638. In the spheres, diversity of creed has no influence, excepting so
far as its adoption indicates badness of heart and narrowness of mind,
and has been of a nature to injure the moral and intellectual character.
639. Degradation ensues as an inevitable consequence of vice, and as
the means of reform, _not as vindictive punishment_. God is represented
as all love, and is never named without the most zealous devotion.
Spirits in any sphere can descend into any sphere below that to which
they belong, but cannot ascend above this sphere. They are surrounded
by a halo, which is brighter in proportion as their sphere is higher.
They have an intuitive power of judging of each other and of mortals.
Attachments originating in this life are strengthened, while hatred
passes away. The spirits in the upper spheres have “_ineffable_”
happiness. The sufferings of those below are negative, rather than
positive. They are made to feel shame at a degradation which is
rendered intuitively evident to themselves and all other spirits. But
all are capable of improvement, so as to have elevation and happiness
within their reach sooner or later. The higher spirits are always ready
to assist sinners by kind admonition. (92.)
640. My brother alleges himself to hold the office of a teacher. By
teachers, spirits fresh from this world, called the “rudimental
sphere,” are examined to determine their rank.
641. Spirits are carried along with our globe by their moral affections
and affinity, which upon them acts as gravitation upon material bodies.
They are just where they wish themselves to be, as they move in
obedience to their moral impulses or aspirations, not having a gross,
material body to carry along with them.
642. Spirits of the higher spheres control more or less those below
them in station, who are sent by them to impress mortals virtuously.
Spirits are not allowed to interpose directly, so as to alter the
course of events upon earth. They are not allowed to aid in any
measure to obtain wealth.
643. Blessed spirits are endowed with a power competent to the
gratification of every rational want. They enjoy, as I am authorized
to say by the convocation of spirits to whom allusion has been made, a
power like that ascribed to the genius of Aladdin’s lamp. (593.)
644. There is nothing of the nature of marketable property in the
spirit world, since every inhabitant above the second sphere, or Hades,
has as much as he wants, and needs no more to purchase the requisites
for his enjoyment or subsistence, than we need to buy air to breathe.
645. It ought also to be explained that after spirits reach the
highest plain or circle of the seventh sphere, they are represented as
being entitled to enter the supernal heaven, taking place among the
ministering angels of the Deity.
646. Whether the connubial tie endures or not, is optional. Hence
those who have not found their matrimonial connection a source of
happiness in this world, are at liberty to seek a new hymeneal union
in the spirit world. Where there have been a plurality of husbands or
wives, those unite who find themselves happy in doing so. But, as if
to indemnify mortals for the crosses in marriage or in love, or for
the dreariness of mundane celibacy, all are destined in the spheres to
find a counterpart with whom they may be happy, there being peculiarly
ardent pleasurable emotions attached to the connubial union in the
spheres which mortals cannot understand.
647. Infants grow as they would have done upon earth, nearly. They are
nursed and educated, and on account of their higher purity have, in
this point of view, as much elevation as their relatives who attain
great worldly pre-eminence.
648. The alleged motives for our existence in this rudimental sphere,
is the necessity of contrast to enable us to appreciate the immunity
from suffering of the higher spheres. Infants in this respect are at a
disadvantage; but being unable to appreciate their deficiency, do not
grieve therefor. “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘twere folly to be wise.”
649. Allusion has already been made to the condition of those who have
departed from this world during infancy, or prior to maturity. A letter
from one of my sons who died when five months old has been introduced
into this work, (470.) The change which ensues on spiritual birth, has
been described. (488.)
650. Among the most wonderful facts narrated by my spirit father,
and sanctioned by the convocation of spirits, is the existence of a
spiritual sun concentric with ours, and yet emitting independent rays
for the spirit world, not for our world; while the rays of our sun do
not reach the world above mentioned.
651. Further, the fact that spirits respire a vital fluid inscrutable
to our chemists, although it coexists everywhere with oxygen, and
furnishes our spirits, while encased in the flesh, with an appropriate
spiritual nourishment.
652. Thus is there another world, existing concentrically and in some
degree associated with ours, which is of infinitely greater importance
to our enduring existence than that wherein we now abide.
653. After I had written the preceding exposition of the knowledge
imparted to me of the spirit world, I solicited an intercommunion
with Washington, to submit the summary for his sanction. Accordingly,
he was ushered into my presence by a reliable spirit, and my
exposition, and the pages contrasting the heaven of Spiritualism with
that of Scripture, were read, and received his sanction under _test
conditions_. (See Plate 4.)
654. In this, my first interview, I premised that I wished to let
him know that I had always been one of his most devoted political
advocates, having always styled myself a _Washington_ Federalist, and
that I had as early as 1812 embodied my sentiments in some verses. He
said he was aware that such verses were written by me, but would wish
me to repeat them. I obeyed his request. They are as follows:
655.
Hail glorious day, which gave Washington birth,
To Columbia and liberty dear,
When a guardian angel descended on earth
To shed blessings o’er many a year.
Though heroes and statesmen, by glory enshrined,
May be seen in the temple of fame,
No hero or statesman unblemished we find,
Unless under Washington’s name.
Wealth, titles, and power, were by him ever spurn’d,
Of heroes too often the aim;
From a king or his favours indignant he turn’d,
Only feeling his country’s high claim.
To this ever true, in her trouble’s dark night,
Intent on her welfare alone,
Against her proud tyrants, he urged the dread fight,
Till lie forced them her freedom to own.
Next in France a strange demon uplifted its head,
All the nations of earth to bewray,
And into its snares would Columbia have led,
Had not Washington warn’d her to stay.
Best and wisest of men! when counsell’d by thee,
Could thy people their treasure withhold?
When ruled by another, then could they agree
To lavish their millions untold?
By Genet insulted, by slander aggrieved,
If thy wrongs unrevenged could remain,
For denouncing the men whom false he believed,
By a mob could thy Lingan be slain?
Can the voice of the country for whom he had bled,
E’er sanction a murder so base,
Or the tear-drops of millions, piously shed,
The deep stain from our annals efface?
656. As soon as the last words in the preceding verses were recited, I
was thrilled by the following effusion:
657. _My Friend_: How my heart swells with grateful emotion, at hearing
that beautiful effusion from your lips! Yes, my friend, I strove while
on earth, to carry out the impressions which were made on my mind
by superior intelligences, and if I failed, my countrymen will bear
testimony.
658. Your noble father is a friend of mine, and I feel a love for you
commensurate with his worth. He is foremost in the ranks of spiritual
intelligences, and ready to act when duty calls.
659. My friend, I sympathize with you in your arduous undertaking; but
let me assure you that your reward will be greater than the suffering
you have endured. Yes, most nobly you have fought against error; and
you will yet place the banner of freedom high upon the battlement of
truth. Farewell, noble scion of a noble man!