{"id":"01KG8AKTV1S95GB3YAG5FKDAV2","cid":"bafkreifh7sdyg22gbeebdqd2x44jyapsasry3dhd5i3gskajwnydsxrzcy","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":12106,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:09.931Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 4","source_file":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","start_line":12058,"text":"“And are not these things enjoined by Alma? And would Alma inculcate\r\nthe impossible? of what merit, his precepts, unless they may be\r\npracticed? But, I beseech ye, speak no more of Maramma. Alas! did Alma\r\nrevisit Mardi, think you, it would be among those Morals he would lay\r\nhis head?”\r\n\r\n“No, no,” said Babbalanja, “as an intruder he came; and an intruder\r\nwould he be this day. On all sides, would he jar our social systems.”\r\n\r\n“Not here, not here! Rather would we welcome Alma hungry and athirst,\r\nthan though he came floating hither on the wings of seraphs; the\r\nblazing zodiac his diadem! In all his aspects we adore him; needing no\r\npomp and power to kindle worship. Though he came from Oro; though he\r\ndid miracles; though through him is life;—not for these things alone,\r\ndo we thus love him. We love him from, an instinct in us;—a fond,\r\nfilial, reverential feeling. And this would yet stir in our souls, were\r\ndeath our end; and Alma incapable of befriending us. We love him\r\nbecause we do.”\r\n\r\n“Is this man divine?” murmured Babbalanja. “But thou speakest most\r\nearnestly of adoring Alma:—I see no temples in your groves.”\r\n\r\n“Because this isle is all one temple to his praise; every leaf is\r\nconsecrated his. We fix not Alma here and there; and say,—‘those groves\r\nfor Him, and these broad fields for us.’ It is all his own; and we\r\nourselves; our every hour of life; and all we are, and have.”\r\n\r\n“Then, ye forever fast and pray; and stand and sing; as at long\r\nintervals the censer-bearers in Maramma supplicate their gods.”\r\n\r\n“Alma forbid! We never fast; our aspirations are our prayers; our lives\r\nare worship. And when we laugh, with human joy at human things, —_then_\r\ndo we most sound great Oro’s praise, and prove the merit of sweet\r\nAlma’s love! Our love in Alma makes us glad, not sad. Ye speak of\r\ntemples;—behold! ’tis by not building _them_, that we widen charity\r\namong us. The treasures which, in the islands round about, are lavished\r\non a thousand fanes;—with these we every day relieve the Master’s\r\nsuffering disciples. In Mardi, Alma preached in open fields, —and must\r\nhis worshipers have palaces?”\r\n\r\n“No temples, then no priests;” said Babbalanja, “for few priests will\r\nenter where lordly arches form not the portal.”\r\n\r\n“We have no priests, but one; and he is Alma’s self. We have his\r\nprecepts: we seek no comments but our hearts.”\r\n\r\n“But without priests and temples, how long will flourish this your\r\nfaith?” said Media.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 4"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJWKBZA64C30KJSGAWWKE","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKTV1G78ESBA0XFETB27M","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AKTV16ZJ99PAE0VT1KWJC","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:17.249Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:29.318Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}