The serpents were even climbing the trees. The trees all looked dead, old and withered. All the men and women seemed lost; not one could find their loved ones. All were parted! All lonely! Their only companions were those they hated most. Many had been in this awful place for years and years. Many would stay years longer, because they had made slaves of lovely young girls. These poor, helpless girls had gone on to Heaven, and the men that ruined them were still suffering here. They suffered more than their former victims ever did. Ruth was so glad to see these men suffering. Young girls have a right to honor and sacred love and homes. These men and women that once sold sweet, lovely young girls for money, prayed for death; but there is no death in Hades! It was awful to see these souls live on and on to suffer and groan from remorse of conscience. There would be no justice without this great mighty underworld court, or Purgatory. The sins and crimes of darkness, of all the universe, are concentrated here. This is a terrible and dismal region of darkness, misery, despair and sorrow! Hades is a place in space down in the opposite direction from Heaven. It is God’s mighty Court of Justice. There is no money or bail given there. You cannot bribe the Judge or jury. Their souls are laid bare! Their hearts and very thoughts are judged. All their past acts are recorded. Justice reigns supreme. Every act and thought is pictured in space. Every sound ascends and is recorded by our angels. Science is a perfect photographer. All acts and thoughts are retained on the lens of the mind. “Cresto, is that why these men and women seem so insane?” “Yes, dear, their minds are all darkness from sin and ignorance.” “Cresto, please take me home out into the fresh air, I cannot stand their awful looks and misery.” “Come, we will go at once. I should have taken you back sooner.” “O! what happiness to fly from darkest Purgatory, out into God’s lovely star light. To soar like a free bird in the sweet, pure fresh air. What a contrast from that awful place!” “Ruth, are you not glad you have chosen missionary work instead of idleness?” “Yes, dear, from now on I shall be perfectly happy in doing good. I must commence my work at once. Now is the time. How lovely it is to float like this among the stars. Away in space! To float like a bird among the stars and clouds is perfect ecstacy! Each star looks like big, bright double balls of light; one was blue, one was white. Cresto, this is a heavenly sight!” “My darling, I will hold you closer to my heart and fly on and on with you just to please you. My greatest happiness is in seeing you happy. All you need to do is to put your lovely head on my breast, and take long, deep breaths.” “Darling, how grateful I am to you, Cresto, dear, to be able to float as the angels do with you, just for tonight. O! this lovely, perfect night. Cresto, I love you!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------