bounds? how convert the vicious, without
persuasion of some special seers? Must your religion go hand in hand
with all things secular?"

"We hold not, that one man's words should be a gospel to the rest; but
that Alma's words should be a gospel to us all. And not by precepts
would we have some few endeavor to persuade; but all, by practice, fix
convictions, that the life we lead is the life for all. We are
apostles, every one. Where'er we go, our faith we carry in our hands,
and hearts. It is our chiefest joy. We do not put it wide away six
days out of seven; and then, assume it. In it we all exult, and joy;
as that which makes us happy here; as that, without which, we could be
happy nowhere; as something meant for this time present, and
henceforth for aye. It is our vital mode of being; not an incident.
And when we die, this faith shall be our pillow; and when we rise, our
staff; and at the end, our crown. For we are all immortal. Here, Alma
joins with our own hearts, confirming nature's promptings."

"How eloquent he is!" murmured Babbalanja. "Some black cloud seems
floating from me. I begin to see. I come out in light. The sharp fang
tears me less. The forked flames wane. My soul sets back like ocean
streams, that sudden change their flow. Have I been sane? Quickened in
me is a hope. But pray you, old man--say on--methinks, that in your
faith must be much that jars with reason."

"No, brother! Right-reason, and Alma, are the same; else Alma, not
reason, would we reject. The Master's great command is Love; and here
do all things wise, and all things good, unite. Love is all in all.
The more we love, the more we know; and so reversed. Oro we love; this
isle; and our wide arms embrace all Mardi like its reef. How can we
err, thus feeling? We hear loved Alma's pleading, prompting voice, in
every breeze, in every leaf; we see his earnest eye in every star and
flower."

"Poetry!" cried Yoomy; "and poetry is truth! He stirs me."

"When Alma dwelt in Mardi, 'twas with the poor and friendless. He fed
the famishing; he healed the sick; he bound up wounds. For every
precept that he spoke, he did ten thousand mercies. And Alma is our
loved example."

"Sure, all this is in the histories!" said Mohi, starting.

"But not alone to poor and friendless, did Alma wend his charitable
way. From lowly places, he looked up; and long invoked great
chieftains in their state; and told them all their pride was vanity;
and bade them a