Mothers whose babes are in the Earth life help to care for those
“little waifs” thrust out of human existence--and for spirit children
that pine for Mother love.
Children whose parents are in Earth life are taught to aid and comfort
those in the home as well as those who have no home. Especially
cared for are the little “waifs” who were not welcome in the
Earth-forms--even those who have not seen the light of earthly day--not
always from among the poor of earth were they driven, especially those
abandoned by the unfortunate or misguided mothers. These and all are
“mothered” by the spirits whose hearts are filled with mother love.
And here it is well to note that not _all_ who are earthly parents are
_real_ fathers and mothers, and many who are childless--work night and
day in the “asylums” on earth to save some neglected, forsaken, child.
These are real parents.
What greater “punishment” could there be than when the human mother
has turned away from the sacred gift of motherhood, she meets, on
entering spirit life, her own neglected babe who welcomes her there?
“Coals of fire!”
It is not always to visit scenes of sorrow and want that the spirit
children are led to the earth: Houses, schools, playgrounds,
“_Lyceums_,” where the little ones of earth are taught, places of
entertainment and amusement where they play, and sing, and grow; there
also are the playmates of the spirit-home mingling with them and
endeavoring to impress them with thoughts and deeds of loving kindness
with things of beauty.
Returning to the Realm of Spirit Children one finds such respite from
care, such constant sources of happiness, such fashioning of forms of
beauty. Oh, that all could know! Knowledge of all this has reached but
few on Earth; yet more and more will human minds be pervaded by the
methods of the Skies.
Those who have given new methods of “Education” to the people of Earth
have been inspired somewhat by these Teachers in spirit states.
Froebel, whose “Kindergarden” system was intended for “children” of all
ages; A. J. Davis, whose “Progressive Lyceum” system was not intended
_exclusively_ for Sunday training of _children_ but in its inception
was a reproduction of the “teaching” in spirit states (as far as his
mind and inspiration could reproduce such beautiful methods.) Even if
one could give in human language the form of teaching (or methods) of
the spirit states, the law of _adaptation_ prevailing in the higher
realms might not always be available in human life.
How beautiful to know that growth--and the best opportunity for the
highest unfoldment with most loving teachers and Guardians surround the
darlings who have passed from the households of Earth.
Here then, O human parents, O sisters and brothers, you who miss the
bodily presence of the one who occupied the “vacant chair,” you who
feel the _pervading sense of the absence_ of the loved children: here
they are; bringing to your very homes and hearts, could you but realize
it, the love, the knowledge, the wisdom, the beauty of the skies.