humble mind, who had lived apart and unknown to their fellows; and after
long centuries they went forth into the wilderness of earth and
repeopled it; but nowhere did they find any trace or record of those
that had passed away; for earth had covered all their ruined works with
her dark mold and green forests, even as a man hides unsightly scars on
his body with a new and beautiful garment. Nor is it known to us when
this destruction fell upon the race of men; we only know that the
history thereof was graven an hundred centuries ago on the granite
pillars of the House of Evor, on the plains between the sea and the
snow-covered mountains of Elf. Thither in past ages some of our pilgrims
journeyed, and have brought a record of these things; nor in our house
only are they known, but in many houses throughout the world have they
been written for the instruction of all men and a warning for all time.

"But to mankind there shall come no second darkness of error, nor
seeking after vain knowledge; and in the Father's House there shall be
no second desolation, but the sounds of joy and melody, which were
silent, shall be heard everlastingly; since we had now continued long in
this even mind, seeking only to inform ourselves of his will; until as
in a clear crystal without flaw shining with colored light, or as a
glassy lake reflecting within itself the heavens and every cloud and
star, so is he reflected in our minds; and in the house we are his
viceregents, and in the world his co-workers; and for the glory which he
has in his work we have a like glory in ours.

"He is our teacher. Morning and evening throughout the various world, in
the procession of the seasons, and in the blue heavens powdered with
stars; in mountain and plain and many-toned forest; in the sounding
walls of the ocean, and in the billowy seas through which we pass in
peril from land to land, we read his thoughts and listen to his voice.