What will you be in your next life?

How beautiful it is to be an inhabitant of such a wonderful land!

This fact became more deeply impressed on my mind as I grew and unfolded in my new life.

I found a great deal to interest me―

It seemed that there was always something new to charm my sight and hearing.

It was so grand to think that one was not limited in his desires in this heavenly world.

After a time, the new life became so natural to me that it seemed as though I had always known it―

It was no longer a dream, but a grand and beautiful reality.

Such a life as the one that I had found was certainly greatly to be desired.

To think that one might go on through all eternity, receiving instruction, developing and unfolding in an atmosphere of the most elevated thought was a privilege greatly valued by those who were inmates of this wonderful world.

As I grew and developed, I found more satisfaction in life than ever before.

The experiences of my life were varied―

There was no condition that I found monotonous.

I found a great deal to interest me, but there were no scenes so beautiful as those I could see in the heavenly world, and so I was always happy to return to them.

A few hours spent with my studies, then more time in the pleasant companionship of dear friends, then a lecture―or concert―or the privilege of witnessing some scientific experiment soon to be given to the world through the brain of some receptive individual, after this, a pleasant walk over the beautiful grounds of my home with my beloved brother, my angelic guide―or with my own soul.

In the latter care, I would spend a pleasant hour in reflection and companionship with my own soul.

What a wonderful life it was―

No time wasted, but all spent in helping the soul to grow and unfold its mighty powers.

Sometimes, it would be a visit to the lower spheres to help and instruct some undeveloped spirit who desired to rise, then again there would be a call to the earth-plane to a scene of an accident where many lives were to go out―some lives needing assistance to help them to the spirit-world.

And so my life glided along, peacefully and pleasantly, through three years of spiritual life.

I have gained much―

My soul has grasped many lessons of truth and wisdom, but it is only at the beginning of spiritual knowledge.

What can triumph over the terrors of Nature?

 

What is death?

Nothing, but the separation of the soul from its earthly case.

What becomes of the case when it is cast aside?

Does it vanish from God's creation?

No, it falls to dust and ashes and is mingled with the rest of the earth whose nutritive elements formed it in the beginning.

It does not leave creation, but remains there awaiting another destiny.

But what becomes of the soul stripped of its veil? 

Does it vanish from God's creation? 

Oh, no! How could it be possible for the nobler element to cease to exist when the viler is imperishable?

Must we believe that it has been removed from the infinite multitude of created beings because it has thrown off the veil through which it alone could reveal its presence to our senses? 

No, it lives, for its very dust, which once served to enwrap it, still exists. 

It lives, for God creates and does not annihilate. 

It lives, for, in His sovereign wisdom, He could not repent in any sort for the high destiny for which He gave it being.

Is it then so painful to cast off this earthly veil? 

In truth, the natural love of life, which the Creator has so deeply implanted within you inspires you with fear at the idea of parting with your mortal form, but the power of the human mind can triumph over the terrors of nature. 

How many generous men have faced death for their God—country—faith—their friends? 

Death had no terrors for them. 

How many poor, weak, degenerate beings—driven by despair—have voluntarily laid down the life, which had become a burden to them?

Dying men do not dissimulate and we can judge by their features what is going on in their mind. 

From such study, it would seem almost as if the soul must experience an agreeable sensation at the moment it lays aside its mortal spoil, for it has been often observed that the features of persons dying of painful maladies assume at the final instant an expression of calm serenity, while a peaceful smile quivers on the lips of the lifeless body, left there by the departing soul—

A smile which seems to say—

Ah, what relief!

—Queen Victoria In Spirit

—The Encyclopaedia of Death and Life in the Spirit World—Opinions and Experiences from Eminent Sources

The horror of such a fate!

Can anyone hear of it and not shudder to think what the bitter weariness and discontent of life and a reckless desire to be free of it at any cost may plunge the soul into.

If those on earth would be truly merciful to the suicide they would cremate his body―not bury it―that the soul may―by the speedy dispersal of the particles―be the sooner freed from such a prison.

The soul of a suicide is not ready to leave the body―

It is like an unripe fruit and does not fall readily from the material tree, which is nourishing it.

A great shock has cast it forth, but it still remains attached until the sustaining link should wither away.

―Spirit Franchezzo

I am the Truth.

Spirit Franchezzo is speculating what his next adventure will be when a couple of spirit-lives hurry to him.  

They ask if he is not a member of the Brotherhood of Hope since―if so―they have a message for him from a dearly loved friend on earth, and one of his guides has sent them to deliver it.  

At first, Spirit Franchezzo was very pleased as he thought it was his darling, and that they were sent from her, since they did not have the appearance of most of the dark spirits around. 

Their robes shone with a peculiar blue grey light that was almost like a mist clothing them and Spirit Franchezzo had some trouble to make out their faces.  

When he did so, he could not help starting, and a feeling of distrust crept over him, for the flickering veil of grey blue gauze that interposed between them became so thin that he could see a couple of most repulsive dark spirits under it. 

Faithful Friend quietly pressed his arm as a warning. 

Spirit Franchezzo addressed them with caution and asked what was their message.

In the name of the Prophet, began one, we are to tell you that your love is very ill and prays that you return to earth to see her without delay, lest her spirit will have passed before you arrive to the realms where you cannot follow her.  

We are to show you the way to reach her quickly.

How long, he asked eagerly, is it since you left her?

Not two days, was the reply, and we are to bring you immediately. 

Your Eastern guide is with her and has sent us specially.

Then Spirit Franchezzo knew they were lying, for his Eastern guide had just left them and he had said no word of his beloved being ill.  

But he temporised with them, and said―

Give me the secret sign of our brotherhood since unless you do so, I am unable to go with you.

The veil of gauzy mist was fast fading from them and he could see their dark forms growing more distinct beneath.  

Spirit Franchezzo did not, however, show them that he saw this. 

They did not answer immediately, but were whispering to each other. 

Spirit Franchezzo continued―

If our guide has sent you, you will surely give me the countersign of our order?

Surely yes. Certainly I can. Here it is―Hope is Eternal―and he smiled with an air of great frankness.

Good, said Spirit Franchezzo, go on―finish it.

Finish it! Is there more you want? and he stood puzzled.

The other nudged him and whispered something―

Hope is Eternal and Truth is ―and Truth is―ha―hum―what, amico?

Inevitable, said the other.

Spirit Franchezzo smiled most blandly on them both―

You are so clever, friends―no doubt you can now give me the symbol?

Symbol? Diavolo! There was no symbol we were to give.

Was there not?  said Spirit Franchezzo.  

Then I must be the one to give it to you.

They both raised their arms to make a grab at him. 

Spirit Franchezzo saw one had a withered hand and he knew directly to whom he was indebted for this little plot. 

As they rush at him, he stepped back and made the sign of the sacred symbol of Truth in all ages and all worlds.

At this they cowered down on the ground as though he had struck them and rendered them unconscious. 

They left them there to ruminate at their leisure.

Spirit Franchezzo asked Faithful Friend as they moved away what he thought they would do now.

In a short time, he said, they will recover.  

You have given them a shock, and for the moment stunned them, but they will be up after us again before long with some fresh devilment they will have hatched.  

If you had gone with them they would have led you into the morass beyond and left you to wander about half-choked if they did you no more serious harm. 

You must always remember that they have great power in their own sphere if you give yourself up to their guidance in any sense.