What will make you happy?

Men of earth strive to become rich and famous, and the moment they get here, fame and riches fall away from them like black shadows. 

Not a penny of their money can they bring here with them—

And fame?

Well, there are many things that render a man famous on earth. 

Suppose he has made, as he thinks―as other men think―some great discovery, or he has invented something that is exceedingly useful, and his name rings from one part of the world to another―he comes here perhaps filled with vainglory―he is the great Mr So-and-so. 

He is often met by a band of spirits, or angels, and he soon discovers that he, personally, had very little to do with the discovery or invention. 

It does not take him long to learn that he had simply been an instrument in the hands of this band of angels—

His only merit has been in giving himself up to his impressions, and those impressions had been made or photographed upon his brain by those in the celestial life whom he now meets face to face—and his fame falls away from him like a shadow. 

It is foolish for men to wrangle over that which they imagine they have discovered, for no man ever yet discovered anything. 

He merely thinks he has. 

Everything has always existed, and always will. 

He may have learned something, which is new to him, but really is as old as eternity itself. 

Then why seek fame?

Let us tell you, men of earth, how to be happy. 

That is what you all want―happiness or heaven. 

Riches never yet made any man happy. 

Fame never yet made any man happy, but wisdom, love, and truth will make all men happy.

―From the spirit of Franz Petersilea (Herr Franz)