almost completely disappeared. Even mental troubles are gone, and no
corroding care destroys our peace, for there is nothing for us to dread;
no dark future, filled with unknown evils, awaits our unwilling feet, and
no superstitious or unnatural fear disturbs the peaceful quiet of our
sleep."

"And are we to understand, Thorwald," I asked, "that you believe all this
rest from trouble and wrongdoing is coming to the earth, too?"

"Before replying directly to your question," answered Thorwald, "let me
ask you if there is any tendency in that direction. Look back to the
earliest days of your history and compare the state of things then
existing with that of your own times. Has your world made any progress? Is
there any less violence? Are men learning to live without fighting? Are
the dark corners of the earth coming to the light?"

"In these and many other directions," I answered, "I think we can see
improvement."

"Then," continued Thorwald, "it seems to me you must believe with me that
your world will one day come to the condition in which you find us. Have
not your holy prophets foretold a time of universal peace both for man and
beast, a time when a higher law than selfishness shall govern all hearts
and the earth be filled with the spirit of love?"

"They have," I replied, "but most of us are so engrossed in the struggle
for existence that we think lightly or not at all of such things. These
prophecies have never impressed me as they do now when I see your
condition, and reflect that similar words may have been spoken and then
fulfilled here."