support it. Obey and ye shall live: disobey and ye shall die! There
is no other ruling than this out of Chaos! Who is it that speaks of
losing the way, when the way is, and has been and ever shall be,
clear and plain?"

I stretched out my hands involuntarily. My eyes filled with tears.

"O Angel invisible!" I prayed--"Forgive my weakness and unwisdom!
How can the world be saved or comforted by a Love it never finds!"

Again a silence. Again that dazzling, quivering radiance, flashing
as in an atmosphere of powdered gold.

"What does the world seek most ardently?" it demanded--"The Love of
God?--or the Love of Self? If it seeks the first, all things in
heaven and earth shall be added to its desire--if the second, all
shall be taken from it, even that which it hath!"

I had, as I thought, no answer to give, but I covered my weeping
eyes with both hands and knelt before the unseen speaker as to some
great Spirit enthroned.

"Love is not Love that loves Itself,"--went on the Voice--"Self is
the Image, not the God. Wouldst thou have Eternal Life? Then find
the secret in Eternal Love!--'Love, which can move worlds and create
universes,--the love of soul for soul, angel for angel, god for
god!"

I raised my head, and, uncovering my eyes, looked up. But I could
see nothing save that all-penetrating light which imprisoned me as