Light from the spirit world / The pilgrimage of Thomas Paine and others to the seventh circle in the spirit world

I was next commissioned to visit a work in the advancement of my own mind. There came to us a spirit, who said, “The glory of this tabernacle is dim. Would this society go with me, and see a more excellent glory?”

“We have no fears of progress,” said the commander.

S. The progress you have made is well, but I am delegated by a circle you have not seen, to welcome you to a wisdom, which reflects itself upon the dome of your temple.

C. We are ready to be improved, as to improve others.

S. I know your readiness to advance, and, as you have signified your wish, you will walk with me to a scene more magnificent than what adorns this mansion. The whole company within this temple, will form a circle above this temple; and the seraphim will sing a song of redemption. When the song is sung, the circle will say, “Hallelujah, the Lord God, Omnipotent reigneth.”

I was in the midst of the circle, when the seraphim struck the soft notes of peace, and my heart melted within me. The melody of the song was indescribably sweet, and the words were distinct and clear. The wisdom of heaven seemed more beautiful, and the day of salvation opened upon my sight. I felt no despondency within me, for the clearness of that mild sky unfolded a glory, that made the former glory appear dark and unwelcome. I was not unwilling to advance with my companions, and no discord was heard. When the seraphim had ended its song, the conductor inquired, “Do all understand the meaning of the words you have heard?”

“I know what is the meaning,” said the commander.

S. What is known need not be told, except to those who know it not. I will enjoin it upon you, and your companions, never to communicate to another what is known unto him, lest he be weary with your society. Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; so that he who asketh, and he who seeketh, shall not go away empty. The wisdom of the circle, into whose society you will shortly be introduced, giveth to all who asketh, and upbraideth not. Are you willing to do likewise?

C. I am willing.

S. You will, then, receive this pearl. Wear it in your bosom. Let its radiance beam in all your works. Let its lustre shine in your conversation. And let its purity make you free from the taint of wrong. This pearl is of great value. It will save you from darkness. It will chase away the gloom of error. It will protect you from the weakness of doubt and fear. You may let the circle view the pearl, and, when they have examined it, I will proceed with you to the circle where each one will receive, as it seemeth good to the Worthy. He will open a new page in the work of progress. Let all listen to his words, and be faithful to obey the wisdom which he will give you. I am now ready; follow me.

We came to a world of eternal reality. I entered within a sacred repository of wisdom, where I saw minds renowned in history, whose countenances reflected a light which illumined all who came near them. The wide arch of heaven rung with song, and waste places felt the genial influence of virtue. Before us were written in letters of gold the words, “Worthy art thou to receive glory, and honor, and praise, and power.” On the right were crowns at the feet of saints, and on the left were gems of silver brightness, linked with a chain of light. These gems were so arranged as to represent in miniature the words, “Poverty and riches embrace wisdom, when one receives what the other gives.” Near the entrance of this magnificent theater of wisdom, rose a writing, “Enter thou into the joy of wisdom.” Beneath our feet were clouds of vapor, on which the sun shone, giving them a smiling appearance. A vase of flowers stood in the center, and near by it a well, out of whose mouth came a gushing current of the water of life. As we passed the well, the Worthy said, “This is the water that whosoever drinketh thereof shall never thirst, but it shall be in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life. Drink freely.”

The solemnity of the scene was heightened by the lessons we received from the Worthy and his companions. I heard attentively, and will give as correct a report as the understanding of the reader will be able to appreciate. I will not attempt to narrate all which was set before us, since the simple relation would require a volume of itself; but I propose to give a brief synopsis of the unfoldings of wisdom to our minds.

As we were within the theater of a circle, whose countenances reflected such light, that we were dazzled with the brilliancy thereof, the Worthy said; “This pool, whose water is for the thirsty, cometh from the throne of truth. You have now a portion, which never exhausts or wastes itself within you. It is immortal to satisfy. The current will not dry by using. It is free as air. Nature is not poverty. Her wisdom reaches far above the mind in its soarings. The pool comes up from the well of hope. Out of hope cometh reality. Hope never wrings sorrow from the mind. Zeal can not live without animation. Its worth no mind can fathom. Its everlasting flight is upward, onward, expanding with its expanse, and rising with its strength. The mind without hope, is like a mourner without consolation, like a ship without sail or rudder; and when the water of life satiates the thirst of doubt and despair, joy rides over the storm and the sea, that dashes against the shore of eternity. Eternity hath no shore. The immortal enters eternity when time ends. The mind sees no shore. Days and nights are not. Time is not. The calendar of months and days is no more. All is eternity—eternity is all. Rest is work, and work is rest. The water is your strength, and nature is your fountain. Nature supplies itself, and what nature does, is well done. I need no wisdom she has not, for her wisdom is the wisdom of the Infinite. Deep is the fountain, wide is the stream, and high is the mountain, whence cometh the pure philosophy of wisdom. The wide creation shines with gems of infinite skill. Vast is the immensity of infinity. Stretch thy mind away from star to star, from system to system, from worlds to worlds, and neither shore nor center rises before you. God is there. God is every where, infinite, eternal—the spirit, whose life is the energy, the power of the universe; whose glory the good of the dependent; and whose smile is in the sunshine and the shower, working out the immutable love of his nature to bless the works he has made. The north and the south, the east and the west, above and below, wherever thought extends or not extends, the mercy of God flows like the limpid current of life, and yet you have come here to partake of the stream. I would do likewise; because here you may see its purity, and relish its sweetness. Change has conformed your taste to the water, and light has dispersed your doubts of its purity. Where darkness reigned, fears were indulged; and where fears were indulged, your minds refused the beverage, lest some ill should befall you. Now the fear is gone, the hope is full; and where hope is full, the water will not be rejected. Water is life to the thirsty; doubt is death, because it forbids nature its wants. Pilgrims, your souls have tested the life of water. Experience has tested its adaptation to your wants. Remembrance will save you from the snare of doubts. Hence, the water springeth up in you forever.

“Pilgrims: on your right are crowns at the feet of saints. Honor cometh not from power. Honor casts authority to rule others at your feet. The crowns of tyrants must fall from their heads, and no mind shall honor the head which wears them. Superiority hath no dwelling place in this circle. Equality reigns, and is acknowledged. No mind is ruler, and no mind is ruled. One law governs all, and that law is love. Two minds can not think unlike, because the thoughts of love must be one in all. The crowns you see, were the crowns we wore in our pilgrimage. We were not all kings, nor minds who wore an external crown; but were all rulers over others. We loved rule, and despised submission. We loved control over minds, and have enjoyed it to our complete satisfaction. I controlled no one by my crown, but by my influence. I saw mind needed control, and, not seeing the control of God, I undertook to do his work. I made laws and executed them as I pleased, intending the good of those whom I controlled. I gave to one a penny, and to another more, as I judged them worthy. They were satisfied with their wages, and did me honor. My crown was not disgraced, as I supposed, because each mind, whom I controlled, received his reward. I was well satisfied with my wisdom. I wanted no more. Others of my companions ruled differently. One ruled by fear, and another by favor. One ruled by threatenings, and another by promises. One ruled by poverty, and another by riches. All had their varied methods of controlling minds; but none were more unworthy than those who attempted to control, and succeeded, by alarming the fears of the credulous with tales, revolting to sympathy and degrading to Deity. They controlled with an iron arm the dupes of their miserable deception; but their crowns now lie at their feet.

“Pilgrims: you see a change. You see that ignorance hath its votaries, and, so long as ignorance reigns, kings will rule, and subjects will tremble. Mind must learn wisdom to disarm tyrants. It must see light to escape darkness. It must experience freedom to hate bondage. It must love right to forsake wrong. It must progress in wisdom to loathe ignorance. The change has come, the light has appeared, the day has dawned, the bondage has vanished, and the wrong is forsaken. Experience hath done her work. Mind works for mind, good for good, virtue for virtue, knowledge for knowledge; and equity and justice have trodden crowns under their feet, and hurled the tyrant’s scourge away forever.

“You may turn to the left, and there you see a chain of light, linking gems, and words are written. Poverty and riches dwell together in kings’ houses. He who rules is rich in power, in the estimation of his subjects. He is rich in goodly things, and his position is envied by the ignorant. He fares sumptuously, and the ruled mourn at their inferiority. Poverty is lean and hungry there. Poverty tarries where wrong remains. Wrong remains, where ignorance rules. Ignorance rules where wisdom is not regarded. Wisdom is not regarded where injustice and force make minds slaves to others’ will. Equity and righteousness are shunned and despised, law and harmony are violated, and light reflects the poverty of riches, and the wrongs of poverty. The poor seek, and he who seeketh findeth. The rich seek only to be rich, and their riches are not wisdom, but empty, vain toys that glitter in the eyes of fools, and dazzle only to deceive the unwise. The gems wear not the face of despair. They are gems, inwoven with light. The gems represent minds, and minds form words. Words are true to a mind who writes them. Poverty and riches embrace wisdom, when riches are employed to relieve poverty. They are wise only when used to do good. No wisdom is seen in riches, not controlled by wisdom. Love must see her children redeemed from want, and where there is no want, there is no poverty.

“This circle is the circle of Worthy. It is a brotherhood of righteousness. It has relinquished all authority to rule in the name of God. It acknowledges God alone, as the ruler of the universe. It disclaims all other rulers, and in the light of his countenance we walk, dispensing the light we have received and seen to those who need. Thou art worthy to receive this glory, because thou wilt freely give. Others are not permitted to receive it, because they will not give as they receive. The honor is well bestowed on you.

“Pilgrims: you have now entered into the joy of your Lord, because the blight of wrong, the mildew of neglect, hath no surface on your minds. Rule is surrendered to God. No authority rests in you to withhold when others need. No sorrow will pass unrelieved, and no fear sear the soul, unmitigated. All ignorance demands removal, and he who serves his friend in need, serves God. The circle will now sing the song of the free, when other minds will address you.”

The song was sung, but no words can describe its richness. The poor were made rich, and equality pervaded the immense multitude.

When the song was ended, I heard a mind say, “I have the key of wisdom, and I will now unlock the door of knowledge.” Proceeding forward, he addressed us as follows: “True greatness is goodness; true wisdom is what will make the mind good. I have seen power in the hands of weakness. I have seen weakness mock at the voice of wisdom, and cast her reproach at its votaries; but the reproach rebounded on her own head. I have seen mind pleading for mercy at the gate of poverty. Alas! mistaken mind sought for bread where it was not, and the heart languished in despair. The voice of nature has been derided, and the weakness of ignorance has assumed dominion. Poverty is wrong, and wrong is poverty. No good thing has poverty to bestow. At its gate, the hungry wait, and wait to be disappointed. I have sought, but not found. I have wondered at my misfortune, and complained of the dealings of God. I have seen no key to unlock the mystery, and my soul has been disquieted within me. But I sought for bread where it was not, and for wisdom in a college of ignorance. Opinions were numerous, and as grainless as husks. Faiths were not wanting in number or variety, but no mind was satisfied therewith. Views of God were conflicting and contradictory, and my mind was worn with the wrangling of unsettled controversy. I sought for peace amid the turbulent waters, but found only agitation and discontent. I was as wild as the sea on which my bark floated, without hope or moorings, save the disputed and unsettled opinions of a dismal theology. In my dreams of the future, social good was never promised. Philanthropy was selfish, and charity not a span long. Goodness dwelt in temples, and virtue signified conformity to others’ views. Parsimony was common law, and beggars were common outlaws. Nature smiled then as now, but I saw not the smile. Brotherhood was without children, and conventional limits were drawn over the face of famishing souls. Imagination portrayed calamities, and wrongs sustained the wrong.

“Pilgrims, I have a key. It will unlock the iron door, and show you the secret of all this mischief and wrong. It is a key of knowledge. It is a key which closes the door of hope. It bars the gate of joy. It shuts the portal of salvation. It wrongs the poor of bread. It aggrandizes the indolent from the labor of the industrious. It keeps mind away from its inheritance, and secludes the riches of heirship. I hold the key by which all this wrong and mischief has been done to mind, and I propose to open the door for your personal inspection.”

He opened the door, and drew therefrom a book of seven seals. He began to unloose the first seal, when he said:

“Pilgrims: The first seal of this book, represents the first circle. It will show you, that all wisdom cometh to mind by successive degrees of development. The mind in embryo, hath no wisdom; but when nature introduces mind into individualized being, the individual mind breaks the first seal, and wisdom is realized. Nature so orders, by an immutable law, that self-hood shall be sustained, and therefore provides the mind with an innate and natural relish for such things as are adapted to its welfare. It needs no compulsion, or external force, to induce a reception of those things which are congenial to its enjoyment. Whatever nature requires, nature has provided. The innate desire of the mind for sustenance, harmonizes with the supply nature affords. The nourishment is adapted to the condition, and the condition to the nourishment. Self-hood is maintained by innate desire, and innate desire is supplied by maternal condition. The harmony of these conditions is essential to self-hood. The mother supplies the wants of nature in her offspring, never so much as suspecting that they should be disregarded. The child partakes of nature’s provision and realizes enjoyment. These conditions of want and supply unfold the harmony of nature, and should not be overlooked in other relations of mind.

“The innate desire is the individual property of the possessor. The supply is the maternal property, and is wanted only to nourish offspring. In this economy of nature, the useless to one, is the useful to the other. And what is not needed by one, is freely given to the other. It is given because the want of the dependent requires it. The want of the dependent is the only reason for the gift. Nature exacts the gift, and self-hood receives the favor. By the favor, mutual affinities become strengthened, and sympathy answers sympathy. The law of God is observed, and nature rewards obedience. The self-hood of the dependent is made subservient to the love of the parent. Both act as nature demands, and no wrong is done. The good of the mother, blesses the child, and the blessing of the child is the blessing of herself, and a disturbance of her love, would be attended with anxiety and pain.

“The second seal represents the second circle. Mind acts with mind. The opening blossom is not the full blown flower. The vase is wet with water. Nourishment is wanted to mature the circle. The industry of other hands is required. The second seal must be unloosed. Progress never stops in nature, though, sometimes, it is obstructed. Mind sympathizes with mind. The sympathy of mind with mind is wise. It saves. Mind without sympathy could not enjoy society. Mind with it, enjoys. Nature has not wronged mind by sympathy. The sympathy of mind with mind corresponds with natural affinities. Mutual attractions never repulse each other. They unite. Chemistry sustains the idea of mutual attractions. Philosophy reveals the mutual tendencies to sympathy of things which possess harmonious properties. The wisdom of the second circle demonstrates the fact, that one mind sympathizes with another. But the mind acts as self-hood prompts. Mind acts as self-hood justifies. Self-hood justifies what is adapted to the enjoyment of self. It condemns what is opposed to its own enjoyment. Thus, its sympathy must be controlled with the wisdom it possesses. Self-hood consults what self-love approves. It is limited. The good of others will, sometimes, be consulted, as when no loss to self is sustained. It wills what will do self good, what will gratify selfish wants. No wisdom above its own wants, shares in its counsels. Others’ wrongs are disregarded, because its benevolence is not sufficiently developed to aid the needy. Others’ good is neglected, because self-hood has not the love of brotherhood. It is confined. Limit is established to its wisdom and benevolence. It sees what self-hood discloses. Manhood is not unfolded. The third seal is unbroken. It acts within the circle of its wisdom. It is a development of mind, that needs to be developed. It wrangles with others for self. It flatters others for self. It sympathizes with others for self. It yields to others for self. It neglects others for self. It will not receive the wisdom of superiors, because others, with whom it sympathizes, are opposed to new things. It will not aid reform, until reformed.

“The third seal represents the third circle of mind. It will open the soul to a greater wisdom and love. It will do good without fear or favor. It will show what mind should do for mind. It will seek peace and pursue it. But it is conservative. It neglects, oftentimes, its own good. It neglects, sometimes, the good of others. I will unloose the seal. The same good to others as to self. The same degree of wisdom also. The whole duty of this circle is considered as being embraced in doing by others, as it would have others do by it. The seal of wisdom and benevolence, needs further development. It has been the mission of minds, I am now instructing to aid them. Success has attended your efforts, and reform has been attained. The whole duty of mind is not contained in doing by others as you would have others do unto you. But the wisdom of the third seal goes no further. It was wise to mind, when it was unloosed. It saw a new creation, and the old vanished away. It passed into disrepute. It was respected by those who saw the opening wonder no more. It was a new heaven, and a new earth to mind, emerging from the weakness of the second seal. It was a freedom to mind, which had served two masters, hope and fear. It was wisdom of superior worth to the ignorance of the second seal. But the third seal was not the end of progress. Eternity will have no end. Mind will have no end. Time will have no end. Periods will end. Time is marked by periods. Day and night is a period. Circles are periods indefinite. Years are not known to you, only as the reckoning of the rudimental condition. Night is as day. Circles are as periods of progress. Minds work as circles of wisdom in their degree control. I have aided you where you will now instruct, as you are instructed.

“The fourth seal is now broken. Its condition is good to all. It recognizes no enemies. It never wrangles. It will bless enemies. Your own experience was the criterion of truth. Fear and favor were powerless over you. No wrong was where you labored, but the wrong of less wisdom. It was not wise to make others unhappy, because you deemed unhappiness a recommendation to the favor of God. It was not wise with what wretchedness required, but harmonious with the eternal law of order and love. It sought and relieved mind from the uncongenial elements of social wrong. It was interested in the progress of mind, and the social good of society. It gave beauty for ashes, and the garments of praise for the spirit of weariness. It was wise in good things, and shunned not the truth. It was worthy of elevation to a higher circle, for which cause the circle I am now addressing was advanced.

“In the mysteries of the fifth seal, I will now instruct this circle. I will say, no wisdom will govern you from beneath. All rule is tyranny, when wisdom inferior to your own controls. It is usurpation. Nature never justifies the wrong of weakness. It never palliates the wrong of controlling the wise by the weakness of the unwise. Superior wisdom must govern all conditions of mind, to be harmonious with the law of progress. When inferior wisdom controls the superior, there is an obstruction of improvement. Mind is not then free. It is in bondage. The usurper has always reason to fear. The wrong of usurpation can not go unrewarded. The wisdom—principle must triumph. When it triumphs, arbitrary rule will not be endured. Hence, no mind in this circle wears a crown. They are at the feet of saints. A saint can not wear a crown. It would be wrong, and what is wrong is inconsistent with the mind of a saint. In all subordinate circles, there are rulers, and consequently wrongs. Though the fourth seal opened one mind, so that what was the mind of one was the mind of all, yet some were tenacious of titles of distinction. They were indulged in them. Though they saw no wrong, yet wrong is not right; and what is not right should be avoided. A title, without signification, is vain, and what is vain is wrong. True, it was but the shadow of things before, but shadows are the mirror of images. The mirror of wrong should not be tolerated. The image is not wise, because it is the image of wrong. Having seen the wrong, we should forsake it. Having proved the wrong, it would be unwise to pursue it.

“The wisdom of crowns, is the wisdom of ignorance. It supposes a superiority by inheritance, and denies it by progress. It plants the sovereignty of a whole nation in the wisdom of hereditary ignorance, and breaks down a commendable aspiration for industry in progress. It wastes treasures upon the indolent, while the poor are robbed to support the unjust burden. It monopolizes industry to satisfy ambition, and wastes the bread of the hungry to gratify revenge. It makes a tool of mind, and then lashes it for its servitude. It riots in authority, and understands not its own weakness. Kings and crowns are inharmonious with wisdom and goodness. It is as selfish to rule, as it is weak to be ruled. The one is tyranny, and the other is slavery. The one usurps what nature never conferred, and the other submits because it is weak. It will not govern without wisdom, when mind reaches this circle. Indeed, you will find that government is natural where all minds acquiesce in benevolence, and wisely act to advance the happiness of all.

“Crowns imply a distinction. No distinction exists here. All are kings and priests unto God. All are well governed, because the love of God, impartial and free as the sunshine, dwells in all, and that governs all. It is self-government, or the government of self by nature’s inspiration of love. No discord can enter here. The voice of contention hath its bounds, and selfishness its limits. I have seen the angry howl of war. I have seen the wrongs of strife. I have wondered at the disturbance. But I wonder no more. The love of this circle was not in them. The sympathies of congenial affinities were not in them. The benevolence of smiling nature had not warmed their hearts. The philanthropy of enlarged charity had not united the great brotherhood of mind. There was ignorance of relationship, and ignorance of the wisdom of righteousness. These evils will not disturb mind, subdued by the clear sunlight of truth. Social wisdom is the inheritance of goodness. Crowns crumble in dust, and equity and justice walk over their fragments. Those only are worthy, who make worth the height of their ambition. The hireling is lord of himself, when in the service of himself, and the lord is a slave, when he fears the revulsions of his rule. Poverty is worn by the mind whose work is wrong. It is empty of good. Riches meet the exigency, when divested of selfishness, and disposed of for other’s benefit. Poverty is made rich, when the wisdom of reform relieves all want.

“Poverty and riches war with social enjoyment, when uncontrolled by wisdom. This circle is rich. Other circles have need. The links of light, which unite with wisdom, and form that wonderful sentence on the left, will remind this circle of the chain of sympathy which connects the rich with the poor. The gems are minds. All are not equally brilliant. The darkness of wrong will not apologize for neglect. The riches you share, you will freely give; and when the poor receive what you offer, they will embrace wisdom. Poverty is relieved. The poor are supplied. They want no more. The sympathies are gratified. Nature is obeyed. God is honored. Ignorance is overcome. Evils are remedied. Social harmony is restored. The golden chain of love breaks not in twain social joy. The gem of obscurity wants no chafing to be seen and admired. It wants only the covering of wrong to be removed to reveal its worth. The wrong is ignorance. It is the absence of light. In the absence of light, it has wandered in darkness. Neglect has permitted the darkness to linger. When riches are withheld from those who need, poverty reigns. When poverty reigns, the law of sympathy is denied. When sympathy is denied, the war of conflict rages. When the conflict rages, peace is expelled, and with it, the enjoyment of peace.

“You see who wrongs himself. You see who wrongs others. They who withhold what others require. You can not violate the law of nature with impunity. You can not neglect others’ good without injury to yourself. You will aid all who need with the riches you possess. You will recognize the chain that links all gems together. You will understand, that the union is immutable. You will feel the shock which another receives. The chain will convey the force to you. The whole brotherhood, from the highest to the lowest, will feel it. The light of this circle reveals but one family. The likeness of God is immortal in each member. The weak have claims upon the strong. The poor have claims upon the rich. They are in debt. They owe all they have to the poor. It is a just claim; and when they have given the poor their dues, all will become rich. It is no robbery which makes all richer. It is poverty which refuses what it does not want. It is wrong to receive what will make you wretched, or refuse what will make you happy. It is right to receive what will do you good, and wrong to reject it. And you will not forget that the riches you receive, are the riches of others. They are given you to be given to others, who are as you were.

“Enter into the joy of wisdom. Enter into the benevolence of God. Forsake not your brother in the day of need. Bless the enemy in your gates. Turn not a deaf ear to those minds, who writhe in their own scorn. Visit the works of sin, and lead the blind by a way they have not known. Correct those who need with the cord of sympathy, and write the law of the Lord upon their hearts. Do good to those who scorn your message and your mission; and say, ‘I am thy brother, why persecutest thou me?’ So, will you enter into the wisdom of this circle of minds.”

Another mind said, “There is a work which must needs be done. The rudimental condition needs improvement. There will come a time when the spirits, as they will call us, can communicate with minds in the body. I see a work of great magnitude, which will be required of us. This work requires a change in the social condition of such minds. As society is now controlled, poverty and riches are unequally distributed. Minds wrangle about the productions of earth. They disown the relation of sympathy, and their professions of love are nearly empty. Sincerity is devoid of active energy. The forms of worship are forms of display. Pride governs the heart. The poor are wronged. The rich wrong themselves. Skill and craft oppress the former, and luxury and extravagance injure the latter. Both are wronged of enjoyment. The oppression of poverty should be corrected. The indolence of riches should be vitalized with love. Society should be reconstructed; industry should be encouraged; love should supplant fear. Works should take the lead of words. Acts should speak for mind. Wrong should not tell her tale of woe. Purity should cleanse the impure. The blind should see the righteousness of God. The harmony of nature should be imitated. Nations are communities. Communities make nations. Social order should be established. War should cease. Honesty should abound. The love, which we feel, should inspire all minds.

“But who will work the necessary change? I see a change in the human condition approaching. I see a mighty revolution in the organization of human society. I see means which can accomplish the result. There is a progress in the rudimental world. The crowns of kings are growing old with mind. Reverence for human authority will not last forever. The relics of other days, are monuments of wrong. The tide of progression will sweep into oblivion the injustice of tyranny. The sun of truth will enlighten the nations of earth. The glory of God shall be revealed, and all flesh shall enjoy it together. But, until the change shall come, no human wisdom can control the disorders of society. Efforts will be made by philanthropic minds, to rectify the evils, but without success. Organized communities will be established, but the evil, in some form, will remain. Something more than a change of external conditions is required. Externals affect internals, but the external should not control the internal. The external is the stream, the internal the fountain. Nature provides that the internal, the fountain, should control the external, the effect. Not until the fountain becomes pure, will the stream be worthy. The wrongs of society, are the manifestations of wisdom in embryo. It is enshrouded in the darkness of other days. The night of superstition is far spent. The morning light of truth must break from this sphere. The fountain of pure water must refresh the desolate earth. The well of sympathy must flow freely, to nourish the plants of immortal progress.

“The first duty of this circle will be to make known the existence of mind, in this sphere, to the doubting of earth. The wisdom of the circle will next be employed to abolish the errors of mind. No sectarian organization will justify the revelation, which this circle will disclose. All will stand amazed at the wonder. When the wonder subsides, the condition of mind will be aided. Spirits will communicate a system of ethics, adapted to the amelioration of human wrong. It will be such as will melt the pure gold and remove the dross of corruption. It will affect the fountain of works. It will inspire the heart. It will correct the mind. It will remove the darkness. It will chase away all fear. It will banish all doubt. It will fill the soul with good things. It will enlarge the sympathy, and strengthen the love of mind. When the fountain becomes changed, its issue will be pure. When the issue becomes pure, the poor will become rich. When the poor become rich, the equality of mind will be recognized. When the equality of mind shall be recognized, the evils of human society will be overcome. Nations will war no more. Brother will signify relation. Justice will be acknowledged. Communities will form nations, and all nations one family. Then sympathy will unite, and keep united the whole, and the whole will strive to promote the good of the whole. Then, the good of the whole will be regarded as the good of one, and the good of one as the good of the whole. Selfishness will be extinguished by the wisdom of universal love and philanthropy.

“The wide world will be the common inheritance of her children. No wrangling about earth, or its gold, will be heard. Industry will be worth, and gold will be as ashes. The love of money will not exist, and the love of wisdom will occupy its place. No fraud will be practiced, for no wrong will be indulged. All motives to evil will be removed, and the mind of one will be the mind of all. Corruption and deception will not be found, for when mind knows the thoughts of mind, the wrongs of corruption and deception will be seen no more. You know that no wrongs can enter here. No voice of unkindness mocks the wail of sorrow, when the love of God fills the mind. The miseries of earth will have no abiding place, when the wisdom of God inspires all minds. The ignorance of the first circle will not be known, when the knowledge of good shall become universal. Passion and folly will not be indulged, when reason and truth control all hearts. But wisdom is developed by progress, and truth by wise counsels. The work of reform will soon commence. The circles of heaven will improve the circles of earth. Wonders and signs will attend your labor. They will be wonders to the ignorant, but not to you. The work will be commenced, when the superstitions and wrongs of religionists shall yield to the voice of philosophy and reason. One generation must pass away, before the time will come. They must pass from the rudimental to this sphere. In that time, venerated superstitions will be much discarded, and human rights will be respected. The work will commence in obscurity, and mind will rise in glory. Ignorance will scorn the message, and ridicule will be lavished upon the messengers. Time will bring a change. Professions will not monopolize the industry of the poor, nor misers hold the key of plenty. Wealth shall unite with wisdom, and poverty shall smile at the marriage. Christianity shall no longer be a mockery, but its wisdom shall flow like a fountain of water over the world of mind. Dark sayings shall be illuminated, and wayfaring mind shall lift up its voice in praise. The homes of the willing shall become residences of angels, and the disconsolate shall fear no evil. The strong shall aid the weak, and the days of mourning shall be ended.

“I will now conduct this circle into the chamber of hope. There came to me a messenger from the sixth circle. He told me of things which will be no wrong to relate. It was a prediction of future good. You may follow me.”

We followed him to the chamber of hope. The messenger then appeared, and said:

“This is the circle of Hope. All who will receive, and do the words of hope, will hear my speech. Before me you see a great wonder. It is the mountain of Hope in the arm of God. On your right, you see the sun; on your left, the moon; over your heads, the stars; beneath your feet, the fifth circle; and behind you, a road. This is the circle of prophecy. Here causes and their effects may be traced through successive generations, and their results clearly demonstrated. You will soon be addressed by a mind of this circle, who will aid you to the desired wisdom. He will relate what events will transpire in the progress of truth and wisdom, in the development of rudimental minds.”

A mind soon commenced by saying: “Pilgrims of hope, the mind who hopes will realize. Hope can not be entertained for things which are not. It is the reality which gives birth to hope. The reality is shadowed on the mind with such evidences as conditions will allow. Hope is expectation of good. Mind will sometimes limit hope. It will fix times and seasons for the hope of good, to be realized. The darkness of ignorance suffers temporary disappointment. Hope will prophecy truthfully. Wisdom sees the thing hoped for. The mind intuitively anticipates good. Its nature is full of promise. Its conditions sometimes create doubt and despair; but, unobstructed in its exercise, it hopes forever. We are not without hope. We will say, no mind can exist without hope. It is nature. It is the law of mind immutably established to hope. Mind will hope, and no condition, in any department of the universe, can exclude all hope. It may be dim. The dense darkness of low circles admits only an occasional ray to penetrate the dismal cell of ignorance. The mind of superior circles admits a greater number. This circle sees what other circles hope for. The joy of our minds is the anticipation of good in them. They walk by faith, and we by sight, concerning the good they expect. It is a good which the reality transfers to them through the intervening circles. Each circle conveys a lesser light, until the last receives a feeble ray; so you will see the fulness of hope, as measured to lower circles, actual realities here. You will see the wonder of wisdom revealed in the economy of hope. Minds uncultivated hope in a less degree, than minds of wisdom. The rudimental condition shares in the joy of hope, proportioned to the wisdom of its condition. In one circle, it is but a ray; in another, it grows brighter; in a third, it is glorious; and, in the fourth, it is more glorious. But what these circles hope for, even in the highest exultation of anticipated good, is as much less than the reality, as light is more glorious than darkness; I will say as the sun is more glorious than the stars.

“The sun reflects rays of light. It is the orb of light. Its rays touch the palace of kings and the wigwam of barbarians. It gives light to the rich and the poor, the wise and the unwise, to the free and the slave, to the enlightened and the ignorant, to all nations and all countries, and moons and stars in nature’s unmeasured expanse. It gives what will bless, and make happy; unasked, its rays illumine, and banish the darkness of night. The day is not partial. The day is wisdom—a blessing to the world. It is not a special or partial blessing; but it is a blessing in harmony with the law of God. It is a blessing unstinted and measureless. The sun is the work of God. It is his wisdom which made it. It is his love which has ordained the sun to give light to all. It is his power which formed the sun for the good of mind. All things which he has made, are adapted to good. The mind which sees the sun, as a work of God, and the rays blessing all things, may hope for good. He who has made the sun a blessing, may make want satisfied with reality. The sun gives hope. It is without stint in its favors. So, is the wisdom of God manifest in the natural world. He is wise. His works are wise. All things are made in wisdom. Ignorance may mock at blessings, but nature offers no contradiction. Folly may scorn the lesson, but hope expels the scorn. Superstition may have her admirers, but reason fills the soul with confidence. Would mind know God, it should study his works. The dreams of midnight may conflict with the stern realities of nature, but they are dreams without hope. The wild vagaries of uninstructed mind may mislead the weak, but the voice of nature speaks the language of love. Bigotry may frown upon free inquiry, but the smile of wisdom is more congenial to mind than the envy of the miserable. I will see the sun, though doubters may challenge my sight. I will gaze upon its blessings, though bigots may call it sacrilegious. I will admire nature, though crowns crumble, and steeples fall. I will gaze on the works of God, though opinions falter and rites perish. The wide world is my home, though chains and prisons, frowns and fears, mark the circle of those who defy a creed that abolishes neither. The time will come when the chains will be melted, the prisons demolished, the frowns made smiles, and the fears overcome with hope. When the sun, in yonder smiling heavens, is taken as the work of God, and nature is acknowledged to be the standard of righteousness, the hope of the soul will rise above the misty darkness of sensuality and wrong. The sun is emblematical of nature in the profusion of her blessings. Adaptation is seen in the economy of all nature. Mind needs light, and light is not withheld. Light needs mind, otherwise it would be vain. So, with the moon. It imparts what it has received. It gives to bless. It meets the wants of mind. On the right and on the left, above and below, all things are adapted to their respective conditions. The stars reflect the mighty power of God. They shine. They give light. They bless, and curse not. They do good, and not evil. They minister to the wants of mind. They rest not in their love. They are full of good. Wants are strangers there. The wisdom of God will lead you to the full enjoyment of all that hope can embrace; and, in due time, the wonders of other globes will be opened to you, and to me, and to all who will journey to them. This circle will hear the instruction of another mind, and listen attentively to the words of Hope which will inspire you with the promise of good, yet concealed from your vision.”

“Pilgrims: in the progress of mind, there is an extension of the vision. Far in the distance, development discloses the reality of things, which mind has hoped for. The seers of other days were aided by this circle. Things were revealed, which have come to pass, and which will take place. The windows of the future were thrown open, and prophets saw the truth. The sight was extended through successive changes to successive results. The intervening links of cause and effect, being omitted in the history, have answered the purpose of superstitious veneration, and worked the circles for whose benefit they were intended into awe and subjection. But the time is approaching when the philosophy of prophecy will be understood, and appreciated. The degree of wisdom, essential to endow mind to clearly perceive the future condition of themselves or others, appertains to this circle.

“The mind who inspires the seer, merely informs him of the fact, which is intended to be effected. It is a fact which must be in harmony with causes, and the causes are surveyed to the result. The seers merely announced the fact. They announced what the mind, who inspired them, impressed them to relate. The mind of this circle is one mind. Hence, the mind who inspires of this circle, inspires the will of all who belong to it. The resolve of one, is the resolve of all. As all resolve, so one inspires. When a work is resolved upon, the whole power of this circle is brought into requisition to do it. The labor is calculated with mathematical exactness. All the obstructions are surveyed, and all the advantages canvassed. When the result has been determined by a wisdom that can not err, the mind may inspire, or impress the reality upon those who have not the sagacity or wisdom to see it otherwise. It is to them, in their condition of ignorance, a subject of hope. In like manner, when the workings of nature are traced in their mysterious windings, and the complex conditions of cause and effect are understood, the results of the same may be determined in wisdom. This determination is also the result of causes, immutable as mathematical demonstrations. Therefore, the seers of old were inspired by the wisdom of a circle, capable of determining results of causes, with the same unerring precision as the mathematician calculates the time and duration of an eclipse, or the appearance and disappearance of a comet. The whole result must be infallibly correct. The science of mathematics is the science of this circle. Euclid has given rules. Nature divulges more. The former are well. The latter are better. The former were true to nature; but the science was not perfectly understood only in degree. The latter comprises the infinite, the former the finite. All development is progress. It is the accumulation of facts in the mind. It is the power of wisdom.

“When the mathematician predicts an eclipse, or any wonderful phenomena in the material world, the prediction does not make the fact, but the fact is discovered by mathematical calculation. All causes and their effects are considered, as well as the uniform and invariable laws of nature. The result is sure. Demonstrations have prepared the mind to calculate the movements of orbs, and the relation which they sustain to each other. In like manner, an extended knowledge permits a mind to calculate the movements of planets, and suns, and stars of other systems. And, when the mind is sufficiently developed, it can calculate the movement of mind. It can survey the influences which control it, and calculate the wisdom which will be required to produce a desirable result, or avoid an impending calamity.

“Minds are stars in this system of nature. They differ in wisdom, power, and glory. The wisdom of the fifth circle is less than the sixth. The sixth seal unveils the future with the exactness of demonstration. It unlocks the mystery of prophecy. It makes hope a wisdom of fact. It discloses the reality of the thing sought. It opens a world of coming events, and saves the mind from all uncertainty. It corrects the wisdom, which makes the natural supernatural. There is nothing above nature but God. He is supreme. Nature is his work, and it is the natural work of his wisdom and power. Mind is the work of God. It is a star amid other stars. It is a sun amid other suns. It is subject to law, as are planets and stars. It is moved by laws. Attraction and repulsion control it. Like and dislike exert an influence. When the condition of mind is understood, and the amount of wisdom is possessed by another mind to calculate the power of attraction and repulsion necessary to produce a result, its position may be defined, and its movements determined for successive generations. The weight of attraction is not the same in all materials, and therefore, allowances must be made for the difference. One mind may be very empty, and consequently light, when compared with another. The force of attraction will accordingly be less. It weighs less than more solid materials. The lower the circle, the less it weighs; because it is empty of wisdom, or contains but a small fraction. Attractive forces may be estimated by the distance between them, and the weight of those forces. When mind is attracted by mind, it is because of the power which one exerts over the other. The influence is proportioned to the weight. The heavier body must control the lighter. The lighter can not govern the heavier. Attraction is with the most weight. That weight is wisdom. Consequently, the wisest attract the less wise; and it never can happen, that the less wise can govern the wise by attraction. Hence, in the philosophy of nature, two bodies unlike each other, repel each other. They separate by natural law, as they unite by natural law. The wisdom of this law is to avoid unlike associations. The minds unlike separate by the law of repulsion, and there must be a violation of the law to keep them together. So, with minds of like affinities. The weight of attraction unites the two, and they can not be disunited without a disturbance of the law which holds them together.

“Hence, you will see the reason why minds in this sphere are attracted to a higher sphere, as we have been attracted to this. The weight of wisdom is far removed from earth. As mind ascends from earth, so attraction grows stronger, and hurries it along with greater rapidity. But minds in the rudimental condition, being far removed from the source of wisdom, are influenced in a less degree than those of higher circles. But, as they are attracted by wisdom, it must be upward. No forces attract downward but gross and impure. The downward force is repulsion. It is not wisdom. Hence, folly and ignorance are attracted by folly and ignorance, and, when thus attracted, the wretchedness of mind is severe. Never will the wisdom of the wise be attracted with the folly of the unwise.

“There will arise a work which will engage the wisdom of this circle. Minds in the rudimental condition, will soon see a light from this sphere. They will hear a voice from heaven. Messengers from this circle will be employed to attract mind upward. They will see who can be influenced by their presence. Affinities, approximating to this circle, will be chosen as instruments of a great reform. Those who will be uninfluenced by the gross works of darkness, will receive the light of superior wisdom. Those who love the world of gold and silver, and are under the control of sensuality and tyranny, will abide the time of visitation, and seek their content in things that perish with the using; but the independent and candid, the honest and true, will rise upward in the resurrection of the just, and become partakers of an inheritance that fadeth not away. When that time comes, and come it will, the reform of the rudimental condition will be renewed with unabating energy; and old systems of wrong and wretchedness will vanish away. All circles in this sphere, capable of developing the rudimental mind, will aid in the work. You will be controlled as wisdom shall direct, and meet the evils of human society with a courage that never falters. Hope will be imparted to the despondent, and confidence to the fearful. All devoid of understanding will revile you, and many will turn a deaf ear to the voice of wisdom. But some will receive the word with gladness, and others with fear. The day will open upon mind the reality of heaven. The day will unlock the mystery of revelation, and give hope to all nations. The miracles of former ages will return, and return to be understood. Human opinions and creeds will melt in the sunshine of truth, and whole nations rise up in progress, and call you blessed. As free as the light of the sun will the wisdom of heaven smile upon mind; and the smile will subdue the wretchedness of ignorance and folly.

“Pilgrims: you have received the promise. Hope, without fear, will grow brighter and brighter, in this circle. You will receive wisdom, day by day, until the seventh seal shall be unloosed. Then, the work of reform will be commenced in wisdom, among the inhabitants of the earth.”

When he had concluded his speech, I desired to be informed in regard to the mathematical calculation of future events, and the rules by which such events are determined; when another mind responded: “Mathematical rules are the rules of nature; or, as you will understand, the laws of nature. The laws of nature control all things. Mind and matter, gross and fine, are subject to laws. In harmony with these laws, are cause and effect. When a cause produces an effect, the effect becomes a cause of another effect. Thus, effects are causes, and causes are the effects of other causes. But no effect will be inharmonious with the cause. The likeness of the one will be found in the other. When a cause transfers itself into an effect, or is productive of an effect, it will be as nature has designed, the true likeness of the cause. All variations are the result of combined causes, varying in their effects the modification, in the proportion of the power which each cause respectively exerts. Hence, by tracing one cause in its productions, and other causes in their productions, until the whole are mathematically balanced at any given period, the result will be mathematically demonstrated. There can not be two results at variance, when the law of cause and effect are understood and observed in the calculation. One, and only one conclusion can be obtained by this process of investigation.”

T. May not unseen causes disturb the result by their modifications?

“Causes differing essentially, will be repelled, whether seen or unseen. Mind can not be affected by remote affinities. The near affinities must control. Antagonistical elements can not control one another. They repulse; and whatever is repulsive, has no influence to change. The wisdom of the wise must be controlled by the wisdom of the wiser; because folly is repulsive, and only excites disgust and pity. By ascertaining the ratio of their progress, which is governed by an immutable law, and the future development of their minds may be determined at a given period; and what may be determined in regard to one mind, may be in regard to all, when the condition of all is understood. Hence, the aggregate result must be proportionate to the aggregate of the present condition in the ratio of development, as established by an immutable law controlling the development. When the seventh seal is unloosed, a complete and perfect survey of the aggregate condition of mind, having an influence on the rudimental condition, will be open to your inspection. And as all the influence of that seal comes through this circle to reach the rudimental condition, so we know the amount and extent of that influence, and are, therefore, able to make our calculations with the exactness of demonstration. Prophecy is not supernatural, but as natural as the calculation by numbers. It is a well ascertained fact, that numbers are just. Justice is the principle which governs all arithmetical and mathematical rules. This principle can not be invalidated. It is true; and because it is true, there can be no conflicting results. From aggregate conditions, and the ratio of progress made by those conditions, a result is always attainable for any given period.”

We were then made acquainted with the principle by which communications from the second to the rudimental sphere might be made. This principle was known in an early period of the world. Prophets and sages, poets and philosophers, have enjoyed, in nearly every century, the advantage of inspiration, although in some ages in so moderate a degree, as to be almost or quite imperceptible to the subject. Inspiration is the influx of spirit impressions. When these impressions could not be made by spirits, in consequence of the positive condition of mind, manifestations have been made. Belshazzar, being positive, could not be impressed by spirits; and the result shows that spirits made an impression of a fact on his mind, by writing on a wall, through the interpretation of a successful medium. Daniel could not have interpreted the writing, had it not been impressed upon him. The impression was so distinctly made upon his mind, that he could not avoid its recital. This established the confidence of the people in the truthfulness of his predictions. They were truthful, not because he was more wise than many others, but because he was impressed by those who were of this sphere.

But when inspiration comes from any mind below the sixth circle, it should be regarded with caution, so far as the prediction of future events is concerned. I will say, it should be regarded as an opinion of the mind who communicates. That opinion may be correct, or incorrect. And this is the reason, why inferior circles sometimes err, and results show their errors. It was not intended as a deception, but as a probable fact. It was opinion only. Spirits of the sixth circle predict facts, and only facts. They do not always inform the lower circles, of all the facts within the chain of events, but what they do predict is true, and the prediction will be strictly verified.

“The circle of prophecy is a circle of purity. The refinement of mind qualifies it to see with less obscurity. The wisdom of the pure will not be disappointed. As all prophecy is the maturity of wisdom in degree, so all purity is the result of this perfection. Mind in its development, passes through successive degrees of refinement, until it is qualified to understand things which, in its infancy, it could not comprehend. The infancy of mind embraces limited views of nature. The darkness of midnight surrounds the circle of its knowledge. A wild and vacant waste of immensity brings no light, because light is obscured by the grossness of perception; I will say, immensity is vacant to the mind in an unrefined condition. It surveys only a small compass of wisdom. The impurity of its condition predisposes it to judge according to the measure of itself. It will not travel beyond its own circuit, and is, therefore, compelled to render a decision compatible with its survey. That survey is incomplete, even within its prescribed limits, because intervening obstacles cast their shadows over the vision. The polar star is distrusted, the magnet is rejected, and the wild sea of wrong rages. All is dark, dreary night; all is wretched, hopeless confusion. Terror, wild and dismal, reigns in the empire of their minds. Nature seems a charnel house of corruption, and the ruler a tyrant without mercy.

“Pilgrims: the cause is apparent to you, but not to them. Viewing the economy of nature through their distorted vision, with their deceptive suspicions to mislead, their ignorance to govern, and their impurities to resist advancement, it does not surprise you to find them actually forming gods after their own likeness, and distributing justice according to their own measure. They can only comprehend their own measure; they can only weigh with their own weights; and, hence, what they measure and what they weigh, must not, and will not, exceed the standard which they have established. All other conditions must yield to their views of right and wrong. The pure and the impure are one or the other, as their wisdom prescribes, and prescribes by such rules as their wrongs have determined.

“Pilgrims: nature has her laws. When those laws are obeyed, the impure will become pure. This is nature; shun evil, and do good. This is law, and this is religion. This is right, and this right is pure in the wisdom of this circle. You will, also, understand, that to the impure all things are impure, which disagree with their rules. Their rules are not your rules. They would control nature; you would be controlled by nature. They would make war upon the laws of God; you would acquiesce in their righteousness. They would control all things; you would be submissive to nature’s decrees. They would circumscribe the teachings of nature; you would listen to her voice. They would judge you; but you would not judge them. They would aspire to your joy; but they have not the wisdom to reform that they might attain it. They would dispute the truth, because they have not the understanding to comprehend it. They would reform from their errors, but their rules are bars against reform. They would have peace, but they mock the voice that utters it. They would be happy, but happiness is misunderstood through want of experience. They would be pure, but purity is meaningless in the mouth of folly. They would wrong no one, but wrong is right to them. Such are the conditions of the impure and pure. The wisdom of this circle will acknowledge no law but love, no religion but goodness, no worship but worth, no ruler but God. His praise will be in your song; his wisdom in your devotions; his truth in your minds; and his reward in your works. The union of your hearts will be immortal. No wrong can mar your felicity, no curse awe you into servitude; for you are free, in the dominion of the free, to act, and do, and say, what the laws of your mind require to make yourselves and others blest.

“I will now give you an introduction to a mystery, which will reveal a circle of surpassing loveliness, outvieing all which you have heretofore seen. It is the last seal of circles in this sphere. I will ask, Will you follow me?”

“We will all.”

“Then you may rise with me to the court of Beauty.”

The whole circle ascended, and were introduced into a mansion resting on twenty-four pillars, which were polished smooth as glass, and over which stood the most wonderful mansion that my eyes had ever beheld. On entering the mansion, I saw a white throne, and in front thereof were written the words, “Purity, Perfection and Bliss.” Over the throne, was written, “Nature unfolded by revelation.” Under it, the words, “Justice, Liberty, Peace.” On the right was a representation of a little child leading a lion, and a wolf nursing a lamb. On the left was a wounded serpent with a spike driven through his head, and clinched in a rock. Beneath our feet were pillars of wisdom, while over our heads the beauty of sweet minstrels appeared, chanting,