Everything that I _wished to know_ found ready answer; even before the
wish was formed into _thought_. I could realize that the answer came
from the Guide, who was my teacher by adaptation. I could realize
that for every _real_ aspiration there is ever an answer; in fact that
the answer from within and above prompts the aspiration, the wish to
know. That there is a solution for every so-called “problem”; for,
in the final analysis, there _are_ no “problems”--except _states_ of
_non-perception_.
All this and a thousand times more of inward awakening came to me as I
grew in the perception of the Knowledge of the Spirit.
“THOSE WHO LOVE THEIR FELLOW-BEINGS”
I saw a countless multitude growing brighter, more resplendent,
as I was led nearer. Among them were those more radiant than the
others--greater, it seemed, in the scope and power of their spirits.
I recognized--not always from personal knowledge on Earth--some of
the individuals who were there, centers of groups of radiant ones,
those who, when in Earth life “loved their fellow men”; and who, by
word and deed had sought to overcome the errors and abuses heaped upon
humanity. Their battles with tongue and pen (no armaments or weapons
of war), their shining armors of Righteousness--were finally known and
appreciated by many minds (souls) on Earth.
One whom I had known from early childhood came toward me with the
group of his friends and relatives, whom I had also known. He greeted
me as he was ever wont to do when we both were in Earth-forms. Though
advanced in years before he left the form, he was ever youthful,
ever calm and peaceful; yet firm and forceful in his advocacy of his
convictions of Human Brotherhood, and the final triumph of the spirit
over errors of human conditions in Time and Sense. By those who knew
his life and works he was considered a “leading and inspiring mind”; to
many he was a Prophet of the “Good time Coming.” How my spirit thrilled
with this meeting with him and his household and the group of friends
who were with him. One question I had often asked in mind, or had
wished to know concerning it:
Had he--this friend with whom I was then conversing, met in spirit
states the one who in a distant land of Earth had said: “---- ---- is
the greatest man America ever possessed”?
The one who said this to a prominent writer was also a “lover of his
fellow men,” but the two had never met in Earth life. The question
was not asked; before it could be formulated the answer came: “Yes,
we have met and often confer together. In all _essentials_ relating
to the _Supreme Realities_ of life and the growth of human beings
toward perfection through knowledge of Divine Truth and Love we are in
perfect accord.” I then perceived from among that goodly company the
one approaching of whom we had been speaking; our thought of him and
our appreciation had attracted him to us. Long and earnestly they spoke
of the things _to be_ when the children of Earth shall be set free from
the shadows caused by ignorance. I more and more perceived some of
the personalities of those illuminated ones, and more than once was I
surprised that those who had been of such widely different conditions,
environment, education, habits of mind, and, one would think, opposite
spiritual states could be together!
The Presence aware that the surprise would exist, said:
“As you already know, differences of birth, nationality, outward rank
and even of education, are not _real_ differences in spirit. These
are (and were) all lovers of their kind--lovers of Peace through
Enlightenment and Righteousness, and they are now, as they were when on
Earth constantly seeking through interchange of high Ideals, to find
the best means for helping others--to lift the clouds of ignorance from
the minds of earth; even now one is within your vision whose presence
here will surprise you.” I saw a stately form and recognized the one
who, as the head of a great Ecclesiastical organization had in the
“Prayer for Peace” issued a short time before he had passed from his
Earth-form given the following significant sentence:
“MAY THEY (THE NATIONS) REMOVE THE CAUSES OF WAR.”
As a lover of humanity, a promoter of Peace, he seemed to stand near
these shining ones, many of whom when on earth (and now) have never
recognized _any_ Ecclesiastical Authority. Of course, I knew that all
such lines, barriers, and human standards are removed--or rapidly
vanish--in spirit states among Enlightened minds. And that they
realize, as this one must have realized, that the Earthly “Office” and
all its outward symbols and adornments cannot continue in a realm where
the _real_ nature stands revealed--the nature of the spirit.
All these composing this radiant assemblage were intent on reaching
and for their good, acting upon the minds of those on Earth for the
“Promotion of Peace on Earth and Love to All.”
Alas and alas! “Those engaged in actual war--the war raging between
one-half the nations of the Earth that call themselves ‘enlightened’
cannot be reached until the leaders and rulers have learned the lesson
taught by bitter experience.” So the Presence said, and so I had
perceived, saddened by the thoughts of the awful human suffering that
must ensue.