Glimpses Of The Next State.Pdf - Spiritualists' National Union

198intercourse with my relatives, who told me in the direct voice of its reception into the next state.There were several communications, but the gist of them all was this “This little one was removedfor a purpose; though physically normal, it was psychically abnormal; had it lived to maturity, itwould have been a highly developed sensitive. It loses nothing by the loss of earth experience; it willgrow up in the kindergarten, a part of what is termed ‘celestial life,’ where it will develop asspeedily as if it had remained on earth; in one respect, that of articulate speech, it will develop evenmore rapidly [I cannot understand this, and simply record what the voice told me]. Infants in spiritlife—in this celestial sphere—grow up entirely unsullied by earthly emotions. They are the angels ofGod. They know nothing of love as mortals understand that word, until, at some future time, theymay find their soul-mate. The infant for whom you mourn is in the charge of [naming a nearrelative], who will educate it. At present it is too young to be taught, but it has sufficientunderstanding to know that it is loved. You will be informed, from time to time, as to how it isprogressing.” I was enjoined to tell this to the father, and to say that his child was ‘‘ without ascar.” It was etherealised, and brought into the room and laid amongst a heap of narcissi.(l) This may not be the experience of every investigator. It is mine. The only discordantnotes I have ever heard are the impatient exclamations of spirit visitors when they cannot makethemselves heard or understood. Some of them seem to think that there is no difficulty on our side;they feel sure they have given their name distinctly when I have heard nothing but a blurred sound.I have noticed that my friends carefully avoid judging anybody, and change the subject if aquestion is asked to which the only answer can be one involving censure on their part. Only oncehave I heard my guide depart from this rule. Mrs. Wriedt said to her,Miss Iola, will you tell me what you think of the following story told me by a lady hereyesterday?” (She then related an incredible yarn, such as we have all had to listen to some time orthe other from neurotic and hysterical people.) The reply was:“Is the woman insane?” but, catching herself up, she went on “I cannot tell, Mrs. Wriedt,unless I investigate all the facts, but I think the lady who told you that must require medicalattention.”(m) This is a common experience, and is one of the most touching incidents of the séance-room.Nothing is so pathetic as to hear a spirit sobbing in the trumpet when an unhappy man or womanhas come to have speech with them. Exaggerated grief has the worst effect upon discarnate spirits;it prevents them from making any progress, and they haunt the earth until they are assured thatthose they have left are reasonably reconciled to their loss. It shocks anti-spiritists, whomisunderstand the philosophy of the subject, to hear laughter in a seance-room. As a matter of fact,laughter gives the best possible vibrations, and assists the display of phenomena more than anyother sound. The violoncello, the organ, singing, and the graphophone, all are good, but laughter isbest. It is a selfish act to retard the elevation of a spirit by despairing grief, when you know thatthere has only been a veil dropped between you, and that in a few years you will see your friendagain, unchanged except for the progress he or she has made in the interval.(n) It happens frequently that a spirit in the lower spheres expresses the greatestgratitude for a meeting with those on the earth plane, and leaves asking for the prayers or“thoughts” of the sitters.(o) All North American Indians were spiritists in their earth lives, and hover about thecountry so familiar to them. One or two will be found in every band belonging to a medium. Theyassist behind the scenes, so to speak, and intervene when the circle is too concentrated or quiet.Laughter loud and long is usually the result of their advent; the sitters are all roused again anddiverted from that worst of all habits—thinking too much of some particular spirit whom they wishto see.THE SPHERES AND REALMSI have to confess that I do not now know precisely what a “ sphere” is, though I am sure ofmy ground when I mention “realms.” A realm is a position of spiritual advancement, the “chamberof the soul.” To this all controls agree; but I have not been able to ascertain exactly what is meantby a “sphere.” As far as I understand it, the name is used to designate a “condition, or place, of