I interpreted this to the _Selenite_, who shook his Head, and said it was, he believ'd, impossible. That he did not doubt but Providence would reward the Virtuous of his Species; that his Mercy and Justice were without Bound, which ought to keep him from desponding.
The next Day a great Number of _Selenites_ came to see me, and entertain'd me with abundance of Candour. I seeing no Difference in Dress, nor any Deference paid to any, as distinguish'd by a superior Rank, I took Liberty to ask my _English Selenite_, if all the Inhabitants were upon a Level, and if they had no Servants nor Artificers?
"We have, _said he_, no Distinctions among us; who in your World begg'd Alms, with us, has the same Respect as he who govern'd a Province: Tho', to say Truth, we have but few of your sublunary Quality among us. We have no Occasion for Servants; we are all Artificers, and none where Help is necessary, but offers his with Alacrity. For Example, would I build a House, every one here, and as many more as were wanting, would take a Pleasure to assist me."
He told me, that the next Day they intended to present me to _Abrahijo_, the oldest _Selenite_.
Accordingly, we set out at Sun-rising, and entered a Bark about a League from the House, and having pass'd about four Leagues on a River which ran thro' a Valley beautiful beyond Description, we went ashore within an Hundred Yards _Abrahijo_'s Place of Abode.
When we came in, the venerable old Man, whose compos'd and chearful Countenance spoke the Heaven of his Mind, rose from his Chair, and came to meet us; he was of a great Age, but free from the Infirmities which attend it in our World.
The _English Selenite_ presented me to him with few Words, and he received me with Tenderness.
After he was inform'd of my Story, he spoke to me by our Interpreter, to this Effect.
"My Son, I hope you will reap a solid Advantage from the perilous Journey you have made, tho' your Expectation of finding Riches among us is frustrated. All that I have to give you, is my Advice to return to your World, place your Happiness in nothing transitory; nor imagine that any Riches, but those which are Eternal, which neither _Thief can carry away, nor Rust corrupt_, are worthy of your Pursuit. Keep continually in your Eye the Joys prepared for those who employ the Talents they are entrusted with, as they ought: Reflect upon the little Content your World can afford you: Consider how short is Life, and that you have but little Time to spare for Trifles, when the grand Business, the securing your eternal Rest, ought to employ your Mind. You are there in a State of Probation, and you must there chuse whether you will be happy or miserable; you will not be put to a second Trial; you sign at once your own Sentence, and it will stand irrevocable, either for or against you. Weigh well the Difference between a momentary and imperfect, and an eternal and solid Happiness, to which the Divine Goodness invites you; nay, by that Calmness, that Peace of Mind, which attends a virtuous Life, bribes you to make Choice of, if you desire to be among us, be your own Friend, and you will be sure to have those Desires gratify'd. But you must now return, since it was never known, that gross Flesh and Blood ever before breath'd this Air, and that your Stay may be fatal to you, and disturb the Tranquillity of the _Selenites_. This I prophesy, and my Compassion obliges me to warn you of it."