What is the mirror of the soul?

Mirror of the Soul

ut imago est animi voltus sic indices oculi

the face is a picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter

—Cicero

The spirit is reflected in the body, and although the body is only matter, yet being modelled on the capacities of the spirit, the latter impresses upon it a certain character that is more particularly visible in the face, especially in the eyes, which have been truly declared to be the mirror of the soul—

The face reflects the soul more especially than does the rest of the body.

Lytton referred to a fact in nature.

When Lytton wrote, in one of his occult novels, of a gigantic foot, which stepped through a gap in the magic circle drawn by a black magician in the primeval wilderness, he referred to a fact in nature.

―The Judge

There is rest for the weary.

Oh! what a strange world this is! no cooking, yet we are furnished food—no dressmaking, yet we are clothed in beautiful garments—no hard toil, only that of the soul, and still, all things go on without interruption. 

There is rest for the weary, she hummed.

Golden Gleams from the Heavenly Light

I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem.

You may have gained the impression that we [spirit-lives] have described our life as a strange mixture of natural and spiritual—

We have spoken of houses, lands, clothes, food, books, and on the other hand, have spoken of the will-power, as the great creative agency of soul impressions rather than bodily senses.

Will-power is the great creative agency of soul impressions rather than bodily senses.

That impression would be in the main a correct one, for our life here is a mingling of the old and new—the past and present—not yet wholly spirit, nor wholly of the earth—

We partake of both natures. 

Like a girl who is just between childhood and womanhood may be a child one day and a woman the next—or like a dragonfly just emerging from its case comes out with folded wings for a time that bears some proportion to his short life, he seems rather to crawl on these wings, as if he were a grub than to open them and fly away. 

Our pleasures and duties are never separated here [the world of spirits], as they sometimes are with you.

There is no such thing as a pleasure disconnected from work, growth or duty—neither is there any beauty disconnected from true life, nor any idle sorrow or grief that is not distinctly healing in its effect—cleansing or raising the soul.

There is no weariness, such as comes from mere ennui or from a vacant mind—real honest fatigue of the body comes only from the imperfection of the growing soul not yet strong enough to bear all the strain put on it by its spirit lord. 

This is an example of spirit communications.

Spirit Hermes, the Egyptian, continues his narrative, concerning the loss of his beloved father—

No; not the loss—and yet it was a loss to me, for now I did not have his bodily presence open to my senses. 

But was he not with me in spirit, and much more able to aid me? 

Knowing more than ever he did, he could now pass impressions on my brain—fitting me by such impressions, for the great work, which he had designed me to undertake—that was—to go forth amongst the people of Egypt and proclaim the elevating truths I had received from him. 

At our last sitting, I told you of the result of his appearing to me in spirit-form. 

The clouds, which had darkened my mind were dispelled, and once more the sun broke out on my heart that had been so sad and downcast.

At last, the veil of night was drawn aside, and the morning beams of the glorious luminary of day lighted up the land. 

I felt I was not alone—the Spirit of my beloved father and friend was still hovering near me. 

He had, while he was in the body, made me solemnly promise that I should on no account allow the usual custom of embalming the dead body to take place, but that it should be at once consigned to the dust—there to mingle with its native elements. 

I have no further use for the frail tenement, he said. 

Even as, when I clothe myself in a new garment, I cast aside the old and worn-out one, so let my old worn-out body be returned to the ground. 

Bearing this in mind, when my brethren proposed to begin the usual ceremonies attendant on embalming, I said—

No; it cannot be done. 

Oh, why not? said they, you know it is quite a part of our system, and, besides, it is surely right that we should honour one so eminent as he who has been taken away. 

I told them that I had sworn to him that 1 would bury his body according to his desire.

After a long disputation, they consented to take part with me in the work of laying the dead body in the cold earth, where it might dissolve into the elements of which it was composed.

What a solemn funeral procession that was, as it slowly passed over the courts of the ruined Temple of Thebes! 

It was in ruins because we had no heart, neither did we have the means to repair that which had been ruthlessly broken down—the oppressors' foot was still on the neck of Egypt. 

No longer did she feed the hungry people—

No longer did she give laws to kings, for, like other great nations of the earth, she, too, had fallen from her high position and lay enfeebled in the dust.

There were no gorgeous trappings there—

No ornamental chest with embalmed body of the deceased, but, clothed in his white robe, the body was borne along by the priests, their heads bare and their feet unsandalled, followed by a train of weeping women. 

As we proceeded, we sung hymns, which had been composed by him whose body we were carrying to the grave, and when we reached the place of burial, I bent my knee in prayer to the Great God in the heavens—not now to Him, as behind the veil—ah, no; for my mind's eye was now open to behold Him as the Father of All, who was revealed to us in all his beautiful works in the heavens above and over all the earth. 

Slowly, and sadly, we lowered the body into its resting place, and while we shovelled the earth back into the grave, there burst upon our ears a strain of glorious music, flowing, as it seemed, from the united voices of ten thousand of the heavenly host. 

Our souls were enraptured by the celestial harmony, as it filled the air around and above us. 

We felt, as it were, at the gates of Heaven—

Hearken, brother! 

Listen to the music! 

Yes, yes, I responded, let us join in the celestial chorus, and our voices and hearts went out in praise.

That day I spoke with a different tongue. 

I had been accustomed to go through the temple service by mere rote. 

But now my tongue was loosed. 

I felt an influence upon me I never felt before. 

The priests rallied around me, and thus I spoke—

As Head Priest, I stand here before you, brethren of the Temple, but from this time henceforth I become a simple man. 

No longer shall I bend the knee to Isis—no longer is there to me a God behind the veil.

The Hidden One hath been revealed. 

Why, O why should we continue any longer to uphold that which is wrong? 

Let us go forth and proclaim throughout the land that which we know of the true God, of him who is the Creator and upholder of all in heaven and earth. 

This is the work enjoined on me by him whose mortal body we have just laid in the dust.

This is his command given by himself when he appeared to me in spirit-form last night, and how can I disregard the holy injunction, confirmed as it has just been by the voices of the Host of Heaven? 

I dare no longer hesitate. 

I feel his Spirit speaking through me—

His mantle has fallen on me. 

O that it may also fall on you! 

Hear me, my friends. We live—we cannot die—

We but cast off the old garment of earth, never more to be put on and clothed anew—

We enter into another and a better sphere of life, in which we will not only rejoin our dear friends who have passed from our sight, but we shall meet with our beloved teacher and guide—with Socrates, Solon, Plato, and the wise and good of all the ages and nations who have been faithful in the use of the talents committed to their trust. 

These men did not hide the truth but proclaimed that which they knew. 

Let us, also, go out to the world, and preach love to our fellows—

Love to all mankind, as the truth of God—

There is a life far surpassing this mortal life beyond death, and that that life shall have no end. 

I have spoken unto you the words, which I received from our aged father and guide. 

May we meet him and all the good and wise in the Great Temple, where all shall mingle in holy communion of light and love.

In words somewhat similar to those now spoken, I addressed the company that surrounded me, but I cannot in present circumstances do justice to the address.

After the burial, we retired to the temple, there to fast and pray, and that night, in solemn conclave, we resolved that henceforth our efforts would be put forth to raise up Thebes from her debased state—

A lamp should be lit up within her that would in due time give light to all around. 

The prospect of ultimately delivering the nations from the prevailing darkness of ignorance and idolatry was all the more promising, inasmuch as we knew that there was One growing up who would yet become the Great Deliverer of the Nations, and that in Persia, the Chief of the Magi was also on our side.

We broke off from the old and worn-out and corrupt system to which we had been attached by many a tie, and formed ourselves into a new school of theology. 

This party continued for some time, but I learned afterwards that it did not stand, having, like many other movements that at first promised well, become corrupt in its course. 

But the light kindled by Jesus in Judea still burns on, and will continue.

Though no longer an inhabitant of earth, I am still animated by the same desire to help on the great movement, by which the darkness and misery of men shall be swept away, and truth and love be established over all, and in all. 

O for that good time—would it were come! 

Is there the same spirit now animating those who profess to be followers of Jesus? 

There are, I know, a few of earth's sons toiling hard in the wide field of the world, but so very few that the time of deliverance is yet far off.

But you are men who, like me when in the body, have cast aside some of your old ideas, and the light begins to twinkle. 

See that your light increase in strength and brightness—

This will be the result if you be true to your convictions. 

Fear not though your fellowmen shoot at you the galling arrows of scorn and ridicule, but despite scorn, malice, and persecution, boldly proclaim the truth of spirit-communion.

Endeavour by all means to commend your doctrines to others by lives of purity and goodness. 

Without this you will fall—

With it, and the asked-for blessing of the Great Father, in the gift of His ministering spirits, who, standing around the Throne of the Prince, are ever ready to do his pleasure, your eyes will soon behold the blossoming fruits of your labours.

Hafed, Prince of Persia—His Experiences in Earth Life and Spirit Life; being spirit communications received through Mr David Duguid, the Glasgow trance-painting medium; with an appendix, containing communications from the spirit artists, Ruisdal and Steen. Illustrated by facsimiles of various drawings and writings, the direct work of the spirits; David Duguid, Hay Nisbet; James Burns, London, 1876

Message to Musicians

Of all earthly things, sound reaches most directly into this plane of life [in the spirit-world].

Tell that to the musicians.

―The Judge

Yet still you live.

The physical body is the only part of you that is perishable.

All the rest of you is imperishable.

However low you may sink spiritually, yet you cannot perish.

You may remain in your low estate for aeons of time, yet still you live.

―Spirit Robert Hugh Benson

I am within the land of living.

Did you know that I was here one day this week? 

I shall be three times and out.

—Spirit Frank Burr

Willie, it did us an awfully lot of good to see sister here one day. 

I want everyone on earth to know of this life.

—Spirit Ida Carey

I am here.

—Spirit Chas. E. Boult

Just a line to tell you, I am within the land of living.

—Spirit Uncle Henry Adams

I am not a—(cannot read)—

I directed you by a divine law.

—Spirit Elbert Hubbard

Dear William

If you would develop, or invent the lens that Dr Franklin is anxious for some mortal to do, it would enable mortals to see the spirit leaving the mortal body at decease. 

I wish this might be for the sake of doubting Thomases. 

You might be the only one to unfold this valuable lens. 

It means fame and fortune, of course, to the one who succeeds in bringing it out. 

I am glad to be here now.

—Truly, Spirit William. C. Riffley

I am not dead and never was.

Will, do not say a word! 

Do not tell people I was here. 

They will regard you as crazy. 

The human mind must be developed by degrees to a realization and comprehension of this stupendous revelation. 

I am not dead and never was. 

The physical body is not essential to the life of a spirit, and I know this. 

I am going on with you.

—Brother Frank Burr

Remember me to Emma.

—Jacob Mumbach

Written Messages from the Spirit World

The Process

Slates are thoroughly washed and dried. 

A small slate pencil is placed between two slates, a string is tied around them,  and they are laid on the table in full view in bright light. 

While the writing is being produced, the medium requests the observer to hold the slates in his hands, while he himself holds the other side. 

One hears spirit-hands, writing in their own handwriting, characteristic messages with incredible rapidity.

Forget-me-nots

Photographic Copies of Written Messages from the Spirit-world

Spiritual Messages and Experiences

The conflict rages wildly. All must strike together.

—Rutherford B. Hayes

I am in the bright light now.

Time and Space in the Spirit World

And Time shall be no more.

The pneuma is now becoming a seven-dimensional being—

The old fetters of time and space are falling from him rapidly. 

The pneuma is no longer conscious of time—

He does not seem to be controlled by it in the least. 

The past and the present are merged in the Eternal Now—

The hither and thither are merged in the Here am I, which is the spirit’s constant response to the voice of his forerunner, and God. 

Yesterday and today are both alike to him—equally real—equally present.

Through this he has power to undo the wrongs of the past—

More fully and truly than before, those things of which his true self might be eternally ashamed are rectified—

The stain washed away in the blood (which is the life) of his spirit.

So he sees and hears the complete sum of past and present—both are one and indivisible.

He neither goes, nor comes, any more than love or pity goes or comes—

All of which he is cognisant is included within the circle of his being—

It lies in his breast, as the whole universe lies in the breast of the Most High.

I have no need of you.

None can say to his brother—

I have no need of you—

We are one—

To destroy a part—if that were possible—would be to destroy the whole.

Selfishness is the foundation of all sin.

Do you imagine that an earthly life of selfishness and sin can suddenly change into a life of purity and love? 

No such change can occur, but must be worked out patiently and slowly by the sinner himself―

It may be years―lifetimes―centuries before the awakened one can replace sin and selfishness with loving service for others.

Awake to the truth that selfishness is the foundation of all sin and must be overcome before one can enter into the joy of heavenly life.

Uncle Tom's Cabin was a partnership creation.

At a reception given to emancipators by the emancipated, Harriet Beecher Stowe―noble, simple in her bearings, and now beautiful face, illuminated with heavenly light―looks up to the higher spheres, and says―

Not mine the work, but thine, 

Oh! heavenly messengers of peace and freedom! 

My brothers and my sisters, Uncle Tom's Cabin was a partnership creation. 

I gave my time―my fullest sympathy―I made a study of southern scenes and character, and yet I could never have put the spirit into the book, which still lives, if I had not been dominated by a superior power. 

My characters talked for themselves―they dominated me―thank God―

These strange evangels have done a portion of the great work.

This is something for you to think about.

Prince Hafed of Persia describes his own experience after parting from the body—

On waking up, I felt as if I had come out of a troubled dream. 

The past few hours appeared to me as a sort of dreamy unreality, and yet I knew that that which had taken place was altogether real—

A fact—

Not to be set down as mere fancy. 

I began, gradually, to consider—

I could observe no difference in myself—

Not even in the clothing with which I was covered. 

This is something for you to think about. 

Whence came these clothes? 

The spirits did not bring them along with them into the spirit-land. 

How then? 

But—

As the scales fell from my eyes—

As I began to realise the fact of my translation—

I perceived that though my clothing was like that which covered me on earth, it was not the same. 

I began to examine my frame, and in that likewise, all appeared as usual—

There were my hands—my feet—the shape of my body—the very bones—aye, even the swollen blue veins in my arms and hands, and the nails on my finger ends—

All there! 

But—

As I wondered and gazed, all became transparent—

There was no density in that on which I looked.

I continued to look at myself, and my surroundings, and as I looked, I ruminated—

Is this then the grand change that has absorbed the attention of philosophers of all ages and countries? 

Has the veil at last been drawn aside? 

Now, I see things as they really are. 

Now, I stand out in enduring form—

Solid and more substantial than are the everlasting rocks—

These may, in the lapse of ages, crumble into sand—

The mortal body may be dissolved into the elements and be blown hither and thither by the winds, but here is the indestructible body. 

Man may—and, alas! how often does he destroy his earthly body, but this spiritual frame shall never be destroyed. 

O glorious change! from earth, with all its sins and sorrows and sicknesses, to heaven, with its enduring rest and peace and joy!

Thus, I meditated, and thus, I wonderingly mused, and as I did so, the truth—like rays of light—darted into me. 

That which I had been accustomed to look on as substantial realities, even earth's great rocks and mountains and seas, now appeared to me but as shadows when contrasted with the grand and magnificent objects on which my vision rested. 

It was not, however, until the forms of my wife and son, with my beloved parents, and friends and companions long passed away stood round about me that I realised the fact of my transition—-

I had indeed passed from death to life—

From the mortal to the immortal. 

Besides, I could now perceive the hearts of those dear ones with whom I came in contact.

Of course, I do not refer to the body-heart—that great force-pump of the blood (if you carefully examine that blood you will perceive the magnetic spark so necessary to the proper action of the heart)—not that, but something different from, and yet corresponding with that important organ of the body—I mean the spirit-heart—

The affections—

The thoughts projected from the innermost of the Inner Man. 

Observe, the spirit has what I may call an Inner spirit. 

If you could but understand it! 

You look on man encased in his wondrous human form and you behold in that form only the temple of the spirit—the dwelling-place of the man—so beautifully adapted to all his requirements, as an inhabitant of earth—

You turn your eyes to the spirit-form—

The heavenly body, but that is not the man—

That is not the all—

There is, in that celestial body, the Inner Man—

The thinking—feeling—acting being—the divine part—

The eternal indestructible offspring of God. 

Do you see it? 

There is—first—the body—

Then—the spirit—

And then—the divine part—

All these go to make up the individual—the Man.

In earth-life, the inner, or God-part—the soul—may be so obliterated—so defaced by worldliness and sin that there seems to be nothing left, but the spirit. 

Man by transgression of law shuts out God. 

Coming here, in such a condition, he is driven—

He cannot help being driven into the dark regions of despair—

There, he abides without hope, and abandoned of God, as he thinks.

But still, there is hope, for he is not forgotten—

The angels of mercy and love are on the watch for an opening by which they may operate on the inner part of this darkened immortal, and when this opening does take place, as a result of the discipline undergone—

When the little chink appears, then is the door thrown open for the influences of the ministers of love and truth—

The light flows into the dark cells of his being—gradually and slowly at first—but ever increasing, and as the light comes in, so does the degraded one emerge from his miserable condition, and rises—

Ever rises upward and onward. 

We, in our loved missions, are ever on the watch in such cases, and when the opportunity occurs, it is our joy and delight to work for goodness and truth—

To lift the poor helpless, hopeless one up out of the foul waters of his sins to God's pure stream of truth, and thus to float him on into our sphere of light and love. 

In those who come here in a renewed condition, the divine part of their nature becomes the thinking, acting part, and as they continue in this course, so do they become more and more like unto Jesus who is the Image of the Invisible God.

—Hafed, Prince of Persia