So those treacherous ones cast adrift on the ocean the one who remained
faithful. And those others who would have spoken out for their absent
Teacher were silenced against their own better natures. For those wicked
ones had been great among them, and they were afraid.
It was thought that in no long time the winds and the waves would
destroy the little ship with its lonely voyager; yet with stout heart,
knowing that he might not return alone, he held on fearless and
determined. Sometimes it seems that those who so follow the voice of
their inner wisdom in dauntless courage are helped by nature, as though
she ever loves such brave hearts. I have heard the story told how the
great Columbus who found a new world was beset by his followers to
return. How nature sent him messages that he was nearing land--birds and
driftwood, branches of trees and floating weed. He read the message
with the eyes of one who loves all nature well, and promised sight of
land to his men in three days, a promise that was fulfilled.
So it was that the little ship with the one who remained faithful did a
greater work than ever those desired who sent it.
Slowly, slowly, in the Temple, it came about that the guardians forgot
their duty, forgot that they were there to guard the temple in sacred
trust for humanity; and as the wicked ones among them wished, they
busied themselves about many things; but not the one thing needful, the
welfare and the progress of mankind.
How can the tale be told? A tale that is new, yet old--old beyond count
of years.
For the enemies of the world, with whom those wicked ones were leagued,
came suddenly by night, when the sacred lamp which sent rays of hope
over the great ocean was allowed to flicker and to go out. And those
enemies destroyed the temple so that scarcely one stone remained upon
another. And with it were destroyed those weak ones who failed in their
trust. All perished and with them perished for a time the Light of the
World.