The Condition of Heaven

We wish to write so that you may comprehend and yet to clothe it in our spiritual language, dictates the spirit of Mary Washington. All who have been long associated with spirit life become so enlightened that they cannot fully find language to express the condition of heaven in ordinary language. 

My friend, you ask about our sun. We will tell you that the sun does not shine the same to us as with you but emits a glorious halo that envelops all our scenery with an auroral light of warmth, which is more genial because the rays are not so strong and forcible and our scenery is not so marked but we have changes which are beautiful, giving us a variety of seasons, which are marked by departure and return of numerous spirits, who are exploring the different regions of the Summerland.

Our art galleries are truly wonderful and as you pass from sphere to sphere, you behold a great change in the artistic taste and style of the different ages. Our libraries also are wonderful with the literary talent displayed, which had no recognition on earth. Arts and sciences are developed here by those whose talent was not developed or dreamed of upon earth. Here is the classical scholar, the artisan, the poet, the explorer, everyone perfectly represented with a home, a place where he can rest and enjoy the grandest visions of his soul theme.

Our choristers are forming a sphere of musical instruments, which will give forth sounds that will reverberate throughout the arches of heaven and through the corridors of earth, giving a system of sounds not known on earth but which will be recognised as from the spheres. From the scintillated light and warmth of atmospheric change which will come over your concentrated circles, formed by intelligent mediums who have been developed through the different phases, until connected with the spiritual element of our sphere, we will form a band to shout forth those strains of heavenly sound which will envelop the element of your sphere and give a tribute to the galaxy of hosts which will attend both mortal and spiritual. These great gatherings, which are being formed on earth, are only a counterpart of our heavenly associations and are calculated to form a nucleus whereby we can attach force to communicate it with earth. They do not understand that they conceived the idea from above, where, long ago, angels organised the same conditions in order to promote the universal blending of all the power of earth. Thus, we work by magnetic influences until all is symbolised on earth as it is in heaven. 

In our blessed abode are homes for children where they are nourished, protected and educated in all the departments of life, having natural guardians or chosen ones who are attracted by their love of children to rear them to an individuality of self-sustaining power, oftentimes being brought to earth to be sustained by the magnetism of the mother or some member of the family. An infant is always held within its mother's magnetic arms until it can be sustained without it.

Here are buildings of oblong shape, with central towers that rise to immense height, surrounded by smaller towers, these again by balustrades; buildings grand as the soul can conceive of in which there is gathered everything that is necessary for information and instruction and for the happiness of children.

The beautiful playground surrounding is a wonder of marvellous beauty with its grottoes, its lawns and flowers, its miniature lakes and islands, all fresh and beautiful, with pebbly shores and shelly banks and sandy bottom, like glistening snow, where rainbow-coloured fishes glide in the crystal waters giving full play to the imaginative soul of children. Here you will find groups of children nestled in some sylvan retreat on moss-clad mounds, surrounded by towering trees, whose wavering branches invite the pure atmosphere from flower-clad vales within its shady nook, where are interlaced beautiful foliage and flowers whose perfume charms the soul with joy. Bands of children are gathered by their teachers and guides who hold joyous associations, often visiting other regions to luxuriate in the beauty of some sylvan shade, where tiny barks, like beautiful sea-shells, are darting over the sparkling waters, filled with life and joy, decked with beautiful flowers in varied hue, sparkling and dancing like fairy spirits upon some emerald lawn, where the gold and silvery sheen envelops them in its glorious halo. On our silvery waters float beautiful homes or palaces of pleasure, where the artist, the scholar and poet can gather sweet themes from their soul-thoughts, blending them with the beautiful of this heavenly land, without the trials or sorrows of pain or hunger from physical needs.

One spot in our sphere is held as a great retreat by explorers and visitors. It is called the cave of song, from the flute-like notes that reverberate through its subterranean archways. Sometimes, solemn and pathetic, at others, joyous and enchanting in its symphony. At times, you feel that it is enchanted ground, by the musical voices that come from its, at other times, silent chambers, whose gorgeous beauty is unrivalled by outward life.

Here are wonderful domes hung with jewels of stalactites, which flash and quiver in the reflected light through interstices, reflecting on the water beneath in cascades and waterfalls, giving it a grand and romantic picture. Here you can wander through wondrous apartments, giving an opportunity for study. Here are archways with fluted pillars of alabaster, which tower to an immense height, leading to domes and galleries, where statuary of the most wonderful conception of every living thing is embodied and at rest in its appropriate place, true to the material of outward life. Gems of great brilliancy flash in their gorgeousness, giving a life and warmth to this enchanting cave of Summerland.

When you wander through grand old castles that are here, whose consecrated domes have towered above for so many ages of your life, then will you wonder at the gorgeous grandeur of those tessellated and crystal floors, whose domes and arches are surrounded with the wonderful in art and science; where are living pictures of past greatness, in form and expression of the notable of all time and spheres; living, sheeny faces, whose life-like appearance thrills the soul with wonder and admiration.

When we pass from sphere to sphere, we float at will to every conceivable place, and yet we have corridors of beauteous surroundings which wind through the star-lit canopy, where we may rest and view the glorious scenery below.

As we pass to Vesta, wonders on wonders meet our view. Here we find beautiful grottoes—lovely little nooks—with every luxury that the soul can conceive of, to allay its desire. Beautiful bright spirits who attend, and as we approach, sing and chant their melodious songs. which thrill us with delight. They are a beautiful race—so small, so perfect in their organisations—that they are wonderful in their magnetic life—so perfect, happy and joyous in their natures. None have ever been seen upon earth. Vesta is a beautiful planet which shines in its orbit or soul-lit canopy with great beauty, and its inhabitants partake of its genial life. There are a few of the inhabitants who come to attend us to their home, where we may enjoy for a while the beauties of their glorious life. But we will not attempt now to describe its glories, as we are only to give you knowledge of our earth's spiritual habitation.

Animation of a Foucault pendulum (showing the sense of rotation on the southern hemisphere—Dominique Toussaint—Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported