But O, the Children! the Children! What can one write or say? What
words adapted to tongue or pen can convey an adequate idea of the
spheres in which my spirit has often met those darlings of both worlds?
My own baby girl, who passed on many, many years ago and who has grown
to womanhood in her spirit state, has ever been my constant companion,
as a guardian spirit, during my busy hours of Earth life, as a _pilot_
and gentle helper when through sleep or trance-control my spirit was
set free to join her and visit the realm of the children.
These “little ones” are often wiser in knowledge of the spirit than
mortals of more mature years.
Blessings ever attend the presence of a babe in the home of love on
Earth and, in the highest sense, doubly blessed are those who having
possessed such a treasure know that if the babe passes from mortal
sight the _treasure is still theirs_, a babe--growing among the flowers
of the gardens of spiritual life is as
“A light within a light,
A joy ensphered in joy.”
Such a child becomes a sacred guardian unto the household.
It was indeed an enchanted realm into which we now entered. Although
visited many times during many years it now seemed more real, more
beautiful, more perfect.
As far as vision (perception) could reach--as vast as the mind could
compass or conceive there were children, children everywhere! Sporting
in the light of their own brightness and joy; they were embodied
sunbeams, weaving rainbow tinted thoughts into forms of beauty;
flowers, flowers everywhere; songs of birds and child voices mingling
with murmuring waters amid scenes of rarest beauty. Ah, the spirit
realm of childhood; the playgrounds of the skies!
Not only children, but “those of larger growth,” parents, teachers,
friends were there to teach, to aid, _and to grow_ in greater knowledge
and usefulness. Sometimes the children are the teachers to those older
in Earth years.
Isles of light, radiant with flowers and verdure and surrounded by
iridescent waters! Could one ever picture the thought-forms of these
lovely ones?
“Let us make rainbows,” exclaimed one fairylike child among a group
of playmates, some of whom were new in that realm. A questioning look
came into the eyes of those addressed: “How can we _make_ rainbows?” A
child-teacher drew near and said: “I will show you; come with me.”
The five or six eagerly responded.
“Take hold of hands,” the Teacher said, “and have no fear, there can be
no rainbows without clouds and light.”
I was permitted to follow, with sight or ken, as the Teacher led them
away, away from those enchanting scenes to where the clouds and shadows
hung dark beneath and around them.
They had drawn near a large city of Earth.
“O let’s not go here,” said one, “it seems so dark.” But the others
urged her on.
Soon one little boy among them said, “See, there is a little girl. She
is cold and is crying on the street; she is hungry too, let us help
her.” They drew near, and the child, feeling comforted (she knew not
why), sobbed more softly and prayed:
“O, my mamma in heaven, _can you hear_ me and send help to brother and
baby--you loved us so?” Then the spirit children saw a man approaching;
they fairly _pushed him toward the weeping child_ to whom he spoke
kindly asking:
“What is the matter my little girl?”
“O, sir, my mother is dead, and my brother is sick and the baby has
nothing to eat. We’re so cold in that room.”
“Can you take me there?” asked the man, and he held out his hand for
her to lead him. She clasped two of his fingers with her tiny hand and
led him through the dark streets to a narrow alley and up some dark,
creaking stairs. Yes, there was little brother crying for “mamma,” for
“sister,” and the baby asleep but sobbing.
The kind-hearted man saw everything at a glance.
“Don’t cry, my little man. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Take care of
them, little lady, until I come.”
The spirit children had helped, and helped; they saw the spirit mother
looking very sad, bending above the baby, and then above “little
brother.” They also tried to comfort him and help the little girl.
They saw the man go to a telephone and talk with some one and they
could see and feel the light of kindness with which he spoke and in
which the answers came. How quick he was! He found a place to buy food.
He came back soon, built a fire, warmed some milk, gave the other
children something to ease the worst pangs of hunger. Presently a woman
came--such a kind heart! She too worked fast. She gave the baby some
food prepared in the milk, helped the little sick boy, who was more in
need of bodily comfort than anything else, soothed and fed the little
girl who, little mother that she was, at once aided in caring for the
baby.
How the spirit children worked too! They had made the man see and hear
the little girl, had aided in guiding her to the dismal room called
“home”, had helped him find the telephone and the place to buy the
food, had helped the woman to find the place, had helped take care of
the children and comfort them and the spirit mother.
“Now,” said the Teacher, “we will return to our beautiful home.”
One little boy whispered to the Teacher: “I know there are more
children and people who need help down there. Can we go again and help?”
“Whenever you choose to make rainbows or flowers or other beautiful
things we will go.” And they rejoiced.
Lo! As they passed through the encompassing clouds circles of
rainbows o’er-spanned them and paths of rainbows guided them to their
spirit-home. When the other children saw them approaching they sang,
“O, the rainbows! O, the rainbows! When you dry the tears of sorrow and
help those in need you make rainbows.”
All spirit children are taught to visit the scenes of Earth life. The
home and its loved ones, where they are missed, ever attracts them and
they are taught to minister, to aid, to guard. If they _had_ no home on
Earth they try to aid those who still remain in the “orphan” realm of
human life.