The Law of the Astral?

Lord Kitchener is advised that he should not become alarmed at anything, which might come under his observation. He is assured that his friend is there and at any rate he must know the experience is unreal and cannot last. 

They seem to suffer, they do, but it is their test. They have to come out of it some time, although we have to help some of them. 

Lord Kitchener caught his friend's arm, anxious lest he lost sight of him. Sensing his troubled thought, he was reassured, No need to worry, I will not go far from you. Upon this plane, you will have many experiences, which will seem strange and perhaps quite trying. When we enter this house you will have several reasons to believe I have proven unfaithful to you, but upon my word of honour, Kitchener, I assure you I will not.

Suddenly, there came a scream that sent Lord Kitchener stumbling quickly after his friend, and he stifled a groan. He took hold of his friend's arm. He even then wondered at himself. On the earth, he had himself under control and here he was acting almost like a child in a dark haunted house. 

He followed his friend into the unknown darkness. He was wondering why there was no light, and his friend answered softly, The light here is not bright, for there are so many clouded thoughts, and empty channels of thought. These are dark, burdened beings fighting the physical sense and trying to find the light, which the teachers cannot entirely establish. But why am I in the dark when I am not of this plane? The reason there is darkness for you is because you are still in the outer orbit of earthly thought, of physical craving and vibration. Your body is filled with the thoughts you held close to you while on the earth plane. Lord Kitchener did not understand what he meant entirely, but he went forward into the house of strange noises, which chilled him. Suddenly, he felt hands upon him, cold hands, which touched his sensitive body, and then, as a hand touched his face, he stifled a groan.

Why did you bring me here? Why must I suffer so? Have I not suffered enough? Not enough? Answer me, wherever you are, Gladstone!

No answer came. Lord Kitchener reached out. He felt something clammy. A chill went through him. He felt as if he were falling.

Why, in the name of the truth, did you bring me here? I cannot stand it, I cannot stand it, I tell you. Answer me, wherever you are, answer me, Gladstone!

Then, as if from a voice, and yet with no audible words, he heard, You are still learning. You have no place other than here if you cannot rise above all this confusion and face the darkness and dispel it. Then, and then only, will you be a help and not a subject—then only will you have light—if you cannot stand it here, this is where you belong until you can, until you overcome— that is the law of the astral.

At first, Lord Kitchener felt filled with a panic, he wanted to forget existence, just to be free from darkness and horror, just to forget himself, to be nothing perhaps, it was unconsciousness he longed for—and then he began to feel strangely, he was sinking slowly into an unconscious state. He cried, No! No! I want to stand this test, I will stand it, for I am strong—nothing can harm me. I will have the light—nothing but the light and the truth. I am free. I want to be one of the great universal helpers. 

Slowly, into the space before him, which had been darkness, there came a great light. It shone yellow and gold and seemed to penetrate his soul. The darkness was gone. He was free from that test. He knew he was free to leave the plane whenever it was the right time to go. He had a sense of happiness. Looking around he saw his friend gazing pensively at him. But his serious face brightened. You came through the test, Kitchener. They proceeded in silence for sometime until Lord Kitchener asked, Does everyone have the same tests to pass? 

His friend stopped and faced him. Does everyone on the earth plane have the same tests and lives to live? No, never just the same—there is individuality in spirit. This is just the continuation of the great school, which leads to knowledge.

The Message—Lord Kitchener Lives