SPIRITUALIZED MAN.
De L'Ester--Again you are at home, and we, your ever faithful friends
are here to greet and congratulate you on your improved health.
Gentola--And I with greater pleasure than I can express reciprocate
your friendly greeting. Yes, during my visit I was on several occasions
conscious of your presence, once especially so.
De L'Ester--That was when you questioned your architect escort as to
the dimensions of the rotunda of the building you were observing.
Mentally you were comparing it with the rotunda of the Galarēs[a:].
Gentola--That was the time to which I have alluded. I knew you were
touching my head, and once I knew that you and George were walking
beside me.
De L'Ester--Indeed we did not at any time leave you unattended. We
never do. You have such a genius for falling and other mishaps, that
ever we are on guard to if possible avert them. No, we will not go to
Ento to-day, but with your permission we will talk with you.
Gentola--I shall be only too happy to have you do so. May I ask for
your opinion of our World's Fair? Did it at all interest you?
De L'Ester--Truly, we all feel a degree of pleasure and pride in such
an exposition of the achievements of Earth's peoples. It was a grand
result of ages of evolution, and a fine illustration of the history of
their progress. Should we say that largely the marvellous exhibit was
the reflex of activities of the spirit side of life, you scarcely would
credit the assertion, nevertheless it is true. _All_ spirits submerged
in mortals, _subconsciously_ are en rapport with the spirit spheres,
and when the subjective and objective consciousness are fully en
rapport, they establish a medium, through which very advanced spirits
of exalted spheres can convey into visible expression the results
of their wisdom and attainments. But this is a topic we cannot now
consider.
We observed that you were greatly interested in the parliament of
religions, and the various ethical and other congresses. Could the
audiences have seen the multitudes of spirits who listened, applauding
or disapproving, they would have been astounded. Myriads of Earthbound
spirits were there, and spirits too from the higher spheres, not only
of our own planet, but of others, and all were deeply interested in the
proceedings. If it be true that in a multitude of counsellors there is
wisdom, at the parliament that somewhat rare jewel should have shone
resplendent. The numerous representatives of Earth's leading faiths,
each vieing with the others in presentations of their claims, as
possessors of truth, afforded a stirring spectacle. We also observed
your lively interest in the Orientals and their expositions of their
various faiths, which are more truly spiritual than are some of more
modern times. You have come to understand that a people may believe
an erroneous doctrine, yet be a spiritualized people. What they may
accept as truth is not so momentous as is their manner of living it.
The spirit of the Golden Rule is found not only in all the great
religions of Earth's peoples, but in all the religions of all peoples
_everywhere_, and if those who profess a belief in it practice it
they are not far from the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, positive beliefs in
this or that do, to a degree, influence conduct, and it is quite as
true that beliefs are the results of heredity and environment, which
are most forceful mediums for the perpetuation of good and evil,
characteristics of human good and evil being terms expressive of states
of development. _Truth is God, perfectly expressed_, and truth may
be likened to light which, falling through color, takes on the hue
of the medium through which it falls, but is light still. So truth
though discolored by its passage through the medium of Hindu, Buddhist,
Confucian, Christian, and other imperfect faiths, is truth still, and
ever its radiance steadfastly shines for the guidance of humanity.
Gentola--You have mentioned my interest in the Orientals. I assure you
that when I first saw Swami Vivekananda and other Orientals enter the
great hall, I was quite startled. It seemed to me that at some time
somewhere I had known them, or people like them, and I found myself
trembling from a sort of shock or surprise. To this day I cannot
account for the peculiar sensation.
De L'Ester--Do not try to account for it; later on you may be able to
do so.
Gentola--Doubtless you are aware that among scientists of our planet
there is much speculation as to a possible missing link between the
earliest humans and the most highly evolved animal forms preceding
them. While observing at the parliament the representatives of various
races it occurred to me that between them and their animal progenitors
there may have been a variety of missing links.
Humboldt--Gentol[a:], I fear that you have not well remembered some
lessons we have endeavored to convey to you. In the so termed chain of
human evolution, no link is missing. The expression is misleading, and
altogether unscientific. In a chain no one link is an outgrowth of
another link. It is an individual, special, observable creation of the
artisan, but from the earliest physical expression of the human to _the
period when the Earth man became a Spiritualized Being_, the degrees or
stages of his unfoldment were so indistinct, _so slightly emphasized_
as to have been imperceptible, save by the Infinite One.
Gentola--Do you know at what stage of his evolvement, and _how_ the
Earth man became spiritualized?
Humboldt--You have been informed that apart from the physical plane the
term time has no significance. When we freed spirits think of eternity
we think of that which had no beginning and can have no ending. When
we think of the universe, we think of that which is dimensionless, and
when I say that _always_ throughout the dimensionless universe, new
worlds have been, and are coming into existence, and that dead worlds
have been, and are undergoing disintegration, I but state accepted
facts. Always, when new worlds become fitted for it, they receive
that which Earth's scientists have not yet discerned--the quickening
potentiality, the life impulse, which is the Divine Energy pervading
the universe. In their tepid waters the first life expressions of the
vegetable, of the animal, and of the human animal are manifested.
On our planet, as on other planets, quickened protoplasmic, human
germs passed through all the gradations incident to their onward,
upward, ceaseless progress toward a period when as hairy creatures
with low retreating foreheads, protruding jaws, repulsive features,
and unshapely limbs, upon which they scarcely stood erect, they
instinctively drew themselves apart from all other life forms. No, in
no sense were they related to anthropoids; animals they were, but human
animals, with faculties so specialized as to place them above all other
creatures. Ages elapsed, and when sufficiently evolved, they became
spiritualized. How? As you cannot yet accept a belief in re-embodiment,
you may not accept my statement and the added testimony of these
friends, that in the spirit spheres of inhabited planets of our Solar
System and of other systems of worlds, there are myriads of Spirits,
of low planes of development, who, through the ministrations of those
known in the Spirit Worlds as Angels of the Visitation, are conveyed to
such human creatures as I have spoken of, and through their organisms
they are re-embodied, and become reborn as their spiritualized
children. And that was how the first spiritualized humans appeared on
Earth, and how they appeared on other planets prepared to receive them.
Could I not read your thoughts, your perplexed expression would assure
me that another question is on your lips.
Gentola--Yes, that is so. I am wondering where the first spirits ever
embodied came from.
Humboldt--My dear madame, when we shall have learned when the first
world came into existence, we also may learn where the first embodied
spirits came from. Concerning these propositions, my ignorance compels
silence. On what authority do I make the statement relating to the
spiritualization of the human animal? Upon such authority or proofs
as I have accumulated through visiting worlds in various stages of
evolvement. Worlds yet too young to receive in their waters the first
influx of life germs. Worlds in whose tepid waters, protoplasmic cells,
the wombs containing the germs of all life forms are teeming. Worlds
which have evolved vegetable and animal forms so huge, so grotesque
as to be appalling. Worlds on which the human animal is on the verge
of becoming spiritualized. Worlds where having become a spiritualized
conscious being, man is looking about him in fear and amazement.
Worlds where man has evolved varying degrees of civilization, and yet
other worlds, where the peoples, compared with those of Ento or Earth,
are as gods.
Gentola--You will pardon me, sir, if my question may have seemed to
involve a doubt as to the correctness of your statements. No such
thought was in my mind. On the contrary, I so implicitly believe what
you have said, that I realize that I am as an atom of a boundless
universe.
Bruno--But relatively the atom is as great as the universe. You have
been told that an atom is a universe in embryo, for in it are all
possible qualities, and in it are all the activities of Infinite
Intelligent Energy. So were you no greater than an atom, you yet would
be a necessary factor of Infinity.
Gentola--I do not question the truth of your statement, which humbles
rather than exalts my estimate of my own personality.
Bruno--He, who was the divinest man of any of Earth's saviors,
counselled his disciples to be as humble as little children, that thus
they might be great in the Kingdom of Heaven, and you will learn that
the further you progress in an understanding of the Infinity of God,
Who is the all, and in all the more will you desire to humbly adore the
Divine Spirit of the atom and the universe.
Gentola--I realize that I know so little. That I only am approaching
the threshold of the temple of knowledge. You, on the spirit side,
better than I, comprehend the limitations of mortals, so you will
not wonder that I grow impatient, because of my slow progress in a
spiritual direction; but with you, dear friends, to aid and instruct me
I shall hope to grow in grace and in a knowledge of the truth.
De L'Ester--Courage, Gentol[a:], remember that ever the stream must
flow onward to the sea. So if in your present incarnation you cannot
attain to loftiest heights the law of eternal progress will oblige
you to unfold the divinity within you. Neither you nor we will ever
find a halting place on this endless journey, which is ever onward,
ever upward toward the unattainable perfection of Infinite Spirit,
Intelligence, Energy and Love.
But we have grown too serious, and will talk of lighter matters. With
curiosity and amusement we regarded your perplexity, upon viewing for
the first time the beautiful white city. You were quite bewildered by
the oddly familiar appearance of the architecture, decorative, and
other features of the buildings, bridges, statuary, and so on. _Le tout
ensemble_ reminded you of scenes you could not at once localize.
Gentola--Yes, really I was for the moment rather bewildered. I thought
that I must have dreamed of a similar scene, then it came to me that on
Ento I had beheld that of which the White City reminded me. Did not you
all think it beautiful?
De L'Ester--Very, and we now promise you that some day we will show you
a greater and far more beautiful White City, than that ephemeral one on
the shore of Lake Michigan.
Gentola--I shall try to remember your promise. May I ask where are
Inidor[a:] and Genessano?
De L'Ester--Since your last visit to Ento a dread catastrophe has
occurred, and they and other Ento spirits have been, and yet are
engaged in aiding sufferers, both in and out of the physical body. They
were to meet us here, and we expect them at any moment.
To-day is the 29th of October, 1893. When will it suit your convenience
to accompany us to Ento? We hope that you may name an early day.
Gentola--You cannot be more anxious than am I to resume our journeys.
On November 1st I shall be ready. Ah, here are Inidor[a:] and
Genessano. You are most welcome. I have been inquiring about you, and
with regret have learned that some calamity has befallen Ento.
Inidora--I can say for my brother and myself that we are delighted to
again meet you, and doubly glad that soon you with our Band will resume
the duties of our mission to our sorrowful people. Yes, truly, a dread
calamity has befallen the inhabitants of a densely populated region
in a locality, corresponding, De L'Ester says, to about the latitude
and longitude of Berlin, in Germany. It is regrettable that fear of
ridicule, in case of mistakes, renders you too positive to be able to
record some scientific matters. Believe that I do not mean to chide
you. You do your best, and we are satisfied with your efforts.
Nearly two centuries of your time have elapsed since Ento has been
subjected to a destructive earthquake. Occasionally, in various
localities, slight seismic disturbances have occurred, but not since
the destruction of Petucy has there been a serious convulsion.
Corresponding with your morning of the 26th of September, peculiar
and alarming rumblings and tremors of the underground attracted the
attention of the people on the southern confines of the Province of
Dyrin. At intervals during two days and a night these disturbances
occurred, and in affright many of the more timorous or prudent
fled to other parts for safety; but thousands remained, praying to
Andûman[a:] and the Deific ones for protection. Their priests offered
the propitiatory animal sacrifices and the temple altars were laden
with offerings of the most precious things; but alas, Andûman[a:] and
the dwellers in Astranol[a:] were deaf to all entreaty. On the evening
of the second day Diafon ēvoih[a:] (the Sun), enshrouded in a mantle of
lurid clouds, from which angry gleams emanated, sank from view below
the faintly outlined horizon, and for a space deathlike stillness
reigned, and in mute terror the people waited. But not for long, for
suddenly tremors, faint at first, but quickly increasing in violence
seemed to shake the very foundations of Ento. Temples and other great
structures tottered, then fell in shapeless ruins, and smaller edifices
and private residences were utterly demolished. So appalling were
the convulsions that the affrighted, frenzied people ran hither and
thither, seeking to save their own and the lives of their dear ones;
but many were crushed under falling buildings, and thus passed from
death to unlooked-for life in our spirit realms. In one locality,
suddenly a great fissure opened, and as suddenly closed, engulfing
almost an entire village. Then the disturbance subsided, and on the
following morning the rising glory of Diafon ēvoih[a:] gleamed athwart
a pitiable spectacle. Homes destroyed. Great public structures fallen.
The living seeking the dead, and rescuing the injured, and to our
spirit vision spirits releasing themselves from their crushed physical
bodies were some of the features of the deplorable event.
Of course, our duty, as well as our sympathy, has impelled us to
assist them, and we have been engaged in the work of restoring to full
consciousness the many bewildered ones, who scarcely can be made to
realize the marvel, the joy of continued existence. So touching has the
experience been that many times my eyes have filled with tears. Other
Ento spirits are engaged in the incomplete work, for as you are aware,
some newly freed spirits, especially those who suddenly pass to the
spirit side, remain unconscious, not only for days, but for prolonged
periods. No, the spirit spheres of different planets are not alike, for
all correspond with the conditions of such planets as they surround.
Yet in a sense the conditions of all spirit spheres are so in harmony
with each other that spirits sufficiently progressed, and who have
learned the laws involved in these conditions, can visit any Spirit
Sphere of any planet. Yes, I recall that once during my childhood a
considerable seismic disturbance occurred under, and adjacent to the
plateau on which was our home, and that the alarmed people hastened to
offer sacrifices, and Andûman[a:] spared his offending children. The
Band approving, you may be shown the scene of the late catastrophe.
At present the conditions are so harrowing that it would not be wise
to subject you to them. The local and neighboring crematories, not
being equal to the incineration of the dead, many of the mutilated
bodies have been taken elsewhere. The cries and lamentations of the
living that no more shall they behold the forms of their dear ones is
pitiable in the extreme. Oh, that the time may quickly arrive when
Ento's despairing people may learn that their sorrowful belief in utter
annihilation is false. That continuity of existence is a glorious
reality.
Gentola--With all my heart I pray that it may be so, and if I, in
the slightest degree, may be made to further the fulfillment of your
desire, I shall rejoice that I have not lived in vain.
Genessano--Eman[a:] (friend), no one lives in vain. From the least
developed to the highest evolvement of the human of any planet, all are
fulfilling the Infinite, Intelligent, Divine Will. All are portions of
the waves of human progress, and no one can go forward without directly
or indirectly aiding his weaker, consequently less highly evolved
brother. In the spirit worlds, so well understood is this law that
sooner or later all spirits desire re-embodiment, that thus they may
not only aid mortals less evolved than themselves, but that in so doing
they also may advance their own spiritual evolvement. Yes, it would
appear that in this desire there is an element of selfishness. Not so.
It simply is the fulfilling of a law of the All Wise, Infinite One,
whom you name God.
Both Inidor[a:] and I long for the time when we shall be fitted to
return to mortal existence. Would we prefer re-embodiment on Ento?
I cannot say that our inclination is not in that direction, still
the feeling scarcely amounts to a preference. Then we well know that
the Angels of the Visitation will choose birthplaces best suited,
not only to our further evolvement, but where we may aid others in
their progress. Many spirits strongly desire to be reborn on the
planet of their last re-embodiment, and conditions favoring, they
may do so. Spirits from the higher spheres, reborn on any planet, as
saviors, leaders, prophets, or teachers, may or may not have been
former inhabitants of such planet. Through the law of fitness all
re-embodiments are controlled. You, ēman[a:], largely because you
cannot recall the past, cannot yet accept a belief in re-embodiment;
but when you shall have returned to the spirit side you again will
recognize its beneficence, just as in time all spirits recognize that
Infinite Intelligence, Love and Justice give to all, that which is for
their greatest good.
De L'Ester--We now will leave you. On the morning of November 1st
we will come for you, and you will not forget to take the usual
precautions against being disturbed. I may mention that on your
next visit to Ento, you will have the pleasure of meeting the Lady
Camariss[a:], mother of Inidor[a:] and Genessano. She will meet us at
Camariss[a:]. Until then, adieu.
_October 29th, 1893._