Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 174 -
AGITATING EFFECT OF MARTIN'S SERMON ON THE SUN-DWELLERS. DIALOGUE BETWEEN URON AND MARTIN.
1
(Here, the sage Uron steps forward and says): "Friend, I can see that you speak the truth, but what do you hope to achieve by it? Do you want to stir up these people against God? Here, my wisdom is really at an end and I cannot understand you, and God even less! What order is this supposed to be?
2
I know the heavens and hells of many worlds, but no hell is worse than your earth. Therefore, I beg you to speak about something else or you will excite my people against God, Whom so far they have praised and revered above everything."
3
(Says Martin): "Friend, every being and thing has been given by the Lord a certain duty to perform, openly or secretly, with the only difference that the things must, but we free beings can and want to perform it. Therefore, whatever the result of my speech may be, I do nothing but the Lord's will. So you may go on listening to me, as I am not quite finished yet."
4
(Says Uron): "You may continue with your speech, but the question still remains: Who will profit from your revelation? You can neither lose nor gain anything by telling us purer dwellers in this world about what life is like in yours. And we can surely not gain anything through becoming better acquainted with the wickedness of your world, which has not revealed itself to that extent when regarded by our wisdom. However, your description of the terrible conditions in your world could cause a lot of damage to us which might be irreparable.
5
We have already had a very detailed description from you of the bad conditions in your world, and we can easily imagine that even worse things could happen there. Therefore, I do not see any point in bothering us any longer with these matters which are of little interest to us, because we are quite unable to change the miserable conditions in your world. Besides, we would never wish or agree to adopt the extremely bad order of your world. And so, I think you might now let your brother Peter speak, as he might have something better to tell us.
6
Should it be your intention to accuse God, your Creator and ours, before us, and let us decide whether He is right or wrong, I would be really sorry for you. What could we impotent creatures achieve against the infinite omnipotence of the Creator, even if we were convinced that He deals unjustly with the inhabitants of your earth? For He is still the sole Lord, and the whole of infinity lies in His hand, and depends on His will.
7
Let us assume that among the countless myriads of worlds He had, indeed, destined one particular world to be a plaything for His whims: who could call Him to account for it? And if you dared do it, could you enforce an answer from Him? He is and remains forever the sole Lord and does what pleases Him. He can bestow His grace upon men or condemn them, irrespective of whether we find it justified or otherwise.
8
Who could prevent Him from destroying this world in a moment if He so willed it? Or, if He sent myriads of terrible spirits to torment us for aeons of time, what could we do toward the prevention of such a judgment?
9
I believe that God, Who is now visibly present among us, is the sole Lord of all the worlds, heavens, and hells. His omnipotence vouches for His likewise infinite wisdom! He will know best why He sometimes allows things to happen which our reason is unlikely ever to comprehend. And I am convinced that if we willingly submit to His will and order, we shall not go wrong. Do you agree with me?"
10
(Says Martin): "I do, of course. But, because it is the will of the Lord, I have to go on with my speech. You will have to respect His will in this, too."
11
(Says Uron): "If that is so, then go on speaking in His name. We shall listen to you."