What is birth into the spirit-world?

After soaring leagues, in the spirit air, which is an imperceptible magnetic condition pervading space, I became faint, and the angels paused, in their flight, at a spirit hotel—a half-way house between earth and the spirit-world proper.

The building was circular in form, of white marble-like material, surmounted by several domes, not unlike the mosque of St Sophia, or St Mark's, at Venice. 

It seemed to float, in the air, like a balloon—

Scintillated-light, like a star, filled my mind with wonder, not only from its magnificent portions, but from its artistic design. 

We entered, and found collected thousands of travellers from all parts of the earth.

Young spirit-girls, dressed in a white lace-like material, stood about ready to talk with us, and give us advice, information, counsel, as we required it, and serve us, if that may be called serving, which consisted in merely touching some telegraphic fibre, which brought before us, on beautifully-ornamented dishes, the most delicious and nutritious food imaginable. 

Beautifully-shaped crystal drinking-glasses of various flower-forms, such as lilies, tulips and morning-glories, were passed to us, filled with a pale yellow liquid, which tasted, as we imagined, like the ambrosial nectar of the gods.

As I was curious to learn how spirits came by cups and goblets, one of the young maidens offered to show me the wondrous process by which these things of beauty were constructed.

In the first place, said my guide, you must please remember that form is designed for use and beauty. 

All forms familiar to you on earth can be reproduced in the spirit-world because they are the result of spirit conception, clothed with matter, which is a means to make the spirit visible. 

The spiritual principle of matter becomes visible matter in the world of spirits. 

The process is eternal, for it is spiritual.

Here, if you desire a dish, ornamented in a certain manner, it will appear before your eyes. 

Why? 

Because your mind has been sufficiently educated by contact with material substances to enable you to give outward shape to your wish.

I accompanied her to a room formed of different coloured crystals. 

In the centre stood a fountain, throwing its spray high in the air. 

A white, cream-like material filled the basin beneath it. 

On touching an electric thread, a portion of this clay rose before me.

Now, said my instructor, place your hands on this electrical battery and wish distinctly for any form of cup, vase or plate, you may desire.

As I followed her instructions, a very prettily-formed vase of Greek design, which I had seen years before in a print, appeared immediately on the pedestal—the very same shape I had had in my mind, when I touched the electric cord.

How is this accomplished? I asked.

Your mind photographed the image of the Greek urn, and the electric power of your will, acting on the sensitive material, cut it, as lightning splits a tree, but split it in the shape you designed in your mind.

In this hotel, or palace of hospitality, which is the spiritual meaning of hotel, we instruct travellers in the first principles of spirit-existence. 

Birth into the spirit-world is sometimes attended with as much loss and discomfort to the spirit, as birth on earth is to the human being, without proper provision and forethought. 

Man needs to be cared for at his entrance on earth, so does his spirit on entering this world, to prevent its becoming dwarfed or cramped.