LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Chap Copyright No. 
 
 Shelf?!.!^^ ' 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
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 cboes trom the 
 
 Spirit Morlb 
 
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 u 
 
 Crane & Company, Printers 
 
 ToPEKA, Kansas 
 
 1899 
 
 L ' 
 
TV^ro COPIES RECEIVED 
 
 Library ,,„„^^ 
 Office f *Y.Q 
 
 DF;, 
 
 49544 
 
 Copyright 1899, ^7 
 Crane & Co., Topeka, Kansas. 
 
 eeccND COPY, 
 
2)c&(cator? 
 
 TO OUR FRIENDS, 
 
 ON BOTH SIDES OF LIFE, IS THIS VOLUME DEDICATED, 
 
 BY THE SPIRIT 
 
 JAMES THOMPSON, 
 
 through the mediumship of 
 
 Alice L. Kane. 
 
 topeka, kansas, 
 september, 
 
 1899. 
 
mote 
 
 The only apology I have to offer for 
 sending this little missionary to the public, 
 is that it was given to me for this purpose. 
 
 A. L. K. 
 
]£cboc5 from tbe 
 
 Spirit MorK) 
 
 Chapter I. 
 
 "Laugh, you who never had 
 
 Your dead come back ; but do not take from me 
 
 The harmless comfort of my foolish dream : 
 That these, our mortal eyes, 
 
 Which outwardly reflect the earth and skies, 
 Do introvert upon eternity ; 
 
 And that the shapes you deem 
 
 Imagination's, just as clearly fall, 
 Each from its own divine original, 
 
 And through some subtle element of light, 
 Upon the inward spiritual eye. 
 As do the things which round about us lie, 
 
 Gross and material, on the external sight." 
 
 — Alice Cary. 
 
 How often would we be glad to give to 
 mortals, on their plane of existence, our ex- 
 periences, for their benefit as well as ours, 
 
 7 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 To US it is an opportunity to do to those 
 still left in the flesh, a good they cannot 
 well now appreciate. 
 
 We say for the benefit of all, on both 
 sides of life, that the passing is an experi- 
 ence fraught with much joy, and also, of 
 course, as you may readily realize, some 
 sorrow. Sorrow at parting with the loved 
 friends, and especially if they are not cogni- 
 zant of the laws which govern our transi- 
 tion to the Spirit-life, or Spiritual Sphere ; 
 for then we know the door of communica- 
 tion is shut, and we must reach them as best 
 we can. 
 
 We are fortunate if we have a friend, who 
 is so far developed in the Spiritual life as to 
 be able to extend to us a helping hand, and 
 thus enable us to speak to those we love 
 most and best, who are still in earth-life. 
 
 It is my purpose to give, through this 
 8 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 friend, a series of experiences, which can- 
 not fail to convince the most skeptical that 
 we do exist outside of the material, and after 
 the great change called death, which is only 
 birth into the Spiritual kingdom of Nature, 
 where our possibilities for growth and de- 
 velopment are limitless. 
 
 Surely, many have found the truth, and 
 many more are seeking, they know not what, 
 but a satisfaction for their souls. To such I 
 will now address myself. 
 
 Immediately upon my transition out of 
 the body (which I will now state was pain- 
 less), I found myself surrounded by bright 
 and shining ones, some of whom I knewj 
 others seemed to have come out of sympathy 
 for the new-born soul. They wafted to me 
 fragrance from spices so sweet, and fanned 
 me with the delightful breezes peculiar to 
 the upper stratum of air just beyond the 
 
 9 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 currents of earth's magnetism. In this de- 
 lightful condition I had a sense of reflection, 
 and felt not a little sad at the loss, which 
 just now seemed to be permanent, of my 
 nearest and dearest. 
 
 A trifle homesick, I said to my guide, 
 "Have I left them for always?" "Far 
 from it," was his reply; "but for the pres- 
 ent, I wish you to be perfectly passive and 
 submissive, that more good may come to 
 you." 
 
 Feeling intensely the happiness with which 
 I was blessed, it soon took form in my try- 
 ing my powers in the new life by which I 
 was surrounded, for up to this point I was 
 as one cared for; but now I felt new desires 
 for motion, my body feeling light, and young 
 again; for I will say I had reached my fifty- 
 fifth year on earth, and as is quite common 
 to people of that age, my mortal body had 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 sometimes seemed a burden to me; but now 
 all that was past, and I felt well and young, 
 with renewed energy and vigor of mind. I 
 longed to try what I could do in my new 
 surroundings, so I expressed to my guide 
 (all have guides). 
 
 He kindly acquiesced, and agreed it was 
 now time for me to try my flight. 
 
 He gently grasped my waist, and we 
 commenced an upward motion which was 
 remarkable indeed. 
 
 I feared I would grow dizzy, and said as 
 much to my friend who had me in charge; 
 but nothing of the kind occurred to mar my 
 otherwise delightful experience. It seemed 
 we were borne on the wings of the wind, 
 but my friend said magnetic currents. 
 
 On, on, we went, past cities and villages 
 as real as ever greeted my mortal sight. I 
 began to wonder when this would cease, 
 II 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 when I was told that was enough for this 
 lesson, and now we would return. I con- 
 fess to having some doubt as to my ability 
 to maintain an equilibrium on the return, 
 but when I thought fear my guide simply 
 let go his hold, and I found it superb sailing 
 on magnetic currents, perfectly natural, with 
 no attendant danger. 
 
 12 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 "Alas ! for him who cannot see 
 The stars shine through his cypress tree, 
 "Who hopeless lays his dead away, 
 Nor waits to see the breaking day 
 Across the mournful marbles play." 
 
 — Whittier. 
 
 Surrounded as I was at this time by 
 scenes of my release from bondage to the 
 flesh, I looked about to see if I recognized 
 any familiar faces. Ah ! yes, there was my 
 ever -loving and faithful wife, bowed in 
 tears ; and my son, on whom his father had 
 hoped to lean as a prop and stay in his old 
 age. They were, however, looking philo- 
 sophically upon the occurrence, and my wife 
 remarked, " It is the way all must go, yet it 
 is hard — very hardP 
 13 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 I sought in vain to inform them of my 
 .presence, as no matter what my gestures 
 were, they paid no attention to me. 
 
 I would fain have comforted their sad 
 hearts with the assurance that I still lived 
 and loved, but no thought or movement of 
 mine seemed to attract any attention. 
 
 At last, worn with this thought, I passed 
 on into the familiar room where the lump 
 of clay that had once encased my entity lay 
 as one asleep. 
 
 I looked lovingly at the temple I had in- 
 habited so many years, and with a good-by 
 thought, left the room to seek more con- 
 genial air outside. I wondered what time 
 it was, as the lamps were not yet lighted. 
 I could not even guess the time of day. 
 
 After looking upon familiar scenes in and 
 around my home, I decided to try the street. 
 Here I found all was clear to my mind, and 
 14 
 
8PIRIT WORLD. 
 
 many familiar forms greeted my sight, but 
 paid no attention to me, — in fact, walked 
 right on in their course turning not to the 
 right or left, consequently passing right 
 through me. It did not disconcert me in 
 the least, and only gave me a feeling of 
 loneliness, not to be recognized ; but I be- 
 gan to fully realize the novelty of my new 
 situation, and thought this is to be endless. 
 This only added to my burden of sorrow, 
 for now I must seek new associates in ac- 
 cordance with my new environment. 
 
 Finally, my mind was drawn to business, 
 which had engrossed a greater part of my 
 life ; and here it will be different. Here^ I 
 thought, I shall at least be recognized, and 
 some deference paid to the senior partner of 
 the firm ; but alas ! no one paid any atten- 
 tion to me. This was the crowning point 
 of sorrow, and I resolved never to make a 
 
 IS 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 second attempt, as it evidently was useless. 
 So, turning my back upon that room, which 
 in the past held so many busy hours for me, 
 I resolved to learn what the great future 
 had in store, as evidently the haunts which 
 had known me so long, now would know 
 me no more forever. 
 
 Thus I glided out unnoticed, and when 
 again in the air felt freer, as while in the 
 old environments I felt the same sense of 
 anxiety for the welfare of the business, 
 which to me was becoming oppressive ; but 
 once free, I decided it was best for me not 
 to return. 
 
 At this point I began to experience a 
 sense of great loneliness. There they were 
 — my friends, but I could not make them 
 know or feel my presence. At this, a friend 
 in spirit came and spoke to me. Divining 
 my situation, he sought to lead my mind to 
 i6 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 the new surroundings, enough of which I 
 had seen to throw some light upon my way. 
 Gladly I accepted his advice, and we with- 
 drew from the old haunts, where now there 
 was nothing but disappointment, to an up- 
 per current, which was very invigorating. 
 " Come with me to my home," said he ; 
 "see what a veritable paradise we possess." 
 Surely enough ! we were borne along a 
 short distance, — then there appeared what 
 to me seemed an enchanted isle, with trees 
 of spice perfume, and these words recurred 
 to my mind : 
 
 "Just over there is an isle so fair, 
 With spice and sweet perfume." 
 
 " Now," said my friend, " just beyond the 
 tallest tree you can discern is where my 
 house and my dear Mary are." 
 
 It was a long distance, but I took sight at 
 
 —2 17 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 what seemed the tallest tree, and we steered 
 straight for it. 
 
 All this was accomplished in a few sec- 
 onds. Arriving at the place, I inquired, 
 " Where did you obtain material to con- 
 struct so beautiful a dwelling ? " 
 
 You see, I spoke after the manner of the 
 flesh, as I had not yet learned to adjust my- 
 self to this new situation. He answered at 
 once: 
 
 " That is the beauty of this life. We do 
 not have to work here for years before we 
 may have our hearts' desire accomplished. 
 We have only to desire with intense ear- 
 nestness, and we receive at once^ — not next 
 year, or at the end of a series of years of 
 toil and waiting, but soon. One must settle 
 in his mind the plan of the house, and the 
 thought forms a tangible dwelling, at least 
 
 ig 
 
SPIEIT WORLD. 
 
 As this conversation was going on, we 
 had drawn close to the dwelling, and my 
 friend said, " We will now enter, for here 
 we dwell in love and perfect peace.'*'* 
 
 I wondered to myself if this were entirely 
 true, as so many times in the old life I had 
 been made heart-sick and weary over the 
 attempts at perfect peace ; and I thought, 
 " Really, can this be true?" I remembered 
 what Jesus had said : " My peace I leave 
 with you, my peace I give unto you, not as 
 the world giveth," but now. I thought, 
 '-''This is not that world, and I wonder if 
 this is the peace spoken of ? " However, we 
 entered the dwelling, there to greet the loved 
 one of his choice, who had been in spirit - 
 life many years, and whose angelic ways 
 were sure to win all in her presence. The 
 pair made me feel perfectly at home, and I 
 was invited to tarry with them at my will. 
 19 
 
ECHOES FEOM THE 
 
 Urged to recline upon one of the many 
 luxurious sofas, and rest, I did so, for I was 
 by this time greatly fatigued, and accepted 
 the kind hospitality of my friend and his 
 noble mate ; and I felt I was indeed blessed. 
 
 2« 
 
8PIBIT WORLD, 
 
 Chapter III. 
 
 "If our dead return not, 'then is Christ not risen'; 
 your preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain." 
 
 Finding myself wholly given up to mus- 
 ings of the past, present, and future, my 
 mind wandered back to the loved, and, to 
 me for the time being, wholly lost, or ob- 
 livious to me in my present whereabouts; 
 yet my companionship was so delightful 
 that I could not long dwell upon unpleasant 
 things. 
 
 They strove to entertain and bear my 
 mind aloft to many scenes which were yet 
 to come into my present life. 
 
 Knowing myself now to be a living entity, 
 I began musing with myself as to my future 
 possibilities. However much I had already 
 learned, there was vastly more to be learned. 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Appearing at m}^ side soon after these so- 
 liloquies, was a friend whom in earth-life I 
 had called father. "Well, father," I said, 
 " you have come, and I am very, very glad 
 to see you. It is many, many years since 
 we parted, and I have often wondered how 
 it was with you, where you might be, and 
 if I would be so fortunate as to ever behold 
 you again : sit down and tell me all about 
 it." 
 
 " My dear son, it gives me great pleasure 
 to embrace you, and I freely confess, this is 
 a very pleasurable meeting to me. Have 
 you been long on the spirit side ? " 
 
 "Not long, I think, but just how long I 
 cannot tell, as I have not yet learned to 
 measure eternity." 
 
 " It makes no difference. I learned in 
 passing, you were being kindly cared for 
 by our good friend. 
 
 22 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 "Now, my son, there is much for you to 
 learn, and very much you must understand, 
 before you can develop those faculties of the 
 soul which will be your inherent right. You 
 must let go your hold upon earth for a time, 
 neither directing your thought nor affections 
 nadirward ; and I will help you to master 
 some of the difficult lessons, and with your 
 permission will now take you out for a little 
 flight." 
 
 Acceding joyously to his request, we pro- 
 gressed finely, for his grasp was so firm, 
 there was no sense of dizziness nor fear that 
 I experienced in my first lesson. Then the 
 thought of confidence — that what my father 
 thought best for me was best, made me very 
 happy. 
 
 Up to this time I had formed no idea of 
 the magnitude of space, but now we seemed 
 drowned in azure blue, and were struggling 
 23 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 with space. We met and passed many peo- 
 ple on some mission bent — some going earth- 
 ward, others overtaking and passing us, 
 bound for the Celestial realm. 
 
 *' Father," said I, " whither are we going?" 
 
 "To God, my son." 
 
 " But to-day ! right now ? " 
 
 " Oh, no ; it will take an indefinite space 
 to be able to reach Him." 
 
 "Well, what in the meantime? " 
 
 " I wish to show you some of the glories 
 of this life, the habitations not made with 
 hands, eternal in the heavens. 
 
 " You have already seen a sample of the 
 glory of God's love, in the home you just 
 left, and I wish to show you other homes, 
 just as real, just as tangible, as this one." 
 
 " But father, how is it ? — it seems so far. 
 Why did you not stay nearer earth, and thus 
 save all this travel ? " 
 24 
 
8PIBIT WORLD. 
 
 "Are you growing weary ? If so, we will 
 rest at the next inn, where all are well re- 
 ceived." 
 
 "I do feel fagged out, and believe it is 
 best to rest." 
 
 Accordingly in a very short space (I do 
 not mean time, as over here there is no 
 time, but everything is measured by space 
 traveled over, or to be traveled ) we came 
 within sight of one of these resting-places, 
 which we greeted gladly upon our arrival, 
 and were refreshed by our rest, and by par- 
 taking of the aroma and essence of food, 
 which is all the spirit requires for its sus- 
 tenance, and which it must have occasion- 
 ally, for complete health and enjoyment. 
 We have the counterparts in essence of all 
 foods in earth-life, and therefore have a 
 choice, according to our various tastes and re- 
 quirements, as our natures are not changed, 
 and we retain our own individuality. 
 
 25 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 It was indeed a delightful experience, as 
 this was my first in imbibing these delicious 
 aromas. In earth-life there are those sen- 
 sitives who experience within their spiritual 
 senses these aromas, — either of herbs, per- 
 fumes, or food ; but I had not been blessed 
 with this inner sense, and only now, for the 
 first time in my existence, was strengthened 
 by spirit power. 
 
 I found that here, as before, we met peo- 
 ple of all shades of belief. The future was 
 still in advance, and at every step it seemed 
 as far away as ever. I could not realize 
 that I was 7tow in the future, or what it 
 seemed to me, when I trod the mundane 
 sphere. Now, it all seemed endless, bound- 
 less space, with habitations and resting- 
 places. 
 
 " Come," said my father, "let us be go- 
 ing. I wish to reach home by nightfall." 
 26 
 
SPIRIT WOELB. 
 
 "Nightfall!" said I; "I thought there 
 was no night in Heaven. Are we not in 
 Heaven?" 
 
 " Not yet. There is, I am told, a place 
 where it does not grow dark, but we have 
 not reached that realm. 
 
 ''We must be patient, and not seek to 
 understand all God's ways at once. We 
 have enough to make us supremely happy 
 on the way, and we ought to be content 
 therewith, and not strive to advance beyond 
 our comprehension. As we progress we 
 shall understand all. Your dear mother 
 will be awaiting us, and it is Heaven to 
 her to have you with us, and I wish you 
 to stay some little space, as we have a very 
 commodious dwelling, and will be so pleased 
 to have you with us again." 
 
 On, on we went, past a small star. 
 
 "Father, is not thia a world ?" 
 27 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " Yes, my son. I have visited some of 
 them. They have inhabitants, and each its 
 use ; but to spirits is given the v^orld of 
 space outside. We are almost there. You 
 discern, like a speck, the tallest spire in our 
 little village. That is the place." 
 
 28 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 ♦* How shall I know thee in the sphere which keeps 
 The disembodied spirits of the dead, 
 When all of thee that time could wither sleeps 
 And perishes among the dust we tread ? 
 
 " Shalt thou not teach me, in that calmer home, 
 The wisdom that I learned so ill in this, — 
 The wisdom which is love, — 'til I become 
 Thy fit companion in that land of bliss ? " 
 
 — William Cullen Bryant. 
 
 " Nearing home ! " I thought, just as when, 
 so many years before, I would be absent for 
 a time, and my dear mother would come to 
 greet me ; and my thought in rapturous 
 thrills was borne ahead to this meeting, 
 which now seemed imminent. 
 
 Sure enough ! she caught sight of us, and 
 came with wide-open arms to receive the 
 wanderer ; and to me it was like the old life. 
 29 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " Oh, mother ! you are not changed, but are 
 the same loving, kind and faithful mother. 
 How do you enjoy this life ? How have 
 you been, and where are all the rest of us, 
 that you had so long in your keeping ? Are 
 they not with you ? " 
 
 " My dear son, I will answer your ques- 
 tions directly ; but now let me say, I am so 
 pleased to see you and have you at home 
 once more. Here you know you are wel- 
 come not only to come, but to stay. I have 
 plenty and to spare. There is no privation 
 here, and no worry as to how we are to get 
 along, as is the case with humanity. There, 
 it is one constant struggle to provide the 
 necessities, but not so here. All we do is to 
 see the necessity and the thought forms the 
 element. It is grand. So many times I 
 would have loved to send you word of all 
 this life, but I could not reach you. I tried 
 
 30 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 many times, but finally gave it up ; and as 
 you were the last to come of all my chil- 
 dren, I felt you would find the way as all 
 the rest had done. There are none of them 
 here just now, but some will return after a 
 little space, — as this, as you have already 
 learned, is our method of defining the inter- 
 val of absence. 
 
 " Well, on the whole I like this life better 
 than the old life. I find the faculties of 
 mindhsive renewed vigor; and, then, we al- 
 ways feel w^ell. No pain, you understand. 
 We grow weary, of course, but the rest is 
 so sweet that it is only a cheerful change. 
 
 " But tell me of yourself ; how have you 
 left the dear ones at home ? Are they rec- 
 onciled ? " 
 
 " Hardly, I think. Do you know, mother, 
 I have not had the heart to return since my 
 leave-taking after my first flight ? I was 
 
 31 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 not noticed or any attention paid to me, and 
 it was useless for me to remain there. I 
 have no desire to return again ; would rather 
 go on, and find what the future has in store 
 for me." 
 
 " I felt just so too, but then at last I found 
 a way to reach the mortal world, though 
 not my nearest and dearest. Prejudice in 
 the minds of the people deters many from 
 trying to communicate with their friends 
 and, as one of old exclaimed, ' they would 
 not believe though one should rise from the 
 dead.' This, I think, is the cause of many 
 in Spirit-life becoming discouraged, feeling 
 they will not be recognized or believed. 
 
 '' I tried many times, my son, to reach you 
 with mother-love, but failed, in that I got 
 no response, as of course you were not edu- 
 cated along these lines, and were not look- 
 ing for anything from me. 
 
 32 
 
SPIRIT WOBLB. 
 
 " But come, I have many things to show 
 you, now that you have come to this life. 
 We will first survey our premises, then 
 those of our adjoining neighbors ; some of 
 them you know. You see, we are content 
 with our traveling for a space, and located 
 in this beautiful valley, that we may enjoy 
 all the beauties vouchsafed to the children of 
 God. I cannot give up my faith in that 
 same loving Heavenly Father who was my 
 staff and stay through so many years of my 
 pilgrimage in earth-life. But come ; let us 
 look around." 
 
 At this my mother arose; I followed. We 
 passed out upon a broad portico, which was 
 decorated with exquisite taste in Grecian 
 architecture, the carvings and engravings 
 alone forming a display of decorative art 
 that was inclined to dazzle the eye and mind. 
 
 " Beautiful ! beautiful ! " I exclaimed. 
 
 —3 33 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " This is enchanting. These broad porticos, 
 filled as they are with rare and tropical 
 plants, are nearly all the room you need." 
 
 My mother smiled as was her wont when 
 greatly amused. 
 
 " This is the outside," she remarked ; 
 '' come, let us pass around to the side en- 
 trance." 
 
 Suiting the action to the word, we entered, 
 through a maze of bewildering sweetness, 
 and when once inside, this vision of loveliness 
 was still continued, more in the matter of 
 beautiful plants than in any other particular, 
 though the furnishings were most luxurious. 
 Many elegant mirrors reflected my image 
 back to my astonished vision. As this was 
 my first look at myself in spirit-form it gave 
 me great happiness to know I looked 
 younger by twenty years than in the body I 
 had laid aside. I knew that I felt so, but 
 34 
 
8PIBIT WOBLD. 
 
 had not thought about how I looked until 
 this moment when I beheld myself. 
 
 " Mother," I said, " this is entrancing, — 
 a veritable paradise ! Do you not find it 
 fatiguing to care for so much bric-a-brac, 
 tapestries, etc. ? " 
 
 "No, my son; that is the grand part of 
 it, — there are no moth and rust here, no dust 
 and decay, and our belongings may be 
 changed at will. But come, I wish to show 
 you our imbibing-room." 
 
 We moved as it were among a sea of 
 crystal, silver, and gold. 
 
 "But," I said, "certainly these dishes 
 never contain food, as none is needed." 
 
 " They may," my mother replied instantly. 
 " Have you not already been refreshed ? " 
 
 " Certainly; but the viands were dispensed 
 from urns on the air to guests at an inn, to 
 which we repaired for rest." 
 
 35 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " Yes, I know there are various ways; but 
 occasionally the old life returns with such 
 force that we sit at table with a display of 
 what you see here, and gratify our tastes 
 for whatever is uppermost in our minds: 
 strawberries and other delicious fruits, and 
 vegetables after our own thinking. Thus 
 you see we are not wholly detached from 
 everything of earth, but likely the next time 
 we locate for a space we will be farther up 
 the valley, or wholly removed from it." 
 
 " Indeed ! this is all very wonderful to 
 me. But where are my companions of 
 other years, — my sisters, and my brother ? " 
 
 My mother's face grew thoughtful as she 
 said: "John comes often, very often. The 
 girls are here occasionally, and I think will 
 be here in a short space, but they never 
 stay long. Their mission is to the darkened 
 minds of earth, as they can reach earth's 
 36 
 
SPIRIT WOBLD. 
 
 children with messages of love, to prepare 
 them for a transit to this beautiful world. 
 They are much interested in their work, 
 and except for their long flights, would be 
 gone a shorter space; but they are sent long 
 distances, many times, to reach all the mem- 
 bers of one family. 
 
 "John, as you already know, was of a sci- 
 entific turn of mind, and here he has oppor- 
 tunity to investigate to his heart's content. 
 He has been a student since coming here, 
 and is nearly always away from me, either 
 experimenting with the elements, or attend- 
 ing classes for the prosecution of his studies, 
 or at the centers of learning where profound 
 knowledge upon these subjects is to be ob- 
 tained, or attending convocations of the wis- 
 dom of earth, which is now the wisdom of 
 the spheres. Thus you see he has little 
 space to spend in idleness. But here he 
 comes. I thought he would be here soon." 
 
 37 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 "My dear, dear brother!" and my hands 
 were both grasped in his warm clasp. ^' It 
 is so good to see you, that we may have an 
 interchange of thought and flow of soul. 
 How often would I have let you know 
 what to expect, but 'ye would not'; but 
 when we meet here we are kin, for all the 
 world beside is as naught to us, v/hen we 
 have found our own. When did you ar- 
 rive ? and who was your guide ? Were 
 you sick long ? and how are the dear ones 
 at home ?" 
 
 All of which I answered as best I could ; 
 after which, conversation turned to the future 
 of each. 
 
 I had not thought much about what / 
 would do, when asked the question. 
 
 I had spent my earth-life in a struggle 
 with the world for a living, and now 
 whither was I drifting, while my brother 
 38 
 
8PIBIT WOULD. 
 
 was only continuing what he began on 
 earth? There was no cessation to his 
 climbing; he was steadily progressing, — I 
 could readily see that. Had chosen what 
 to him would be congenial throughout all 
 eternity, and, I thought, he has chosen the 
 better part. Many mysteries he will ex- 
 plore, many truths will bring to light, and 
 all the while brought in contact with bril- 
 liant minds, and the learned of all ages. 
 How fortunate to have chosen so wisely! 
 
 While these reflections were present, my 
 brother seemed absorbed in some deep prob- 
 lem. At length he said, " Do you know, 
 Archie, I believe it will yet be possible to 
 build a line of communication with our dear 
 ones on earth, that they may know, f/iem- 
 s elves, that we do still live? 
 
 " The girls in their experience often find 
 people they may communicate their thoughts 
 
 39 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 to, though / have not been so fortunate. 
 All my visits to earth have been failures, so 
 far as convincing any of my return; but 
 there is a theory now being discussed by our 
 chemists, that there will be many who will 
 receive this knowledge, through their opera- 
 tions. They have not the elements fully un- 
 der subjection, but when they do any may 
 appear to his friends who will.*' 
 
 " This you are telling me is all quite won- 
 derful, and I think I would like to begin the 
 study of chemistry even at this late day." 
 
 Finding my brother thoroughly satisfied 
 with his vocation, and as it seemed to afford 
 a great many advantages to the inquiring 
 mind, I decided to start, and learn what I 
 could of the wonderful chemistry of Nature. 
 Here, of course, we are not dealing with sol- 
 ids, but with their counterparts. 
 
 It took me some space to adjust myself to 
 40 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 the new situation, so different from anything 
 I had ever experienced, but I was compelled 
 to begin at the foundation. 
 
 My brother took me with him, in his re- 
 searches after scientific truth, which was in- 
 deed an aid to me; but I was associated 
 mostly with persons who, like myself, had 
 not given any thought to this study before. 
 Our teachers were the sages and learned, 
 who were fully competent to instruct us. 
 
 We made good progress, and found it 
 very interesting. This line of action was 
 far different from any that I should have 
 thought of, yet I feel it was right, for I had 
 all through my being a love of knowledge, 
 whatever the department, and here might 
 be the opportunity to do some good to 
 others. This thought is uppermost here : 
 *' Whom, of all the struggling ones, can we 
 aid or benefit? " With this in view it was 
 
 41 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 easy to direct all my energies in the one 
 channel. 
 
 Finally, after a certain point in progress 
 was reached, we were told we would now 
 go on an exploring tour. This was hailed 
 with glad delight by me, as it would break 
 the monotony of constant study. However, 
 we were to take a short vacation for rest, 
 and each to pursue the even tenor of his 
 ways ; but when coming together again we 
 were to immediately set out on our mission. 
 As may be readily supposed, my space was 
 enjoyed in the home of my dear mother, as 
 here I was always certain of a hearty wel- 
 come ; this time becoming acquainted with 
 the villagers, and renewing the acquaint- 
 ance of a number of persons. This was in- 
 deed a happy space, spent with my sisters 
 and friends. They told me of their work 
 and progress, and all seemed very wonder- 
 ful to me. 
 
 42 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 In the alchemy of science we have what 
 is called the known law. This is the cen- 
 tral point, and from this the unknown is de- 
 duced. As in the material world, the laws 
 of growth are the known law, and are ca- 
 pable of explanation, yet the real element of 
 life in that growth is the unkno\vn law, and 
 cannot receive a satisfactory solution. We 
 have learned that this element has its being 
 at the center of the universe, and is induced 
 by thought, as that is the only tangible 
 thing in this whole universe of being. 
 There must be an Entity to direct that 
 thought, but as yet I have not beheld it. 
 I with others have seen a display of power, 
 but it is not the thing itself. 
 
 Fully alive to my privileges, I joined the 
 class on their tour of investigation, finding 
 many strange and wonderful experiences as 
 the result of research. We were aided by 
 
 43 
 
ECHOES FROM TEE 
 
 chemists of earth (unconsciously to them, of 
 course), and many subjects treated scientif- 
 ically in the upper stratum, now were ca- 
 pable of full demonstration. The compounds 
 of air, on the surface of the earth, afforded 
 different elements from those we had been 
 dealing with. 
 
 Our professors were well pleased with 
 our showing ; and, encouraged by their en- 
 comiums, which were not withheld, we were 
 induced to employ every visible means to 
 further our profession, as this had now 
 reallv come to be to me. 
 
 44 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter V. 
 
 "And can I see this light ? It may be so ; 
 
 'But see it thus and thus,' our fathers said. 
 The living do not rule the world. Ah, no! 
 It is the dead, the dead." 
 
 — Jean Ingelow. 
 
 Pursuing these lines of thought, we were 
 often given to deep, intricate study, such as 
 rarely comes to mortal life, all of which I 
 enjoyed with a zest only known to the 
 hungry, famishing soul. I often met my 
 brother in our journeyings, but as yet had 
 not reached his high plane of development. 
 
 Now I feel is the time for me to relate an 
 incident fraught with more than ordinary 
 interest : 
 
 We were just returning from one of our 
 exploring tours, when we were amazed to 
 
 45 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 find an obstruction in our way, which hin- 
 dered our further progress. To surmount 
 the barrier seemed impossible, and the only 
 way out for us seemed to be to solve the 
 problem. We set to work with wills not 
 to be daunted, and in a brief space had 
 brought to perfect order what at first seemed 
 chaos and impending danger. However, 
 we resolved not to magnify our discovery, 
 but limit it to the rules governing such irreg- 
 ularities; consequently our lesson was more 
 thoroughly demonstrated, and henceforth 
 we profited by what to us was a valuable 
 lesson. 
 
 Many, very many times we were brought 
 in contact with persons of inquiring minds, 
 which was an aid to us, for here, as on 
 earth, minds of the same degree are associ- 
 ated. There are ignoble souls struggling 
 within the limits and confines of earth's 
 46 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 sphere, but they are content with these sur- 
 roundings of their kind, and only as the 
 mind wishes to progress out of these condi- 
 tions is it enabled to do so. 
 
 Hardly had we found our bearings upon 
 the time in question, when our minds were 
 drawn to a former circumstance of such 
 magnitude as to almost confound the wis- 
 dom of our teachers. So we knew we were 
 reaching the end of what might be learned 
 in this sphere for us; and as we were told 
 we must go on, we marveled within our- 
 selves what we would do for instructors. 
 But this did not last long, for there appeared 
 others, whose missions were to look after 
 us. And so we went on and on in the pur- 
 suit of knowledge, hoping, believing we 
 would reach the end, but as yet none in 
 sight. We rest often and have relief from 
 the constant strain that the mind must en- 
 
 47 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 dure when brought in constant contact with 
 deep subjects, such as the astronomical and 
 philosophical life of worlds, for there are 
 myriads of them in the universe of being, 
 which demand consideration at the hands of 
 a scientist. Many scientists believe all life 
 will be developed, in every portion of the 
 universe, and where now only arid and bar- 
 ren wastes exist, finally conditions will be 
 favorable for propagation. 
 
 I would like to relate many circumstances 
 which gave me great pleasure, but must 
 confine myself to a few sketches of this 
 period of my progress. Many times I met 
 old friends who were climbing to a higher 
 plane, and we passed happy spaces together, 
 recalling old scenes and reviewing the life 
 already spent, and giving to earnest thought 
 our problems for the future. The present 
 we knew to be one of actuality, and we 
 48 
 
SPIRIT WOBLD. 
 
 would often speculate as to what the future 
 might bring, as we are realizing the fact 
 that we are endowed with life that seems to 
 be endless. 
 
 From force of habit, more than from any- 
 real necessity, I longed to keep in touch 
 with the old life. The dear ones that I had 
 left helped to recall me to my once earth 
 conditions, and I often longed to communi- 
 cate to them the good news of my actual 
 existence, and how it was with me, but so 
 far had utterly failed. 
 
 About this time I concluded to try once 
 more, and thought that with the chemical 
 knowledge I now possessed, I might be able 
 to reach some of them. Hearing of a medi- 
 atress in the same town with them, I re- 
 solved to pay a visit to this person and 
 ascertain if I might not send to my dear 
 ones a message. Should I fail in this, I 
 —4 49 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 would then try to impress or control them. 
 According to my thought, I found myself 
 in the apartment of a refined and intelligent 
 lady, whose guide promised me that he 
 would give through her hand anything I 
 might wish to communicate to my loved ones. 
 Accordingly, I formulated my message, and 
 had the great pleasure of knowing it was 
 written down, with my own name signed to 
 the document; and it gave me great satis- 
 faction, for now^ I thought, they will surely 
 know / have been here. The guide prom- 
 ised to see that it was delivered to my wife. 
 So now I must await the result. Therefore 
 I took my departure from this place, and 
 entered my own home. Everything was 
 the same as when on that eve I went out 
 from my home, as I thought, forever; for I 
 did not then know the law of return, or 
 communication with those in earth-life, or 
 
 50 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 in fact one single spiritual law; but in my 
 studies of the chemical laws of matter and 
 spirit, had learned that spirit may become 
 cognizant to spirit, through spirit in matter. 
 How natural all seems! Here is my wife, 
 just the same; looks the same, only with 
 here and there a line of care I had not no- 
 ticed before, and a few more silver threads 
 mingled with the once golden hair; and 
 now I see her walk, her step is not as firm 
 as was her wont. "Oh, Emma! Emma!" 
 I thought, "have they been good to you 
 since I have been away, or what has caused 
 you to sigh so often ? " Can it be that she 
 thinks me dead, and as not caring for her ? 
 This thought for the first time pierced my 
 soul, and I exclaimed, "/ am not dead ! I 
 am here by your side ! " At this it seemed 
 to me she saw me, for she raised her head 
 and looked straight at me, but I could see 
 she directed her gaze to something beyond. 
 
 51 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Turning, I saw the object of her gaze. 
 My son had entered, and she joined in con- 
 versation with him, and I realized he was 
 the man of a family and had reached mid- 
 dle life ; whereas when I left him he was 
 but a lad of twelve summers. And I said, 
 " How long I must have been gone ! No 
 wonder the light has faded out of Emma's 
 eyes, and her steps are slow. She has had 
 much to contend with." 
 
 While I yet wait, a ring at the door sends 
 my wife out of the room. When she re- 
 turned she bore in her hand the paper upon 
 which my message was written. Let me 
 here say this medium is noted for delivering 
 all messages given to her, not only to those 
 who have actually demonstrated this truth 
 to their own satisfaction, but to those who 
 know nothing, as yet, of these spiritual laws 
 as well. 
 
 52 
 
8PIBIT WORLD. 
 
 Unfolding and reading, what to her was 
 wonderful, she reads to the son. Poor hun- 
 gry heart ! she is ready to accept, as coming 
 from one so long gone, a message of love 
 and greeting ; but the son said, '^ Mother, 
 do not be deceived. Is it not likely father 
 would come directly to us if he had any- 
 thing to reveal to us, instead of this person, 
 to whom he was a stranger, and who could 
 possibly know nothing of him ? " 
 
 "No, my son, this to me is proof positive 
 that it is your father. This is a lady, I am 
 told, of gifted powers, — an honest, upright 
 woman, a person of fine endowments, kind 
 and loving, possessed of this gift of com- 
 munion with the other world ; and she could 
 not possibly have known some of the things 
 contained in this message. I have long 
 wished for something from this source, and 
 now my heart-longing is gratified. I will 
 not turn away from it." 
 
 53 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " Well, mother, I had no idea you enter- 
 tained these views upon this subject, or for 
 a minute believed the gone were here." 
 
 " But I do, my son. Once I would not 
 have admitted as much to you, but I feel 
 that the time has come when each one must 
 believe for herself and himself, and, if she 
 gets evidence which to her is convincing, 
 she ought to accept it and be thankful for 
 it. If our loved ones are really living, they 
 must be loving and thinking of us still, and 
 this message is an evidence that it is a 
 truth." 
 
 " Well ! / thought you had changed your 
 views upon this subject since I last heard 
 you talk. We will look forward to many 
 such scenes, if this is your belief." 
 
 The son, always wise, said no more upon 
 the subject, and remarked " he had run in of 
 a little errand, which done, he must return, 
 
 54 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 as they would be waiting dinner." Said 
 the children were well, and all was going 
 smoothly, — which was the first intimation, 
 that I was grandpa. How proud I felt, 
 and with what vanity did I walk with my 
 son to see those grand-babies ! 
 
 Well, it was a delight to my soul, yet no 
 one noticed my arrival or departure, and in 
 this home I did not feel the same exultant 
 joy that possessed me in the home of my 
 wife. As may be readily seen, here was a 
 germ that would grow, and in this growing 
 I was yet to find much satisfaction. Hear- 
 ing the message read gave me great hope 
 that my wife, who seemed deeply interested, 
 would make an effort to come in contact 
 with this person, through whom I could 
 reach her. At last, after due deliberation, I 
 saw the resolve forming in her mind, that 
 she would investigate this subject, and be 
 55 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 convinced, for herself, whether this message 
 was of earth or Heaven — as she called it. 
 The one test in the message helped to form 
 this resolve, and accordingly she repaired to 
 the home of this medium. 
 
 Her experience was much the same as 
 that known to all persons who for a time 
 give themselves up to the study of the oc- 
 cult — now hope, now disappointment ; but 
 finally triumph was hers. She came to the 
 firm conclusion that the messages were au- 
 thentic, and that her husband was their 
 author. 
 
 How happy this made me, only those 
 who have had a like experience can know. 
 I sent long and loving messages, and re- 
 ceived the same in return. When I told her 
 I was constantly with her, she could not re- 
 alize this; so I did not puzzle her brain with 
 the thought, but would wait for this knowl- 
 56 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 edge to come in its own good time. I did 
 not have to wait long, however, for within 
 a very short space my utmost wish was to 
 be gratified. My wife had now formed 
 many acquaintances among those who were 
 students of the laws of the occult, and this 
 helped to lead her mind on in the direction 
 in which it at this time was inclined and 
 anxious to go. 
 
 Hearing of the arrival in the city of a re- 
 nowned medium, my wife very properly re- 
 paired to the home of this party. As to my- 
 self, I was usually found at the place where 
 there was any hope of manifesting to her, 
 who as yet was the only one of my friends in 
 earth-life that I had succeeded in reaching. 
 
 Thinking to add another testimony of my 
 
 presence, I strove to make her know by 
 
 stroking her hair. This was not successful. 
 
 Then I stood before her in my brightest cos- 
 
 57 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 tume, but all to no purpose, evidently, as she 
 paid no attention to me. So I must content 
 myself with a message to my best beloved, 
 and bide the space when I might come 
 nearer to her consciousness. 
 
 My mind was for the present absorbed in 
 this one sole object of making my individual 
 presence known to her, the soul of my being, 
 whom I loved and longed, oh, so eagerly to 
 impress with my veritable presence ! 
 
 At this point, my mind was drawn to 
 the position that I occupied in the soul of 
 universe, and it occurred to me that I had 
 already been absent from my studies and 
 teachers as long, perhaps, as my vacation 
 would permit ; that I must return to pursue 
 that boundless line of progress that is never 
 ending during the infinitude of space. 
 
 Mingled thoughts of gladness and sorrow, 
 as upon that first eve when I took my de- 
 58 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 parture, possessed me. To leave Emma, 
 caused me a thrill of sadness. Would I 
 could take her with me ; but this cannot be, 
 now. "I will come often," I thought, "and 
 give her a message, regardless of the long 
 flights that are tiresome and cause exhaus- 
 tion." And with this I bade my dear one 
 good-by for a space. 
 
 59 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter VI. 
 
 *' She is not dead, — the child of our affection, — 
 But gone unto that school 
 Where she no longer needs our poor protection, 
 And Christ himself doth rule. 
 
 *'In that great cloister's stillness and seclusion, 
 By guardian angels led, 
 Safe from temptation, safe from sin's pollution. 
 She lives whom we call dead." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 In the boundaries of life, we are often led 
 to understand the intricate problems which 
 to us were simply appalling at first, and out 
 of the usual routine; but with due familiarity 
 with any subject, the im.possible is borne away 
 on the wings of the probable. Thus it was 
 with my wife : as she became accustomed 
 to receiving my messages, her mind was con- 
 vinced of the truth of my being in her at- 
 60 
 
SPIBIT WOBLD. 
 
 mosphere, and all went well with her. Yet 
 my son was not at all certain that this could 
 be. The old teachings still held his mind 
 in abeyance, and whether he would or not, 
 he could see nothing in the idea of per- 
 sonal contact with spirit existence. He and 
 his mother held long conversations upon the 
 theme, which to her was fast becoming a 
 joy ; but he could not look beyond the veil 
 of flesh and behold the operations of spirit. 
 Though willing to be convinced, he said, he 
 could not be. 
 
 Meanwhile, I was busy between the two, 
 in my intervals of respite from study and 
 exploration. Finally, the time came when 
 I could give him a prophecy. Ere two 
 weeks, his darling Edith, the lamb of his 
 flock, would be with me. Thus I wrote, 
 and my wife delivered the naessage. What 
 could it mean ? Heretofore, he had feared 
 6i 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 for his mother's mind, and now he was cer- 
 tain she was becoming unbalanced. What 
 should he do ! This was certainly an evi- 
 dence of its unsoundness, as Edith was in 
 perfect health. So he reasoned, but he did 
 not have long to wait, to see the message 
 verified. The little life went out to the 
 great sea of infinite life, and her grandpa 
 met and comforted her in her loss, for only 
 as each one comes can he realize the hungry 
 longing to communicate with those he leaves 
 behind. If all mortals understood this law 
 by which we can come, what a benediction 
 it would be to both the arisen and the re- 
 maining spirits ! 
 
 It was not easy to make the little girl of 
 three years comfortable, as she would grieve 
 long at not being recognized by mamma 
 and papa ; but I told her that sometime I 
 thought they would know she was there. It 
 62 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 was indeed a trial to me, as she could not 
 comprehend the meaning of the changed 
 life, and it was very hard to reconcile her. 
 She would mourn for the love and care which 
 was part of her life. I was an utter stranger 
 to her, yet, by the ties of nature, very near. 
 But she could not understand this ; so I 
 thought, "I will bear her away and place 
 her with other children — then her little 
 heart will be satisfied ; " and it was, in a 
 measure. She joined in their merry sports, 
 and for a time forgot her loss. 
 
 I was much relieved at what seemed to 
 be a reconciliation to her present environ- 
 ments. I carefully looked after her in- 
 struction, and selected her teacher with the 
 utmost care, — one who was in every way 
 fitted to discharge the duty assigned ; for 
 here there are souls whose sole love is to 
 guide and guard the little children who pass 
 
 63 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 in infancy. These children are Angels of 
 Light, and " may behold His face." They 
 are taken long flights, and their purity es- 
 tablishes their right to come into the pres- 
 ence of Infinite Spirit, conveyed thither by 
 angels who like themselves have passed in 
 the stage of purity, before the blighting dis- 
 eases of the soul have entered into their or- 
 ganisms. Thus Edith is being trained for 
 her mission, and I am watching with a pride 
 which I am sure will be pardoned by those 
 who have had the life of a little sinless child, 
 touch their being. 
 
 64 
 
SPIEIT WOELD. 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 
 *' Thank God for dreams ! When nothing else is left, 
 
 When the sick soul, all tortured with its pain, 
 Knowing itself forevermore bereft. 
 
 Finds waiting hopeless, and all watching vain. 
 When empty arms grow rigid with their ache. 
 
 When eyes are blinded with sad tide of tears. 
 When stricken hearts do suffer yet not break, 
 
 For loss of those who come not with the years, — 
 Thank God, thank God for dreams ! " 
 
 — Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 
 
 The events of the last chapter produced a 
 profound impression upon my son's mind, 
 and he thought it strange, very strange. 
 How w^as this thing ? Could his father 
 really talk to him and give him direction, or 
 was it merely a coincidence ? But, thought 
 he, they do not often happen as accurately 
 as this event was portrayed and fulfilled. 
 What was he to do ? He formed in his 
 
 -5 65 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 own mind a resolution to investigate for 
 himself, and in this he was upheld by his 
 noble wife, who was inclined from the first 
 to credit the messages; and now that her 
 darling was borne from her sight, she 
 grasped at what might be an opportunity 
 to hear from her. 
 
 The time was well spent, for it was my 
 privilege to give him hope and encourage- 
 ment, with now and then substantial tests, 
 which more firmly bound his life to that of 
 the real being, and many, very many times 
 Edith accompanied me on these missions of 
 love to the dear ones of earth, and her little 
 life was made glad that papa and mamma 
 knew now that she could come. Dear, pa- 
 tient little Edith! I cannot now recall all 
 those scenes without a throb of joy and a 
 moist eye, as I beheld her rapture at being 
 permitted to caress her loved ones; but she 
 66 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 was becoming more reconciled to her situa- 
 tion, and had come to look upon me as her 
 guardian. All went well, and we were 
 both very happy, — glad to be able to give 
 the light regarding the place we were in, 
 and to relieve the minds so filled with anxi- 
 ety. Many times we lingered near our homes 
 on earth, finding sweet solace, and again re- 
 turning to our work, which was fast be- 
 coming very important to us. 
 
 Making an effort one day, we were noting 
 the action of the planetary system, and find- 
 ing the unknown supersedes the known. 
 Our solution of the solvent problems greatly 
 astonished us, as they were so out of propor- 
 tion to all relative essence. Here etherial 
 essence predominates, and our calculations 
 are based upon this instead of solids. 
 
 Feeling a longing to further demonstrate, 
 it was proposed by some member of the 
 67 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 class that we make a tour, and that in con- 
 nection with the reflex action thus produced, 
 we would eliminate the discrepancy. Good! 
 No sooner thought of than done. Off we 
 go. Mars is passed, Mercury in sight. Ah! 
 we see thy light is the refracting power 
 that caused the dense glow to our obstruc- 
 tion. Now we note the space, now the re- 
 fracting pow^er; now we know the whole 
 law. It is much greater to discover and 
 master a law than to travel in the old beaten 
 lines. Theories are good, but actual dem- 
 onstration is better. 
 
 Hearing by my sister that my mother was 
 anxious to see me, I had for the space no 
 rest until I repaired with little Edith to her 
 home. How joyfully I related to her the 
 events of my experience! She received with 
 glad delight the beautiful child, whom to 
 know was a joy unspeakable. Always a 
 68 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 lover of little children, with their innocent, 
 pretty ways, my mother was inclined to 
 idolize this pet of our household, who had 
 so early been transplanted to the Garden of 
 Paradise, as it was to my mother. Here she 
 could indulge her esthetic taste to the fullest 
 extent without in the least infringing upon 
 the rights of another. My father, too, 
 greeted us with the affectionate kindness of 
 one becoming his relationship, and bade us 
 to be perfectly at home. Edith soon learned 
 to love her great-grandparents, and her little 
 heart clung in fondness to my mother, who 
 used her utmost endeavors to interest and 
 entertain the little girl. She was greatly 
 interested in the beautiful things she saw in 
 my mother's home, and declared she " never 
 had seen anything so grand before." The 
 rare and beautiful plants claimed most of her 
 attention, as there was a fine variety of rare 
 69 
 
ECHOES FROM TEE 
 
 exotics of all climes. My mother had in 
 earth-life cultivated and cared for numberless 
 plants, as she was a great lover of plant- 
 life, — in fact, of the beautiful in every form. 
 
 We w^ere most happily entertained, and 
 upon the eve of our departure many of the 
 villagers gathered to bring us cheer in our 
 future work. 
 
 Mingled joy and sorrow is the sum of 
 human existence, no less out of the physical 
 body than in it. What seems progress to- 
 day may in a few short spaces be a low con- 
 dition; so it is necessary to keep striving, to 
 keep journeying on in pursuit of knowl- 
 edge, lest we arrive not at what most would 
 gratify our insatiate love of learning. Who 
 aims at the stars will surely attain to greater 
 heights than he who casts his thought upon 
 earth. In the sublimial sphere, mind finds 
 greatest power, attains to its most perfect 
 70 
 
SPIRIT WOBLD. 
 
 possessions, is master of all supplemental 
 analogies, and creates its own aphorisms. 
 
 Students of science deal in correct forms, 
 thoroughly imbued with correlating sub- 
 stance. 
 
 Etherial ethics is the base from which all 
 deductions are made. 
 
 Striving to undo the wrongs perpetrated 
 when the mind was in a puissant state, is one 
 of the sorrows of the upper spheres. Be it 
 known that it is very hard. We have passed 
 from that stage of existence, and no more are 
 correlated to it ; hence it is out of our micro- 
 cosm for us to be obliged to induce our minds 
 to correspondence in the altruistic sense, 
 hence it is better, grander, to so do in the 
 first step of our existence, that we shall not 
 be obliged to retrace our acts and correct our 
 lives. 
 
 We should do as our best judgment dic- 
 
 71 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 tates ; then there will be no inharmony in 
 our being, but all vibrations will be on the 
 same plane, and this equalization of our be- 
 ing will produce perfect power. "All power 
 is given unto men," and when rightly under- 
 stood is the direct result of our own actions. 
 How important, then, that we act wisely, as 
 we are subject to this inexorable law, whether 
 we will or no. 
 
 In being compelled to act out of harmony, 
 or in other words, upon two planes of being, 
 we are retarded in our progress, as it is not 
 always easy to find a mediator to act through, 
 as you understand we must now act through 
 the mind of another, and if we can reach our 
 friend, and undo the wrong, we are fortu- 
 nate, and find we can then progress. 
 
 72 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter VIII. 
 
 "Whatever scene 
 Nature revealed to me, she never caught 
 My spirit humbled by surprise. My thought 
 Built higher mountains than I ever found ; 
 Poured wilder cataracts than I ever saw ; 
 Drove grander storms than ever swept the sky ; 
 Pushed into loftier heavens and lower hells 
 Than the abysmal reach of light and dark ; 
 And entertained me with diviner feasts 
 Than ever met the appetite of sense." 
 
 — /. G. Holland. 
 
 Clearly, I see now my space has been oc- 
 cupied with prosperous results. 
 
 Pondering the past, I longed to revisit the 
 home of my childhood, where so many happy 
 hours were spent with loved ones now scat- 
 tered, filling the missions designed by the 
 Creator and Preserver of the vast sea of 
 life ; for all is boundless life, — there is no 
 death. Simply desiring a thing is equal to 
 
 73 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 that thing. So I found myself walking the, 
 to me, then familiar streets, but now very un- 
 familiar. There are some places I recognize 
 as not having undergone much change; they 
 seem quite natural, very much as they used 
 to be; but in the main, the hand of progress 
 stamps the onward march of my native town. 
 Fine straw-colored bricks take the place 
 of the wooden structures that once inclosed 
 the public square. An air of prosperity 
 pervades the place, and now they can boast 
 the possession of the electric cars to convey 
 them about the streets, which present the 
 appearance of business prosperity. I passed 
 in and out of the various places of business 
 (unobserved, of course) in search of a famil- 
 iar face, but failed for some space to recog- 
 nize any of the inhabitants, but finally, 
 passing a familiar corner, came fully face 
 to face with one who in my young man- 
 
 74 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 hood I remembered as the Widow Brown's 
 youngest child, Charles. There was no re- 
 semblance between the gray-haired, bent 
 old man that I beheld, and the laughing 
 little child that I remembered ; yet we know 
 by intuition. Here is where this faculty 
 has the largest play. The years have dealt 
 hardly with you, my friend, as evidenced 
 by your measured step, but you have not 
 many years. The kind angel will call ere 
 long, and usher you into immortal life, for 
 many times this change is kinder than life 
 in a suffering body. 
 
 But I will pass on, will turn down the 
 street that once held for me all my dear 
 ones in the home nest. 
 
 The scenes are changed, and I am not 
 certain as to the very location, but think 
 that fine brick there in the middle of the 
 block has taken the place of the small 
 
 75 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 wooden structure, where my kind father 
 and mother were wont to hover their brood. 
 We were not a large family, yet it kept my 
 father busy to supply the wants of four 
 growing girls and boys. I felt a little sad 
 in contemplating the scene, but thought, 
 why should I ? We are so much greater 
 than our environments, and we have all of 
 us outgrown our old conditions. 
 
 I did not care to linger here, as all seemed 
 strangers, and unrecognizable. 
 
 I thought, I will repair to the edge of 
 town, where we boys used to have such fine 
 fun coasting. Ah ! yes, the hill is there, 
 that is unchanged, and the fence and the 
 meadow hard by. This is the same, and I 
 gave a sigh of relief that I had at last found 
 one spot unchanged. Here was where we 
 capsized with sleds into the snowdrifts, and 
 had such fun digging our way out. Ah ! 
 76 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 those were happy days we spent in this old 
 town. But hark ! I hear the shrill whistle of 
 a locomotive, and I look across the meadow 
 and there in the distance I discern the smoke 
 of the monster of iron and flame, and I 
 thought, this playing-ground too is changed ; 
 and with a sad heart I left my reveries of 
 childhood days, to return to Edith, whom I 
 was sure longed to see me by this time. 
 
 Standing on the brink between two worlds, 
 one feels an utter longing to fathom the 
 heights and depths of the one in which his 
 environments are cast. The one he has left 
 still holds a hallowed place in his memory. 
 The scenes of former years come more viv- 
 idly before his mind, and all is treasured with 
 tender affection. The mind receives the 
 events as they are unrolled as from a scroll. 
 
 Many, very many happy scenes are borne 
 in upon my life, and I treasure them as pre- 
 77 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 cious mementoes of friends long since passed 
 to upper spheres, where I hope some day to 
 arrive. Remember, progress in spirit-life is 
 in one respect the same as earth-life — slow. 
 Nature is never in haste in unfoldment. All 
 life develops its forms to maturity with great 
 caution and deliberation, hence the assured 
 fact of perfection. Since physical finds per- 
 fect development in physical life, mind will 
 arrive at a perfect state in spiritual life. 
 
 My wife next claimed a thought from 
 me, and I repaired to her home. 
 
 " My dear, dear Emma! How have you 
 been ? It seems to me you look careworn 
 and weary. Would I could fold you in my 
 arms and bear you away with me, no more 
 to be parted ; but this may not be yet, and 
 I must be patient." She receives my mes- 
 sages, and her eyes brighten at the sound of 
 my name, and her cheeks wear the roses as 
 
 78 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 in the long ago when she was young. Ah, 
 love! thou greatest element to beings given, 
 thou leveler of all ranks ! At thy magic 
 touch we become new creatures. What do 
 we not owe to thy entrancing power! If 
 we have not love, we are most miserable 
 indeed. So my heart's longing was grati- 
 fied when in the presence of her I loved. 
 We are not changed in these respects; if 
 one is so fortunate as to have a soul-mate, 
 he clings with the same affectionate fond- 
 ness to that one. Love is an emanation of 
 the soul, and only such ties should be formed 
 as will be enduring. So it will be seen that 
 I had loved wisely, for there was the same 
 union of soul that there had been through 
 the many years of wedded life; and now 
 that I could reach her with my thought, it 
 was greater pleasure to me than to converse 
 with her in the old way. My son, too, now 
 
 79 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 took more interest in these messages, and 
 received much comfort from believing that 
 we could come in touch with them. He 
 was quite a mediator, and got some good 
 proofs himself. His wife possessed the gift 
 of clairvoyance, and often told him she 
 could see little Edith. Thus affairs went 
 on, until their development was marvelous. 
 
 My son had succeeded me in the store, and 
 stood now where I had stood a few short 
 years ago. This troubled me much, as I had 
 hoped he would choose a literary work, as 
 that would better have fitted the mind for 
 its future fulfillment, for I learned to my 
 sorrow after my transition, that whatever ef- 
 fort put forth in the right direction is not and 
 cannot be lost, but all efforts looking solely 
 to mercenary gain are as time wasted to the 
 soul. 
 
 I sent long messages to my son, explaining 
 80 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 these things, and begged him to change his 
 occupation to one that would be a stimulant 
 to the mind, and in which the mind would 
 develop its faculties, and bring it to its full- 
 est fruition. This is one of the important 
 elements in development of soul. It must 
 all be evolved from the inner. "The king- 
 dom of heaven is within you," but it requires 
 that we disseminate and bring to the surface, 
 before it becomes visible. " It comes not 
 with observation." 
 
 Oh, how easily I now understand the say- 
 ings of the Great Teacher, who labored so 
 assiduously to enlighten the people with re- 
 gard to the spiritual truths. 
 
 —6 8i 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter IX. 
 
 *'Like the swift moon that slides from cloud to cloud, 
 With only hurried space to smile between, 
 
 I pierce the phantoms that around me crowd, 
 And glide from scene to scene. 
 
 *'I clasp warm hands that long have lain in dust, 
 I hear sweet voices that have long been still, 
 
 And earth and sea give up their hallowed trust 
 In answer to my will. 
 
 *'And now, high-gazing toward the starry dome, 
 I see three airy forms come floating down — 
 
 The long- lost angels of my early home — 
 My night of joy to crown." 
 
 — /. G. Holland. 
 
 With what pleasure does the absent mari- 
 ner arrive in sight of home, and just in the 
 same proportion do we journey upward, only 
 with greater alacrity, as all our faculties are 
 intensified. We yearn for glimpses of the, 
 to us, still beyond, and hope fills the breast, 
 that we may reach the Celestial Realm. 
 82 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 Yet I cannot say that, to me would be satis- 
 factory while I have dear ones on earth, as 
 this, I am told, is a bar to completeness, for 
 the mind is divided, and we are supposed at 
 this point to be only capable of going for- 
 ward, not wishing to turn back. It is only 
 when we have reached the ultimate that we 
 ever become satisfied. 
 
 Duty well done to others in earth-life is an 
 aid to our progress here, and it is very nec- 
 essary to our well-being that we cultivate the 
 graces of heart and mind, which are the di- 
 rect adjuncts of purity. 
 
 One cannot so fully realize these things as 
 when he has crossed the boundary, and be- 
 holds the mass of spiritual life struggling 
 with former error. Perverted teaching is 
 largely to blame for much of the misery 
 they are compelled to endure. Wrong- 
 doing brings its own punishment, is a law 
 
 83 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 truthful, and must be endured with what 
 grace we can muster. Wrong to others, 
 persisted in, is the cause of much heart- 
 rending misery on this side ; and I wish 
 here to utter a note of warning, to those 
 who will hear, that the soul cannot rid itself 
 of these stains, or of the sins against the uni- 
 versal laws of life. To wantonly disrupt 
 and sever the spirit from the body, is a 
 disastrous occurrence to the individual, as 
 in the case of suicide. It is mournful to be- 
 hold the remorse depicted on these spirits. 
 Chained by a law as forcible as the law of 
 gravitation, they must remain in this condi- 
 tion until some kind earth-friend will permit 
 them, through them, to undo the wrongs 
 they have committed, and work in right di- 
 rections, until this condition is gotten out of, 
 and sometimes it takes aeons of space. 
 
 Again I say to children of earth, be con- 
 84 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 tent in your environment, until the good 
 time comes when Nature, the kind mother, 
 will release you, with your work all accom- 
 plished ; then there will be nothing in the 
 way of sure development. It is better to 
 bear the ills you have for a season, as time 
 is short. 
 
 With these reveries, I will leave you, 
 reader, to your own reflection, hoping you 
 will accept as truth, what one who has 
 passed beyond has found true, and gives 
 to you through this agency for your ben- 
 efit, that you may avoid the misery so many 
 are obliged to endure. 
 
 85 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter X. 
 
 "All houses wherein men have lived and died 
 
 Are haunted houses. Through the open doors 
 The harmless phantoms on their errands glide, 
 With feet that make no sound upon the floor. 
 
 "We meet them at the doorway, on the stair, 
 Along the passages they come and go, 
 Impalpable impressions on the air, 
 
 A sense of something moving to and fro. 
 
 "There are more guests at table than the host 
 Invited : the illuminated hall 
 Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts, 
 As silent as the pictures on the wall." 
 
 — Longfello w. 
 
 Judging from outward circumstances, is 
 certainly a very erroneous judgment. Many 
 times the mind conveys to its recipient 
 thoughts clothed w^ith elegant language, 
 yet the instrument is not in proper condi- 
 86 
 
8PIBIT WOBLD. 
 
 tion to convey this message to the world ; 
 hence the mind is charged with blame, when 
 really the cause lies beyond, and in the hid- 
 den labyrinth. 
 
 Mind can never attain to its fullest fru- 
 ition while hindered by its environment, 
 and thus it becomes absolutely necessary 
 to provide a way for its release from the 
 bondage to the flesh, to give freedom to its 
 powers. 
 
 To the freed spirit all the operations of 
 nature become wonderfully perfect. 
 
 The wisdom of all the manifold arrange- 
 ments is appreciated mere fully than can 
 possibly be while limited environments sur- 
 round us. 
 
 The absolutely freed spirit, /. ^., after all 
 earth -conditions have been laid aside, (as 
 none are free until this point is reached,) 
 finds its possibilities boundless. Positively 
 
 87 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 no limitations exist to such an one. Not 
 how much of life you have lived, previously, 
 but how well^ is the only passport required 
 here. Have you been thoughtful, loving 
 and kind, willing to lay down your life, if 
 need be, for those given into your keeping ? 
 — " for greater love hath no man than this." 
 We know the teachings of this spiritual 
 guide are true, and the only rules by which 
 our lives can be ordered, this much, for 
 some say they do not know what is right. 
 This is only an error of mind, the soul 
 knows. No one can go wrong if he looks 
 within for a few seconds. The inner soul- 
 sense, or conscience, is the true guide. It 
 cannot be perverted. The mind may be 
 drawn away, and judgment impaired, but 
 the soul is the same, to be relied upon al- 
 ways. There are doubts in the minds of 
 some, others know for a surety ; but it is to 
 88 
 
SPIBIT WOULD. 
 
 those who do not know that I am talking, 
 and would fully impress with the duties of 
 each hour in passing. 
 
 Do not neglect opportunities. Experience 
 in the first stage is wrought and then mis- 
 takes are magnified to your vision. This is 
 the cause of remorse that will fill the soul, 
 and retard your future progress, as all mis- 
 takes must be corrected before one step in 
 advance can be gained. This is why it is so 
 important that the events of each moment 
 in time be looked to carefully. I could fill 
 your hearts with anguish, should I relate to 
 you the despair of many souls I have met 
 in spirit, who seem utterly hopeless and 
 their lives wholly given over to the revel- 
 ries and debaucheries of their favorite haunts 
 on earth. No ray nor spark of soul seems 
 to illuminate their darkened minds, and thus 
 they grovel on. You have them on your 
 89 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 plane, and they remain the same. It is not 
 true that at transition the soul leaves these 
 elements behind. It only leaves the dis- 
 eased body ; the mind is the same, and pur- 
 poses and inclinations are the same. We 
 can do nothing for them here. The work 
 must be done on earth. Now I appeal to 
 all readers to do whatever they can to alle- 
 viate the sufferings of these souls, by point- 
 ing them to the better way, the way of 
 peace and purity ; and especially do I ap- 
 peal to the mediators who do so well know 
 this truth, to pity them, and permit them 
 to come and through their aid undo the 
 wrongs of the past. Many are aroused to this 
 necessity, and are groping around in their 
 poor weak way, trying to reach those on 
 earth, whom it is necessary for them to do. 
 
 I feel my utter inability to make these 
 truths forcible enough. They should be 
 90 
 
SPIEIT WORLD. 
 
 proclaimed from every housetop and in all 
 the byways and hedges, until — 
 
 The echo of every mountain, 
 
 The murmur of every rill, 
 Proclaim the tender message. 
 
 Our loved are with us still. 
 
 91 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter XI. 
 
 "The spirit world around this world of sense 
 Floats like an atmosphere, and everywhere 
 Wafts through these earthly mists and vapors dense 
 A vital breath of more etherial air." 
 
 — Longfellow. 
 
 Moving in circles, we find our paramount 
 existence. We tend to straight lines only, 
 when reflex action is greatest ; thus our move- 
 ments are circumscribed, and only that we 
 persevere in these laws, we would become 
 discouraged. We must ever strive to master, 
 as in earth-life. You know that there, only 
 as we learn the laws of perfect physical be- 
 ing, and adhere to them, are we said to be 
 in perfect health. So it is here. There are 
 laws of our spiritual being which are as in- 
 exorable, and must be mastered. It is not 
 92 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 possible that the spirit-man can understand 
 these things while wrapped in the body of 
 flesh, nor was it intended that he should. 
 
 Mind travels in advance of its limitations 
 always ; this is why it is said to grow. It 
 expands and develops. How important that 
 it be in the right direction, for its own good! 
 
 Millions have chosen the wrong road, and 
 find too late that they have mistaken the 
 tenacity with which they are bound to their 
 load. They cannot shake off this burden, 
 neither can they flee from it. It must be 
 borne with what grace they can muster, un- 
 til the way is found to redeem themselves 
 from these wrong acts. 
 
 Now do not say in your mind as you read 
 this, it may be so. I say positively, it is so. 
 And now that we can come in communica- 
 tion with you on the mortal plane, it be- 
 comes our duty to warn you, lest you fall 
 
 93 
 
ECHOES FBOM THE 
 
 into these pitfalls. If I shall have caused 
 one soul to realize this, and " look well unto 
 his ways lest when he thinks he stands he 
 should fall," the mission of this little book 
 will be accomplished. Our business here is 
 to do good, and of course the greatest good 
 to the greatest number; the better for us, 
 the more contentment is ours. 
 
 " Coming events cast their shadows be- 
 fore," and I felt something was going to 
 happen. 
 
 I visited my wife, and found her ill. She 
 did not seem to be conscious of things go- 
 ing on around her, and I said, "Now, I 
 must not leave you, but be present to usher 
 you into your new experience" — for such 
 would be the case before many days. Kind 
 friends and neighbors did what they could 
 to supply temporal needs, and make com- 
 fortable the body. My son was constantly 
 
 94 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 at his mother's side, with only now and 
 then a little respite for rest and nourish 
 ment. Clearly, he knew his mother was 
 passing from his sight, and he with his 
 faithful wife granted her every wish, as 
 though it would be the last. 
 
 Finally, I was pleased to see the golden 
 chord severed, that bound her to her body, 
 and she floated out with me into broad 
 space. 
 
 I took her at once from the scene of her 
 release, as this is much the best. She real- 
 ized at once the full capacity of her free- 
 dom, and her pleasure at finding me was 
 ecstatic. It is all so new to her, she can 
 scarcely believe her senses, yet does not 
 fear for the old conditions. She has builded 
 her house well, much better than I had done, 
 and will have less regret. But we must 
 find Edith and mother, with all the dear 
 
 95 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 ones on this side, and tell them the good 
 news. 
 
 There are times in our existence when we 
 feel the rapid flow of vitalizing force. We 
 may not know what to name it, but it is 
 the life designed by Infinite Mind. Many 
 times, however, this force is brought to us 
 by a power designated messenger, sent by 
 Infinite Mind. "Are they not all minister- 
 ing spirits?" I would answer, "No, not 
 all, as some are not qualified for this office ; 
 but many times mortals receive help through 
 this source, to them unknown." 
 
 It is accepted as a matter of course, and 
 no thought is given to the source, which 
 may be some of the " near and dear de- 
 parted," as is their wont to say, though 
 not departed in any sense, but living and 
 near you still. This of course cannot be 
 realized unless you have investigated these 
 96 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 laws. Let me tell you, it is very easy to 
 become cognizant of these facts yourselves. 
 Sit down passively in the silence, and let 
 the inner or spiritual nature be revealed ; 
 then, when your mind is passive, those 
 around you make themselves known. If 
 not the first time, then persevere a second, 
 and so on, until you know what you get is 
 not your own thought. " Enter into your 
 closet," and there receive instruction from 
 Infinite Mind. 
 
 I wonder now, that I did not learn these 
 things when in earth-life. Had I done so, 
 it would have aided me in reaching my loved 
 ones. But now that I have my wife with 
 me, my thought is often given to my son. 
 
 Upon reaching her home (as one was 
 fashioned for her by my thought), my wife 
 agreed that all was very wonderful. She 
 had never dreamed of the delights in store 
 
 —7 97 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 for her, and at once became content, not 
 seeming to care for further progress. Of 
 course this was in a measure due to her 
 having found me, and as she said, that was 
 all she wanted. But after becoming accus- 
 tomed to the change, she looked around for 
 employment. This is one of the redeeming 
 elements of being; action, continual action. 
 This adds zest to life on any plane. The 
 soul is not happy without means of devel- 
 opment, and to this end must be constantly 
 employed. 
 
 She went to see Edith, and kept in her 
 company for some time, but decided that 
 the child was happier with those of her 
 own age, so did not disturb the plan I had 
 adopted in regard to her. She went with 
 me on my explorations, but did not enjoy 
 traversing the long distances, and did not 
 seem inclined to adopt this as her work. I 
 98 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 did not press the matter, as here each one 
 follows his or her own inclinations. 
 
 Finally, after my return one day, she 
 said: "I have it! I will accept the call as 
 messenger to earth. Your sisters have been 
 instructing me in their lines of work, and I 
 think I should like it." 
 
 "Very well," said I; "you are capable of 
 much good in that direction, and I feel you 
 have chosen very wisely. When will you 
 commence your work ? " 
 
 " Shortly. I shall want to go to our son 
 first, and then to other of my dear friends." 
 
 " Shall you need company or assistance 
 on your first journey ? " But she thought 
 not; so I subsided, and mused with my own 
 thoughts, until she broke the silence with — 
 
 " T do not see how your mother can pos- 
 sibly content herself to do as she does, — just 
 stay with the surroundings of home." 
 
 99 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 " Well, Emma, you know mother was of 
 a very domestic turn of mind always, and 
 now she has enjoyment to its fullest extent 
 in that home." 
 
 " But how does her mind develop with 
 this mode of doing? " 
 
 " You do not realize that my mother does 
 much good in that home. Many a weary 
 spirit seeks her broad verandas for rest and 
 encouragement. She refreshes them with 
 aromas of her best viands, and recuperates 
 their fagged-out condition. 
 
 " You know she is well on to the Celestial 
 Realm, and many, very many pass that way. 
 Yes, mother does a work none of us could 
 do. With her love of the beautiful, and 
 surrounding herself with these elements, 
 her home is permeated with the very es- 
 sence of repose. How long will I remem- 
 ber my first visit there ! You know here it 
 
 lOO 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 is not, how much we do, but how well, the 
 same as before ; this law is not changed." 
 
 "Yes, I see it now," my wife replied; 
 " and I see I must leave off judging, for 
 'with what judgment I judge, I shall be 
 judged,' and after choosing my work, if 
 some one should be unkind enough to judge 
 me, how badly I should feel ! Now I see 
 this is the place to fulfill these laws of life, I 
 shall be careful to make a practical applica- 
 tion of them to myself. But come, let us be 
 going." 
 
 "Oh! I thought you wanted to try alone 
 your first effort." 
 
 " No ; I believe, upon further considera- 
 tion, I prefer that you accompany me, as 
 the lines cross so many times I may become 
 entangled." 
 
 She referred to the magnetic line, that, as 
 she said, seemed to be crossed ; yet there is 
 
 lOI 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 no danger whatever. A mother's Hne to 
 her child would be exact, and she could not 
 miss it. However, I will accompany her on 
 this, her first errand of mercy. 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter XII. 
 
 "Be silent in that solitude 
 Which is not loneliness — for then 
 The spirits of the dead who stood 
 In life before thee are again 
 In death around thee, and their will 
 Shall overshadow thee : be still." 
 
 — Edgar Allan Poe. 
 
 Rejoicing ever in the thought that we 
 are wholly cognizant of the forms manifest 
 in space, we grow toward our ideals; we 
 merge our thought into being, triumphant 
 in energy. Thinking is merely living on 
 the higher planes. Acting is carrying our 
 thought out in visible form. 
 
 Momentarily we expand an idea, evolved 
 from the inner or soul sense, and broaden 
 the idea into waves of infinity. Much of 
 
 103 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 this logic you cannot understand while in 
 your present sphere, but I have endeavored 
 to give you only that which you may ap- 
 propriate and practice now. All time is 
 now. There is a future time, only as it is 
 correlated to the past; but when it arrives, 
 it is the present. So it is in this sphere: all 
 space is the present and now. Each inter- 
 val lived is correlated to that behind and 
 before, so that, strictly speaking, there is 
 only the present. The possibilities of future 
 space are ours, but farther than that, we 
 know not. 
 
 The soul retains all its possessions. This 
 is why it is so needful to make those ac- 
 quirements carefully; to sift its privileges 
 and select the choicest, that there be no need 
 for weeding here. Mark well your course. 
 Listen to the "still small voice," which will 
 ever guide aright. 
 
 104 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Monumental sacrifice is well rewarded. 
 The soul who has borne patiently, is sweet 
 with loving thought for others here, and 
 such have a radiance of spirit much to be 
 desired. Their light follows them, and 
 kindness ever awaits their coming. Who 
 would not endure a few short years of 
 privation, to be enabled to reap such a re- 
 ward? Remember, it is their own doing. 
 " What ye sow, that shall ye reap." If you 
 sow to the spirit, you shall be benefited in 
 spiritual things. This may not have been di- 
 rectly the object, — the reaping, but it is the 
 direct outcome, of well-doing. Who does 
 not know this? — and yet, every day we are 
 pained with the iniquity that abounds. Life 
 is a flower garden, which if rightly cultiva- 
 ted not only gives the mortals much pleas- 
 ure, but the aroma extends to us beyond 
 your ken. Let me admonish you to good 
 105 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 deeds, before it is too late, for then it will 
 be a great deal harder for you. 
 
 I think right here I will relate a little cir- 
 cumstance that has come under my observa- 
 tion. 
 
 One bitter cold day a son became enraged 
 at his parents, and left the parental roof to 
 wander he knew not whither, only led by 
 blind passion. With nowhere to go and 
 no protection, he soon succumbed to cold and 
 hunger. This was many years ago, but that 
 soul is yet seeking a way to reach that father 
 and mother, to ask forgiveness for the wrong 
 he did them, and not one step in advance of 
 that can he get until this is accomplished. 
 
 You say this is an extreme case. My good 
 friends, it is a very mild case, — only one of 
 an almost infinite number, who are strug- 
 gling and striving to undo the wrongs they 
 have done, upon the first plane of existence. 
 1 06 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 It is not enough that some one has done us a 
 wrong, — we may not return a wrong. We 
 should accept favors in the kindly spirit in- 
 tended, lest we do harm to that soul. The 
 way is very narrow. " Walk ye in it." 
 
 [07 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter XIII. 
 
 "O thou, by winds of grief o'erblown 
 Beside some golden summer's bier — 
 Take heart ! Thy birds are only flown, 
 Thy blossoms sleeping, tearful sown, 
 To greet thee in the immortal year." 
 
 — Edna Dean Proctor. 
 
 Nearing the time for our perennial en- 
 trance into the labyrinths of Nature's se- 
 crets, we journey from our chosen work to 
 realms beyond, in search of these truths that 
 will reveal to us the key to many acts of 
 ours. This is the place for finding the rea- 
 son why. 
 
 Many times in mortal life we were taken 
 
 through seasons of mysterious leading, from 
 
 whence we knew not; but supposing all 
 
 came from God, we did not seek to unravel 
 
 1 08 
 
SPIEIT WOELD. 
 
 the many - threaded mazes of earth-life. 
 Here, we explain every step as we advance, 
 and many times learn the causes of things 
 which happened many spaces ago. We re- 
 trieve our lost acts with more than double 
 energy, and they count many times our 
 former strength. 
 
 Hearing we were to remove our head- 
 quarters, I journeyed thither to learn more 
 concerning it. Finding the Professors in 
 consultation with regard to it, I waited to 
 learn the result. Now we move to the 
 right, and upward. Good! Some progress 
 made, which is truly encouraging. Though 
 we have put forth great effort, but remem- 
 ber it is slow. 
 
 Little Edith is growing to be a fine spirit 
 
 in her work, and does not so often wish to 
 
 return to her home on earth; is becoming 
 
 more and more attached to the new sur- 
 
 109 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 roundings. She and her grandma make 
 long journeys together, and she says she 
 does not feel a bit tired. She is of a very 
 sympathetic nature, and is much distressed 
 at many things she sees. 
 
 I have an idea that as she matures, she 
 will be forced into work in the direction of 
 relieving suffering; yet it remains to be 
 seen what she will choose. We establish 
 ourselves in the realm of being by our 
 deeds. The universe of mind recognizes 
 every effort put forth, while we merge into 
 being every thought or will. The w^ill is 
 often taken for the deed, so in what measure 
 we grow is left with us. Meaningless are 
 the lives whose barren fruits follow. Better 
 " that a millstone were hanged about their 
 necks." We cannot prosper without good 
 deeds. 
 
 Strictly speaking, there is but one life, 
 no 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 and what seems to be the end is only a con- 
 tinuation in another state of existence. We 
 many times feel this within our own being, 
 the intense desire for life, that it is inherent, 
 and self-preservation, the first law. The un- 
 tutored savage knows this law. When we 
 have arrived at the second stage, we of course 
 see this law so fulfilled that it is no more a 
 terror to us. We are alive. We will no 
 more feel death. My experience is one of 
 great satisfaction, and of gratitude to Infinite 
 Mind, the preserver of all the multiplicity of 
 universes, for the wonderful goodness dis- 
 played. My field of observation has been 
 increased, and now I find millions of beings 
 striving to reach the Mecca for which they 
 sigh. There is great opportunity for you of 
 earth to help these struggling souls. It must 
 be accomplished that way. Some have been 
 here for ages, and have only just begun to 
 III 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 seek, — for seeking, they will find. We can 
 point them to the way, but that is all ; we 
 are powerless to cross the boundary of soul. 
 We are firmly bound by laws as invincible 
 as can be framed. This is so important for 
 earth-souls to know ere they cross the line, 
 I would emphasize this truth, and write it in 
 glowing letters across the tablets of your 
 memory, that you may have your earth- work 
 done and well done. Happy is the one who 
 recognizes this fact. Many regrets are saved 
 and his future is assured success. This is the 
 only reward, and it is not in the power of 
 anyone to give, — it must be earned. This is 
 right, otherwise we would become a universe 
 of sloths and evil-doers. Whereas, now, such 
 as these have no part in the glory, and are left 
 far in the rear, while the seeking soul goes 
 marching on. 
 
 I cannot leave this point without an admo- 
 
 112 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 nition to good works while it is yet your 
 privilege. This will redound to your honor, 
 will be so engrafted into your being by this 
 law of compensation, that good will come to 
 you. It is mainly for your good that I tell 
 you these things, knowing so well how they 
 will be appreciated by you when you have 
 had more experience, for it is this that goes 
 to make up existence. "How often would 
 I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her 
 chickens, but ye would not." 
 
 How plain and forcible seem all the say- 
 ings of our Great Teacher, now that we see 
 clearly. Only for the unbelief of the peo- 
 ple. He could have convinced them all of 
 the spiritual light within ; but because their 
 minds and hearts were so given to worldly 
 things, they could not see what He tried so 
 hard to have them know. Thus much of 
 His effort was lost, and not until He came 
 
 -8 113 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 forth in His spiritual body (which is like 
 unto the natural body. — Cor.), did they ap- 
 preciate or realize what a Divine messenger 
 He was. But then, only ?ifew of the popu- 
 lace could see it; and so it is to-day on mor- 
 tal plane: the teachers are here, yet for the 
 unbelief of the people only the few receive. 
 More than anything else would we im- 
 press upon the minds of those who read, the 
 importance of keeping in touch with the 
 upper strata of thought. Do not allow im- 
 pure or shallow thoughts to permeate your 
 being, for in so far as this is heeded will lie 
 much advancement. It is not possible to 
 reach the acme of success at one bound, but 
 round and round the circle runs; so it is by 
 slow degrees we reach the heights. Know- 
 ing full well the discouragements in your 
 pathway, I would lay stress upon this fact: 
 with slow progress take heart. Only that 
 114 
 
SPIBIT WOULD. 
 
 you are not retrograding, you are surely 
 going forward. There is no standing still. 
 The perfect life can and will be reached, 
 and is well worth the striving. 
 
 My wife says she had no idea that she 
 would be so blessed, and is delighted with 
 the prospects for future good. Her mission 
 to the sorrowing and suffering ones of earth 
 pleases her much. She thinks that soon 
 she may reach some in a more tangible way, 
 though she is sure some have felt her pres- 
 ence. She says it is glorious work, and one 
 she has every hope of continuing. She is 
 becoming accustomed to the long distances, 
 and often has congenial companionship on 
 the way. All seems very wonderful to her 
 yet, but she is learning to accept as good 
 what has come to her. You ask if we are 
 always "on the go," and never rest ? Far 
 from it. On the contrary, we spend much 
 115 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 space in one another's society, and in rest, 
 to recuperate for further action. 
 
 Having now grown unto my work, I hold 
 the place assigned me with assiduity, never 
 once doubting the reasons given to be supe- 
 rior essence, that has been evolved in all the 
 countless ages of previous history. Much to 
 our gratification, we mastered these problems 
 with slight difficulty, for as a schoolboy on 
 earth, I had been disciplined in perseverance, 
 and now I found former lessons of much 
 value. My father had been a man of great 
 wisdom along these lines, and though very 
 careful not to require more than his child 
 could accomplish, yet it was the law of his 
 being to expect the fulfillment to the very 
 letter. This had aided me all through life 
 to surmount difficulties, so that in my make- 
 up I have a vast amount of tenacity, which 
 just now is valuable. 
 
 Ii6 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 Light travels faster than sound ; so does 
 mind travel in advance of being. Mind is 
 the quintessence of all the universes, — the 
 ruling power, creative wisdom. My mind 
 was drawn to upper space. I went thither. 
 There I find laws fulfilled : no defect, but 
 perfect in their fulfillment. Then I return, 
 and wish to instruct mortals : Behold, how 
 great a thing is life ! All nature is filled 
 with it, — nothing else. Life and love, the 
 two important elements. How necessary 
 that we cultivate both. They last endlessly, 
 and redound to our happiness. Many times 
 we feel a longing to know the beyond. It 
 shall be revealed. There is no mystery, 
 but beautiful, true fulfillment. All the pure 
 elements of the mind shall be. You do 
 not prize the angel by your side. He can 
 give perfect knowledge, perfect love, and 
 peace. Only trust, and be guided. You 
 117 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 will then in nowise go wrong. It is only 
 when you trust your own poor human judg- 
 ment that you fail ; but now you have the 
 comforter, which is no more nor less than 
 the loved friend who left your sight. He 
 will direct your steps aright, and care for 
 and protect you in all seasons. Do not grieve 
 the spirit. There are times when you might 
 be tempted to doubt this truth, but do not for 
 one minute believe that the dear one will be 
 any the less diligent. Here good works are 
 our passport to higher conditions, and the 
 only passport. There is no element or com- 
 modity but love and duty. No silver nor 
 gold can in the least benefit us ; it must be 
 right deeds and loving thought for others. 
 Self is secondary here. They who learn 
 this early are nearer the Victor's realm. 
 Many times we withhold our love until too 
 late. Let me admonish you to good works. 
 ii8 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 Mingling joy and sorrow, doubt and fear, 
 \ve hope ever for the best. This element 
 in our natures is largely due to merest cir- 
 cumstance. 
 
 We fail to glean from life's great lessons 
 the fullest meaning, and many times despair 
 overtakes. This too often is the cause of 
 much grief, — after the mortal life has been 
 passed, and the soul cries out, " Oh, why 
 could I not have seen what was so kindly 
 meant for my best good!" The hand that 
 smites can heal, and I \vould impress upon 
 your minds the importance of believing; 
 that whatever the intricate paths, there is 
 good to follow. Who that does not know 
 the dross must be burned away ? In nearly 
 every instance it is a perfect work. It is 
 those who will not heed who must suffer 
 much here, — regrets, and remorse. 
 
 My mother had sent for me, as she in- 
 119 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 tended having a family reunion. Such oc- 
 casions are very pleasant, when we renew 
 the old companionships and plan for the 
 future. My father had hitherto been very 
 reticent when interrogated as to his work, 
 always evading the direct question, and 
 putting one so at his ease that he made no 
 further inquiry, but knew he was not any 
 more enlightened upon the subject. 
 
 Upon this occasion, he made known to us 
 his plans. Finding he had gifts in several 
 lines, it was necessary to choose. He liked 
 most the line followed in earth — that of 
 caring for the sick, as that was a joy to 
 him. Now he found it doubly pleasant, for 
 there was need of counsel on both sides of 
 life, and this made him very happy. 
 
 My father had possessed much wisdom, 
 and when in earth-life he had been so many 
 times confronted with problems in his work 
 
SPIRIT WOELD. 
 
 that would be solved in sleep or when sit- 
 ting in a passive state in his office, he always 
 gave credit to a higher power, but did not 
 understand this power; but now he knows 
 it was some kind spirit, who like himself 
 had given heed to the solution of the mys- 
 tery of life, and loved to aid mortals in their 
 efforts to preserve this life, upon the first 
 plane. So to this noble calling my father 
 still adheres, and finds plenty of opportunity 
 for the exercise of his gifts. 
 
 He related to us many incidents of his 
 experience, which gave zest to his profes- 
 sion. Many times he finds spaces to view 
 earth's treasures, and withal is quite a trav- 
 eler. My mother often accompanies him 
 upon his errands, and always upon his tours 
 of investigation. 
 
 Withal, we are happy, as we are kept 
 busy, and have no space for selfish idleness. 
 
 121 
 
ECHOES FBOM THE 
 
 Chapter XIV. 
 
 "Where hast thou been this year, beloved? 
 What hast thou seen, — 
 What visions fair, what glorious life, 
 Where thou hast been? 
 
 "Not dead, not sleeping, not even gone, 
 But present still. 
 And waiting for the coming hour 
 Of God's sweet will." 
 
 — Harriet Beecher Stowe. 
 
 There are times when you feel a lacking 
 of the vital force. This may be owing to 
 various causes, but it is necessary to recuper- 
 ate. This may be done by calling to your 
 aid the spirit forces, who are ever about you. 
 They will come, if asked, into your immedi- 
 ate presence, and with a gentle flow of mag- 
 netism from their being will replace this 
 
 122 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 element of your being, which has become 
 depleted, with new and vital power, which 
 will give you comfort and ease. Pain they 
 can relieve best through the hands of a 
 healer, who can transmit a portion of 
 earth-force, which is ever necessary to 
 sustain you while in earth-life. Many 
 times you feel pain when it is only the 
 condition of the atmosphere. This they 
 can readily relieve. The mind's energy is 
 many times deflected from its direct course, 
 and drawn to realms beyond its pres- 
 ent being, in which stage it may prosper, 
 but is out of established harmony with its 
 being. Fulfilling the laws laid down is the 
 only safe plan in any stage of existence. 
 We must first seek to understand those laws. 
 The intricate web of life is two-fold in its 
 import : kindly seek and rightly act. This 
 is all there is to it, yet enough to require the 
 123 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 thoughtful diligence of us all. There are 
 no two paths ; it is only the one path, but 
 differently outlined. To some it is fraught 
 with much care and toil, while to others it 
 seems a high-road of pleasure. However 
 we view it, whatever we make of it, it is the 
 one Royal Road of Life. One receives the 
 success deserved, and this is the pleasant thing 
 connected with being. No striving in vain. 
 It may appear so for a season, but many ap- 
 pearances are delusive, as you have already 
 learned. 
 
 " Edith, oh, Edith ! " I thought, "you have 
 escaped many hard lessons, and yet the ben- 
 efit derived from those lessons is denied you, 
 which detracts from thus early leaving the 
 first state." They are pure and innocent, 
 but ignorant as well, — have missed the first 
 chapter, and cannot so well understand the 
 second. This is truth. It is to be deplored 
 124 
 
8PIBIT WOBLD. 
 
 that some are deprived of this first experi- 
 ence. It fits the mind for future usefulness. 
 
 Thoroughly imbued with strictest honesty, 
 I watched the growth and development of 
 mortal mind with greatest satisfaction. 
 
 We have yet to know the good we may 
 accomplish. The seeming good is not al- 
 ways the result; as many times the influence 
 may extend over many spaces of existence, 
 so the sum of our acts may not at once be 
 determined. Unwisely, some reason from 
 analogy; but this method on the whole will 
 not bear the test. 
 
 We must strive to live to the highest 
 light we have, and keep striving to attain to 
 more resplendent rays, until we reach the 
 central sun. It is the privilege of all, — only 
 give your thought. The requirements along 
 this line are very meager, — only a little of 
 your time and a passive will. This last is 
 125 
 
ECHOES FEOM THE 
 
 quite hard to attain, but when once discov- 
 ered you will wonder why you never knew 
 this before. 
 
 This point reached, the guides can come 
 closer, can manifest to you, and through 
 you to others. This is the sum total. Put 
 yourself en rapport with spirit-forces; then 
 you have discovered one of the great laws 
 of the universe; then mind can act on mind, 
 and give to you knowledge from the life 
 beyond, so that when you come to lay down 
 the mortal all will not be so new to you, but 
 you will have known and felt this life in 
 advance, thereby making you feel more at 
 ease when you cross the boundary. There 
 is no such thing as going out into nonentity, 
 as some suppose; no sleeping in the grave 
 until the resurrection. No, no! It is life, 
 beautiful life prolonged. Beautiful if we 
 make it so. Why toil for the meat that 
 126 
 
SPIRIT WOBLD. 
 
 perishes when only to open unto the spir- 
 itual world your wants may be supplied ? 
 " Are ye not more than food and raiment ? " 
 The earthly things are well enough, but 
 the spending a whole lifetime in pursuit of 
 them, to the detriment of the soul, is what I 
 object to. Spare a little time to learn the 
 laws of being around you, and thereby ben- 
 efit yourselves throughout the endless aeons 
 of space. Greatly to be deplored are the 
 lives whose only aim and object is merce- 
 nary gain, — who do not give attention to 
 the deeper meanings of life. They arrive 
 at this stage of existence shorn of their 
 idols, and powerless to direct the further 
 investments. They are miserable, because 
 the commodity here is out of their line. 
 The disappointment with which they view 
 the situation is not easy to describe, and 
 only as they may influence those left behind 
 127 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 and in possession of their wealth, are they 
 enabled to maintain any degree of forbear- 
 ance. You will observe this, that Infinite 
 Mind has taken into account and provided a 
 way whereby such souls may be pacified, 
 until they grow unto their state. It takes 
 countless periods of space to grow out 
 of these conditions, as all erroneous ideas 
 must be eradicated before one step in 
 advance can be gained. Following ever 
 onward are the measures with which we 
 measure, and " it shall be measured to us 
 again." This is a truthful law of being, 
 one which cannot be ignored. Happy is he 
 who heeds. Winnowing our hearts' best 
 happiness, we are oblivious to evil tempta- 
 tions. Undeveloped good is ever within 
 our reach, but we must learn to decry the 
 presence of any element which could possi- 
 bly persuade us from the right path. This 
 128 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 we must do, if we would be blessed. And 
 who does not strive for happiness? All are 
 bent on the one object, and determined to 
 reach, sometime, through their ideals, the 
 enchanted state. Yet with what vastly dif- 
 ferent minds do they strive! Choose wisely, 
 friends. 
 
 Thoroughly imbued with life's great mis- 
 sion, and alive to its responsibilities, pain 
 and toil, I find my mind wandering to you 
 of earth, wishing to impart somewhat to 
 you that may help to alleviate that part of 
 your journey. 
 
 The first steps are the most important, 
 therefore it is the more necessary that great 
 care should be taken. What will you think 
 of me, when I say all other experience is de- 
 pendent upon this one? This is true. Not 
 that you w411 not exist, but as to how you 
 will exist in the sum total. You have it 
 
 — 9 129 
 
ECHOES FBOM THE 
 
 largely within your own power to say what 
 shall be. Environment has much to do, and 
 yet you are supposed to surmount environ- 
 ment. All life is an integral part of the 
 great universe of life, much the same as 
 each member is a part of the body. The 
 hand cannot say, " Because I am not the eye, 
 I am not of the body," neither can it say, " I 
 am of no use." Each part is needed to make 
 a complete whole. So in the Life of Being, 
 no part can be lost, no particle dissolved. 
 
 Finding my work is growing easier for 
 me, I feel gratified that I may spend more 
 space in converse with mortals. As you by 
 this time understand, I can in nowise neglect 
 the pursuit of knowledge along the lines I 
 have chosen, which is a delight to me. 
 When you are guided to this plane, I 
 shall be pleased to convey to you the 
 130 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 meaning of the work I have in hand, but 
 your business now is to bide your time, car- 
 ing, to the best of your ability, for the tem- 
 ples of the bodies in which you dwell, that 
 your time may be prolonged and your work 
 well done. I would above all things em- 
 phasize this admonition : Do not seek in any 
 way to destroy life ( mortal existence), but 
 build up and prolong your probationary pe- 
 riod. It is of great importance that you do 
 so, and thereby increase your likelihood for 
 good, for right deeds. 
 
 131 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 Chapter XV. 
 
 "There is no death. An angel form 
 
 Walks o'er the earth with silent tread ; 
 He bears our best-loved things away, 
 And then we call them 'dead.' 
 
 "But ever near us, though unseen, 
 The dear immortal spirits tread ; 
 For all the boundless Universe 
 Is life — there are no dead." 
 
 — J. L. McCreery. 
 
 Myriads of whirling systems of worlds 
 comprise the countless number of universes, 
 and it is not commensurate with human 
 knowledge to form a basis from which to 
 solve the stupendous problem as to their ex- 
 istence. It must be taken as fact, and the 
 reasonableness of the idea that Creative 
 Mind had a wise purpose in thus planning 
 for future habitations. We can but gaze 
 and wonder at the wisdom displayed. Per- 
 132 
 
SPIBIT WORLD. 
 
 haps this is the time for me to relate what 
 may seem an improbabihty. 
 
 Thinking to reach my dear ones of earth, 
 I set out in good season. Full many spaces 
 had passed, and I was anxious to know if 
 anything had happened to my son, or to his 
 family. You will discover we are not pos- 
 sessed of all knowledge, and must jour- 
 ney to our friends if we would know about 
 them. Consequently, I went in quest of 
 evidence to quiet my mind. Arriving at 
 the home of my son, I found all well, and 
 everything seemed to be about as usual. He 
 was not at home; so I directed my steps to 
 his place of business, knowing well the way. 
 Here I found him bent over his books, much 
 as I had been in years gone by, puzzling 
 over the long lines of figures. "Well," I 
 thought, "you must be successful." The 
 place wore an air of prosperity, and I could 
 
 133 
 
ECHOES FROM TEE 
 
 not help feeling a degree of pride in the 
 thought, " Well, after all, there is satisfac- 
 tion in doing well whatever we do at all." 
 My attention was drawn to the improve- 
 ments and late inventions for conducting 
 the business with greater ease, and I was 
 pleased to note the prosperity that seemed 
 to be displayed; and my only son was at 
 the head of this vast establishment. My 
 heart burned within me for pride at his 
 success; but yet I knew it would be much 
 harder for him to change his vocation when 
 the time came, as there would be no profit 
 in lingering here. I had once thought / 
 would never return, but now it was differ- 
 ent: the old care did not affect me, and I 
 was simply as one entertained; consequently 
 I could view the progress unobserved, and 
 at my leisure. 
 
 I found the appliances for abbreviating 
 
 134 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 labor were numerous, much to my astonish- 
 ment. I had not even dreamed of the rapid 
 strides in wealth and intellectual attainments. 
 I was as one who had been oblivious to this 
 form of advancement. Having never had 
 my mind drawn to this branch of knowl- 
 edge, as on my last entering this place I had 
 resolved never to return, I had dismissed the 
 care and labor connected with it, and had 
 retreated from the place. Now I felt an 
 interest for my son's sake, and though feel- 
 ing it would not be exactly best for him, yet 
 could not advise at this point a change, as 
 he was very content. 
 
 After looking until thoroughly satisfied, 
 I took my departure, intending to return 
 often to see my son, who was now the dear- 
 est of all my friends left on earth; though 
 I could not at this time reach him with my 
 thought, as his mind was too much absorbed 
 
 135 
 
ECHOES FEOM TEE 
 
 to pay any attention to me. I will now say, 
 if the mortal does not look within, but is ab- 
 sorbed in outward thought, we cannot speak 
 to his mind. 
 
 All-absorbing as this topic is, I must leave 
 it for now, to relate a strange experience. 
 After leaving my son's store, I passed down 
 the familiar street, which was very little 
 changed. Stopping in front of one of the 
 establishments that I had been very much 
 drawn to in times past, I gazed intently upon 
 what was going on around me. Many 
 strange faces were passing, and I felt like 
 one in a foreign land. Presently I noticed 
 the people stopping in their course, and di- 
 recting their gaze toward me. " Well," I 
 thought, '•' for once I have an audience ! 
 What can it mean ? " I stood on the sunny 
 side of the street, and I could not understand 
 why the people crowded around me. I stood 
 136 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 perfectly still, wondering not a little as the 
 numbers increased, and there was no mis- 
 take, — / was the object of attraction. Fi- 
 nally one approached me with the cry of "O! 
 father ! father ! " I beheld my son and he 
 his father, and I left them with the knowl- 
 edge that the chemical laws of spirit are 
 perfect, and under proper conditions one 
 may manifest to mortal eye. 
 
 You ask, what was the agency? I an- 
 swer, the media around me reflected from 
 humans passing. 
 
 This was great happiness to me. Owing 
 to various reasons I made my exit from the 
 scene just described with feelings of grati- 
 tude and pleasure, — glad to have proven an- 
 other law complete, and also gratified to 
 have reached my son and others in a tangible 
 way. He was inclined to accept as proof 
 this manifestation of being, and hastened 
 
 137 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 home to inform his wife of the wonderful 
 thing that had happened. The throng of 
 people who witnessed the " apparition," as 
 they called it, had various opinions. The 
 superstitious thought the city was doomed ; 
 while others believed it to be a genuine spir- 
 itual manifestation. Withal, it stirred pub- 
 lic sentiment and gave subject for discussion 
 for many a day. Seeming only to know is 
 no real knowledge, so after the occurrence 
 was past, many questioned whether it had 
 been, but those who had witnessed were 
 just as tenacious in their declarations. Thus 
 time passed, and I leave them to their own 
 conclusions. It was enough for me that my 
 son had taken heed. 
 
 138 
 
8PIBIT WORLD. 
 
 Chapter XVI. 
 
 "Let the old life be covered by the new: 
 The old past life, so full of sad mistakes, 
 Let it be wholly hidden from the view 
 
 By deeds as white and silent as snow-flakes. 
 Ere this life melts in the eternal Spring, 
 Let the white mantle of repentance fling 
 Soft drapery about it, fold on fold. 
 Even as the new snow covers up the old." 
 
 — Ella Wheeler Wilcox. 
 
 Looking within, finding the forces per- 
 fect, you are led to contemplate with satis- 
 faction the field of work laid down. Often 
 the mind is filled with longing to reach the 
 highest point from which to survey its at- 
 tainments. This is perfectly commensurate 
 with its realistic condition, and hope gives 
 birth to flights of fancy which may be real- 
 ized. 
 
 We pursue our ideals no less in this life, 
 
 139 
 
ECHOES FROM THE 
 
 and, if we reach ever outward, are sure 
 sooner or later to become merged into their 
 substance, — for such they become when once 
 we have appropriated and absorbed their es- 
 sence. How important that we entertain 
 exalted ideals, as while this is taking place 
 we are becoming engrafted into the life of 
 all life. Furthermore, our business is not 
 only to exist, but to fulfill the highest state 
 of existence ; then we shall have accom- 
 plished much whereby we may be blessed. 
 We may not, and can not, receive a bless- 
 ing unless we have fulfilled the law by which 
 this state may be vouchsafed to us. Let me 
 repeat, for it can not be too often reiterated, 
 there is no reward without right-doing, and 
 it is best to start right on the first plane. 
 Do not put off what you are convinced is 
 right for you to do now. Each day will 
 bring its labors and anxieties, so do not 
 140 
 
SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 neglect a single opportunity to develop the 
 soul. This is what you are to depend upon 
 throughout eternity, and is of vastly more 
 importance than houses and lands, or any 
 element of physical life. Ultimately the 
 physical man will appropriate these spirit- 
 ual truths, when the world shall have be- 
 come more enlightened. Just now the need 
 of teachers is great. All who hear the word 
 do not appropriate it. " Ye should be doers 
 also," and in this way the light is spread, the 
 truth disseminated. The field is now ripe, 
 but the laborers are few, comparatively. 
 We on the spirit side stand ever ready to 
 give of our knowledge for your benefit. 
 
 Believe true, the words I have brought to 
 you, for they are truth. I have no wish to 
 deceive, but simply enlighten upon this sub- 
 ject with which every soul is connected. 
 
 The time for this light is now; the world 
 141 
 
ECHOES FROM THE SPIRIT WORLD. 
 
 is now ready. There has never been a time 
 when there has been more deep thinking. 
 The people are awake to scientific investi- 
 gation. Tlie masses are inquiring. This 
 is the encouraging feature to us, and as we 
 can, will do our work. It is pleasant to 
 contemplate, and happiness abounds. Like 
 the little bird in its native forest on a bright 
 May morning, trilling its sweetest lay, so 
 we sing in grateful thankfulness when we 
 see the mortal finding the right way. 
 
 Not many spaces ere we will find many 
 more thinking seriously along these lines, 
 and little by little the power of mind will 
 be acknowledged, until this knowledge 
 shall fill the whole earth. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 142 
 
Contents 
 
 Chapter. Page. 
 
 I — Passes from earth to spirit-life, 7 
 
 II — Departs from the surroundings of home, . 13 
 
 III — Finds father, mother, brother, and sisters, 21 
 
 IV — Begins the study of chemistry, 29 
 
 V — Returns, and visits his wife, 45 
 
 VI — Little Edith passes away, 60 
 
 VII — He and Edith visit his mother, 65 
 
 VIII — Goes to the home of his childhood, ... 73 
 
 IX — Philosophy of life, 82 
 
 X — Philosophy of life (continued), 86 
 
 XI — His wife passes away, 92 
 
 XII — No time but the present, 103 
 
 XIII — His wife finds her work, . 108 
 
 XIV — Spirit forces assist mortals, 122 
 
 XV — Appears to his son, 132 
 
 XVI — Spiritual light being accepted, 139