Can famous people see you in heaven?

To leave the earth world and to take up permanent residence in the spirit world is not such a personal upheaval as some people might be disposed to imagine, affirms Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson. 

It is true that for a great many all earthly ties are severed, but when we pass into the spirit world we meet again those of our relatives and friends who have passed over before us. In this respect we start a fresh period in our lives, apart altogether from the new life that begins with our entry into the world of spirit.

The meetings with relations and friends are something that must be experienced to grasp the full significance and joy of reunion. Such meetings will only take place where there is mutual sympathy and affection.

Now it might be said that with most of us on the earth plane we have a two-fold existence—our home life and the life connected with our business or occupation. 

In the latter we associate perhaps with an entirely different group of people. It is therefore, in the natural order of things here in spirit that much the same state of things should also exist. 

The scientist, for example, will meet, first of all, his own family connections. When the question of work is broached he will find himself among his old colleagues who have passed into the spirit world before him, and he will again feel more than at home. 

And he will be more than overjoyed at the prospect of the scientific research that stretches before him. It is the same with the musician, the painter, the author, the engineer, the doctor, the gardener, the stone mason or the man who weaved carpets in a factory.

Fame in the spirit world is vastly different from fame in the earth world. Spiritual fame carries with it distinctions of a very different order from the earthly distinctions, and it is gained in one way only—in service to others. Whether the earthly famous will reside in the realms of light immediately after their dissolution remains with themselves. The law applies to all irrespective of earthly position.

Where are they? the masters in all branches of earthly endeavour, the names that are familiar in the history books? They must be somewhere. 

Most certainly they are. A good number of them are to be found in the dark realms where they have been living for countless centuries, and they are more than likely so to continue for more countless centuries. Others are in those exalted realms of light and beauty, where their noble lives upon earth have found their just reward.

I cannot do better than give you an example, of which I have gathered a few details. It concerns the passing into the spirit world of a royal personage.

In this particular case we knew beforehand that his personage was about to come to the spirit world. His own countrymen were naturally interested in what was about to take place. His own family, in common with any other family here, were ready and awaiting his arrival. A short illness was the occasion of his passing here, and as soon as dissolution had taken place he was taken to the home of his mother who had everything in readiness for him. 

The home is an inconspicuous one, similar, broadly speaking, to others here about.

The news had spread that he had at last arrived. There was no universal rejoicing, such as might take place upon the earth plane, following a safe homecoming, but happiness was felt for all those who were directly concerned with the arrival in the spirit world of this well-known and much-loved figure. 

And there he remained for a time, enjoying a seclusion and freedom of action and a simplicity of life that had been denied him upon the earth plane. He needed rest after his active life and the illness that terminated its earthly span.

Numbers of people who had formed part of his official circle, as well as his private circle, and who had passed on before him, had called to inquire after him, but they had not seen him as yet. There had been, of course, a grand family reunion, and as soon as he had rested sufficiently, he issued forth to see the wonders of his new life.

He retained his former and usual personal appearance. The signs of illness and bodily and mental fatigue had disappeared, and he looked some years younger. The rest had achieved its purpose as unfailingly as usual.

As he walked abroad he was recognised for what he had been, and respected for it, but he was still more honoured and respected and loved for what he now was—that of a plain man desirous of joining with his fellow beings in their happiness and rejoicing. He knew that he would be treated as one of themselves.

We recognise the truth here, and our true worth is for all to see. It is spiritual worth, and that alone, that counts, irrespective of what we were upon the earth plane. 

Perspectives and viewpoints are completely altered when one comes into the spirit world. However mighty we were upon the earth plane, it is spiritual worth only that takes us to our right place in the spirit world, and it is the deeds of our life, regardless of social position, that at our transition will assign to us our proper abode.

Position is forgotten, but deeds and thoughts are the witnesses for or against us, and we become our own judges.

It is not difficult to see then that when this royal personage arrived in the spirit world, like others of his family before him, he found himself faced with no difficulties or awkward situations. It was just the reverse, for the whole situation seemed to simplify itself, and provided its own solution.

In the spirit world the Law of Cause and Effect applies equally to all people, regardless of their former earthly status. 

This law is no new thing. It has always been in existence, and so every famous name that is to be found within the chronicles of nations comes strictly within the jurisdiction of this law. 

The soul who passes his earthly life in obscurity, known only to one or two people, is subject to this same law, just as much as the soul whose name is a household word among nations. 

In living in these realms one is inevitably bound sooner or later to encounter some person whose name is known to all upon the earth plane. But these famous folk have no attachment to the earth world. They have left it behind them, and many of those who passed to here hundreds of earthly years ago are glad to have no occasion to recall their earthly lives. Such numbers of them suffered a violent transition that they are happy to consider their present only, and leave their past sealed up in their memory.

Discretion is something we soon learn to exercise, and it is embodied in our never prying into the facts and circumstances of other people's earthly lives. That does not mean to say that we are debarred from discussing our earthly lives, but the initiative always comes from the person concerned. If he wishes to tell anyone of his life on earth he will ever find a sympathetic and interested ear awaiting him.

You can see then that our earthly lives are very strictly our own. The discretion that we exercise is universal among us—we show and receive it. 

And whatever our former position upon earth, we are united in these realms, spiritually, intellectually, temperamentally, and in such human traits as our likes and dislikes.

We are one—we have achieved the same state of being upon the same plane of existence. 

Every fresh face that enters these realms receives the same heartfelt welcome without reference to what he was upon earth. 

We are all striving for the same purpose, and that is spiritual progression and development. We are grateful for any help towards that end, and we are glad to give it wherever possible.

The riches and honours of the earth world seem very tawdry and trumpery by comparison with the spiritual riches and honours that are ready to be won here.

And those riches and honours are within the grasp of every soul the instant he enters the spirit world. They are his spiritual birthright, of which no one can deprive him, and it rests with himself just how long it will be before he gains them.

Earthly greatness may seem very tangible while we are in its midst. Just how tangible it is can be seen as soon as our dissolution takes place. Then we find that it is spiritual greatness that is concrete and permanent. Our earthly prominence just melts away as we step into the spirit world and we stand revealed for what we are, not for what we were.