The aim and result of all science have been
to add to our comfort and happiness--our true happiness, which consists in
improvement and the constant uplifting of character. The evils that once
vexed our world, both those occasioned by natural phenomena and those
brought about by our own ignorance and sin, have, as you have heard,
almost completely disappeared. Even mental troubles are gone, and no
corroding care destroys our peace, for there is nothing for us to dread;
no dark future, filled with unknown evils, awaits our unwilling feet, and
no superstitious or unnatural fear disturbs the peaceful quiet of our
sleep."
"And are we to understand, Thorwald," I asked, "that you believe all this
rest from trouble and wrongdoing is coming to the earth, too?"
"Before replying directly to your question," answered Thorwald, "let me
ask you if there is any tendency in that direction. Look back to the
earliest days of your history and compare the state of things then
existing with that of your own times. Has your world made any progress? Is
there any less violence? Are men learning to live without fighting? Are
the dark corners of the earth coming to the light?"
"In these and many other directions," I answered, "I think we can see
improvement.
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