us, his messengers, as a flame of fire to shine upon those who sit in
darkness, how gladly would we go to bring in the new day!

"We would speak the word of warning and counsel to the erring, and
tell knowledge to the perplexed. We would guide the ignorant in the
paths of prudence, and the young would sit at our feet and hear
us gladly in the school of life. Then folly would fade away as the
morning vapour, and the sun of wisdom would shine on all men, and the
peace of God would come with the counsel of the angels."

A murmur of pleasure followed the words of Uriel, and eager looks
flashed around the circle of the messengers of light as they heard the
praise of wisdom fitly spoken. But there was one among them on whose
face a shadow of doubt rested, and though he smiled, it was as if he
remembered something that the others had forgotten. He turned to an
angel near him.

"Who was it," said he, "to whom you were sent with counsel long ago?
Was it not Balaam the son of Beor, as he was riding to meet the
King of Moab? And did not even the dumb beast profit more by your
instruction than the man who rode him? And who was it," he continued,
turning to Uriel, "that was called the wisest of all men, having
searched out and understood the many inventions that are found under
the sun? Was not Solomon, prince of fools and philosophers, unable
by much learning to escape weariness of the flesh and despair of
the spirit? Knowledge also is vanity and vexation. This I know well,
because I have dwelt among men and held converse with them since the
day when I was sent to instruct the first man in Eden."

Then I looked more closely at him who was speaking and recognised