinstructiveastheconclusionsofamanwhohasseenbeyondhisgrave。"Whereuponbewroteastanzainhisnote—book,andcloseditwithoutshowinghiscompanionswhathehadwritten。

"Maytheydoallthegoodyouhope,andmuchmore！"repliedthespirit,"fortherewardintheresurrectionmorningwillvastlyexceedallyourlaboursnow。

"O,myfriends,"thespiritcontinuedmostearnestly,addressingthethree,"areyoupreparedforyourdeath—beds？Whenyoureyesglazeintheirlastsleep,andyoulosethattemporalworldandwhatyouperhapsconsideredall,asinahaze,yourdimvisionwillthenbedisplacedbythetruecreationthatwillbeeternal。

Yourunattainedambitions,yourhopes,andyouridealswillbeswallowedinthegrave。Yourworkswillsecureyouaplaceinhistory,andmanywillrememberyournamesuntil,intime,oblivioncoversyourmemoryasthegrassconcealsyourtombs。

Areyoupreparedforthetimewhenyoureyesbecomeblind,andyourtrustedsensesfail？Yoursorrowingfriendswillmourn,andtheflagsofyourclubswillflyathalf—mast,butnoearthlythingcanhelpyouthen。Inwhatconditionwilltheresurrectionmorningfindyou,whenyoursinsofneglectandcommissionpleadforvengeance,asAbel"sbloodfromtheground？Afterthattherecanbenochange。Theclassification,asIhavealreadytoldyou,isnowgoingon;itwillthenbefinished。"

"Wearethemostutterlywretchedsinners！"criedAyrault。"Showushowwecanbesaved。"

"Asaninhabitantofspirit—land,Iwillgiveyouworldlycounsel,"repliedthebishop。"Duringmyearthlyadministration,asItoldyou,peoplecamefromfartohearmepreach。ThiswasbecauseIhadeloquenceandearnestness,bothgiftsofGod。ButIwasamiserablyweaksinnermyself。ThatwhichIwould,Ididnot,andthatwhichIwouldnotthatIdid;andIoftenprayedmycongregationtofollowmysermonsratherthanmyways。Iseemedtodomyfollowersgood,andDanielthuscommendsmywayinhislastchapter:"Theythatturnmanytorighteousnessshallshineasthestarsforeverandever,"andtheexplanationisclear。

Thereisnosurerwayoflearningthantryingtoteach。InteachingmyseveralflocksIwasalsoimprovedmyself。Iwassowninweakness,butwasraisedinpower,strengthbeingmadeperfectinweakness。Thereforeimproveyourfellows,thoughyourselfyoucannotraise。Theknowledgethatyouhavesentmanysoulstoheaven,thoughyouareyourselfacastaway,willgiveyouunspeakablejoy,andplaceyouinheavenwhereveryoumaybe。

Yetrememberthis:noneofuscanwinheaven;salvationisthegiftofGod。Ihavesaidasmuchnowasyoucanremember。

Farewell。Improvetimewhileyoucan。FearGodandkeepHiscommandments。Thisisthewholedutyofman。"

Sosaying,thespiritvanishedinacloudthatforatimeemittedlight。

"Iamnotsurprised,"saidBearwarden,"thatpeopletooklongjourneystohearhim。Iwoulddosomyself。"

"Ihaveneverhadmuchfearofdeath,"saidCortlandt,"butthemerethoughtofitnowmakesmykneesshake,andfillsmyheartwithdread。IthoughtIsawthemosthatefulformsaboutmycoffin,andimaginedthattheymightbethepersonificationofdoubt,coldness,andmyothershortcomings,whichhadcomeperhapsfromsympathy,ininvisibleform。Iwasalmostafraidtoaskthespiritfortheexplanation。"

"Isawthemalso,"repliedBearwarden,"buttookthemtobeswarmsofmicrobeswaitingtodestroyyourbody,orperhapstryinginvaintopenetrateyourhermeticallysealedcoffin。"

Cortlandtseemedmuchupset,andspenttherestofthedayinwritingoutthefactsandtryingtoassignacause。TowardseveningBearwarden,whohadrecoveredhisspirits,preparedsupper,afterwhichtheysatintheentrancetothecave。

CHAPTERX。

AYRAULT。

Asthe,nightbecamedarkertheycaughtsightoftheearthagain,shiningveryfaintly,andinhismind"seyeAyraultsawhissweetheart,andtheold,oldrepiningthat,sincereasonandlovebegan,hasbeeninmen"sminds,cameuponhimandalmostcrushedhim。Withoutsayinganythingtohiscompanions,Ayraultleftthecave,and,passingthroughthegroveinwhichthespirithadpaidthemhissecondvisit,wentslowlytothetopofthehillabouthalfamileoff,thathemightthemoreeasilygazeatthefaintstaronwhichhecouldpictureSylvia。

"Ah！"hesaidtohimself,onreachingthesummit,"Iwillstayheretilltheearthriseshigher,andwhenitisfarabovemeI

willgazeatitasatheaven。"

Accordingly,helaydownwithhisheadonamoundofsod,andwatchedthefamiliarplanet。

"Wewereborntoosoon,"hesoliloquized;"forhadSylviaandI

butlivedinthespiritualageforetoldbythebishop,wemighthaveheldcommunion,whilenowourspirits,nomatterhowmuchinlove,areseparatedabsolutelybyamerematterofdistance。ItisamockerytoseeSylvia"sdwelling—place,andfeelthatsheisbeyondmyvision。Othat,intheabsenceofsomethingbetter,mypoorimperfecteyescouldbetransformedintothoseofaneagle,butwithamilliontimesthepower！forthoughIknowthatwiththesesensesIshallseetheresurrection,andhearthelasttrump,thatisbutprospective,whilenowisthetimeIlongforsight。"

Ontheplainhehadlefthesawhisfriends"camp—fire,whileontheothersideofhiselevationwasavalleyinwhichtheinsectschirpedsharply,andthroughwhichranastream。Feelingadesireforsolitudeandtobeasfarremovedaspossible,hearoseanddescendedtowardsthewater。Thoughtheautumn,wheretheyfoundthemselves,waswelladvanced,thisnightwaswarm,andtheringsformedagreatarchabovehishead。Nearthestreamthefrogscroakedhappily,asifunmindfulofthelongverylongSaturnianwinter;forthoughtheywereremovedbutabouttendegreesfromtheequator,thesunwassoremoteandtheaxisoftheplanetsoinclinedthatitwasunlikelytheseindividualfrogswouldseeanothersummer,thoughtheymightliveagain,inasense,intheirdescendants。Theinsectsalsowouldsoonbefrozenandstiff,andthetall,gracefulliliesthatstillclungtolifewouldbewitheredanddead。Thetrees,asifweepingattheevanescenceofthelifearoundthem,shedtheirleavesatthefaintestbreeze。Theseflutteredtotheground,or,fallingintothetranquilstream,werecarriedawaybyit,andpassedfromsight。Ayraultstoodmusingandregrettingthenecessityofsuchgeneraldeath。"But,"hethought,"Iwouldratherdiethanlosemylove;forthenIshouldhavehadthetasteofblisswithoutitsfulfilment,andshouldbeworseoffthandead。Lovegildsthecommonplace,anddeifiesallittouches。Lovesurvivesthewinter,andinmypresentframeofmindIshouldpreferearthandcoldwithittoheavenandspring。

Oh,whyismysoulsocloggedbymybody？"

Apillarofstonestandingnearhimwassuddenlyshattered,andthebishopstoodwhereithadbeen。

"Because,"saidthespirit,answeringhisthought,"ithasnotyetpowertobefree。"

"Canaman"ssoulnotrisetillhisbodyisdead？askedAyrault。

Thespirithesitated。

"Oh,tellme,"pleadedAyrault。"IfIcouldseethegirltowhomIamengaged,forbutamoment,couldbeconvincedthatshelovesmestill,mymindwouldbeatrest。Freemysoulorspirit,orwhateveritis,fromthisbody,thatImaytraverseinterveningspaceandbewithher。"

"Youwilldiscoverthewayforyourselfintime,"saidthespirit。

"IknowIshallatthelastday,intheresurrection,whenIamnolongerintheflesh。ThenIshallhavenoneedofyouraid;

forwe,knowthatintheresurrectiontheyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage,butareliketheangelsofGodinheaven。ItiswhileIammortal,andloveasmortalsdo,thatIwishtoseemypromisedbride。Aspiritmayhaveotherjoys,andperhapshigher;butyouwhohavelivedintheworldandloved,showmethatwhichisnowmyheart"sdesire。YouhaveshownusthetombinwhichCortlandtwilllieburied;nowhelpmetogotoonewhoisstillalive。"

"IpraythatGodwillgrantyouthis,"saidthespirit,"andmakemeHisinstrument,forIseethedepthofyourdistress。"Sayingwhich,hevanished,leavingnotraceinhisdepartureexceptthatthepillarofstonereturnedtoitsplace。

Withthisrathervaguehope,Ayraultsetofftorejoinhiscompanions,forhefelttheneedofhumansympathy。Saturn"srapidrotationhadbroughttheearthalmosttothezenith,thelittlepointshiningwiththeunmistakablysteadyrayofaplanet。Hugebatsflutteredabouthim,andthegreatcloud—massessweptacrossthesky,beingpartofSaturn"sceaselesswhirl。Hefoundhewasinahypnoticorspiritualisticstate,foritwasnotnecessaryforhimtohavehiseyesopentoknowwherehewas。Inpassingoneofthepoolstheyhadnoticed,heobservedthattheupperandpreviouslyinvisibleliquidhadthebrightcolourofgold,andaboutitrestedagroupoffiguresenvelopedinlight。

"Whydoyoulooksosad？"theyasked。"Youareinthatabodeofdepartedspiritsknownasparadise,andshouldbehappy。"

"IsupposeIshouldbehappy,wereIhereasyouare,astherewardofmerit,"hereplied。"ButIamstillintheflesh,andassuchamsubjecttoitscares。"

"Youareabouttohaveanexperience,"saidanotherspeaker。