Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/180

172 and the wrath of the Almighty! What fools, what madmen they were to rush with their eyes open, and all their sense about them, into that mysterious Presence!'

At that moment a grand building, which I was told was a bank doing an immense business, suddenly fell with a tremendous crash, burying thousands of the unhappy people in its ruins. The scramble on all sides was terrific; the surrounding houses were crushed, and many of the large edifices at a distance trembled visibly. My companion did not seem to be much affected by this awful calamity. He merely chirruped his horses, and observed that such things were to be expected with houses built of lead.

Then he quietly resumed his former conversation. 'I am of opinion that the man who deprives himself of the life which God gave him is, for the time being, helplessly insane. Whether his madness be brought on by his own folly or wickedness, or by the folly and wickedness of others, he is mad.'

'You are right, I think, Doctor,' I answered; 'it is a charitable view to take, and I take it with all my heart. The Divine Author of our existence is doubtless a merciful Being, if we do not provoke His indignation beyond the possibility of forgiveness. Even when these people, whether shadow or substance, are suffering a punishment like this, they must in truth acknowledge that they deserve it. They were commanded, lovingly entreated, solemnly warned, yet they persevered in their own way, and at last they died in their sins. Was it not so?'

'You speak truly and wisely; these men whom you see around us were misers, worshippers of silver and gold, of wealth in all its seductive forms of worldly splendour, worshippers of a little brief authority and power, and tyrants over their fellow-creatures. Proud, haughty, arrogant, and unapproachable, many of them were: worshippers of