at last men could believe as they would and live without fear of their neighbors , ushering in an era of undreamt prosperity , but hearts grew cold and selfish as they forgot the one who had blessed them so and soon fell again into alternating periods of war and uneasy peace , as is the wont of men throughout time until at last came that day when the master appeared to call all men to account , the living and the dead , and ushered in a peace that would not end , for at last he dwelt among them .