And could anything
be more terrifying than the thought that the glorious Orb, the maker
of day and generator of all beauty, should be destined to hurl from
its shining centre death and destruction upon the planet it had from
creation vivified and warmed! The Vision had shown the devastating
ring of fire rising from that very quarter of the heavens where the
sun should have been radiantly beaming,--and as Felix Bonpre dwelt
upon the picture in his mind, and remembered his own wild prayer to
the Eternal, a great uneasiness and dread overwhelmed him.
"God's laws can never be altered;" he said aloud--"Every evil deed
brings its own punishment; and if the world's wickedness becomes too
great an offence in the eyes of the Almighty, it follows that the
world must be destroyed. What am I that I should pray against Divine
Justice! For truly we have had our chance of rescue and salvation;--
the Way,--the Truth,--and the Life have been given to us through
Christ our Redeemer; and if we reject Him, we reject all, and we
have but ourselves to blame."
At that moment a plaintive wailing, as of some human creature in
distress broke on his ears through the deep silence of the night. He
listened attentively, and the sorrowful sound was repeated,--a
desolate yet gentle cry as of some sick and suffering child.
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