LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. tan Shelf ...Ife-. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. WHY WE LIVE. BY SUMMERDALE THtu~t "In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you." — St. John, 14:2. CHICAGO: Howard, White & Co., Printers, 156 Washington St. 1880. ^ & Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by ALEXANDER YOUNG, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C I Inscribe this Small Work Co mg Wiiiz, Who stood at mt side in the hour of Adversity, clothed in the same pure robe op constancy that she wore when a bride in the brightness oe Prosperity. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PAGE. Eusebius in a Dream Enters the Confines of Heaven.— The Arch- angel Gabriel Keveals to Him the Vocation of an Archangel and the State of the Redeemed.— He is Entranced by a Sight of the Promised Land.— He Meets Angelic Friends ; with them He Crosses the Jordan and Enters the Abodes of the Blest.— The Story of Abella and Caina.— Altheous and His Kindred Return to Earth and Escort the Freed Spirit of His Wife to Heaven. - 11-29 CHAPTER II. Eusebius Beholds New Wonders.— The Airarchs, or Child Angels.— He Visits the Gallery of Angelic Art.— The Airarch Alva Gives Him the History of the Statue of His Mortal Body.— Gabrela is Welcomed to Paradise— The Field of Eden— The River of Bliss.— The Holy Temple of the Palace of Immanuel.— Pisgah.— The Redemption of the Dwellers of Hadea by Immanuel.— The Reunion of Alva and His Father and the Welcome of Alvero to the Home of Altheous. ------ 30-50 CHAPTER III. The Re-united Family.— The History of Paul, Paulina and their Child.— Gabriel Calls the Soul of Paulina from Earth and Gives Her the Name of Eola.— She is Conducted by Angelic Friends to Heaven and is Instructed in Heavenly Wisdom.— Alvero and Eola Re-united and Ordained as Angels by Immanuel.— Eola Created a Mansion and Embellished it with Statuary for Her Family.— The Cascades of Delphia— Message of Vernecis to Gabrela. -------- 51-74 CHAPTER IY. The Sleep Which He Giveth His Beloved.— Meeting of Vernecis and His Sister Fidelia.— Fidelia With Her Friends Crosses the River of Paradise and Beholds the Glories of Heaven.— Im- manuel Reveals Himself Unto Them, and Ordains Gabrela and Fidelia as Angels.— Fidelia is Taken by Her Friends to the Home of Altheous.— The Elysian Fields the Dwelling Place of the Cherubim. ------- 75-82 CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. PAGE. The Worship of Jehovah in the Temple.— Gabrela's Works of Art. —The Worship of the Divine Immanuel.— Immanuel the Creator of the Earth and Hadea— The Holy of Holies.— The Gift of Aerial Flight.— The Home of Alvero and Eola.— The Temples Belonging to Oriental Nations.— Ormond and Homilia. — Effendi Creates a Barge. - - - - -83-93 CHAPTER VI. Fields of Elysium.— Memorial Monuments of the Dead.— The Ever- lasting Sleep.— The Ministration of Cherubim.— The Aerial Flight.— The Reunion of Nationalities.-The Archangel Ignatia. —The Repose in the Temple and Communion with Immanuel. —Lucifer, the Son of the Morning.— Lucifer and His Follow- ers Sleep the Eternal Sleep.— Immanuel the Savior of Man- kind and the Creator of the Earth and Hadea.— The Com- munion with Immanuel in His Holy Temple.— Revelations to the Soul of Man in the Visions of the Night.— The Divine Palace of Lucifer.— Inspired Words of Fidelia. - - 94-116 CHAPTER VII. Immanuel Worships Jehovah.— Story of Caina.— Ministration of Child- Angels to the Dwellers of Hadea.— The Redemption of Souls.— A Cherub's Inspired Words.— The Immutable Laws of the Eternal World.— The Creative Power of Mind.— The Tablet of Conscience.— The New Jerusalem. - - 117-135 PREFACE. In sending forth this little volume, like a waif upon the sea of literature, I beg leave to inform its readers that it is the author's first venture, and as a first offense is always treated with leniency I hope that his work will not meet with an undue measure of censure. He seeks not to place his name high upon the tablets of fame, but he would fain lead others to a consideration of the glorious truths which have been to him a beacon light when tossed upon the waves of adversity. The glory to be revealed to us when we pass from the shore of time to that of eternity is far beyond the imagination of finite be- ings, but we may well believe that sometimes a ray from the golden gates ajar illumines our pathway, dispersing the clouds in our earthly sky, and some faint echo from the music of the spheres may be heard, even as the angelic strains gladdened the hearts of the shepherds of Bethlehem. The shining ladder, upon which angels ascend and descend* still forms a link between earth and heaven as of old, though in- visible to mortal eyes. There is still a compensation for every cross we patiently bear ; rest for the weary ; a heavenly home and friends for the desolate ; and Immanuel, our hope, our consola- tion, liveth forever. Could we but realize that the Bow of Promise ever spans the darkest cloud ; that after storm comes the sunshine , that the love and tender mercy of our Father is over all ; that every day, if rightly spent, adds to our eternal treasures; how light would 8 PREFACE. seem our daily trials, and how much more watchful would we be to keep our robes spotless while awaiting the call of our Master, The blessedness of hope and joy, the foretaste of the bliss pre- pared tor us may now be ours, and that others may be led to more frequent contemplation of the divine love and the future happiness of the redeemed, the author has endeavored to embody in the form of a vision his own views of this life and the life be- yond the vale. There are not many households where there is no vacant chair ; and O, may the hope of that blessed re-union and the knowledge of the ministration of the departed be to us like the Star of Bethlehem, guiding us heavenward. » May the bereaved mothers who, like Rachel, refuse to be com- forted, see in the little Airarqhs, the child angels, the types of their own loved ones ; not lost, but translated to the mansions of light, to await their coming. May the perusal of these pages bring the realization of these truths to every mind, that the future life is a glorious reality and that heaven is not far away. I earnestly hope that this seemingly prophetic vision may give to others the pleasure and consolation which I have derived from it, and I commend it to all who look for a better country, even a heavenly. MRS. C. L. SHACKLOCK. La Porte, Ind. INTRODUCTION. In presenting this small work to the public, 1 seek to share with my readers some views of the future life, which have been an unfailing source of consolation and sweet communion between the dear partner of my life and myself, under the influence of which we have been encouraged to press on through the storms of life as well as its sunshine. And as I have written out the following thoughts for our own satisfaction and encouragement, I feel confident that they will afford an occasional reader a portion of the same enjoy, rnent; for we are all journeying toward that promised Haven of Rest, while many are so near as to almost touch the veil which hides its sacred glories. For one to hear the fireside conversation of a family of parents and children, as each one paints with earnest tones the vivid picture of a better land, where they hope to find a happier home, would be to realize the joy of the pilgrim, as he paints upon the canvas of his imagination the picture of his beautiful home in Heaven. Being first established in our faith in the certainty of an Eternal Source and Center of creative power, we have around us an evidence that the Eternal Source and Fountain of all things is wrapped in the pure and beautiful folds of infinite love and compassion; for, let us query, Is man, whose better nature breathes love and compassion to his race and for suffering every- where, more compassionate and loving than his Creator? The 10 INTRODUCTION. voice of God, out of the depth of our surroundings, breathes forth its silent answer, in a language of convincing power, wherein we learn that except the source and fountain overflows with the balm of love and compassion, we would not perceive its odor or feel its healing virtue in the issuing stream. And what are its streams but the continual outflowing of life immortal, even though it be wrapped in a casket of mortal frailties, in which we, as children of our Heavenly Father, are to dwell, until our probation is over, and our time has come to inherit the crown prepared for us, if so it be that we are worthy of it. I have called into use the character of Lucifer, in connection with that of Immanuel, by the way of an allegory, to show that not only in our Savior have we infinite love, but that in Jehovah it is one of the supreme attributes. If the question should be raised as to the Archangels and Seraphs not tasting with Immanuel of the infirmities of the flesh, the answer will be that our Kedeemer, having realized the sorrows and infirmities of his children, was ordained by His Father, as a fit teacher of His own exalted servants in the sub- lime attribute of compassion, of which He Himself became possessor, and which they drank in with that facility which so well becomes beings accustomed to visiting the afflicted, the sick, and the dying, a vocation finding its impulse in this beautiful compassion which permeates the life and character of every angelic being, even the better part of frail humanity. THE AUTHOR. WHY WE LIVE. CHAPTER I. Eusebius in a Dream Enters the Confines of Heaven.— The Archangel Gabriel Eeveals to Him the Vocation of an Archangel and the State of the Redeemed.— He is Entranced by a Sight of the Promised Land.— He Meets Angelic Friends ; with them He Crosses the Jordan and Enters the Abodes of the Blest.— The Story of Abella and Caina. — Altheous and His Kindred Return to Earth and Escort the Freed Spirit of His Wife to Heaven. Amid the solitude of the place, the glory of the fast departing day and the crimson brilliancy of a western sky, shedding its evening light upon the landscape around, Eusebius reclined for repose be- neath the trembling foliage of the lofty boughs of an ancient oak;^ lost in the wilderness of thought and the revery of meditation, he was soon veiled in the oblivion of sleep, but it was a continuous dream, wherein he wandered among the beatitudes of heaven, of which he now speaks. From far out into the blue sky of eternity, from far above the surging throes of the conflicting interests of restless humanity, there seemed to fall upon my sensitive ear the sweet vibrations of heavenly music, not known to mortal ears; each 12 WHY WE LIVE. moment the strains of music and of song became more soul -thrilling and intensified. And now I stood gazing upward and before a world unveiled, and beheld the glory of Archangels and angels, the disembodied souls from every nation, kindred, tongue and creed, as they ascended and descended or coursed their way through the trackless air or void above me, on missions of mercy and love. I now saw plainly that but a few days' journey up- wards and outwards, beyond the atmosphere of this material world, there would be found by nearly all of us, in due time, a region of calm peace, a Paradise for the weary, the afflicted and the tempest-tossed. To spiritual eyes it seemed a world as intensely material as this transitory world appears to the mortal vision, where were hills and vales, rivers and lakes, also the habita- tions of the angels, the proportion and appearance of which mark the distinction of one angel from another, showing the abundance of his gifts, among which is the power of mind over matter. While this mortal world seems so intensely material, it is but a transient world of shadows; a mere fac simile of that spiritual world whose man- sions are not made with hands, and whose fruitful trees and vines yield not their products by the toil of the weary or the sweat of their brows, but by WHY WE LIVE. 13 the power of the gift of Immanuel, Whose throne is in the midst of Paradise. I was informed of these things by an angel who seemed to be a Prince among the powers of the air, and the only one with whom I was yet privileged to hold commnnion. Aronnd his brow shone a diadem of gold and precious stones; his voice was most heavenly; with its every intonation I felt the effect of his thrilling power through every nerve; in his presence I seemed without power to move, excepting as he willed it. Said he: " I am an Archangel and one who is often sur- rounded by a legion of angels, who have been long watching and waiting for loved ones on earth to be translated from couches of sickness or from lives of temptation and woe into a world of eter- nal rest and peace; and the angels, knowing my vocation is to gather these kindred and friends into their eternal homes, start at the sound of the trumpet's call, which vibrates through the vernal beauties of that pleasant home, and those who have often visited and long waited for and watched over some loved one, or from a sense of duty stood at the side of the friendless and desolate, now again return with the throng, this time to receive with joyous welcome the ones to whom they have 14 WHY WE LIVE. been guardian angels so long, and for whom they have crossed the mighty Jordan and traversed the trackless void, which lies between the promised land and this dark world of mortality, a thousand times or more. "And as I lean over the soul struggling to be free from its mortal prison, the hosts around me love to sing Immanuel's praise, because of the mighty wand of death, which thus delivers the captive from his prison house of clay. And then as I speak in the power of my most holy calling, 1 Son of man, arise! angels, receive the new born babe!' the kindred and those who have been guardian angels to the new comer form an escort to cross the trackless Erebus. "This dark region is never without some band of ministering angels going earthward or returning with their prize and their joy, which may be a parent, a brother, sister, child or friend, and never without the joyous strain of heavenly music and the shouts of praise and thanksgiving to their be- loved Immanuel. " Thus the vocations of the angels are continual and full of joy; there is no homeless or desolate one; no tempted or forsaken; nay, none, however much the dark clouds of affliction have overtaken him, who has not some ministering spirit to guide WHY WE LIVE. 15 his faltering steps and to receive him with a joy- ous manifestation at his deliverance from captivity. And as he nears the confines of that happy world, his kindred, who have gone before, shall leave their homes in that vernal clime, to be of the band who will be the joyous escort to accompany him across the darksome vale and over the mighty flood, into the paradise of rest, to receive a house not made with hands, but by the power of the will of angels. ' ' As we were now nearing the beautiful land of Immanuel and the green fields of Elysium my joy was ecstatic. I was as one intoxicated, and my surprise being plainly manifested, the Archangel, whose name I now found to be Gabriel, spoke in that happy style which betrayed the continual joy of his busy life, and said: "The redeemed of Paradise are composed of souls that have escaped from their prison house of mortal clay; there is for them no more care, no more passion or strife, which once had their origin in the necessities of the mortal body, because the soul has escaped from that temporal body and has now a spiritual one, which has far different neces - sities, and which necessities have no motive power in his life and conduct. Hence his life is serene and happy, because rest and peace from accus- 16 WHY WE LIVE. tomed strife is his portion forever, and he is ever conscious of his high estate." Now the glittering emblems, as they reflected from the tall spires and the lofty domes and the golden temples of Immanuel's eternal city, glis- tened in the morning light across the mighty wa- ters of Jordan. I breathed the fragrance of ripe fruits and of the flowers of an eternal summer. It seemed now as if I could go no farther to- wards such an overwhelming glory. I said : "0, G-abriel ! thou who art esteemed so emi- nently holy, if I cannot endure the distant sight of the Promised Land, how can I live in the midst of its glory and dwell in its peaceful vales ?" ' ' Fear not, my child, ' ' said Gabriel, ' ' thou shalt see greater things than these, even that beautiful vale and the hills where thy kindred dwell and who have been forming a little band to meet thee ; therefore were busily engaged in making wreaths and garlands of fragrant flowers to deck themselves and thee ; but now I must leave thee for a season, for behold they are near." In a moment I saw him no more, save the mystic cloud which veiled him from my sight, and sped its way towards the divine palace and throne of Immanuel, which reflects the majestic glory of its golden roof upwards and against the ever present WHY WE LIVE. 17 mystic cloud, which overshadows it as a halo of glory. And now I heard familiar voices mingling with strains of mnsic, and my own name as the subject of their angelic melody. Now they were aronnd me ; each one grasped me by the hand, and, with a kiss, sang sweet solos of welcome ; then I was crowned with a garland of fragrant flowers. Then we turned towards the eternal homes of the blest. We had now to cross the peaceful bosom of Jor- dan, the tide of which flows on with the ever gentle murmurings of peace, and on the opposite side, where the shores of Paradise dip gently into its placid waters, I beheld myriads of heavenly be- ings rejoicing in pleasant and shady groves. But Jordan is a turbid flood to those who seek to cross its waters against the will of Immanuel. Of its peculiarities I will be led to speak hereafter. As it was ordained from the beginning of time by Immanuel, that but few angels, beside the Archangels, Seraphs, Cherubim and Airarchs of Paradise, should cross over Jordan without pass- ing through its waters, it became necessary for our little company to call upon one of our kindred named Altheous, whom Immanuel endowed with gifts above the rest of them, because of his great deeds, when being tried with a tempestuous body 8 18 WHY WE LIVE. in the darkness of the world, and having con- quered many of the propensities of his mortal na- ture, Immanuel decked him with a jeweled crown and confirmed his power, not only over his own nature, which is the common gift of all angels, but also the power of his immortal mind over matter to a great extent. And thus, by the power of his mind over matter, he formed for our little band a beautiful bark, with the symbol of " Welcome" upon its bow. As we glided swiftly through the waters I was led to exclaim : " O, the happy throng in their spotless robes of white, with whom I now share the final joy of a place among the redeemed !" For the angels, of whom I saw so many on the river and along the shore of the Elysian Fields, seemed radiant with the consciousness of their su- preme happiness. Said Altheous : " They know not the wasting hand of time; they know the certainty of an enduring life of peace." We now reached the opposite shore. When the last one stood upon the pebbly strand, we turned towards a waiting chariot, our bark having re- solved itself back again into the watery flood. Having learned of the great will power of many of the angels over matter and the elements of the spiritual world, I was not much astonished at see- WHY WE LIVE. 19- ing a chariot not made with hands, or even when I saw how smoothly and majestically we wheeled along the golden pavements of the Eternal City, or made our way beneath the overspreading branches of wayside trees, borne down with fra- grant fruits and flowers. As we continually passed the mansions of the blest and saw the sweet and peaceful enjoyment of their occupants, my soul seemed to partake of the transcendant bliss around me. On our war along this joyful route we were continually meet- ing the shining chariots of angels as they were go- ing to and from their kindred and friends scattered over the hills and vales of Paradise. It seemed strange that we were now without the power of traversing the air ; but Altheous now spoke and said : "That power is accorded to all at times ; all who have a mission to the realms of earth to soothe the sore wounds of the tempted and tossed or to watch at the bedside of the sick and dying, or go to welcome and escort one much loved and long looked for to this happy place of the re- deemed. But not until they have crossed the stream of Jordan earthward can they take their flight, except upon occasions of which I shall hereafter speak. But the Archangels, Seraphs and 20 WHY WE LIVE. certain ones of the redeemed of Paradise go whith- er they will in their heavenly missions of duty." Turning from his subject somewhat abruptly, Altheous again said : "In yonder house at the foot of that sloping green, from whence the fragrance of violets im- parts such a rich perfume to the air, and over which you can see those hanging clusters of ripe fruit, and close by that fountain where the pebbled brook receives its wasted waters and winds itself away into the verdure of the gardens beyond, you behold the dwelling in which two happy brothers live with their families, while their kindred clus- ter near them in beautiful dwelling places of their own. Abella and Caina are their names. They have lived on this spot for nearly six thousand years, according to the calendar of earth. "Abella abounds in the rare gifts of mental power, by which he formed his beautiful house from a crystal rock, and has willed from the ele- ments around him those lofty trees bending with foliage and fragrant flowers, and yonder grove with bending boughs of ripe fruits, and the ver- dure which carpets so smoothly the rolling lawns. And their beautiful chariot he also made by the gift of that mental power. But Caina abounds in no gifts, save those which are common to all the WHY WE LIVE. 21 angels in heaven ; among which are the supreme control over his own mind and body, and possess- ing the gift of silent correspondence which exists between them when widely separated. Yet Caina is supremely happy ; a halo of serene peace per- vades the atmosphere around him ; a cord of pure love, as a silver chain, enduring as eternity itself, binds them together. "The antiquity of their home is often revered by angels of later birth as they pass the noted place." So intently was I listening to the affecting story of Abella and Caina that I was not aware of our nearness to the home of Altheous until the sweet tones of music and the welcome songs of children were heard, who gathered around the pearly gate- way, each one with garlands of flowers, which they, with one accord, showered upon me. Be- ing a new-born child of heaven, the fragrance thereof and the songs of welcome, and, more than all, the sight of these little ones coming to meet me, and all the glory which I thus far beheld, caused me to fall upon my face towards the throne of Immanuel in adoration and thanksgiving for such rest and peace, reserved for even the least of His children now journeying through the dark vale of mortality. 22 WHY WE LIVE. While thus engaged, the melody of happy voices proclaimed loud praises to Him Who made the earth, its mortality, its necessities, its sorrows, its temptations and death, and thus made us angels to live in blessed immortality. We now descended from the chariot, and I real- ized for the first time the final meeting of all my earthly kindred who have gone before me, many of whom have ministered unto me when clouds of darkness seemed to hide me from every hope, and finally brought me as a welcome guest to share their joys in this their happy home forever. Among the household of Altheous there were many wearing coronets of gold and of silver, the number of jewels set therein being according to the degree of the power of mind over matter, which is the unfailing reward of the righteous who have passed through the probations of a for- mer life with a pure, unsullied record, and there were many also possessing no gifts save those common to the angels of heaven, among which were the sure guaranty of a beautiful and happy home in Paradise among loved ones from whom they have long been separated, and the perfect subjection of their bodies and their lives to the will of Immanuel, which is written upon their hearts with indelible clearness. WHY WE LIVE. 23 But then it is an eternal and universal necessity of Paradise, that the angels of heaven, who pos- sess no gifts and wear no seraphic emblems upon their brows shall receive of those who have, and those from whom they receive shall rejoice to give ; and, furthermore, though divested of those many emblems of seraphic dignity and power, their clear remembrance of the conflicts of the past during their seemingly long probation in the region of mutability, and how often temptations over-' came them, and how utterly unworthy their own consciences taught them to feel, bring to them the keenest realization of their present and eternal happiness, with no more temptation to disobey Immanuel's will, but to rejoice in the sunshine of obedience to Him and His eternal laws. Now, Altheous, having heard the sound of Ga- briel' s trumpet, as its vibrations touched the ears of many expecting ones who have long been wait- ing for the allotted time when they, too, shall once again welcome some dear kindred by the hand to a more enduring home with them in Par- adise, moves along his ever- willing chariot. It is now beneath the marble porch of the heavenly mansion waiting. .Altheous is now seated, and his daughter Mara, filled with expectant joy, is at his side. She, too, wears a diadem of gold which 24 WHY WE LIVE. decorates her serenely peaceful brow, which is the reward of many a victory over temptation when she, alone with her good mother, walked the dark vales of earth until the voice of Gabriel awoke her from death to life, and her own dear father, in company with other angelic kindred, was her escort to this her home in heaven. And when the two sons of Altheous completed the little band, the chariot moved along. When near the pearly gates all the household gathered around with garlands of flowers, with which the little band, composed of father, sons and daughter, are to welcome and decorate a mother, now alone and desolate, even sick unto death, in the dark world of sorrow. Mara says she learned from the Seraph who came over with us from the great palace of Immanuel not long ago, that their dear mother, after she crossed the great Jordan, would receive a golden crown with many glittering gems. Then, with tears of joy, the little band departed, amid loud singing from many a happy heart. They sped rapidly along the golden pavements and soon they were by the river shore. Mara this time formed a beautiful bark after her own ideas of beauty, when they set out to cross the river. At last when they stepped upon the shores of the trackless void, their bark resolved itself back to WHY WE LIVE. 25 the elements from whence it was formed, and now they sped their flight towards the world's con- flicting regions. Though dark and cheerless was the void itself, it was a joyful pilgrimage, because of the continual passing of legions and bands of angels with music, and the joyous melody of happy hearts over the redeemed, as they were be- ing escorted towards their eternal rest. It was at the hour of solitary midnight when they found themselves standing by the bedside of that dear, sick, suffering body. It was her whom they loved to call " mother," and ; with strains of music, they sang many of those heart-appealing songs which are sung only by the angelic hosts of heaven. For a few moments at a time she seemed to hear the beautiful strains of melody, as it filled the chamber of her sufferings, and more than once Mara unveiled herself to that dear guardian of her once helpless infancy, when she would exclaim : "Hark ! Oh, how sweet ! It is heavenly music that I hear ! I behold an angel ; it is my Mary !" And these exclamations fell with a comforting assurance upon the listening ears of the sad rela- tives and friends of this devoted woman, who so patiently watched the fast failing form of her whom they would fain hold still longer, that they might show once more how dearly they loved her. 26 WHY WE LIVE. Altheous and his two sons were now visiting the afflicted in the region around the old familiar haunts of their mundane home, who being tempted and tried beyond the seeming powers of endur- ance, were fast gliding towards the shoals of des- pair ; but these angelic guardians, by the faithful promptings of love, whispered in the still, secret chambers of their inmost souls the accents of en- couragement and crowned them with the unseen garlands from their own distant home in Paradise. It was drawing near the hour when they should hear the music of the minstrels of the approach- ing hosts of Gabriel, therefore the three returned where lay the suffering form of the once wife and mother, whom they hoped soon to receive as one redeemed from all the storms of mutability. Now, as they leaned over the bedside of that dying mother, they heard with tears of joy the seraphic strains of melody, which was but the forerunner of the presence of the Archangel and the hosts around him. Soon the glory of his presence filled the room ; a smile of joy passed over the face of the suffering one as she saw, even with her mortal vision, the angels around her. With happy ac- cents she exclaimed : " O, how beautiful ! It is heavenly ! I now see things unutterable !" WHY WE LIVE. 27 Then with beating hearts of joy that husband, those sons and the living daughter, standing among the seraphs of heaven, watched the bend- ing form of Gabriel wrapped in the mystic cloud around him, as he called aloud : " Daughter, arise ! Angels, receive the new-born babe!" The struggling soul was now a new-born child of heaven, a companion linked in the closest af- finity to that husband and his children around him ; that same silver cord of pure love binds them here where there is no marriage ; where there is no sex to disturb the harmony of its joyous ex- pression. The little band, being decked with the garlands of flowers they brought, took their flight towards the land of the redeemed. Now the happy wife and mother, being clothed with a pure white robe, was to be called by a new name ; she was henceforth to be called Gabrela, because the Archangel who redeemed her had marked it upon her forehead, which in due time would be replaced by a beautiful diadem which would be the emblem of her rank and power while still her name would be the same. When they had left far behind them the shad- ows of the world below, with the usual melody of 28 WHY WE LIVE. a joyous band which bears away heavenward a beloved one redeemed from earth, they were startled, though not with fear, at the distant roll- ing clouds of blackness, as the lightning flashed and the thunders made the region quake around them. Its course, though at first towards them, was now for the dark regions of Erebus. Upward and outward for many hours Gabrela, with her beloved husband and children about her as escorting angels, sped their flight through the dim light of that dark region ; and as they passed and re-passed the hosts of seraphic beings in their aerial courses, they still, with a sense of some- thing awfully sublime, beheld it on its course. Gabrela, not knowing the mysteries around her, was fearful. "Fear not, dear mother, in these clouds thou wilt see Immanuel's love," said Mara, as she gathered more closely her mantle about her. ' ' Be- fore we reach the fragrant breezes from the shores of Paradise we will cross its path, then thou shalt behold what many angels in heaven have failed yet to see." Thus having quieted her fears, Gabrela' s coun- tenance shone again with its wonted joy as on- ward they sped their way towards the land of rest. Now again they saw those clouds ; as they WHY WE LIVE. 29 drew near, the density thereof grew less, so that they now could see thousands and tens of thous- ands of lost spirits crossing their path, and in their midst were Archangels and Seraphs of heaven, also Cherubim from along the shores of Jordan, from beautiful mansions not made with hands, but by the power of the gift of Immanuel. To Gabrela it was a motely concourse ; the mingling of the angels of heaven and the spirits of Erebus was not yet for her to understand. Then, according to the promise of Mara, the dark cloud passed by them, and Altheous, being of the higher order of the redeemed, saw the sig- nificance of that flying concourse and informed them that soon after their arrival home there would be an extraordinary display of the divine mercy of ImmanueL Again Altheus stands, with a joyful heart, with one more of his little family among the redeemed. With uplifted hands he forms a pearly bark from the shells of the watery depth, Now again he turns his bark across the dividing waters of Jordan. CHAPTER II. Eusebius Beholds New Wonders.— The Airarchs, or Child Angels.— He Visits the Gallery of Angelic Art.— The Airarch Alva Gives Him the History of the Statue of His Mortal Body.— Gabrela is Welcomed to Paradise— The Field of Eden.— The River of Bliss.— The Holy Temple of the Palace of Immanuel.— Pisgah.— The Redemption of the Dwellers of Hadea by Immanuel.— The Reunion of Alva and His Father and the Welcome of Alvero to the Home of Altheous. After Altheous and his little band of kindred souls had left behind them the fading views of their eternal home on their mission of duty and love, and as I was now left alone to observe the beauties and mysteries of the glories about me, I was greatly startled by the joyful sight which ap- peared before me ; the seraphic forms of many children, representing all the stages of childhood and infancy, many of whom I recognized as among the kindred of Altheous, and who gathered those bright garlands for the decoration of her whom they would receive as one redeemed from the vicissitudes of the world. I longed to hold communion with such lovely little beings. Now in the admiration of their symmetrical forms, I wondered concerning their mortal existence, for I could see so plainly the marks of innocence upon their childlike brows, 30 WHY WE LIVE. 31 which compared so well with their innocence in mortality, and for which reason they stand first in the heart of Immanuel. While thus musing, I lifted up my eyes to behold them no more, save as a cloud fast receding from my sight. Being apparently alone, I now sought the gal- lery of angelic art, the works of gifted angel s, who often left as mementoes the works of the willing power of their minds ; which, by the way, varied greatly, not only in the measure of will power, but also in the variety of gifts. While passing the open archway, composed of massive emerald rock, to gain the entrance therein, and as I placed my hand upon one of the golden ornaments there- of, I felt the soft pressure of little hands upon mine, and behold it was one of those child angels, the sweet tones of whose voice came to be my chief delight. I soon learned of him many things concerning the mysteries around me, and that he, as well as the countless numbers filling their allotted places in every home of heaven, were angels of the order of Airarchs. They possessed the rare gifts of sight and ot aerial flight, but failed in the possession of much creative power ; hence, they are appointed to glorify the households of their kindred. Immanuel delights to manifest to them His en- 32 WHY WE LIVE. during love. Archangels and Seraphs rejoice to meet them in their flight, whether it be among the beatitudes of Paradise or in the dark wastes of Erebus, on their way to the lonely prison house of Hadea, the habitation of lost spirits ; whither and unto whom they go with unveiled forms to woo them with glad tidings of redeeming love. The Airarch still sought my hand until I stood before the life-sized portrait of an august being robed in a mantle of pure white, in whose right hand was a sceptre twined with branches of olive and myrtle. "Here," said the Airarch child, "is the willed picture of the divine Immanuel, drawn by the will of an angelic artist." Said I, "is there no price among the angels for the many works they do ?" " For the works of the angels there is no price. We are all, as brothers and sisters, doing one for another. Immanuel has endowed some with gifts which others have not ; some with one, and others with two or more ; whether it be to will into life the fruits and flowers around us, or form the man- tles that robed the redeemed of Paradise, or to call into existance the mansions of the blest and the adornments around them." As my little Airarch friend was now admiring WHY WE LIVE, 33 the statue of a beautiful little boy, and, while tears of joyous satisfaction trickled from his moistened eyes : "Here," said he, "is the statue of my once mortal body when I was left alone in the hands of strangers and forsaken by my father, with no mother's care, until the Archangel Gabriel lifted up his voice in my sickness and called my soul away to join Mara and the Airarch escort about her, who were the faithful guardians of my lonely childhood, even unto sickness and death, and this statue is the work of Mara. u As an Airarch of Paradise I have watched the wayward footsteps of a father, but failed to turn him back to goodness ; but ere long he sickened and died, and as there is no angel appointed to receive the soul of one who quenches the light and defies the eternal and unchangeable laws of his God, his soul stepped forth into the darkness alone and wandered up through the cheerless void of Erebus, until the twilight of Hadea shone dimly around his path. Here was a world much like the one he had left behind. The inhabitants thereof are sometimes called demons, because of the fierce necessities of the body. There is a struggle for life becausa of the same necessities, which being more acute than those of earth, the 3 34 WHY WE LIVE. fiery darts of passion drive them almost mad without the power of self-destruction. kt All things in the creation of Hadea are more mutable than things earthly. No children breathe the cheerless air of Hadea, and the name of kin- dred is unknown, though mortal passions rankle in the flesh. Beasts of the wilderness and of the field, fishes of the great deep and of the rivers of the land, and the fowls of the air, with the reptiles and insects of the smaller creation are there for the comfort as well as the perplexity of the lost spirits of Hadea. " Streams of beauty and of occasional bliss, like the transient joys of earth, often times make light the burdens of the sad souls of Hadea, who have yielded to the gentle wooings of the Airarchs of heaven, whose child-like ways and simple plead- ings win back at last nearly all those sin-worn souls to fight and conquer the badness of i-ieir natures. "lam among the innumerable Airarchs who leave their homes in Paradise to whisper in ac- cents of love the glad tidings of an eternal home in heaven, whe^e rest and peace shall be the por- tion of the good forever. And, as a guardian angel, I ever stood by the footsteps of my father, and so long as he breathed the air of mortality I WHY WE LIVE. 35 strove to lead Mm from his sinful ways, even until I saw the dark canopy of death overshadow his life, and his soul pass away into the darkness around him, and, with helpless hands, I watched him from afar until, with the instinct of every soul that is lost, he wandered upward and away from his mortal life, and when I saw him enter the dim light of Hadea and the dark necessities of life wrap themselves about him as the coil of a ser- pent, I turned away as it were on the wings of love and sped with swiftest flight for my home in heaven, where in due time I found myself with the household of the now absent Altheous. Though sad were the tidings I brought, yet there was more joy than sorrow, for now, as an angel of Paradise, I could stand before him unveiled and then he would know me as his child. " Therefore there was for me a joyous work to do. There were Airarchs who dwelt upon the plains of Beulah, and who were once daughters left alone as I was, without a father or mother in the world, but now are angels in heaven. Now they were as guardian angels and messengers of glad tidings to the souls of kindred in Hadea, so we all with one accord and joyful hearts went forth to- gether as a little band to cross again the trackless void and entered at last Hadea' s cheerless climate. 36 WHY WE LIVE. Here our little band dissolved and each child went out on his appointed mission, revealing themselves only unto those to whom they were sent. Now, with the vision of an Airarch of Para- dise, I saw upon the waves of a great sea ships from every clime of Hadea ; also cities and towns along the coasts where were centered the conflicts of life and the busy tramp of restless souls. " It was here in one of these great cities of Hadea where, with throbbing heart of joy, I be- held my own dear father toiling at his vocation. Presently I stood before him and laid my hand on his, and then, as I unveiled myself to his sight and smoothed back his faded locks, he fell back unconscious from his work. When he recovered himself, he reached forth his trembling hand and drew me closely to himself, saying, with a vacant air, " 'Where am I?' "Tiien rousing hunself he seemed eager to hear my story. Then I told him that I was an Airarch and my home was far away in Paradise, ard also, as a guardian angel, I watched over his wayward footsteps until his soul was called into outer dark- ness, and then how with helpless hands I watched him from afar, and as Immanuel continues as ever . to send forth lhe Alrarchs of heaven that each WHY WE LIVE. 37 poor soul of Hadea might have some bright ray to guide him in his darkened journey, Immanuel al- lowed me the joy of coming unto him with mes- sages of His redeeming love. I said to him : '"Therefore let not thyself be cast down, my dear father, but turn away from the temptations that surround thee ; for though thou art among the lost, there is still held out for thee a beautiful home in Paradise, where thou shalt have rest and peace forever, and where thou shalt yet gather thy once happy wife and little child around thee, and where the redeemed of heaven will be thy com- panions in bliss. When thou wast on earth there was no unveiled messenger from heaven to tell thee of the world on high. But of priests and prophets there were many, and as their knowl- edge of Immanuel and His kingdom was thought by many to have originated in the fancies of the imagination of men, their teachings weighed but little in the scale of thy resolutions. But now thy loving child, even thine own Alva, is here with a message from Immanuel, thy Redeemer, who still loves thee with an everlasting love, and who, when thou hast bowed thine own will to His lov- ing requirements and thus become His obedient child, will send forth His Seraphs and angels from about His throne in heaven to gather thee, with 38 WHY WE LIVE. many thousands, whom thou wilt meet in the clouds of the air.' " And as it was not lawful for the Airarchs of Immanuel to linger long at one time about the souls they have come to minister unto, either on earth or in Hadea, I bade the tried soul of my dear father an affectionate adieu and then returned to my own bright home in Paradise. "Through the many years which have since passed away I continued to visit him, and the years must by this time seem long to his lonely, waiting soul ere his deliverance comes. But it is near at hand, when shall be heard the chiming of all the bells of Paradise, both large and small, even upon the chariots and upon the waving branches of the trees. For upon that day, when I shall behold my father among the redeemed of Paradise, we shall see thousands and tens of thousands of redeemed souls from Hadea. And, as an Airarch of heaven, I see Seraphs, Arch- angels and angels of Paradise preparing for rhe great ingathering of lost spirits, soon to be among the redeemed of Paradise forever." As the time was drawing near for the return of Atheous and his happy family, with the long- waited-for wife and mother, and as the Airarchs were now preparing fresh garlands of flowers for WHY WE LIVE. 39 the occasion, my little friends left me to join the number. They adorned with brilliant festoons of fragrant flowers the gateway and the fountains, and also the statue of the mortal body of the beloved G-abrela, which, they placed under a glit- tering canopy, the pillars of which were of jasper and ruby. Now this beautiful canopy was formed by the gifted Ilena, the sister of Gabrela, who having had a conscience void of offense when Gabriel received her soul from Earth, Immanuel was pleased to deck her with a jeweled crown of pure gold, and also with many gifts of power. The little Airarchs, having with busy hands and joyous hearts all things ready, now formed into a little band ; each one bearing in his right hand some instrument of sweet music, when they all departed veiled in a cloud from our sight. Ilena had also departed with her own chariot, by the way of the golden pavements of the city. Now with the remaining household of Altheous I strolled away amidst the fruitful trees of the place ; then again among the seemingly endless varieties of the brilliant Flora, many of which Altheous, or perhaps some of his gifted friends, when they formed them into shape, may have copied from some which Immanuel had created for 40 WHY WE LIVE. the Earth, to cheer the path of the pilgrim there ; for there were many brilliant flowers which were the same as adorned the home of my earthly childhood. Our attention was now turned toward the pearly gates and the high-road of the city, for now we beheld a company of Airarch children almost sweeping the pavements, as they swiftly sped along before the decorated chariot of Ilena. With one more joyous shout, and with the concluding melody of sweet music and song, they turned in through the pearly gates, and now stood still before the shining canopy, which Ilena formed in honor of her beloved sister. Then Allheous, Gabrela, and Mara, with her two brothers, alighted from the chariot with the fairy-like steps of angels. Then, with a realizing sense of these heavenly scenes around her, Gabrela was led by the hands of little children to a seat prepared for her at the side of the statue of her earthly body, where she found Ilena waiting to receive her beneath the beautifal canopy. "Here," said Ilena, with extended hands to welcome her, "is a memorial of welcome to thee, which I formed of the jasper and the rubies of Salem, and adorned it with emeralds and pure gold. Thou seest that the children of thy house- WHY WE LIVE. 41 hold have made it radiant with a profusion of flowers, in anticipation of thy coming." As the voices of the' children were heard again, Ilena and her sister now started to join them, where they found Altheous, with his two sons, who were called Orvian and Gracena, and his daughter Mara, gathering ripe fruits from the yielding boughs above them ; for now they were going to have the beloved Gabrela for the first time to partake with them of the ripe fruits of Paradise. But hark! Faintly they hear the chiming of innumerable bells, and with each fresh zephyr the air resounds with louder notes, and there is no bell in Paradise whose silver tongue beats not in homage to the divine Immanuel, the Redeemer of Earth and Hadea. Now we heard the sound of the great trumpets of the Archangels, proceeding from around His holy throne. Then we beheld Seraphs innumerable in the mystic clouds about them, as they passed over us, calling together the kindred of the lost unto the great hour of re- demption. Now there was a joyous commotion in all the regions of Paradise, while legions of Airarchs, with the returning Seraphs and Cherubim from along the shores of Jordan, filled the air above us 42 WHY WE LIVE. on their way to the place of redemption. The golden pavements of the high-roads were thronged with the glittering chariots of the blest, who with joyous hearts were going to meet their long-lost kindred, who shall now be redeemed from Hadea. Before I proceed farther I must speak of the glories of the fields of Eden, where the angels ol Heaven are wont to assemble to behold the radiance and the glory of Immanuel, and to look upon the transcendently benign beauty of His countenance, hallowed by the unconsciousness of infinite power, which can be realized only by the angels in Heaven, and reveals to the beholding angel the sublime fact that he is in the presence of Immanuel, the Redeemer of the Earth and Hadea. And hither they go to rejoice in the same eternal summer, amid the greater brightness of the ever- blooming fiowers, the varieties and coloring thereof excelling the already glorious beauty of the gar- dens of the angels of Paradise, before even the latter of which the vision of mortal eyes would grow dim. And then there were the groves, whose perpetual verdure was seen to crown the hills from afar, through which I saw the crystal waters of the beautiful river of Bliss, which coursed its way through hills and valleys and wound itself away WHY WE LIVE. 43 through defiles of massive rocks of emerald and palisades of ruby, and whose shores shine bright as the rainbow, with pebbles of pearl, and the waters thereof are as pure as crystal. And here it is the delight of Immanuel to see the little child Airarchs ever before His face, or roaming among the fields of Eden, or at their pleasure bathing in the crystal waters thereof. Now overlooking the perennial delights of the fields of Eden is the Holy Temple, or palace of Immanuel, the material of which is of sapphires, rubies and emeralds, while the foundation thereof is of jasper ; the floors of the inner courts and the roof of the great dome are made of pure gold, above and round about the dome floats the mystic cloud of the divine Immanuel, which as a halo of glory never fades away. It is only on occasions of extraordinary exhibi- tions of Divine mercy and love that an angel can behold the glory of Immanuel' s throne and the inner courts of His most Holy Temple, save the Archangels, Seraphs, Cherubim and Airarchs of Paradise, with certain angels, who do always behold His face. The Archangels and Seraphs, not having been mortal, but being the children of Jehovah, created into immediate life by the infinite power of His will, dwell in the fields of Eden and 44 WHY WE LIVE. the palace of Immanuel, and do many of the mighty works of the Redeemer and revel in the brightness of His glory. Now across the river of Jordan is a lofty hill, called Pisgah, whose declining slopes dip gently into the waters below; from its summit the ob- server can behold many of the beanties of Para- dise. It was here where I beheld a vast assemblage of beings, thousands and tens of thousands, mov- ing to and fro upon the hillsides, from the summit to the waters' edge, seeming, as it were, waiting for some great event. When I saw Archangels, and Seraphs, and an occasional Cherub flying between the palace of Immanuel and the assembled hosts on the slopes of Pisgah, I remembered the cloud which crossed the path of Altheous and his little band. And these were the lost spirits, who were wrapped in its sable folds, and who have been here for some time waiting for the great triumph of the Redeem- er's love. In the meantime the fields of Eden were thronged with the assembled hosts, who were kindred of of the vast legion now waiting upon the opposite shore. Airarchs of Heaven were seen on all the heights of Eden, waiting also for the eventful moment when they should participate in the great WHY WE LIVE. 45 event, until the final meeting of all the kindred of the two opposite hosts. Now there was heard a clear subdued voice, from regions above us, saying : "Be still! Be still!" Then there was the vivid flashing of lightning, amid dark and changing clouds above us, with peals of quaking thunder, the great sublimity of which made the vast concourse on Pisgah to tremble with fear. Then, in the awful stillness of that solemn waiting which followed, the expectant hosts on either side of the Jordan turned their eyes toward the palace of Immanuel. But, astonished, they turned their gaze heavenward and beheld Immanuel, with many of the Archangels and Seraphs of Heaven, with an innumerable legion of Airarchs, all wrapped in the changing folds of the mystic clouds above them. And as I beheld Immanuel there upon a pure white throne, I saw Him wave the scepter of His power over the waters of Jordan. At this moment the floods thereof rolled back in mighty torrents, until there was a dry passage-way through the sea of waters. And as Immanuel descended from the throne of His glory, to stand upon the shore of the fields of Eden, there came from the clouds above 46 WHY WE LIVE. the solemn and soul-inspiring melody of these words : " All tail to the hour When the waiting souls on Pisgah's heights Shall pass the watery floods ! All hail to the breathless moment near, When each sad soul from Hadea's clime Shall press the sands where his Redeemer stands And feel the pressure of His hand ! " In the meantime the Cherubim descended among the lost souls on Pisgah, and having marshaled the hosts thereof, they were now passing with them through the divided waters of Jordan. And as I saw each lost soul approach the place where stood the Holy Kedeemer, the latter, in the accents of that love which only is divine, said to the trembling soul before Him : "O, thou who hast had thy conscience washed clean in rivers of affliction, enter into the joys of Paradise, to be thine forever." And with the wave of His right hand the poor, trembling soul before Him was instantly changed, and upon his forehead was temporarily written his new name, and, clothed in a white robe, he became one of the redeemed of Paradise. As each redeemed soul now became an angel of Heaven, the Airarchs were continually employed in escorting them to their kindred, in waiting WHY WE LIVE. 47 among the fields of Eden, who, after the usually long and affectionate welcome, with the usual profusion of fragrant flowers and the continual vibrations of heavenly music, immediately de- parted in their waiting chariots, which with willing speed flew rapidly over the smooth highways for their peaceful homes, always meeting on the way many kindred and friends to welcome the newly- redeemed of Paradise. By this time I saw the translation of the last soul from Hadea and his final entrance into peace and rest forever, and then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I saw Immanuel and the hosts about Him no more. Now all was hushed in stillness, save the melody of song and of music, which would occasionally be wafted on the breezes from some sylvan retreat among the shades of Eden, or the final roar of the waters of Jordan, as they rushed back in fury to their natural bed. Now, among the last ones of the redeemed I saw the father of Alva, the little Airarch. It was the final meeting of a father and his little child ; the little one who, having been forsaken by a father, afterwards, as a guardian angel from Heaven, followed that father through all the vicissitudes and temptations of Earth, even unto Hadea, 48 WHY WE LIVE. whither his lost soul had wandered. Now at last I beheld him among the redeemed, and he, who is now called Alvero, is with his own little Alva. The two now stepped with happy hearts into the beautiful chariot of Ilena, which she, with the loving kindness of her heart, had brought for their use. Then, after the sisterly salutations of wel- come from Ilena, the three turned toward the home of Altheous. It was a privilege I enjoyed to see with what child-like joy our little Alva pointed out to his father the many passing objects of interest, as they sped along the golden highway, whether it was some sylvan grove, with groups of happy angels resting in their shade, or the history of some ancient mansion and the occupants thereof. Alvero, whose happiness now seemed bordering on the ecstatic, leaned forward upon his hands and exclaimed : "How is it that I, who have been the most un- worthy, even a lost soul in Hadea, have now been made a companion of the blest?" I saw at this moment the glitter of shining wheels, and then I discovered the chariot of Altheous ; and as it neared the searching view of Ilena and Alva, they saw a number of the family of Altheous seated therein, among whom were WHY WE LIVE. 49 two of the three Airarch daughters from the plains of Beulah, who had accompanied Alva at one time to Hadea and at other times to Earth, to perform the offices of guardian angels over a number of their kindred, who were at that time passing through severe affliction, being tempted and tried on every side. From the approaching party there was a joyous welcome to the newly-redeemed one among them. Being now near home, the two parties soon turned into the pearly gates of Altheous' and Gabrela's home, which was to be the home of Alvero for the present. They had been home but a short time when, to the surprise of Alvero, the children had gathered ripe fruits from the bending boughs above them, and must now have him, ac- companied by the household, attend the feast, and as Alva, with the children about him, led along the happy father, they strewed his path with fragrant flowers. This was the first fruit from the trees of Paradise he had tasted, and he wondered at the resolvement of the refuse thereof as they were cast upon the lawn at their feet. Then Ilena, who was always pleased with the opportunity of enlightening the newly-redeemed with whom she met, said : ' 'There is nothing in Heaven that is unclean, 4 W WHY WE LIVE. for Immanuel has provided that all things becom- ing useless to the angels shall not decay or annoy, but shall disappear to be seen no more." It now being the time when Ilena should return to her own home, her sister Gabrela resolved to foe her companion thither, and there to wait until the ordinations of Immanuel. And having bade adieu to those remaining, and being seated in the ever-ready chariot, passed out of the gates of pearl towards Beulah, and soon they were lost from the view of those of the household of Althe- ous who were least in the kingdom of Heaven, as their vision was easily obscured by intermediate ^objects. CHAPTER III. The Re-united Family.— The History of Paul, Paulina and their Child.— Gabriel Calls the Soul of Paulina from Earth and Gives Her the Name of Eola.— She is Conducted by Angelic Friends to Heaven and is Instructed in Heavenly Wisdom.— Alvero and Eola Re-united and Ordained as Angels by Immanuel.— Eola Created a Mansion and Embellished it with Statuary for Her Family.— The Cascades of Delphia.— Message of Vemecis to Gabrela. Now I saw in my dream that which seemed long years ago. Paul, a young man of brilliant parts, just making his entrance upon the stage of man- hood to take his part in the busy scenes of the world. Being in a high social position, baptised and educated according to the strict orthodox faith, it seemed not strange to find him soon after an accepted suitor for the hand of Paulina, the good and amiable daughter of a respectable family, and she, being of the same faith, the nuptials were celebrated in the house of Gfod, ded- icated to His worship. With the blessing of parents and relatives, they now, as it were, set out together upon the voyage of life. They lived happily together for a time. But, alas ! their joy was of short duration, for soon after their little child had attained the age of two years, the fascinations of pleasure 51 52 WHY WE LIVE. drew, with imperceptible swiftness, the now un- steady feet of Paul down into the hidden vortex of sin. Heart-rending were the entreaties of that faithful wife for the once loving husband' s return to the paths of virtue and peace. But it was of no avail ; his companions in revelry were now dearer to him than wife or child. Therefore it was thought best for the abused wife to return to her parents. But Paul refused consent, and still would not refrain ; therefore she sorrowfully re- turned to the home of her youth with their baby- boy, while Paul, resolved on a wild career, rushed blindly on. With a freak of mad jealousy he stole their little boy from the now disconsolate mother, and gave him away to some strange woman, who knew not a mother's love. Through the vista of the past I see the little one, neglected and abused, upon a loathsome couch, around which only can be seen the carelessness of unloving hands. But upon the other side of the veil the angels of Heaven were gathering around the little bed, to take the infant soul. And that little face, bearing the marks of so much suffering, lights up with a happy smile, to be only the next moment a lifeless casket, to remain with those who were unworthy of its priceless jewel. But that little one is now an angel in Heaven, one WHY WE LIVE. 53 of the child Airarchs of Paradise, and his name is Alva, of whom I have told you much. During the remaining years of Paul's wayward life, he was oftentimes arrested in his evil course by the uninvited suggestions which would steal a place among the many thoughts which rushed upon his imagination, when in the wakeful quietude of the night. It was then his little for- saken child often leaned over his wakeful form, and with suggestions of love and mercy, and the beauties of a holy life, strove with a faithful love to woo him back to virtue and happiness. But alas ! for poor Paul. Sickness overtook him and he died, and in the Potter's-field they laid him away. Thus but a few short years from the day of those happy nuptials he sank into the dust of the Earth, a pauper, while his soul stepped forth into outer darkness. In the meantime the almost disconsolate Paulina remained beneath the roof of loving parents, and not knowing that Paul was now lying beneath the clods of the Earth, she oftentimes would renew the search for him, in the hope that his own mis- ery had wrought a change in his mind, and thereby would lead him to relent somewhat for her sake and for the restoration of their long-lost child. But all was in vain ; and as each succeeding year 54 WHY WE LIVE. had found a place among the scenes of the past, a more hopeful state of mind settled down upon her existence, as the silver linings of a dissolving cloud. She more than ever was most happy in works of philanthropy, or when soothing the anguish of the wounded feelings of those about her. Many were the temptations that beset her pathway, yet with the crowning hope of her life before her, which was to meet her little one in Heaven, she was always conqueror. Often in the deep medita- tions of silence, or when her weary nature found its needed rest upon the pillow of her lonely couch, she would say she knew her little boy was near, and even heard the familiar accents of his voice. Though these were comforting assurances, which beamed continually across her path, there was still an undercurrent of sadness, which stole into the secret recesses of her heart when she thought of that short period of wedded happiness and the eternal doom of her beloved husband, who, for aught she knew, was beyond the reach of prayer. But then what could she do but to strive con- tinually to say from her heart, "Thy will, O, Lord, not mine, be done ! " WHY WE LIVE. 55 Thus the years rolled on. until the silver locks now draped her aged brow. Her life well spent and a conscience void of offense would have been a fountain of pure joy to her soul, had she not truly believed in the eternal punishment of the ungodly. "Oh," said she, "if I could but once see my little boy in Heaven I would then go down into the vale of darkness with my dear husband, to dwell with him forever ; for there would be no joy for me in Paradise if I knew there was no time, even in the distant future, when his punishment would cease, or when he could share with me my joy." Now, after a long life of faithful servitude in the cause of humanity, this truly good woman yielded up the energies of her life, under the never-failing demands of old age, and, surrounded by faithful friends, who often gathered near to breathe in the pure spirit of her lofty sentiments, she leaned back with the appearance of ex- haustion. But it proved to be the last spark of a dying ember, and the dear friends around her had now only the empty casket of the precious jewel to comfort them, which they laid away with tender care beneath the waving branches of her favorite willow. 56 WHY WE LIVE. Now during the closing scenes, as related above, of the life of this most excellent woman, a coun- terpart thereto was taking place behind the dark veil of death and in the realms of the redeemed. For there was the sound of another trumpet-call, which touched the ears of Alvero and his child, when the little Airarch, Alva, set out with Althe- ous, Mara and Ilena to watch over the fast-fading life of his lonely mother. Alvero and also Gabrela would have joined the little band, had it been lawful for an angel not ordained to go over into the region of Erebus. It was not a long while before the little company were at the river' s strand, and in a pretty bark of Ilena' s formation they soon arrived on the shores of Erebus, from whence they took their flight for the regions of the Earth. On their way thither Alva, who, being an Airarch, descried the moun- tains and valleys of Hadea and the busy multi- tudes therein, and he related to his companions the many things he saw, and how, amid the great privations and sufferings there, he could see many who had become purified in the fiery ordeal of continual sorrows, patiently living on until the fulfillment of the appointed time when they should hear the Archangels of Heaven calling them away to peace and rest. And as the little band passed WHY WE LIVE. 57 on and on through the trackless path before them they communed together concerning the wisdom of Immanuel and the beautiful rewards for the pure in heart. As it is not lawful for man to possess much of the wisdom or knowledge of the angels, I can quote but little of their heavenly communings. But Altheous said to those around him that it was necessary for all the creations of Immanuel to first suffer before they became purified, as gold, when found impure, must be again passed through the fire, so that which stands nearest His heart must from necessity suffer the most And as man is nearest to the heart of Immanuel, and intended ultimately to be His child in Heaven, it is neces- sary that he should suffer, and if not sufficiently purified on Earth, he must again pass through the fire, until he shall be fit for the kingdom of his Redeemer. Now they sang praises to Immanuel for the wis- dom of His works and the might of His power. Their conversation now being drawn to a close, they found themselves among the familiar scenes of Earth. They now entered the habitation of Paulina, who was surrounded by many faithful earthly friends, who little knew that the angels 58 WHY WE LIVE. were so very near, with her own little boy waiting to take her away to the regions of the blest. But soon the Archangel Gabriel entered the room, with many angels around him, and while Paulina was still conversing, he called her soul away from the bondage of Earth, and gave her a new name, which was Eola. Now she clasped her long-lost child to herself, and Altheous, Ilena and Mara gathered around the new-born angel of Heaven, and the little Alva hung about his mother's neck as she wept for joy. With eagerness she inquired : "Is Paul among the redeemed V 9 "Yes, mother," said Alva, "father is in Heaven, waiting for you, and, bound together with a new cord of love, you will never part again. Although his soul passed out from the habitations of Earth but a few years after the sundering of that band which bound you together, he has been among the redeemed but a few days, and therefore could not join our little company to bring you home. "Since the days of his early manhood, when his soul was called away into outer darkness, he has passed through the furnace of affliction, and in the region of Hadea has been his dwelling- place. But his afflictions have purified his soul, and Immanuel hath redeemed him and given him WHY WE LIVE. 59 a new name and a habitation among the angels of Heaven." • Alva and his mother, having been left alone for a season, while the rest of the company were gone among the downcast and afflicted in regions near by, were now ready to ascend toward Paradise, as they saw Altheous and his companions near at hand. Alva having now adorned his mother with a most beautiful and fragrant wreath of flowers, gathered by the hand of her now redeemed hus- band in Paradise, they ascended toward the homes of the blest. In a few moments Eola saw the last receding objects on Earth fade away from view, as they swept along upon their path, and continually passed thousands of angels on various missions of heavenly duty. As the little band ascended higher and farther in their upward course, their conversation grew in interest. Eola, like many who had gone before her, seemed to dread the glory and splendor of Paradise, but being encouraged by those around her, she pressed forward with a joyous heart. Immanuel seemed to her now as one altogether lovely — whose love and mercy are founded upon infinite wisdom. Now she could understand for herself why the righteous on Earth sometimes suffer more than the ungodly, and why she her- 60 WHY WE LIVE. self, when walking the Earth, had lost a loving husband and a precious child, and oftentimes endured the tortures of hunger and the wounds of pride ; to her all this now seemed plain. Now, when Altheous spoke concerning the un- equal division of the riches of the Earth, and how the wicked more often prospered that the godly, he said : "I often wondered at it, and thought at one time that the Creator of all things loved the wicked more than the righteous, or He would not show them such unequal favors. But the mind of an angel is greater in wisdom than that of man. Therefore I see the infinite wisdom of the Creator in all this, and Immanuel will in due time, through the teachings of His Divine Spirit, reveal unto the willing heart of man the poverty of riches, when weighed in the balance of good and evil. And as riches are not the source of happiness there, He has showered them upon the just and unjust alike, for His own wise purpose. It is a pure and unsullied conscience only that can stand before Immanuel as a redeemed angel of Paradise." As Altheous finished his sentence the little company with one accord assented thereto, and as they now poured forth the melody of happy WHY AVE LIVE. 61 hearts in praises to Immanuel, the sweet breath of fragrance, wafted upon the air by some gentle zephyr, came as a memento from the Paradise of the redeemed. When the angels had ceased to sing, the voice of Alva broke the silence of the company, saying : "My dear mother, in a few moments thou shalt see the shining dome of the Palace of Immanuel ; then shall open upon thy vision more and more of the glories of Heaven." And while he yet spoke, they came in sight of the river, and but a moment longer found them- selves standing upon the shore of the river of Paradise, more often called Jordan, because of its figurative meaning. With uplifted hands Althe- ous once more formed, from the pearly shells of the river, a bark of wonderful beauty, and soon they had all embarked upon the bosom of its rippled waters ; and, as they glided smoothly and rapidly along, it called from the lips of Eola the expressed feelings of a redeemed soul, and she said: "All of my afflictions and my sorrows in the shadows of Earth have pointed with the unvary- ing steadiness of a compass to this beautiful river, over which the angels now ferry me to the Promised Land." 62 WHY WE LIVE. Ilena now called the attention of Eola to the radiance of the flowery groves of the Elysian fields, which were jnst opening upon their vision, and as Eola turned her eyes toward the increasing beauties of the approaching shore and the innu- merable angels among its sylvan shades, she joined in the surprise of the little band around her at the sight of a small legion of Cherubim, who were on their way toward the fields of Eden. Said Mara, as she still gazed after the receding sight : "I believe these are the Cherubim who will ac- company Immanuel in his ordinations. They will be seen for a season among the fields of Eden and around the Palace of Immanuel. "When I was a newly redeemed soul, I won- dered concerning their life, as they seemed to dwell mostly along the shores of the river Jordan, so when Homillia, the beloved and gifted angel of Immanuel, one day came over to our peaceful home to enjoy the many pictures and works of art, representing the scenes and persons of earthly recollections, I received of him a more perfect knowledge concerning the life of the beautiful Cherubim. But as we are now nearing the shore, and Eola and her long-separated Alvero will soon stand together among the redeemed of Heaven, WHY WE LIVE. 63 I will wait for a more convenient season, or per- haps you may hear the conclusion from the lips of Homillia himself." But a few moments more brought them upon the pebbly strand where stood Alvero, with eyes suffused with tears of joy, and upon whose neck the overjoyed Eola hung. At this moment there appeared about them the mystic cloud, and in the air above could be seen innumerable Cherubim, in company with the Divine Immanuel. Eola and Alvero, being overshadowed by the mystic clouds of their Redeemer, received the pressure of His hand, together with the Divine blessing, which was to endure forever. Then He stooped upon the ground and lifted a pearly pebble from the strand, and, as He breathed upon it, it resolved itself into a beautiful diadem. There were but few in Heaven that exceeded it in beauty and the number of its jewels. With His right hand He placed it upon the brow of Eola, and with it many were the gifts she received. Alvero received, with an enduring blessing, the same gifts which were common to all the redeemed of Paradise, among which were perfect content- ment and happiness forever. Now, as the Cherubim' s sweet strains of music and the melody of praise and thanksgiving came 64 WHY WE LIVE. pleasantly upon the listening ear, Immanuel ascended with the clouds about Him, and so parted from the little group of kindred and friends. Recovering from the amazement of so great an exhibition of the Divine love of Immanuel, Eola and Alvero unitedly exclaimed, ' ' What can we render unto our Redeemer for all the abundance of His mercies ? ' ' And with emotions of love and thanksgiving toward their Father and Redeemer, they stepped into the waiting chariot, where their friends were now seated, with Orvian, one of the sons of Althe- ous, who came in company with Alvero to wel- come the newly-redeemed, and to bring the chariot for the return of them all to their happy home. Now Orvian willed along with rapid speed the chariot with its angelic load. As they passed the many mansions; created and adorned according to all the varied fancies of their occupants, Eola was much pleased when she learned how the creators of these heavenly homes, as mementos of some earthly association, formed many of the objects around them after the like- ness of earthly things. As it was the request of Ilena to go by the way of the cascades of Delphia, formed from the crys- tal waters flowing from the fountains in the fields WHY WE LIVE. bD and gardens of Beulah, they passed around that way, and, among the many objects of interest, Ilena pointed out a beautiful field, the undulating slopes of which bowed gracefully to the water's running tide, which leaped out from the troubled foam of the cataract of Delphia. "Here," said Eola, as with peaceful joy she turned to her husband and child, "is the field which Immanuel hath prepared for us, to be for us a dwelling place forever. And here I shall build for us a beautiful mansion, which shall be pleasing to my dear husband and child." Then said Altheous, "As this is the field pre- pared for you, it would be well to form, from some beautiful rock, a memorial monument in memory of this most notable day of the existence of thyself and thy little family, and unto which you will look back from all eternity, as do the loving brothers, Abella and Caina, to the emerald pillar which Abella formed many thousand years ago, which now sparkles in the sunlight as bright as of old, and upon which Time has made no effacing marks." Now Eola, with her family and friends, alighted from the chariot and rambled over the flowery meadows of their beautiful field. Near by the foaming spray of the cataract Alvero found a solid 66 WHY WE LIVE. rock, resembling the mother of pearl. From this rock Eola formed a beautiful triangular column, upon a base of larger size, and npon each side of the triangle she created the statuary figures of the earthly bodies of Alvero, Alva and herself. "Now," said Altheous, "this field is yours unto eternity." They now returned to the chariot and were soon wheeling along over the golden way ; now through the green valleys and again surmounting some ele- vated plain, over which were dotted the fruitful groves and fragrant gardens belonging to the redeemed. And as they passed over the road with n flying speed they were now nearing the con- spicuous gateway of the home of Altheous and Gabrela, over which the Airarch children hung festoons of fragrant flowers. As they now passed through the pearly gateway, the child Airarchs strewed the passing chariot with a profusion of the rarest flowers of Paradise, accompanied with the melody of children singing a joyful welcome to Eola, the newly-redeemed daughter of Para- dise. They alighted from the chariot, and Eola was shown by Alvero and Alva the many objects so full of historical and family interest in this peaceful home, and while passing beneath the overhanging branches of fruit trees, Eola for the WHY WE LIVE. 67 first time tasted of the fruits of the trees of Para- dise. Having passed a number of days with Altheous and Gabrela, the happy Alvero and Eola, with their child and near kindred, now departed as a separate family, in a chariot of Eola' s own crea- tion, the wheels of which were of pure silver, while the body and the downy seats therein were made from materials known only in Paradise, and the beauty thereof was beyond the conception of man. It would have seemed strange to mortal man to see these good angels depart from such a hos- pitable entertainment without the expressions of many thanks for favors conferred, but this order of things is changed in the kingdom of Heaven, for all are servants one to another, wherein is the chief enjoyment of the angels. It seemed but a short distance to the cascades, for this time they crossed the plains of Beulah, which made the distance much less. On this delightful plain they found themselves among the towering trees, whose never-fading foliage and fragrant bloom have shed their beauty upon the homes around them for ages, among which was the home of Homillia, whither Gabrela had gone the day before in a small chariot with her son 68 WHY WE LIVE. Orvian, who, with Homillia, were waiting to join Eola and her family on their way to the cascades of Delphia. As Eola s chariot was now passing a beantiful gateway of alabaster and a mansion among the foliage therein, created of the same material, they beheld Homillia and his happy family, with Ga- brela and her son in a chariot, waiting for their approach. As they drew near, Homillia gave one wave with his right hand, which admitted them through the gateway upon the smooth high road to join them. After the usual greeting they pro- ceeded on their way to the cascades, which were quite near. Soon they turned in over the field which now was for the habitation of Eola and her family forever. Having alighted from the chariots, they all crossed over toward the cas- cades to view the beautiful monument of Eola' s creation. Said Eola : "When I saw the chariot, the creation of my own will, and how that monument so steadily grew from out of the rock my dear Alvero had brought to my feet, and how it assumed a comely form under the exercise of the great will-power with which Immanuel clothed me, I yielded to a sense of fear, but a beautiful cherub passed over and touched me upon my forehead and said : WHY WE LIVE. 69 'Fear not, for Immarmel loves thee.' Since that moment the power of creating is my great joy, because it is my duty and delight to use it in the service of those around me." Alvero and Alva, his child, had brought speci- mens of material, which to them seemed most beautiful, among which was a rock known only to the angels of Paradise, and from this rock Eola was to build them a house. After the company had assembled near the ground whereon Eola was to create for her family a house, they waited in silence for a season, when Immanuel revealed Himself unto them and said, in tones of paternal affection, "My children," and then disappeared in a cloud, leaving behind Him an inspired con- sciousness of being truly His beloved children. Then came one of those always lovely-formed Cherubim and remained among them for awhile, telling them many of the events that had come to pass and were about to take place, and, turning to Gabrela, said ; "Thy Heavenly Father, even the Holy Im- manuel, will visit thee, for He is now visiting His children and ordaining the newly-redeemed." After these truly acceptable surprises had passed away, Eola, with uplifted hands and the power of her will, commenced the creation of their 70 WHY WE LIVE. mansion. At first I could see nothing but a mist, next an indefinite outline, then I saw the dimen- sions and form appear, when it continued to grow in perfection until, in the space of a few hours' time, there was a perfect house, not made with hands, but by the power of the gift of Immanuel. None but an angel of Paradise could have done this mighty work without being lost in bewilder- ment upon the dizzy heights of pride, but Eola was calm in the sweet composure of an angel, and continued her labors of creation, until they were completed. Now I saw the hillside, which but a few days before was only a pleasant field, adorned with a furnished mansion formed of the materials of Par- adise, surrounded by beautiful groves of fruitful trees and gardens of flowers perfuming the air, and many a statue of some earthly recollection. Eola, after having finished her labors, exclaimed, " We have seen the consummation of the love of Immanuel, our Redeemer, and the ultimate end and purpose for which we were sent forth into the Earth, helpless and into the midst of evil." Altheous, Gabrela and their son, Orvian, were invited by Eola and family to partake of the ripe fruits of their heavenly home, therefore they re- mained until the evening sun, and for the first WHY WE LIVE. 71 time Eola, her family and friends partook of the ripe fruits of this newly-made home. The friends of the family, having passed with them a number of very happy days, now joined in a most beautiful hymn of praise to the Holy Redeemer of the souls of men, and departed in their chariot toward their own homes, parting with Homillia by the way at the gate of his own mansion. It was now evening, which, in the mortal accep- tation of the term, means the close of day, but in Paradise signifies a change of light, from the golden rays of the tempered sunlight to the crim- son rays of the evening sun, which often beautify the closing of an earthly day. Gabrela and Orvian were recounting the events of the last few days, when Gabrela said : "I have been in the kingdon of Heaven many days and have not yet been ordained; but last evening, when I was alone in an upper room in the house of Eola. I saw the sweet face of that same Cherub who remained a short time with us a few days ago. When I saw him coming from the direction of the Elysian Fields, over the tree-tops of the homes of the redeemed, my heart rejoiced, for I felt as though I would be with one who had lately seen Immanuel. In a moment he was in 72 WHY WE LIVE. the quietude of my retreat, and as he viewed the beauties surrounding him he seemed pleased, but said he : " ' I have come as a messenger to tell thee that Immanuel will, before another change of sun, ordain a child just redeemed from Earth, and with her He will ordain thee, because thou hast been unto her a guardian and mother. When in her deformities and unsightliness she appealed unto thee for compassion, thou didst willingly take her and watched over her with a mother's tender care. Because of this, our dear Redeemer hath waited to ordain you together, after which thou shalt always behold her beautiful face, as she will see thine, though you may be separated at times by wide distances.' And then he disap- peared." By this time they saw the pearly gates of their own happy home open wide to receive them. When passing through they were agreeably sur- prised by the child- voice of Alva, who said : ' ' Dear Gabrela, I have just come across the fields of Beulah, thinking that I would like to be here when you entered the gateway, as the Cherub Yernecis would join me here to go down to the Elysian Fields, where we shall meet thee, to be in WHY WE LIVE. 73 waiting for her who once looked upon thee as a mother." ISTow this newly-redeemed soul, whom they were to meet on the shores of the Elysian Fields, was a daughter in the Earth whose parents walked according to the ordinances of Immanuel, which were written upon their hearts and inmost souls. But Immanuel, in His infinite wisdom, saw that it was needful for them to walk through the dark valleys of sorrow and poverty, therefore their daughter, though grown to woman's estate, because of her peculiar deformities, could not be provided for by them, so they appealed to many for aid ; but there was no ear of compassion that would hear, save one, who afterwards became a redeemed soul in Paradise, and whom the angels call Gabrela, and whom Yernecis and the little Alva will meet on the pearly shores of the river of Paradise, there to wait for her once helpless ward, whom the angel Gabriel had called away from suffering to enter into this beautiful world of rest and peace. As Alva was finishing his last sentence, ad- dressed to Gabrela, the angel Yernecis came down in the midst, and Gabrela recognized him as the beautiful Cherub who visited her at the house of Eola. 74 WHY WE LIVE. After some conversation the two departed for the Elysian Fields, the home of Yernecis, as well as the home of all the Cherubim of Paradise, who dwell with their families or with one another and behold continually their kindred in Heaven, and with whom there is a perfect communion. After they departed, the chariot entered the grounds of their peaceful home, when many children came forth to meet them, with the joy- ous welcome which is ever the sweet music of every home in Heaven. CHAPTER IV. The Sleep Which He Giveth His Beloved.— Meeting