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Rh came with his message to us. When the assembly gathered, the signal was given, by the sound of cannon, for the opening hymn (for every national or general assembly was commenced by a tribute of praise to the Most High). Then from a million voices burst the long and mighty pæan of praise, with the soft music of ten thousand harps and trumpets. My spirit was moved to its depths as I looked down on the vast host before me, and thought of God's love to me in giving me so bright and glorious a world to live in. What a contrast to the earth—torn by strife, desolated by sin, stained by sorrow, suffering, misery! What a still greater contrast to the miserable dead world I had just left!

Then, as the majestic song of a million voices died away, the prince of our nation arose and waved his sceptre, and bade silence, and all was still as though no living being were in that huge crater. Then he spake: —

"Citizens of the bright world, listen! Aleriel, our brother, has come back from earth by divine permission. The awful journey through space has been achieved. Our prayers have been heard. Welcome him home."

He spake, and then from a million voices came the chanted song: "Aleriel, welcome