We have had faith to do what we
prayed for, and the prescience of which I speak has been added unto us."
The manufacturer asked, as the bereaved mother had asked: "And if I lived
so, should I feel so?"
Again the Altrurian answered: "Why not?"
The poor woman quavered: "Oh, I do believe it! I just _know_ it must be
true!"
The manufacturer shook his head sorrowfully and sat down, and remained
there, looking at the ground.
"I am aware," the Altrurian went on, "that what I have said as to our
realizing the kingdom of heaven on the earth must seem boastful and
arrogant. That is what you pray for every day, but you do not believe it
possible for God's will to be done on earth as it is done in heaven--that
is, you do not if you are like the competitive and monopolistic people we
once were. We once regarded that petition as a formula vaguely pleasing
to the Deity, but we no more expected His kingdom to come than we expected
Him to give us each day our daily bread; we knew that if we wanted
something to eat we should have to hustle for it, and get there first; I
use the slang of that far-off time, which, I confess, had a vulgar vigor.
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