Another World | Page 8

the rich in their palaces; I observed mankind in various phases, and as it
were dissected men's minds and passions. I saw everywhere never-ending power in man
and nature recklessly wasted or turned against the community.
My labours were rewarded by frequent advancement. Honours did but stimulate me to
further exertions; the greater I became the more I applied myself, ever thirsting for
knowledge and the power of doing good, till at length, after passing the severest tests, I
became Tootmanyoso (Father of the World), and head of the State.
Then indeed my real labours began. Light from Heaven had enabled me to see the causes
of the evils afflicting my planet. I had now to apply remedies for changing the poisoned
torrents into sources of fertility, refreshment, and delight.
The dangers and obstructions before me were immense. I felt that no unaided mortal
power could overcome them; but I was encouraged to believe that, "like a chariot at full
speed, which turns a narrow and dangerous corner, so would I pass over my mountains of
difficulty, and run free in the wide space beyond."
I resolved with all the concentrated ardour of my soul to persevere.
Day by day I applied myself to the work, and invoked the aid of my Creator.
My harp was my constant companion. I was a great harpist; and when gratitude for some
new light choked my utterance, I made the harp speak in accents and in language[1] that
gave fresh inspiration to my soul.
[Footnote 1: Musical sounds in Montalluyah have a meaning as easily understood as
spoken words. Our harp is different to yours, and will be described hereafter.]

II.
VYORA.
"The humble and the proud are equally subject to the decrees of Heaven; and often one is
raised and the other brought low."
The system of education which I early inaugurated soon gave to my hand men of
wondrous intelligence, fervid and eloquent emissaries, having at heart the success of my
doctrines.
These men, themselves convinced, and earnest to convince others, I sent in all directions
to prepare the people, and to discover genius and intelligence under whatever garb
concealed, for I had determined that all should be encouraged to use their powers for their
own and the general good, and be advanced accordingly.
Many things had happened to strengthen this, my early resolve. One incident I will now
relate.
A beggar made many attempts to gain admission to my palace, but was turned away with
blows; his prayers that he might speak with me were received with derision,--he was
looked upon as a madman, and not allowed to pass the outer gate.
This same beggar--Vyora, by name,--saved the life of a little boy, the child of one of my
leading men called Usheemee, "Men of truth."
The child would have been crushed to death under the wheels of a chariot, moved by
electricity and drawn by fleet horses,[1] had not this same beggar rushed forward,
regardless of peril, and saved the boy.
[Footnote 1: The beauty of our horses, the desire that the chariots should not be
cumbersome, and the steep hills everywhere in Montalluyah, are the reasons why
electricity is not used alone. When the horses stop, the electric action is suspended, and
the momentum is neutralized simultaneously by a governor or regulator.]
The man refused money, and for his sole reward requested that he might be brought into
my presence. The father told me of this, which seemed to him the more strange inasmuch
as the petitioner refused to say what he required of me.
When brought before me, I asked Vyora what he sought? He replied that his whole desire,
his soul's longing, was to be appointed a teacher, that he might instruct youth, and see
little children grow wiser around him.
I regarded the man attentively, and put many searching questions. He answered all in a
remarkable way, and gave proofs of intellect, knowledge, and perception beyond the
masters who had passed through the required ordeals, and was so gentle and modest
withal, that it was delightful to speak with him.

The father of Vyora had possessed wealth, but from the cruelty and oppression of an
enemy mightier than he, had lost both fortune and life, and at his death left a family
dependent on charity.
The widow, a woman of remarkable gifts and keen sensibilities, prostrated by grief, died
soon after, carried off suddenly by a disease called, "Karni ferola," "Absorption of the
vitality," [1] which at that time baffled the skill of the physicians, who indeed had seldom
suspected its presence till the disease was beyond cure.
[Footnote 1: Answering to "consumption;" this disease is now detected and cured in its
germ.]
Vyora, himself an emaciated boy, unfitted for physical labour, was the eldest of many