It was a beautiful, balmy spring morning.

The mountain world had burst its icy fetters and come forth radiant and smiling in the full glory of springtide. The air was pungent with the odorous breath of opening blossoms; the old forest was a-thrill with new life and melody. The day was too glorious for work and study. Adoni felt the call of the mountains and longed for a last solitary tramp through the forest. Taking leave of his teacher, he set out alone, plunging deep into the shadows of those majestic trees of God, the ancient deodars.

From every branch the tuneful cadence of bird music mingled with the deeper melody of innumerable mountain streams ringing through the dense forest like organ notes in some massive-pillared cathedral. Countless little wild creatures darted hither and thither across Adoni's path. He stopped a few moments to watch their gleeful play, then seated himself upon a fallen log to eat his mid-day lunch. Presently he coaxed a saucy little squirrel to come close enough to eat a piece of bread that had fallen from his hand. Soon others followed with timorous chatters until a score of bright, nimble creatures were capering fearlessly about him. The scattering of a handful of crumbs brought a flock of twittering songsters to the ground. Adoni answered their piping notes with thrills of whistled melody, calling them with such skillful mimicry that they flew about him, friendly and unafraid.

At length he resumed his walk, breathing into his soul the exhilarating air as he wandered farther and farther into its depths.

After roaming several miles more Adoni became at last fatigued. Yielding to the restful charm of his surroundings, he flung himself upon a mossy bank at the foot of a giant cedar. Near it stood a tiny shrine erected to the sacred trees. Adoni contemplated it sadly. "Sacred trees," he sighed, "whereupon these strange people erect shrines, temples to mythical gods and goddesses, while they let man, infinitely more sacred, the image of the Creator, go houseless and hungry, ignorant and enslaved. How woefully have the teachings of the two great lights of India been perverted. Their clear and simple enunciation of the human brotherhood, of unity and love have been metamorphosed by a crafty priesthood into a labyrinthian system of worship. A maze of idolatrous practices has become an unfailing source of revenue to the powers that profit by the ignorance of the masses, well satisfied with the system."

What a train of reflective thought this little shrine awakened in Adoni, as his eyes were fixed upon it, soliloquizing gravely:

"While the church has been quarreling over creeds and dogmas, theorizing about a future life, original sin and predestination, solemnly warning the lowly against the sin of coveteousness and revolt against authority, counseling patience, and submission to the will of God, pointing to a far off heaven for reward and justice, Mammon has taken possession of this material world, and established his kingdom upon earth, while the church, with brow of steel and heart of rock, offers ignorantly, to the multitudes of hungry souls, - a stone - in place of bread."

Alone, in the primeval forest, Adoni Bourd-alone, brought a sweeping indictment against the church, reviewed its eventful history, and comprehended to the fullest extent the paralyzing effect upon the race.

" 'Mammon rules the world.' This fact must be squarely faced, openly proclaimed and ruthlessly denounced! To overpower this giant idol, will be a herculean task, requiring strong men and brave souls to tear away the mask of hypocrisy, and awaken all the children of earth, to the degrading servility of Mammon worship!"

"Oh, God!" breathed Adoni, with uplifted eyes, "I pray that, the spirit of Thy love, will penetrate, and cleanse the hearts of those that worship Mammon. 'Arm Thy servants with the helmet of fearlessness - with the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of truth - and with the Sword of the Spirit,' I pray, let it rend asunder the mountains of Mammon and establish upon earth - Thy Kingdom of Love."

In rapt earnestness, Adoni had unconsciously given voice to his appeal. The stillness of the woodland emphasized his sentiment - the murmur of the whispering pines joined in his supplication! A sudden wind began to stir the giant branches of the trees into restless commotion! Their dark plumes were tossing in weird lamentation------!

The wailing grew louder and louder - until the whole forest cried out in mournful unison:

"Mammon! Mammon! Mammon !"

While listening to the dismal refrain, a strange quietude stole over Adoni; his anxiety and troubled mood was leaving him gradually. - The mournful sighing of the trees induced a feeling of drowsiness - ! He felt as though invisible hands were softly pressed upon his eyes, - they grew heavy, - closed - and soon, Adoni was lulled into a trance-like sleep.

Alone, - on a desert stood Adoni Bourdalone. The earth and air seemed breathless - ! The atmosphere was oppressive and cold - Adoni shivered! "Where, and what was this god-for-saken place?" The gloomy desolation deepened into darkness; the mysterious stillness in which moments seemed like hours, became maddening! In dumb bewilderment Adoni glanced about, - then walked desperately, as if trying to escape this horrible - Unknown. On, and on through the dismal region he fled - until - some invisible force held him rooted to the spot - ! His lips uttered a cry of gladness - ! Adoni - "beheld a light!" Dimly, it began to flicker then, suddenly illumined - the black horizon, - and shone through the darkness like a Star of Hope. It grew larger and brighter, slowly drawing nearer and nearer, until within its radiance, Adoni was suddenly drawn into the spacious interior of a gold-domed temple, where a vast throng of worshipers were assembled, kneeling in adoration before a gilded throne. Seated upon it was an obese figure, gorgeously appareled in a robe of sparkling jewels. All eyes were fixed upon him as upon a worshiped god of a nation's idolatry.