Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Supernal
Andrew Jackson Davis
(1847 1893 2016)
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To the great centre of intelligence; to the positive sphere of
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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[p62] PART FOUR: SPIRITUAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
(1851)
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PART TEN: ANSWERS TO RE-OCCURRING QUESTIONS (1862)
[p116] MISSION OF THE TRUE SPIRITUALIST
[p119] NATURAL PRINCIPLES AND DEDUCTIONS
[p123] MIND, REASON, SPIRIT, SOUL, CONSCIENCE, JUDGMENT
[p125] REPRODUCTION IN THE SPIRIT LAND
[p126] QUESTIONS CONCERNING BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT
[p129] WHERE IS THE SPIRIT WORLD?
[p131] GUARDIAN ANGELS UNIVERSAL
[p132] SOUL VS SPIRIT
[p135] DEATH OF AN UNBAPTIZED CHILD
[p137] ADDICTIONS IN THE AFTERLIFE
[p141] TRULY AND ETERNALLY MARRIED
[p144] THE REFLEX ACTION OF EVIL SPIRITS
[p146] CONTROL OF ONES THOUGHTS
[p148] THE RELIGION OF NATURE
[p149] EVIL AND SIN BEYOND THE GRAVE
[p151] SEEING AND DOING RIGHT
[p153] THE LAW OF TRUE MATING
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PART TWELVE: EIGHT EVENING LECTURES ON THE SUMMER-
LAND (1865)
[p164] GODS SON
[p165] THE PURPOSES OF DEATH AND THE AFTER-LIFE
[p169] THE IDEAS OF OUR SPIRIT ARE POWERFUL
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PART SEVENTEEN: THE REFORMER (1891)
[p213] IDEAL LOVE
[p217] SPIRITUAL VITALITY AND SPIRITUAL WEALTH
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Part One:
Principles of Nature
(1847)
HEAVENLY SPHERES
I now perceive the order of the spheres; which is in this wise: The first
Sphere is the Natural; the second is the Spiritual; the third, the Celestial;
the fourth, the Supernatural; the fifth, the Super-Spiritual; and the sixth,
the Super-Celestial.
In this sphere are also three societies and three distinct degrees of Love,
Will, and Wisdom each society being unfolded from the one next
below.
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In this Sphere everything is still more lovely: and even here all things
appear to have attained the highest possible loveliness and exaltation.
So true is this, that the inhabitants of the sphere next below, in all their
sparkling purity, appear even as undeveloped. The beautiful emanation
that surrounds and clothes each society, is of such an intense light that it
is impossible to approach it, or to search into the interiors of the
inhabitants. Colors of every conceivable description surround their local
habitation, each being a bright indication of purity, goodness, happiness,
and wisdom. Every form and thing is constantly growing lovelier and
lovelier, and every sphere more beautiful and pure. Each indicates a
spiral progression, and that they are ascending nigh unto the throne of
the Alpha and Omega. Each thing shows forth its own purity, and speaks
its own celestial language. Each object is distinct in its proclamations,
and every lesson of instruction is as a word of the Most High!
The first society is in numbers almost infinite: and from them flows
spontaneously an element of love that is clearer than the clearest water,
and brighter than the brightest crystal; and its reflection clothes the higher
societies with a garment of whiteness pure as the jewels that adorn the
crown of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
And from the mediatorial society flows a constant stream of passive and
active Will, subject at all times to the life-giving promptings of Love, and
receiving the high approbations of Wisdom. This is constantly
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descending and ascending, as the light goeth forth from the sun to
enliven the earth, and returns to he revivified.
In a more exalted degree I behold those plains decked with life and
beauty inconceivable; and over them is diffused an omniprevalent
element of purity that appears as life, and by this they live and bloom in
beauty.
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conceptions of the lovely and beautiful; and their united voices sink into
the recesses of the soul, yet they are silent and unheard. They are
penetrating as the electric fire, yet gentle as the mountain-air. They are
dignified in their tone, and are withal impressively pensive. They do not
compel, but cause a voluntary submission to their undying teachings.
And again those groves are presented and appear in a more exalted
degree of loveliness. They are as the tree of Righteousness, budding and
blossoming as the rose. They proclaim glory and honor even in their
refreshing shade, and inspire the reposer therein with thoughts worthy of
such a celestial home.
And the inhabitants are of the most exquisite purity and loveliness; and
they, with one united voice a voice that arises not from speech, but
from action proclaim glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life. They
are wending their way up to the city of the living God. They are
illuminating the vestibule of truth and the archway that leads to immortal
life. They are pervading all below them with the holy influences of wisdom,
and with the most simple love. Gentle as the unsophisticated dove, they
send forth a welcome to all below their exalted state; and with a kind,
peaceful, and inviting smile, they call all to come away, and go with them
to the Fount of purity on high!
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the use to which they are applied. Yea, it is a mirror in which are
represented the living beauties of heaven and earth even of all things
beneath this exalted state of perfection.
Such is the loveliness, goodness, and wisdom of the Divine Mind, that
nothing is made in vain; but everything is as a living thought, and every
thought is as a representative of perfect Wisdom. Everything is thus
admired, appreciated, and applied, in every degree of material and
spiritual existence; and in this Supernatural Sphere this truth is especially
and perfectly manifested.
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The first society, as in the third and fourth Spheres, is a child of the
highest society in the Sphere below. And here Love, Will, and Wisdom,
present a more attractive loveliness. Love appears as the perfection of
Wisdom, while Wisdom appears greater and more extensive than all the
Love and Wisdom heretofore described, combined.
And it is well to relate, that as the Spheres approach the Divine Mind,
they become more simple, more lovely, more unassuming, and more
pure. The nearer they approach the Fount of purity, the more transparent
they become, and the more do their inhabitants appear to exist as it were
without body and without external and artificial habiliments. They appear
unclothed, and eminently purified.
Each spirit seems so pure, and the thoughts of all seem so celestial, that
it is almost impossible to resist the attraction thus presented. There is
such a commingling of thoughts, and such an affection manifested for
each other, as seems beyond all captivations imaginable. Every mind is
like an opening flower, and every thought is like the fragrance thereof.
Every love is like a bud, and its expression is like the rose. Their wisdom
is as the fountains of heaven which dry not, and which perpetually flow to
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all that thirst, and heal all that are wounded, and cleanse all that are not
purified. I behold their Wisdom in every thought, in every movement, and
in every expression of Will and Love. It is indeed beautiful! and what is
to be lamented is, that language must be employed to speak of that
which defieth utterance. O may expressive silence breathe forth an
eloquence that will penetrate the souls of men, and duly elevate their
understandings; and may they be induced to abandon expression where
speech is vain, and extend their conceptions to the bright spheres of
everlasting love!
The spirits here are so lovely and attractive, that it requires an effort to
prevent being, as it were, absorbed into and becoming a part of them.
Here I perceive another truth vividly manifested, and that is, that all things
possess mutual affinities, and that things differ only as to degrees and
states of development. Thus is established, what has been before
declared, that opposites or antagonistic principles cannot exist; that all
things were created and are animated by one living Essence; and that it
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is injustice to the character of that Divine Essence for men on earth to
say or believe that there is a principle or habitation existing opposed to
the general happiness, or to that celestial purity which joins in one all
created things.
As has been related of the transition of the spirits and angels of the
Spheres below, so do those of the Fifth Sphere ascend to, and become
inhabitants of the SIXTH, or the Super-Celestial habitation.
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Countless millions dwell in each society in each Sphere more than
numbers can express. Yet the combined numbers dwelling in all
subordinate Spheres would not form any comparison with one-half of one
society that dwells in this Super-Celestial home! How inconceivable,
therefore, must be the immensity of each society in this Sphere,
inasmuch as the half of one society comprises more individuals than all
the created forms that animate all the subordinate Spheres of universal
space! Yet creation has just begun: Love is just born, Will is just
conceived, and Wisdom is in the germ yet undeveloped!
Here are the fields of Paradise; and on them is erected the house of
many mansions. Interior splendor and gorgeousness is penetrating to all
the spirits and angels thereof, and shines through them with a brilliancy
of celestial light, as the light of the Divine Mind penetrates his whole
material Structure. And the exterior beauty, grandeur, and magnificence
of this celestial mansion, express in unequivocal language that it was not
made by hands, yet is eternal in the heavens. It is the great Asylum
where all are taken in, and loved, and breathed upon, and made perfect.
It is the home of all celestial things.
All things are divine, both in the material and spiritual Universe; and all
become celestial. So every created spirit is invited by the progressive law
of the Father to its home; and when it enters and becomes sensible of the
loveliness and purity thereof, it glorifies the Father, not in prayer, but by
thought and deed forever and ever. Each one, then, is an undying child of
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the Eternal One, who is the Father of all: and no one is so low but that it is
the highest of some still lower, and no one is so high but that it is the
lowest of some yet undeveloped. One spirit cannot say unto another, "I
need thee not;" for each one is the sustainer of another, and the mutual
dependence constitutes the harmony and wisdom of all things.
In this Super-Celestial home are all the beauties of earth and, heaven
combined, developed, and perfected. It is thus removed from human
comprehension, and it cannot therefore with profit be dwelt upon, or
impressed on the memory for meditation. Notwithstanding what might be
said concerning it are legitimate truths, they are too high and refined to
be comprehended by the human race nay, even by those in the Third
Sphere of wisdom and knowledge. No one can say with propriety, "Why
not tell us all?" if he will but consider his incompetence to comprehend
that which has already been related.
Such, then, is the immensity of these things, and such the greatness and
glory of the Super-Celestial habitation. And it is proper not to confide in
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that which is opposed to this high degree of angelic purity, but to
encourage hope when born of Wisdom, and belief when well conceived;
and then those things will descend to and illuminate the human mind, and
give eternal life to that which now seems mortal and changeable.
As has been related of the transition of the spirits and angels of the
Spheres below, so do those of the Fifth Sphere ascend to, and become
inhabitants of the SIXTH, or the Super-Celestial habitation.
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inasmuch as the half of one society comprises more individuals than all
the created forms that animate all the subordinate Spheres of universal
space! Yet creation has just begun: Love is just born, Will is just
conceived, and Wisdom is in the germ yet undeveloped!
Here are the fields of Paradise; and on them is erected the house of
many mansions. Interior splendor and gorgeousness is penetrating to all
the spirits and angels thereof, and shines through them with a brilliancy
of celestial light, as the light of the Divine Mind penetrates his whole
material Structure. And the exterior beauty, grandeur, and magnificence
of this celestial mansion, express in unequivocal language that it was not
made by hands, yet is eternal in the heavens. It is the great Asylum
where all are taken in, and loved, and breathed upon, and made perfect.
It is the home of all celestial things.
All things are divine, both in the material and spiritual Universe; and all
become celestial. So every created spirit is invited by the progressive law
of the Father to its home; and when it enters and becomes sensible of the
loveliness and purity thereof, it glorifies the Father, not in prayer, but by
thought and deed forever and ever. Each one, then, is an undying child of
the Eternal One, who is the Father of all: and no one is so low but that it is
the highest of some still lower, and no one is so high but that it is the
lowest of some yet undeveloped. One spirit cannot say unto another, "I
need thee not;" for each one is the sustainer of another, and the mutual
dependence constitutes the harmony and wisdom of all things.
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In this Super-Celestial home are all the beauties of earth and, heaven
combined, developed, and perfected. It is thus removed from human
comprehension, and it cannot therefore with profit be dwelt upon, or
impressed on the memory for meditation. Notwithstanding what might be
said concerning it are legitimate truths, they are too high and refined to
be comprehended by the human race nay, even by those in the Third
Sphere of wisdom and knowledge. No one can say with propriety, "Why
not tell us all?" if he will but consider his incompetence to comprehend
that which has already been related.
Such, then, is the immensity of these things, and such the greatness and
glory of the Super-Celestial habitation. And it is proper not to confide in
that which is opposed to this high degree of angelic purity, but to
encourage hope when born of Wisdom, and belief when well conceived;
and then those things will descend to and illuminate the human mind, and
give eternal life to that which now seems mortal and changeable.
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From the position now occupied, I can perceive, and in a degree
comprehend, the SEVENTH SPHERE, or the Infinite Vortex of Love and
Wisdom, and the great Spiritual Sun of the Divine Mind that illuminates all
the spiritual worlds. And behold, the natural sun is the sun of the
natural Universe, while the Spiritual Sun was and is the Sun of the
spiritual Universe! The material can only illuminate the natural, and the
spiritual illuminates the spiritual. Of the Body and constitution of the
material sun, the Univercoelum was born into being, and caressed,
nourished, illuminated, and perfected, in universal order and harmony.
From the constitution of the Spiritual Sun, all the heavens were created;
and by it they are sustained, controlled, purified, perfected, and
illuminated: and every spontaneous breath of light and love is as a smile
of the all! pervading Father and Creator of all that is, and of all that is not,
developed.
Thus the Spiritual Spheres are allied to the Spiritual Sun, while the
natural spheres approach the material sun. Thus the spiritual is as a soul,
and yet a garment, to the natural, while the two are joined together as
one creation. And the second or Spiritual Sphere sustains a relation to
the fifth Circle of Suns, and their innumerable planets and is as a soul
to it, and comprehends the whole as one creation. So the third Sphere is
allied to the fourth Circle; and the fourth Sphere to the third Circle; and
the fifth Sphere to the second Circle; and the sixth Sphere to the first
Circle: and the SEVENTH SPHERE is the Great Sun and Center of all
power, and the Vortex of all creations!
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This displays the order and harmony of the Divine Mind, and this is one
Body of one Immortal SOUL!
Much might be said of the Seventh Sphere, or the Spiritual Sun of the
Universe yet all would be inconsistent with the order and power of the
human mind. For speech is vain, and all that might be said of the
incomprehensibility, the magnitude, and the infinitude of the truth
Centered in the Spiritual Sun, would consist only of words; and these it
would be useless to speak and impress upon the human mind. Neither
would it be proper to speak of' the essences, qualities, and attributes,
dwelling within the Vortex from which rolled forth the Universe, inasmuch
as each possible atom comprehends more than the human mind is able
to grasp. More, then, would be superfluous and unprofitable. For the
word incomprehensible falls far short of conveying a definite idea of the
immensity thereof; and even this word implies the impossibility of human
understanding This much only can be said: It is an inexhaustible Vortex
of Life and Light which are Love, and of Order and Form which are
Wisdom which flow not only into Heaven, but into the material
Universe: and everything is thereby breathed into being. And the Great
Center and Spiritual Sun is the habitation and throne of the DIVINE MIND,
the Great Positive, Central Power of the Universe, and of all eternal
movement And it is a Fountain in which nothing exists but what is pure,
divine, everlasting, and infinite!
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THE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIVERSE
The structure of the Universe is now presented to the mind, and all its
living beauties, together with the Divine Essence that gives it life and
animation. It presents an indestructible basis of hope and faith, and a
corresponding foundation of human action. It is as a mirror in which are
reflected all corresponding beauties yet uncreated, but proved to be in
embryo by the universal teachings of natural law. The whole is
BEAUTIFUL. The whole is as ONE BODY, and GOD the SOUL and
FATHER of all living and unloving things. Everything is perfect in its way
and state of being. Everything is necessary even indispensable.
Everything is pure, even divine and celestial. Everything teaches
harmony, and universal reciprocation by an unfailing manifestation of the
same. Everything is of, in, through, and to, the Divine Mind. All things are
parts of Him; and these are as one Whole, even Nature, Man, and
Heaven.
The earths, or the first Sphere, constitute the germ; the second Sphere is
the roots; the third, the body; the fourth, the branches; the fifth, the buds;
the sixth, the blossom; and the seventh is BEAUTY beauty that
blooms with an immortal fragrance. Here is the Tree of Righteousness
righteousness because all is right and nothing wrong. It is the Tree of
Goodness because nothing is evil. It is the Tree of immortal Life
because there is no death. It is the Tree of Divine Perfection because
there is nothing imperfect. It is the Tree of Truth because there is no
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falsehood in the divine creations. It is the Tree of Eternal Causation
because nothing is but what was in another form before. It is the Tree of
Love and Wisdom because there is no confusion or disunity; for all
things are working together for good, and that good is the elevation of all
low and undeveloped things to a high degree of refinement from which a
Universe yet unborn will be ushered into being to breathe the breath of
heaven.
Here, then, is the Tree whose foundation rests in the depths of Time, and
whose top extends to the heights of Eternity. It puts, forth branches
throughout the lengths and breadths of the Universe, and casts a
refreshing shade over the labyrinths of space whose limits no thought
can define.
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nature of all men, and that which prompts them to profitable action; and,
remember, that is UNITY: and unity is HAPPINESS.
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successive degrees of development, to the perfect spiritual organization.
Moreover, it has been shown that the exterior or the form is the express
likeness of its interior essence, which latter has unfolded itself from the
inner to the outer on the principles of end, cause, and effect.
And I am desirous of enforcing that great spiritual and eternal truth which
it is necessary for man to know and appreciate before he can know
himself and be happy: and that is, that all manifest substances, forms,
compositions indeed, that ALL THINGS VISIBLE, are expressions of
an interior productive cause, which is the spiritual essence: that the
Mineral Kingdom is an expression of Motion, the Vegetable, an
expression of Life, the Animal an expression of Sensation, and that Man
is an expression of Intelligence; that the planets in our solar system are a
perfect expression of the Sun from which they sprang; that the various
combined bodies and planetary systems in the Universe are a perfect
expression of the Great Sun of the Univercoelum; that the Great Sun is a
perfect expression of the SPIRITUAL SUN within it; and that the Spiritual
Sun is a perfect expression of the Divine Mind, Love, or Essence. The
Spiritual Sun is thus the Center and Cause of all material things. It is a
diverging or radiating Sphere or Atmosphere of the Great Eternal Cause.
It is an aroma a garment and a perfect radiation of the more interior
Essence, the Divine, Creative Soul.
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and infinite; that the whole material System is the Body of the Creative
Soul; and that the Spiritual Essence has unfolded and manifested itself in
a material Form! And this Form is the Order and Wisdom of the Divine
Mind.
Light and Love constituted the first development of the Spiritual Sun; and
that was Light and Life inconceivable a brilliancy that extended
throughout the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of space
that became illuminated space itself; and yet space is not limited, nor
could it transcend the expansive illuminations of the Great Spiritual Sun.
And when the Universe was completed, Order and Form reigned
omnipresent throughout the whole Univercoelum! And such was the
grand and stupendous Development of the Real Spiritual Sun this
having developed the Material Sun, and this the expanded Universe!
All things that man creates are such as represent his thoughts. They are
merely the outward expressions of the thoughts of his soul. He creates
nothing but what is a living evidence and representation of a thought
previously conceived. This truth is useful as a guide to the mind; for now,
when the inquiry is made as to what the soul is, where it is, how it exists,
and what are the evidence the tangible evidence of its existence
this truth, which is now proved to be a universal one, should be recalled
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to the mind: that all things tangible are in reality the living evidence of the
soul within, made manifest to the material senses, and useful to the
requirements of the outer world.
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metamorphosis or transformation of the real man from the outer to the
inner world.
THE SOUL
I discover, then, that the soul is composed of three distinct parts; and
these are LOVE, WILL, and WISDOM.
LOVE is the first or rudimental element of the human soul. It is that liquid,
mingling, delicate, inexpressible element which is felt in the depths of
every human spirit, because it is its germinal essence.
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supposed to be an absolutely-independent element of the mind, beyond
the possibility of being influenced by external captivations.
These three parts of the human soul, then, being designated, I will
descend into some considerations relative to their mode of rnanifestation
through the body in the outer world, in order that the great question
respecting the powers and actuating principles of the human soul may
become settled, and equally comprehended by all.
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Part Two:
(1850)
And I replied: The earth, with its inhabitants, and the generally received
such doctrine taught by the aged and the educated about me in society.
as he again spoke, and said: Speak, thinkest thou that these things are
me, and, notwithstanding his manipulations, shut out the light of vision
from my spiritual perceptions, and did not open my natural eyes, yet I felt
as one with him, and buoyant as air. In a few moments I was wholly
unconscious.
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THE GUIDE ARRIVES
powers which, previous to this moment, I had not known. Once more I
heard the voice, and he who spake said: Behold! and instantly my
INFINITE WORLDS
Again he spoke, and bade me turn and behold! I obeyed, and, standing
side by side with him, our faces in the same direction, I beheld the most
the temple not made with hands; surrounding us on every side were
worlds innumerable, and yet how noiselessly, how harmoniously, did they
move around an unseen Parental Centre! There was not a world whose
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magnitude did not transcend my even then exalted conceptions.
and every world was decorated with lesser worlds, like nighty flowers of
unutterable grandeur. Each and all were flying through the boundless
realms of infinite space, with the velocity of the electric element, and yet
they caused not so much sound as the ticking watch. Their speed was
the earth, and yet the worlds of that sea were unnumbered. Again I
thought of all the drops of water and grains of sand of which the earth is
composed, and my Guide said: Behold! Thou hast now conceived of the
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And I looked again, and beheld a deeper Depth, in a remote corner of
which was that group of assembled worlds more numerous than all the
atoms of our earth; and with still expanding and improved perceptions, I
gazed and gazed into the depths beneath, there beholding seas of worlds
and yet I saw no bottom to that awful, but supremely magnificent vortex! I
Thinkest thou that we stand upon the pinnacle of the universal temple,
and upon the topmost summit of the vast creation? And I replied, while
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Series, Groups, Degrees, and harmonious Organizations of Suns,
see no termination to the height, nor to the depth, nor to the length, nor to
the breadth thereof. I saw that the stupendous Whole was without alpha
and without omega; it was infinite and universal! The illimitable concavity,
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FAITH IN THE ETERNAL LIVING GOD
The consoling belief which flows from the understanding into the
the soul, is a belief that God is perfect and unchangeable; that he lives
through all things, and has made life, harmony, and happiness, attainable
to all. When the human mind conceives and believes that God is impartial,
Nature, and in the deepest recesses of the Soul, then it will rest and be
prejudice, which exist in the world. The convinced soul is not disturbed by
affect the convinced understanding; for such know that God is an Eternal
minute, local, and immediate, in his providences, to impart life and beauty
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to everything throughout the innumerable ramifications of infinite
Creation. He possesses within himself the principles of all Motion, all Life,
GODS SYSTEM
necessity, his celestial essences and essential principles unfold and flow,
with the minutest precision, into the smallest atoms and organizations in
nature.
and effects for the express purpose of giving birth to just such an
But it is very good and righteous to believe that God unfolds and
develops, from out of the inexhaustible plenitude of his Infinite Life and
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eternally, elaborating human spirits, and will continue to improve and
based upon the glorious and already (to me) demonstrated truth, that our
earth is environed by a Spiritual World. And not only is our earth thus
surrounded, but so likewise are all the earths or planets belonging to our
touching it, girdle the material sphere, a part of which we are at present
existing in; and again, encircling that sphere, are a galaxy of greater
there is a chain extending from man to Deity! And all that we can desire in
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handed down to us, by and through the spiritual inhabitants of higher
spheres, the links in that chain of Love! The human soul is constructed
Filial-love, and Universal-love. But what I desire- to impress here is, that
these Loves are innate affinities which draw soul to soul; which cause the
soul to pray for conjugal association,, and should that souls true
associate reside in the Spiritual World, it is almost certain that the prayer
But here let it be remembered that all spirits and angels were once men;
their departure for the spirit-home. And we all have relatives there
spiritual affinities. And the | Spirit World is not far off; it is very near,
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around and above us at all times; and that which was truly joined here is
not separated there; death does not divide, nor does it remove the loved
furnishes the spirit with every advantage and gratification it should desire,
above special prayer, and special action, that he is far removed from our
spirits no, he Lives in the soul, informs our mortal part, As full, as
the rapt seraph that adores and burns. And so near is he, that in him we
daily and hourly live, move, and have our being, we are in him and of
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him, and as the body, branches, twigs, leaves, buds, blossoms and fruit
of a tree are unfolded and minutely developed from the essences and
the Great Germinal Essence of the Universal Tree unfold and develop
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Part Three:
THE PHYSICIAN
(1850)
I would have clergymen proclaim this truth from their hearts; Men will be
better when better loved, taught, and directed; to improve the world, love
it, not condemn nor despise any person or thing. God made itmade
everythingand gave every little atom, as well as every diamond-like orb
that sparkles on the bosom of the firmament, a holy message to deliver,
which it is good to receive, to learn, and to proclaim to all men. Let us
strive to entertain more expansive views of God, of Man, of ourselves,
and we will march forth from the wilderness of doctrine, and the
concealments of iniquity, as Mien, full-grown men, prepared for sublimer
ends and destinies.
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discoveries, and every true preacher his sublime instructions. Each is the
Messiah of some great Thought, and will breathe it forth ere he leaves
the form.
Let us, O let us, unfold the beauties of the spirit, study its immense
possessions, and improve ourselves; and then we will know, and feel,
and form just conceptions of our mission and our destiny. Both are
decreed by God, and are the glorious end for which we were made.
The human mind must familiarize itself with the immutable principles of
justice and order, which pervade the harmonious and interminable
Universe. It must unfold its internal capabilities its spiritual perceptions
and intuitions; and thus, feeling impressed and empowered to interrogate
and investigate the boundless empire of mind and matter, it will explore
the innumerable relations which subsist between man and man
between the natural world and the Spiritual world-between the wide-
spread universe and the Super-Celestial PRINCIPLE that enlivens and
sanctifies the incomprehensible WHOLE. Each human soul must attain to
a full comprehension of-the many and beautiful affinities which inter-link
its destiny and experiences with the destiny and experiences of universal
humanity. It is good to know that there is an omnipotent, purifying, and
fraternizing Principle permeating and pervading the Natural, Spiritual,
and Celestial departments of God's Universal Temple a Principle,
which Unites atoms and planets into one stupendous System; which
unfolds Spirits and Angels as immortal flowers; which Endows the Divine
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Mind with eternal Power and Loveliness; and which is the divinely-
inherited Treasure of the human Soul and this Principle is called The
Great Harmonia!
The spirit arose at right angles over the head or brain of the deserted
body. But immediately previous to the final dissolution of the relationship
which had for so many years subsisted between the two spiritual and
material bodies, I saw playing energetically between the feet of the
elevated spiritual body and the head of the prostrate physical body a
bright stream or current of vital electricity.
This taught me, that what is customarily termed Death is but a Birth, of
the spirit from a lower into a higher state; that an inferior body and mode
of existence are exchanged for a superior body and corresponding
endowments and capabilities of happiness. I learned that the
correspondence between the birth of a child into this world, and the birth
of the spirit from the material body into a higher world, is absolute and
complete even to the umbilical cord, which was represented by the
thread of vital electricity, which, for a few minutes, subsisted between,
and connected the two organisms together.
And here I perceived, what I had never before obtained a knowledge of,
44
that a small portion of this vital electrical element returned to the deserted
body, immediately subsequent to the separation of the umbilical thread;
and that that portion of this element which passed back into the earthly
organism, instantly diffused itself through the entire structure, and thus
prevented immediate decomposition. It is not proper that a body should
be deposited in the earth, until after decomposition has positively
commenced; for, should there be no positive evidences of such structural
change, even though life seems surely to have departed, it is not right to
consign the body to the grave.
But when the spirit is arrested in its flight from the body, and when it is
held in a transitional or mediatorial state, for only a few hours or minutes,
then the mind seldom retains a recollection of its experience this state
of forgetfulness, seems, to a superficial observer, like annihilation; and
this occasional suspension of consciousness (or memory) is frequently
made the foundation of many an argument against the soul's immortal
45
existence.
As soon as the spirit, whose departing hour I thus watched, was wholly
disengaged from the tenacious physical body, I directed my attention to
the movements and emotions of the former; and I saw her begin to
breathe the most interior or spiritual portions of the surrounding terrestrial
atmosphere. (The reader will find an explanation of what is meant by the
"' interior portions of the terrestrial atmosphere," by referring to the
consideration of 1" air as a medium," to be found in the pathological
department of this volume.)
At first it seemed with difficulty that she could breathe the new medium;
but, in a few seconds, she inhaled and exhaled the spiritual elements of
nature, with the greatest possible ease and delight. And now I saw that
she was in the possession of exterior and physical proportions, which
were identical, in every possible particular improved and beautified
with those proportions which characterized her earthly organization. That
is to say, she possessed a heart, a stomach, a liver, lungs, &c., &c., just
as her natural body did previous to (not her, but) its death. This is a
46
wonderful and' consoling truth!
But I saw that the improvements which were wrought upon, and in, her
spiritual organization, were not so particular and thorough as to destroy
or transcend her personality; nor did they materially alter her natural
appearance or earthly characteristics. So much like her former self was
she, that, had her friends beheld her (as I did), they certainly would have
exclaimedas we often do upon the sudden return of a long absent
friend, who leaves us in illness and returns in health "Why, how well
you look! how improved you are!" such were the nature most
beautifying in their extentof the improvements that were wrought upon
her. I saw her continue to conform, and accustom herself, to the new
elements and elevating sensations which belong to the inner life.
I did not particularly notice the workings and emotions of her newly
awakening and fast unfolding spirit; except,that I was careful to remark,
her philosophic tranquility throughout the entire process, and her non-
participation, with the different members of her family, in their
unrestrained bewailing of her departure from the earth, to unfold in Love
and Wisdom throughout eternal spheres. She understood, at a glance,
that they could only gaze upon the cold and lifeless form which she had
but just deserted; and she readily comprehended the fact, that it was
owing to a want of true knowledge upon their parts, that they thus
vehemently regretted her merely physical death. The excessive weeping
and lamentation of friends and relatives, over the external form of one
47
departed, are mainly caused by the sensuous and superficial mode by
which the majority of mankind view the
phenomenon of death.
SPIRITUAL IMPRESSIONS
48
correspond to the soul, which lives and improves forever.
49
illustration according to the actual occurrences.
Divested thus of that sensation which intimately connects mind with the
physical organism, and that with surrounding substances, I was living no
longer in the body but in the spirit. Now a soft, clear, mellow, penetrating
light, emanated from my head in every direction, and almost immediately
concentrated at about six feet before me-on a plane horizontal with that
region designated by phrenological writers as being the location of the
faculties or organs of perception.
And here I will state that vital magnetism and atmospherical electricity
50
constitute a medium of sight to the spiritual eyes, on the same principle
and by the same laws, as is atmospherical light a medium of sight to the
natural eyes. The silvery light which proceeded from my mind, pleasingly
blended with the atmospherical magnetism which pervades immensity;
and this passed to and through each and all objects and substances
occupying the space between my house in Williamsburgh, where I then
resided, and the hospital in St. Petersburgh, in Russia.
I have elsewhere said, that the lower in everything contains the higher,
undeveloped; and that the higher comprehends and pervades the lower;
so with electricity. It is generated by chemical action and decomposition
in the most interior departments of the earth, and, when developed, it
permeates and penetrates, unobstructed, the most compact material
substance or organization in being. Therefore, no mountain, nor other
obstacle, could prevent the passage of the electric medium which was
the vehicle of my spiritual perception; nor could anything resist its
instantaneous penetration and permeation, or retard its rapid progress
toward the scene of my desired investigations; which, be it remembered,
was located where existed the causes and developments of epidemic
cholera.
Though wonderful, it was nevertheless true, that the electric fluid shot in
a straight line through the great mass of matter which lies between the
eastern and western hemispheres of our earth, owing to its spherical
form or rotundity. And within the brief period of twenty seconds, from the
51
moment my intellectual perceptions were opened and enlarged, I was in
close sympathy, (even to the disappearance of distance itself,) with those
localities where exist partial or complete symptoms of the disease under
consideration. I saw the various modifications of the original type of
Asiatic or epidemic cholera represented in nineteen undoubted cases in
all of Russia, eleven of which were in the hospital at St. Petersburgh.
Seven of the number at the hospital were convalescent, or nearly so, and
the remaining four were either dead or dying. I saw that the pestilential
character and tendency of the disorder had abated in violence in almost
all parts of Russia, and that, (excepting in Berlin,) there were no
substantial indications of the advancement of the disease any farther
west on the continent of Europe. I saw that in the whole of Russia, since
the latter part of the month of October, 1846, there had occurred,
including all the forms and phases in which the disease is capable of
developing and manifesting itself, two hundred and ninety thousand and
twenty-seven cases, and one hundred and sixty-six thousand, six
hundred and seventy deaths showing a defective and inadequate mode
of medical treatment.
After making all necessary observations concerning the his. tory of the
disease, and satisfying myself as to the means prescribed by nature for
its prevention or effectual cure, the electric light, or rather my spiritual
perceptions, returned to, and retired within me. And as the mellow light
re-entered my mind, and through it settled down into my organization, the
52
latter was restored to its ordinary condition of life and sensation.
I arose from my chair, twenty minutes after passing into the superior
condition, with the whole scene daguerreotyped upon my memory. I
continued thoughtful and abstracted until about four o'clock in the
afternoon of the same day, when my brain was relieved of its congested
and over-burthened state, by a copious bleeding at the nose. This is very
unusual. Thus I obtained all the information requisite to the construction
of the following article; and in this way do I always perceive and receive
whatever I feel moved to seek.
The flower, being unfolded from the interior by virtue of its own essence
and the sun, is variegated in every possible manner, and thus becomes a
representative of light and beauty; but having attained its perfection, it
soon begins to change its form, its color, and its beauty of external being.
Its fragrance goes forth and pervades all congenial and suitable forms,
and its beauty is indelibly impressed upon the memory of its beholder
and admirer, when the flower itself is no more. The foliage, tinted with the
breath of winter, no longer retains its outward beauty; but this is an index
of new life and animation, which is perfectly exemplified in the return of
foliage in the youthful season.
53
As it is with these, so it is with the spirit. The body dies on the outer, or
rather, changes its mode of existence, while the spirit ascends to a higher
habitation., suited to its nature and requirements. DEATH.is but a Door
which opens into new and more perfect existence. It is a Triumphal Arch
through which man's immortal spirit passes at the moment of leaving the
outer world to depart for a higher, a sublimer, and a more magnificent
country. And there is really nothing more painful or repulsive in the
natural process of dying (that which is not induced by disease or
accident) than there is in passing into a quiet,
pleasant, and dreamless slumber.
For, with but few exceptions, the race is so conditioned and educated on
the earth not yet having grown into spiritual perceptions not yet
progressed to where "whatsoever is hid, shall be revealed" realizing,
only through the medium of the natural senses, the nearness of the
beloved-watching and comprehending only the external signs and
processes of physical dissolution supposing this contortion to
indicate pain, and that expression to indicate anguish I say, the race is
so situated and educated that death of the body (to the majority of the
earth's inhabitants) is equivalent to an annihilation of the personality of
the individual.
But I would comfort the superficial observer, and I can solemnly assure
the inquirer after truth, that, when an individual dies naturally, the spirit
experiences no pain; nor, should the material body be dissolved with
54
disease, or crushed by the fearful avalanche, is the individuality of the
spirit deformed, or in the least degree obscured.
Could you but turn your natural gaze from the lifeless body, which can no
longer answer to your look of love; and could your spiritual eyes be
opened; you would behold standing in your midst a form, the same,
but more beautiful, and living! Hence, there is great cause to rejoice at
the birth of the spirit from this world into the Inner Sphere of Life yea, it
is far more reasonable and appropriate to weep at the majority of
marriages which occur in this world, than to lament when man's immortal
spirit escapes from its earthly form, to live and unfold in a higher and
better country!
You may clothe yourselves with the dark habiliments of woe, when you
consign at the altar, a heart to a living grave; or when you chain the soul
to breathe in an uncongenial atmosphere; but robe yourselves with
garments of light to honor the spirit's birth into a higher life! The period
required to accomplish the entire change, which I saw, was not far from
two hours and a half; but this furnishes no rule as to the time required for
every spirit to elevate and reorganize itself above the head of the outer
form.
55
from her elevated position, which was immediately over the body, by an
effort of the will-power, and directly passed out of the door of the
bedroom, in which she had lain (in the material form) prostrated with
disease for several weeks.
It being in a summer month, the doors were all open, and her egress from
the house was attended with no obstructions. I saw her pass through the
adjoining room, out of the door, and step from the house into the
atmosphere! I was overwhelmed with delight and astonishment when, for
the first time, I realized the universal truth that the spiritual organization
can tread the atmosphere, which, while in the coarser, earthly form, we
breathe so much more refilled is man's spiritual constitution.
I continued to gaze upon them until the distance shut them from my view;
whereupon I returned to my external and ordinary condition. O, what a
56
contrast! Instead of beholding that beautiful and youthfully unfolded spirit,
I now saw, in common with those about me, the lifeless cold and
shrouded organism of the caterpillar, which the joyous butterfly had so
recently abandoned!
That semi-unconscious slumber into which the soul and body mutually
and irresistibly glide, when darkness pervades the earth, is typical of
death. Sleep is but death undeveloped; or, in other words, sleep is the
incipient manifestation of that thorough and delightful change, which is
the glorious result of our present rudimental existence. Night and sleep
correspond to physical death; but the brilliant day, and human
wakefulness, correspond to spiritual birth and individual elevation.
There is every reason why man should rest, with regard to life and death,
and be happy; for the Laws of Nature are unchangeable and complete in
their operations. If we understand these laws, and obey them on the
earth, it is positively certain that our passage from this sphere, and our
emergence into the spirit-country, will be like rolling into the blissful
depths of natural sleep, and awakening from it, to gaze upon, and to
57
dwell in, a more congenial and harmonious world.
They were these: I saw that the physical organization could no longer
subserve the diversified purposes or requirements of the Spiritual
Principle. But the various internal organs of the body appeared to resist
the withdrawal of the animating soul. The muscular system struggled to
retain the element of Motion; the vascular system strove to retain the
element of Life; the nervous system put forth all its powers to retain the
element of Sensation; and the cerebral system labored to retain the
principle of Intelligence. The body and the soul, like two friends, strongly
resisted the various circumstances which rendered their eternal
separation imperative and absolute.
58
atmosphere; and, as instantly, I saw the cerebrum and the cerebellum
expand their most interior portions; I saw them discontinue their
appropriate galvanic functions; and then I saw that they became highly
charged with the vital electricity and vital magnetism which permeate
subordinate systems and structures.
The head became intensely brilliant; and I particularly remarked that just
in the same proportion as the extremities of the organism grew dark, and
cold, the brain appeared light and glowing. Now I saw, in the mellow,
spiritual atmosphere, which emanated from, and encircled, her head, the
indistinct outlines of the formation of another head!
59
intensely brilliant did it become, that I could neither see through it, nor
gaze upon it as steadily as I desired.
While this spiritual head was being eliminated and organized from out of,
and above, the material head, I saw that the surrounding aromal
atmosphere which had emanated from the material head was in great
commotion; but, as the, new head became more distinct and perfect, this
brilliant atmosphere gradually disappeared. This taught me that those
aromal elements, which. were, in the beginning of the metamorphosis,
attracted from the system into the brain, and thence eliminated in the
form of an atmosphere, were indissolubly united in accordance with the
divine principle of affinity in the universe, which pervades and destinates
every particle of matter, and developed the spiritual head which I beheld.
60
uniting and organizing themselves, were the efficient and imminent
causes which unfolded and perfected her spiritual organization. The
defects and deformities of her physical body, were, in the spiritual body
which I saw thus developed, almost completely removed.
While this spiritual formation was going on, which was perfectly visible to
my spiritual perceptions, the material body manifested, to the outer vision
of observing individuals in the room, many symptoms of uneasiness and
pain; but these indications were totally deceptive; they were wholly
caused by the departure of the vital or spiritual forces from the
extremities and viscera into the brain, and thence into the ascending
organism.
61
Part Four:
(1851)
And we, likewise, hold it to be self-evident, that Nature is the only perfect
and unalienable Revelation which the Deity has ever given, or ever will
give, to mankind. By Nature, we apprehend the Material Universe, with its
innumerable constellations of Suns, Planets, and Satellites; and the
Spiritual Universe, with its innumerable spheres of loveliness, and with
their multitudinous angelic and seraphic inhabitants. It embraces the
stupendous Univercoelum! which comprehends the kingdoms beneath,
the powers within, and the boundless firmaments above us. We believe
Nature to be the universal exponent of God; and Reason to be the
universal exponent of Nature; therefore, that Nature and Reason,
62
combined, constitute the only true and reliable standard of judgment
upon all subjectswhether social, political, philosophical or religious
which may come within the scope and investigations of the human mind.
63
hereby declare that
64
fields of universal nature and humanity. To understand what harmony is,
we must ourselves become harmonious. A harmonious individual is a
Revelation of the Divine Mind; for every human spirit is a finite
embodiment of the elements of the Infinite God.
65
worthy of our sacred esteem and confidence
66
Part Five:
(1851)
2d. To justly respect and honor, and wisely direct and cultivate the
heavenly germthe spiritual principlewhich is deposited in the soul.
3d. To live here with special reference to individual and social happiness,
and with an ultimate reference to another and a higher life! We believe
(with the glorified Solon) that it is only the good who die happily; for the
troublesome or troubled spirit is sometimes not quiet until after it has
been, for a considerable length of time, removed from the earth; and until
it has experienced the subduing, the chastening, and disciplining
influences, which universally pervade the spiritual habitations of all spirits,
angels and seraphs.
67
We, therefore, declare it to be our highest duty to become enlightened
concerning ourselves; and concerning the powers and spheres of the
human mind; to the end that we may grow in personal harmonygive to
human society a healthy constitutionand thus gratify our homocentrical
desireour continual prayer for social Peace and universal Unity!
And it is our happiness to believe (with James Victor Wilson,) that the
chief employment of our departed friends, the dwellers of the Spirit-land,
is the transmission of thoughts, truths, and pure affections, from circle to
circle, and from sphere to sphere; and that true happiness and true
progression consist, both here and hereafter, in receiving and imparting;
in unfolding the elements of our being and assisting others to unfold; in
seeking the Great Divinity and imparting to the world the results of our
investigations.
68
harmonization. And we believe, that popular Theology, and popular
Education, and popular Society, are insufficient to supply the human
spirit with its proper nourishments and encouragements to an easy,
natural progression toward truth and perfection! We believe that
Theology is inadequate to the reconstruction of Society; and that modern
systems of Education (which are saturated with this Theology) are
inadequate to a proper education and cultivation of the spirit.
69
Part Six:
THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPIRITUAL INTERCOURSE
(1851)
The various sects and systems of faith existing, all evince the conception
and impression of Unity sometime in the future. Each sect, however,
entertains but partial and in many respects incorrect conceptions of that
period, as each does also of God, of Immortality, and of that future
Happiness to which mankind individually aspire; yet the very existence of
such a conception of heavenly happiness or millennial harmony among
all sects and nations, and in all periods of human history, proves that the
elements and causes of that conception are eternal in Man and in Nature,
and, therefore, homogeneous with the constitution and design of the
Divine Mind. Unity, in Man and in Society, includes the full growth and
harmonious action of every Passion, Desire, or Love. This is the
ultimate of Gods design and of human desire; and when it is
accomplished, Man will be in harmony with Himself, with his Neighbor,
with the Universe, and with THE UNIVERSAL FATHER.
He who prays, who, in the very center of his heart, earnestly and honestly
and continually DESIRES to acquire temperance, and patience, and truth,
and love to the neighbor, and love to God; and he prays who feels a
perpetual gratitude for all the blessings he enjoys, for the suns light and
heat, for the summer and winter, for seed-time and harvest, for the love
he is enabled to bear to his enemies, and the forgiveness with which he
70
can forgive them; for the love which others consecrate to him; for the
unchangeable manifestations of DIVINE LOVEthat love greater than
all: and DIVINE WILL that will which is without shadow of turning; and
DIVINE WISDOM that wisdom which is universal, these attributes of
the FATHER spreading throughout natures boundless territories; if he be
thus deserving and thus thankful, then that man prays without ceasing
he prays that holy and glowing prayer which the angels love to gaze
upon that living prayer which sanctifies his own soul! Such prayers
seldom express themselves in words; they incarnate and embody
themselves in righteous deeds!
But they who have already attained to celestial heights, as well as those
who have not yet advanced far in the spiritual country, they can behold us
from where they are, and in our evening meditations; in our profoundest
slumbers; in our daily occupations; in our circles of fraternal love; the
spirit-friends, whom our souls most attract, come to us and breathe their
pure and beautiful sentiments into our souls. And when, by reading our
thoughts, they see us in trouble or in danger, it is reasonable to anticipate
the reception (that is, if the vessels of our minds will admit the influx) of
some spiritual assistance and direction from the angels home.
There has never before existed upon this earth so much mental, and
moral, and religious freedom, never so much actual goodness and
universal love, we have grown almost to the spiritual world; and the
period even now appears brief when humanity will realize its nearness to,
71
and friendship for, the spirit-land; and man shall aspire to be like unto the
angels!
The truth isand it imparts a profoundly grand joy to know itthat every
faculty of the human mind is EXPRESSLY DESIGNED FOR GOOD; and
in the spirit-world, as well as upon earth, these faculties are or should be
supplied with the proper means for their righteous gratification. The
merely passing from the natural body into the spiritual body does not
deprive us of any of our affectional or wisdom endowments. Nay, our
faculties are immortal and endlessly progressive; and their capabilities
are enlarged and refined, beyond this incipient life, to the end that we
may the more enjoy the glorious realities consequent upon a continued,
but more glorious existence. Even the most advanced spirits in the
upper spheres are serenely joyous and cheerful; and others, not so
progressed, as they become good and happy, are not the less mirthful.
72
By spiritual intercourse we learn that all men shall ultimately be joined
into one BROTHERHOOD; their interests shall be pure and reciprocal;
their actions shall be just and harmonious; they shall be as one Body,
animated by universal Love and governed by pure Wisdom. Mans
future is glowing with a beautiful radiance.
Truth will consume all error and artificial theology, whose power is
weakened, and whose corruptions are revealed, by the divine light of
Natures manifestations.
Yea, all evil and error will be finally subdued and banished by the triumph
of the principles that are good, divine, and unchangeable; and
unrighteousness shall be no morel Streams of good and healthy
inspirations will spring up, and flow down, to cleanse and refresh the
moral world, on whose advancing tide the whole race will ascend to
intellectual and social harmony, and to a high state of spiritual elevation
and intercourse.
You may admire your own truth; you may think it is superlatively good;
the best thing; and yet you know it is only a part of your intellect. If it be a
truth which you love also, it will always cause you to glow with gladness
and work with joy.
The conclusion of all this is, that all truths in the mind need to be truly
married. There can be no balance of character on any other basis. Any
73
guardian angel, any passage of poetry, any strain of music, any scene in
Nature, that will blend any two truths together and make them one in your
spirit, is the high-priest of life to you. From that hour you will go happily
forward in your proper sphere of labor, doing good, and exhibiting the
pleasant ways of wisdom and righteousness to your fellow-men. The
marriage of all principles in the mind will be known as a revelation to that
mind of "sthe unity of truth."
74
Part Seven:
THE PENETRALIA
(1856)
75
easily comprehended and controlled by their inhabitants. Man's works of
salvation and redemption should be adapted to this world.
What explanation can you give for the absence of social harmony among
Christians?
The whole supernatural system has been well-nigh two thousand years
converting fifty millions of Protestants into religious Sectarians. But these
fifty millions are, after all, far from being reformed and harmonized. Many
of them still own slaves, sustain the Fugitive Slave Law, and go strong
against the dethronement of King Superstition. These church members
and church supporters make no better merchants; as tradesmen they are
not a particle more honest than an honest Doubter; they make no kinder
or wiser Bosses to journey-men and apprentices; they are no better
than, and ofttimes not so good as the so-called skeptical and
76
unregenerated
77
The church fails, because it looks to a wrong Source for its aid. It expects
to reform the world by preaching the Love and the Hate of an omnipotent
Jehovah; with the necessity of faith in the virtue of that blood tragedy
called Jesus Christ and him crucified. The world can be restrained thus,
but not reformed. The sectarian harness may be worn by thousands; they
may work in the traces of duty, as kindly and docile as horses used to the
gearing; but at the end of life, what are they? Are they unfolded in Love
and Wisdom? Are they attractive representatives of the divine Life? Nay:
they terminate their earthly voyage ofttimes as much in bondage as little
developed as when they began. The greatest temporal achievement of a
protestant Christian is, to triumph over the fear of dying an
accomplishment which the warrior, the Hindoo, the Turk, the Roman
Catholic, possesses to an eminent degree, reposing upon his bed of
death with a serene resignation.
78
A SUNSET IN THE SPIRIT HOME
Once, I feared for us both . . now, for both I love and fear not.
Day before yesterday, our family journeyed along the banks of the
Mornia . . a lake flowing westward.
And I yearned for thee, beloved . . yet, my spirit was full f love . . breathed
from those around me.
I find in the air of my new home . . the house of the spirits of men . . a
something blander, and more pleasant, than in any other atmosphere I
ever breathed. . . . There is a joy in it to me. . . . But there are many here
who seem not to remark this. . . . And then, our sunsets here!
Oh! I would gaze with you, dear brother, on such a sky as glorified this
79
rose-covered spot day before yesterday!
I have looked to see if that was the evening you wrote re specting your
visit at High-Rock Tower . . it was!*
Should an artist paint the scene that sunlight gave us, it would be said
that he had exaggerated the picture. . . . But there is no pencil for such
delineation. . . . Art has no hues for such coloring. . . . Language no
powers to reveal . . or, if there be words, I feel too much to think them out.
We had been walking around the Lake. . . . The valley was half-viewless
and misty with the plenitude of countless odors. . . . And the sea of hills,
surrounding Starnos, was half hid by the rainbow-streams of Beauty that
were showered down from the sky!
With us, in company, were many you never knew . . some well know and
80
love you . . others you have seen in the earthly home.
My brothers were with us . . and One, whom I will now call my guardian
angel . . and William's Cornelia . . also their recently married daughter . .
and James, too, with a group of his recently-formed acquaintances . . and
the blessed four you witnessed at High-Rock Tower.
And there was no void of existence. . . . Although you did not hold my
hand nor administer unto me, yet the fullness of my happiness was all
permanent . . all heavenly.
And that sky above us It was even more beautiful inthe east than in the
west. . . . Such a mass of burnished gold. . . . Yet, not all gold . . for here
and there a silver edge unrolled . . disclosing the azure sky.
I would that you had seen it, my brother. ... I can not tell thee of the scene.
... I can now close my eyes . . and, looking in memory, can see it all again.
There was a glorious cloud . . all clouds are glorious, my brother . . which
reflected a far-spreading light upon the sea of hills and the lake below. . . .
81
And Mornia, in consequence, looked like a miniature ocean of liquid gold.
. . . The cloud assumed a ruby hue. . . . And, then, the fair flowing Mornia
looked like a sea of blood. . . . The light thrown upon the opposite shore,
was like a sunny gauze cast over the landscape's emerald green. . . . And
the remote habitations of the Brotherhood of Morlassia . . the groves of
meditation . . appeared as a great City illuminated. . . . And the environing
fields, receiving the crimsoned light, looked like a World on Fire!
We gazed . . and gazed . . and, the sun went down. . . . The lights
opposite were put out. . . . And the fair flowing Mornia darkened. . . .
And the cloud was first a silver gray . . then dark. . . . 'Twas night in the
Spirit Home!
This is the first time my eyes . . divested of all mortal corruption . . ever
gazed upon the sunset.
And I feel that I can no more forget it than I could the event of my new
birth here.
Our party now descended the rose-covered Mount . . wending our way
amid green-hilled groves . . serenaded by the birds of the twilight hour. . .
. And, as we stepped from spot to spot, I thought of the glories you had
taught me to see with my understanding. . . . Seeing the FATHER as I
82
now do, I must
Worship Him in Love. ... In spirit and in truth I must worship Him!
83
THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE
The interior clairvoyant senses can gaze upon the higher worlds, and
reveal new worlds within the one we at present dwell upon. These
senses address mans inward sources of knowledge; they speak to his
Intuition and Reason. As the microscopic and telescopic worlds are
hidden, in their prismatic splendors and awful magnititudes, from the
powers and penetrations of mans corporeal senses; so, from the same
limited vision, are concealed the stupendous magnificence of the spiritual
universe, and the kindling skies and indescribably beauties of the eternal
spheres. But, to the interior senses, all these worlds are visible. Men,
and things, and planets, and angels, and future existence, and the vital
laws of Father-God all, appear in that consistent order and philosophic
precision which distinguish the truth from the dark chaos of mythic
Theology. To the interior senses, the changes of Mother-Nature are
indications of the ceaseless operations of unchangeable principles
84
steps from lower to higher from matter to spirit. A birth, a fleeting
existence, a death these are manifestations of the beautiful Laws of
progression and development.
The great lesson which I would have enstamped on mens souls is, that
the harmonial formation of characterin harmony with the principles of
Universal Love and Distributive Justiceis the only security against
temporal unhappiness and future disturbances. Progression is made
by a reasonable belief in progress. Harmony of character and
loveliness of disposition unfold gradually from unwavering efforts to
acquire them. May such faith and such efforts be our crown and
adornmentsfor they are at once the causes and effects of fraternal
harmony and personal happiness.
85
your Truth; my deepest and highest conviction, that is mine. You cannot,
therefore, altogether follow me, nor I you; but each may revolve in his
own orbit, to the others benefit.
The interior clairvoyant senses can gaze upon the higher worlds, and
reveal new worlds within the one we at present dwell upon. These
senses address mans inward sources of knowledge; they speak to his
Intuition and Reason. As the microscopic and telescopic worlds are
hidden, in their prismatic splendors and awful magnititudes, from the
powers and penetrations of mans corporeal senses; so, from the same
limited vision, are concealed the stupendous magnificence of the spiritual
universe, and the kindling skies and indescribably beauties of the eternal
spheres. But, to the interior senses, all these worlds are visible. Men,
and things, and planets, and angels, and future existence, and the vital
laws of Father-God all, appear in that consistent order and philosophic
precision which distinguish the truth from the dark chaos of mythic
86
Theology. To the interior senses, the changes of Mother-Nature are
indications of the ceaseless operations of unchangeable principles
steps from lower to higher from matter to spirit. A birth, a fleeting
existence, a death these are manifestations of the beautiful Laws of
progression and development.
The great lesson which I would have enstamped on mens souls is, that
the harmonial formation of character in harmony with the principles of
Universal Love and Distributive Justice is the only security against
temporal unhappiness and future disturbances.
87
Part Eight
THE TEACHER
(1858)
88
archway above is exceedingly glorious and beautiful; and the many stars
stationed throughout its vast labyrinths like diamond lights, shine with an
immortal effulgence to guide the traveler onward and upward to the city
of eternal joy! And here I stand alone, unseen by any except the Eye of
the Eternal Being, and unheard by any, except the Ear that hears the
silent echoing of all human thoughts! Yes! I am clad in my usual
garments, and am contemplating the most high and sublime of subjects!
89
far inferior. Their bodies, however, were perfectly white; and they
manifested great kindness and gentleness of disposition. I was
impressed with the following interpretation, which I apprehended as
evidently true, and disclosing the use of the vision.
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OMNIPOTENT TRUTH REIGNS
91
learned that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. I beheld my own
insignificance, and meanwhile, as of all mankind, I beheld an
unspeakable importance in my very existence. I learned to revere, obey,
and depend alone on that Power which directs and controls the Universe!
and saw that omnipotent truth will consume all error and artificial
theology, whose power is weakened, and whose corruption is revealed
by the divine light of Natures manifestations! I learned that all evil will be
subdued and banished by the ultimate triumph of those principles that are
good, divine and unchangeable, and that unrighteousness shall be no
more; that streams of good and healthy motives will spring up to cleanse
and refresh the moral world, on whose advancing tide the race will
ascend to intellectual and social harmony, and to a high state of spiritual
elevation!
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response to the imperative command of immutable Law, which is the rule
of divine action eternally established by Him, who presides over and
animates an infinite creation!
But each and every individual, considered relatively, is not Love and
Wisdom alone and complete within himself or herself, but is only one of
these principles, and hence experiences an affinity for its apparently
opposite or dissimilar self. It is when, and only when, an individual
realizes its dependence upon another individual, that sensations of
loneliness, dissatisfaction, discontent, and incompleteness unfold
themselves in the spirit. Congenial association is now loudly and
imperatively demanded by the isolated and seeking heart. Heart calls to
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heart. The female is alone without her true companion; and the male is
alone without the female; the female is seeking for its Wisdom principle;
and the male is seeking for its principle of Love.
94
continual respect and admiration, then will she most certainly manifest
uneasiness and generate discord. It is depressing to scan the multitude
of marriages which have resulted from no higher causes than the
infatuations of passion and evanescent personal charms, of popularity,
of individual position, the superficial accomplishments of education, the
advantages of wealth and convenience, or from the so frequent
coercion or incitement of accidental outer circumstances. In the world,
every where are visible these superficial and ephemeral marriages,
marriages! did I say? No, not marriages, but worldly legalized
attachments legalized adulteries and bigamies; which not only distract
and deform, but arrest the development of beauty and happiness in, the
thus enslaved Soul.
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primary cause than the fascinations of feature, the advantages of position
or wealth, or the accident of circumstances, then is the female
unconsciously living with another Spirits companion; and so also is the
male living in perpetual violation of the law of Conjugal Association; and
consequently both are rendered dissatisfied and unhappy.
Every individual is born married; every male and female, every Love
and Wisdom, has a true and eternal companion. This marriage is
solemnized by Supreme sanction, and is sanctified by Angelic harmony.
It depends not upon personal beauty, or education; neither upon wealth,
position, situation, time, age, or circumstance; it is the spontaneous and
inseparable conjunction of affinity with affinity, principle with principle,
and spirit with spirit.
In reply to the question Will all the individuals married in this life,
continue to live together in the Spirit-World? I received the following
vision: In England, in the city of London, I saw a gentlemen undergoing
the metamorphosis called death. He had been for several years married
to an uncongenial companion; they had frequently and severely injured
and insulted each other; and were quite dissimilar in their temperaments,
habits, attractions, and desires. From the scene of this departure, my
perceptions were directed to a dying Turkish lady, in Constantinople, who,
according to the Eastern custom of polygamy, had been a favorite wife of
the Sultan. The two deaths, or transformations, occurred at the same
moment; and when the two spirits were emancipated from the body, and
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from the superficial restrictions of society, they ascended and by the
irresistible attraction of conjugal or spiritual affinity, and in accordance
with the law of perfect spiritual adaptation, they approached each other
and, rapturously embracing, manifested the fullest realization of the
beautiful fact that they were eternally ONE.
That Spirit which is still seeking and praying for congenial companionship,
should rest perfectly assured that it has somewhere a mate
somewhere an eternal associate! Life will not always be incomplete. Let
the seeker remember this; and, being already in principle joined to some
true and faithful one, let the heart be glad; and let it realize, by means of
anticipation, the final meeting, which, if circumstances and earnest desire
do not consummate it on earth, will be inevitably developed, perfected,
and confirmed in the higher country. And those who are unfortunately
situated in their worldly-legalized marriage relations they should, also,
rest in the sublime and unfailing assurance of eternal principles, that a
97
due separation is in the future, and that a due meeting will be the issue of
an introduction into the Spirit-home. Perhaps the true companion has
already gone before; if this be so, it is altogether probable that the spirit
remaining here will feel drawn toward the higher world, when searching
for its companion. There is a holiness in this natural and true marriage
which is a consequence of our being an inevitable result of our own
existence that, when once conceived of by the heart and
understanding, must make every spirit on earth rejoice; and insure purity
and faithfulness in that soul which would live for the one whom God hath
given, and keep itself unspotted from the world.
Where the true union is enjoyed, there can not exist the slightest cause of
jealousy, of coldness, of estrangement, of disrespect, or alienation; for
perfect and entire confidence wreathes every thought which the one
entertaineth of the other; and by a commingling of their mutual love, the
truly joined the God made ONE can consume every unfriendly
and discordant impulse which might arise in their undeveloped bosom.
The Love-principle, or the female, is the actuating, the prompting, the life-
giving portion of the eternal ONENESS; and the Wisdom-principle, or the
male, is the governing, the guiding, and harmonizing portion; and thus
the twain are ONE in essence and organization. Love, or the female, with
her immortal and impetuous springs of life, beauty, and animation, is,
if unguided and unassociated with Wisdom, unspeakably lonely, and very
liable to misdirection; on the other hand, Wisdom, or the male, with his
immortal attribute of harmony and government, is, if unassociated with,
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and deprived of, the life-giving elements of Love, a mere iceberg, a mere
isolated oak, cold and unbeautiful. But these reflections are more
properly connected with the consideration of the mission and influence of
the male and female principle, or the sexes, which consideration may be
found in the previous chapter.
The reader should be impressed with the conviction that the Law of
Association, which moves alike the universe and the human soul, will
determine and proclaim who is his, or her, true companion. No clergyman,
no testimony, no legalized contract, or record in Church or State, can
determine upon the proper conjugal associate, nor develop the
everlasting affection which the spirit demands. The evidence is within.
Search yourselves. If ye are truthfully married, then will ye have mutual or
parallel attractions, corresponding desires, and similar constitutional
tendencies; and where the one goes, the other will go; and on earth, as in
the higher spheres of existence, ye will have one home, one purpose,
one destiny, one God, and one religion.
99
Every heart prays and pines for that holy and protecting love which will
not change, however varying may be the vicissitudes of human life, but
which strengthens ever, in sickness and in health, in youth and in
maturity, in prosperity and in adversity, and which, while it strengthens,
fails not to represent those noble and beautiful qualities of the soul which
distinguish the sexes and characterize the stronger Man, and gentler
Woman; and this distinction must be marled and perpetual in order to
experience the blessings consequent upon the existence of perpetual
love and honor, one toward the other.
The true marriage is first Natural, then Spiritual, then Celestial, in its
progressive growth. And the eternally conjoined have an unfailing
evidence of their destiny by experiencing a continually unfolding love for
one another, which grows stronger and stronger as they pursue lifes
path and near the Spirit-Home. But here let it be impressed, that with
some on the earth, misunderstandings may occur, and, by their fearful
and invidious influence, even the truly married may be moved to separate
on the way, until they arrive where misunderstandings can not exist.
These misapprehensions may proceed from the dissimilarity of individual
education, or from habit and acquired superficial desires; but from
whatever outer cause they may arise, search ye within; and, if ye are
conscious of entertaining a living and growing affection for the offending
spirit, strive to extinguish all differences and unfriendliness
instantaneously by a mutual flash of that love which is immortal.
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The human Soul is capable of inconceivable expansion; its sensibilities
are pure and almost immeasurable. The female Spirit feels a boundless,
undiminishable love; the male is conscious of a high and insurmountable
wisdom; and these embodied principles irresistibly seek and implore the
presence of one another. To every individual, its counterpart the one
most loved is the purest, the greatest, and the most beautiful, of all
human beings; others may be beautiful and attractive, and may possess
in reality many more accomplishments; but to the lover, the one beloved
is the most beautiful; because there is felt an inwrought adaptation of
desire to desire, impulse to impulse, organization to organization, Soul to
Soul! This philosophy of marriage is that which angels know the only
true marriage, which originated with the Divine Mind; which is sometimes
prophetically or incipiently indicated on the earth; which is enjoyed in all
spheres of angelic and seraphic life; and which is spontaneously
established by the sublime Law of Association that conjugally unites
Atom to Atom, Spirit to Spirit, Angel to Seraph, and God to the Universe!
101
residence somewhere in the solitudes of immensity. And also it seems
that your mind was pervaded with an undefined idea that final
destinations will be gained by all souls and every thing. But as matter is
eternal and souls progress forever, according to what has been stated in
answer to questions on that head, therefore the present interrogatory
demands a different answer.
I have said that the present structure of the Universe will ultimately
change, and that a new Universe will come forth, and that new and higher
creations will be the inevitable consequence. Now when all worlds of
material organization shall have performed their respective missions in
the individualization of immortal spirits, and each world shall have
disorganized and fallen back into its original vortex of chaos, then where
will the Spirit reside? The question comes in naturally here, and here the
answer will be best under stood, because it is necessary.
After the individual souls leave this planet (and all planets in universal
space which yield such organizations of matter,) they ascend to the
Second Sphere of existence. Here all individuals undergo an angelic
discipline, by which every physical and spiritual deformity is removed,
and symmetry reigns throughout the immeasurable empire of holy beings.
When all spirits shall have progressed to the Second Sphere, the various
earths and planets in the Universe, which once swarmed with life and
animation, will be depopulated and not a living thing will move upon their
surfaces. And so there will be no destruction of life in that period of
102
disorganization, but the earths, and suns, and planets will die their life will
be absorbed by the Divine Spirit. God is Positive all else is negative.
He is the Moving Power all else is moved. He will expand his inmost
capacity and attract the glowing elements of His being which permeate
the boundless expanse of matter; and all matter, which is not organized
into spirit, will die and fall into its original condition. But the inhabitants of
the second sphere will ultimately advance to the third, then to the fourth,
then to the fifth, and lastly into the sixth; this sixth sphere is as near the
great Positive Mind as spirits can ever locally or physically approach. It is
greater than all the others. It encircles infinity. It is in the neighborhood of
the divine aroma of the Deity; it is warmed and beautified infinitely by His
infinite Love, and it is illuminated and rendered unspeakably magnificent
by His all-embracing Wisdom. In this ineffable sphere, in different stages
of individual progression, will all spirits dwell. They will be held together
by the attractive emanations of Deity, like the safe protection of an infinite
belt, which will embrace the entire sphere in which will reside incalculable
multitudes of created and eternalized souls. The Universal Father will
thus gather to himself all the images of his creation all the diversified
members of his household; and thus the house of many mansions will
be completely occupied by the many members of the ingathered family.
This may be considered as the home of the spirit; but still greater
missions and blessings will determine the paths in which every conjugally
united oneness will tread paths strewed with innumerable and
immeasurable worlds of beauty and harmony.
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When all spirits arrive at the Sixth Sphere of existence, and the protecting
Love and Wisdom of the Great Positive Mind are thrown tenderly around
them; and when not a single atom of life is wandering from home in the
fields and forests of immensity; then the Deity contracts his inmost
capacity, and forthwith the boundless vortex is convulsed with a new
manifestation of Motion Motion transcending all our conceptions, and
passing to and fro from center to circumference, like mighty tides of
Infinite Power. Now the law of Association or gravitation exhibits its
influence and tendency in the formation of new suns, new planets, and
new earths. The law of progression or refinement follows next in order,
and manifests its unvarying tendency in the production of new forms of
life on those planets; and the law of Development follows next in the train,
and exhibits its power in the creation of new plants, animals, and human
spirits upon every earth prepared to receive and nourish them. Thus God
will create a new Universe, and will display different and greater elements
and energies therein. And thus new spheres of spiritual existences will be
opened. These spheres will be as much superior to the present
unspeakable glories of the sixth sphere, as the sixth sphere is now above
the second sphere, which is next superior to the sphere of earth. When
the new and superior Universe is completely unfolded, or when the new
heavens and the new earths are developed, the spirits in the sixth sphere
will be again in the second sphere; because the highest sphere in the
present order of the Universe will constitute the second sphere in the new
order which is to be developed. Thus there will be four spheres for the
spirits and angels at the consummation of the new unfolding, to advance
104
through, as there are now four between the second sphere and the sixth
which we have been considering.
Contemplate the eternal Vortex or Center from which proceeded the ten
thousand million-fold of worlds that swarm the shores of Immensity;
contemplate the rich and inexhaustible materials which roll in boundless
waves to the Central Fount; contemplate the magnificent azure dome
which crowns the Holy Residence of Creative Power; contemplate the
inconceivable interchanging, commingling, and interpenetration of Fire,
Heat, Light, and Electricity; contemplate a Presiding, but inseparably
individualized, Great Positive Mind, who, while he commands, compels
obedience; meanwhile, Himself, obeys! I say, through the sublime
telescope of pure philosophy, contemplate all this Grandeur, this Beauty,
this Harmony, and reason will readily conceive the proposition that God is
Positive, and all else is Negative.
Far, far away beyond countless constellations of suns and planets, and
deep, deep in the fathomless bosom of the immeasurable Univercoelum,
throbs the HEART of all life and animation. Its deep, harmonious
pulsations flow through innumerable vessels to the unimaginable
105
circumference of all planetary existence; and there is not an atom, not a
flower, not a solitary vine, not a world, not a soul, not an angel, which
does not receive, every instant of time, fresh life and vigor from this
inexhaustible source of celestial essences! This Heart is God. His life-
elements are embraced by the all-comprehensive term, LOVE; his
elaborating powers by the term, WILL; and his governing attributes by tile
term, WISDOM. These elements, powers, and attributes are organized
into ONE SOUL the MIND of the Universe THE ONE ONLY AND
TRUE GOD!
106
Part Nine:
The Thinker
(1860)
We are residing near the inside edge of the stellar sphere, and behold,
therefore, its under-side and margins in every direction. The human eye
is compelled to run along under its curving periphery. Astronomers are
enabled to contemplate but one circle of suns and their planets, even
with the best telescopic appliances.
107
The Spirit-Land, together with all the natural worlds which night or
science reveals to our knowledge, belong to this one immeasurable
system. Within the vast cloud of material globes is the "silver lining"
the aurelian circle which is the soul's immortal Home. It is revolving
within this visible circle of resplendent suns and planets; just as the
spiritual body is a silver lining within a cloud-environment- the outer
visible form. The spirit-world can be discerned by the super-telescopic
power of clairvoyance or other faculties of spiritual penetration. But as it
is not discovered by telescopes, it will remain all unknown to the natural
sciences for a long period.
This interior circle or spiritual world is what we term "the Second Sphere."
Within that is the third; next, the fourth; then the fifth; lastly, the sixth; the
seventh is the Deific vortex, a great Positive Power, perfect and divine.
But between each two of these spiritual Spheres, there is a system of
suns and planets corresponding to the Milky Way so visible in the
sublimities of our heavens. The higher and more harmonious the mind,
the nearer does it approach to the Divine Centre the inexhaustible
Fountain of Love, Power, and Wisdom. Matter is repelled by the central
Sun, but spirit is attracted incessantly toward it. But, as I have shown,
individualized spirit is never absorbed can never lose its identity.
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THE NATURALNESS OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD
Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and all the other
planets, both visible and invisible, eliminate their finest aura and atoms,
which ascend in the shape of atmospheres and imponderable elements,
and halt suspended at a point in space, where the inward principle of
affinity becomes supreme. The consequence is, that these accumulated
emanations very soon associate, and become compact, firm, strong, and
inter-coherent; and this progressive development goes forward until there
is formed a vast semi-solid aurelian zone, around a great starry system in
the universe. Yea, learn well the lesson that the spiritual spheres are
unfolded by, and out of, the natural worlds, as flowers unfold from, and by
means of, the earth; that the spirit-land rolls out of the essential
emanations of the earth-land, the same as the spiritual body comes out
of the refinements and rarefactions of the natural body.
109
Elementally, it does not essentially differ from those primates which
compose the rock, the tree, the animal, or a human body. The difference
is similar to that between a rose and its liquidated fragrance. The best
imponderable emanations of this world gravitate to what we call the
spiritual sphere, and help to form its substance.
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THE HEAVENLY RIVERS
I do not say that all classes and grades of spirits and angels are confined
to this involuntary method of travelling. And in this connection I must
parenthetically further remark that, within the nature of the most truly
exalted and harmonious minds in the universe, there is properly speaking,
no unconsciousness; that is, no compulsatory or involuntary powers and
operations.
111
This unrealized conception is prophetic of man's future ability, when by
the strength of his wish (above volition) he can direct the involuntary life-
currents, and throw them upon, or extract them from, any organ of his
visceral constitution, and thus increase or diminish its allotted functions.
May he not also greatly overcome the centripetal tendency of his body
one of these days? But to return:
The flow of this celestial river is like that of a column of blood which is
thrown from the heart to the head, down the spine to the feet, and then is
called back to the point of departure. The spiritual world, like a great,
positive, throbbing heart, repels one current, which goes to the earth, and
attracts another current, which returns with its freight. These heavenly
rivers roll on like the life of God. Upon their ample, mighty bosoms may
safely repose the spirits of the Father. As there are rivers of
communication between our earth and the Spirit-Home, so are there
"living streams" between that far-off; glorious land, and Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, and every other globe belonging to our densely-populated
planetary system.
Thus our earth is not only blest, but also all the other planets of the
sidereal universe. In the human body, the generous heart does not
distribute its lifeblood to one organ exclusively, but freely it gives to the
whole temple. So the impartial Heart-the Father and Mother Spirit
which inhabiteth "the evergreen mountains of Life," distributes vital
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currents to planets which roll in the remote distance, no less generously
than to the beautiful blooming earth which is this day our abiding-place.
And the most pleasurable method which. embodied spirits adopt in order
to accomplish their speedy journeys through space, is to harmonize
perpetually with the flowings of these celestial currents. In this manner
these journeys can be made by attraction, without a voluntary effort.
Travelling thus in the open etherial sea of space is like moving with the
great tide of God's life, musically and happily upon its lovi1ng bosom; and
yet it is full of harmony only to him who is prepared to enjoy the Truth.'
When there are evil and discord within the traveller, no matter how much
of heaven flows over or beneath him, the evil and discord are his
companions. On the other hand, be but in harmony with the philosophical
principles of truth, then like the enchantment and divinity of musical
anthems are the tidal flowings of these celestial rivers among the holy
stars.
113
shadows or mirror-like reflections upon susceptible eyes, the evidence of
their artistic powers, their sweet influences, their magnetic love, their
exalted and exalting thoughts. Seldom do they, in propria persona, mix
with earthly groups, or visit the habitations of the unascended. Yet
millions of spirits are daily helping humanity. The terrible storms which
meteorological investigators tell us occur within a few miles of the earth,
are uniformly beneath the aerial stratum to which our embodied spirit-
friends descend. Thus, Nature is everywhere harmonious with herself;
and, when understood, she brings our inductive minds into friendship
with a tangible, substantial, spiritual World.
Just as one flower succeeds another in the order of seasons, just as one
crop succeeds another in the order of years, just as summer and winter,
seed-time and harvest, come by progressive rotations, so do these
eternal systems of natural and spiritual worlds succeed each other and
harmonize in the depths of the stellar infinitude. How joyous and tranquil
must be that mind which possesses philosophical confidence in the
indestructible order of the Universe Religious conservatives may put forth
their incongruous objections to the whole harmonial system, yet the
slightest breath of disapprobation or discouragement may not enter the
Thinker's mind. Once get systematically before your intellectual
perception the philosophical possibilities of this boundless universe, and
mankind may combine their skill and talent, their aconian logic and
argumentation, in opposition to your truth, and your unperturbed and
wiser spirit will be as happy and powerful as the archangels of God. "The
114
Truth shall make you free!"
115
Part Ten:
Answers to Re-Occurring Questions
(1862)
Answer: Light is pouring in from the eternal Spheres. It flings its radiance
on every passing eye. The weary, benighted traveler beholds it afar off.
Nature, with an impartial hand, scatters her truths everywhere; the same
at the poles as beneath the equator; and thus the whole globe is
abundantly filled with their beauty and fragrance. Unhappy, indeed, is
that mind which can neither see their proportions nor enjoy their hallowed
magnetic principles. Those immortal truths which
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teachings, and God-like in their boundless magnificence and eternal
power. In such truths we perceive the "breath of Nature, and behold her
endless bloom." She unblossoms her every grace to the truth-worshipper.
Her disclosures are to those only who love her wisely; to the uncertain
child, the ruthless man, "her face is vailed" both day and night. But to her
devoted lovers. Nature is lavish and tender forever, and she is also just in
all her requirements.
To the true Spiritualist (using the term in its largest sense) are
vouchsafed those immortal principles of Truth, which exalt humanity
and enrich eternity. The positive radiance of individual immortality,
breaking with infinite light and luster upon this unhappy world, reveals our
manifold imperfections. Antiquated errors, and time-cemented systems of
injustice and wrong, betray their hideous proportions. The abundance of
good light exhibits the darkness of evil in every place and nation. That
mind which has stricken off the shackles of mental slavery, and which,
with new-born gladness, realizes the eternal dignity and birthright of
individual life, is certain to sing the songs of Freedom and of boundless
Reform.
117
guardians in the Spirit Land, the believer is, of necessity, an opponent to
church-taught errors. A higher conception of Father-God dawns upon his
awakened understanding. Instead of infinite rage and inconceivable
torments, of implacable wrath and unmerciful justice in the universe, the
true Spiritualist sees an unchangeably perfect Fountain of deific
principles, consisting of equal parts of Love and Wisdom, by which the
stupendous whole, with its countless families of life, is enlivened and
progressively carried onward forever. Nothing is lost; everything is saved.
Not a sparrow falleth beyond the realm of progressive law. The infinite
good pervades and persuades the material universe, which is the source
of every imperfection.
Mind is positive to matter; therefore good (or God) is the master of evil (or
matter); consequently, in opposition to all church-errors the Spiritualist
must plant himself. He involuntarily works for the prevalence of the best
thoughts and ideas. The principles of eternal and all-saving Progression
are as dear to his heart as is the spirit of God to the bosom of Mother
Nature. Wonder not, therefore, if the Spiritualist, instead of preaching
"hell and heaven" to the world, proclaims the gospel of eternal
advancement, with the philosophical effects attending man's
disobedience.
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NATURAL PRINCIPLES AND DEDUCTIONS
You cannot learn orthodox theology from Nature; neither can you obtain
creedal religion from God; for God and Nature, though infinitely
diversified, are essentially and practically One.
The great living principles of interior truth and goodness, which constitute
the vitals of Christianity, are indigenous to the spiritual constitution of
man.
119
righteousness, whether by an angels influence or the tongue of man,
then his intuitions arise to the pyramidal heights wherefrom great truths
become visible and attractive.
If it be true that John saw an angel standing in the sun, or if it be true that
any man at any time ever saw a spirit, it is most reasonable to presume
that the same experience will continue to form a part of all human history.
There is a divine power working in all that occurs in human life and
society indeed, unless there be such a power, life and society would
be impossibilities. Without rills and rivers there could be no lakes, no
seas. The river of life, clear as crystal, is from the heart-currents and
love-rills of the infinite Father and Mother.
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True religion is derived from Nature. Miracles innumerable are
incessantly performed by Nature to attest the divinity of her mission.
Stars in the sky, and the grass beneath, are her signs and wonders. And
truth is the golden door of entrance to the human heart.
The age of Nature will not come until men become wiser and more
respectful of whatsoever is natural and reasonable.
The chaotic mind, viewing Nature with the senses, sees no harmony or
unity.
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somewhat as mediums in these days, under similar influences, are
impressed with different theories of the next world.
Men have faith or doubts from the operations of their own minds; but their
daily conduct is determined by that influence which is the most powerful,
either from within or without.
The reason why Nature does not impart to some minds a knowledge of
God, is because such persons do not interrogate her in the fullness of
their hearts. If you know what it is to love a Principle, though it be only the
common law of chemistry or gravitation, then you so far know what God
is, and what his will is, in Nature and in you. It is, however, more elevating
to love the principle of Love, or Justice, or Truth, or Freedom, or Beauty,
or Harmony, for by the sanctity and spirituality of love for such principles,
your soul is lifted magnetically toward the heart of Nature, which is God.
Men love what is nearest to their state of mind and body. A change in
condition necessitates a change of appetite.
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of earthly tracks. Death, is a pivotal event in human progress.
VIII. Question: "The following six words are frequently used in both
speech and writing, but they are often confounded Viz: Mind,
Reason, Spirit, Soul, Conscience, Judgment. Please give your spiritual
definition of these six words.''
"Mind." This word is a general term, used to signify all the opposites of
Matter. Thus "Mind and Matter." are natural counterparts, or friendly
opponents in the organization of everything, from the worm in the oozy
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bottom of the sea, to the brightest angel in the sky-homes of eternity.
2. "Reason." This is also a general term, used to signify the total harmony
of all the elements and attributes of Mind. Without such balance and
equilibrium of all the feeling and thinking powers, it is incorrect to apply
the term; for, in such case, the state of the mind would be more or less
discordant, and consequently only partially or proximately, and not
absolutely possessed of Reason.
4. " Soul." This term is used to express that fine, impalpable, almost
immaterial body which clothes the spirit from the moment of death to all
eternity. In this life the "soul" is composed of all the magnetisms,
electricities, forces, and vital principles, which, in more general terms,
are called motion, life, and sensation, including instinct.
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prevails over folly, the individual is as liable to make mistakes as a child
is to stumble while learning to walk.
XLI. Question: "What are the relations of the sexes in the Second
Sphere, or Spirit Land? Do they reproduce in a manner corresponding to
this world?''
Answer: We repeat, the divine law of Use is the source of every organ
and function. Nothing lives a day after its real usefulness in the
boundless economy of the universe has absolutely terminated. This
world is the manufactory of individualized minds, adapted to a future life.
The productions of this existence are gathered into that which is to come.
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The organic machinery of our terrestrial bodies, by which reproduction is
carried forward, is not demanded by the law of Use in the Spirit Land.
But the relation of marriage, between the sexes, is far more perfect in the
next life. Love, not passion, prevails. And the objects of love are exalted
far above the reproductive impulses of the blood. The wondrous and
beautiful cerebrum, or front and superior lobe of the brain, spiritualizes
the blood just in proportion to its predominance over the cerebellum and
its visceral appendages.
In the other world, where the moral and intellectual powers are naturally
balanced and supreme, the reproductiveness of blood is transferred to
that of spirit. Thus the correspondence is kept up. The offsprings of Spirit-
love are high-born acts of wisdom and philanthropy; and it is worthy of all
consideration and gratitude, that in the Spirit-world, no great individual
deeds are possible outside of the true marriage. Indeed, without union
between adapted natures there is neither happiness nor progression.
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2. Is the organization of the soul from the chaotic and discordant
elements composing it in this life ever possible with any human being
after throwing off the mortal body?
3. You say, in common with the animals, each man has a soul; but has
each human soul a spirit, which, in conjunction with the soul, is to be
rocked in the downy cradle of eternity?
Answers:
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perform the function of giving individuality to the spiritual elements. The
body is a mill. It puts, air, water, light, heat, vegetables, fruits, animal
substances, and chemicals, into its hopper, and pulverizes them by
digestion. The soul is fed and manufactured out of the finest elements
and essences extracted from the above-named substances. No body but
mans can elaborate the soul of a man; and no soul but mans can ever
subserve the eternal ends of the indwelling spirit If it were possible for
any spirit to be clothed upon for immortal life, without the aid of the
physical body, it would then be absurd for any human being to be born
into this world. The fact that every inhabitant of supernal lands was once
born of woman, on this planet, or on some other like this, in material
development, demonstrates the absolute indispensableness of the
corporeal organism to a future individualized existence. Therefore, we
answer that it is never possible for a new soul to be organized about the
spirit after death, except in the manner heretofore explained. The spirit,
after leaving the mortal body, is always immediately clothed upon with
that particular soul which was manufactured for it by the physical
mechanism.
3. We do most distinctly affirm that every human soul has a spirit adapted
to an eternal life. But we do not say that every form in human shape is
necessarily human in its internal organism. Sometimes it happens that
human parents produce false progeny, such as idiots and phrenological
monstrosities, who do not possess the functions adequate to the
manufacturing of the psychical organism. And sometimes, also, among
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the inferior tribes of earth, we observe bodies in human shape,
possessing souls in common with the animal world, but who do not reach
sufficiently high in the phrenological scale to take in and clothe a spirit for
eternity. Among all races of men these exceptions exist. The farther back
we investigate the physical history of mankind, the more frequent the
exceptions, until we reach a point in the far past, where the animal world
was brought in its ftal development to the inception of the imperfect
human type in shape merely, when the exception was on the side of
immortality, and the rule in harmony with the mortal destiny of the brute
creation. Now it is rare, among the so-called civilized races, that a child is
born on the strictly mortal side of life. But that there are such cases is as
certain as that there are counterfeit coins in daily circulation in trade.
Every peach-blossom does not produce a peach; nor is every peach
capable of reproducing its kind.
XXIX. Question: ''Does the spirit of man ever enter the spirit world
before the death of the mortal organism?''
Answer: The spirit of man is never out of the spirit world. [By the "spirit
world" we do not mean the Second Sphere, or Summer Land.] By the
term spirit world'' is meant the silver lining to the clouds of matter'' with
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which the mind of man is thickly enveloped. There is no space between
the spirit of man and this immense universe of inner life. Man's spirit
touches the material world solely by means of spiritualized matter both
within and without his body. Thus the five senses come into contact with
matter:
Reflection will satisfy you that you (a spirit) never did and never can come
in contact with solid matter. Matter must be first attenuated and set in
motion before you can reach out and take hold of it. Between your Will
and the solid rock at your feet there are several gradations of matter
spiritualized but less and less refined as you go downward, until the
lowest condition of life [i.e., vibration, or motion,) reaches and touches
the stone. By such conditions and attenuations of matter your spirit
(yourself) comes in contact with the outward worldInteriorly you are
already in the spirit world. You feel, think, decide, and act as a resident of
the inner life Death removes the ''cloud of matter'' from before your
spiritual senses. Then you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch, more
palpably and intelligently, the facts and forces of the world in which,
perhaps as a stranger, you have lived from the first moment of your
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individualized existence. It is not necessary to move an inch from your
death-bed to obtain a consciousness of the spirit world, or inner life.
Instantly you perceive the life of things, and the shape and situation of the
things themselves are also visible in a new golden light, and yet you may
not have moved twelve inches from the body just deserted. The duality of
man's nature is physiologically and spiritually perfect. Being a spirit, in the
spirit world every moment, man can face matter and mold it into
countless shapes.
The Summer Land is a vast localized sphere within this universal spirit
world.
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invariably experience our sensations. This is a wise and beautiful
provision of the sympathetic law. If it were otherwise, if the love-laden
souls resident above our sphere could at any moment intersect the path
of our experience, they would gladly shield us from much suffering,
and consequently from much education. Therefore, we have not, at all
times," guardian spirits over us. Your second question is answered
affirmatively.
SOUL VS SPIRIT
XXV. Question: "I perceive you make a clear distinction between the
soul and the spirit of a man. If you will define the soul as distinguished
from a spirit, to the understanding of an unspiritually-minded man, you
will confer a favor upon one who has been by the phenomena of
spiritual manifestations, so far converted from "infidelity" as to entertain
strong hopes of a rational immortality."
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everything physical; by "Soul," everything mental or spiritual. But
suppose, after a close and conscientious analysis and classification of
these two grand counterparts of man, you should find several
subdivisions, or a "wheel within a wheel" what would you do ? You
would do what we have done; and what is always natural viz: Make a
more particular statement of the structure, and give a name appropriate
to each counterpart or subdivision. Finding man's body animated by a
"soul," which, in every attribute and property, is the same as the motion,
life, and sensation of all lower organizations, and that this "soul " was the
cause of all corporeal sensations and propensities, we said: "There must
be in man something deeper, more interior, and higher, than this 'soul'
of the external organization."
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Having been led by the light of reason to infer the existence of a still
more interior principle to man's being, we entered clairvoyantly and
interiorly upon the investigation, and the result was the announcement of
the distinction between "soul" and "spirit," to which our correspondent
refers. In brief, then, the human structure is tri-fold instead of dual, and
there is as much difference between " soul " and " spirit " as there is
between the body and the soul. The "soul" is compounded of all the
motive forces, life-principles, and sensational elements which may be
found, to a greater or lesser degree of perfection, in all the lower
organizations of matter. But the "spirit" is the divine part the essence
of all motion, the master of all life, the lord of all sensations, and the
immortalizing crown of all intelligence in man. "Spirit" is the fountain of
every sublime Aspiration the flower of immortal fragrance in the
middle of the heart of man's life the indwelling "image and likeness"
of whatsoever is holy, beautiful, lovely and eternal. "Spirit" is the
source of Love and Wisdom "soul" is the source of passion and
knowledge. "Soul" is the life of the outer body "spirit" is the life of the
soul. After physical death, the soul or life of the natural body becomes
the form or "body" of the eternal spirit ; and hence, in the Spirit Land,
the spirit is surrounded by the physical imperfections of the "soul." But
the soul (or spirit body) is ultimately purified by the "spirit," which is King.
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DEATH OF AN UNBAPTIZED CHILD
Those who have returned to tell mankind of the world beyond the tomb,
report that a good life and not the observance of religious rites and
ceremonies, secure happiness to the individual in the spiritual spheres. It
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is an unhappy superstition that teaches the eternal importance of
religious ordinances. Many a poor soul, deluded by the teachings of old
theology, has been made unspeakably wretched. A Connecticut mother
was induced to believe in Calvinism. She was in deepest sincerity. For
this cause her brain reeled and her heart was broken, under the thought
that she was eternally lost. "The unpardonable sin" she imagined herself
to have committed. Shutting herself within a darkened room, and
excluding the light of Nature and Reason, she permitted this one pulpit
error to shadow every hour of her life. Let the Insane Retreat yield up
account. The day of settlement is rapidly approaching. Then old theology,
however petted by the superficial and insincere, will realize the fate of the
"Merrimac." The fire of reformation will burn in her vitals, and the law of
Progress will "blow her up" with an intensity and power that can neither
be met nor weakened.
Moreover, those who have returned from the Summer Land report that
infants, and the young of every age, on leaving the earth, are received in
the happy homes of the wise and loving angels. The Father and Mother
of all do not "belong to the Church." They are not "members" of some rich
and powerful "religious body." You can therefore trust your babe with
them. Hopeless and faithless though you are, be not afraid to let your
darling go up with the guardians of love and light to dwell in glorious
homes in the temple "not made with hands." You will meet your darling in
the great future. It will be baptized in the waters of truth, unpolluted by the
fingers of the priest, and you will then rejoice in the glory and goodness of
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God. Be not afraid to trust your child with the Spirit of the universe.
CXXV. Question: "You say that you do want your readers to infer that
departed men and women do not carry beyond the tomb the desires for
stimulants that they may have had in the earth-life. Will you please tell
us what become of those desires? Give the philosophy of the operation in
as few words as you please, but clearly."
Answer: The philosophy of human life and death is very simple, and "he
who runs" may read it, if he hath only eyes to see and a heart to
understand.
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This affirmation does not include the doctrine that the desires and
passions continue in full blast after death, which is the apparent
experience and the recently canonized dogma of some unscientific
believers in Spiritualism. It is possible that the distinction here made,
between the consequences of evil and the desires and lustings for
"more," may seem to be "without a difference." Therefore, let us explain:
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one or all of which caused the effects which he still preserves distinctly in
his book of life.
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Everything dies upward, so to speak is better for the apotheosis
and is man an exception to the universal law? No! Is our answer,
upspringing from Nature's every source of truth and reason. DEATH, to a
human being, is a radical change. The elements of the "soul," which, in
all earth-life, were chaotic and discordant, are organized and
harmonized into body for the SPIRIT. The electrical connections, so long
subsisting between the physical body and the mental structure, are
permanently dissolved. And with this very radical revolution comes a new
set of relations and sympathies between the body-soul and the inward
Spirit. The soul, before the master, now becomes a servant. The Spirit is
enthroned as Chief Ruler, and the work of progress and regeneration is
inaugurated on a higher plane.
We have not, in this reply, attempted any very nice analysis of the
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chemical phenomena of death. The world is filled with conflicting
sentiments on this subject, but we have full faith that the progress of
Science in this direction, will remove all religious vagaries. Harmonial
Philosophy opens the laws and conditions of life in all gradations of
existence, and the ways of wisdom are not more pleasant than are its
teachings to those who comprehend. What are called "facts" in
Spiritualism require something more than the mere oral or written
assertion of a medium, who, perchance, is either psychologized by the
opinions of the investigator, or else by the force of his own foregone
conclusions. It is well known that a Methodist medium will deliver
Methodist communications, and the same is true with mediums of every
other shade of faith; therefore it becomes necessary, in pursuing this
most glorious subject, that we start with at least a fair share of what the
world calls Common Sense," and with only one motive in the heart
"What is truth?"
CLXXVIII. Question: Will you mention the book or treatise that you
consider the best, as a guide for those who seek to become purely, truly,
and eternally married or mated? Another question: Do you consider love
that grows out of mere friendship equal to, and as liable to be eternal
as that attraction which is commonly termed love at first sight?
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Answer: The best book, as a guide for those who desire to become
purely, truly, and eternally married, is the Book op Nature. The best
interpreter of the contents of this everlasting volume is the most
harmonicas human spirit. The truth-loving spirit is educated by its
mistakes, the wisdom-loving by its errors, the selfish by its sufferings, and
the sensual by its misery. The Book of Nature contains prescriptions for
every description of moral disease, and infallible direction also, for the
consummation of the true and eternal union of two loving souls. Love at
first sight is most likely to ultimate in harmonial marriage; yet many
minds are so constituted as not to be able to decide, in after moments
whether the initial attraction was complete, or only partial. In the latter
case, the opposite party is not likely ever to experience the same degree
or kind of attraction; and such a marriage, unless very carefully guarded
by external attentions, will finally be null and void.
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Come to our home,
Never to roam;
For my spirit is waiting thee,
Thou with the brave and buoyant tread,
Thou by crystal fountains led.
Oh I haste to dwell with me!
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While thy soul bringeth
Treasures untold to me;
Thine, as the rolling years pass by,
Thine, when our home is in the sky,
Thine through eternity!
Young man! Young woman! Every human soul!
If you cannot, with your Whole heart, and will, and reason, thus call the
One you love, then beware; for the fiat of a divine law is about to go forth
against your false relation. Never marry any one to whom you would not
sing the souls song from your hearts core. This principle is universal.
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spirit What I wished to ask is, whether, in your opinion, as based upon
your spiritual experience, men and women are no better off after death
than they were before.
We repeat, the soul is not the spirit. Spirit is dispassionate, pure, and
beyond the reach of contamination. The soul, on the other hand, is the
source of tempests and discords. The soul-organism is between the
outer physical body and the inner spirit. Body and soul grow up together,
closely sympathizing with and affecting the construction of each other,
while the innermost is quietly unfolding and preparing to gain the
supremacy.
Passions and vices do not inhere to spirit; they pertain and adhere to the
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constitution of the soul only. The spirit is disturbed and aggrieved by the
conduct of soul-and-body, but the discords and appetites of the latter do
not involve the spirits heart. Desires and passions, therefore, are the
effects of the ten thousand psycho-chemical relations subsisting between
the soul and the body: somewhat as acid and alkalis, heat and fire,
electricity and thunder, are the effects of the chemical meeting of
opposite elements in the external world. Separate the element of fire from
gun-powder and there will be no explosion. In like manner, death is a
chemical separation of soul from its perpetual antagonist, the body. The
soul is in full sympathy with the material organism until death then, for
the first time, (except when the person is in spiritual and clairvoyant
States) the soul repudiates the body and becomes subject to the Spirit.
The progressions and improvements consequent upon this change of
government may be somewhat imagined.
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Answer: There is but one road to victory in this direction, and even such
conquest will be partial, so that you will conclude that thought is
uncontrollable. The straight road is concentration of mind. This habit
is favorable to self-control.
In brief, then, the human structure is trifold instead of dual, and there is
as much difference between soul and spirit as there is between the
body and the soul. The soul is compounded of all the motive forces,
life-principles, and sensational elements which may be found, to a
greater or lesser degree of perfection, in all the lower organizations of
matter. But the spirit is the divine partthe essence of all motion, the
master of all life, the lord of all sensations, and the immortalizing crown of
all intelligence in man. Spirit is the fountain of every sublime
Aspirationthe flower of immortal fragrance in the middle of the heart of
mans lifethe indwelling image and likeness of whatsoever is holy,
beautiful, lovely and eternal. Spirit is the source of Love and
Wisdomsoul is the source of passion and knowledge. Soul is the
life of the outer bodyspirit is the life of the soul. After physical death,
the soul or life of the natural body becomes the form or body of the
eternal SPIRIT; and hence, in the Spirit Land, the spirit is surrounded by
the physical imperfections of the soul. But the soul (or the spirit body)
is ultimately purified by the spirit, which is King.
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THE RELIGION OF NATURE
148
The whole world is moving toward redemption. The distracted nations,
under the blessings of higher spheres, shall be delivered from the
bondage of stupendous ignorance; they shall be gathered together into
the glorious liberty of the children of eternal truth and good. And all this
will be accomplished through the pure wisdom of divine Love. It is the
only omnipotent spirit.
CXXV. Question: You say that you do want your readers to infer that
departed men and women do not carry beyond the tomb the desires for
stimulants that they may have had in the earth-life. Will you please tell us
what become of those desires? Give the philosophy of the operation in as
few words as you please, but clearly.
The philosophy of human life and death is very simple, and he who runs
may read it, if he hath only eyes to see and a heart to understand.
149
necessity for intellectual labor and moral struggling to attain higher
conditions after death; we do not inculcate that all are equally beautiful,
and happy, and progressed, in the Summer-Land; but this the effects
and consequences of an evil earth-life do continue, in more or less active
force , beyond the grave.
The conjugal sanctities of a human spirit are the holiest of all interior
sensibilities. They are the finest, and highest, and most confiding. The
filaments of every other affection center in the marriage-love of the soul.
Salvation or damnationcontentment or desperationhang upon the
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delicate thread of the conjugal relation. It is the root of all the exquisitely
fine fibers of life and progress.
Now, what I want to ask is, whether the ability to discern between the
true and the false, the noble and the base, does, of necessity, involve the
ability to follow the good and reject the evil? that is: do we perceive Truth
with the same set of faculties with which we accept Truth? And may there
not be such a malady as paralysis of the will practically incapacitating
some from the incarnating in their lives that beauty and purity which they
yet have power to recognize and to love? Was not the poet Richard
Savage thus afflicted? And Hartley Coleridge? And Edgar Allan Poe?
And, among other singing and artist prophets, many
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For on what other hypothesis can we account for the terrible
discrepancies between the high and spiritual inculcations of their works,
and the solemn, warning lesson of their lives?
But the faculties with which the human mind perceives the relations
subsisting between one truth and another as between the law of
gravitation in matter and the law of progression in mind are very
different from those faculties by which the principle itself is perceived and
appreciated.
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inspired poets are the first to transgress the beautiful relations they have
so rhetorically delineated. And why? Because their souls have not yet
appreciated or conceived of the principles of Love, Justice, Liberty, &c.;
and, consequently, such experience no moral power (or will) to follow the
good or reject the evil.
The Will is never paralyzed when the soul is fully inspired with the divinity
and majesty of a Principle. Men are weak when left to grope their way
through the wilderness of circumstances. Doing your best under the
circumstances is the same as putting yourself under their arbitrary
jurisdiction. But acting from an inherent love of Principle let
consequences be what they may is ascending the throne of the
Heavenly King. The power to embody a truth is commensurate with the
minds ability to be inspired by its spirit. An uninspired soul is naturally
disobedient. Poets and prophets fall only when not inspired by principle.
CLXIX. Question: What is the true law of marriage, with regard to the
happiness of the pair, and also for the good of the offspring? Should likes
marry likely or should opposites marry opposites? Should a highly
developed and purely moral person marry an opposite nature, m order
that the children may have a correct and well-balanced organism? Which
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would prove the best in results, for two highly combative organisms to
come together in wedlock, or one combative and one meek and gentle?
The nuptial law, of which these opposites are expressions, most explicitly
declares that, to the ends of happiness and harmonious offspring,
opposite temperaments should marry, but only when there is a similarity
of capacity and development. That is to say: The social, moral,
intellectual endowments, attainments, and tastes of the parties, should
bear some considerable likeness to each other, and yet the
temperaments (except the centrals) may and should be almost exactly
opposite. So, therefore, while rapid and torpid, hot and cold, acid and
alkaline temperaments will favorably affect each other in marriage and
result in true parentage, the effect would be exactly otherwise if the
unlikeness extended into social and intellectual capacities and
dispositions. It will not answer to marry a foolish man to an intelligent
woman, nor a combative to a gentle nature, nor a beast to an angel, for
misery and diseased offspring would ensue.
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Part Eleven:
Death and The After-Life
(1865)
This executive energy of the arisen human spirit, instead of wings, is the
secret of its lightning flight. I do not say that spirits travel by a continuous
exertion of the Will. They seek the upper currents by Will, somewhat like
the balloon excursion which occurred some few years since between St.
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Louis and the northern part of this state. Professor Wise speaks
positively of the existence, of an invariable current, and thinks that if the
venturesome aeronaut could strike it, he would be rapidly and safely
carried from west to east. His first experiment was a failure, as all first
experiments usually are; but it sufficiently illustrates what is the universal
method of traveling in the Summer-Land, when they depart on their far-
away excursions.
They gain that particular current which sweeps away through the spaces
between the orbits of the planets, and which takes them "with the celerity
of thought" to the destination which they desire to reach, however remote
it may be from their point of departure. We shall not obtain that method in
this life, save by uncertain balloons. We see the lesson and the example
in birds. But that is done by a direct exertion of the will, and by
sympathetic contact of their swift-moving wings with the electricity of the
air part float developed by friction, and part momentum developed by
Will. Just as a message of intelligence can be sent through space by
vibrating the telegraphic current over thousands of miles, so the spirit-
body and Will can, by the vibration of the celestial rivers which flow
between the Summer-Land and the different planets, mount and float and
ride upon them with inconceivable speed, and gain any desired
destination. Traveling there is social. But the truth is, that a combination
of minds, just like ourselves, coming in contact with earthly congregations,
pour out the spirit of real love, uplifting, elevating, giving inward gladness
and unity of feeling "in the bonds of peace."
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ULTIMATELY DEATH LEADS TO HARMONY
Death is largely a cleansing process, and is the hope of the world, not its
point of darkness. So beautiful are its sittings, strainings, and other
processes, that the active causes of passions and appetites are dropped
and left on earth with the gross materiality. So beautiful is the law of
Progress, that even the active effects that accompany the individual
cannot be perpetuated (as evils and discords) throughout eternity. Why?
Because in the center of the universe a positive power reigns, breathing
its spirit throughout the illimitable spaces: and, and by the slow workings
of its progressive laws, it cleanses all personalities of their transient
imperfections.
Only eternal good can eternally exist. There is a universal gathering of all
spirits and angels not in one place, under the blaze of one heavenly
central sun, but under the influence of musical distributions, of
harmonious varieties, each adding completeness and happiness to the
other. Many persons are harmonized in this world when they are "born
again," and thus lifted out of their low motives and consequent
imperfections. Hundreds and thousands of "things" that annoy, vex, and
wear the spirit, before it is thus born, cease to exert any bad effect. Such
minds grow sweet, and gentle, and loving, under the new life; before, the
same persons were hateful, discordant, and full of consuming passions.
The evil woman, who had "seven devils" cast out of her, is an instance of
what good can be accomplished by exchanging bad motives for good
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ones. How many hateful propensities, how many demonic habits, and
how many unladylike characteristics were cast out of her by the
psychological power, is left to every one's imagination.
This is the doctrine which we are impressed to teach. I think all should
commence at once to see what can be done toward preparing for a better,
sweeter screen-age at death, and to insure a beautiful entrance into
superior societies. No one can hurt the Infinite Father nor the Infinite
Mother you can permanently injure only yourself.
This being the truth, we have but to proclaim, "Repent ye, for the kingdom
of heaven is" next door, just beyond, on the other side of the death-
screen, through which each must sooner or later pass. How many
persons will feel, after attaining the elevation of self-control, that they
have begun anew! But how many cross, sour countenances, there will be
while going through the trial of trying to be good. If Nicodemus could have
understood that to be "born of water" was a natural and indispensable
forerunner of being "born of the spirit," he would have first given attention
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to the correction of his personal habits and physical appetites. Thus he
would have had more harmonious, more sweet, and more beautiful
bodily sensations. He would have become a better neighbor and a truer
Governor in Israel, a more agreeable companion; and there would have
been a cheerful, buoyant, juvenile flow of light, joy, and peace, within his
lifted spirit; in short, he would have soon experienced the difference
between a son of God and a son of Belial.
I know it is a hard doctrine to preach, that now is "the accepted time." But
this death-screen, which hangs before us, is as certain to fix upon each
the effects of habits and mental conditions as that to-morrow will be the
natural result of the causes and conditions of to-day. Each person can in
this world select his associations after death. It is, therefore, important to
get a passport to harmonious central societies in the Summer-Land. You
should feel no enmity toward any human being, however much you have
been injured. The lion and the lamb lie down together only within the
purified human spirit. The hidden, cave-like cerebellum, the back-brain, is
a den full of untamed animals. Spiritual Truth is the only conqueror that
can enter and still the passions, tame them to peace, and hold them in
abeyance until the outward disturbance is gone. Motives, when high, lift
up the soul, which is thus prepared to be a better neighbor and more
successful in all the genuine enterprises of present life.
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because it is the foundation and inspiration of immediate personal
improvements. It stimulates us to beautiful effort, and causes us to teach
practical reforms. We can bring innumerable tests and mathematical
evidences that these things, which we relate with respect to the other
sphere, are true; but time will supply you with all necessary testimonies;
many of them you have already heard, many of them you know by heart,
and ask for nothing more. Now, therefore, the time has come for each to
step upon the solid rock of Truth of eternal principles which will
surely stand, while the spirit makes substantial progress toward higher
and more beautiful societies which blossom beyond the stars.
The third language used in the higher world is what we here call "the
language of the Heart." It is, more properly speaking, the language of
emanation. Every private affection throws out an atmosphere. Whatever
your predominating love may be, it emits an atmosphere which winds
itself about your person. And when the temperament is fine, sensitive,
and susceptible, the odor and influence will correspond. If the individual
is the victim of an inverted love a love turned out of its pure, native
channel he throws out upon you a coarse, vicious atmosphere, which
in these days is called a "magnetic influence." Mediums, sensitives, and
clairvoyants see it, and many persons not so gifted, feel it, and they know
not whence or why. "That person gives off a peculiar influence," you say;
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"I feel it." It depresses you; or, it makes you angry. Another person makes
you feel "cheerful" and "happy" and "joyous;" and you are physically
quieted or spiritually aroused by mere contact with these more exalted
characters.
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comprehended all the steps that have brought you to that position in the
upper existence; so that the "communion" which takes place at that time
extends through all the years, days, hours, events, and moments of your
terrestrial pilgrimage. The delightfulness of this conjunction constitutes
the beautiful, glorious happiness which diversifies, gladdens, and exalts
the inhabitants of the Spheres.
Let it be once more affirmed that words are not the most eloquent
expressions of the Soul. There is no joy so intense as that which sparkles
in the eye and crimsons the cheek, yet refuses the aid of the voice; there
is also "no grief like that which does not speak." Where the heart has a
tale to tell, how poor are the utterances of the lips! Need we these ever to
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tell us that we are loved? Is there not something in arbitrary signs that
breaks the spell of our sweetest feelings? There is a mental electricity
more mysterious far than the subtle fluid that thrills through material
substances. Its conductors are the soft light of the human eye, the smile
of the human lip, the tone of a subdued and earnest voice. Pleasant,
indeed, is the solitude that is broken only by this silent speech.
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Part Twelve:
(1865)
GODS SON
High purposes alone presided. If the Infinite Father was so moved from
the interior this is the orthodox proposition as to prepare and send
to earth his only begotten, then the Father was actuated by the highest,
deepest, and most heavenly purpose. He intended good to all and harm
to none. Orthodoxy makes a sad theory of it. But the spiritual thought,
within the crude doctrine, is not destitute of truth.
The theory of the flowering out and incarnation of the Divine Spirit in a
human being, exhibits love infinitely higher than force, and broader than
intellect, and more influential subduing enmities, overcoming evils,
and banishing from the earth, passion and strife and war. This is the
spiritual picture within the theoretical incarnation. In this light the
incarnation has been a success. Practically and philosophically, he alone
is truly successful who is capable of embosoming and exemplifying those
high motives which Mary's Son felt, inculcated, and manifested in the far
distant past.
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THE PURPOSES OF DEATH AND THE AFTER-LIFE
165
false appetites, called demons and unclean spirits. The causes of these
demons and unclean spirits remain on the earth-side of the death-
strainer, while the effects, which those causes exerted on the soul, being
so fine and so mixed with the soul-substance, pass through, and remain
with the individual long after he has attained to his social center in the
Summer-Land.
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Regeneration is a spiritualizing process, the same after death as it
sometimes is before. If the person starts from earth interiorly cleansed,
he will arrive at the next sphere in a corresponding condition. If the
persons start from their death-screener with the earth, the flesh, and the
demoniac influences impressed upon their souls, they will arrive at and
sojourn in appropriate "Social Centers," with the accumulated effects still
influencing the inner life and the manifestations of the affections. Thus
radical differences in men and women cause different societies in the
next sphere. Are there not many persons about you, perhaps dwelling
every day in your homes, who have "no part or lot" in your cherished
sentiments and happiest experiences? You sit at the dining-table, you
look into the eyes of a person on the opposite side, and lo; you are
strangers by leagues, perhaps you are whole ages asunder. Different
sentiments, different attractions, and different social habits, give rise to
different societies. Perhaps husband and wife, or brother and sister,
though living in this world in the same house, eating at the same table,
will become members of spiritual societies as far apart as the poles
asunder. Society would be everywhere monotonous, both on earth and in
the succeeding sphere, if individuals were all alike, all cast with the same
combination of temperaments.
You begin plainly to comprehend, I think, that if these things are true on
earth about you and in you death not destroying you, there must be
great "diversities" among the inhabitants in the Summer-Land. These
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various super-mundane societies are predicated upon the continuation of
the radical distinguishing characteristics of men and women. There are,
consequently, societies embodying many of the effects of the immoral
motives and degrading purposes by which women and men have been
actuated and made miserable in this world.
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thus all men believe that to-morrow will surely come.
169
and noble, command the reverent love and respect of all mankind.
Those who possess Ideas are truly spiritual and progressive people.
When they work, they work as flowers grow, from centers through their
own organizations. Organizations come up here and there around them;
they spring up and bring forth like harvests in the fields. Thousands, yea
millions, are this hour waiting for such center-born organizations. The
world's busy millions do not get at Ideas; they need temporary
organizations and supporting substances. When a building is in process
of construction, a scaffolding is a necessary part of the work. The
carpenter calculates for a scaffold just as carefully as for the various
materials out of which the building is to be made. When the structure is
perfected, the scaffolding is removed.
Even so when progressionists elaborate an idea and get it into the world,
let them take down the no longer needed scaffolding the organization
by which the idea was attained. Let the temple of Truth stand white and
immortally beautiful before the eyes of all men. Let it be based upon the
solid rock of scientific knowledge; let it be seen and felt by all; let it be
inhabited by everyone who feels the essential attraction. Must a man
wear the clothes of his youth forever because they fitted him once? Or,
must men always cling to their creeds and doctrines because by means
of them they attained newer ideas in religion and a few finer habits in
civilization? Let creeds, doctrines, definitions cease, as, indeed, they
finally do with men and women of ideas.
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Part Thirteen:
Morning Lectures
(1865)
VIBRATION
The great law of vibration is inherent in, and stirs all life. In fact there is no
form of life but what is moved and when giving expression to its inner
being, this wonderful law takes its place in the first stirrings of being and
expressive elements. Without vibration you would not be conscious of
any stirring in the air, or of any visible sounds of nature in the atmosphere.
For as sound travels so very swiftly, it must necessarily have some basic
and underlying principle to manifest upon, and this same principle is
vibration. The throbbing of your heart in your bosom is due to the
vibratory currents passing and repassing through the elements of life
itself, and fanning continually the functions of the human body into lively
action.
Place your fingertips, for example, on the crown of a hard hat in a room
where there is any music being made, and your feeling, and the sense
thereof will record instantly the rhythmic measures of the melody, the
wave motions in the atmosphere collect very rapidly and when their union
is perfect or nearly so, they vibrate the sound tones freely into the air, and
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if you place your fingers on a hollow, hard substance you will instantly
feel the record of the music making itself beneath your touch.
So you will readily understand by this little illustration that vibration lives
in everything that has life and finds expression of that life. In the verbal,
spoken word of a mortal or spirit, there is a vibratory current that takes up
the word's significance and carries it always to a place of recordance, be
it in your world or ours; and this is the reason that at some future day in
the eternal, you will find all your words and deeds in the aggregate
recorded in the great Psychic Book of Ether, and be they good or bad,
remember that they are precisely as you have expressed them at the
time you gave them being. This will show conclusively that you will never
find the law of Vibration false, never erring, always the unchangeable
significance of truth, comely or otherwise.
This is the reason that Spiritualism teaches to its followers the very
importance of Vibration and its laws; so that we may all tend to make our
lives better and truer each day that we live, so that when you of earth
come to meet the life Eternal, you will not falter and be afraid of the past
earth life deeds, words and thoughts; but will be ready to read this mighty
record with clear and unflinching hearts, and with the light of hope and
purity shining out of your eyes, you mount the step-ladder of Progression
with the new strength of the everlasting.
There are some mediumistic instruments in the world who are so finely
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and delicately attuned to every wave motion, that they can almost
instantly on meeting a stranger, strike the rate of his or her vibration in
such a manner as to be able to tell his or her good and bad qualities
without coming into physical contact with either at all. Each human
vibrates a little differently, for in some, the rate of vibratory motion is very
swift, while in others it is immoderately slow. In some, vibration strikes a
happy medium being neither too fast or too slow. In mediums the rate of
vibration usually runs faster than in those undeveloped for such powers.
For one reason they must necessarily be very sensitive in order to record
spirit communication of any order, and persons of extreme sensitiveness
usually vibrate with great power and rapidity.
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does the law of vibration stir into action all life and being. The whole
throbbing pulse of every phase of life is brought into expression by this
wonderful and unfailing law, Vibration. As the tiniest leaf in the early
spring peeps out to tremble in the soothing vibratory waves of the air, so
does the mighty ocean thunder and sob, its great voice, shaking as it
vibrates itself upon the human ear.
In conclusion, I have but to remind you that the era of Spiritual harmony
is approaching; it is coming to be part of the common inheritance. Not by
any miracle, not by any supernatural arrangement, not by the death of
Christ or any other reformer; but the New Age is coming by the principles
of an eternal Divinity, which are imperishably implanted in human nature.
When the new truth comes, it is natural for persecution to come also. The
opposition is necessary to bring out a grander and more perfect
development; so that, while we deplore and denounce this sectarian
opposition, we see that it is natural and proper in the course of human
progress. I would not have any man or woman believe these principles
any sooner than Nature and Reason will aid them to believe. Be just and
natural in your spiritual growth; then you will be as firm as the everlasting
hills.
God is the central magnet of the universe; the spiritual world is the
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continuation of the natural world; and mans spirit comes out of his brain
at death just as the flower coils out of the bud in the garden; it is all
beautifully natural, and there is no miracle; and, therefore, when you
ascend to the higher life, it will not even surprise you; but will seem like a
welcoming stream of water to the thirsty, and like a feast of wholesome
food to the hungry.
This spiritual truth gives help to all and extracts help from all. Instead of
finding an antagonist in popular science or philosophy, or an enemy in
any of the reforms, Spiritualism finds in each and all of them true friends,
dear relatives, and old acquaintances. Therefore, when a man is a
Spiritualist, he will very likely be something else beside a Womans
Rights man, an Anti-Slavery man, a Temperance man; and he believes in
the development of higher governmental organizations. He is loyal to the
government while it must exist, but is ever working and longing for
something better. He is in favor of punishment, if it be reformatory and
not vindictive. He is therefore in favor of Justice, and is the opponent of
all forms and degrees of oppression. A Spiritualist is very likely to be
cosmopolitan. He will have a tender and saving regard for his fallen
brother everywhere, and feels solicitude for the man who occupies a
place higher than himself. He extends the fraternal grasp to those who
are above and those who stand beneath. The modern Spiritualist stands
erect between these positions between social and religious extremes
and becomes a central influence, a medium for the expression of the
principles of progress, and a friend to all who would grow in wisdom and
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harmony.
Each person can in this world select his associations after death. It is,
therefore, important to get a passport to harmonious central societies in
the Summer-Land. You should feel no enmity toward any human being,
however much you have been injured. The lion and the lamb lie down
together only within the purified human spirit. The hidden, cave-like
cerebellum, the back-brain, is a den full of untamed animals.
Spiritual TRUTH is the only conqueror that can enter and still the
passions, tame them to peace, and hold them in abeyance until the
outward disturbance is gone. Motives, when high, lift up the soul, which is
thus prepared to be a better neighbor and more successful in all the
genuine enterprises of present life. All true progress brings an immediate
and glorious satisfaction. We discourse upon life and immortality, not
because it is a spiritual fact, but because it is the foundation and
inspiration of immediate personal improvements. It stimulates us to
beautiful effort and causes us to teach practical reforms.
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already heard, many of them you know by heart, and ask for nothing
more. Now, therefore, the time has come for each to step upon the solid
rock of Truth of eternal principles which will surely stand, while the spirit
makes substantial progress toward higher and more beautiful societies
which blossom beyond the stars.
SUMMER-LAND IMPRESSIONS
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therefore, be tempted to do various things little things, great things,
bad things, indifferent things sometimes, perhaps, good things may be
done unwisely, or overdone, or done to excess.
When liberated at death, we do not move on toward the sun, nor drop
downwards into some dreary depth of darkness; we embark on a
sidewise voyage, directly above the southern extremity of our planet, and
thence onward until we reach the Summer-Land! What shore do we
gain?
We gain the shore of a land just like this earth, if this earth were a
stratified belt composed of the finest possible particles that you can
imagine thrown from all the orbs composing the Milky Way. Pulverize and
attenuate the finest particles of matter on this earth; then bring them
together in chemical relations; make them coalesce and form into an
immeasurable golden belt with all the visible suns and stars, and you
have the Second Sphere in its substance, position, and formation. Do
you not comprehend that that Land is as substantial to those who live
there as this earth is to its inhabitants? The proportions and the
adaptations are the same. The Summer-Land, so far as the surrounding
immensity is concerned, is bounded on all sides by aerial seas.
Suppose you should go down to any of those high points of land along
the coast, and look off on the watery expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. What
would you see? No islands are visible; only an atmosphere overhead;
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clouds are floating in the blue sky, and all the rest is water. Now suppose
you had never seen, or read, or heard of such a spectacle. What would
be your first impression? Your first sensuous impression would be that all
the immensity beyond was water, as all above is sky, and that, if you
should sail off on that dreary waste, you would be lost utterly to land and
to human society.
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on, throughout the star-paved regions of the firmament, you would
behold, in every imaginable direction, streams running musically down
these gentle atmospheric declivities, just as tangibly as the rivers that run
down the mountains and flow through the spaces in the rough
landscapes of this more material world. I wish! Oh how I wish! That I
could picture to you the reality of these musical rivers of the heavenly
spaces. They are musical to the ear that can hear them flowing between
the constellations.
Now suppose you were this moment standing on the shining shore of the
Summer-Land and looking this way, the out-flowing sea would appear
about the same to your sight, without the light of clairvoyance, as would
the Atlantic Ocean to the natural eye from the promontories of Nahant. It
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would, perhaps, at first, be no more of a startling spectacle of
incomprehensible sublimity.
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Part Fourteen:
(1868)
Divinity, in its central life, IS LOVE. In this truth you behold the source of
"salvation " to yourself and to all your neighbors in the wide world. The
moment you passionately love your object, with a selfish and jealous
desire to exclude all other hearts from contact with it, that moment your
exclusive love becomes a chemical earthly poison.
Under that changeful influence, and governed by nothing more wise than
vital forces and their fiery impulses, you will surely be affected with
diseases and mental distortions which may disturb your rest beyond the
grave. Mankind everywhere should work to bring the "kingdom of
heaven on the earth" and not pray for it merely.
People associate together and tile minister will pray. "Thy will be done on
earth" that is, "may the divine laws, and celestial principles, and
heavenly methods, be carried out in human society as they are in the
Summer Land." What does such a prayer amount to? Nothing, unless
you put your affections and your will to the work of overcoming ignorance
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and obtaining power "by which you can practice some portion of that
which you are constantly supplicating heaven to help you to accomplish.
Fraternal love is at the bottom of true heavenly society.
Let us, then, cease being swayed by these lower attractions which
constantly produce family feuds and cause a few persons to associate to
the exclusion of the rest of mankind. Selfish and jealous attractions do
not prevail in the best societies of the upper world. They cherish,
encourage, and manifest pure love. The front pews in the heavenly
society are not set apart for the rich people and the back pews for the
poor; neither do they make great distinctions in accordance with the
dictates of a foolish and arbitrary fashion. They who have been servants
are not treated as inferior members of the human family.
I do not mean that you can love all persons with the same kind and
degree of love. I do not mean that you will ever exist without the feeling of
inclination and disinclination. That would be impossible. But you need not
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be so warped and swayed by them as to be poisoned in your thoughts
and affections toward those of a different nation and temperament. The
true and noble in the Summer Land work diligently among the members
of its inferior societies to bring about that state of heavenly peace and
concord. When the inferior societies of the other sphere are harmonized,
the earth-land will also be more harmonized; then all the races and
peoples will begin to feel more of that "prayer" which is now but a lip-
service among the conductors of the Churches.
The time is approaching when mind will be supreme! Spirit, with the
power of its will and the healing of its love, is to take the ascendant. Then
circumstances will be to man like the sheaves which Joseph saw in his
dream, all bowing to the central sheaf; they will all bow to the master, not
to the machinations of his will, not to his high animal ambitions, but only
to the fine power of his spirit. When a man grows above desiring selfish
ends when he arrives at that heavenly point then will all high and
eternal things be his.
And he will also own the whole world. He owns the city and the country;
the sky, the ocean, and all the earth. He also becomes the proprietor of
all mankind. For we are all possessors of each other in the heavenly or
harmonial state. Spiritualists have strength and inspiration adequate to
the living of an entirely new life with reference to each other not only, but
also with reference to all those who are not so blest the "neighbors"
who swarm in the towns, villages, cities, and different countries of the
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globe. They are morally and intellectually able to rise above all
condemnation and misrepresentation, and be sweet, and pure, and
generous, and forgiving, under all circumstances.
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They are unblemished by artificiality, and unspotted by rudimental and
gross intrusions for they are above and superior to these, and highly
developed. The first society is indeed low, in comparison to the highest;
but the variety and the degree is nevertheless a form of the whole a
complete brotherhood. The diversity consists in the different degrees of
development; and the lowest cannot approach the highest, because of
the dissimilarity of quality and spheres. But the lowest contains and
involves the highest, while the latter, in return, comprehends and
pervades the whole Sphere, manifesting a grace and beauty beyond
the power of language to describe. And there exists almost an infinite
variety of dispositions, of loves, of affections, and of wisdom, among
them; yet each modification of previous conditions of mind is only an
ascending degree of refinement toward perfection.
Thus it is that all preserve an order in their lives and situations; and thus
it is that their approach to each other is graduated according to the
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unfolding of the spiritual senses and faculties to the external. They
represent the circular and spiral forms; for there exists among them a
uniform and also an ascending movement. And one is continually
unfolding the possessions of another, even as from the germ are
unfolded the body and the flower. And even as the flower perpetuates
the species of the plant, so does the superior society pervade the lower
ones, and is constantly introducing them into its own vast possessions;
and thus all go onward to a still higher Sphere of spiritual and intellectual
elevation.
Thus fixed, unvarying, and universal laws of the Father govern and
regulate all his universe. Throughout all the ramifications of the spiritual,
physical, and celestial, eternal unity, order, and harmony reigns
conception, development, progression, and perfection mark all things,
and all point with irresistible force of reason and demonstration to the
immortality of the Spirit.
ln taking this philosophical view of the plan and progress of Nature and
the works of God, how grand, how sublime, how comprehensive, how
rational and satisfactory to the independent-thinking and inquiring
mind, who wishes to ''have a reason for the faith that is within him "
how perfectly are the love and wisdom and justice of the Father and
Mother conjugated and displayed! And how real, conclusive, and
overwhelming the evidence appealing directly to the senses, the
intellect, and the affections of the self-conscious, immortal existence
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and progressive happiness of the "spirit" that is within us! The human
race being the last and highest development of earth, and mind the
only organism possessing reason and intelligence that examines and
investigates all that is beneath and around itself, and that has a
consciousness of the future endeavoring to raise or draw aside the
thin, semi- transparent vail that hangs suspended between the
physical and spiritual existence analogy, "reasoning from what we
know," points directly not only to the probability, but to the absolute
certainty and necessity of a future existences called the Summer Land.
All organic forms below man not only produce their like, but the
substance of their material forms mingle with previously formed
compounds, to produce a new and distinct type superior to itself. But
the human type has no superior development and there is no
retrogression in the works of nature. Each new unfolding is superior to
the preceding. Man, then, is destined for other and higher Spheres. In
those Spheres, or new states of existence, man's spirit must present
not only an "image and likeness" of Nature and God, but a
consciousness of identity and individual selfhood. Feeling and knowing
this, he should so live while in this rudimentary and preparatory state of
existence, that all his physical, intellectual, moral, and spiritual
structure, formation, growth, and maturity, be fully developed, cultivated,
and perfected; so that when the "mortal puts on immortality," and
seeks "a home in the heavens," it can expand into a celestial life, without
spot or blemish to mar its beauty or impede its progress in bliss and glory
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eternal.
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Part Fifteen:
Arabula
(1868)
THE PRAYER
Heavenly Father! Hear, I beseech thee, the spirit of the words I would
breathe in thine ear.
O, Fount of Eternal Good! Lift from before mine eyes the vail of
mysteriousness, which shuts out of my understanding the light, by which I
would behold, divested of errors and uncertainties, the unbroken
beneficence of thy government.
Spirit of Infinite Truth! O, breathe upon my mouth once more, and aid my
tongue to utterance; inspire my bosom with the myriad tendencies of
wisdom; make my blood instinct with thy universal laws; and impart, O, I
pray thee, to my brain the balance whereby truth can be weighed as by
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the hand of Justice; and to my heart, whose chambers are filled with thy
love, an insight that shall discern thee at all times and in all things.
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succeed on every hand; and finally, I pray, O Father of All! to
comprehend how perfect Power can exist in thy nature, and, with thine
other perfect attributes, suffer to be perpetuated, year after year and age
after age, the innumerable evils and miseries which afflict the human
race.
The face of human life is more wondrous and beautiful than imagination
can paint, when seen in the tender and holy light which cometh from
above. Though sundered far, yet, as by an ineffable tie of imitation, all
men come very near together, and consociate kindly as members of one
family.
One morning, not long after the last conversation, the tranquil deep and
quickening light filled the world with golden grandeur. It seemed to
illuminate, with a sweet expression of unusual gladness, the melancholy
face of human life. Streams of golden beauty flooded the lowest caves of
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poverty and wretchedness. In that beauty I saw descending a spirit of
mercifulness, a magnetic rain of holy tenderness, dripping through the
Stygian darkness that hung over our rudimental sphere. It changed the
hideous night of human evil into a bright, happy day. The rivers of life
swelled with the fullness of gladness, and the oceans of love ebbed and
flowed musically, with the reciprocal rhythmical tides of infinite wisdom.
But knowing that some of my fellow-workers did not perceive the face of
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human life, either in its better or worse aspects, I went to my desk and
painted the picture, and mapped-out the field of work for philanthropists,
thus:
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may, in after years, take root and save the little sufferer. Bestow healing
from your magnetic hands. Let no opportunity of doing good escape you.
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criminals. They want you to speak to their souls the words of fraternal
welcome to a higher life. Give them knowledge of the angels. Unfold to
their minds the Fathers wisdom and the Mothers love. Find a kind home
for the honest-hearted girl, and procure profitable labor for the
impoverished and broken-spirited woman. She is your unfortunate Sister.
She is pure and beautiful within. You will meet her after death in the
Summer Land. Fail not to do her much good.
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youthful population the offspring of intemperate parents consists of
newsboys, street-sweepers, dockboys, beggars of cold victuals,
cinder-snipes, peddlers of stolen articles, boot-blacks, and dead-
rabbits. There are fifty thousand children in New York who never enter
any place of instruction. The cause of this over-population of
unfortunates is intemperance. Thousands of children originate in
sensuality. Of 32,172 men sent to prison in one year, 30,200 were victims
of alcohol. These men want your fraternal arms to arrest them in their
career. They can be saved through love and truth. Instruct them in the
laws of life and immortality. Impress them with the consequences of
their bodily and mental habits. Teach them concerning the life after death
of the realities of the Summer Land where the results of the practices in
this life are revealed as parts of the individuals character.
9. CRIMINALS. This class is large and increasing. They are for the
most part men who emanate from foreign penitentiaries and foreign poor-
houses. Such characters are shipped to this country, and our jails State
prisons, almshouses, and asylums become filled with them. Yet they are
children of Father God, the offspring of good Mother nature, and:
are destined to live and bloom in the gardens of eternity. They are Irish,
Germans, Italians, English, French, Polanders, Welsh, Portuguese,
Hungarians, Scotch, and Africans. The cost to the people of the United
States, of arresting, convicting, and punishing these criminals, is
enormous being not less than $19,000,000 (nineteen million dollars)
every year. The combined salaries of the lawyers amount to $35,000,000
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per annum. Tobacco and rum the active agents of vulgarity and crime
cost one hundred and forty millions ($140,000,000) every year. Of
course criminals are being rapidly multiplied. Intemperance is at the
bottom of it all. The condition of these criminals calls for your fraternal
love and good works. From their imprisonments they beseech you to visit
them. Eternity alone can reveal the good your ministrations may do for
them. Some of them are weary and broken-hearted; others are bitter
toward their enemies, and vindictive; the first need strength, and the latter
demand the lessons of wisdom. You can convey glad tidings to their
grateful hearts. Lead them out of darkness, and obtain their pardon.
There will be joy in heaven when one such is redeemed from his discords
and evil.
11. THE ABUSED. Cruelty and injustice should not be meted out to
dependent creatures. Whipping, stoning, maiming, teasing, or otherwise
abusing creatures beneath man, should not be permitted. It is your duty
to arrest the attention of men or boys whenever they transgress the law
of kindness.
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12. FIGHTING. It is especially your mission to separate animals, as
well as men or boys, who may be engaged in fighting. Street fights and
neighborhood quarrels come within your sphere of operations. Always be
peacemakers.
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Part Sixteen:
The Seer
(1884)
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EXTRAORDINARY DREAMING
Now and then, our guardian spirits come from a fairer and serener Home
than ours. Those happy children of the Father, beautiful as the mind can
imagine, they come to inspire our souls with kindred thoughts and
higher joys, they come to make us better, wiser, and happier.
As the Goddess of music takes down her lute, touches its silver cords,
and sets the summer melodies of nature to words; so an angel from the
Spirit Land comes to us in our profoundest slumber, and gently awakens
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our highest faculties to the finest thought and serenest contemplation.
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thought, or generates the materials for a truthful vision of some distant
land.
In this place I will relate an instance, which came under my own interior
observation. It was in the case of a lady whose death is described in the
first Vol. of the Great Harmonia. It was several months previous to her
departure from earth, when she was seated by the window in her parlor,
gazing, with the expression of one lost in reverie, at the distant mountains.
Although I had entered the room a few moments before, and had spoken
a few words, yet she remained abstracted. On observing this, my earnest
desire to perceive the action of her mind in that condition, enabled me to
rapidly pass into the Spiritual State. By directing my internal perceptions
toward her, I beheld a female guardian spirit standing immediately behind
her chair, watching her mind. Being also in the spiritual state, I could
distinctly see the mental operations. She had become bewildered by
thinking upon a subject which could not be easily solved. The fatigue of
brain, in consequence of the protracted mental effort, had induced,
temporarily, the perfect slumber. The action of the intellectual and will
powers were, for the time being, entirely suspended. At this point, I saw
the guardian spirit pass her beautiful hand over the moral organs, and
extend her fingers, in an earnest, positive manner, toward the left temple.
The emanation from her hand was soft and penetrative like the softest
aura, and I beheld a thought evolved from the faculties in that locality.
This thought passed, like La breath, into the upper portions of the brain,
and was then joined by several others, which the guardian had caused to
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come forth from the different faculties. Now, this was a dream, full of
significance. It originated from a spiritual influence; not from any
imperfect slumber or unsettled thoughts. The lady did not know, however,
that she had a guardian spirit. Therefore, on awakening from the reverie,
which she did a few moments after this spiritual impression had been
made upon her, she exclaimed How beautiful and clear was that
dream! Before she uttered this, I had returned to my ordinary state,
determined not to inform her what I saw in her case until she should
express to me her thoughts. Hence I inquired: Have you been
dreaming? She replied: Yes, but I didnt lose myself more than five
minutes, I think; and yet I dreamt out what I must do in regard to a certain
matter which has been on my mind for the last two weeks. Said I: Do
you mean to follow dreams in matters of importance? O, no, said she;
but when I can lose myself in my chair for only five minutes, and awake
with a better plan of procedure than I have ever had before, I will certainly
act upon it. I then related to her what I had seen, much to her surprise
and gratification. But let us come to the application. You will perceive,
by the above illustration, that the mind can be psychologically acted upon
by spiritual beings. Spirits may breathe their influence and sweet
discourses upon the mind, without disturbing its repose or exciting the
least suspicion that a divine power is acting so immediately upon it. And
yet, when the human mind receives an impression from the spirit world,
which takes the form of a clear and beautiful dream, there is no doubt but
the true import of that impression will be recognized by the individual who
obtains it. These impressions are never lost, when once imparted to, and
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distinctly developed in, the mind. The dreams which are generated by
spiritual influences, may be distinguished from ordinary dreaming by an
unerring rule viz.: by the clearness, beauty, and power which
invariably characterize the former; while the latter are generally obscure,
disagreeable, and troublesome to the mind. We must not, however,
accustom our minds to depend too much upon the guardian spirit for
direction and happiness. When we ascertain our duty and destiny, or
obtain certain convictions concerning them, we should act in strict
accordance with all the light we possess. Then it is, when the
individual has done, and is doing what he believes to be his duty,
that the higher influences rush into the soul. Yet it should be remembered,
that these dreams cannot be received from the spirit world, into the mind,
unless the slumber be perfect and the state harmonious.
The truth is, that, even when man is made to dream a spiritual dream, full
of interior meaning, there are no ideas imparted to the mind, but simply
the faculties are played upon so skillfully, by the guardian spirit, that they
cannot but produce the desired impressions, as when a competent
performer touches the cords of the musical instrument, he compels it to
give forth precisely that song which is agitating his own mind. He
communicates to the instrument the motions of his mind; thus he makes
it dream, (vocally, so to speak,) the actual perceptions of his intellect. He
does not impart the music, for that is already existing and incorporated in
the very constitution of the instrument; but he controls its motions and
thus constrains it to express precisely such sounds as he may desire. So
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with spiritual dreaming: the slumbering mind, whose intellectual and
will powers are all quiet, is under the control of the guardian
spirit; and the Spirit does not introduce thoughts into the mind, but
touches the various faculties in such a manner as to cause them to
develop the dream which is desired.
When the hour of her death arrived, I was fortunately in a proper state
of mind and body to produce the superior (clairvoyant) condition; but,
previous to throwing my spirit into that condition, I sought the most
convenient and favorable position, that I might be allowed to make the
observations entirely unnoticed and undisturbed. Thus situated and
conditioned, I proceeded to observe and investigate the mysterious
processes of dying, and to learn what it is for an individual human spirit
to undergo the changes consequent upon physical death or external
dissolution. They were these:
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to manifestations of what seemed to be, to the material senses, the
most thrilling and painful sensations; but I was unspeakably thankful
and delighted when I perceived and realized the fact that those
physical manifestations were indications, not of pain or unhappiness, but
simply that the spirit was eternally dissolving its co-partnership with the
material organism.
Now the process of dying, or the spirits departure from the body, was
fully commenced. The brain began to attract the elements of electricity,
of magnetism, of motion, of life, and of sensation, into its various and
numerous departments. The head became intensely brilliant; and I
particularly remarked that just in the same proportion as the extremities
of the organism grow dark and cold, the brain appears light and glowing.
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Now I saw, in the mellow, spiritual atmosphere which emanated from
and encircled her head, the indistinct outlines of the formation of another
head. This new head unfolded more and more distinctly, and so
indescribably compact and intensely brilliant did it become, that I could
neither see through it, nor gaze upon it as steadily as I desired. While
this spiritual head was being eliminated and organized from out of and
above the material head, I saw that the surrounding aromal atmosphere
which had emanated from the material head was in great commotion;
but, as the new head became more distinct and perfect, this brilliant
atmosphere gradually disappeared.
This taught me that those aromal elements, which were, in the beginning
of the metamorphosis, attracted from the system into the brain, and
thence eliminated in the form of an atmosphere, were indissolubly
united in accordance with the divine principle of affinity in the universe,
which pervades and destinates every particle of matter, and developed
the spiritual head which I beheld.
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affinities, analogous to an immortal friendship. The innate tendencies
which the elements and essences of her soul manifested by uniting and
organizing themselves, were the efficient and imminent causes which
unfolded and perfected her spiritual organization. The defects and
deformities of her physical body were, in the spiritual body which I
saw thus developed, almost completely removed. In other words, it
seemed that those hereditary obstructions and influences were now
removed, which originally arrested the full and proper development of
her physical constitution; and, therefore, that her spiritual constitution,
being elevated above those obstructions, was enabled to unfold and
perfect itself, in accordance with the universal tendencies of all created
things.
While this spiritual formation was going on, which was perfectly
visible to my spiritual perceptions, the material body manifested, to the
outer vision of observing individuals in the room, many symptoms of
uneasiness and pain; but the indications were totally deceptive; they
were wholly caused by the departure of the vital or spiritual forces
from the extremities and viscera into the brain, and thence into the
ascending organism.
The spirit arose at right angles over the head or brain of the deserted
body. But immediately previous to the final dissolution of the
relationship which had for so many years subsisted between the two,
the spiritual and material bodies, I sawplaying energetically between
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the feet of the elevated spiritual body and the head of the prostrate
physical body a bright stream or current of vital electricity. And here I
perceived what I had never before obtained a knowledge of, that a small
portion of this vital electrical element returned to the deserted body
immediately subsequent to the separation of the umbilical thread; and
that that portion of this element which passed back into the earthly
organism instantly diffused itself through the entire structure, and thus
prevented immediate decomposition.
As soon as the spirit, whose departing hour I thus watched, was wholly
disengaged from the tenacious physical body, I directed my attention to
the movements and emotions of the former; and I saw her begin to
breathe the most interior or spiritual portions of the surrounding terrestrial
atmosphere. At first it seemed with difficulty that she could breathe the
new medium; but in a few seconds she inhaled and exhaled the
spiritual elements of nature with the greatest possible ease and delight.
And now I saw that she was in possession of exterior and physical
proportions, which were identical, in every possible particular
improved and beautifiedwith those proportions which characterized
her earthly organization. Indeed, so much like her former self was she
that, had her friends beheld her as I did, they certainly would have
exclaimedas we often do upon the sudden return of a long-absent
friend, who leaves us and returns in health
Why, how well you look! How improved you are! Such was the
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naturemost beautifying in their extentof the improvements that were
wrought upon her.
The period required to accomplish the entire change which I saw was
not far from two hours and a half; but this furnished no rule as to the
time required for every spirit to elevate and reorganize itself above the
head of the outer form. Without changing my position or spiritual
perceptions I continued to observe the movements of her new-born spirit.
As soon as she became accustomed to her new elements which
surrounded her, she descended from her elevated position, which was
immediately over the body, by an effort of the will-power, and directly
passed out of the door of the bedroom in which she had lain, in the
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material form, prostrated with disease for several weeks. It being in a
summer month, the doors were all open, and her egress from the house
was attended with no obstruction. I saw her pass through the adjoining
room, out of the door, and step from the house into the atmosphere! I
was overwhelmed with delight and astonishment when, for the first time, I
realized the universal truth that the spiritual organization can tread the
atmosphere, which is impossible while in the coarser earthly formso
much more refined is mans spiritual constitution. She walked in the
atmosphere as easily, and in the same manner, as we tread the earth
and ascend an eminence. Immediately upon her emergement from the
house, she was joined by two friendly spirits from the spiritual country,
and after tenderly recognizing and communing with each other, the
three, in the most graceful manner, began ascending obliquely through
the ethereal envelopment of her globe. They walked so naturally and
fraternally together that I could scarcely realize the fact that they trod the
airthey seemed to be walking upon the side of a glorious but familiar
mountain. I continued to gaze upon them until the distance shut them
from my view,whereupon I returned to my external and ordinary
condition.
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Part Seventeen:
The Reformer
(1891)
IDEAL LOVE
This ideal bride or ideal bridegroom comes long before the outward
embodiment. It is the result of a constitutional need. In the contemplation
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of this Ideal, the soul gains strength and happiness. There is no one, in
all the earth, but at some time breathes forth an involuntary prayer,
gushing from the hearts inmost centre, that the soul may behold the pure
and true being, its spiritual counterpart, around whose spirit it may allow
the tendrils of the purest affections to entwine themselves lovingly, and
without reserve! Perhaps, in the externalism of common marriage, the
soul may not feel this deeper need. Perhaps, the occupations and
customs of the world may deprive the soul of its power to seek or procure
its mate.
On earth this perfect oneness may never be to every individual, for the
Ideal may not be found; but in our bright home, beyond the grave, you
surely shall enfold in your loving arms the ideal bride or the ideal
bridegroom; the kindred one so steadily sought, so earnestly aspired
after, so tenderly enshrined, and loved, in your spirits purest depths!
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cradle where the infant-life is rocked; as a cottage where I wait for a
moment; as a palace where the spirit is crowned; as an altar from
which I aspire unto the infinite, till prepared I shall rise and dissolved it
shall fall.
True lovers are each others translators. Feeling the same gratification,
and receiving the same benefits, the twain can quote to each other the
same expressions:
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Heaven. My eternal essence would mingle with its undying whole! I sit
with thee beneath the shadow of the tree of righteousness, and all
around us bright fadeless flowers are springing, and I gather them, and
thou dost form of them a beauteous wreath to crown and bespangle me
like an angel; or, leaning lovingly and confidingly on thee, I ascend the
mountain of life, and from its glorious heights, gaze far and wide into the
Universe, beholding beauties and deific sublimities unutterable; yea, like
a child I rest in boundless confidence upon thy bosom, and thou art ever
near for ever mine and mine only: this, this, my own best Beloved,
maketh earth a heaven; and the templed aphorisms of my souls deepest
heart, blending their voices with those of my understanding, assure me
that this happiness shall continue without alloy changeless and eternal
as the universal God. Yea more, my own true Heart while with thee, all
earth-life is divine! I love to hear the murmuring stream, and listen to its
rippling lay: I love to gaze on some bright star, and feel the beauty of its
silent joy; but better do I love thy sweet loving tones whispering in mine
willing ear; my inmost heart stands still when thy lips doth part to speak to
me; and brighter than the brightest star is thine eye it beams more
dear on mine; I love the sun as it lays the beams of beauty over the earth,
and upbuilds the palace bf the day; I love yet more the flowery Spring,
with its glorious array of virgin beauties; but all these bring me no joy, if
thou, Best Beloved, art away; my heart has love for all thats fair and
beautiful upon the earth; but nought is fair where thou art not, and in thy
absence joys are dearth; I love to think of worlds afar, and of a pure life
beyond the tomb; and oh, the thought to meet thee there robs the grave-
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passage of its gloom. Yea, I love to think of that blight virgin world,
Beloved, where joys eternal reign; and I pray to meet thee, on yon love-lit
shore, never to part again! The soul hath its aphorisms; and I feel that I
shall surely see thee there, Beloved, and wander childlike by thy side
as thy spirits mate; we will voyage from world to world, on wings of
thought, acquiring Love and Wisdom denied to us by earth: O, glorious
thought! That when truly enfranchised from the ills of life our spirits
liberated from Passions thrall we become the blest inheritors of
eternal worlds, where LOVE is ALL IN ALL!
Human beings, like trees, grow from and upon the soil. The earth, like a
wise parent, supplies the germ. I speak now of the original method: for
now, men and trees propagate themselves, and, although the earth still
superintends the process, the method is improved. Like trees, also, do
souls attract to, and assimilate with, themselves qualities of congenial
substance from the organisms and from the atmosphere of universal
Nature. You will observe that trees absorb vitality and substances from
the earth and the atmosphere, which is generated by and thrown out from
all the planets in space. And thus you see great giant-trees building
themselves up adding ton after ton of substance, limb, and leaf
without in the least diminishing the size or weight of the ground, which
they so beautifully refine, refresh, and decorate!
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So it is with human souls. Minds absorb vitality and substances in
general from the atmosphere, which is generated by and thrown from all
the spiritual spheres. Therefore, you will perceive that there is a spiritual
atmosphere within the material atmosphere. The soul feeds on the one;
the body upon the other; until, by a refining process, they blend into ONE,
whereby the spirit is made to increase in substance. And as you see
trees growing without diminishing the earth, so you also see souls
multiplying and building themselves up-bringing into the world new
thoughts and new principles without exhausting the spiritual FOUNT
which they correspond to and represent.
You will remember the exact analogy that trees grow by attracting and
assimilating to themselves the terrestrial atmosphere which is thrown
from all the planets; and that souls grow, in a corresponding manner, by
attracting and assimilating to themselves the celestial atmosphere which
is thrown from all the spheres.
Therefore, human minds, like trees, grow large and beautiful, or, like
trees, remain sometimes small and deformed; strictly in accordance with
their origin and subsequent situation.
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different associations. Hence you perceive the entire naturalness of sects
and institutions; the inevitableness of parties, clanships, and isolated
nations. The Harmonial Philosophy should teach the world, therefore, to
shake hands over its multiform distinctions; to forget all uncharitableness,
and draw a wet sponge over the records of all animosities.
We come now to the practical conclusion viz.: that human souls will
accumulate spiritual substance, obtain the real elements of mental
nutrition, in strict harmony with their individual aspirations.
Those who aspire to Love will grow spiritually wealthy in Love; those who
aspire after Knowledge will grow rich in the memory of Facts and Things;
those who aspire unto Wisdom will increase in the perception and
enjoyment of Principles and Generalizations!
Therefore, is nature ever true to her children giving Silver, and Iron,
and Gold to those who seek. Silver is love; Iron is knowledge; Gold is
wisdom. Just in proportion as these departments of mind are opened (by
organization, culture, and situation) to the celestial atmosphere, within
the common air, so will Love, and Knowledge, and Wisdom, increase the
substance of the soul. This celestial air, in which the spirits delight to live
and love, contains all the essential principles of human life and of
mundane development. And as soon as these different departments of
the soul begin to absorb and appropriate their congenial elements, then
will you see an enlargement of the corresponding external portions. The
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external head will change and alter, and improve in its form and
symmetry, in exact ratio with the interior alterations and improvements.
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Forget to use hard terms leaving all terrible invectives to the uncivil
preacher and think only of words which express friendship and
affection. For it is wonderful how men feel through, their thoughts, and
have thoughts only as they remember words to utter them!
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Part Eighteen:
(1893)
Our starting-point is radiant with the gospel of ''good news" that the life
of a child is a pure streamflowing unceasingly from the God-fountain of
infinite perfection; that the human soul is the product of an infinitely wise
and good Father; and that there is in every nature, however depraved in
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condition and manifestation, an immortal spark of holiness, a pure
principle of self-redemptiveness, from which the perfect image and state
of angel-hood may be unfolded.
The intrinsic goodness of the infant spirit is the basis of the celestial
superstructure we labor to erect.
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much hazard in the method. It deprives the young spirit of its native
freedom, and is a barrier to the flow of Intuition and Thought. The
following, therefore, should be received by leaders as suggestions. In
the first stages of a school, perhaps, it may be best to give one or more of
these Questions and Answers as a lesson.
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A: The Loving God Merciful.
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Swear not at all! The purest spirits use only words that are simple, pure,
and plain.
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A: No. All prejudice is a moral misfortune sometimes it is a crime
and will be succeeded by punishment and suffering.
Q: What is sin?
A: Sin is a name for excess the blunder of man in his development
a ditch into which, when blinded by ignorance or passion, we stumble
for a season.
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therefore (mentally) go into "outer darkness'' shirking the sunlight of
honest eyes because of our debasement.
Q: What did God first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?
A: God, by living in man's life from the very beginning, revealed to his
wisdom-faculties this law: "To be carnally-minded is death; to be
spiritually-minded is life and peace."
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members of one body in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile,
Nazarene nor Greek, Ethiopian nor Anglo-Saxon.
Q: What is Beauty?
A: True beauty is that, without or within, which yields pleasure and
awakens gratitude.
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A: The sacraments of this religion are: First, physical cleanliness and
interior chastity; second, a heart full of devotional love to man and to
Deity; third, a head full of serene, strong, steady wisdom; fourth,
reverence for the marriage relation; fifth, the regeneration of the world
through every humanitarian institution which promotes brotherly love,
justice, and the welfare of the working classes.
Q: What is theology?
A: Theology is an intellectual inquiry concerning the personality and
government of God. (Modern theology Is ancient mythology gone to
seed: a product of the poets and semi-philosophers of Egypt, Greece,
and Rome.)
Children should not think of a position of the body, nor of words, but of
living good lives and doing good for goodness sake. The daily
recollection and exercise of this aspiration is a prayer ''in spirit;'' while
resisting temptation, speaking the truth, living peacefully, washing the
body, learning wisdom, and doing good toward other children this is a
prayer "in truth;" and the Father seeketh such to worship him.
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A: A true spirit-prayer, like the glory of morning dew, ascends noiselessly.
The answer? That comes, welcome as the fall of rain, when the soul
most needs nutrition.
THE END
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