So he desires to know how we folks live?
Queer! the idea humanity hugs to its breast of how different life must of necessity be over here.
Tell him that at present it is New York at its worst, on a day of celebration,—with streets crowded, people pushing in all directions, friends meeting, exchanging greetings and passing on. To us life is the same, with the exception that now time is no longer a factor.
Our emotions are the same—until we learn the wisdom of eliminating all unworthy ones.
Our desires the same—only now they are satisfied almost immediately. We desire to eat and we have food. All is the same, only of finer material, not so dense.
It is as if we were in airships above you—seeing all, comprehending all, and yet unable to make you hear. To the few are given ears attuned to hear and eyes which behold, but humanity as a whole is blind.
If you could by any method make the world realize that to us here each and every THOUGHT affects us more poignantly than all the sentences uttered and that we are uplifted and made joyous by each thought of love sent out, no matter to whom, all hate would vanish from the earth.
Clothing? Just the same as ever, only we are glad to discard the old garments for new ones more beautiful, after we have been here for a while, and when that desire comes, the material is at hand with which to create new garments. Verily, over here thoughts become things quickly.
There are those here who do not aspire for newer or better things, and so they remain in their same condition.
Aspiration is the force here which pushes you on to better and greater achievements.
Houses? Certainly we have them; each one to his liking, for he builds it as he desires, with the aid of others; all lend helping hands over here, and life becomes a proper mixture of work, play and study.
Yes, there are places where hate, envy and all the evils still hold sway, and if those are the things which you enjoy, you dwell in that locality.
Whatever you in your soul desire you receive. Ask and it is given you; seek higher and you find; and it is truly to be said: “As a man thinketh so he receives and is.”
Naturally, people of the world are going to say: “O. H. cannot write from above—if what he says is true, he would be below.” Having spent several years in Hell—on earth—after I arrived in this country I was mighty glad to change my environment when I discovered where I had been dwelling,—and that there was no need of remaining, unless I wished,—so I gave notice to the landlord I was moving at once.
The earth is a pretty poor place when you make a hell out of it, and it might be a heaven if we would only have faith, love and aspire.
The world is on a precipice and New York is tottering on the edge! Will you wake up and save yourselves or will you once more be swept away by the flood?