Soul Land

The first and second spheres resemble earth in its material properties and surroundings.

The first is so nearly allied by the interchange of magnetic and electric forces passing from animal, vegetable and mineral life, giving the same sensations, so that the spirit on entering this sphere often mistakes it for his earthly home and vibrates between it and the earth.

Those spirits that are material remain in the first sphere and coming in contact with earth matter often clothe themselves in its magnetic condition, so as to be recognised by their friends—the element of earth being but little coarser than those of the first sphere.

The spirits of higher spheres passing through the lower in returning to earth cause an interchange, producing a gradual progression from earth to the highest.

As soon as a spirit is sufficiently spiritualised or harmonised to pass into another sphere to become an inhabitant, a band of angels is sent to escort it.

Spirits often visit spheres beyond them, guided by attending angels from those spheres, so that they can behold the glories of soul land and the angelic hosts who are radiant and beautiful, thus awakening them to a consciousness of glory not conceived before. Attendants wait upon them, giving to their wondering gaze the soul picture of glories in the higher life. Earth's children sometimes get glimpses of the celestial spheres and retain the knowledge gained to give it to earth. So with those spirits, they are filled with a glorious light, giving them an impetus to rise to higher conditions.

Cathedral of St John the Divine—a stone sculptor working on an angel—Library of Congress—Bain News Service (1909)