How do we live in the world but not of the world?

Tongue can never express―or mind conceive of the glories, which surround the heavenly spheres or belts of atmospherical light and the millions of happy spirits who inhabit them. As the spirit of Mary Washington expounds—

You ask how we live. We answer—

By being embalmed with all and everything that is beautiful and in harmony to our taste or desire. Comprehending the beautiful we attract the beautiful to us. 

Nothing is allowed by the ruling innate law to mar an inspiration in the heavenly spheres. We yield to the impulses that surround us, as an infant to its mother for sustenance.

Thus we retire to our grottoes where all things minister to those beautiful visions of soul’s inspiration. 

There we are lulled and charmed by the music of the flowers and birds and the hum of insect life while the perfume of flowers impregnates our being with sweetness. 

Thus our soul is rested and uplifted, and like the flowers, gathers in the nectar of God's glories, which make us grander and nobler in doing the great good for those who need our strength.

Now we have told you of flowers and birds, and you naturally ask―do you have any other scenes or conditions like earth? 

Yes—friends, all the animal creation are here in their form and sphere, and many more beautiful than ever seen upon your earth being adapted to our sphere alone. 

Why should we not?

Do we not have the forest, the mountain and meadow, lawns, lakes, rivers, all and everything like earth, and much that you will understand that the earth does not have because of her density. 

Yet she will bring forth and develop many new beings, as she continues to rise out of her density to higher spiritual altitude, for she is rising higher and is becoming more spiritual in all her conditions.