Letters from a Spirit?

These extracts, from the account given by a Spirit as of actual experience, cover more than a year of the new, or spiritual life.

They were written during 1886-87, and are now offered by the desire of the Spirit, in the hope of correcting the crude theories, and misconceptions, prevalent concerning the state beyond.

The process was that of Automatic writing, in which the mind of the Scribe has no influence over the matter communicated, and the hand is a truly mechanical instrument, as the pen it holds.

As an instance of this, it may be stated, that, on several occasions when there was a pause in the writing, the Scribe, noting what had been written, supplied a word. It was invariably crossed out, and a different one substituted.

It has been suggested that the Author was a receiver of Swedenborg's doctrines, but during mortal life her only knowledge of them were derived from casual mention in conversation.

It may be considered as internal evidence of the truth of these communications, that they were not in the least influenced by the religious belief of either Spirit, or Scribe.

They are as originally given in the familiar epistolary usual with the Author in earthly life. No attempt has been made at revision.

Beyond the omission of family names and circumstances, and the dropping of adjectives, which were the natural result of the effort to "describe the indescribable," not a word has been changed.

The narrative professes to concern itself only with the state immediately succeeding the mortal life, and in which the newly freed are prepared for their ultimate destiny.

In the hope that these revelations may be a means of help, and comfort, as well as an incentive to more orderly living, they are submitted by 

—THE SCRIBE

Who is the devil? Why is he here? What does he want?

I'm the devil, I'm here to do the devil's business. Give me all your money.

Greed or craving for wealth?

For the love of money is the root of all evil—which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

—1 Timothy 6:10, The King James Bible

Alas, poor Yorick?

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio—a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.

—William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Act V, Scene I)

Choosing purification?

He who comes to impurify himself—they open a way for him [he is able to do so]—one who comes to be purified—they help him.

—1736 edition of Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanac, BT Menachot 29b, Yoma 38b, and Avoda Zara 55a

What do you have to offer?

I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

—Thea von Harbou (wife of Metropolis director Fritz Lang), 1926

Hand of the Master?

So often you are prone to think that the shadows are more powerful than the spirit Itself. Now, just consider this for one moment—

How could this be so when God created everything?

All those forces and powers that keep this little world going, all the wonderful mysteries of the planets that go on unknown, unseen, but to perfection, perfection in their working, and in the part, which they play in the great and mighty whole.

The thing comes down to this, and it has since the world began—the way of discipleship is the way of the cross.

Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and His road, hard and difficult, ended literally on the Cross of Calvary. But because Christ died for you and for me that last sacrifice is taken from us in a spiritual sense.

Visualise that road—take your troubles, your trials, your tests, as the obstacles and the rough bits, which have got either to be climbed over or dug away. 

This is the road to God, and in front is the cross of sacrifice, which you think you have to take up and bear in addition to your other burdens. But if you go forward in faith and in trust to the best of your ability, then as you reach the cross instead of the agony of the cross, you will see nothing, but the smiling, tender face of the Saviour Himself, and sorrow will fall from you and joy will be in your heart and mind instead—the cross of sacrifice turned into the loving welcome look of the Father.

You have got to get this thing right—

To little children the way seems long, the hills so high and the wind so keen, but if the little child is holding the Hand of Someone who is strong and fearless, does it not make all the difference in the world? And although you cannot see it, and you forget to so often, this is what each one does spiritually because the Master is gathered to your side—

The Master who understands weariness, the sadness of heart, falling spirits and the longing for home and safety, and because He understands so well, He is there beside you and always will be.

—Zodiac, the Christ Messenger

Illusion of Shadows?

So often you are prone to think that the shadows are more powerful than the spirit Itself. Now, just consider this for one moment—

How could this be so when God created everything?

All those forces and powers that keep this little world going, all the wonderful mysteries of the planets that go on unknown, unseen, but to perfection, perfection in their working, and in the part, which they play in the great and mighty whole.

The thing comes down to this, and it has since the world began—the way of discipleship is the way of the cross.

Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and His road, hard and difficult, ended literally on the Cross of Calvary. But because Christ died for you and for me that last sacrifice is taken from us in a spiritual sense.

Visualise that road—take your troubles, your trials, your tests, as the obstacles and the rough bits, which have got either to be climbed over or dug away. 

This is the road to God, and in front is the cross of sacrifice, which you think you have to take up and bear in addition to your other burdens. But if you go forward in faith and in trust to the best of your ability, then as you reach the cross instead of the agony of the cross, you will see nothing, but the smiling, tender face of the Saviour Himself, and sorrow will fall from you and joy will be in your heart and mind instead—the cross of sacrifice turned into the loving welcome look of the Father.

You have got to get this thing right—

To little children the way seems long, the hills so high and the wind so keen, but if the little child is holding the Hand of Someone who is strong and fearless, does it not make all the difference in the world? And although you cannot see it, and you forget to so often, this is what each one does spiritually because the Master is gathered to your side—

The Master who understands weariness, the sadness of heart, falling spirits and the longing for home and safety, and because He understands so well, He is there beside you and always will be.

—Zodiac, the Christ Messenger

How could this be so when God created everything?

So often you are prone to think that the shadows are more powerful than the spirit Itself. Now, just consider this for one moment—

How could this be so when God created everything?

All those forces and powers that keep this little world going, all the wonderful mysteries of the planets that go on unknown, unseen, but to perfection, perfection in their working, and in the part, which they play in the great and mighty whole.

The thing comes down to this, and it has since the world began—the way of discipleship is the way of the cross.

Christ was the Redeemer of the world, and His road, hard and difficult, ended literally on the Cross of Calvary. But because Christ died for you and for me that last sacrifice is taken from us in a spiritual sense.

Visualise that road—take your troubles, your trials, your tests, as the obstacles and the rough bits, which have got either to be climbed over or dug away. 

This is the road to God, and in front is the cross of sacrifice, which you think you have to take up and bear in addition to your other burdens. But if you go forward in faith and in trust to the best of your ability, then as you reach the cross instead of the agony of the cross, you will see nothing, but the smiling, tender face of the Saviour Himself, and sorrow will fall from you and joy will be in your heart and mind instead—the cross of sacrifice turned into the loving welcome look of the Father.

You have got to get this thing right—

To little children the way seems long, the hills so high and the wind so keen, but if the little child is holding the Hand of Someone who is strong and fearless, does it not make all the difference in the world? And although you cannot see it, and you forget to so often, this is what each one does spiritually because the Master is gathered to your side—

The Master who understands weariness, the sadness of heart, falling spirits and the longing for home and safety, and because He understands so well, He is there beside you and always will be.

—Zodiac, the Christ Messenger