MY TRAVELS in theSPIRIT WORLD

By

CAROLINE D. LARSEN

I think the book, is valuable.

SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

1927

Rutland, VermontU. S. A.

Introduction

Now, when speculation and research concerning thelife after death are arousing more interest in thepublic mind than at any other time in humanhistory, it seems peculiarly fitting that I shouldpublish my "Travels in the Spirit World. "

So far, every attempt to lift the curtain thatseparates us from the realms of the spirits has beencarried on through a "medium." But in this littlebook, I shall describe scenes of the Spirit Worldwhich I have witnessed with my own eyes, and Ishall relate conversations with spirits in which Ihave actually taken part. I have been enabled to tellyou of these marvelous occurrences by virtue of arare faculty which few possess: the ability to leavethe physical body and to live for the time being inthe astral, the power of being a spirit though therehas been no actual physical death. So, because ofmy additional ability to reason and to reflect on themeaning of all I saw and beard, as

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My Travels In The Spirit World

well as the power to retain it in the memory, I havegarnered the knowledge of the life hereafter which Inow present to the public—a knowledge whichmust be considered as first hand evidence on thesubject; a knowledge obtained, I believe, by the onlyprocess possible to mortals.

This ability to detach oneself from the material andto live in the astral is not a power peculiar to me.There are many records of a similar facility. In mycase, however, disassociation from the material waspurely involuntary. As the reader will discover byreading the opening chapter of the book, I did notseek or foster any such power. It possessed meunawares. Furthermore, I do not claim anysuperiority or supernatural gift because of myunlooked-for power. I regard it merely as a "facility"—an additional power which some persons happento possess. One hears little of revelations by virtueof such a power because those who have it pay noattention to it or suppress it altogether. To myreaders I commend

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My Travels In The Spirit World

the results of my observations of the life hereafter,for I believe that even to those who will not see fitto accept them as credible, they will at least proveto be of more than ephemeral interest. As for myselfI have no doubt what I have seen and experienced isreal, very real. Nothing in all my life has made sucha lasting and vivid impression upon my mind. And Iam positive that no traveler could be more certain ofthe reality of his experiences than I am of the realityof my spirit travels. I do not claim to have seen allof the life of the Spirit World. In fact I have seenonly a very little of it. But I am sure that I have seensomething of each of its multifarious phases. Atleast, my experiences have been so varied that myreaders will be able to obtain a reasonably broadconception of the conditions which will confront uswhen we leave our present sphere.

If my account should be found somewhat disjointed,the cause must be attributed to my refusal toelaborate or pad my material. I am determined torelate only those occurrences

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My Travels In The Spirit World

which I actually experienced in these strangeadventures of mine. This being my only object, I amconvinced that the reader will not be unduly severein criticizing this little volume f or its lack of literaryvalue or for any other of its shortcomings.

C. D. L.

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My Travels in the Spirit WorldMy first experience "out of the body"

In the fall of 1910, while living in Burlington,Vermont, I had, one evening, retired rather early. Inaddition to the usual thoughts running through themind I was much interested in listening to the musicfloating up from downstairs where my husband,who is a violinist, was rehearsing a string quartet fora coming local concert. The musicians were playinga quartet by Beethoven, my favorite composer. Iwas enjoying the music exceedingly, regretting thatmy pleasure was occasionally marred not only bythe playing of the second violinist, a youngFrenchman, who, although a very good amateur, hadthe misfortune of playing out of tune now and then,but also by the too-loud playing of the cellist, alocal merchant. I had been enjoying Beethoven forsome time in spite of the faults of these twoplayers, when suddenly I underwent a very strangeexperience. A feeling of deep oppression andapprehension

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came over me not unlike that which precedes afainting spell. I braced myself against it, but to noavail. The overpowering oppression deepened andsoon numbness crept over me until every musclebecame paralyzed. In this condition I remained forsome time. My mind, however, was still working asclearly as ever. At first I heard the music plainly,but soon the sounds began to slip away from me bydegrees until finally everything became a blank, andI was unconscious to life and the world. How longthis state lasted I do not know. What happenedduring this period I am also unable to relate. Thenext thing I knew was that I, myself, was standingon the floor beside my bed looking down attentivelyat my own physical body lying in it.

I recognized every line in that familiar face, pale andstill as in death, the features drawn, the eyes tightlyclosed and the mouth partly open. The arms andhands rested limp and lifeless beside the body. Igazed at that material form of mine for a fewmoments while

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mingled feelings passed over me. Strangely enough,they were not feelings of great surprise. Iexperienced no shock at finding myself in thispeculiar situation. It was chiefly curiosity thatpossessed my mind. I was perfectly calm andcomposed as I viewed the mortal form I had justpreviously inhabited. I now raised my eyes frommy body, and looked around the room. Everythingappeared to me as natural as ever. There was thelittle table with books and trinkets on it; there werethe bureau, the dresser, the big arm chair, the smallerchairs, the green carpet on the floor, the redwallpaper with its patterns of urns and flowers—those figures which I had often counted over whensleepless. And there was the little partly-shadedelectric lamp which lighted my bedroom, burning asusual. While my eyes observed these familiarobjects the music from downstairs kept floating upto my ears. I glanced once more at my body which,to all appearances, seemed dead. Then I turned andwalked slowly towards the door, passed through

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it and into a hall that led to the bathroom. As Iwalked towards that room past the stairway, I heardthe music coming up with increased force, and Idelighted in the lovely adagio from Beethoven's Op.127 Quartet, a special favorite of mine. As I enteredthe bathroom the strains gradually diminished involume. I now approached a large mirror hangingabove the washbowl. Through force of habit I wentthrough the motions of turning on the electric light,which of course I did not actually turn on. But therewas no need for illumination for from my body andface emanated a strong whitish light that lighted upthe room brilliantly.

Looking into the mirror I became aware for the firsttime of the astonishing transformation I hadundergone. Instead of seeing a middle-aged woman, Ibeheld the figure of a girl about eighteen years ofage. I recognized the form and features of mygirlhood. But I was now infinitely more beautiful.My face appeared as if it were chiseled out of thefinest alabaster

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and it seemed transparent, as did my arms andhands when I raised them to touch my hair. Itseemed as if I could see through them. But theywere not entirely translucent, for in the center of thearms and hands and fingers there was a darker, morecompact substance, as in X-ray photographs. Myeyes, quite strong in the physical body werepiercingly keen now.

They shone with such lustre that the mirrorreflected their penetrating beams. My hair, no longergray, was now, as in my youth, dark brown, and itfell in waves over my shoulders and down my back.And to my delight, I was dressed in the loveliestwhite shining garment imaginable—a sleevelessone—piece dress, cut low at the neck and reachingalmost to the ankles. I looked down at my legs andsaw that they were as beautiful as my arms, neckand face.

I walked forward and backward before the mirrorreveling in my newly-found beauty. When I lookedmyself full in the face I became almost frightened atthe strength and brilliancy

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of my eyes. I raised my hands before my face andclosed and opened the fingers. They seemed so airyand delicate. Yet I felt no lack of strength in themand no change of sensation in moving them. My joyand enthusiasm were unbounded at seeing myself sobeautiful. Eagerly I drank in the glory. It was also anexhilarating sensation to be conscious of the factthat I was out of my physical body and that I livedin the astral.

This realization never once left me. During the timethat I was occupied before the mirror I hadfollowed, more or less carelessly, the music from thequartet. But now I forgot my vanity and listenedattentively. Suddenly I heard the strains ofMendelssohn's Violin Concerto. I knew at once thatthe Frenchman was playing the solo. It was a habithe always indulged while the music was beingchanged on the stands. But, as always, he played itout of tune. As usual I felt disgusted and for themoment forgetting all about myself I mutteredangrily, "Oh! I wish my husband would tell

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that Frenchman to play that Concerto in tune or notto play it at all." Fortunately the quartet now beganto play again and the soothing music of Beethovencalmed me.

Once more I turned to admire myself in the mirror.Not being content to enjoy my beauty alone Iwished that others might see it and share with methe joy. A block away from us lived a Miss B., afriend of mine who had often complimented me onmy taste in dressing and on my general appearance.I conceived the notion that I would go to her andshow myself. "Won't she be astonished!" I askedmyself. "If she complimented me before, what willshe say now?" "But first," I reflected, "I will godown and present myself to my husband and theother men." I thought with amusement of theexpression that would sweep across their astonishedfaces. I did not fancy that had I succeeded in gettingup to Miss B., or down to my husband and theother musicians, none of them would have been ableto see me at

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all, unless perchance some of them possessed theability to see me as "a ghost."

No sooner had I conceived this intention than Iproceeded to carry it out. Turning away from themirror I walked out into the hall. Enjoying inanticipation the success of my plan, I stepped ongaily. I reveled in the feeling of bodily lightness.While in the physical body one has to move the legswith conscious effort, now I moved with thefreedom of thought. It was a delightful sensation.No one could be happier than I when I began thedescent of the stairway. The Beethoven musicsounded lovelier than ever. It increased in force as Iadvanced step by step.

But, alas, my pleasant plan was not to be realizedand my hopes of exciting admiration and wonderwere to be dashed to the ground. Just as I came tothe little platform which divides the stairway intotwo flights, I saw, standing before me, a womanspirit in shining clothes with arms outstretched andwith forefinger pointing upwards. There was a lookof

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strong determination on her face as she spoke to mesternly, "Where are you going? Go back to yourbody!" Whether it was that on this, my firstexperience "out of my body," I was not to bepermitted to enjoy more than this short trail or thatI had broken unwittingly some rule governing suchexperience I knew instinctively—that from thisspirit's command and authority there was no appeal.I must obey. Reluctantly I turned, ascended thestairs walked through the ball into my bedroom andup to my bed. My physical body lay there as stilland lifeless as when I left it. I viewed it with feelingsof loathing and disappointment. I knew that I wouldsoon have to enter it again, no matter how ugly itseemed to me, or however much I shrank from it.The music rising from below also helped to saddenmy spirit in that it reminded me of my failure topresent myself before my husband in my changedform. But no time was left me for reflections. Inanother instant I had again joined with my physical

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form. With a gasp and a start I woke up in it.

Somewhat confused at first, I soon regained myusual composure of mind. And there the strangeexperience I had just passed through stood beforeme in all its vividness. I was now in a position toconfirm through personal knowledge the truth of thepossibility that one can leave the physical body,taste life in the astral and return again to the earthlyform. Now I heard the music once more through mymortal ears. But soon the rehearsal ended. When Irelated to my husband the story of my supernaturalexperience and we compared notes as to what hadoccurred downstairs, that which I had heard withmy astral ears agreed to the smallest detail withwhat he told me had taken place at the rehearsal.This was my first experience "out of the body."

But since then I have often been accorded theprivilege. I have traveled far and wide in space,visited heavenly bodies; visited many

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parts of the Spirit World where I have seen andheard things which I believe have never been givento the world.

In the preceding description of my first experience"out of the body" it will be remembered that I wasconfined to the limits of my home. For someunknown reason a woman spirit prevented me fromleaving the house. But as time went on and theseexperiences continued I was gradually allowed moreand more liberty and soon I wandered rather widelyabout. At first I traveled only through myimmediate neighborhood but as I gained experiencein handling myself in the astral I took moreextensive trips which covered the greater part of theearth. In these trips I gathered a completeknowledge of the spirit existence immediately afterdeath: how they live, how they act and think. Letme say in passing that most spirits, until theygravitate to their proper realm, remain for a time inthe environment where they spent their earthly life.Then

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with the aid of guides I was permitted extensivetravels into the great realms of the spirits where Ilearned about the conditions governing their futureexistence, observed spirit existence in all its diverseforms of life. Finally, most remarkable of all, I wasgranted the unusual privilege of a trip into the veryabyss of space to witness the wonderful spectacleof the universe ablaze with life.

If all of the information concerning life hereafterwhich I gathered on these occasions could becomegenerally accepted, the present dread of so-called"death" would entirely disappear. Our grief anddespair at the loss of our loved ones would changeinto a calm resignation in the face of the convictionthat as the "dead" are more alive than ever, theseparation is but momentary, the reunion is. close athand.

Without further preliminaries I shall begin mynarrative of life after death. I shall divide my storyinto three parts. First, I shall describe the manner oflife here on earth immediately

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after death. Secondly, I shall picture life in the realrealms of the Spirits; and finally, I shall give myobservations of the surging life which fills the entireUniverse.

SPIRIT LIFE ON EARTH

The phrase, "there is no death," used through agesfor the consolation of mourning relatives andfriends, is actually and literally true. For no soonerhas the physical body been stilled in death than outof that mortal form, now of no more avail to him,steps the personality which had so recentlyinhabited it and used it for his manifestations in thislife. He stands now in the full glow of anotherexistence having exchanged his short and limited lifein the prison of earthly clay for life eternal andinfinite in possibility.

A human being may be said to be composed of threedistinct parts. First, the ego, the real I, the actualpersonality, or to employ a better-understood term,the Soul, which resides in an astral body, whichagain is encased

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in the physical body. When death overtakes themortal form the spirit continues life in the newbody. Hence there is no death as far as thatpersonality is concerned. There is onlytransmutation from one form of life to another.Materially-minded as we are, we are apt to think ofthis change as something vague, with no realfoundation to it. We see a graphic instance of thiscommon error in the illustrated papers where thespirit is often depicted as a spiral column of smokeat the top of which appears the picture of astrangely distorted human face. Nothing could befurther from the truth than this misrepresentation.A disembodied spirit appears, feels, thinks and actsjust exactly as I did in my first experience "out ofthe body." The spirit body, which in form andappearance is an exact duplicate of the materialbody, is composed of a substance as fine as that ofthe material body is coarse. Its fine substance isattuned to vibrations whose rapidity our bodilysenses cannot perceive. Moreover, to the spirit, theastral body

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feels just as natural and substantial as did thematerial body when it was inhabited.

When I stood before the mirror in the bathroom andadmired the appearance of my new body, I felt justas real as I felt when I was inside that mortal formthat was lying on the bed in the other room. As Iclenched and unclenched my hand, as I turnedaround, as I walked through the hall, I felt powerand vitality surging through every part of the body.There were no new, terrifying sensations. The onlyperceptible change was a strange, rather delightfullightness and buoyancy.

Not only are all of the sensations of the formerbody—sight, sound, touch, taste and smell—present in the new body, but they have becomegreatly intensified. The spirit sees everything in thematerial life as well as everything in the spirit life,but in the spirit life there are not the limitations ofvision characteristic of the material life. As with thespirit eyes, so with the spirit ear. It can detectsounds that would completely elude the materialear.

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In like manner the other senses are growing keener.

To my astral ears the sounds of music fromdownstairs took on a new beauty. I had never beforeknown such clarity and delicacy. Moreover with myastral eyes, I perceived my surroundings withclearness and vividness previously unknown.Furthermore I could stand up in the bathroom andsee clearly my husband and the other three mendownstairs through all the intervening materialbarriers.

But though the senses by an increased susceptibilityreact to the change from material to astral, the mindundergoes no transmutation whatsoever except totake on the added facility of being capable of readingothers' thoughts. One wakes in the astral as one leftthe material. So far as my state of mind wasconcerned I was merely continuing earthly existence.So with all spirits. Many of them, because of thiscondition of mind together with the natural feelingof their astral body, are deluded into believing thatthey still live in the

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material and they endeavor to carry on life as theyhad always done. Nor does memory suffer in thepassing over. In the astral, I could remember everydetail of my past material life. I was perfectly awareof my own identity. I knew exactly what hadtranspired up to the time when I assumed the astral.Such is the case with spirits. This fact was oftendemonstrated to me by conversations with spiritswhom I had known in earth life. They, too, wereable to recall even certain trivial details of their pastexistence with which we were both familiar.

In the Spirit World there is no age. The astral bodycannot grow old, hence there is no senility. When aspirit arrives in the astral world, he assumes theappearance characteristic of the full bloom of hismanhood Children entering the spirit life grow in theastral body until they reach maturity.

As the astral body is an exact copy of the physical,so men and women remain men and women in theSpirit World. All their characteristics

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and peculiar masculine and feminine qualities remainunchanged. Spirits, like humans, wear garments:that is an unalterable regulation in the Spirit World;no spirit can ever appear without covering. Theappearance of clothes is effected in the followingmanner: From every spirit emanates a strong aura, apseudo-phosphoric light. This aura is completelycontrolled by the mind. Out of this substance ismoulded the vesture of the body. At first, right afterdeath, the moulding in most cases is an unconsciousact. For no sooner is a spirit separated from thephysical body than it is in some manner dressed,even though the garment be only a sort of a shroud.But as the mind gains control of itself, the act ofdressing becomes a conscious act and the fashion ofthe wearing apparel is largely governed by theindividual's taste. Hence, just after death, when themind is still completely dominated by earthly idealsand habits, the spirits generally effect the fashionsof the clothes which were worn previous to passing

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over. So the first thing to catch my eye in my firstwandering in the astral was the strange spectacle ofspirits who appeared as mortals in earthly raimentwalking everywhere.

In the Spirit World, the color of the aura defines thequality of the spirit. All darker colors denote a lowstate of development. As the spirit progressesupward the colors of the aura become continuallybrighter. These aura colors of course determine alsothe color of the spirit garment. Hence the character,quality, and development of the spirit is denoted bythe color of the garment.

Some of the departed spirits are at once fully awarethat they are able to reflect on their condition just asI was able to reflect on mine. Other spirits suspectdimly that something strange has overtaken thembut they refuse absolutely to accept the realizationand in order to shut it more completely out of theirminds they deliberately continue their familiaractivity of the world. Thus with their minds ill-attuned to their conditions they seem unable to

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reason clearly about their state until by slow degreesthey are adjusted to it. The majority of spiritshowever are in so confused a state of mind that theydo not suspect at all the great change they haveundergone. No sooner are they out of their earthlyform than they proceed at once to live their lifealong the old familiar lines. The business manimmediately starts for his office to direct affairs,wondering constantly at the delay in the executionof his orders. The traveler laden with baggage, as hethinks, looks for the train which shall carry him onhis usual route. The judge places himself on thebench ready to listen to the pleas. But somehowmatters do not concur to his satisfaction. Thelawyer hunts for his client, but either he is unable tofind him or else he makes no connection with theproper court room. The professor eagerly lectureshis class and wonders angrily why the class doesnot pay him the customary attention. The hostessanxiously attempts to gather her guests together forthe party she had planned, but success does not

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crown her efforts. The mechanic and the worker trotcheerfully to their places of work, but nothingseems to go right. Here some spirits will enter theiraccustomed stores to purchase something only tolose sight of the clerk or to discover that they haveforgotten the money wherewith to effect thepurchase. Others wilt enter the old familiarrestaurant, sit down at a table and give the waiterthe order for their favorite dishes. But they find thewaiter so disrespectful that be either ignores themcompletely or fails to bring the desired food.Disgusted with such service they leave the place totry elsewhere. But a similar result greets everyeffort. So they all continue in their diversecustomary activities of earthly life only to findconstantly some inexplicable barriers existingbetween them and their desires. They live as in thatdream in which one attempts accustomed actionsonly to find oneself bewilderingly baffled in everyfutile attempt. They are filled with surprise thatrelatives and friends ignore them, and that theirusual aims fail

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completely. Yet no one attempts to disillusionthem. First of all, it is not permitted to do that asthe sudden shock of such information volunteered toan ignorant spirit would have disastrous results.Furthermore most spirits would not listen to suchtalk; they would stoutly and angrily deny that therewas anything unusual the matter with them.Therefore at first there is no questioning andeveryone must there, as here, dispel his ownillusions and slowly formulate his own ideas. Forthe mind suffers no change in death.

Everywhere in my journeys I found these newcitizens of Spirit Land thronging the streets of cities,passing in and out of houses, traveling on trains andvoyaging on steamers. In fact, wherever mortalshabitate there are to be found also denizens of theSpirit World. So in reality, there are as many spiritsinhabiting this earth as there are mortals. It was astrange sight to me, able as I was to reflect on thestrangeness of the situation, to look down a busystreet and to see spirits and mortals intermingling

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with one another. Occasionally I would follow intothe houses spirits I had known in the flesh. Theywould lie down on the bed they had always used,recline on the couch which had so often been acomfort to them, take the usual seat in the easychair and occupy the old familiar place at the familytable. But there was always a troubled expressionon their faces because none of those whom they hadloved seemed to recognize them. Restless, theywould rise, and wander aimlessly out among thecrowd in search of something or somebody thatcould be of some assistance to clear up the mystery.I often talked with such spirits as well as with thosewho understood the truth of the situation. In almostevery instance however they spoke first and thenapproached me. I shall relate some of these incidentsand conversations as they are both interesting and ahelp in understanding the condition of the spiritmind.

At one time a Mrs. C., a pleasant acquaintance ofearth life, approached me. She was

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conscious of having passed over. With a gentle smileshe said, "I saw your kind feelings for me andrealized how you mourned for me when I died, and Ithank you so much for the beautiful roses you sentme (meaning to her funeral). If I had known and seenwhat I do now, things would have been different."She referred to some misunderstanding between usthat had been caused by the jealous talk of some ofher relatives. Having said this to me she went on herway. I did not reply but felt very pleased. She was abeautiful spirit. Her aura was bright and her dresswhite. This denoted spiritual development.

Another friend, Miss M., was present in her ownhome when her funeral was going on. I hadwandered there out of curiosity. Her mind was veryconfused and she seemed dazed. She did not realizethat she had passed out. Hence she did notcomprehend that it was her own body that had beenlaid out in the coffin. She evidently knew that herparents were grieving sadly because of her. She triedfrantically to

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make them understand that she was right there andthat everything was well. Very much puzzled thather parents so completely ignored her, she walkedup to me and in a very excited manner inquired,"What is all this fuss about? I am here! I am here!" Icould not utter a word to set her right about hercondition as it is impossible to volunteer suchinformation to a spirit which has just passed over.Such knowledge must come to them through theirown efforts by slow degrees. Finding she could getno assistance from me, my friend turned abruptlyand left the house in great distress.

One man I met made a good impression on me. Hehad been my lawyer in Denmark for many years. Hewas a man of splendid qualities and sterlingcharacter. In addition to being my lawyer he wasalso a man whom I was proud to call a friend. AfterI came to America he had faithfully taken care of myaffairs in the old country. But suddenly his lettersstopped. Although I had never been informed of hisdecease I felt certain he must have died, for I

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knew that otherwise he would never have failed me.To my great delight, in one of my wanderings, thisfriend, Rosengaard by name, came right up in frontof me. With eyes smiling in sincere friendship helooked steadily at me for a while. It did not take melong to recognize him although when I last saw himon earth he was a man of sixty years and now hewas as he had been in the full bloom of hismanhood. "Do you remember" he spoke up, "thatwhen you left Denmark I promised you thatwhatever happened and wherever you were I shouldalways stand by you faithfully?—I kept thatpromise," he continued, "until I could do so nolonger. For when your last letter came I had alreadypassed over. That was the reason why you neverreceived any answer." I knew before he had finishedthat he had spoken the truth and had actedhonorably with me in every way, as a true friendshould. With the same kind smile still playing on hisface he turned and left me as soon as he haddelivered his message. In much joy over having metmy good

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friend under such conditions I stood for a momentwatching him disappear. He seemed to be in fairlygood condition spiritually as his aura was quitebright. But since he had not been over there verylong, he still adorned himself in the fashion he hadalways followed, namely: a cutaway with thecustomary striped trousers. Our meeting provedthat true friendship exists and lasts beyond thegrave.

One woman spirit whom I came across, a Mrs. B.,was still ignorant of the fact that she had left earthlife. Her mind was full of anger and bitternessbecause she had found that her husband's professedlove through a long married life had been false."Now," she said, "he lives with a woman who.squanders all I helped him to save." I was notinterested in hearing more and I quickly departedfrom her.

I had a rather amusing experience with a man spiritwho in earth life had been very prominent insociety, business, literature and art. This Mr. H. Ihad grown to know very well, because of mutualinterests which he and

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my husband possessed. Both of us had been onvery friendly terms with him, as well as with hisfamily. Although I had always highly respected thisman, I had nursed a certain antipathy for him. Thisfeeling made itself felt again in spirit life. Just as Iwas crossing an open field I became aware thatsomeone was treading closely upon my heels.Turning around whom should I see but my oldfriend Mr. H. eagerly watching and following me!Although he had been a very old man when he died,he now appeared young. But I had no difficulty inrecognizing him. Strangely enough he still wore hiscustomary gray sack suit. As soon as I hadrecognized him I quickly and with determinationturned my head, quickened my steps and walkedstraight ahead. However, this snub of mine did notseem to deter him because he kept following me. Soit went on for quite a while. Finally I crossed overinto a garden where I sat down on a bench, thinkingthat my unwelcome companion must now be quiteashamed of himself, and that he

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would leave me. But I was mistaken. He walkedright to the bench and took a seat on the other end.Bending forward, and with eyes twinkling, helooked me full in the face, evidently intent onmaking me regret my coolness and probably hopingthat I would condescend to speak to him. But thisappealing action of his did not soften my mood. Isat cold and indifferent as a statue. At last he beganto speak: "We were well acquainted and friendly inearth life; why can't we continue amicably here?"But without deigning to reply, I rose up haughtilyand walked away with grave dignity. For a while myfriend followed me but soon I discovered that he haddisappeared.

I met and recognized a woman spirit who on earthhad been a Royal Queen of modern times. She hadenjoyed much power and wide popularity in earthlife. Her present life contrasted drably with herformer existence. Although her aura was of a fairlybright hue she had adorned herself in the simplestpossible way with a kind of shroud which coveredher

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head and body. How different from her royalsplendor on earth! She walked around in seeminglystunned bewilderment, ignorant of having passedover. Her power was gone and no attention waspaid to her. She simply could not understand herpresent predicament. Her state of mind seemed soconfused and dazed that thinking was impossible.She did not notice me. I simply watched her for awhile out of curiosity.

In strong contrast to the appearance and conditionof this royal personage was the bearing of anotherQueen who on earth had been greatly beloved forthe kindness and generous deeds which had filled herlong life. I met her in that palace where she hadalways lived. She had stayed there until nowbecause, as I understand it, she had evidently notyet completely disassociated herself from her pastlife of well-doing. She confided to me, "There issome little work yet I would have liked to have doneand I am sorry I did not get it finished." It wasdelightful to be near such a lovely spirit. Her

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aura was very bright and she was clad in a purewhite dress of beautiful design. I had the feeling thatthis noble spirit would not stay much longer therebut that she would gravitate to the spirit regionswhere she would fit in better and where she wouldbe given opportunity to continue her noble work,thus furthering the development so well started inearth life.

I received a different impression from theappearance of her husband, the former king, whocame into the palace while I was with her. His aurawas not bright. Indeed it tended to be dark. He wasdressed in a frock coat with striped trousers. He didnot seem to realize fully the conditions under whichhe lived. He carried himself with royal dignity andseemed rather surprised to see me with his queen.The one thing that he instinctively realized wasevidently the benefit which he might derive fromassociation with the lovely spirit that was once hisqueen. But in a kind yet firm, manner she refusedhim the privilege of staying near her. Withseemingly wounded dignity, he went from

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us with heavy steps and soon I left the presence ofthe former queen.

A terrible state of mind was evidenced by the spiritof a young boy who on passing sneered at me. "Iwill split your head open and let out your brains,"he said casting a frightful, malicious look upon me.This boy had just passed over in the midst of awfulcrimes. He still believed himself in the flesh andevidently wished to continue his devilish pleasures.His color was very dark. Fortunately the lawsgoverning spirit life restrain one spirit frompromiscuous interference with another spirit. Ifsuch were not the case this boy would have carriedon his fiendish crimes in the Spirit World as well ason earth.

The following incident was extremely interesting tome because I actually witnessed the personalitypass in and out of the physical body in questionseveral times and finally leave it. Mr. G. was wellknown to both my husband and myself, although itcould not be said that we were on friendly termswith him.

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He was a man who indulged liberally in liquor, afailing which mastered him time and again. Throughsome special trouble not necessary to state here helost his head completely and started a career ofdrink and dope to which he finally succumbed. Onthe night he died, I happened to be out in my spiritbody. Passing his home I went in. In the bed layMr. G. in terrible convulsions caused by anoverdose of dope and liquor. Beside his bed stoodtwo men who, I knew, were also trying to dosomething for him. (This was later verified throughthe effort of my husband.) Suddenly I saw Mr. G.rise up in his astral body and step out entirely fromhis physical counterpart. At once he started an eagerand thorough search all around the bed for a half-filled bottle of whiskey and a small bottle ofnarcotics which he had secreted. He found them andendeavored to lift them to his mouth. Failing in this,an expression of chagrin spread over his face. Thenhe went up to his body and swiftly he connectedwith it once more. In a short while he again

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stepped out of his mortal form only to go throughthe same performance. This he did several times andit was strange to observe that every time he left hisbody it became still in death and that as soon as heconnected with it, it writhed in fearful convulsions.Finally he came out for the last time and just as hestarted to look for the bottles again he suddenlycaught sight of me. Straightening up he looked mefull in the eyes with an expression of stupefiedsurprise. Then turning away, he staggered out of thehouse completely confused in his mind and ignorantof the fact that he had left behind his physical formwhich he was never to inhabit again. It wassignificant that each time that he stepped out of hisbody his aura instantly covered him with a dresssimilar to a sack suit he always wore. But it was ofbrown color, denoting the lack of any spiritualdevelopment.

Mr. R., a young spirit who on earth had been a well-known actor, seemed perfectly happy and blissfullyignorant of having passed

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over. He was dressed in a fashionable greyish sacksuit with the same fastidious care which.characterized his costume in earth life. As he cametowards me he began an elegantly exuberant tango,waving what appeared to be a beautiful flower in hishand. This he had evidently picked as he thoughtfrom his own estate. As he danced past me helooked me full in the face and lavished upon me amost delightful smile. Turning I watched himdisappear in the distance in great haste. Wonderingto what destination he was heading at that speed, Idecided out of curiosity to follow him. Presently wewere in New York City and straight forward hewent to a well-known night cafe which he hadfrequented when in the flesh. Entering, be placedhimself at a table, crossed his legs and nonchalantlybegan a survey of the guests present while at thesame time he endeavored to attract the attention ofone of the waiters. There were present a good manymortal guests and quite a few spirits, some of themseated at tables. A couple of them were standingbehind

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the chairs of some mortals resting their elbows ontheir shoulders. And one woman spirit had perchedherself on top of the piano. I had taken a seat in acorner where I could better observe Mr. R., whokept turning his head, eyeing everybody, and stillwaiting to be served. Having satisfied my curiosity Inow rose to depart when suddenly Mr. R. caughtsight of me. Evidently my looks must have pleasedhim, for with a smiling face he came rushing over tome and in a boyish enthusiasm he quickly enfoldedme in his arms. Just as indignant at such animpertinence as I would have been in the flesh I toremyself free and hastily left the place.

Highly significant was the following encounter witha spirit who found life in the spirit world entirelydifferent from what she had expected. I had beenwell acquainted with Miss W. I had liked her verymuch and felt much grieved at hearing of her death.On one of my astral journeys some time after herdecease I was drawn by a strange power towardsthe

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house where she had lived. I entered it, passed upthe stairway and went into the room that had beenher bedroom. There reclining on a couch I found myformer friend. She gave me a recognizing glance butotherwise she evidenced no sign of animation. It didnot take me long to discover that she was in afearfully depressed and dejected mood. Filled withmuch sympathy for her, I advanced to her side andplacing my arm around her shoulder I inquiredconcerning the cause of her troubles. At this shebroke down entirely. Dropping her head on myshoulder she gave herself up to bitter grief. After awhile she slowly gained control of herself and in ahalting manner she began to relate to me that she hadjust come to the realization that she had passed outof earth life. With this came the shocking discoverythat life in Spirit World was not at all what she hadexpected or what she believed it would be.Furthermore through knowledge already gained byexperience and from information volunteered bymore developed spirits from

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whom she had inquired she found herself ill-prepared to tackle the problem of that life. Shediscovered that she was almost totally lacking in thedevelopment of those very qualities needed foradvancement. She found herself all alone, facing alife of stern realities where everyone carries outsideoneself, in full view, the evidence of his or herspiritual qualities and exact state of development inthe color emanated. To add to her distress, she nowcould see that all her friends of earth life had beenfalse. Not a kind thought from them had followedher and in her bitterness she blamed them to anextent for her sad predicament. "I hate them all!" sheexclaimed, for she had a great many friends and hadbeen very popular. "With their false and lyingflattery they helped to mislead me." Not knowingjust what to do to be of help to her I exclaimedimpulsively, "Well! W., don't you know how muchyour mother loves you and how much she grievesfor you?" "Yes," she replied wearily, "she is not tobe blamed for this. But—what of all the

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others?" And then she relapsed into her formersilence and gloom. With no further response fromher I kept on talking, advising her as best I could. Itold her that by setting herself right and by studyand by hard work she could develop herself andthus she would eventually succeed and be happy.However, my advice did not seem to be of any avail.But my friend seemed to be benefited by thesympathy I had shown—a sympathy she knew tobe genuine. Rising from the couch she placed herhead on my shoulder and I threw my arm around herwaist as if to support her. In this manner we slowlydescended the stairway, left the house and soon weparted, she seemingly as despondent as when I firstfound her.

The length of time which some spirits spend onearth was effectively demonstrated to me by thefollowing rather humorous episode: I was visiting inNew York City, and one night just as I was on thepoint of going to sleep I became conscious of astrange sensation. It seemed as if some one wasfingering my hair

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or, rather, as if an electric apparatus giving off aslight current was being moved all over my scalp. Iquickly fell into the condition usual to me when Iwas about to leave my physical body andimmediately I stood on the floor beside it. To mygreat surprise I saw the whole room filled withIndian spirits, all dressed in their customary garb oftwo or three hundred years ago. They had beenattempting to scalp me, according to their usualcustom. Now in the astral, on the same footing withthem, I took advantage of my superiority over themspiritually to order them to leave the room asquickly as possible. They obeyed instantly. In ahelter-skelter fashion they tumbled out of the roomand building gesticulating vigorously while theyangrily swore and cursed at the White Man. Theytalked so rapidly in their own dialects that theysounded like a whole army of geese frightened bysome strange occurrence. Although they spoke intheir own language I understood perfectly what theysaid because as soon as one is in the astral one be

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comes a linguist. One understands perfectly anylanguage spoken on earth. Curious to know whereall those Indians would go I followed them. Theway led down town and into the centre of what isnow called "the roaring forties." There, into thebasement of one of the theatres, they all went. Istepped into the place. It was packed with thesespirits squatting or lying on the floor or standing up,all excitedly taking part in what I assumed to be awar council. On the walls of the basement of thistheatre, in the men's smoking room, are depictedscenes of Indians and early settlers of Manhattan,conferring and dealing with each other. I learned laterthat the site of the theatre I have mentioned markedthe spot where an early Indian tribe had pitchedtheir camp. These Indian spirits had haunted theearth now for almost three hundred years and theybelieved even yet that they were still in earth lifeand that they were ill-used by the White Man. Thatis what I understood from their conversation. Theywere angry because the pale-face had taken

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every bit of Manhattan away from. them. Frantic intheir wrath, they started out regularly to scalpsomebody. So if the patrons of this theatre shouldat any time, providing they are "touchy," feel aqueer sensation in their hair, they will know thereason.

Now let me tell you of one of the strangest incidentsin all my astral wanderings on earth. One of therecent Presidents had died. The whole country hadtaken a special interest in all the news pertaining tohis death and funeral. This aroused in me a strongdesire to know how he might feel in the spirit body.So upon the first occasion when I left my physicalbody, I headed straight for the White House. Insteadof immediately finding the spirit of the recentlydeceased President, as I had expected, to mysurprise I came across the spirit of a President whohad departed this life more than a hundred yearsago. He had been one of the first Executives of thiscountry. He appeared to be a stately, aristocratic-looking personage, fastidiously dressed in the heightof the fashion

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of his time with knee breeches, silk stockings andbuckled shoes. His elaborately embroideredwaistcoat was half concealed by a delicate lace ruchewhich fell from the collar of his coat. He was seatedin a huge chair, cross-legged, conversing with hiswife who sat in front of him. She was also garbed ina highly fashionable attire. A long wide skirt fellfrom a wasp-like waist and tight-fitting bodice. Herhair was done high on her head. Her everymovement was marked with the exquisite grace andrefinement of the aristocrat. As I passed through theroom the old President looked at me with coldhauteur, a glance of mingled annoyance and ofcuriosity, as if he resented my intrusion andquestioned my purpose. But my presence wasspeedily ignored by the old President and his wife,as still another spirit entered the room—that of therecently deceased President. He seemed in a perfectdaze. I could judge from his stupor that he wasabsolutely unaware of what had actually happenedto him. He seemed unable to reason or to thinkclearly. He

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evidently tried, with great effort, to collect histhoughts that he might comprehend his predicament.He could not understand why strange visitors werepresent without his invitation. But the tensesituation did not last long, for the old President nowrose slowly to his feet. Advancing a few steps, andassuming an authoritative air he placed himselfdirectly in front of the newly arrived President.Without any display of ceremony he addressed him:"Well, I am not going so far as to order you out ofhere; you may stay until you find yourself, but afterthat you must depart." However, this abruptgreeting of the old President did not seem to rufflethe newly arrived spirit, probably because heseemed unable to understand clearly what was goingon about him. After this spirit had left theapartment, the old President condescendinglyconfided: "I do not like this spirit and I have neverliked the way in which he ran the Country." Thenhe turned and left the room. Sizing up the situationquickly, I realized that this spirit couple had beenbound to

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the White House all these years and had preventedthemselves from advancing simply because theirminds had been and were still securely linked to thatenvironment where they in the flesh had enjoyed somuch power and glory. They were jealouslyregarding everything which had been and was evenyet happening in that famous place. Until theydevelop a more idealistic conception of existence,.they will remain in their old limited environment.Yet they were guilty of no great or malicious wrong;they were earthbound simply because of their lowideals.

I might recount many more such conversationswhich I had with newly arrived spirits. But I thinkthat I have presented sufficient material to give thereader a clear idea of the state of mind, of the ideals,and of the conduct of those spirits who are in thefirst stage of their new life.

As the reader has already seen, the time spent bythe spirits on earth before they gravitate to thesphere of spirit life varies greatly.

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Before taking final leave of the earth they all hoverabout their old environment. For those generouslyendowed with highly developed spiritual qualities,the period of transition to large attainments is short.Others less developed are chained more firmly tothe interests of their old life. But the majority ofspirits remain earthbound for protracted periodsbecause they are unaware that any change has takenplace. Some faintly suspect an alteration but theyrefuse to acknowledge it because of their love for allthat which savors of the past. There are many, also,who return from the spirit abodes to spend moretime on the earth because they have made noprogress there. To the earth return also numerousevil spirits who find there larger fields for theirinsidious practices. These spirits of evil becomemore or less permanent residents. Counteracting themalefactions of these zealous evil spirits there is agreat army of highly developed spirits whoconstantly pass and repass between the spirit realmand the earth on errands of

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mercy. These spirits constitute the army of thegood. The good and the evil spirits are continually atwar, and each struggles for domination over thehuman race. Thus the spirit population of the earthis greater than the mortal population, and its life isas cosmopolitan and multifarious.

The places where the spirits journey after leavingthe earth are great spheres or planes arranged in adescending order of development. Each of theseplanes is an independent world of enormousdimensions. I do not know how many such worldsactually exist for I have never penetrated fartherthan the fourth.

To the first of these planes all spirits eventuallygravitate. As far as I can perceive, this plane issituated in close proximity to our solar system. Inmy travels to these spheres and in space it wasnecessary for me to be accompanied by a guide. Assoon as I passed from my physical body ready togo on these journeys a guide, always the sameindividual, was by my side.

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What interest this spirit guide may take in me orwhat laws govern his guidance, I do not know. Buthe is always at my right hand; he directs my way;and from him comes my knowledge of the realms wevisit. He carefully fixes the time for my return tomy body, lest an absence too prolonged shouldmake return impossible, and lest death of the bodyshould ensue. It is as if a current of mysteriousinfluence united astral and physical body, a currentwhich gradually weakens as the period of absencefrom the physical body is prolonged. My guide is afigure of much stateliness, tall and well-proportioned. He is dressed somewhat in thefashion of the old Roman nobles, in a tunic reachingto the feet. He is distinguished by an air of greatauthority, recognized whereever he goes. He callsme Carollo for Caroline.

THE FIRST SPIRIT PLANE

My First visit was not to the plane where spiritsarrive immediately on leaving earth, but to levels ofhigher life and development.

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What I saw there led me to ask to see the first plane,and it seems best to describe that first plane before Ipicture the glories of the third and fourth plane,which as I have told you, I actually saw first.

The first plane is the place of those just releasedfrom our life, where they may learn the way tohigher levels, and it is also the place of earthboundsouls, some of whom seemed never destined to gofarther. It was when I was about to leave the fourthplane, that I asked to be taken to the first plane. Allthat I had seen overwhelmed me—the life of thespirits, the wonderful beauty of their surroundings,the love that governs their relations, their dignity,grace and serenity. The cry of delight that rose tomy lips was stifled by a sudden thought of pity forthose who knew not these glories. "Where," I asked,"are those spirits who may not enter here? Wheredwell the evil spirits? And where do spirits firstarrive?"

My guide answered, "You shall see." In a momentwe were speeding through space,

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through endless voids of darkness. The phrase "Agreat gulf is fixed" passed through my mind. But noword was spoken. At last light appeared in thedistance, and soon we set foot in a world, dark anddull compared with the sphere I had just left, butnot unlike this world in which we live, with its opencountry, its cities with streets and buildings, and itslife moving in familiar paths. This similarity, Ilearned, was due to the fact that many of the newlyarrived spirits are still ignorant of their mortalchange, and strive to continue their wontedactivities, until they are disillusioned by the failureof their hollow pursuits. Everything at firstconspires there to confirm this mistake. Even thelight, though brighter than on earth, is not so brightas to dispel the illusion.

I found myself in a city of gigantic size, its streetsrunning between continuous buildings in seeminglyendless lines, save where they led on to great opensquares. The traffic was denser than in any earthlycity. Throngs

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of spirits hurried past in every direction. Multitudesand more multitudes of them pushed by the spotwhere I had stationed myself. They were, I learned,newcomers. They seemed to me confused,disturbed, endlessly seeking. On their faces I readbewilderment, agitation, and vague desire as if theywere set upon reaching an uncertain goal. Most ofthem, still unaware they had left this earth, wereseeking to discover why they were suddenlysurrounded with strangers in a city like any earthlycity, yet somewhat more than strange. Puzzledsurprise, wonder, distress, incredulity, and adawning apprehension, peered from these passingfaces. A few who understood or suspected theirstate sought only confirmation and to reach theirdestination, as yet unknown. All were dressed as onearth, for the aura from the astral body, shaped bythe spirit mind, clothes the spirits with the familiarvesture of earth, and these newcomers were stillcompletely governed by the ideals of their formerlife. So the multitudes of beings, dressed as on earth,moved

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by the purpose of earth, pressed through the streetslined with houses of all kinds and for all purposes asin an earthly city. The action of the surging throngseemed earthly too. The many newly arrived spiritsevidence their desire to pursue their life as they hadpursued it in the past. Most of the spirits come tothe realization that they are no longer on the earthonly by continued disappointments, whichgradually destroy the values they have beenaccustomed to place on earthly things. Thus thisplane seems as a kind of clearinghouse for the newlyarrived. Those most highly developed spiritually onearth pass almost directly to higher spheres; othersless developed but anxious to advance prepare foradvancement by intense training under the guidanceof spirits from higher levels who have voluntarilychosen the task of helpers. Finally there linger here,perhaps permanently, the earthbound souls—thosewhose minds are open only to desires and influencesof earth, having no wish for spiritual development;those also who

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deserve the characterization of the Lady in Comus:"Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinced!" Thedifferent classes of spirits on this plane live inseparate places, and the spirit helpers see that noclass mingles with and hampers any other class.

These helping spirits are to be seen everywhere andare easily recognized, for their aura envelops them ina ball of white light which indicates their highspiritual state. They are commanding, yetsympathetic figures, whose faces reveal theirspiritual qualities. All are clad in long white robesreaching to the feet. The men usually wear a form oftunic, and the women a simple but very femininedress with a head covering which flows down theback to the bottom. The duties of these helpers aremanifold. They are always ready to help, whether itbe in the way of instruction, or of giving strength,encouragement or sympathy, or by performing anyof the deeds that spring from the pure spiritual lovewhich fills their minds. No cry for help or assistancegoes unheeded

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by them, but neither is their help or work forcedupon any one. In that world as here everyone is leftfree to carve out his own destiny. Before assistancecan be given, the seeker must possess a sinceredesire for improvement in terms familiar to us onearth. Self-mastery, truth, justice and principallypure spiritual love—those are the qualities ofcharacter on which rests the life of the higherspheres. Gain in these qualities here is gain there.Mere intellect, culture, and knowledge are there ofno value except to give those higher virtues force,and to advance them to a greater effectiveness whichripens into the fruit of high responsibility, service,and authority. To this end new spirits must directtheir efforts and prepare themselves for the progressthey desire into the sublime life of higher spiritworlds, ere they are directed and assisted on theirway.

A large proportion of the spirits dwelling on thefirst plane are those who are struggling by hard andsincere effort to raise themselves to a higher level, tomaster the ideas that prevail

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in more advanced spiritual states, and to conform tonewly-formed ideals. But there are also many whohave no desire so to improve and indeed nocomprehension of what improvement means. Onearth these spirits had no vision of spiritual thingsand they were wholly absorbed in materialpleasures, worldly success or base desires. Thoseaspects of life which were at best of only passingvalue had absorbed their efforts. With the eyes ofthe soul still blind, they now try only to live againtheir earthly interests and joys. And those whosedesires were evil strive to attract others, both spiritsand those still in our world, to their own falsestandards. With them life does not advance, butonly futilely repeats itself. Among these earth-bound souls are the suicides. These, by nature oftheir crime, must have been those for whom hardconditions of existence on earth swallowed up allelse till black despair cut off every ray of spirituallight. They bring hither the same state of mind, and,deaf and blind to higher consolation, they struggleback to earth

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to undergo again the horror of self-murder at thevery spot where the extremity of despair formerlyovertook them. The same retribution overtakesthose who have committed murder or other crimesof atrocious violence. For the earth-bound soulsbring with them their world as they have made it.

Such is the permanent population of this realm.Anxious to see for myself the details of life in thissphere, I sought the dwelling places of the earth-bound souls. The contrast between their existenceand that of the progressive spirits was startling. Inthe faces of the earthbound spirits is expressed alltheir evil passions and desires, all their low orearthly aims. Their aura is very dark in color,contrasting strongly with that of progressing spirits,amongst whom light colors prevail—white, cream,pink, pale blue and many others. For as the spiritbecomes brighter, the aura expresses the change byits increasing brightness. But among the earth-boundspirits one sees only dark auras and dark clothing,and always of the fashion

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worn on earth, just as their faces carry still the plainstamp of earthly lusts and weaknesses. The darkcloud that rests on their faces seems heavily chargedwith the despair and malice of their evil deeds. Ientered a house and found that room led on to roomin a straight and seemingly endless line. Every roomwas the home of a spirit when not seeking the oldhaunts on earth. Many of the dwellers were strangeand terrible. In one room sat the squat and ugly formof a woman who on earth had kept a house of illfame. She had been the ruin of the body and soul ofmany an unfortunate girl. Now, though in the SpiritWorld, her one horrible desire was to continue herformer infamous career. She could still influenceyoung girls to go astray and lead them to a gutterlife, or she could take possession of them andcompel them to ruin. As I passed she appeared tobe sitting before a mirror painting her face. She waswearing the style and form of dress and finery of herprofession on earth, and her face was dark withvulgar malice. She gave me a vicious

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look, as if to say, "Who are you and what do youwant here?" Then she turned insolently away tocontinue painting her face. I shuddered as I hurriedfrom her presence to another room, where I foundtenants of many types, pathetic, or repulsive, orhorrible.

In one room a lady was pacing the floor with slowdeliberation. Her stately figure, her aristocratic andrefined manner caught and held my attention. Shewas dressed as a fashionable lady of the middle oflast century, and was tall. Her face bore evidence ofhaving been very beautiful on earth. Her personalityaroused in me a sympathy so strong and immediatethat I exclaimed, "Why is she here?" "You may askher," said my guide. Approaching her, I asked,"Why are you here?" With a graceful gesture shereplied with regret, yet with apparent resignation,"How could I leave these?" I looked down at thepoint she designated and saw with surprise awonderful collection of sparkling jewels on whichshe fixed her eyes. I understood: the jewels whichshe

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had owned on earth still possessed her soul. Theyheld her now as then, and linked her to earth with achain that only she could break. Hence her residenceamong the earth-bound souls. I looked at hersympathetically and went on my way. Such spiritscan look forward only to an existence ofdespondency or misery. They have made their ownconditions, and only a realization of theworthlessness of their ideals, and a sincere desire tofree themselves from them can release them to abrighter existence. Too often among the earth-boundsouls no such desire exists, for many are whollydominated by the desire of evil.

I came across many such. One of them particularlyattracted my attention because he was such anunusually horrible specimen of this type of spirits.Evil seemed to have actually deformed him. His facewas ill-proportioned—far too wide for its height.There was hardly anything one could call a nose,and the mouth stretched from ear to ear. The ears,abnormally large, hung below the chin. Beneath

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an extremely flat forehead nearer the temples thanthe nose, was set a large pair of eyes that shonewith a diabolical malice which froze the very spiritwithin me. His face expressed only evil, low lustand ruthless hatred. I clung to my guide forprotection. The arms of this misshapen spiritdangled loosely from the grotesque frame. Hisfingers, gnarled and rough, resembled the claws of aneagle. The color of this spirit was dark brown, themost undesirable color in the Spirit World, for itindicates the lowest state of existence. His robe ofthe same color was caught at the wrist in such amanner that, when he lifted his arms, he resembled ahuge flying bat. My guide explained to me that sucha spirit spent most of his time on the earth,endeavoring to win over mortals to a life of sin andevil such as he had himself indulged in.

Such are the army of evil spirits whose only work isto sway mortals to low desires or to possess theirminds for purposes of malefactions. They are thearmy of wrong, in whom

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love of good has atrophied until they recoil from thehigh things of the spirit as from an element deadlyto their nature. Change from this state is bardindeed, but not impossible, for there, as here,everyone is left to carve out his own destiny. Inhimself repose the seeds of change. He alone canmake them grow. But the farther such a soul hasdeparted from good, the harder it is to return. Everyevil deed demands its compensation, and the balancemust be struck in the soul. In this sense only isthere Heaven and Hell. "What we are is whatbecomes of us!" Yet the slightest sigh for change isheard and guidance given.

While passing through the realm of the earth-boundI came upon scenes yet more pathetic and tragic,which I would gladly erase from my memory, werethat possible. A woman spirit helper approachedand silently motioned me to follow. I felt herauthority, and followed her through denselypopulated parts alternating with empty spaces. Aswe passed along I studied her silently, for no wordwas spoken

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between us, she seeming engrossed in her ownreflections. Her flowing dress was shining white, herhead covering fell gracefully down her back; and herhands rested on her breast. In form. and f ace shewas very beautiful, and a bright white auraenveloped her with radiance. But it was of herspiritual qualities that I was chiefly conscious.Purity, love and sympathy seemed to emanate fromher as the perfume from a flower. Strength ofintellect and high authority clothed her in dignity.My mind was divided between admiration for myguide and speculation as to where she was takingme. Presently our journey ended before the hugegates of an enclosure of prodigious size. Before thegates stood a tall, silent, and motionless figure,evidently a guard. His expression was austere andpassionless and added to the impression ofdesolation that pervaded the whole scene. Only thepresence of my guide gave me courage to remain. Onan order from him the two ponderous gates slowlyswung back and as slowly closed behind us. What Ibeheld

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was strange, and no less depressing and horrible.The vast enclosure was a place of detention, ahospital, a house of correction for those spirits whoarrived with minds clouded or shattered by the useof drugs or liquor, or by indulgence in their evilpassions on earth. Here their minds, and often theirastral bodies, remained crippled as on earth. Oncouches, on the floor, or huddled in corners lay orcrouched these wrecks of humanity, blind of spiritand shrivelled of limb, often entirely unclothed, withstupor or dull hopelessness written in their eyes.The atmosphere of death, desolation, and despairfilled my soul with anguish. My woman guidesuddenly stopped. Here before us on a bench lay ashape twisted and deformed. Its motionless silenceseemed horrible; the face was terribly distorted; andthe limbs a random heap. Yet I recognized withhorror the face of one whose life once closelytouched mine. I looked at the helper. Why had sheshown me this man, the thought of whom broughtup such painful memories? The helper's

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grave eyes met mine. "Can you not help him?" shesaid. "You once stood close to him on earth." Forsympathy and love are necessary for even a spirit ofhighly developed nature to assist an earth-boundsoul. "Yes," I said, "I was once close to this spirit,but I am so no longer." Yet, not to neglect a possiblechance to be of aid, I conquered my antipathysufficiently to touch him three times upon the head,calling him by the old familiar name. It was of noavail. He remained sunk in his stupor, and the helpersaid sadly, "I fear you can do nothing," knowingwell the reason for my failure. For on earth I hadcontracted intense dislike for this person, nor couldI yet shake off this repugnance. Hence there wasbetween us no point of contact, for sympathy andlove is the first step to spiritual help. The helpermotioned me to follow and again we slowly passedon towards the gates. Here my eyes caught sight ofthe figure of a young man, apparently of Latin race,reclining against the wall in a half-sitting posture.His features

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betrayed the terrible sufferings he had undergoneand which he was still experiencing. His, eyes rovedfrom side to side with an expression of sneering,malicious resentment which did not veil thehopeless despair in their depths. He hadundoubtedly been scrutinizing those who enteredfor a long time in the hope of some assistance. Nowhis supplicating gaze was turned on me. But myrecent experience told me that I could offer him noaid. As I was passing out, I turned and againreviewed the harrowing scene, and exclaimed, sadlyand perhaps with a note of protest in my tone, "Butwhy are all these here? Who has brought them intothis terrible place?" "No one but themselves," saidthe helper gravely. "Their deeds have placed themthere." I asked no more questions but followed thehelper in silence.

I had now left behind not only the abode of highlydeveloped spirits who wait only to be guided tohigher planes; the thronging dwelling places of thoseearnestly striving for further spiritual growth; butalso the depressing

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realms of earth-bound souls. And now I came to thedwellings of a multitude of quite different type.Here dwelt those who are not bound by materialthings of earth, but who are yet of but rudimentaryspiritual development. On earth these people wererespectable, truthworthy, and even kind. Evil didnot tempt them. They lived the pleasant life of thepleasant portion of the world. If they thought oftheir spiritual life at all, it was with approval, forwere they not good citizens, good neighbors? But onthe whole they gave little consideration to the thingsof the spirit. Most certainly they did not prefer theunseen things to the seen and known. Their soulswere fallow fields season after season. They did notgrow noxious weeds, but neither did they ripen thegolden wheat of the soul. Hence, though now in arealm where infinite possibilities open ahead, theirprogress is slow. They live as on earth in pleasanthouses with delightful gardens, surprisingly liketheir surroundings here, in touch with friends towhom they are courteous

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and neighborly, dressing as they did on earth, anddistinguished by the bright and cheerful colors oftheir aura, in strong contrast to the earth-boundsouls. But they are content with their earth-madeambitions, and with the easy virtue of pleasant,unheroic life, unmindful of the spiritual struggle thatmarks everywhere the upward road. Sometimesbecause of mutual sympathy they live together ingroups of three or four or more, but more often manis attracted to woman somewhat as on this earth,though there the bond is purely spiritual. Here Ifound living an aunt and a cousin of my own. Onearth this lady had long presided over the house ofmy cousin, a wealthy banker, who, like her, nevermarried. Their long and harmonious life together hadproduced an ease of intercourse that made itscontinuance natural. So in the Spirit World I foundthem again living contentedly, and reproducing as faras might be the details of their earthly life. Even thegood-natured superiority of the aristocratic classthat they represented was reproduced

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in their new life, its narrow human sympathies, itsentire respectability, and its rectitude. Noatmosphere could well be more hostile to change,and their development had been slow though myaunt's was clearly somewhat more rapid than mycousin's. He knew me, and evidently knew theconditions of my visit to the Spirit World, fordrawing me close to him he said, "Caroline, youhave done well." "Where is Aunt Herlig?" I asked."She is out doing some work of mercy. She oftengoes for that purpose," he replied. Evidently shehad progressed far enough to set her feet on the rightpath.

Here I also came across a girl recently arrived in theSpirit World, who on earth had been one of myfriends. She recognized me and seemed interested tosee me. In talking with her I felt that her mind wasin a peculiar state of haziness concerning her ownposition. She had joined a number of friends andacquaintances from earth who had all lived in thesame city and had all attended the same

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church. All of them were in the same confused anduncertain condition of mind. They had evidentlybanded together as would a number of people fromthe same place when stranded in a strange countrysurrounded by strange people and conditions. Theykept together for mutual encouragement, advice, andto help each other solve their new problems. Theygathered at regular intervals in the same meetingplace, carrying on endless discussions in an attemptto arrive at some conclusion concerning the meaningof the whole affair, what they ought to do, and howit should be done. At their gatherings they observedsome of the ceremonies and formalities which theyused in their church services on earth. But thesemeetings always ended in a free-for-all discussion. Iwas present at one of these discussions and it wasinteresting to see how eager all were to propoundtheir own theories. One tall man would get up and,beginning with "Well now, let me explain. This isthe way I think it is," would go on for a while, whenanother would

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interrupt him with a "No, I don't believe it is so.Now I am certain this is the solution." And hewould for a time propound his ideas emphasizinghis words with the pounding of his right fist againstthe palm of his left hand. He would have gone someway in his discourse when a woman would interruptand express her doubt as to the preceding speaker'sviews. And so it went on until each had had his say.When they all had said something they were nofurther than when they had begun. Then they woulddisperse in all directions only to drift back again tofind out if anyone had received any newinformation.

One thing I noted with particular interest: Manypreferences and prejudices of earth still prevailthere, though not intensely enough to hamperdevelopment. Thus the lives of race and nationalitycommonly prevail but in a spirit of friendly mutualagreement. These seem the more closely toreproduce the ways of their former lives. I learnedthis when I asked why I saw no Orientals. Findingthat they naturally

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preferred to live together, though they are under 110compulsion to do so, I was impelled to visit theirquarters. I found them. living here much as theylived in their own lands, with houses and gardens inOriental style, exercising the characteristic courtesy,grace and hospitality which appeared in theirdelightful attentions to me. They gave me deliciousfruit and a delectable drink. It was exceedinglydelightful to walk in their lovely Oriental gardens,filled with specimens of exotic flowers, and I wasdelighted beyond measure with their entiretreatment of me. I thought to show my appreciationby leaving with them some slight gift. This I quietlydid, and believed I had succeeded in my plan, but onreaching the confines of this quarter, I wasembarrassed to find one of my Japanese friendsstanding before me with my little gift. This hehanded me with a smile and a low bow, anddisappeared before I could protest.

I did not, of course, see all of this first plane, but Isaw enough to know that there every

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spirit is free to follow his own ideals andinclinations. His destiny is in his own hands, limitedonly by his past life. But since spiritual barriers arethe strongest of all, class cannot mingle with class.Should an earth-bound spirit stray into the region ofhigher souls his darker aura would betray him and acurrent, as of electric energy, proceeding from thefirst spirit he would meet, would sweep him back tohis own place. There is but one path upward—thatof personal effort to become fit for a higher type ofexistence. To this the activities of the place aredirected; and for this end order and disciplineprevail. For no one is permitted to interfere with theefforts of others. On the whole, life is good andpleasant among those on the upward path, butwords cannot express the dark hopelessness of thecompletely earthbound souls. I found no "Heaven"nor "Hell"—except as it exists in the spirit.

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THE SECOND SPIRIT PLANE

With my guide I now passed on to the second spiritplane. This great realm I found to be merely acontinuation of the first plane, except for the factthat there were there no earthbound souls. Itsinhabitants were working for higher attainments andthere were many spirit helpers to teach and assist,and guide the steady flow of newcomers throughtheir varied periods of residence, until these learnerswere ready for higher planes. Thus the inhabitantswere constantly changing, as those who moveupward were replaced by others. Life there waspleasant, and varied to suit different tastes, somechoosing to dwell in cities; others in the opencountry among the fields, delightfully established intheir beautiful white houses of highly artisticarchitecture and ornamentation situated in the midstof charming gardens filled with masses of theloveliest flowers.

The higher spiritual attainments of this planedemonstrated itself by the bright and lighter hues ofthe aura as well as by the elevation

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of the ideals of the new inhabitants. The dress of thewomen, I noted, resembled closely that of the spirithelper of the hospital, while the garb of the men wassimilar to that of my guide, a flowing garment like atoga. For there is, in the second plane, no desire togarb oneself in clothes of the general earthlyappearance—an evidence of the weakening ofearthly ideals. We spent little time there. As I haveexplained, I visited the third and fourth planesbefore I went, at my own request, to the lowerspheres. Hence these two realms were the last I sawin the Spirit World.

THE THIRD PLANE

The third plane was a fair and glorious world,impossible of adequate description in the terms ofour worldly speech. Those who there resided werehighly perfected spirits; for to be admitted theymust have reached an advanced stage ofdevelopment. Nor was it possible that others shouldenter, for their mental states would have betrayedtheir presence.

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The light of this plane was of surpassing, all-pervading brightness, and, united with that given byeach spirit, was dazzling in its brilliancy. Wonderfulbeauty everywhere enthralled the eye. The placewas like a great garden, with bushes and shrubberyof gorgeous hues, and stately trees, some likemagnificent palms, others of forms unknown onearth, as if Nature and Art had been perfectlyblended to charm the eye. About the houses of thehappy ones bloomed a wealth of flowers whose rareand delicate colors vied with odor surpassing thoseof "Araby the blest." There were no large citiesthere: the homes were placed in little groups of twoor three like pearls in a rich setting of lawn andgarden too fair for human words. Here and thererose stately edifices where large gatheringscongregated to feel the influence of guides andteachers from higher planes, an influence exerted byspeech or by subtler means.

The dress worn there was very simple: only aflowing robe sufficiently varied to emphasize

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the distinction between the men and the women. Itwas colored, as usual, by the aura of the wearer, thelighter and paler shades alone appearing, such aspink, pale orange, creamy, pale blue, white, andothers difficult to describe. The delicate hues ofthese robes, and the multitude of colors in theblankets of flowers massed against the olive green ofthe landscape charged the dazzling air with beautytill the eye of the beholder was rapt by the harmonyof sight, as in great music the ear is rapt by theharmony of sound.

In this happy plane the inhabitants had solved thepuzzle of universal brotherhood, here on earth thesubject of centuries of debate, and still impossible offull realization. Not only were they dwelling incomplete harmony; the dream of the altruist hadbeen realized! Each lived for the other, since in thatpure sphere the interests of all were one. There was,it is true, room for envy and jealousy, in the greatauthority of the more intelligent, for in a perfectworld all merit must be recognized. But the

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spirit from which envy springs did not exist there,for envy implies a selfish aim. In that spirit realmeach knows that he has been accorded full justice,and each gloried in the greater merit of his fellowwhile those of superior gifts humbly regarded theirheritage as a privilege. Indeed, in that purer spheredegrees of merit must have seemed trivialitiescompared with the boundless heights whichbeckoned beyond. Love and sympathy wouldpermit no discord. From this plane come thehelpers, teachers and "angels of mercy," who workamong the less fortunate inhabitants of the lowerspheres. This service, however, is an act of theirown volition proceeding from their sympathy anddesire to serve, a benefice which results in their ownfurther development.

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SPIRIT CHILDREN

My keenest interest in the Spirit World was arousedby my visit to the realm where dwell the spiritchildren who come thither in childhood. Around myexperience in that realm cluster the most beautifulmemories. There the spirit children grow through allstages of childhood and youth. All small childrenpass directly from earth to the third plane, tocontinue there their bodily and spiritual growth. Myexperience there was a wonderful revelation. Theplace was one vast garden of heavenly splendor, inwhich stood numberless magnificent buildings, forutilitarian and recreational purposes. Womenhelpers, who have known motherhood on earth,cared with tender solicitude for the babies and littlechildren. Older children were taught and guided withminute care and that never-failing kindness which,however, does not neglect discipline. Men andwomen helpers of various qualifications,superintended by superior spirits, carried on theirappealing work. Naturally no more perfect systemcould

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exist, nor could more ideal surroundings be imagined.Nothing but beauty met the eye, no ugliness couldthere distort the mind. Flowers of gorgeous hues inbeds of rare designs, trees of perfect form andbeauty, birds of varied plumage, fruits of deliciousflavor are but the more obvious privileges of thatdelightful land. Paths through shrubbery and acrossparks divinely planned led to playgrounds wherethose fortunate children were seen at play besidetheir helpers and teachers. It was an atmosphere ofbeauty, obedience and love. I saw that the study ofplants and flowers was an eagerly-followedoccupation, which was supplemented by the care ofgardens, in perpetual bloom. No sooner had a flowerfaded or been picked than another blossomed fromthe same stem.

As I passed through the beauties and wonders ofthis place, my mind constantly sought forcomparisons from earth, for earth of course was stillmy home. I found no satisfactory comparison, allwas different. I

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thought, for example, of the ground on which Iwalked: was it solid, as on earth? To test it, Istepped from the path to the loose soil of the gardenbeds, and jumped lightly up and down. The earthseemed to give way like swampy ground, but myfeet did not sink, nor did they leave footprints as onearth.

As if to fill my cup of joy in this lovely spot, Irecognized among the children a sister of mine whodied when but a few years old. As I was passingdown a beautiful path,. enthralled by the wonder ofcolor and fragrance, I saw this young girl kneeling topick a flower. Something about her held myattention, and I gazed on her intently as I camenearer. She looked to be sixteen or seventeen. Shewas clad in a simple white dress reaching just belowthe knee, and leaving neck and arms bare. The sweetand serene beauty of her face was framed in a massof blonde hair that fell loosely almost to her waist.She made a picture of appealing beauty as she benttoward the flowers, her transparent fingersencircling the stems.

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As I approached she half-turned her head, and for amoment we gazed into each other's faces.Instantaneously I recognized her as that little childwho had died on my lap, now a young woman ofthe Spirit World. The look on her face was one ofintense surprise, as if she were saying, "What, areyou also here?" Tender love shone in her eyes. Myfeelings seemed to overpower me. I strove to pauseand speak, but some strange power held me silent,and urged me on. I could not stop, but I turnedseveral times to gaze on her, standing motionless,forgetful of the flower, looking intently after me,with that same mingling of love and sweet surprisetill I passed from sight.

Once more the curiosity of the earth moved me, andI wanted to taste the fruit I saw growing sobeautifully there. No sooner had I wished than ahand reached out from the thick foliage andpresented me with an apple. I did not see the ownerof the hand. I tasted, and found my senses thrilledwith a delicious flavor like nothing on this earth.

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Leaving the Land of Children I passed through otherparts of this plane, where I moved among thethrongs of exalted beings, the mansions without end,in the midst of stately gardens. My mind was full ofamazement at the extent of this wonderful worldand the saying of Christ came to me, In my Father'shouse are many mansions." The glories of thatwondrous spirit land were incomparable. It seemedthe best of all possible heavens with its atmosphereof universal peace, sympathy and happiness. Lovehovered over all. How delightful it was to passabode after abode, watching the spirits enjoy theblessings reaped through victory over the evils andthe tribulations of the past. Thrilled and enchantedby a scene of extraordinary tranquility and charm, Icould not refrain from speaking to a spirit who wassitting in his garden resting against a tree entirelysurrounded by flowers and luxuriant vegetation ofexquisite hue and fragrance. His eyes bespoke anequanimity of mind beyond mortal power toexperience or conceive.

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From his face shone a radiant happiness. As if inreply to my expressions of amazement he said,"Yes, what an inexpressible joy it is to be permittedto dwell in these glorious realms after so muchmortal agony, so many trials, such great tribulations,such piercing sorrows."

Another desire came to me—to hear music. I wasguided to a high structure of artistic architecture,whose entire top, arranged like a platform, seated ahuge orchestra composed of all varieties ofinstruments, some familiar to me and others strange.Every musician showed himself a master of his artin the frequent concerts given by this as well as bynumerous similar organizations. The music began,and immediately I was held entranced by itssweeping majesty, and by its overwhelmingemotional appeal. I could not endure it, perhapsbecause I was still of earth. Completely overcome, Ihad to be led away.

My guide now wished to conduct me to a distantplace, where there awaited something

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of great interest to me. Rising a little from theground, the body at a vertical angle, we passedswiftly through space, impelled only by the agencyof the will. Below us a marvelous panoramaunrolled, as we traveled on. The delicately coloredspirit houses, with their varied architecture andwonderfully artistic ornamentation, seemed bathedin brilliant light of unearthly splendor. Around themspread gardens with flowers and shrubbery andtrees, surpassing in color and design the mostperfect creations of human landscape artists. Atintervals the great mansions and palaces for largegatherings rose among the trees, impressive in sizeyet delicate in color and beauty of line. Against thevivid brilliance of flowers and olive green of the levellawns on which multitudes of spirits enfolded intheir robes of light and many colors continuallymoved, these perfect creations rose to mould aharmony of form and color that caught and held thespirit like perfect music. Arriving at a wide flat ofopen ground, we saw in the distance what appeared

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to be a great bed of varicolored flowers. Wedescended and approached. On nearing the spot Idiscovered that what I had mistaken for a bed offlowers was in reality a great throng of womenspirits, clad in brightly-colored robes. They werestanding before a huge arched structure, apparentlyawaiting some event. I learned that they were the"Helpers" waiting to be sent on their errands as"Angels of Mercy," both to the earth and to thelower planes. Since I learned that this was but oneplace among many where the Helpers received theirdirections. I concluded that there must have beenmyriads of these ministering angels always ready toserve in the hour of need. Deeply interested, Iapproached to look more clearly at the spiritsnearest me. I felt that they were indeed well fittedfor the task for which they had volunteered. Theirlovely and serene faces were eloquent with warmsympathy. The divine love and kindness that lookedfrom their eyes spoke clearly of the principle thatanimated all their actions. Words and demeanor

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told of their impatience to hurry to the work ofservice that irresistibly called. They made a splendidand delightful picture standing draped to the feet inrobes of different colors, wearing a head-dress alsocolored by their auras. This variety of the lighterand brighter color, and the brilliant white lightstreaming from their faces, together with theirexquisite feminine grace, produced an effect ofmarvelous beauty. A hush now fell on the gatheringand every eye turned with expectation toward threefigures of authoritative presence, which nowappeared. These were male spirits from the higherplanes who had come to direct the helpers. Theywere clad in shining garments and bore themselveswith high dignity. They passed below the archstanding in front of the gathering and appeared uponits top where they issued directions to the helpers,who immediately, singly and in groups, wenteagerly on their way. I felt deep gratitude to myguide for the happiness of beholding this scene,which was to me a "heaven" far more real andcomforting

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than any which I had conceived on earth.

My time for leaving the third plane had now come,and I knew that soon I must return to reinhabit myearthly body. But before that should come to pass Iimplored my guide to give me at least a glimpse ofthe glories of the fourth plane. To my joy, heconsented, saying, "You shall see."

THE FOURTH PLANE

As we descended in our approach to the fourthplane, my eyes were almost blinded by the glory ofthe spectacle. From every direction thronged troopsof spirits, apparently converging on a great buildingof amazing size, beauty and splendor. Each spiritseemed enveloped in a ball of flaming white light,emanating from himself and giving to the brilliantlight of this plane an additional splendor and forcethat to me became almost overpowering in itsbrilliancy. There the spirits were dressed in auralgarments of varying colors which the emanating

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light did not conceal; the women in robes falling inrich folds, the men in closely-fitting garments. Thescene was of marvelous beauty and indescribablebrilliance. Almost at once my guide brought me tothe lines of the moving procession, and soon, withthe rest, I entered the majestic hall toward which thespirits were thronging. It was an enormousauditorium, arranged in a semi-circle about a raisedplatform. Without apparent ushering, or other showof authority, the great throng found theiraccustomed places in the most orderly fashion.Seats were assigned to myself and my guide, andwhile we were waiting expectantly there wasopportunity to study the assemblage. The foremostimpression was that already mentioned—of theinexpressible and overpowering brilliance, producedby the natural illumination of this plane, the whitesplendor of the faces, the light about them, and theaura which colored their shining raiment in amultitude of hues. Not less striking was the mentalimpression produced by their faces, vivid with

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intelligence and power, and glowing with sympathy,love and understanding. For these spirits had notonly triumphed in self-mastery; they had attainedwisdom and a knowledge of mysteries of which Icould only faintly guess. Conscious of my ownunfitness, I felt myself fading into utterinsignificance. Conversations and discussionsengaged groups of spirits about me—discussionsthat appeared weighty and of intense interest.

I noted here, as elsewhere, in the Spirit World, thatmen were in authority, but this gave them no actualdominion over women, for both take their properplaces, and both have their missions. The work ofthe men is more creative;—women conserve andapply. Men are administrators; women inspire tobeauty and sweetness, and are angels of mercy,comforters, teachers, and mother spirits. Thus in theSpirit World the contrast between masculine andfeminine is sharply defined in manner and custom aswell as in dress. The modesty and grace

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of women is set over against the strength andauthority of men.

A hush now fell on the congregation as five men ingarments more shining than any I had yet seenascended the platform and in turn began to speak.All present listened with rapt attention, hung upontheir words and unconsciously pressed closer, eagerto know the wonders being unfolded. I couldunderstand nothing—it exceeded my powers—butnone the less I felt the influence, and struggled toapproach the wonderful strangers. My movementsin the throng created some confusion, and I wasrebuked and eyed with reproving looks, particularlyas any spirit there could see and know that I wasout of place. One spirit nearest to me exclaimedsternly, "This is the Hall of Learning and no one ispermitted to create any disturbance!" However, myguide explained on my behalf: "This spirit has notyet passed over, for special purposes she ispermitted here." This seemed to satisfy those aboutme, and I heard murmurs of understanding. I

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forced myself to master my excitement andremained quiet until the speakers finished. The greatconcourse broke up in orderly quiet and my guideand I went on our long journey to the first plane, inaccordance with my expressed desire. I saw littleelse of the fourth plane, but I was informed that lifethere was similar to life in the third plane, thoughmore developed, more perfect, and more glorious.

MY VISIT INTO THE ABYSS OF SPACE

My trips to the various parts of the Spirit World, itmust be understood, were at different times, forotherwise I should have been too long absent frommy body, which would have meant bodily death,and I would have been compelled to remainprematurely in the spirit realms. Thus the lastjourney I made into the immense spaces of ouruniverse occurred some time subsequent to myreturn from the fourth plane. This seemed to me byfar the longest journey I had made, as the fourplanes I had visited appeared

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to be not far distant from our solar system.

Accompanied as always by my guide, I passed firstthrough the spaces of our system. As we made ourflight towards Venus, I beheld our earth at such adistance that it appeared like a great big black ball.Saturn we passed so closely that we could perceivethe little globes that compose its rings speedingabout the larger sphere. Soon a huge black globepassed, or appeared to pass, as if pursuing Saturn."Like a lover following a dancing girl," I exclaimed,lapsing into human levity. My guide did not deignto notice my mild joke. "That," he said dryly, "iswhat you call Jupiter." When we passed over Venuswe floated in a horizontal manner with facedownward, close to the surface. When part wayacross it we came to a complete standstill. Thus Iwas afforded a splendid opportunity to observe thisplanet at close range. It appeared to be a dark anddismal world covered with a strange stuntedvegetation which showed gloomingly

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through the clouds of steam that rolled up from thesurface of the planet. Myriads of insects flew aboutin great clouds. "What steam! What a mass ofinsects! Why, nobody could live here, I exclaimed.Other than the insects I could perceive no evidenceof life. I saw no seas nor mountains—there wasonly barrenness, sterility. The whole scene wasoverpowering in its awful dreariness and utterdesolation.

We now left the solar system and penetrated farinto the abyss of space, among the countless starsmoving with incredible speed and unimaginablymultiplied in brilliancy because of our closeproximity. The sight challenged imagination. Butmuch as I marveled at, this nearer view of theseenormous material worlds, I wondered infinitelymore at the countless living beings that filled theuniverse. Spirits of high superiority and authoritysuch as I had never seen even in the fourth planepassed in every direction, singly and in larger orsmaller groups. A white light of intense

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power emanated from each, and enveloped them in aflaming radiance, that varied in intensity inproportion to their spiritual power. All were garbedin glowing white. The combined brilliancy of thelight thus produced flooded all space. The greatwhirling globes were as nothing to this awe-inspiringspectacle. The mere sight of these majestic spiritseven from afar was enough to convince the beholderthat they were the rulers and controllers of thewhole universe, of matter and of spirit. Theoverpowering dominance of their personalitiessubdued my spirit so that, staring and stupefied, Itrembled and shrank at their presence. Two inparticular, a man and a woman spirit, burned withthe light of two flaming suns dimming all others nearthem with the intense lustre of their white radiance.As they swept majestically by me there flashedacross my mind the words, "And there shall be nodarkness in them." Dazzled, I cowered, raising myhand to my forehead in an involuntary tribute ofhumility and awe. It is impossible to say how

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far I was from them since space does not limit theastral body. But, near or far, I could clearlydistinguish every expression of their countenances.They were dressed in magnificent robes of purewhite. The dress of the female spirit was a longflowing robe rippling from her form in loose andgraceful lines, as she floated in a perpendicularposition, inclined with knees slightly bent. Thedress of the male spirit was a close-fitting toga thatreached to his feet. He moved in a similar posture,but his head was thrown further back. His eyes,following the direction of his outstretched hand,were focussed upon some great distant star. As heexpounded to his companion some great mysterioustruth, he seemed the embodiment of authority andwisdom. But on his features played the soft light ofspiritual love which tempered his austerity with itsethereal glow. To me he seemed all-powerful, fittedto command instant obedience from any forces,material or spirit. His companion, though possessedof much of his spiritual power and authority,

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displayed these same qualities but they weresubdued by a feminine grace and loveliness whichrendered her face sublime in its serene nobility.They appeared to be gods rather than perfectspirits, yet I was informed that they had once dweltin human form. somewhere. Whether their unionbegan then or later I did not know, but now theywere bound for eternity by the ties of spiritualattraction and love. By spiritual development theyhad risen to the highest power, and, as my guideexplained, they were now a part of that SupremePower that rules and guides both the material andspirit universe. The host of spirits gazed intentlyafter them with respectful admiration and awe. Itwas a glorious moment for me when I beheld thesemarvelous beings, and knew the happiness of theirclose presence. For a time I stood motionless andgazed after the disappearing glory, which lessenedas these two beings passed from sight, till my eyesbeheld in the distance only the white light thatenfolded them.

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