What is spiritual standing?

Our highest conception of spirit in any form is but a mere outline of the reality. 

We have no conception of spirit in connection with labour, hence we are lost when they say to us—We labour for your good. We do not feel the touch, see the form, hear the voice—we feel alone, not realising that the loved form, which we have laid in the grave is nothing, but a worn-out garment and gone to decay—while at the same time that voice is not hushed, neither has it ceased its words of love and consolation for us. 

Close by our side the spirit stands, whispering words of endearing friendship, strengthening those ties of unity, breathing love from the depths of its spiritual nature, embracing the form with tenderness, approaching the door of our hearts and looking in upon the window of our minds, hoping there to find one sweet recollection cherished as a green spot in our summer life.