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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 ■ I 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 A NARRATIVE 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE OF LIFE IN THE MATERIAL 
 AND SPIRITUAL SPHERES 
 
 C_ V 
 
 AS TRANSCRIBED BY A CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT BAND THROUGH THE 
 MEDIUMSHIP OF LIZZIE S. BANGS, INDEPENDENT SLATE 
 WRITING PSYCHE 
 
 INSPIRATIONAL VERSE OFFERINGS AS GIVEN THROUGH THE MEDIA OF 
 
 "WHITE ROSE" 
 
 ART PRODUCTIONS OBTAINED THROUGH "AZUR" AND THE MEDIUMSHIP OF 
 
 A. CAMPBELL 
 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 

 5>V 
 
 * Copyright, 1894, 
 By C. H. Horine. 
 
 Right of Translation Reserved. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In presenting this book to the public an expla- 
 nation is hardly necessary, and, were it not for the 
 fact that the contents of the book were obtained 
 by extraordinary processes, though uniformly nat- 
 ural and spiritual, but for reasons which need not 
 be mentioned, seemingly beyond the present reach, 
 methods and understanding of the material scien- 
 tist, and hence needed a few brief words of expla- 
 nation to the uninitiated reader, even what now 
 shall be said might well have been omitted. The 
 contents of the book, most simple in diction, 
 straightforward in purpose and pure in character, 
 need no interpreter, but are their own exponent; 
 but their origin and the marvelous manner of their 
 translation from the spirit world to our earth plane, 
 which form an essential groundwork and feature 
 of the book — for were the book at all or but of 
 human origin, the teachings and facts therein con- 
 tained might be regarded as preposterous, fictitious, 
 or possibly absurd — need the explanation which we 
 shall give. 
 
4 INTRODUCTION 
 
 It is needless to say that strange occurrences 
 and mysterious phenomena have ever been in the 
 world since the birth of man and that they have 
 been relative to and always associated with the 
 conduct and history of every race. The more 
 religious, spiritual and receptive the people were, 
 notwithstanding the grade of their culture and civ- 
 ilization, the more numerous and pronounced were 
 these occult demonstrations, and on the other hand, 
 the more material and beastly they were the less 
 would these signs of the spirit be. Some said in 
 ignorance that these strange things were super- 
 natural in their origin and were the direct inter- 
 position of Deity, either to avenge Himself upon 
 His children for their untoward wickedness or to 
 justify the lives of His saints and prophets and 
 thus warn their enemies, the hard-hearted, or 
 worshipers of idols. Others still said that they 
 were the work of the devil, and those that could 
 not account for them by natural law and causes 
 traced them to credulity, imagination or ignorance. 
 Yet, every bible or religious book which purports 
 to have come from the skies by or through inspired 
 writers or media, contained its quota of these 
 wonderful and seemingly mysterious phenomena. 
 The Christian Bible is one long narrative of such 
 
INTRODUCTION 5 
 
 phenomena from Genesis to Revelation, and the 
 works of the prophets, not excepting those of the 
 woman of Endor, together with the alleged mira- 
 cles of Jesus and the marvelous acts of the apos- 
 tles, show how plenteous had been the outpouring 
 of the spirit in those early days. 
 
 The soul cycles in and through periods of spir- 
 itual waves. The world is seemingly favored at 
 such times, for then the angelic hosts draw near 
 to the earth and do a mighty spiritual work. This 
 was peculiarly the case at the close of the old dis- 
 pensation when the minor prophets, crowd- 
 ing the threshold of the new age, voiced the new 
 inspirations of the spirit of truth which, then and 
 later, untier John and Jesus more abundantly bore 
 fruit and blest the world. And we find that in the 
 new Messianic order the phenomena and teachings 
 of the Christ became so overpowering and exalted, 
 so irresistible and eloquent, that they worked a rev- 
 olution among the masses and classes that over- 
 threw the priestly Jewish hierarchy and degenerate 
 but imperial Rome. These cycles mark unfold- 
 ments as well as revolutions and bespeak progress 
 as well as destruction and decay. In all old or- 
 ders of social, political and religious life the new 
 order, like the rose in the bush, is concealed. It 
 
6 INTRODUCTION 
 
 but really needs the transformation or the decay 
 of the external form or vestment to let out the 
 new apocalypse. Then the new order moves on in 
 its progress until a new inbreathing caMs for a new 
 outbreathing and the advanced age of light that 
 colors the rising morn is born. Thus the chain 
 lengthens link on link through the years and the 
 prophesy comes literally true daily, "I came not 
 to destroy but to fulfill." 
 
 And so modern Spiritualism, since its advent in 
 1848 and yet farther back by twenty years, came 
 with the old yet ever new message of life and im- 
 mortality, of truth and love. It, consistent with 
 all true revelations of the spirit, aimed to free man 
 from the domination of materialism and conse- 
 quent atheism, infidelity and sin that thrived un- 
 der its sway, and to teach him of the facts and 
 reality of spirit, his own deathlessness 'and spirit- 
 ual power and the soul benefits to be gained by 
 such revelation. Thus began the harmonial phi- 
 losophy, science and religion of Spiritualism as 
 modernly conceived and received. From that day 
 to this the old and new world have felt the power 
 of the spirit and slowly but surely its peaceful and 
 imperial encroachments have been watched and 
 studied by science and the Church. Now, amid 
 
INTRODUCTION 7 
 
 the many tokens of the spirit as given or revealed 
 through the diversified phenomena and phases of 
 medial and spirit power, this humble work of the 
 spirit, this book, is sent to the world to mark a 
 new step and unfoldment of the soul along the line 
 of angelic ministry and human well-being. The 
 book is sent for a purpose and the intelligences 
 who sent it know that it will fulfill that purpose. 
 The circumstances that led to its translation 
 from the spiritual spheres are of themselves a won- 
 derful demonstration of the book's intrinsic worth 
 and its heavenly origin. The author of this intro- 
 duction, whose guide dictated for the author of the 
 narrative the present form of the book, was im- 
 pressed a year ago, March, 1893, to write a short 
 protest against the Meyer's bill, a bill which was 
 then pending in the Illinois state legislature and 
 which was a stab at mediumship, Spiritualism and 
 the exercise of the rights of a citizen of his consti- 
 tutional, religious freedom; and having written it, 
 he sent it to a Chicago newspaper, in which it 
 shortly appeared. It was read by the hero of this 
 narrative, Mr. C. H. Horine, and was so thor- 
 oughly appreciated and approved of by him, he 
 being a Spiritualist and the writer a Unitarian cler- 
 gyman, that he sent a congratulatory letter to him. 
 
8 INTRODUCTION 
 
 Strange to say, this one letter led to a steady cor- 
 respondence and friendship between them, which, 
 by a series of collateral, both material and spirit- 
 ual events, of which they were not aware but which 
 seemed to come as the evolution and product of 
 the friendly union, brought about the outworking 
 in material form of the design of the spirit intelli- 
 gences who, it was afterward learned, first inspired 
 the writing of the protest and the letter of congrat- 
 ulation that followed, and secondly, brought to- 
 gether by such means the forces and affected the 
 organization of the spirit bands and co-workers on 
 both sides for the work and completion of the 
 translation of the book. That such combination 
 of forces and intelligences was necessary to the 
 successful unfoldment of the work, the guides of 
 the media who assisted the author of the book 
 spiritually, and the mediums themselves through 
 whom the book in all of its parts came, do attest. 
 This was not done in the dark but openly and in 
 the daylight. The guide of "White Rose," who 
 dictated materially and inspirationally the form of 
 the book for the author in spirit life, together with 
 the guides of Lizzie S. Bangs who assisted the 
 spirit band who transcribed the book in material 
 writing and who call themselves "Everlasting 
 
INTRODUCTION 9 
 
 Unity," also "Azur," the guide of A. Campbell, who 
 precipitated the paintings on porcelain, and Mr. 
 C. H. Horine, his spirit friends and she who is 
 his real co-partner, the heroine of the narrative, 
 all had to be brought together and their forces 
 combined before one word or symbol of the narra- 
 tive could be received. All this elaboration of the 
 program of work was so silently planned and un- 
 folded, as a whole unconsciously to the earth me- 
 dia, that each one of the mediums employed knew 
 of the book but not of the part he or she should 
 play or take until the first instructions, which were 
 given in November, 1893, had been received. 
 Then the earth instruments looked back over the 
 past months and saw and realized the purpose and 
 design in all that had transpired. Thus the book 
 was begun and thus it was ended by "Everlasting 
 Unity" through their earth media, chosen and 
 brought together to one place for this one noble 
 work. It can be said finally that the paintings that 
 are herewith presented as lucid illustrations of por- 
 tions of the narrative, in half-tone reproductions, 
 were given in oil on porcelain, enclosed within 
 sealed slates, and each one was given through the 
 mediumship of A. Campbell by his guide Azur; 
 concerning the order and character of the subjects, 
 
10 INTRODUCTION 
 
 neither A. Campbell nor Mr. Horine, who sat with 
 him, were informed and hence they knew nothing. 
 The spirit band gave the earth subjects and the 
 character of their drawings as tests, and they were 
 indeed tests, inasmuch as Mr. Horine on looking 
 at them found them to be exact reproductions of 
 the scenes in the old Kentucky home. The other 
 drawings were scenes from the author's spiritual 
 sphere, her home and surroundings. These paint- 
 ings were finished, each one separately, in less 
 than one hour at two sittings each, the longer time 
 being used for exactness of detail. Concerning the 
 material or independent writing, it was received 
 by the independent process, familiar to all spirit- 
 ualists, in the form and character as is illustrated 
 by the photographs of slates given on separate 
 sheets in the book. Mr. Horine sat through the 
 entire series of sittings and has elsewhere testified 
 to their receipt and genuineness. The psyche, 
 Lizzie S Bangs, received from six to eight full 
 written slates at each of the sittings, Mr. Horine 
 holding the slates with the medium, and these 
 sittings were held three times a week and were be- 
 gun in November, 1893, and were ended April 28th, 
 1894. It was the writer's pleasure to attend at 
 least forty of them and he can testify and here 
 
INTRODUCTION 11 
 
 testifies to the absolute genuineness of the slate 
 writing as received through the psyche, Lizzie S. 
 Bangs, 
 
 The book, spiritual in its origin and lofty in its 
 teachings, pervaded by a sweet and overpowering 
 spirit of love, bearing its lessons of spirituality 
 home to all, will be as a voice crying in the wilder- 
 ness, but the writer writes under the influence and 
 inspiration of his beloved guide, this prophecy to 
 the reader, "Blessed are the eyes that shall see 
 and the ears that shall hear what is enfolded in 
 the thought of these pages. " And she adds, 
 "Dear reader, approach the open pages as you 
 would the delicate bloom of a flower, not to mar 
 nor to destroy, but the more reverently to appre- 
 ciate a heavenly work. Accept of its teachings 
 and, by the more sensitively imbibing the fra- 
 grance of its inspiration and its love, thus come 
 more closely into oneness with the Divine." 
 
 White Rose. 
 
A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD. 
 
 I endorse in full the statements made by "White 
 Rose" in the Introduction. He begins, however, 
 his sketch of the history of the plan of the book, 
 so far as its translation is concerned, with March, 
 1893. The roots and branches of the theme ram- 
 ify an earlier period. So far as my own personal 
 life is associated with the book, I must take the 
 reader to a period of my youth. In memory let 
 me lift the veil and take the reader to those early 
 days. In January of the year 1 844, my only brother 
 and I became orphans and were tenderly cared 
 for by our grandparents, who resided at the time 
 near the Sulphur Well Village in Jessamine County, 
 Kentucky. Here in the neighborhood there was 
 a log school-house where the heroine of this narra- 
 tive and I first met. The regularly employed 
 teacher, a gentleman of attainments, being some- 
 what overworked, I was asked to assist him by 
 taking charge of a class of young girls. My 
 
 branch was arithmetic. There I became acquainted, 
 
 13 
 
U A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD 
 
 as a teacher, with a pupil named Maggie Hun- 
 ter, and that acquaintance ripened into an admira- 
 tion, if not a reciprocal incipient attachment for 
 each other. Here the seeds of the narrative were 
 really first planted, and from this verdant soil and 
 humble condition, through the whole length of the 
 intervening years they, in the silent way which 
 Marguerite Hunter herself has so truly and mas- 
 terly described, ripened into after fruitage. 
 
 Disproportionate circumstances soon led me to 
 take a tangent course, and in 1846 I resigned my 
 post as teacher. Pupil and teacher then parted as 
 though they had never met — parted as lovers, but 
 never then dreaming of the reunion which the fu- 
 ture veiled from but nevertheless had in store for 
 them. I went west and literally grew up with the 
 country. 
 
 Scenes change, the past recedes into memory, 
 the later years bring changes and tragedies. 
 Twelve years glided away, when in the year 1858 
 the sad death of my former pupil refreshed my mind 
 with the blissful scenes and delicious experiences of 
 the days of my youth, and the awful woe which 
 terminated them. This flash of light upon the past 
 also soon melted away, and life again renewed the 
 uniform progress. 
 
A SUPPLEMENTARY WORD 15 
 
 In 1890, located then in Chicago, a seeker after 
 truth, I became a convert to Spiritualism. Four 
 of my children were then in the great beyond. 
 Though I had passed the period of three score years 
 these early events of my life never grew dim, 
 and I often thought of them. 
 
 In that same year and during my investiga- 
 tions, my children in the spirit world first 
 came to their parents in various ways through 
 the phenomena. And in the month of Decem- 
 ber of the same year the author, Marguerite 
 Hunter, manifested herself with them. Since 
 then the whole past has been revived and re- 
 hearsed by us. 
 
 In December, 1892, in a lengthy slate writing 
 communication, she expressed the desire, when 
 conditions should become favorable, to form a 
 book of her life in the material and spiritual 
 spheres, writing, among other things at that time, 
 this which I subjoin: 
 
 "My Dear Friend: 
 
 "I don't know but that you will think me selfish 
 for monopolizing so much of your personal vital 
 force on these occasions, but I flatter myself that 
 you come here on my account and for my person- 
 al advancement and indeed such is a blessing be- 
 stowed as I fear I can never repay. However, I 
 
16 A SUPPLEMENTS Y WORD 
 
 am acquiring much strength by these interviews 
 so that I may help both you and myself in attain- 
 ing higher spiritual light and understanding. Do 
 you know, my friend, that I should like to write 
 a book of my experiences in earth and spirit life, 
 and the book would be a light to many who know 
 nothing of the conditions and laws of spirit life." 
 
 All other and subsequent communications and 
 interviews led to the consummation of her purpose, 
 which was brought to an issue as has elsewhere 
 been stated. 
 
 Concerning the receipt of the slate writings I 
 wish to say that they were absolutely genuine and 
 the whole narrative, transcribed literally from 
 them, is herewith repeated in substance as trans- 
 lated. As the guide cf "White Rose" dictated the 
 form and thought of the narrative for Marguerite 
 Hunter through a co-operative spirit band and the 
 chosen media, so through her inspirations through 
 him, he being an inspirational speaker and me- 
 dium, the manuscript has been carefully and ex- 
 actly arranged and revised as the author and 
 
 spirit band designed. 
 
 C. H. Horine. 
 
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DEDICATION. 
 
 This book is dedicated by its author in the spirit 
 world to humanity, and written through spirit and 
 medial power substantially as it was dictated. 
 For this purpose and to further the spread 
 of truth she has, through the influence of a co- 
 operative spirit band acting in harmony with chosen 
 media of the earth plane, organized forces sufficient 
 to perfect her design. The author herself, a noble 
 woman, after varied and deep experiences, not 
 only in the joyous expression of youth but in the 
 sadness which often fringes with tragic shadows 
 the events of life, but comparatively a few years 
 ago passed to the brighter scenes and spheres be- 
 yond. A humanitarian by nature, she is still hu- 
 manely interested in the progress of the human 
 race. Her recollection of earth events has not faded, 
 her affection and sympathy for human kind have 
 not been obliterated by the change callfed death. 
 She is a bright intelligence, a soul transferred 
 from earth life to a higher spiritual plane, and what 
 she says may be accepted as authority on the sub- 
 
ii DEDICATION 
 
 jects which she treats. She, however, submits 
 the narrative of her life and the knowledge which 
 she has acquired of the soul and its law of unfold- 
 ment to the critical and searching analysis of hu- 
 man reason and science, and wishes in no other 
 way than by the unimpeachable authority of truth 
 as taught in her narrative to reach the end for 
 which she sends the book out into the world. Her 
 own people, for whose mental and spiritual awak- 
 ening she first conceived the purpose of the book, 
 are deeply religious as they regard religion, and 
 are supremely honest in their convictions, but they 
 are not investigators or disciples of the science, 
 philosophy and religion of Spiritualism. They do 
 not, therefore, believe in spirit manifestations nor 
 spirit communion, but abide by the faith of the or- 
 thodox Christian. Without giving any offense or 
 attempting to bring to light any facts of a personal 
 and family nature that might be regarded as irrele- 
 vant to the work, or a breach of family and social 
 etiquette, yet she has woven into the narrative 
 unmistakable signs of her identity which they 
 will not fail to recognize and understand, and all 
 that she gives she imprints with the same person- 
 ality and dignity of spirit that characterized her 
 earth life and career. 
 
DEDICATION iii 
 
 The object of the narrative as thus arranged and 
 composed is to present to them and others, first 
 the thought of everlasting unity of the soul in all 
 of its manifold and chequered experiences and 
 expressions here and in the eternal spheres, and 
 then the collateral and contingent lessons out- 
 wrought by every bright or sad, trifling or solemn, 
 ignoble or noble, revengeful or loving thought and 
 deed, all of which go to make the quality of the 
 soul's spirituality as w r ell as the sphere which it 
 inhabits. Thus, as the foundation of a temple is 
 related to the massive and beautiful edifice, or 
 the external form discloses as a symbol the inte- 
 rior grandeur and points to the gracious simplicity 
 of the inner shrine and holy of holies, so all that 
 occurs in and of the material life, shapes and tends 
 to elaborate the real design of the soul, which 
 matter and force and the form, in the physical, 
 mental and spiritual life as constituting the soul's 
 environment and embodiment, ever serve and un- 
 fold. Thus she shows and thus she elaborates the 
 law and conditions of her advancement and eleva- 
 tion. She has no other purpose in translating 
 the book to the earth-form and to earth's children, 
 than that, by it and the elucidation of the principles 
 and facts contained in it, she might lead them, 
 
iv DEDICATION 
 
 her immediate kinsfolk and all who may heed and 
 profit by these lessons, out of a blind credulity, an 
 obsolete and despiritualizing faith and an unrea- 
 sonable and unscientific religion to the truth that 
 alone maketh free, away from the letter that killeth 
 to the Spirit that giveth life. 
 
 Spiritual life is more than assent to creeds and 
 dogmas or a mere conformity to moral rules and 
 ethical codes. It is the character which is the re- 
 sult of that aspirational nature, inflowing and out- 
 flowing with the power of the spirit in saintly com- 
 munion with the angelic hosts, that illumines the 
 face with the beatific smile and glorifies the inner 
 life with love, harmony and peace. Thus she would 
 inspire in their and all souls such ardent aspiration 
 and kindle the fires that flame forth a radiance 
 which, as the candle placed upon the stand, gives 
 light to all that come within the circumference of 
 its aura. 
 
 She wishes to add as a final word that many 
 spirit intelligences have aided her in thought and 
 influence to complete this, her chosen work. 
 
 E. Unity, 
 The Spirit Band. 
 
OFFERTORY. 
 
 Eternal One, the Over Soul, to thee we offer 
 
 praise, 
 And in the spaces of our life we would our altars 
 
 raise. 
 In life and death thou leadest all thy children to 
 
 thy love, 
 And ever 'mid the sea of strife we feel thy presence 
 
 move; 
 No sky so dark, no life so small, but in it beams 
 
 thy smile. 
 O, that we may thy love perceive and feel sweet 
 
 peace the while! 
 
 No atoms stir, nor flowers bloom, but breathe thy 
 law divine, 
 
 No suns of worlds roll in the light but in thy glory 
 shine; 
 
 The very grass, the tree, the beast repeat the story 
 old 
 
 How ever in thy love-embrace all living things un- 
 fold, 
 
 17 
 
18 OFFERTORY 
 
 And to one end, sublimely veiled, thy law guides 
 
 man alway, 
 That onward, inward he may rise unto the perfect 
 
 day. 
 
 What horoscope of thy deep love can tell us all of 
 thee? 
 
 What wisdom can reveal to us thy vast eternity? 
 
 What seer can see or artist paint thy beatific face, 
 
 Or Saviour pure can incarnate the Perfect, Beau- 
 teous Grace? 
 
 Well may we burn and keep aflame the fires of 
 thought, desire, 
 
 And ever to the Perfect Truth and Perfect Love 
 aspire ! 
 
 And may we seek by love divine to rise o'er self 
 
 and sin, 
 And in each thought and act of soul a purer life 
 
 begin, 
 Until above through endless spheres thy light shall 
 
 lead us on 
 To love sublime and truth divine and where all 
 
 souls are one. 
 And so to thee, our Father Soul and Mother Heart 
 
 divine, 
 We bring this book and o'er its leaves we ask thy 
 
 face to shine. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 A breath on the sea and a surge of life, 
 
 A rosebud's fall from the sphere of Eden, 
 
 A pearl in a shell 'mid the ocean's strife — 
 Symbol the soul on the way to heaven. 
 
 The breath of the sea and the surge obey 
 
 The power that sends the rose from the skies; 
 
 Storms lead to calm as night leads to day, 
 
 Pearls grow divine through life's teardrops and sighs 
 
 Sail royally, mariners, over the sea; 
 
 God is alive and blessing the soul; 
 True is the love that shall lead you and me 
 
 Happily home through each dangerous shoal. 
 
 Sarah Marguerite Hunter was born near Sulphur 
 Well, Jessamine County, Kentucky, in the year 
 1 83 1. It was in the decline of the season; the 
 orchard and the vine had ripened their fruits. 
 There was a look of maturity on the face of nature 
 in quiet harmony with that on the face of Mar- 
 guerite, when welcomed by happy parents to a 
 
 happy home. She was the eleventh child in a 
 
 19 
 
20 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 family of twelve. Her kins-people were uniformly 
 social, pleasant and kind. Her parents were well- 
 to-do farmers who owned many acres of arable 
 land, and, as was then the custom, a number of 
 slaves. She had been given the ordinary advan- 
 tages of education and society, but her early life 
 was spent in comparative quiet. Deeply religious 
 by nature, she spent much time and study in re- 
 ligious thought, a trait of character stimulated by 
 the custom of daily devotional exercises in the 
 home circle. 
 
 Her intellect was bright; her temperament was 
 even. She was pensive yet mirthful, full of beau- 
 tiful ideas and poetical fancies, and so thoroughly 
 untouched by the cares of the world that she seemed 
 to poise on the earth like a delicate butterfly on a 
 flower. Of medium stature, moderately robust, 
 of sanguine temperament, radiant but calm, her 
 hazel eyes spoke the purpose of an honest heart, 
 and her dark brown hair fell in luxuriant folds over 
 a finely 'moulded form. 
 
 Her home, at the time of our narrative, was 
 modeled after the antiquated style of the country 
 farm house of the times. It was a small, plain 
 frame structure, one and a half stories high, with 
 doors opening on an inviting porch, a homely sym- 
 
The Homestead. 
 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 21 
 
 bol of the generous hospitality of the South, and 
 shaded on all sides by trees and trailing vines. At 
 the north and west, high hills covered with verdure 
 and shrubbery revealed a rugged ravine at the base, 
 while at the east and south an expanse of plain 
 was dotted, here and there, with fields of grain 
 and vegetation. Flowers of many varieties beau- 
 tified her immediate home surroundings, and whis- 
 pered their gentle thoughts of love to Marguerite 
 while caring for them as the sweet companions of 
 her youth. 
 
 A road led for the distance of two miles or more 
 to the log-cabin that had, for so many seasons, 
 served the useful purpose of a school-house, where 
 the heroine of our narrative obtained the rudiments 
 of her education. 
 
 Here, at her quiet, rural Kentucky home by the 
 side of a peaceful little brook that spent its time 
 in play or work, as it sang to the daisies on its 
 banks or fell with forceful weight on the wheel of 
 the old neighboring mill, Marguerite Hunter spent 
 many hours of play in her early childhood, as also 
 many days of meditation and study in the fullness 
 of youth and womanhood. 
 
 * Family pride and parental love denied her a 
 more extended acquaintance with the world beyond 
 
22 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 that which the home surroundings afforded, and so 
 her spirit was not given, within her environment, 
 the full opportunity to broaden the nature that was 
 so harmoniously its own. 
 
 Marguerite was one of several younger children 
 who remained at home. There were four older 
 sisters who had married ; each had become absorbed 
 in the duties of her own home, with its family ties, 
 These Marguerite frequently visited, spending many 
 pleasant days; and all of them being several years 
 her senior, they favored her as a child. Two 
 
 brothers, J and C , were her constant 
 
 companions. J , the older, was fair and of 
 
 sedate temperament; C was also of fair com- 
 plexion and not unlike his sister Marguerite in dis- 
 position. With both she was a favorite and shared 
 with them perfect confidence, for, like all children, 
 they had their little secrets and grievances. One 
 of her sisters, who lived not far from the parental 
 home, Marguerite visited more frequently than the 
 others, and to her she always went in confidence, 
 and every thought that came to her in the blos- 
 soming of womanhood was confided to M -. 
 
 Until the age of twelve, her life was one of com- 
 parative sunshine, with, here and there, a shadow 
 that flits over the child-world of all. Surrounded 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 23 
 
 by loving parents and older brothers and sisters, 
 all of whom took an affectionate interest in the 
 education and future of Marguerite, her every want 
 was kindly anticipated. 
 
 Her natural reverence for age, her contented, 
 happy disposition while in the company of those 
 of more mature years, her obliging nature with her 
 playmates, for she was ever ready to make little 
 sacrifices for their enjoyment; her quiet, gentle 
 manner, with child-like naturalness opening into 
 womanly forethought, as the bud into the full-blown 
 rose, this lovable child, not entirely angelic, but 
 human withal, endeared to her all alike, both young 
 and old. 
 
 At this period of her life came her first cloud 
 with its menacing shadow. In the summer of her 
 twelfth year she was stricken with a fever of un- 
 usual malignity, and for many weeks her gentle 
 spirit lingered on the confines of life. Tenderly 
 cared for by her loving ones, in time, the spell was 
 broken, Marguerite's condition improved, her spirits 
 brightened, and health slowly again asserted its 
 benign supremacy. Despaired of by all, her re- 
 covery was a welcome surprise. 
 
 From the age of twelve to fourteen there came 
 to her a realizing sense of a grand mission in life. 
 
U MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Sensitive and receptive by nature, she added to 
 her unusual precociousness an awakening, intuitive 
 and unquenchable desire for knowledge which 
 brought a maturity of life and thought more in 
 consonance with one far in advance of her years, 
 and, on entering her teens, her benevolent sym- 
 pathies sought a broader field of activity. At this 
 early age, want and suffering appealed to her char- 
 itable instincts, and she became possessed of a 
 strong desire to minister to the needy and afflicted, 
 as if some angel of mercy had assumed control of 
 her childish thoughts to lead her into the path of 
 the noblest destiny, and who shall say that this 
 angel of God's purest love was not born in the soul 
 of Marguerite when she lay suffering with the fever 
 whose burning was assuaged by the kindly minis- 
 tration of loving friends ? Her desire to administer 
 to the sick and needy, prompted by a sense of duty 
 in which she took a noble pride, she confided to 
 
 her parents and her sister M . Their proud 
 
 spirits overcame their naturally strong benevolent 
 feelings, and they seriously objected to her making 
 this her mission in life. Defeated in her laudable 
 ambition, the angel of mercy still lived in her soul, 
 and while attending to her studies and moving in 
 the circle of an affectionate companionship, sur- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 25 
 
 rounded with all the comforts of wealth, she could 
 not forget those less highly favored, and, in her 
 quiet way, administered relief to many an humble 
 home, causing there a little garden to blossom, 
 when fate denied her a broader field, 
 
 At the age of fifteen, a model in form, features 
 and grace, and gradually growing into womanhood, 
 like a beautiful morning awakening into day, with 
 new hopes and fresh aspirations, there came a 
 marked change in the mind of Marguerite. An 
 event occurred such as naturally comes to a beau- 
 tiful girl verging on the period of maturity, that 
 gave a new interest to her life. While attending 
 school, she was assigned to a class taught by an 
 assistant, Courtney H. Horine, two years her 
 senior, tall and dignified in manner, of dark com- 
 plexion, quiet and easy in deportment, but not 
 lacking in energy, and with a readiness to confer 
 favors and assistance that made him popular with 
 all. So gradually and unconsciously the feeling 
 of harmony and esteem grew between them that 
 neither realized the extent of their mutual regard, 
 until both became conscious of the reciprocal feel- 
 ing as little manifestations of courtesy were ex- 
 changed. 
 
 They soon found themselves in the happy, trust- 
 
26 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 ing summer time of youth, when admiration so 
 readily ripens into early love. In the full enjoy- 
 ment of physical and mental health, with earnest 
 thoughts and noble aspirations, as teacher and 
 pupil met from week to week in the ordinary rou- 
 tine of school duties, both, under the sweet influ- 
 ences and teachings of each, unconsciously began 
 to extend their daily lessons into the silent, sacred 
 domain of real life. As the sunshine drinks the 
 dewdrops from the flower, so had these newly de- 
 veloped aspirations absorbed their early love and 
 transformed it into the more serious, but as yet 
 unexpressed purpose of a union of lives as well as of 
 hearts. Each felt a sacred security that no one 
 knew but themselves, of their heart's treasures, 
 and could the spell of timidity have been broken 
 at this time and the deep, manly nature of his in- 
 most soul have emerged from its hiding place and 
 responded to the true, outgoing sentiment in the 
 heart of Marguerite, so earnestly and eloquently ex- 
 pressed in the modesty of its half suppression, how 
 differently might have been the future of both! 
 
 Sentiments so deeply cherished by each could 
 not easily be long suppressed. Circumstances, 
 often, develop in the soul courage as well as love. 
 In the month of June, 1846, when the summer, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 27 
 
 with its genial sunshine and fields of promise, found 
 a fitting counterpart in the growing summertime of 
 their young hearts, it was their happy privilege to 
 meet at a church dedication in the neighboring 
 town. After the enjoyment of the early evening 
 hours, while riding over the quiet country road to 
 the home of Marguerite, a frank conversation not 
 only emboldened them to express more fully their 
 mutual love, and convinced them of their natural 
 adaptation to each other, but also revealed in their 
 horoscope a threatening source of danger. Wealth, 
 that frowning rock against which the frail bark of 
 so many lovers has dashed and been shattered, stood 
 like a forbidding obstacle before them. Marguerite 
 was in good financial circumstances, called wealthy 
 in those ante-bellum days. Her teacher and lover, 
 who in his heart aspired to lead her to the altar, 
 was not so highly favored with worldly possessions. 
 Left an orphan at an early age, he had been kindly 
 reared in the family of his grandfather, and at the 
 decease of his parents, had been left with compar- 
 atively little property. The relative financial 
 disparity in the family conditions was, in his mind, 
 a serious obstacle to their marriage. He feared 
 that her greater wealth might lead to unfavorable 
 comments on "his poverty, and, if not, the mere 
 
28 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 possibility of financial comparisons would poison 
 the happiness he was certain to find in his marital 
 relations with Marguerite, This gloomy prophecy 
 he kept within his own breast. At the first men- 
 tion of his lack of a fortune, his thoughtful com- 
 panion generously suggested hers was sufficient for 
 both. Poor girl! she had not fathomed the depth 
 of his trouble. It was not the mere lack of a large 
 plantation with its necessary equipments, but the 
 social annoyance to which the disparity between 
 their earthly possessions might subject him. He 
 sadly, but firmly determined to discontinue their 
 friendly association, banish all thought of am en- 
 gagement and bury his love in her heart. Pride 
 and determination to win position and rank equal 
 to that of her family caused him to turn his thoughts 
 and footsteps in another direction. He soon found 
 profitable employment in an adjoining State where 
 he had formerly lived. Here he busied himself as 
 best he could, striving by industry and enterprise 
 to heal the wound he had himself so voluntarily 
 inflicted. Marguerite refrained from giving full 
 expression to her feelings, not entirely compre- 
 hending the motive or nature of his decision. With 
 kindliest feelings they parted, but her disappoint- 
 ment was so great, her sensitive nature so deeply 
 
The Log School-House. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 29 
 
 touched that she donned the mantle of gloom and 
 silence. She remained with her parents, sacredly 
 concealing her sadness within her own heart while 
 pursuing her studies and attending to her other 
 duties. All days were as one continual cloud; the 
 flowers, the birds and the brooklet that had once 
 held for her so much beauty and enjoyment were 
 now overshadowed and as dead things. 
 
 Time brings many changes, not only in the affairs 
 of the external world, but in the interior workings 
 of the soul, in our deepest desire, our firmest res- 
 olutions. We cannot always shape our destiny to 
 our choice, and so Courtney H. Horine found. 
 Heart-sick and weary, in the fall of 1848 he re- 
 turned to the old Kentucky home, the scene of his 
 early experiences. How changed all things seemed 
 in so short a time! There was the log school- 
 house with its old-fashioned windows that once 
 welcomed the inspirations of the sunlight, now en- 
 veloped in the shadows which the very sunlight 
 had made. There was the crystal brook taunt- 
 ingly singing seemingly the mournful dirge of the 
 past. There was the home of Marguerite standing 
 in the subdued splendor of its simplicity, like a 
 sainted sentinel guarding the sacred ruins. Many 
 were the friends that welcomed him, but everywhere 
 
30 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 he was alone as one in a deserted land. There 
 was but one element of naturalness that he could 
 have recognized had it been offered — the queenly 
 presence, the kindly face, the magnetic voice of 
 Marguerite; but this only solace fate cruelly denied 
 him, for though, through the kind offices of friends, 
 the whisperings of mutual sympathy and thought 
 of the old-time friendship were interchanged, yet 
 conventionalities that should have been overcome 
 loomed up like mountain barriers, and various in- 
 cidents occurred to prevent an interview. And 
 with an inner melancholy feeling as mournful as 
 the tones of a passing bell far out at sea coming 
 over the waste of waters with a dying farewell, 
 these two young hearts separated for the period of 
 their mortal life. 
 
 With Marguerite time sped on very slowly; with 
 unfailing hope and untiring feet she lived for the 
 day, not for the sorrows of the morrow, a child in 
 years yet a woman in experience. For a few brief 
 months she continued her studies, in the meantime 
 acting as instructress in the neighboring school in 
 the elementary studies. 
 
 We now enter upon the stage of this young, ac- 
 tive life where her mind grasps and retains the true 
 principles of her being, and gives expression to 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 31 
 
 pronounced individuality, and she feels that she 
 must depend more on herself and less upon father 
 and mother. Her time and attention had been 
 cheerfully given, in common with her parents, 
 brothers and sisters, to the duties of home life. 
 Although busily occupied, she could not forget the 
 one theme of the past, and neither industry nor 
 the diversions of society could obliterate its delight- 
 ful memory. When alone she would silently con- 
 template the future and rehearse the past; the 
 happy and unhappy events would touch her again 
 and again, sometimes lightly and pleasantly, and 
 sometimes, oh! so heavily and with such deep sor- 
 row. To Marguerite there was always something 
 lacking that could not be supplied, something that 
 she could not understand herself, yet keenly felt. 
 At the age of eighteen, and during the season of 
 1849, she learned that the object of her love was 
 engaged to another, a lady residing in his own 
 neighborhood. Sad news indeed to her! In the 
 seclusion of her own room, she sought the relief 
 that only tears can give. Forgiving in her nature, 
 her resolute character forbade her from expressing 
 her sorrow to others. Quietly and alone she con- 
 quered the harsh decrees of fate, and in the soli- 
 tude of a broken heart, crowned him the while 
 with her kindly benediction. 
 
32 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 A turning point now came in the life of Mar- 
 guerite. The past could not be remedied. How- 
 ever much her heart might cling to the object of 
 her first choice, his marriage to another revealed 
 to her a change in the line of her own destiny. 
 Wisely dismissing regrets for mistakes and disap- 
 pointments that seemed to be inevitable, or, at 
 least, that could not now be changed, she decided 
 to follow the line of her duty in the path that nature 
 ordained, believing that only in this way could she 
 experience that elevation of soul necessary to true 
 happiness. In the spring of 1849, she gave her 
 
 hand in marriage to one J A , a man of fine 
 
 physique, and of good business qualifications, but 
 wholly unsuited to her sensitive nature. Young 
 and inexperienced, in deference to the wishes of 
 her family and friends, she yielded to their per- 
 suasions, and reluctantly gave her consent to a 
 union that seemed to her a matter of duty, but 
 against which her heart uttered its mournful pro- 
 test. His family was well-to-do, and in financial 
 circles was counted equal to her own, but in the 
 union there was a coldness that bespoke her un- 
 happy future and sad ending. No language can 
 fittingly describe the inward feeling of this young 
 heart when from day to day and week to week she 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 33 
 
 lived a desolate life, which, as time wore on, grew 
 more and more a burden, until she prayed for re- 
 lease. 
 
 Settled in the neighborhood of her parental home 
 with her husband, Marguerite entered her new life 
 faint-hearted and sorrowful, for, before the time 
 that her honeymoon had passed, she realized how 
 fearful had been the mistake. A warning voice 
 seemed to speak to her of the terrible life before 
 her, and an inclination to flee from the present 
 scenes and surroundings and to seek another and 
 entirely strange land came over her. Naught but 
 darkness and despair met her gaze on every hand, 
 yet she did not or could not heed the call; nay, she 
 had taken the fatal step and must abide the result. 
 
 Summoning her will force, she determined to act 
 well the part that duty had seemingly assigned her. 
 Her surroundings were comfortable, in a material 
 point of view, equal to those of her parental home, 
 and at first she tried to bear the burden cast upon 
 her with patience, but, as the days passed, her 
 husband grew more and more exacting and arro- 
 gant, until every spark of respect for him faded, and 
 her inner sensitive nature revolted! Seeing that 
 no love for him existed in her heart, he upbraided 
 her for her coldness and indifference; but the 
 
34 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 natural cause of this change of feeling did not oc- 
 cur to his gross nature. He became more and 
 more vindictive each day, until life became to her 
 almost unbearable. For a time, she bore all his 
 abuse and acts of cruelty uncomplainingly, her 
 gentleness and innate purity rising above it all. She 
 wished to live with him, not because the slightest 
 shadow of love existed, but because she had in- 
 nocently assumed the bonds of matrimony, not, 
 however, fully realizing the first fatal step, and as 
 her honorable nature revolted at a separation, she 
 bore her trials with a brave heart. In the month 
 of September, 1850, there was born to her the first 
 
 child of their union, A E , a child moulded 
 
 after the form and feature of the father, yet in dis- 
 position like that of the mother. Even the inno- 
 cence of a little child did not prove a harbinger of 
 good. Faithful to the duties of life, time did not 
 lessen her trials. He, whom she called her hus- 
 band, was only such in name. In the month of 
 
 January, 1853, their second child was born, D 
 
 H , in disposition and features not unlike the 
 
 first-born. With additional responsibility for Mar- 
 guerite, there was no improvement in his conduct 
 toward her, but a growing brutality in his manner. 
 Even with so loyal and trusting a disposition as 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 35 
 
 hers, his nature was not changed. One evening 
 in the year 1854, with despondent, bleeding heart, 
 gathering her little ones in her arms, she sought 
 refuge in the home of her parents. Her husband 
 returned to find the unhappy wife absent. In her 
 paternal home she was welcomely received, and 
 they strove to comfort the young life that had been 
 made so desolate. In a few days her husband 
 sought her, and by fair promises of reformation, 
 induced her to return with him to their home; but 
 his promises soon became broken pledges, and she 
 again sought her parents, but again he followed 
 her and induced her to return. 
 
 In the summer season of 1855 another child was 
 born, a boy; and with its birth came many trials 
 and a long illness for the young mother. Her life 
 for a time hung as if by a single thread. With an 
 ambition to live for her little ones' sake, she rallied 
 and again took up the burden of life before her. 
 In the year 1858, oppressed with many cares and 
 trials, having met only with disappointment and 
 repeated cruelty, for the third time she left the 
 unhappy home, quietly but firmly resolved never to 
 return again. These were sad, sad hours to her, 
 and looking back over the past it seemed a long 
 terrible dream, yet too real indeed to banish. 
 
36 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Seeking the home of her happy youth, she set 
 about thinking and planning for the future, resolv- 
 ing to bury the past and begin anew, profiting by 
 her sad experiences. Her thoughts were all for 
 her little ones; for them she could live and labor; 
 and with this thought in mind, having completed 
 the arrangements for a berrying party for the day, 
 while on her way, in company with her little girl 
 and her niece and namesake, Maggie, riding peace- 
 fully along the wayside with only the object of 
 the journey in view, they were overtaken by her 
 husband; who joined the party in conversation, 
 Their destination having been reached, all dis- 
 mounted, intent on the duty and pleasure of berry 
 
 picking. L : and Maggie seemed happy-hearted; 
 
 not so Marguerite. There was something within 
 that made her hesitate, a something that she could 
 not understand, seemingly a voice that whispered 
 words of caution and distress, that gave her an 
 almost irresistible inclination to flee from the scene, 
 but she dared not heed it lest she might be misun- 
 derstood. Ah! too late! In this secluded spot, 
 alone and unprotected, the last act in life's sad 
 mortal drama was ended. 
 
 Marguerite had partially filled a small pail with 
 berries when her husband made one last desperate 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER g? 
 
 appeal. He had sought her a number of times 
 before, entreating her to return to him, only to be 
 refused, and this time was his last. She paused 
 for a moment, as if fear had overcome her. There 
 was a frenzied look on his face that she had never 
 before seen. Conscious of the justness of her 
 decision, her resolute spirit came to her aid. 
 
 "And so, Marguerite, you utterly refuse to live 
 with me," he said. 
 
 "I do," was the sorrowful answer. "We have 
 fully tried the experiment," she continued, "and it 
 is useless for us to try again. I cannot survive 
 any more such scenes as these through which I 
 have passed, and it is better that we should never 
 resume the relation of husband and wife." 
 
 As she spoke, her little girl, boon of the unhap- 
 py marriage, crept closer to her side and looked 
 inquiringly into her face, as if instinctively realiz- 
 ing that something terrible was about to happen. 
 
 Her niece, M M , attracted by the sound 
 
 of the voices that were pitched above the ordinary 
 key of conversation, turned just in time to see 
 Marguerite's husband unbutton his coat and draw 
 from a side pocket a weapon. Handing it to his 
 wife he demanded that she use it. 
 
 "If you will not listen to reason," he said, "life 
 
38 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 is worth nothing to me; take it and destroy 
 me." 
 
 For a moment she looked at him fearlessly but 
 hopelessly, and then turning aside as she would 
 from a childish sport, she said: "Put it away; 
 such a thing shall never be used by me. I bear 
 you no malice, I wish you well, I would not harm 
 a hair of your head; I only wish you would try and 
 be a man and for your own sake and the Master's, 
 turn aside from the error of your ways." 
 
 As she ceased speaking, his whole manner 
 changed. She saw the cruel, cold gleam in his 
 eyes, the expression of a demon on his face, every 
 feature unalterably fixed in determined rage. She 
 instinctively knew that her life was in peril, but 
 she neither moved nor begged for mercy! 
 
 "Very well," he said, and the words were spoken 
 heartlessly and deliberately, scarcely above a whis- 
 per, "if you will not kill me, I will end it all right 
 here." 
 
 He lifted the shining weapon, and with the 
 screams of the child and Marguerite's niece ring- 
 ing in his ears, fired the fatal shot at the beautiful 
 woman he had sworn to love, honor and protect. 
 Marguerite sank down among the berry bushes 
 that surrounded her on every side, the life blood 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 39 
 
 ebbing from a rugged wound in her head. Coldly 
 the murderer looked upon the innocent victim of 
 his terrible crime, and then as coldly left the 
 scene. The child and niece, at first too horror- 
 stricken at the shocking tragedy to fully realize 
 its awful significance, at length awakened from the 
 stupor that seemed to have overcome them and 
 hastened to give the alarm. Rapidly the news 
 spread, and soon the entire surrounding country 
 was in arms. So indignant and desperate were 
 the people that it was difficult to suppress their 
 determination to usurp the authority legally con- 
 stituted to inflict the penalty of the law, and it 
 was only by speedily calling a special court and 
 council that the outraged sentiment of this usu- 
 ally law-abiding community could be quieted. 
 
 Marguerite, weak and sinking from exhaustion, 
 was carried to her parents' home, where she re- 
 ceived every care and possible assistance, but it 
 soon became evident that the missile had only too 
 successfully executed the fiendish thought of him 
 who sent it on its deadly mission. Consciousness 
 did not leave her, but the shock overcame her 
 power of speech, and after a few brief hours her 
 gentle, resolute spirit freed itself from the mortal 
 form, and arose into that higher life where virtue 
 
40 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 and growth have ample protection against brutal- 
 ity and crime. 
 
 Many were the friends who visited the country 
 home to pay their last tribute of respect to Mar- 
 guerite. All turned away with sorrowful hearts 
 and tear-bedimmed eyes as they looked for the 
 last time upon the familiar face, whose noble ex- 
 pression had triumphed over the anguish of life 
 and death, the kindly face of her whom they had 
 known only to love. The funeral rites over, in 
 the village cemetery by the side of a brother and 
 sister who had preceded her, the body was gently 
 laid to rest, a 1 indeed that remained to mortal 
 vision of one of nature's noblest women. 
 
 A more terrible fate awaited the man on whom 
 the State had laid its strong hand for the murder 
 of her who was now with the angels. More terri- 
 ble than the tragic fate of Marguerite, since he was 
 to be tried in the court of the conscience as well 
 as at the tribunal of human justice. Beyond the 
 threshold of the soul's inner temple we will not 
 
 now tread. J- A was arraigned before a 
 
 jury of his peers. A fair trial was given. The 
 evidence of guilt was absolute. Capital punish- 
 ment for capital crime was the law of the land. 
 The prosecuting attorney plead earnestly for stern 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 41 
 
 justice in the execution of the law for the safety of 
 society. The legally constituted authorities in 
 Jessamine County, Kentucky, acting conscien- 
 tiously in the highest interests of society, having 
 convicted the prisoner, sentenced him to the gal- 
 lows. In a neighboring woodland, a short distance 
 from the scene of the cruel tragedy, enacted by 
 his own hand, he was placed on the scaffold. The 
 
 fatal trap was sprung and J A was with 
 
 his God. 
 
 During the trying domestic experiences of Mar- 
 guerite's unhappy life, Courtney H. Horine, her 
 former teacher, passed through various experiences 
 in business and home life, and, at the time of the 
 tragic demise of the heroine of this narrative, he 
 had settled in a pleasant home of his own in the 
 central part of Illinois, where with industry and 
 economy he was slowly but surely achieving suc- 
 cess. 
 
 Soon after the last act in the sad drama in the 
 life of his former pupil, he again visited the village 
 of her early home, where he too had lived at the 
 time of their youthful acquaintance, and there 
 heard the particulars of the terrible news of the 
 double tragedy. Though now fully established in 
 his domestic relations, and without cause of regret, 
 
42 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 manfully abiding the decision of his best judgment, 
 naturally his mind reverted to the scenes of his 
 early experiences, to the old log school-house, the 
 attractive home of Marguerite, the church dedica- 
 tion, the memorable conversation on the quiet 
 country road, and the singularly strange events 
 that followed Like a panorama, his gloomy 
 experiences on his first return, after having men- 
 tally bidden a final adieu to her whose life seemed 
 a part of his own, suddenly passed before him as 
 an impressive prophecy. And now came a new 
 revelation that only partially unfolded its meaning. 
 The thought naturally occurred that these, like all 
 the events of life, have a practical meaning, but 
 this he interpreted on a social and business basis 
 purely, as the line of his mentality was then confined 
 to the materialistic plane, not having any abso- 
 lute evidence of a future life, but believing that 
 life in this world of which we have positive knowl- 
 edge, should be made desirable by self-culture and 
 good deeds, and that all things are practical ob- 
 ject lessons, if we rightly study them. The fuller 
 and grander knowledge that the good which may 
 result from evil may not only be known in this 
 life, but also be revealed in another; that true 
 friendship, however abruptly broken off, may still 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 43 
 
 live, even after death, and that the sudden mys- 
 tery may, in time, become a bright and beautiful 
 revelation, most forcibly came to him at a later 
 period in life. 
 
 In the year 1890 we find him, in his sixty-first 
 year, peacefully settled in his quiet home in the 
 great Western Metropolis, where for many years, 
 with the various changes and incidents common to 
 life, he has been engaged in business. His family 
 circle has always been to him a little world where 
 the purest joys have been fully realized. Dearly 
 loved members of his own household, while yet in 
 their tender years, have long since passed the 
 boundary of earth-life. A beloved wife has gone 
 to the beautiful country beyond, leaving the her- 
 itage of a good life in his sacred keeping. Many 
 are the ties that bind him to the higher life and 
 make its study one of intense interest. At the age 
 of sixty-one, with a full share of physical and men- 
 tal vigor, he is still actively engaged in business, 
 while pursuing a line of thought more fully marked 
 out by a message of friendly greeting that unex- 
 pectedly came from her whose early life had been 
 for a season so pleasantly interwoven with his own. 
 Here, on this side of the silent river, we leave him 
 for a while, as we continue the narrative of a life 
 in two worlds. 
 
The Unity of Life in the Spirit and Earth Spheres. 
 
THE ASCENSION. 
 
 As from a shell the pearl is taken, 
 To radiate the light of sun, 
 Or from a bush the rose is broken 
 Ere yet the blossoming is done, 
 So from the darkened earth condition 
 Fair Marguerite was led away, 
 That she might elevate her spirit 
 And rise into eternal day. 
 Long time she sought the golden gateway 
 That led unto her earthly home; 
 Long time she sought to reach her children 
 Ere she obeyed the Eternal One. 
 But baby forms she loved supremely, 
 Though all the while she missed the bliss 
 Of inner peace and happy living, 
 That gives each soul its tenderness. 
 And ever through her sphere she wandered 
 Like vision of a fleeting star, 
 Ere she could fold them to her bosom, 
 Or swing the golden gate ajar. 
 
 45 
 
46 THE ASCENSION 
 
 At last, as one who long has waited 
 
 To see the stars shine through the sky, 
 
 Like birds that wing their flight too quickly, 
 
 And from the effort sink and die, 
 
 So she became oppressed and weary, 
 
 And fain would have a sphere sublime, 
 
 Or seek in love and light serenely 
 
 The only harmonies divine: 
 
 When lo! the very heavens were opened, 
 
 Revealing there a shining bower, 
 
 The fruit of all her inward longing, 
 
 The bud and bloom of life's fair flower; 
 
 And all about her angels hovered, 
 
 Arrayed in glory lily white, 
 
 Who helped her in each sweet endeavor, 
 
 And filled her soul with peace and light. 
 
 And Star of Hope went on before her, 
 
 To guide her to her home above, 
 
 Where in the sunlight of her Eden, 
 
 She there could live in perfect love. 
 
 And O, what light possessed her spirit, 
 What sweetness filled her paradise, 
 What glorious scenes and beauty perfect 
 Swam as a dream before her eyes! 
 A creature new in all her being, 
 All self and darkness left behind, 
 
THE ASCENSION 47 
 
 The very air her love life echoing, 
 
 A life at one with all mankind. 
 
 Her spirit now on subtle ether 
 
 Could float about, below at will; 
 
 Redeemed by love she knew no anguish, 
 
 She could her home with glory fill, 
 
 And open wide the mystic portal 
 
 That death had closed so ruthlessly, 
 
 And give her loved the happy token 
 
 Of life that solves death's mystery. 
 
 And through her sphere with joy resounding 
 
 One acclamation all lips bore, 
 
 "The pearl is ours for God the Maker 
 
 The soul is blest forevermore." 
 
 And sing, O angels, praises giving, 
 That God is truth and God is love, 
 That Marguerite all sin forgiving, 
 Received the peace of heaven above. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 Sweet are the visions heaven hath given 
 
 To cheer the pilgrim on the way; 
 Though rough the path and thunder-riven, 
 
 Above shines everlasting day. 
 
 For a time after the shock which was produced 
 by the physical disturbances, Marguerite's spirit 
 experienced a light feeling, as if soaring away from 
 the form and returning again, a condition pro- 
 duced by the wavering of the spirit between the 
 earth and spiritual atmosphere. There seemed to 
 be a cord or silken thread that held her to the ma- 
 terial form, and yet, an indescribable something 
 that urged her on with an inclination to free her- 
 self from the entanglement of suffering. At times, 
 consciousness was lost, but, on returning again, 
 there was a full realization of the physical condi- 
 tion. At last, when the functions of the body, as 
 if having fallen into a deep sleep, became dormant, 
 perfect peace came over her spirit; and as one in 
 dreamland, she was borne on through space to an- 
 other atmosphere, unconscious of the influence or 
 
 48 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 49 
 
 means of assistance. And so, as the ebb-tide of 
 mortal life grew slow, that of the spirit quickened. 
 For a period of three days, her spirit rested ob- 
 livious to all, gathering the elements of strength 
 essential to a full revealment and composition of 
 the spiritual form; for the spirit, having arisen in 
 the divine human likeness, assimilates, as in the 
 material sphere, the necessary and suitable con- 
 stituents from the new condition and atmosphere 
 for the spiritual body, the form being the medium 
 for the spirit's expression. As consciousness awak- 
 ened, she found herself in the presence of loving 
 and administering friends and in an environment of 
 unsurpassing beauty, and gradually rising into the 
 harmony of spiritual life, as joyously as the suc- 
 cessive notes in an ascending scale. Every faculty 
 of her being asserted itself with increased energy, 
 and she fully realized that she had passed from 
 earth into the higher condition of another and 
 brighter world. She saw new object lessons all 
 about her. She became interested in what seemed 
 to be her new home, as a little child naturally and 
 gradually becomes interested in the world into 
 which it has been born, but with more intensity 
 of being, as her experience and greater maturity 
 demanded. She investigated the new conditions 
 
60 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 that confronted her on every hand, rather with the 
 bewildered enthusiasm of one suddenly and un- 
 consciously transported from one country to an- 
 other, where different soil and climate, and inhab- 
 itants engaged in higher industries existed. She 
 surveyed her new surroundings joyously. Anxiously 
 she inquired the meaning of all these strangely 
 beautiful scenes and activities and the exhilarating 
 energy of life that seemed to ally her more closely 
 with the Divine. No reply greeted her ear, but in 
 the peaceful countenances of all whom she beheld 
 she read the answer more eloquently expressed 
 than in words, that she had passed from life mor- 
 tal to life immortal and that this was the border- 
 land of the abode of the higher intelligences. 
 
 Now, a mother's love does not cease for her child 
 when forced to separate from its earthly embrace, 
 and according to her condition she still hears its 
 innocent prattle, and her heart continually yearns 
 for it. Naturally, after having located herself in 
 a sphere beyond their earthly habitation, Margue- 
 rite's thoughts turned toward her children, the 
 treasures of her life for whom she had willingly 
 and gladly made many sacrifices, prompted by a 
 mother's love. Where were they? Could she see 
 them? These and similar questions disturbed her. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 51 
 
 To all came the gentle assurance, "Becalm and 
 await the full revelation." 
 
 This philosophical advice did not satisfy the in- 
 tense anxiety of Marguerite. She felt with all a 
 mother's devotion that she must see her children. 
 In imagination she could hear their pitiful cries, 
 and she turned for consolation to her guardian 
 companion, who had given her the blessed assur- 
 ance that all was well, and that soon she would 
 take her to her loved ones. She assured her, how- 
 ever, that first she must rest, that calmness of 
 mind which was the only safeguard against a re- 
 lapse of unconsciousness must condition her pres- 
 ent actions. And as she rested and meditated, 
 overcome with the beauty and grandeur of the 
 scenes around her, all her past life came up be- 
 fore her in panoramic view. She realized then, 
 and more fully as she grew in strength, that she 
 had left her little ones behind to mourn her ab- 
 sence, and as the cause of all came to her, she 
 longed to return and help to heap censure upon 
 him who had been the sole cause of her great sor- 
 row. But the gentle thought of her guardian re- 
 buked her in kindly admonition and feeling, mak- 
 ing known to her that by love and not by revenge 
 she must conquer the enemy. 
 
52 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 After a season of rest and recuperation, she again 
 approached her guide, a lovely being, whose coun- 
 tenance glowed with a genial kindess that reminded 
 her of the angels she had seen in the dreams 
 of her early childhood, the guide who had created 
 in Marguerite a confidence so great that she in- 
 wardly felt that she could not deny her any rea- 
 sonable desire. And surely to visit and caress her 
 babes she thought could not be unreasonable. 
 With great anxiety she again requested of her the 
 privilege of going to her children, but the same 
 being kindly but persistently refused. 
 
 "Patiently hear me," her guardian replied. "You 
 are now in a new world, and must learn to accus- 
 tom yourself to its higher methods and laws. You 
 are now clothed with immortality. Death has been 
 your birth into a new life. You have not wan- 
 dered beyond the spiritual realm of your kindred 
 and friends, nor far beyond their mortal realm. 
 They are not widely separated from you in space, 
 nor yet in spirit, but only by conditions. The 
 time for your return has not yet come. Study well 
 the conditions that now environ you; overcome 
 your anxiety and fear. Be content to know that 
 the time will come, nay, is not far distant, when 
 it will be possible for you, with beneficial results 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 53 
 
 to them and yourself, to visit your children. 
 Would you harm those you so dearly love? Would 
 you impress upon the innocency of childhood the 
 hateful image of revenge? Would you confuse the 
 sunshine with shadows? Should you return now, 
 before the light of love has subdued your own spirit 
 and glowed within or encompassed you with its 
 beneficent and protecting halo, the mistakes that 
 you should make, the wrong that you should do, 
 would only end in confusion, grief, sorrow and re- 
 morse, would mislead others and would greatly 
 embarrass your own future progress. . This is the 
 outer court of the spiritual kingdom. Beyond, 
 there are inconceivable beauty and grandeur. You 
 must here learn the alphabet of progress; you 
 must thoroughly inculcate the divine principles of 
 love and forgiveness. Learn well this lesson. 
 There is no greater bar to progress in the divine 
 life that transforms and glorifies the soul than an 
 unforgiving spirit. You have suffered a great wrong 
 in your sudden transition; it has blinded you for 
 the time being to your highest interests. But you 
 can overcome the evil effect by exercising your 
 own soul power. You have now come to a point 
 in your journey where it is necessary for you to 
 choose your course. You must decide whether you 
 
54 MARGUERITE HUHTER 
 
 will continue to be claimed by the perversity of 
 your own will, or whether you will yield to the di- 
 viner impulses of enlightened reason and angelic 
 sympathy! You have come to the boundary of a 
 higher sphere of spiritual expression. You cannot 
 now pass into these inner courts, but it is permit- 
 ted you to look in upon their celestial beauty. 
 These await all those who have become inspired 
 with and have attained the perfect expression of 
 the beatific and deific vision." 
 
 Suddenly, as she ceased speaking, and as if in 
 the order of some divine arrangement, a deep sleep 
 overpowered Marguerite, and she sank into a de- 
 lightful reverie. Silently she went forth on a ce- 
 lestial pilgrimage. Accompanied by her guardian, 
 she passed quietly and quickly from realm to realm, 
 over landscape and mountain, until sphere after 
 sphere had been passed, wherein dwelt beautiful 
 beings arrayed in garments most artistically woven 
 from the refined tissues of their own thoughts. She 
 was told that here was found the fulfillment 
 of highest desire, that the dwellers in these mystic 
 realms could read as from a book the thoughts and 
 feelings of others, and could translate their char- 
 acter and destiny from their wardrobe. There were 
 here no unemployed; disease and poverty did not 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 55 
 
 enter these realms of harmony. Merit only could 
 here succeed. All was love and peace. There was 
 perfect freedom and perfect individuality, but such 
 unity of purpose amid the great variety of individ- 
 ual expression that the very air was full of music 
 and redolent with the incense of gladsome and har- 
 monious desire. Landscapes of indescribable 
 beauty everywhere met her eye. Birds, foliage and 
 flowers more varied in form and tint than mind 
 can conceive paid homage to her earnest thought. 
 Nature, as revealed in these celestial spheres seemed 
 in profound sympathy with all the higher intelli- 
 gences. Surroundings vibrated to inner harmonies 
 and all became rhythmic. Intuitively she could 
 read the problem of real life in the varied scenes 
 that continually entranced her, and in the expres- 
 sive countenances of the superior people. 
 
 As they made their journey through space each 
 new sphere presented some feature of advance- 
 ment more attractive than the former, until they 
 reached an atmosphere more peculiarly adapted 
 to animate her soul and harmonize with her ideals 
 than any before encountered. Here she was per- 
 mitted to linger for awhile, that in time to come 
 she might recall and then seek for its true condi- 
 tion and exceeding glory. 
 
56 MARGUERITE HUHTER 
 
 While meditating on these strange surrouiidingg, 
 two beautiful forms appeared to her, with out- 
 stretched hands and welcoming faces, approaching 
 near enough for her to commune with them, but 
 not beyond the gateway of what appeared to be the 
 boundary of that particular sphere. Immediately 
 there was soul recognition, their eyes met and soul 
 spoke to soul. A beautiful maiden, with rich, dark 
 hair, loosely flung around her shoulders, and a 
 benign expression of countenance, which touched 
 her innermost soul, approached her, saying, "It is 
 your sister Emily, and this is brother William, " 
 beckoning to a noble form who stood by her, as 
 radiant as her own yet arrayed in robes of differ- 
 ent design that bespoke his character. "We have 
 come to welcome you into our home of eternal 
 bliss. We have preceded you by a long time, 
 yet, as time cannot erase memory and the tie of 
 love, so have we known you and grown with you 
 through all our experiences in the brightest 
 spheres. " 
 
 Marguerite's soul was overwhelmed with joy. 
 She no longer felt that she was alone. She tried 
 to step forward and approach them more closely, 
 but in vain. Some invisible power that she could 
 not comprehend held her back. She was permit- 
 
MARGUERITE HUHTER 57 
 
 ted to enjoy sweet soul-converse with these beau- 
 tiful spirits, but could not .enter their atmosphere. 
 Her sister smiled as she received her thoughts 
 of wonderment, and in reply said, "Marguerite, 
 when you have become fully educated in all the 
 laws of life that pertain to this exalted sphere, 
 then you with us will breathe the same atmosphere, 
 and have a similar experience. There are number- 
 less ascending spheres in range, and if you will 
 obey the noblest impulse of your nature, you shall 
 soon become free and advanced spiritually. Do 
 not repeat or reflect upon the wrongs done you 
 in the past, bury their memory in a hospitable 
 grave, overcome evil with good, drive out the de- 
 mon of revenge from the palace of your soul and 
 people it with kindliest thoughts and noblest as- 
 pirations. Your life has been wonderfully excep- 
 tional in experiences; strive by a wise decision 
 through angelic guidance to make it still more ex- 
 ceptional in mastering the lessons here to be 
 learned. These in their course, you must thor- 
 oughly understand before you can advance in spirit. 
 Each sphere of progress has, in itself, some new 
 and glorious quality, outrivaling the former, and 
 so on, through every stage of advancement, until 
 you shall have reached this refined atmosphere. 
 
58 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Far beyond this, there are numberless higher 
 spheres, where dwell intelligences of most exalted 
 character. These I am striving to attain, to these 
 you may also advance. As you choose your course, 
 so shall I be able to watch over and guide you 
 through administering spirits of the intervening 
 spheres. There are, also, spheres of darkness, 
 sorrow and evil, for all who people the spirit world 
 have not yet attained the ideal of the soul's high 
 destiny. As you dwell in thought on the condi- 
 tions of the past, so will you be surrounded by 
 like environments of inharmony and discontent, 
 but as you reach out and overcome the evil which 
 lurks in the thought, so shall your soul become pure, 
 and advancement of the spirit be speedily attained. 
 Here in this sphere all environments of earth are 
 overcome; and here would I have you dwell with 
 me through annals of eternity until this haven 
 has been reached. Behold, and I will reveal to 
 you a new condition of life, " and as she spoke, she 
 removed a mystic veil that had obscured the vi- 
 sion of far more distant scenes, revealing still great- 
 er beauty and mere supernal glory, more superior 
 inhabitants arrayed in garments of inconceivable 
 and heavenly splendor, busily engaged in various 
 avocations, so deiflc in their method and nature 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 59 
 
 that she could only compare the revelation to a 
 refined and superlative counterpart of the more 
 beautiful scenes of earth, with a grander and more 
 perfect unfoldment. It seemed to resemble earthly 
 scenes more perfectly and artistically drawn. Veri- 
 table landscapes there were, whose verdure afford- 
 ed a substantial background for variegated foliage, 
 mountains covered with pine and hemlock, pour- 
 ing from their rocky fastnesses little rivulets and 
 larger streams, symbolical of spiritual blessings 
 emanating from heavenly Sinais and fed from their 
 perennial fountains, beautifully undulating valleys, 
 and mighty rivers rejoicing on their journey to the 
 sea, all as tangible as in the physical world, but com- 
 posed of and permeated by an ethereal substance 
 that appealed to the finer sensibilities of the soul 
 in a language all its own. These surroundings 
 earth inhabitants cannot comprehend except in 
 soul visions. There were also numberless groups 
 of flowers of every form and hue, birds of rich 
 plumage, warbled songs of entrancing melody, 
 and there were sounds of harmony, vibrating 
 tones of tenderness such as no earth musician or 
 instrument known to human art could produce, and 
 vocal music whose soul-elevating outbreathing of 
 angelic strains wafted the thought toward the 
 Infinite Purity. 
 
60 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 This wonderful revelation of realities so grand 
 and glorious, but unknown to mortals and spirits 
 in the lower spheres, she could not fully under- 
 stand. The trance state had been profound, but 
 she knew it not. All seemed so tangible, yet she 
 could only think of it on awakening as a dream, 
 as the veil that had gradually unfolded the gran- 
 deur, again as gradually concealed it from view. 
 
 She was gently reminded by her guardian when 
 she had come to her normal self that other and 
 more active duties awaited her, and so on awaken- 
 ing, almost unconsciously to herself, she found that 
 she was once more in the realm whence, in company 
 with her guide, she started on her wonderful jour- 
 ney through the celestial spheres. The guardian, 
 who had led her through the different spheres, 
 made known to her that here in a particular sphere 
 was to be the beginning of her new life; and that, 
 for a time, she should live here, and renew her 
 strength, and that soon she would be able to weave 
 around her forces and conditions whereby she could 
 return to her earth-home. She said to her that 
 she needed rest, and that in due time she would 
 be endowed with the requisite spirit power to act 
 freely and wisely. "Then," the good spirit said, 
 "you may go your way and seek kindred souls who 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 61 
 
 will aid you in learning the many lessons that will 
 constantly claim your attention. " 
 
 Bidding her adieu, by a wave of the hand, she 
 disappeared in the distance, gradually fading from 
 view. 
 
 Marguerite now began to realize somewhat her 
 true position and to comprehend the value of the 
 services of her faithful guardian. She found 
 around her numberless beautiful beings with kindly 
 faces whom she had not known in earth life, but 
 they gave her a welcome so cordial that it seemed 
 that she had known them always. Pictures of ce- 
 lestial beauty surrounded her, silently inculcating 
 their profound lessons of purity, and as she re- 
 clined on a carpet of verdure, under a broad spread- 
 ing foliage, the events of her past life again came 
 up vividly before her. Some were of earth scenes, 
 and some of those of her immediate surround- 
 ings, a kaleidoscope of sorrow and tears, of peace 
 and rejoicings. The memories of the past came 
 to her clearly, and as her soul again became filled 
 with profound longing, she realized that she had 
 passed out of the body, and was conscious of hav- 
 ing retained her individuality. This perfect knowl- 
 edge of her identity was a source of great consola- 
 tion to her, although the sense of her incapability 
 
G2 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 to care for her little ones caused her much anxiety. 
 But as her guardian had promised to show her the 
 way to them, she became for the while reconciled. 
 
 In the spirit world there is no realization of time, 
 and so in the narrative we take up the thread of 
 life, after the spirit has been in its new condition 
 of birth the calendar-time of three days. 
 
 After the tragic event of her sudden transition, 
 recorded in the first chapter, several days passed 
 before her consciousness returned, and before all 
 of her faculties were again in their normal condi- 
 tion. Her spirit had passed from the physical form 
 when in the full vigor of life, and by the swift, 
 sudden transition had been temporarily benumbed. 
 All the scenes in the different spheres she had vis- 
 ited in vision were fresh in her memory, but seemed 
 like a dream of some inconceivable splendor of 
 which she was conscious but unable wholly to de- 
 fine. Slowly, hour by hour, she regained full pos- 
 session of all her faculties. She realized that though 
 free from the body, she was surrounded by reali- 
 ties, and arising from her reclining position, she 
 found that by an effort of will, she could wander 
 around at the mind's desire and examine nature's 
 wonderful works. A universe of unfoldment lay 
 before her. Everything was suggestive of thought- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 63 
 
 ful inquiry. She lived in a realm of new ideas. 
 There were new scenes, new people, a new world. 
 Here and there, were vast castles of most elabo- 
 rate design, with windows of an ethereal substance 
 scarcely distinguishable from the refined atmos- 
 phere, adorned with transparent walls of colossal 
 strength, These were the abode of beautiful, he- 
 roic spirits. It was noticeable that in this sphere 
 where she was temporarily stationed there was lack- 
 ing the inharmonious element of arbitrary caste. 
 The worthy only were admitted. It was their castle 
 of defense, symbolic of their spiritual state ac- 
 quired by a victory over the malignant attacks that 
 had been so recklessly and fiercely made against 
 them for advanced ideas and heroic service on 
 earth. 
 
 Various degrees of heroism and spirituality were 
 represented in this one sphere. In the different 
 departments of it were seen some apparently just 
 blossoming out of childhood, and some out of gi- 
 gantic but overweening moral strength. Here could 
 be found many reformers who had been persecuted 
 and socially ostracized for conscience' sake. Here 
 were many martyrs of science, of economical and 
 social progress, of true religion, waiting and toiling 
 for higher translations. Here were many whose 
 
64 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 obscure position in earth-life had concealed their 
 true character, who had apparently done but little 
 for humanity, but that little had cost them heroic 
 sacrifices, and had been done from motives of 
 purity and not for ostentation. Here gathered 
 those like the widow who, in casting in their mite, 
 had thrown in their entire living. It was a curious 
 problem that only advanced spirits could solve, 
 and real merit and spirituality could demonstrate 
 how, when put into the balance, the soul ? pure 
 and loving in deed and thought, would tip the 
 beam against millions for ecclesiasticism and even 
 for educational, religious and charitable institutions. 
 The heroes of toil from the farm, the workshops, 
 the school-rooms had here found in the interior of 
 these vast castles, palaces within the marble walls 
 of their own monuments wrought of their own 
 good deeds and service. There were architectural 
 designs of such variety and number, corresponding 
 to the genius and character of the souls, the mind 
 could not grasp their delightful diversity, and there 
 were homes of transcendental loveliness suited 
 to the culture and wants of all. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the joy and beauty around 
 her, she experienced a deep feeling of unrest. She 
 began to fervently meditate upon the past, for the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 65 
 
 memory of her earth-life had not forsaken her. 
 She thought of her childhood days, her youthful 
 companions, the inharmonies of her home, the 
 austere husband, the sweet little children, her 
 sudden passing out of the earth-form, and the kind 
 services of her genial guardian. Quickly arising, 
 she glided away to seek rest and recreation among 
 the fragrant groves that lined the banks of a gentle, 
 meandering stream. While musing, in this quiet 
 retreat, on the strange experiences of her life in 
 the process of a mysterious unfoldment, she 
 chanced to behold, mirrored in the pellucid waters 
 of the silent river, her own image. Every feature 
 of her face so clearly outlined her own thoughts 
 and feelings that she read and re-read in the per- 
 fect reflection the history of her entire life. Whilst 
 fully convinced of her identity, her appearance had 
 undergone a mysterious transformation, far sur- 
 passing in expression that of her mortal form. She 
 knew that she could never again re-enter that form, 
 yet, moved by some interior impulse of the soul, 
 she ardently desired and promptly determined to 
 return to earth. Love for her little ones drew her 
 impulsively to them; the feeling of the tender care 
 they needed, so paramount in her thought to all 
 else, fostered her desire to see them. She then re- 
 
66 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 membered the beautiful guardian who had portrayed 
 to her mind in such glowing color the beauty of 
 her new home, and quick as the vibration of 
 thought, suddenly the guardian appeared to her. 
 She seemed even now more radiantly beautiful to 
 her than ever before. Marguerite soon signified 
 her desire to retrace her steps to earth, to which 
 came the reply: "I know all that is within your 
 heart, and your longings shall be realized. It is 
 my duty and desire to draw you from the earth- 
 attractions. The trials through which you have 
 passed will, in time, be explained, and you will 
 fully comprehend their purpose. They are of the 
 earth, though fundamental to all unfoldment. You 
 are in the spirit world. The attempt to return 
 now in your present weak and unprepared con- 
 dition, will but add to your longings, and will 
 lengthen the time that must pass before you are free 
 from earth's entanglements." 
 
 The guardian's calm, sweet expression had a qui- 
 eting, persuasive influence upon Marguerite. She 
 realized the superior intelligence of her companion, 
 her determined, yet loving nature, and cheerfully 
 acquiesced in her decision as she said, "Since it 
 is your desire to again enter the scenes of rudi- 
 mental existence, then follow me," 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 6? 
 
 They floated on together through various atmos- 
 pheres, created as a complement of the spiritual 
 condition of the different grades of the intelligences 
 inhabiting them, rapidly traversing the celestial 
 landscapes, until their characteristic beauty faded 
 in the distance, as they approached and entered the 
 chilly, clouded atmosphere of earth. The sensa- 
 tion produced by the wonderful, sudden change of 
 spiritual climatic influences and environments was 
 so great it would have driven her back to her new 
 home with impetuous force, had not the stronger 
 power of her desire to visit earth for a purpose 
 dearer to her than her own life prevailed. 
 
 With trembling anxiety Marguerite said, "Let 
 me go first to see my children." 
 
 Yielding to her request, her guardian beckoned 
 her to follow. 
 
 Slowly they moved on through the murky at- 
 mosphere, and soon Marguerite stood within the 
 well-known home of her parents. She took cogni- 
 zance of material objects, by their special aura or 
 magnetic emanations. It was evening. Her 
 mother was reclining on a lounge, the rays of the 
 dimly lighted lamp falling on her pale face, plainly 
 displaying deep marks of care and sorrow, and on 
 the floor by her side, were Marguerite's two dear 
 
68 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 babies. As she drew nearer to these little ones, 
 she spoke to them in the tender tones of a mother's 
 affection, an affection enhanced by separation and 
 a baptism of spiritual love, but she failed to re- 
 ceive their attention. Neither the eye nor the ear 
 could she command, nor could she make her pres- 
 ence felt, not by the touch of her hand, nor by the 
 earnest force of her magnetic power. She pain- 
 fully realized how absolute was the separation, 
 although their innocent prattle, their childish de- 
 sires, were all known to her. But to them, she 
 was dead and gone forever. She sensed the lone- 
 liness of the little ones, and saw that the life was 
 slowly ebbing from the form of her dearly beloved 
 mother. She could view the scenes of the past 
 week in the home, and felt the pressure of the deep 
 sorrow that so heavily oppressed them; she tried 
 to speak to them in tender, loving thoughts of hope, 
 but to no avail. 
 
 How cruel now seemed this loss to her, how 
 unfortunate! And with persistency, she again 
 made the effort to attract their attention. Ap- 
 proaching very near and placing her hand on her 
 head, with an unusual effort of the voice she called, 
 "Mother," but in vain. She neither moved nor 
 answered. Suddenly Marguerite displayed a weak- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 69 
 
 ness of character that she had not known, as the 
 thought of the cause of all this desolation and 
 sorrow pressed upon her. Hatred overcame her 
 better nature and she determined to use her influ- 
 ence in making miserable the life of her betrayer. 
 
 The beautiful guardian, who had led her all the 
 way, urged her to desist from a course so mali- 
 cious, but she was determined to find him and heap 
 upon him the imprecations of her revengeful spirit. 
 The guardian plead and reasoned with her, but to 
 no avail. Her words had for her no meaning, her 
 heart was adamant, her reason was utterly para- 
 lyzed. Her children were orphans, her home was 
 ruined, clouds enveloped it, the sunshine had for- 
 ever departed. 
 
 She, then under the spell of the disease, went 
 groping her way through the darkness, trying to 
 find her husband. She wandered from place to 
 place, tracing him with the skill of a superior 
 psychomotrist, by the magnetic emanations impart- 
 ed to objects with which he had come in contact. 
 After a short but viciously anxious search, she 
 found him, miserable and alone, wandering back 
 and forth, confined to narrow, uncomfortable sur- 
 roundings. As she drew near to him, she noticed 
 the change upon his face, she felt his haggard, rest- 
 
70 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 less spirit, but her heart was unmoved. She re- 
 joiced in his misery, and turning to her guardian 
 she said, "I will never leave him until he has suf- 
 fered the full penalty for his cruelty. " 
 
 She advanced near his passing figure, calling, in 
 a loud voice, "Wretch!" But she might as well 
 have called to the mountains or the stars, as he 
 did not realize her presence. Every thought of 
 his was clear to her, and though there were deep 
 regrets, she gloried in his misery. 
 
 The guardian plead with her to turn aside from 
 these scenes, showing her with all the eloquence 
 of her amiable nature, that she only debarred her 
 own spirit from progress, making her condition as 
 miserable as the man she wished to torture. 
 
 "Think of the future," she said; "cast not so 
 recklessly away your own high privileges for the 
 sake of an unreasonable, hateful revenge that can 
 only degrade you. Cultivate the nobler spirit of 
 a humanitarian, let your forgiveness be as divine 
 and uplifting, as the crime was cruel and debas- 
 ing, and you shall have as a reward the exalted 
 advancement that comes only through conquering 
 the enemy in the soul's own citadel. In this way, 
 and in this way alone, will you be able to guide, 
 and come yet closer to the recognition of your dear 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 71 
 
 ones. Quench your thirst forever by drinking 
 deep from the fountain of charity, and so shall you 
 become an heir to the kingdom of heaven, and 
 dwell in the glorified mansions." 
 
 But Marguerite could find no comfort in this 
 teaching, nor would she accept the divine princi- 
 ple. She had remained in this condition all the 
 following day, until, at last overcome by incessant 
 anxiety, she left these scenes and wandered around 
 through familiar magnetic currents until she 
 
 finally reached the home of her sister M . She 
 
 entered there and found that here, too, all was 
 gloom. Her sister was sitting quietly in a rocking 
 chair, with Marguerite's young baby, a lovely little 
 boy, on her arm. Her face was pale, and her cheeks 
 tear-bestained. A melancholy picture that only 
 added to Marguerite's cold resolve. 
 
 And so months and years passed before she 
 could overcome the spell that held her to earth. 
 Other spirits, were in attendance to pacify her, but 
 their pleadings were all in vain; among them was 
 her own dear mother, who recently had passed the 
 boundary and been guided to higher spheres. 
 
 Marguerite's husband meanwhile had suffered 
 the penalty of his crime. She knew of the de- 
 plorable condition of his spirit, but she did not care 
 
72 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 for his reformation. Remorse on his part would 
 not have softened her heart, nor deterred her 
 from her selfish pursuit. Love for her little ones, 
 and determined effort to overcome the impossibil- 
 ity of reaching them, held her earth-bound. 
 
 And so time passed. The attentive guardian 
 had remained close by her side, advancing new 
 ideas and extending sympathy, and continually 
 pleading with her to return to her spiritual home. 
 
 Her own mother had advanced into the home- 
 realm of the higher spiritual affections, whence she 
 had no desire to return to earth. 
 
 Marguerite's love for the dear ones grew not 
 less after having found that she could not make an 
 impression upon them, but she resolved to seek 
 other means. It was strange that this refined soul 
 could not have more clearly perceived the advan- 
 tage that would result from and by her advance- 
 ment to higher spheres, and how much easier it 
 would have been to reach the friends of earth 
 through an exalted condition. But she needed and 
 must have the collateral experiences, ere the ad- 
 vancement could come. She would then possess 
 knowledge whereby she could understand the law 
 of inter-soul communion. But she had formed a 
 determination to return to her earth-home, with- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 73 
 
 out the necessary preparation, and hence she had 
 to abide the result. 
 
 Many changes had taken place in the home-cir- 
 cle since her mother's departure from earth-life. 
 The little ones were separated, living with Mar- 
 guerite's sisters. From place to place and child 
 to child she wandered, until they were fast ad- 
 vancing to maturity. Her mother, after experi- 
 encing all the rudimentary lessons upon entering 
 spirit-life, and after overcoming all earthly condi- 
 tions, had returned to her home, but so different 
 were the aspirations and attractions of these two 
 minds, that they did not meet. Her mother had 
 chosen the wiser course, and so gradually advanced 
 to the higher spiritual understanding and life. 
 There came a time when Marguerite became wear- 
 ied of her failures, and she turned her face from 
 these bitter scenes of earth. She desired once 
 more to visit the Summerland of beauty, and 
 turning to her patient guardian, who appeared in 
 response to her thoughts, she manifested her de- 
 sires, and with her she glided again over the 
 beautiful scenes, through different atmospheric con- 
 ditions. She already perceived that she had wasted 
 years of grand opportunities, and this condition 
 became at once a stimulus to high endeavor. The 
 
74 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 guardian expressed her delight over her change, 
 and with Marguerite's hand in hers, they turned 
 their faces from the scenes of earth and their bitter 
 memories to the radiant spheres above. No rational 
 being could have more deliberately dethroned rea- 
 son. Yet in her earth-bound condition she had not 
 forgotten the inviting scenes of the Summerland, 
 but an unreasonable devotion to her little ones, 
 deeply tinged with selfishness, failed to awaken in 
 her soul one lofty desire, until worn out with wait- 
 ing, and seeking for inter-world communication. 
 Her guardian, so free of earth-attractions and sel- 
 fish thought, yet realized her mental condition, but 
 lovingly and silently led her until at last they again 
 stood upon the shining shore. How beautiful and 
 pleasant the contrast between the surroundings! 
 The scenes seemed lovelier because of the long 
 exile. Everywhere there were the wooded hills, 
 picturesque valleys and distant mountains, with 
 the shining mansions, castles and quiet cottages 
 with the graceful trees and playing fountains, 
 whose murmuring waters reached downward to the 
 sea; scenes that she once had seen and loved. 
 Leading her to a moss-cushioned lounge, the guar- 
 dian sat beside her, and told her that here she 
 would gather her first higher lessons in real life. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 75 
 
 She spoke to her of her mother, and for the first 
 time Marguerite was filled with longing to see her 
 angel face again. This she was promised by the 
 spirit guide, who immediately vanished. 
 
 Not long did she wait, before she saw in the dis- 
 tance, slowly advancing, two figures; one she rec- 
 ognized as that of her guardian, and as they ap- 
 proached nearer, she recognized the other as that 
 of her own dear mother. Arising, she went to meet 
 them. It was a moment of silence — then daughter 
 and mother were soon clasped in each other's affec- 
 tionate embrace. Soul spoke to soul. 
 
 Her mother said to her, "My child, I am glad 
 that you have mastered the cruel imprecations that 
 bound you to earth. I am glad that the truth has 
 now dawned upon you ; a long time I have waited for 
 this. Several years have passed since I entered 
 spirit-life, but my time has not been idly spent. 
 I have been conscious of your condition, but the 
 difference in our seeking has kept me from reach- 
 ing you. Through administering spirits I have 
 tried to reach you, but you turned a deaf ear to 
 all; so, while seeking to advance myself, I have 
 patiently waited for your change, knowing that 
 sometime if fully prepared I should be able to 
 help you; and now that time has come! I have 
 
76 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 become a teacher in the great school. Through 
 advanced minds I have obtained higher understand- 
 ing, while to those in your sphere I am a teacher, 
 and, dear child, to you I will impart the knowl- 
 edge to which I have referred. I will show you 
 how to decide the course of your life. Believe me, 
 my child, the time is not far distant when we 
 shall be able to work together. My object incom- 
 ing to you now, is to welcome you into your new 
 home of love. n 
 
 Here she ceased, and Marguerite replied: "O, 
 my dear mother! How happy I am to meet you; 
 to hear your voice again, and to receive the light 
 imparted by your lofty thoughts and noble pur- 
 poses! I rejoice in holding communion with you. 
 My heart has been so chilled by the experiences 
 of earth, that, until now, there has not seemed to 
 be one responsive chord in my being. The shades 
 of sadness made me wretched, and I was perfectly 
 indifferent to all. The wiser pleadings of the mes- 
 senger of love I have heard, and through my suffer- 
 ing have learned a great lesson. I hope to be 
 freed from these entanglements now, and x profit- 
 ing by the mistakes of the past, learn to walk in 
 the new and better way." 
 
 "My child, your state of mind has all been known 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 77 
 
 to me, and I knew that you would eventually be 
 led into the clear light of truth and happiness. 
 The seeds of kindness and endurance are not lost. 
 They were, for a while, sown on barren ground, 
 but will eventually bring forth an abundant har- 
 vest. Child of my heart, we shall refer no more to 
 the unpleasant memories of the past, but you will 
 begin life anew, and I will visit you often, although 
 now we cannot dwell in the same sphere; yet when- 
 ever you wish to see me, your thoughts will reach 
 me and I will respond. New and congenial friends 
 you will find and have, and those of your own dear 
 family circle, you will meet after a time. To- 
 morrow I shall visit you again and give you the 
 promised lesson. Now I will leave you to rest 
 and reflect." 
 
 After the departure of her mother, Marguerite 
 sought rest and forgetfulness in sleep, and for many 
 hours was under its sweet influence. She awoke 
 refreshed, feeling a sense of repose — a state of 
 mind to which she had long been unaccustomed. 
 Arising, she carefully examined her new home. 
 She found it contained all things that were essen- 
 tial to her comfort. The apartments were all ar- 
 tistically fitted up, homelike, even palatial in ap- 
 pearance, but not so grand as those castles she had 
 
78 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 seen in vision, upon entering spirit-life. She moved 
 about, through the different rooms, and found that 
 she was not alone. This disturbed her somewhat 
 at first, as she had preferred to be alone, but to 
 her joy and heart's response, she found her com- 
 panions congenial minds. Like herself, they had 
 experienced the earth-bound conditions, and just 
 awakened into real life. Around her in the differ- 
 ent compartments she found magnificent libraries 
 from which she might gain instruction, also conser- 
 vatories of music for acquiring the knowledge of 
 harmonic sounds. Passing from these apartments 
 into a recess, through a large and richly carved 
 door-way, she entered a spacious art gallery in 
 which were found fine paintings and delicately chis- 
 eled statuary. There w r ere flowers blossoming in 
 abundance and beautiful arbors covered with trail- 
 ing vines, the one, scattered here and there among 
 the statuary and the other about the palatial build- 
 ing. At one end of this apartment, she passed into 
 a lofty studio, filled with all the appurtenances 
 of the sculptor and the artist. So beautiful and 
 perfect did all these object lessons seem to her, 
 in their harmonious unity of design and arrange- 
 ment, that she wondered if this could be a part of 
 the very lesson that she must needs learn to master. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 79 
 
 Her mother had said that here in this palace 
 she should dwell as her home, and here she should 
 receive her first lesson in the higher principles of 
 life. She was not yet prepared to understand the 
 significance of the words, and she felt her inability 
 to take up the part before her, a work apparently 
 so far beyond her powers that she feared to begin. 
 She was conscious of other spirits standing around 
 her, who were seemingly as amazed and thoughtful 
 as herself. 
 
 Two spirits, whom she had met before, came 
 forward, and they smiled at her as she looked sur- 
 prised, and, in a low, musical voice, one said, 
 "We have been sent to show you around and de- 
 scribe to you the different scenes and apartments 
 in our home. Will you go with us?" 
 
 As she assented, she was conducted through the 
 different archways from one apartment to another, 
 all having some special line and objects of study, in 
 progressive order one with the other. From them 
 she learned much of life, and of the science of the 
 sphere which she occupied. There were different 
 classes in their appointed places, some intent on 
 studies of art, others learning of harmony, science, 
 of music and religion. All were deeply imbued 
 with the love of truth, and sought only its acqui- 
 istion through manifold and unitary avenues. 
 
80 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 She was told that her advancement depended 
 on her progress in obtaining knowledge, that this 
 she must acquire through natural, but spiritual 
 laws, and, by becoming in sympathy with higher 
 spiritual thought, she should increase her capacity 
 for intellectual and exalting work. So great did 
 the thought seem to her that her feeling of fear 
 increased, and she felt as if unable to pass through 
 the ordeal. She did not give expression to these 
 her secret thoughts, until she had reached a mag- 
 nificent archway that led out into the broad ave- 
 une of the park. Her companion spirits signified 
 to her that this was the part corresponding to their 
 sphere of study, and that here she would begin her 
 work and soon meet her mother. 
 
 She had not waited long before her mother made 
 her appearance. The attractive novelty of the 
 scenes through which she had just passed, had en- 
 tirely diverted her mind from earth, and in the 
 thought of her mother's approach, and of the les- 
 sons to be begun, all else was forgotten. She had 
 viewed the brighter scenes of spirit-life, and was 
 now anxious to engage her mind in attainments of 
 the greater realizations of the higher spheres. Her 
 mother approached her with the same inspiration 
 of love as before, gaining her confidence by assuring 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 81 
 
 her of perfect guidance. She moved in advance, 
 and bade Marguerite to follow her. Leaving the 
 beautiful scenes of the park, they passed rapidly 
 through the sweet-scented air, and again into the 
 mansion through the corridor to the large, spacious 
 apartment that Marguerite recognized as the one 
 assigned to her as her special abode. There they 
 were met by the faithful spirit who had guided her 
 entrance into spirit-life, and had unfolded to her the 
 wonderful vision in the higher spheres, and who had 
 led her again back to the scenes of earth, and after 
 long and weary waiting directed her to her pres- 
 ent home. She was tall and divine, with luxu- 
 riant, flowing hair, and brilliant dark eyes. Her 
 shining robe and surrounding halo bespoke her 
 highly intellectual and spiritual qualities. She 
 glided forward and received her with the sweetest 
 soul-thoughts, and her mother said, "My child, 
 this is your guardian. And to-day we have met 
 here to make known to you for the first time her 
 identity, that you may, in the future, follow her 
 ways and teachings; for many years she has been 
 in the spirit-world, and far in advance of my sphere 
 does she dwell, yet not out of the elements that 
 permit her to glide freely and at will, through the 
 different orbs and spheres. She is one of the higher 
 
82 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 guides of intelligence. Spirits, after leaving the 
 form, assume names in harmony with their intel- 
 lectual and spiritual condition and nature, and so 
 you will hereafter know her, your guardian, as 
 Star of Hope. Her mission, while still seeking 
 the attainment of higher understanding and di- 
 viner life, is to lead wandering spirits through the 
 different conditions of spirit atmosphere, until they 
 gain such experience and discipline as shall give 
 them power to avoid error in their search for truth 
 and express love in their life and attractions and 
 thus assign them to their true position in the di- 
 versified field of spiritual work and destiny. In 
 earth-life she was known as Mrs. Horine, the 
 mother of your early friend and tutor. Through 
 the law of love and sympathy for her child, she 
 has been constantly in harmony with you so far as 
 your thoughts in earth-life have permitted. Time 
 and circumstances decreed that your paths in the 
 first condition of life should be different, but now 
 they converge, and there will come a time when 
 you will be more thoroughly reunited by the higher 
 law of true soul- affinity. You will find positive 
 enjoyment as you advance in knowledge, and though 
 it may, in a sense, be a painful experience to over- 
 come some perverse trait of your own character, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 83 
 
 you shall succeed in your work. Naturally, a 
 beautiful disposition awakens our love, but true 
 spiritual love reaches out to elevate the deformed 
 in character; if you find your uneducated will weak, 
 you will feel all the more the deep necessity of 
 your higher spiritual unfoldment. Though lacking 
 this knowledge in your brief, mortal life, yet by 
 your earnest endeavors you will outgrow the er- 
 rors of the past, and grow into the purity of this 
 perfect union. The lessons placed before you 
 may, at the outset, seem very difficult. First 
 learn to master self. There are those with whom 
 you were connected in earth-life, that now exist 
 in utter darkness; all such you must help to uplift. 
 Harbor no longer feelings of resentment against 
 him who made your past life one long sorrowing. 
 Forget the past. Seek and save him, and as you 
 give to others, so shall you receive. No one can 
 become so degraded, can sink so low in crime, as 
 to utterly crush out the native germ of good. It 
 still exists, though dormant and dwarfed, It shall 
 be stimulated into a healthy, beautiful growth by 
 the genial sunshine of a loving soul. Your bitter 
 feeling, I know, is not without cause, but you must 
 overcome evil with good. Benevolence attracts; 
 selfishness repels the heavenly light. Our auras 
 
84 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 are made white by the power of love. Encour- 
 age him to believe that there is a hope, and you 
 will find that though deeply debased, he can be 
 saved. Be thou his redeemer! As you grow wiser 
 and overcome all evil, you will be assigned as guide 
 to some wandering spirit of less knowledge and ex- 
 perience. Through the law of fellowship, which 
 is the supreme law of soul, we must all become as 
 children of one family. By helping others, we 
 help ourselves. This is the law of progress. No 
 isolated soul can succeed in any sphere by isolation. 
 All are, in a degree, mutually dependent, the low- 
 est upon the highest, and it is only by giving that 
 we can ourselves receive. Again you will return 
 to earth after you have made the first true con- 
 quest over self, and then you will be able to with- 
 stand temptations. Then you will be able to go 
 and come at will, doing good and learning many 
 lessons, even from the scenes of the past. In this 
 your present sphere, in the heavenly mansions, 
 you will find such means of learning as will help 
 you to arise above each perversion of nature, in- 
 herited amid earth's conditions. Drink to your 
 fullest capacity of the fountain of wisdom and 
 love." 
 
 Here her mother, bidding her an affectionate 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 85 
 
 adieu, and promising to see her again on the mor- 
 row, left her to converse with her guardian, Star 
 of Hope. 
 
 It is not necessary to repeat the long conversa- 
 tion that passed between Marguerite and her ap- 
 pointed guardian. Suffice it to say that in the 
 lessons which were given her feelings of sympathy 
 and love and her thirst for the good increased. 
 She felt and appreciated the inspirations of her 
 mother's sublime teaching. Her heart was touched 
 with pity for those who remained in darkness, and 
 especially for those in greater darkness than she 
 had herself experienced. Asserting her supremacy 
 of will, she set about her work, regarding it now as 
 a blessed privilege. The supreme peace of mind 
 that came to Marguerite, the unbounded joy that 
 thrilled her whole being, when once she viewed 
 life in the fullness of its meaning, can only be 
 known to those who have passed through a simi- 
 lar ordeal. She thanked the guardian for her great 
 patience with her, and then again they parted, 
 Star of Hope vanishing to her own sphere, and 
 Marguerite remaining in her own seclusion, there 
 to meditate on the additional lessons to be gathered 
 from the volumes of knowledge that lay all around 
 her. She had been received into the temple of light; 
 
86 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 her soul had been transformed and a halo of glory 
 hung over all. She realized that not alone for 
 herself, but for the good and advancement of 
 others, she must labor to reach all high spiritual 
 attainments. She now saw a new revelation in all 
 her surroundings. There was no shadow in nature; 
 the bough, the leaflet and the flower each emitted 
 a light peculiar to itself, that seemed to reflect the 
 soul-image of Marguerite, and here, at the end of 
 her ninth year, annual time, we find her trium- 
 phant over every soul-crushing obstacle. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Be not dismayed! The soul has glories wondrous fair, 
 
 Enfolded as a shrine within a flaming fire; 
 Toil on, O friend, and ever seek by love and prayer 
 
 To win the peace and glory of divine desire. 
 
 Marguerite, who did not leave her apartment in 
 her spirit-home for several days, ever sought and 
 conversed with her guardian and mother. A quiet 
 peace came over her soul and she was in a happy 
 state of blissful repose. To her intense delight, 
 she had learned that through the soul's elevation 
 of thought she could come into rapport with intel- 
 ligences of the higher spheres, and communicate 
 without the immediate presence of her spirit guide. 
 She finally spent considerable time in visiting the 
 different sections of her own sphere, noting what 
 was of special interest, and gathering a general 
 knowledge of spiritual things, thereby the better 
 to prepare her for the discharge of the responsibil- 
 ities which she had taken upon herself. 
 
 She visited many places and interviewed a num- 
 ber of spirits in regard to their own experience, and 
 
 87 
 
88 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 through the information thus obtained, she the 
 more fully learned how to begin her work. She 
 found the atmosphere around her peopled with con- 
 scious personal beings, some of marked individ- 
 uality, each, in their own locality, having a distinct 
 home, and all intent in doing a special work. She 
 also found mansions, serving as homes for the weak 
 and feeble spirits, who were learning lessons, re- 
 ceiving treatment, and, as their will power be- 
 came attuned to the harmony of spiritual thought, 
 becoming stronger and stronger in their divine un- 
 foldment. In these homes she found all the ad- 
 vantages which tend to health, enjoyment and 
 spiritual development, About her there were beau- 
 tiful gardens, artistically laid out with banks of 
 flowers fringed with moss. There were shadowy 
 groves, filled with singing birds, and streams of 
 clear, pure water, the homes of various finny tribes, 
 with here and there cascades dashing wildly over 
 massive, rocky ledges, throwing their spray of 
 tinted splendor into the glad sunshine that over- 
 spread all. Here life was free and happy, all 
 nature inviting to thoughtful activity and to that 
 tranquility of mind born of conscious rectitude. 
 There were sanitariums in the pleasant valleys by 
 the running waters, where the air, redolent with 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 89 
 
 healthful incense, was adapted to the more highly 
 sensitive natures, and others on the rugged moun- 
 tains where the air was light and invigorating, and 
 full of the balm of healing. Within these sanita- 
 riums there dwelt industrious, spiritually minded 
 teachers, who had under their care patients of weak 
 mentality, who were anxious to be healed of their 
 spiritual infirmities, by availing themselves of su- 
 perior teachers and the more health-producing sur- 
 roundings, where also they could learn the higher 
 laws of nature and obedience to their demands, 
 thus to acquire the knowledge of and a means for 
 symmetrical spiritual unfoldment. Such needed 
 not only mental and moral training, but aliment 
 for the spiritual body. The essence of fruits and 
 of aromatic herbs furnished their staple suste- 
 nance. In the heavenly spheres the mind receives 
 culture in accordance with natural laws as known, 
 though quite imperfectly, by teachers on the earth- 
 plane. Love is the corrective of anger; sympa- 
 thy of cruelty; courage of cowardice, and so on. 
 Every degenerate mental faculty has its special 
 remedy. To clearly diagnose spiritual disease and 
 apply the proper corrective, requires the skill of 
 superior experience and understanding, — to regain 
 spiritual sanity and power a self-sacrificing spirit 
 
90 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 on the part of the patient. These sanitariums 
 afford the necessary facilities for radical cure. Dis- 
 couraged souls can find rest and happiness in these 
 surroundings. Some find a pleasant sanitarium 
 by the sea, where, with the breezes from the surg- 
 ing waters, and the music of the winds, they are 
 stimulated with new hope, courage and endeavor, 
 and thus grow out of their darkened condition. 
 These sanitariums are regularly graded to the vary- 
 ing conditions of the occupants, and whatever ele- 
 ments, essential and fundamental to the highest 
 soul-growth, are weak, whatever important forces 
 were lacking in their character, are all fully sup- 
 plied here. The tendency of human life is ever 
 upward and onward. 
 
 In spirit-life, which is but a continuation of the 
 human life, she found conditions and opportuni- 
 ties for growth and progress, everywhere suited to 
 the needs of all. Marguerite had now visited the 
 different departments of her own sphere, and so by 
 the knowledge acquired and spirituality attained 
 she had learned her needed lessons. She was now 
 prepared to apply them, in short to begin her own 
 real labors. 
 
 Her spirit mother and Star of Hope were to ac- 
 company her and aid her in these her other efforts 
 for advancement. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 91 
 
 It was a bright, beautiful morning in Summer- 
 land. Marguerite had risen above all earthly in- 
 fluences and formed a unity of thought with her 
 guardian, thus developing the stronger adaptabil- 
 ity for her mission. All things around her breathed 
 the air of harmony and peace. The genial sunlight 
 had sweetened her rest, the birds sang joyously 
 about her, and the waters glided musically by, 
 vieingwith the soft breezes that tossed the leaflets 
 of the trees, or bore the choicest fragrance from 
 the flowers. In company with her mother and Star 
 of Hope, she moved out from her serene atmos- 
 pheric surroundings into the darkened resort of 
 spirits who had not risen into light — there to find an 
 apparent waste of space. No buds or blossoms of 
 flowers, no shady groves, no singing birds nor melo- 
 dy of winds were there. All was profound dark- 
 ness and sadness. At first, she could perceive no 
 signs of life, the gloom was so dense, and only as 
 she approached the darkened condition by her own 
 radiant light, could she see at all. Many times 
 she turned to her companions in surprise at hav- 
 ing been brought into this unhallowed spot, but she 
 was encouraged by them to press on in her efforts, 
 until at last, reaching a densely clouded locality, 
 having the appearance of a rocky ravine, she saw 
 
92 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 some one wearing the dignity of the human form, 
 wandering about with uncertain aim and pitiful 
 action. His manner and appearance were in har- 
 mony with his desolate surroundings. He expressed 
 himself incoherently; his face bore the marks of 
 intense suffering. He was, indeed, a wretched 
 picture of despair. A feeling of sympathy over- 
 came her; a desire to aid him impelled her to look 
 more carefully. She discovered in this unfortunate 
 being — her husband. Misery and intemperance 
 were imprinted on his brow. He had entered spirit- 
 life engulfed in degradation and crime, and had 
 experienced the natural effect of his deeds. So 
 densely dark were his aura and surroundings that 
 as Marguerite drew near him he could not perceive 
 her presence. His spiritual senses were so com- 
 pletely befogged by his condition and he was so 
 absorbed in his wretched state that his spirit could 
 not trace nor discern her cloud-like vapor of light. 
 So revolting were these scenes that Marguerite 
 thought of retracing her steps, but, as she realized 
 his intense suffering and recognized in him a hu- 
 man being in whom the undying element of the 
 divine life was almost wholly obscured, the angel 
 of mercy arose in her heart, and rising in the might 
 of the divinity within her, Marguerite gained an- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 93 
 
 other victory over self, and she gladly determined 
 to minister to his great necessities. Drawing clcsely 
 to him, she spread her radiant arms about him, 
 and as the little lines of light came streaming from 
 her finger tips and penetrated the darkness, he 
 became restless and alarmed. Continuing these 
 actions during her visits, he became agitated in 
 thought. All the past seemed to re-appear to him 
 in mirrored vision. Sorrow for his criminal course 
 came over his spirit. The thought of the possi- 
 bility of help aroused him to noble effort, and, as 
 her mind reached and penetrated him, imparting 
 magnetic power and thoughts of the glory of life, 
 he cried for help and mercy. He begged for light 
 and sought it in true repentance. It was the cry 
 of years of sin and degradation. Yet withal, he 
 could not discern the light of the beautiful form 
 before him. Sighs and tears redoubled until re- 
 morse overcame his entire being. Marguerite con- 
 tinued for hours to throw her influence about him 
 with thoughts of pity and forgiveness, until, at 
 last, the first glow of light passed over his face, 
 and looking up, as if at some far distant object, 
 he saw her bright form. Reaching out imploringly, 
 without uttering a word, he gazed intently, as if 
 fearing lest the beautiful sight might fade from 
 
94 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 view. Then, becoming sure of the vision, and 
 realizing that the luminous form was his wife, the 
 woman whom he had slain, he asked her for for- 
 giveness, pleading for more light and goodness, 
 and that he might be released from the thralldom 
 of darkness. But she told him that perfect free- 
 dom could only come through his own efforts. 
 Marguerite, in the language of the spirit-world, 
 kindly told him that the past was buried with the 
 past, that, as a missionary, she had sought to help 
 him out of his dark condition. Holding an olive 
 branch in her right hand, she pointed to a* crown 
 of light. To toil for that crown, by desiring only 
 the good, cultivating thoughts of love and purity, 
 by aiding others, as the ability and opportunity 
 came, was the only way to obtain release. Already 
 she informed him that he had the desire to arise 
 out of the darkness, and that this good desire was 
 his first step toward the light. She rehearsed how 
 she herself had to make a conquest over self be- 
 fore she came fully into the brighter and diviner 
 light. 
 
 We will not enter into the long conversation 
 which passed between these two spirits — one, hap- 
 py in the light, the other, unhappy in the darkness, 
 at this remarkable interview, after the lapse of 
 
Marguerite HUnter S5 
 
 so many years since the unhappy uniotl on earth 
 was so abruptly terminated. She visited these dark 
 scenes day after day, nor did she weary of her 
 labor. Faithfully she continued to give him les- 
 sons in spirit advancement, until she had helped 
 him to rise out of his degraded and desolate con- 
 dition into the more natural and brighter scenes 
 of spiritual life, there to take up and perfect the 
 higher lessons through his own desire of good which 
 in earth-life he failed to develop. She had assisted 
 her husband out of his wretched condition into an 
 atmosphere of light, where he could learn his duty 
 and could aid himself, and when he had reached 
 a degree of spirituality where he could gradually 
 attain higher knowledge, her special mission with 
 him had partly been accomplished, though she 
 never ceased to be interested in his progress. She 
 was not his true marital companion, as mortals, 
 from circumstances, would suppose. There was 
 not that oneness of thought and innate attraction 
 and purity of conjugal love between them, that 
 exist in true soul-union. 
 
 In spirit-life in the higher spheres there is no 
 deception, no selfish considerations, no pledges of 
 fidelity. There all laws are natural, and years 
 may pass before one meets a true soul-mate. But 
 
96 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 there, as time advances, two souls will discover, 
 each in the other, those affinitizing and compan- 
 ionable qualities, perfectly and harmoniously 
 blended in both that each becomes naturally drawn 
 to the other and in their newly discovered spiritual 
 galaxy, a star of worship to the other. Souls thus 
 divinely united grow stronger in each other's affec- 
 tions, stronger in all good qualities and good works, 
 finding increasing pleasure in the pursuit of similar 
 worthy objects as they journey, side by side, 
 through a life of unending attractions. 
 
 The mission of Marguerite and her husband, 
 from the time of the first interview with him, lay 
 in different directions. Not wholly apart do they 
 wander, for all are members of one family, but 
 while he, without her special guidance, by his own 
 moral independence, aspiration and struggle contin- 
 ues to seek knowledge and self-improvement in 
 every field adapted to his condition, she looks 
 after the urgent needs of others, carrying light and 
 love to many in the prison of their darkness. Every 
 pure desire, progressive thought, high aspiration 
 brought to her students encouragement and the 
 longing for greater achievements and power to un- 
 fold, and it became impossible for them to sink 
 back into their former condition of iniquity, so rad- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 97 
 
 ical and so fixed is the sphere of good when once 
 attained. They continued to advance, and under 
 her benign influence and wise instruction, their 
 struggle grew easier until right forever triumphed. 
 
 Through all this time Marguerite was encouraged 
 and supported by her loving mother and Star of 
 Hope. She occasionally met her former husband 
 in his course, as one of her pupils, and encouraged 
 him with her spiritual influence, until, as expe- 
 rience after experience came to him, his condition 
 in spirit-life brightened, and so her special work 
 with him became finished. She beheld him a soul 
 redeemed from sin through suffering and spiritual 
 aspiration, developed from ignorance through ex- 
 perience into light, made peaceful through regen- 
 eration and his desire to assist others. He could 
 now look upon her sweet soul, and humbly listen 
 to her grand teachings as she portrayed to him the 
 way to brighter love-light. 
 
 Having finished the special duties, she was called 
 into an atmosphere of advancement for which she 
 was now fully prepared. Through constant study 
 and benevolent practice, through self-sacrifice and 
 tender sympathy in assisting the erring and de- 
 graded, she could now pass into more radiant 
 spheres, 
 
98 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 In her new sphere she found glad, welcoming 
 friends awaiting her to impart strength and cour- 
 age, who aided her to still advance and attain to 
 more exalted spiritual unfoldments. Now she had 
 reached that degree of culture and spirituality 
 where she could look back and behold the far 
 reaching, elevating influences of her work, and 
 enjoy the refined emanations of a consecrated life. 
 In this grand work and its fruitful results she ex- 
 periences the reward of her labors. Here, in her 
 new relations, Marguerite found all her surround- 
 ings in keeping with her advancement. 
 
 Her abode was a delightful temple, in beauty 
 and grandeur outrivaling her former home, as did 
 her first spiritual condition outrival her earth-home. 
 Located in the central part of a quiet grove, em- 
 blematic of a calm, peaceful life, her new home, 
 in its graceful adornments, was beyond human 
 conception. Undulating landscapes, clear, spar- 
 kling waters, crystal walls were among the varied el- 
 ements of natural and artistic beauty. Here she 
 was gladly received and initiated into the mysteries 
 of celestial love by simple ceremonies inculcating 
 truth and fidelity as the key to all that is true, 
 glorious and powerful in the spiritual universe. 
 
 Spirits, like mortals, have organizations for ed- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 99 
 
 ucational purposes, and Marguerite was appointed 
 a guardian, a position of trust in her new sphere. 
 Her mission was to care for those of tender years, 
 who, having entered spirit-life when in infancy, 
 had grown to the more inquiring age of adoles- 
 cence. They had received and mastered the prin- 
 ciples of rudimental knowledge and inceptive spirit- 
 uality, and were now investigating subjects framed 
 to call forth their natural talent in the direction of 
 its leading quality, observing carefully not an elec- 
 tive system but a universal education calculated 
 to induce a perfect, symmetrical development of 
 soul. 
 
 They meet from time to time, as children do in 
 the schools of earth-life, though under more lov- 
 ing and favorable conditions for growth, to recite 
 their lessons and listen to the sentiments of wis- 
 dom imparted to them by their teacher, and while 
 giving evidences of special adaptation in this or 
 that line of work, in which they are always encour- 
 aged, they present a glowing picture of youth and 
 beauty striving to attain higher ideals. These 
 dear ones are thus educated in thought, developed 
 in love by establishing perfect conditions of har- 
 mony for soul unfoldment. These lessons are both 
 instructive and entertaining, and like some on 
 
100 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 earth, are kindergarten in design and practice, rep- 
 resenting some idea in nature, and so aptly pre- 
 sented by teachers who are highly skilled in their 
 art, as to be not only easily grasped, but to stim- 
 ulate their youthful minds to higher aspirations. 
 Some are gifted with musical talents; there are 
 others whose tastes incline them to painting, the 
 shaping of statuary or other art. All receive 
 lessons from master minds, who delight to guide 
 the awakened talent in its proper direction. They 
 work in concord, and delight to please each other, 
 growing in harmony, sympathy and love, while they 
 unfold mentally, that they may become a perfect 
 whole, each one fitting naturally and beautifully 
 into his or her place, thus enabling all to perform 
 the greatest amount of good. Unlike spirits lim- 
 ited by material forms which confine them to the 
 earth, their powers of perception and observation 
 are very quick and keen. 
 
 The children of this sphere in Summerland, are 
 those who have preceded their parents by many 
 years of calendar time. The memory of their mor- 
 tal lives being short, they have grown to know 
 their loved ones there through the sacred ties of 
 affection, and are led back to the scenes of earth 
 to gather experience; each one being attended by 
 
- 
 
 
 The Surroundings of Her Heavenly H 
 
 ome. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 101 
 
 a guardian angel, or a messenger of light, who 
 watches every opportunity to benefit and please. 
 
 Now, among these dear ones there were three 
 from one family, two of whom had entered spirit- 
 life in early infancy; the conditions of the material 
 form being too severe, they had gently drifted 
 into the Summerland. They were recognized as 
 those coming from the home of him who had 
 previously been mentioned as the teacher and 
 friend, in earth-life, of the heroine of this narrative. 
 They had been tenderly cared for and guided in 
 spirit-life by the grandparents on the father's side 
 through infancy into youth, and now, in the process 
 of time, had sufficiently advanced to enter higher 
 spheres. Here they were, by some divinely pre- 
 conceived arrangement, placed under the tutelage 
 of Marguerite, who had preceded them to this higher 
 realm. It was a pleasant task for her to act as 
 teacher to the children of one who had, in her 
 early girlhood, acted in like capacity for her, and 
 it touchingly revived in her heart the old-time 
 friendship for him that had never forsaken her. 
 As she instructed them, and in every possible man- 
 ner interested herself in their welfare, she was 
 not unmindful of her own sweet babes, who now 
 had grown up, and whose progress she had watched 
 and guided as conditions permitted. 
 
102 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 She instilled into the minds of her pupils a gentle 
 spirit, taught them to cultivate a firm will that 
 knows neither failure nor defeat, and to listen to 
 the voice of reason and the higher inspirations. 
 Her whole soul was engaged in her work — it was 
 truly a labor of love. Her past experience had 
 enlarged her sympathies and brought her into affec- 
 tionate relations with all mankind; her courage, 
 patience and gentleness, had won for her a vic- 
 tory over all. 
 
 There now came the time that she could return 
 to earth at will, and visit the old scenes of her 
 childhood. Her children had reached the period 
 of active, useful life. They had been tenderly in- 
 structed by her sisters, M and N , yet 
 
 Marguerite saw in them great room for improve- 
 ment. She continued to perform her duties in 
 spirit-life, while returning to earth daily, and as a 
 silent messenger of light and peace she threw 
 around her dear ones an influence of love, often 
 soothing the sad heart and bestowing upon them 
 her blessing. Could her sisters and brothers have 
 seen her, they would not have recognized her as 
 the sorrowful sister, who had once been one of 
 their number. Through tribulation and anguish, 
 through joy and success, she had mastered herself 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER . 103 
 
 and had entered upon a new state of exis- 
 tence. 
 
 Her mission to earth was not confined to her 
 own family. As guardian in her sphere, it was 
 her duty to assist others in gaining discipline and 
 knowledge through their varied impulses and ex- 
 periences. Often she directed them to some special 
 one with whom a soul unity could be formed, that 
 through their presence grander spiritual results 
 might be obtained. She visited many strange 
 places, the abode of sorrow and suffering, and here, 
 with other ministering spirits, found arduous but 
 pleasant work among the unhappy inmates, in dis- 
 pelling ignorance and vice by inspiring their minds 
 with noble ideals, and thus transforming their 
 thoughts, and hence controlling and leading them 
 unconsciously into a higher mode of being. Silent- 
 ly, like the sunlight, did she and her spirit com- 
 panions exert their benign influence. Into the 
 home of her early friend whose children in spirit 
 life she now had charge of, she frequently came, 
 seeking to impress kindly thoughts upon the mind 
 of him whose life she now began to regard as in- 
 dissolubly linked with her own. She could clearly 
 read his thoughts. How often through her pres- 
 ence, unconscious of the cause, his memory is re- 
 
104 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 freshed with the scenes of the past! He had not 
 yet been convinced of the fact of mortal inter- 
 communication with the higher world, nor did he 
 yet realize that the loved one whom he mourned 
 as gone from him forever still lived, and that in 
 the family circle his dear little ones were daily 
 gaining the earth experiences, by which they 
 should advance to higher scenes in the spiritual 
 realms. His thoughts were on and of the material 
 plane, his time was occupied in obtaining earth's 
 worldly goods, or in such moral and benevolent 
 work as humanity demanded. For higher spirit- 
 ual ideas and revelations he was content to wait 
 the developments of time. He disbelieved past, 
 he could rind no reason for present revelation. 
 
 In her daily work for others, Marguerite contin- 
 ued to labor, devising something new for the 
 amelioration of the suffering, ever moving from 
 her castle in spirit life to the humbler abodes of 
 her own dear ones on earth, silently performing a 
 noble work, directing them in thought to avenues 
 of greater joy and success, instilling into their 
 hearts the principles of benevolence, urging them 
 to overcome the grosser impulses and purposes of 
 life, and live for the higher and diviner spheres. 
 
 Day after day she continued to bless them, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 105 
 
 though they were not aware of her presence. Her 
 motherly heart yearned toward these objects of her 
 tenderest affection, and she prayed that the time 
 might come when she could reach them in a way 
 that they, too, could know of the realities of the 
 after life. 
 
 She had been in spirit life twelve years, and yet 
 she continually reached out in thought to them, 
 while diligently performing the special duties as- 
 signed her. She understood thoroughly material 
 and spiritual laws, and was laboring for the con- 
 summation of the one great attainment, communion 
 with her friends on earth. 
 
 Day after day she visited their homes, throwing 
 around her loved ones an influence of receptivity of 
 thought. With some, she at first succeeded better 
 than with others. 
 
 Many times the mind of him who had been her 
 early intructor reverted to Marguerite and their 
 associations in life. He often wondered why these 
 pleasant memories of an old-time friendship, when 
 least expected, would come and go, flitting before 
 his mind like a bird of song. He had not yet be- 
 come acquainted with the spiritual science and 
 philosophy, and so did not suspect that it was the 
 sweet influence of an invisible friend whose 
 
106 MAkGVtklTE HUNTER 
 
 thoughts were affectionately intertwined with his 
 own. When she sought to inspire him with the 
 thought of investigating spiritual realities through 
 gifted mediums, his feelings kindly, though uncon- 
 sciously responded, but such effort, on his part, 
 had no practical result, as his mind was so wholly 
 engrossed with the cares of material things that he 
 could not easily comprehend this new, dim spiritual 
 horizon. 
 
 But Marguerite did not weary of her labors. 
 
 Five years had passed and she had not been able 
 to impress him so that it resulted with favor to 
 him. Assisted by the three children of his home 
 circle who were now under her guardianship, all 
 having been removed from the earth-sphere in 
 tender years, she persistently threw an awakening 
 influence around him. Their minds were growing 
 stronger every day. With them she could combine 
 and exert a more penetrating magnetic power. 
 The memory of their parents had been revived and 
 strengthened and their interest in them had greatly 
 increased. Under the instruction of their guardian 
 all joined her in forming a co-operative band that 
 she knew would, in time, bring light to them. Thus 
 they continued, as opportunity seemed most fa- 
 vorable, to exert their benign, awakening influence 
 upon him. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 10*3 
 
 In the year 1S75 another cloud swept over 
 the parental home. The pride of the parents' 
 heart, a daughter and sister, was stricken, and 
 after a time of illness, her mortal frame became 
 exhausted. Marguerite, with her mother and Star 
 of Hope was in attendance by the bedside to re- 
 lease her spirit from the earth-form and bear her 
 to sublimer realms, where she was cared for, and 
 through the kindly ministrations of Marguerite, 
 enabled to grow stronger day by day, more un- 
 folded in spirit, until the time came when she, too, 
 joined the other dear ones, in their efforts to reach 
 earth friends and bring light into the home. Sh^ 
 had learned to know her brother and sister who 
 had passed from earth many years before. Through 
 Marguerite's unceasing influence, she readily 
 learned the lessons of spirit-life, and was made 
 happy in her new home. Marguerite had witnessed 
 the deep grief occasioned by this great loss, with 
 those in the home, and together they sought to 
 alleviate their sorrow, throwing their influence of 
 sympathy around them; but for a long time they 
 refused to be comforted. Years did not erase the 
 memory of the dear ones, but worldly affairs and 
 the various duties of life diverted their minds, but 
 time brought its balm and they ceased to grieve. 
 
108 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Silently the influence of this faithful spirit band 
 was brought to bear upon them, until it happened 
 one day, in the fall of 1882, through curiosity rather 
 than a deep interest, the father visited a medium, 
 and later on, in the same year, while greatly ab- 
 sorbed in business matters, he became interested 
 in spiritual literature. Occasionally, in the so- 
 cial circle, conversation turned on immortality or 
 the continuity of life after physical dissolution, a 
 subject which was attracting considerable atten- 
 tion at this time in various parts of the country by 
 what were commonly known as "spirit manifesta- 
 tions." On all such opportune occasions Margue- 
 rite and her spirit band tried to awaken in him 
 a desire to radically investigate these new facts, 
 knowing that if he could be convinced of the actu- 
 ality of spirit communion, he would, in the face of 
 all opposition, firmly adhere to what his judgment 
 accepted as true. She constantly sought to throw 
 about him an influence of receptivity, so that those 
 of his own household who were in attendance with 
 her might find conditions favorable to communica- 
 tion. Unconsciously to himself, he drifted more 
 and more each day into the divine light. New 
 thoughts and aspirations arose, leading into new 
 fields of investigation and into a vast realm of in- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 109 
 
 quiry and knowledge. So forcibly at times did 
 these new ideas present themselves that they ex- 
 cited in him wonder as to their source. The old 
 themes of religion taught him by his parents in his 
 childhood he never fully accepted; now they 
 seemed ridiculously absurd and his reason rejected 
 them as the crudities of a superstitious and bar- 
 barous age. There were also times when he would 
 feel inclined to seek quiet and seclusion. He could 
 attribute this feeling to no particular source. He 
 did not realize that it had its origin in spiritual 
 forces. Such a thought was foreign to all of his 
 ideas. After repeated efforts on the part of both 
 spirits and mortals to interest him in spiritual 
 phenomena, he deliberately made up his mind to 
 quietly and fearlessly investigate. This resolution 
 was in itself born of a high inspiration, and it im- 
 parted new strength to him unlike anything he 
 had ever known before. Formerly curiosity 
 prompted him, but now he was actuated by a seri- 
 ous, irrepressible desire to know the truth of the 
 after life, and prompted by this earnest motive, 
 availing himself of whatever information others of 
 like mind could impart, he gladly and thoroughly 
 investigated the phenomena, as presented through 
 different mediums, thus finding the first evidences 
 
110 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 of a new revelation. His children who, so many 
 years ago, had passed into what seemed to him to 
 be the unknown and the unknowable, returned in 
 the sweet simplicity of their childhood, assuming 
 the form and age so familiar to him, that by this very 
 naturalness of manifestation they might readily be 
 recognized. Through advanced intelligences associ- 
 ated with them in their sphere, Marguerite and her 
 spirit band were enabled to inspire and depict such 
 thoughts as would further unfold his spiritual be- 
 ing, as a preparation for a still more comprehensive 
 study of spiritual science. Through them he was 
 made acquainted with his dear parents, who had 
 departed earth-life when he was but a child, yet 
 who had ever been interested in and watchful of 
 his spiritual and material progress. Through con- 
 stant and long study, they had gained perfect 
 knowledge of the laws governing spiritual manifes- 
 tations, and were able to reach him in such a way 
 as to secure unqualified recognition. Carefully 
 they guarded his thoughts against the intrusions of 
 fanaticism on the one hand, and the positive con- 
 dition of unbelief on the other, while enthusiastic- 
 ally studying the evidences that might establish 
 the fact and unfold the mystery of inter-soul-com- 
 munion between the two worlds. Many opposed 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 111 
 
 him, some even ridiculed him, but nothing daunted 
 his courage or defeated his purpose. Conscious, 
 in the light of reason, of the rectitude of his course, 
 true to his honest convictions, and following the 
 higher inspirations, we find him, in the decline of 
 the year 1890, firmly established in the doctrine 
 of a future life and the possibility of spirit return, 
 
 In the same year, near the approach of the hol- 
 iday season, Marguerite made her first material 
 appearance to her former teacher and friend, an- 
 nouncing her return to the mortal sphere by a 
 sharp sound, like that of a pistol-shot. She as- 
 sumed this manner of manifestation to impress 
 her presence upon him more vividly and sensibly. 
 Somewhat startled at such phenomena, and being 
 told by the guide of the medium at whose session 
 he sat that it was intended for his recognition, he 
 walked to the cabinet in which she had appeared 
 in materialization, and exclaimed, "In the name of 
 all that is good, who are you?" 
 
 The response came, as they cordially greeted 
 each other, "I am Marguerite, your friend, Maggie 
 Hunter, as I was more commonly known." 
 
 Overcome with intense emotion, it was with some 
 difficulty that they could, at first, give full expres- 
 sion to their thoughts. Though the conversation 
 
112 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 at this meeting was very brief, there was mutual 
 recognition of the long existing attachment which 
 had been blighted in its spring-time, but glorified 
 now in a reunion, the crowning happiness of their 
 life, so unexpected and undreamed of when last 
 they parted on earth. 
 
 They had frequent and similar interviews. Long 
 and interesting conversations took place at these 
 meetings, in which all their past life was rehearsed. 
 Thoughts were freely exchanged, and both now 
 understood more perfectly, in this union of two 
 souls, how essential each was to the happiness of 
 the other. Satisfactory explanation was given as 
 to why she had not appeared before. She had 
 been patiently waiting for his new desire for higher 
 truth and the investigation as well as full accept- 
 ance of the fact of spirit return, and her own more 
 perfect understanding of the laws which govern 
 spirit communication with mortals. 
 
 It is not necessary to enter into detail of the 
 results which arose from the repeated meetings. 
 She had now succeeded in accomplishing what she 
 had long desired. The unity of true soul-love was 
 permanently established. Through him she would 
 now labor and complete her mission to earth. 
 Through every manner of medial communication 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 113 
 
 and manifestation known to the world she contin- 
 ued to come to him, ever presenting some new and 
 interesting lesson in life, until he had so grown in 
 capacity of spirit that he could enter into co-oper- 
 ation with her for the future unfoldment of her de- 
 sires and in the presentation of this narrative. At 
 this time, he was quietly and comfortably situated 
 in his home, with his aged and feeble wife, grad- 
 ually nearing the boundary of earth-life. Still 
 vigorous and energetic, he entered open-heartedly 
 into the inviting work of the spiritual field, scat- 
 tering broadcast the seeds of progress and of angel 
 ministry, bringing light and comfort to many sor- 
 rowing souls. 
 
 Like all new truth that confronts human preju- 
 dice, and bears the brand of unpopularity, his per- 
 sonal work and avowed Spiritualism excited more 
 or less bitter opposition Even in his home circle, 
 the unfashionable philosophy did not receive a cor- 
 dial welcome. In time, however, reason prevailed, 
 and right at length conquered! Ever seeking the 
 most advanced thought, he cheerfully imparted 
 knowledge to others, though the time and labor re- 
 quired for the new duties materially added to his 
 already arduous secular labors. His interviews with 
 Marguerite, through media, were frequent, their 
 
114 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 greetings were very cordial, the influences of each 
 were both genial and commanding, all restraint was 
 removed and a new charm was added as a gem 
 to life. Language cannot express their supreme 
 happiness in having acquired sufficient knowledge 
 of the laws of nature to be able to communicate 
 to each other their thoughts and feelings. 
 
 The telepathy, the personal, face to face con- 
 versations at seances for materializations and the 
 written and mental communications through writ- 
 ing and trance media became a profound and in- 
 teresting study. 
 
 In course of time, Marguerite expressed to him 
 her desire to reach her children, all of whom were 
 still in the earth-form. She knew their thoughts 
 and realized that they were not in harmony with 
 the new revelation which Spiritualism gave, and 
 that, in their ignorance and doubt, it would be 
 useless to try to communicate with them through 
 other avenues. She had left them when in their 
 infancy, and though they had not entirely forgot- 
 ten their mother, their memory of her was vague 
 and indistinct. Still residing in the vicinity of her 
 parental home, surrounded by those of the most 
 rigid orthodox faith, she realized the great difficulty 
 and opposition that would encircle her efforts of 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 115 
 
 interesting them in a science and philosophy new to 
 them and against which they had conceived a strong 
 and bitter prejudice. It would be next to impossi- 
 ble to satisfy them that their mother, she who had 
 so tenderly cared for them in their youth, was pres- 
 ent with them in spirit form and could talk or de- 
 sired to talk with them. Nor is it strange that 
 such should be the case — it would be stranger had 
 it been otherwise! As there were no developed 
 medial qualities within those of the home circle, she 
 knew that through other avenues than those of her 
 own kindred she must approach them and gradually 
 bring the light to them, even in a manner as she 
 had made to reach and communicate with her 
 former teacher, whose co-operation she now de- 
 sired in these her efforts to reach her children. 
 Business matters and opposition in his home cir- 
 cle, prevented his assisting her at this time. Re- 
 garding this obstacle as temporary, she continued 
 quietly to throw around them, as she had around 
 him, an influence of receptivity, until the way 
 should open for the accomplishment of this deep 
 desire of her heart. His aged and feeble wife 
 meanwhile was gradually failing physically, and re- 
 quired his constant watchfulness and care. Meeting 
 at different times with his family circle, Mar- 
 
116 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 guerite lifted the veil of doubt from her mind con- 
 cerning spirit return and life as she brought to her 
 through her husband and media in the form of 
 manifestations and communications many messages 
 from her children, thus seeking to convince her 
 that they still lived and could and did return to 
 her. She thus imparted lessons, so full of tender- 
 ness and light, that they appealed both to her un- 
 derstanding and her heart. She became finally a 
 firm believer, and it was a source of great consola- 
 tion to her as she was descending life's rugged 
 pathway that the rough places in the dark valley 
 had been made smooth, and the darkness itself had 
 become light with the presence of the angels. She 
 felt fully prepared for the change which was soon 
 to come. These rich treasures of absolute knowl- 
 edge were given through the combined influences 
 of parents, children, and Marguerite. Her journey 
 into spirit life was planned by them, and hourly 
 they watched and waited for her transition, that 
 they might translate her to her heavenly rest. As 
 her physical strength failed and the hours of her 
 mortal life gently ebbed away, her children and 
 friends from the spirit side of life drew nearer her, 
 seeking to soothe her condition and illuminate her 
 spiritual understanding. She seemed conscious of 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 117 
 
 the presence of her loved ones and silently she 
 communed with them. Cheerfully she resigned 
 herself to the change of worlds, which she now 
 fully realized was at hand. She conversed with 
 her husband and friends freely upon the subject. 
 Her vital force gradually ebbed, the death angel 
 silently drew his cold mask over her face, but 
 through the colorless clay her soul, aglow with the 
 light of spiritual truth and love, shone resplen- 
 dently. 
 
 Her family life had been one of sunshine. 
 With her children and husband she had lived in 
 perfect harmony. She could now look back over 
 all and offer thanksgiving. The summer had given 
 place to the autumn, the harvest had been garnered 
 and for her there was no winter — she was about 
 to depart to the land of eternal sunshine. 
 
 As she was slowly losing her hold on the phys- 
 ical form and the tender thread of magnetic light 
 was about to break, in nature's vanishing glory, 
 she occasionally caught clairvoyant glimpses of the 
 Summerland, She talked joyously with her friends 
 about her departure, and naturally, as one would 
 talk about going to a distant but heavenly country. 
 All were deeply affected, but she was calm through 
 all, only awaiting the ministering angels to bear 
 her home to the eternal spheres. 
 
118 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 On Sunday morning, the 24th day of Septem- 
 ber, 1893, Sarah M. Horine peacefully passed to 
 the higher life. There was sadness among all, 
 the veil of gloom fell over the home, but sunshine 
 lifted the shadow. 
 
 The transition of a soul from the mortal to the 
 spiritual plane bequeaths more or less sadness to 
 remaining friends, even though hope has had its 
 full fruition. Her husband was not without con- 
 solation and joy in his deep sorrow, knowing, as 
 he so thoroughly did, from the laws of spiritual 
 science and the fact of personal spirit identity and 
 return, that she would await him in a brighter 
 world, and in a more perfect life, and with the 
 dear ones gone before, return to those that remain. 
 
 All that was mortal of his beloved wife having 
 been quietly laid to rest beneath the evergreens of 
 earth, his attention, with that of her immediate 
 family, was naturally more intently directed to 
 the land of the unseen, whose foliage suffers no 
 blight, and whose buds and blossoms ripen into 
 perennial fruitage and where sacred memories are 
 wreathed in living green. He was not left to wan- 
 der alone in his trials. Marguerite and his chil- 
 dren in spirit life were in constant attendance, in- 
 spiring him with courage and hope. Busy during 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 110 
 
 the day with his worldly affairs, his evening hours 
 were devoted to thoughtful inquiry and spiritual 
 communion 
 
 In about three weeks after the funeral services, 
 the departed spirit, under the superintendence of 
 Marguerite, assisted by the band of children who 
 had preceded their mother to the beautiful spirit 
 world, having learned the laws and conditions of 
 spirit return, made her appearance at a seance at- 
 tended by Mr. Horine, to whom she revealed her 
 identity and by whom she was fully recognized. 
 From time to time, as occasion offered, she con- 
 tinued to manifest materially, becoming more suc- 
 cessful each time, showing a marked progress in 
 a knowledge of the laws of life as related to this 
 phase of spirit return, and, in a comparatively short 
 time, reached a high degree of perfection in her 
 ability to communicate with mortals. Though not 
 yet a member of the same sphere as Marguerite 
 and her children, she is gradually ascending to 
 the higher realm of their divine companionship. 
 
 From the time of Marguerite's first communica- 
 tion with her old-time friend and tutor she had in- 
 dulged the hope that when circumstances fully 
 favored, through changes and developments which 
 she knew in the order of nature were destined to 
 
120 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 occur, she would, through the assistance of the 
 higher intelligences in the spheres of light, and 
 the harmonious combination of chosen media of 
 earth, give, in detail, her experiences both in mor- 
 tal and spiritual life. In this way, she hoped to 
 give absolute knowledge of her identity and all that 
 is involved in it, to the dear ones, especially of her 
 own family, whose hearts had been doubly sad- 
 dened as the tragic incidents of her life were re- 
 called from time to time. 
 
 So marked and unusual had been her experien- 
 ces in some respects, so entirely different from the 
 ordinary life-line, that she desired to impart to her 
 friends in earth, the lessons which these higher 
 schools of discipline and knowledge had so impres- 
 sively taught her, in hope that they might profit 
 thereby, and, perhaps, not only escape many of 
 the impediments to progress, both on the material 
 and spiritual side of life, but much added suffering. 
 Though she has been many years in the spirit 
 world, her love for her children has not diminished 
 but increased. They too had enjoyed their pleas- 
 ures, and had had their full share of the sorrows 
 of life. Marguerite had taken cognizance of all, 
 having no regrets, as she had now acquired the 
 knowledge that gave her an insight into the laws 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 121 
 
 of life's unfoldments and she understood how all 
 their experiences, however severe and trying, how- 
 ever much they might imbitter the springs of life, 
 were elements of growth, unfolding the soul into 
 a harvest of perennial good. 
 
 Having failed by her individual efforts, to make 
 any conscious, awakening impression on the minds 
 of those of her family, opposed as they still were 
 to the spiritual science and philosophy, she sought 
 to lead them into a knowledge of the truth through 
 other channels. 
 
 During the year of 1893, through a favorable 
 combination of circumstances, it happened that 
 
 Marguerite's eldest child, L -, visited in the 
 
 neighborhood of the home of Mr. C. H. Horine,her 
 mother's teacher, who had, about three years pre- 
 vious, received a communication from her mother 
 in spirit life, and who had ever since been deeply 
 interested in aiding Marguerite to accomplish her 
 desire of communicating with her children. They 
 had some conversation on the subject of spirit re- 
 turn, and finding that she was not adverse to re- 
 ceiving it, he presented her with some literature on 
 the spiritual science and philosophy. 
 
 Later on, during a visit of Mr. Horine to the old 
 Kentucky home, in a conversation with L— — the 
 
122 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 mere mention of the sad occurrences of their early 
 life in connection with her mother's sad history, 
 revived so many heart-rending memories as to 
 almost distract her. Doubtless this feeling of sad- 
 ness had much to do with creating an aversion to 
 the investigation of the phenomena of Spiritual- 
 ism. But knowing, if the soul-inspiring truth of 
 spirit communion could once be fully established 
 in their minds, and the children once realized that 
 they were conversing with their mother in spirit 
 life, that they could feel the warm pulsation of her 
 motherly affection, that the reaction would be so 
 great that joy would supplant sorrow, and the sun- 
 shine of heaven dispel all sad memories, Mr. Hor- 
 ine was not discouraged in any of his efforts, but 
 he persistently and unselfishly endeavored, even 
 at the risk of his own sense of pride and his repu- 
 tation, to faithfully present the facts herein recorded 
 for their good, and the advancement of all seekers 
 after truth who may become interested in the 
 perusal of the narrative. 
 
 Marguerite communicated through different me- 
 diums for the purpose of finding those through 
 whose mediumship she and the higher spirit guides, 
 acting as a controlling and Co-operating agency, 
 could best present these her experiences to the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 123 
 
 world. Intelligences from the spirit side with her 
 were also perfecting conditions for the consumma- 
 tion of this end. Late in the fall of 1893, after 
 the spirit of Mrs. Horine had passed beyond and 
 had acquired the power of manifesting her pres- 
 ence to her friends on earth, and had joined the 
 band of her spirit children, all together, in blessed 
 unity and harmony under the guidance of Margue- 
 rite, combined their forces and through the aid 
 of those media chosen of earth have presented the 
 facts of this narrative of life in the material and 
 spiritual spheres. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 All souls flow out to meet a boundless love, 
 
 And through all forms and modes outwork the pattern fair; 
 Even to God will they below, above, 
 
 Aspire, and seek for Him through progress everywhere. 
 
 And love will lead them as a little child, 
 
 Until each soul the true and perfect mate has won, 
 
 And then in peace forever sweet and undefiled, 
 They will abide with the Eternal One. 
 
 To the reader of this volume, it will perhaps ap- 
 pear strange and confusing that Marguerite, after 
 displaying such an amiable, angelic character in 
 earth-life, should, upon her entering into spirit- 
 life, seemingly degenerate. There is a deep philos- 
 ophy underlying this condition of soul, that does 
 not appear on the surface. The seemingly pri- 
 mary cause is to be found in her abrupt, forced 
 separation from her children, who, ever uppermost 
 in her thoughts, seemed a part of her own being 
 and as dear to her as her own life. And when all 
 means of communication with them were cut off, 
 in her great anxiety she naturally reverted to the 
 
 124 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 125 
 
 real cause of her trouble. At first, every avenue 
 of access to those who needed her sympathy and 
 providence seemed to be closed; a source of trouble 
 too great for her sensitive nature, which, in 
 earth life had been strained to its utmost tension 
 by the cruel treatment of one whom she could 
 kindly forgive while the treasures of her heart were 
 not torn from her. And this apparently unchange- 
 able condition, so far as her relation to her help- 
 less ones was concerned, overpowered her reason, 
 chilled and for the time perverted her gracious 
 nature. Besides, her spiritual perceptions and 
 life had not yet been fully or sufficiently estab- 
 lished and developed. To be able to withstand or 
 overcome one set of trials and temptations is not 
 always a surety of a nature able to overcome the 
 yet more difficult ones. The real test of spiritual 
 life lies in the personal power, so grounded in 
 spirituality as to make the soul arise victorious 
 over the greatest as well as the least obstacle in the 
 pathway of life. Superficial life or conformity to 
 moral rules, an agreeable and accepted exterior 
 display of piety, are often specious forms of self- 
 righteousness or hints of slight spiritual unfold- 
 ments, a veritable pitfall into which many are en- 
 snared; but spiritual life is real and radical. Had 
 
126 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Marguerite truly studied the laws of communication 
 with mortals, or heeded the admonition and teach- 
 ings of her guardian, or had she acquired in earth 
 or in spirit life an all-conquering love unfoldment, 
 she would have saved herself many weary years 
 of baffled and baffling toil. Yet the plan of destiny 
 as unrolled in her life denied her so easy an ascent 
 to the spheres of light or victory over the evil of 
 the world. Certain divine qualities of her being, 
 like sparks of fire that reveal themselves only in 
 the darkness of night, must manifest themselves to 
 her through a course that lay amid the shadows 
 of revenge and materiality. So that in the uni- 
 versal, righteous but mysterious process of evolu- 
 tion, the mistake of Marguerite resulted in a dis- 
 cipline that contributed to higher unfoldment of 
 character, since she, having tried every relative 
 way but the absolutely right one, ultimately dis- 
 covered her error, and triumphed over her own 
 passion and folly. She learned, most thoroughly 
 learned, that revenge was not an element of prog- 
 ress, and hence she naturally and right royally 
 sought to overcome this strong adverse feeling, by 
 trying to uplift and lead into a pure life, the soul 
 of him whose cruelty to her and her children, had 
 made him an object of hatred. There opened up 
 
Marguerite hunTer 121 
 
 to her at once and glowed as a light all about her 
 visions of a new and larger field of missionary work. 
 What had seemed hard and repulsive became now 
 congenial labor, for Marguerite had truly experi- 
 enced a change of heart. She found many others 
 in the lower spheres of the spirit world, in various 
 states of degradation, and she sought to elevate 
 them by leading them into the right path. To 
 forgive her most bitter enemies was to her no longer 
 a work of self denial; it was a source of enjoyment. 
 
 The lower spheres of the spirit world are largely 
 filled with undeveloped spirits, but with all, even 
 the lowest, there are provisions made and oppor- 
 tunities given for advancement; and as new light 
 and moral courage come and they ascend the di- 
 vine scale of harmony, they also, according to their 
 ability, become missionaries and good Samaritans 
 to the benighted kindred. 
 
 During the eight years that Marguerite was 
 earth-bound, she was not idle. She was too ac- 
 tive a soul even in earth life to accustom herself 
 to inertia, and though it may not be necessary 
 here to narrate all the minor details of her busy 
 career, suffice it to say that all of her energies 
 found a natural channel of expression. She had 
 the impulses of one in a new country, and grew as 
 
128 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 knowledge increased, but was ceaselessly working 
 at the problem dearest of all others to her heart, 
 as has already been revealed, of finding a way to 
 and providing a means for the care of her children. 
 From them her thoughts were never turned. She 
 rested from her labors, as mind finds rest in the 
 world of mortals. She fed on the aliment which 
 her sphere afforded, for spirits have the means 
 of assimilating elements of sustenance from the 
 atmosphere, and when her ability for this was not 
 sufficient, the heavenly ravens fed her. 
 
 It is not to be understood that after Marguerite's 
 return to spirit life from her eight years of earth- 
 bound condition, and until she had progressed to 
 the condition where she could, at will, return and 
 communicate with her friends, — that she had not 
 at any time visited or heard from her dear ones. 
 There are intermediate spirits who act as messen- 
 gers for inter-communication between spirits, or 
 spirits and mortals, when some natural disparity 
 or inability exists between them, the result of im- 
 perfect development, which is an effectual bar to 
 their communication. There are different classes 
 of missionary spirits, who make it their special 
 work to find those in this unfortunate condition, 
 and teach them by example, the great law of life 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 129 
 
 « 
 
 that love seeks to unfold. By this natural method, 
 amply provided for in the divine economy of the 
 spiritual kingdom, Marguerite frequently heard 
 from her children, although sometimes unable 
 herself to approach very near them. 
 
 The lessons to be learned in spirit life are many 
 and various, and, as in earth life, they are suggest- 
 ed and mastered gradually by the need and un- 
 foldment of the soul. So naturally does the spirit 
 make progress in the spirit world, whose boundary is 
 very near to earth, that it does not take cognizance 
 of any special lapse of time, and though commenc- 
 ing life in the next world at the point where it 
 ceased it in this, and proceeding according to ac- 
 quired spiritual strength and collateral environ- 
 ments, it moves through the spheres with no thought 
 of time: first, to complete all the unfinished les- 
 sons of earth, and this implies a knowledge of all 
 the facts and the various kinds of discipline needed 
 to round out a perfect character, and then to push 
 on toward ultimate perfection. There are special 
 methods of instruction all superior to those of 
 earth, and, though analogous, they cannot, in 
 many respects, be compared to them. Mortals 
 can comprehend a change only by comparison. 
 There are laws and conditions in spirit life that 
 
130 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 can be realized only through experience — words 
 utterly fail to elucidate them. All have one thought 
 language, which is a great advantage, though, for 
 a time, their mother tongue, in part, is used. All 
 sufficiently illuminated spirits can read each other's 
 thoughts. Thus it is that with the spirit there is 
 no deceit. All see themselves and others as they 
 really are. Life is one. It is in all worlds the 
 same. Its nature cannot be changed by passing 
 from one world to another, but the spirit (the real 
 man or the real woman) having divested itself of 
 the cumbrous material form, and having now a 
 different environment, the true laws of life can as- 
 sert themselves to better advantage. The senses, 
 appetites, passions and thoughts become as it were 
 transparent, and natural, spiritual laws are more 
 thoroughly realized and understood. Death is not 
 a mystery, but a natural event in life. And hence 
 spirits readily perceive that it is an element in prog- 
 ress, affording the opportunity for the unfoldment 
 of life into a higher expression. Everywhere 
 there is life, everywhere advancement, everywhere 
 the fulfillment of the higher law of destiny. 
 
 There was a period of eight years after Margue- 
 rite's entrance into the spirit-world during which 
 time she does not refer to having met or thought 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 131 
 
 of her former friend and teacher, C. H. Horine. 
 This was not due to his having passed entirely out 
 of her memory, but first because of her perturbed 
 condition and then because of her deeper interest 
 in her children. Her state of mind was so entirely 
 different from what it had been in her school days, 
 when she spent so many pleasant hours in his 
 company, that it tended to repel her from rather 
 than attract her to him. He would not have rec- 
 ognized in the revengeful woman the sweet tem- 
 pered Marguerite, the ideal of his youthful 
 acquaintance. She knew of his patriotic service in 
 the cause of his country, and a few times, in her 
 more lucid moments, she impressed him with her 
 presence, but her perverse mental and moral con- 
 dition during this time kept her from tarnishing a 
 friendship that had been to her most sacred. He 
 did not specially need her assistance, but her chil- 
 dren, she firmly believed, did; for them she had a 
 mother's strong devotion that overcame all obsta- 
 cles, real or apparent. It was not until after she 
 had met his spirit mother, in her progress in the 
 higher sphere, that Marguerite expressed any 
 thought or desire about him. His mother's great 
 interest in her, naturally awakened a desire, after 
 she had fully recovered from the passion of re- 
 
132 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 venge, to renew the old-time friendship with her 
 son. The time had not come until then. 
 
 There is a natural, wisely ordained method in 
 the realm of soul, embracing and providing for 
 every necessary event and activity in social and 
 spiritual evolution, as there is in the physical uni- 
 verse. It may seem perplexing and unthinkable 
 that if spirits know that the dearest objects of 
 their love, who are in deep distress or who need 
 special care, will, in time, recover from all their 
 troubles, and advance to supreme happiness, that 
 Marguerite should have been so anxious about her 
 orphan babes. This anxiety is one of the elemen- 
 tary laws of progress. The mother who clearly 
 foresees that her child, in the full enjoyment of 
 educational privileges, with a naturally bright 
 mind, will, in the course of a certain number of 
 years, by a close application to study, acquire a 
 fair education, does not, on this account, relax her 
 interest in him or fail to urge him on in his 
 school duties, but these hopeful prospects rather 
 increase her zeal and foster her devotion to her 
 child. These varying elements incident to life 
 adhere to conditions in both worlds. 
 
 As Marguerite advanced in spirit life, and be- 
 came acquainted with its different laws and their 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 133 
 
 applications and effects, she gradually developed a 
 more earnest spirit of investigation. She became 
 anxious to learn of all the friends and members of 
 her family. For some time, until she had over- 
 come the effect of earth's attractions, she did not 
 communicate with her brother and sister, whom 
 she had seen in her vision, upon her first entering 
 spirit life. Through her mother and guardian Star 
 of Hope, she often learned of their condition, and 
 through intermediate messengers, she received 
 words of wisdom and cheer. Two sisters and two 
 brothers had preceded her into spirit life, and 
 advanced to far higher spheres. Her mother, who 
 took up the new lessons more readily than herself, 
 was also in advance. A few years after her own 
 transition, she was joined by another sister and 
 two other brothers, and in the year 1875, by her 
 own dear father. Each one had endured and over- 
 come the earth-bound condition, a result growing 
 out of early training and differing soul expressions 
 and character, and had grown into the higher un- 
 derstanding of the spiritual law of progression. 
 All had their family ties as had Marguerite. Part 
 of these dear ones have joined them, and are to- 
 gether as in one band, and others still remain in 
 the form. Those in the earth are religiously in- 
 
134 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 clined, but they do not believe that any friends in 
 heaven can communicate with friends on earth. 
 Some are far from the old homestead, but the 
 greater number remain in the neighborhood of the 
 old Kentucky home. 
 
 Spirits have no need of the system of counting 
 dates, corresponding to earth's calendar time. 
 Life there is on too grand a scale to be measured 
 by hours, years or centuries! Events and degrees 
 of advancement, as the occasion of entering a higher 
 sphere, or progressing to a higher degree in the 
 circle of each sphere, become points or correspond- 
 ing dates in the history of each soul, and mark 
 special periods of unfoldment. In referring, for 
 mortals' convenience, to their calendar time, spir- 
 its sometimes find much difficulty in fixing exact 
 dates, except through a medium whose sensitive 
 organization, as is the case with a very few, is 
 peculiarly adapted to this specialty, and then such 
 sometimes fail in giving exact dates. Nor is any 
 mental impression ever wholly obliterated. The 
 mind, for reasons which here would consume too 
 much space to explain, cannot always avail itself 
 of its storehouse of treasures, but the jewels are 
 all there, sometimes tarnished, it may be, and in- 
 capable of emitting their light. Spirits do not for- 
 
Marguerite's Home in the Fifth Sphere in Spirit Life. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 135 
 
 get any events. Especially do the ties of affec- 
 tion and relationship adhere in the heart's mem- 
 ory; the incidents inwoven in their subtle tissues 
 are well fixed in the mind, but the time of their 
 occurrence is with more difficulty recalled. This 
 is due to the fact that a date is not an actual 
 event, but simply a point marking an event in time 
 which is regarded as one eternal here. 
 
 We have not deemed it necessary to give, in 
 detail, but only in perspective, the higher advan- 
 tages and truths acquired by Marguerite since her 
 sojourn in spirit life. She extended her investi- 
 gations and experiments in all directions, con- 
 quered many difficulties and acquired vast knowl- 
 edge, the full account of which cannot be here nar- 
 rated, nor would it, were it told, be comprehended 
 in the impoverished language of rudimental ex- 
 istence. There are facts and laws of being that 
 the spirit, in its free condition, can understand, but 
 which science, as understood by mortals, has not 
 yet explained, nor is it in all cases able to ex- 
 plain. 
 
 At the present time, she inhabits the fifth con- 
 dition in advance of the earth plane, and in ad- 
 vance of rudimental spirituality and existence, 
 known to mortals as the fifth sphere. To the 
 
136 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 spirit, this sphere has a far greater signification. 
 Mortals may receive some idea of it from the grades 
 of educational advancement in their plane, yet so 
 far greater are these spiritual spheres as illustrat- 
 ing soul unfoldments that they may be properly 
 likened to so many separate worlds or exact peri- 
 ods of a lifetime. Yet these spheres comprehend 
 both soul states and environments. 
 
 The process of growth, intellectual, moral and 
 spiritual, is not unlike that of earth, but more 
 active and extensive. Spirits free from the mate- 
 rial form and advanced in the conditions can pene- 
 trate substance, move rapidly through space; and, 
 being more sensitive to vibrations, they have there- 
 fore greater mental freedom and activity, are more 
 receptive to the inspirations of higher intelligences, 
 and can progress more rapidly. They compre- 
 hend the simplicity of nature, and faithfully fol- 
 low her teachings. Nature's laws are their Bible, 
 the higher spiritual inspirations their guide, and 
 life the great problem for all time. 
 
 Throughout the realm of spirit life, the higher 
 intelligences, through messengers of special har- 
 mony and adaptability, known among mortals as 
 mediums, transmit thought to those on lower 
 planes. In this way inspiration comes to all in the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 137 
 
 Spheres, and thus knowledge is disseminated and 
 culture encouraged. Through this beneficent law 
 of mental telepathy, Marguerite had conversed 
 with her brothers and sisters who had preceded 
 her in the higher realms. After the third sphere 
 had been reached, Marguerite, who was still the 
 guardian of the children of her former friend and 
 tutor, through intermediate messengers, continued 
 to lead them, and, also, to guide the dear ones of 
 her own family and others, who joined her later in 
 the spirit world; and from her present position she 
 is able to communicate in thought with her broth- 
 ers and sisters far in advance of her. She is now 
 especially laboring to reach those who are dear to 
 her, yet who still are in the earth form, to impart 
 to them such knowledge as will be practically 
 available for growth and a staff on which to lean 
 in the hour of physical dissolution, a source of 
 strength and light at all times, and a certain rev- 
 elation of life beyond the grave, in short, a knowl- 
 edge which will serve as the foundation of happi- 
 ness in this and the next world. 
 
 The question might arise in the minds of some, 
 why Marguerite should be especially appointed 
 the guardian of her former tutor's children; why 
 them any more than other little ones, who had 
 
138 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 passed to the higher life before their parents. The 
 explanation is found in the relation and magnetic 
 attractions of the souls to and for each other. 
 Naturally one acquainted with and deeply interested 
 in another will be attracted to those having a like 
 interest, and to those whose subtle soul relations 
 are especially sacred, and therefore they will be 
 ready to co-operate with each other in all good 
 work. With purity of purpose this harmonious 
 action produces the highest results. But inher- 
 ently in the soul there are indestructible and in- 
 effaceable affinities which spiritually are potent 
 throughout the endless spheres, One soul gravi- 
 tates by this law to another, and in the unity har-' 
 mony obtains. This law is without variation even 
 in earth, and the fact of human love, marriage and 
 brotherhood, is established upon and fixed by it. 
 Marguerite's mother was constantly attracted in 
 guardianship to her children, as are all true par- 
 ents to their own. Star of Hope, who had left her 
 children in even more tender years, was constantly 
 reaching out to them in guidance and care. She 
 was cognizant of the harmony existing between 
 her son and Marguerite. From her experiences in 
 spirit life, attained by a deep study and observa- 
 tion of soul law and states of unfoldment and the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 139 
 
 soul's attractions, she recognized the affinity of 
 their relation to each other to be one of natural 
 harmony, and she sought to bring about a consum- 
 ation of this spiritual union. She regarded it 
 as a part of her mission to aid in giving expression 
 and practical issue to this divine principle. As into 
 darkness light is born, or out of evil good comes, 
 so out of all human imperfections and misunder- 
 standings, through a method of divine govern- 
 ment, the spirit will fully understand the adjust- 
 ment and unity of all harmonious elements. Sur- 
 roundings full of embarrassing features, in time, 
 often facilitate the unfoldment of this divine plan. 
 The path of Marguerite and her early tutor was 
 not always strewn with flowers. Their environ- 
 ments were, in some respects, quite dissimilar and 
 conflicting. Hereditary pride, timidity, the time- 
 honored customs of society, and the various per- 
 plexing forces that solemnly intrude their presence 
 when least expected in the court of the heart's af- 
 fections, prevented the consummation of their early 
 attachment. However, all events foreshadowed 
 the horoscope of their ultimate oneness. 
 
 There is an exceedingly fine combination of 
 power and principle in all the program of life fully 
 understood by the spirit world. The elements of 
 
140 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 harmony potent in earth life are not destroyed, 
 but they re-assert their quality amid like harmo- 
 nious conditions in the higher life. The prepa- 
 ration for a more perfect understanding and unity 
 goes on through all eternity, and each soul, like 
 the magnet, draws nearer in its course, until it 
 attracts its own. Star of Hope had fully studied 
 these heavenly, penetrating laws existing through- 
 out the universe, and understood their nature and 
 effect. From such high spiritual motives and 
 understanding, she assisted in arranging conditions 
 for spiritual communion, and in bringing about 
 such atmospheres and states of harmony as each 
 would welcome as incident to and outlining a 
 companionship gradually growing through the an- 
 nals of time into true soul-union. 
 
 It is well to explain here that, owing to igno- 
 rance and false methods, people most imcompati- 
 ble in nature most frequently associate as 
 companions in mortal life. The true soul-unions or 
 marriages are rare, and only are possible with those 
 of higher spiritual adaptability. Many, indeed, 
 are not really conscious of their mistake until they 
 enter the higher life; so veiled is the mind to 
 this delicate but seemingly omnipotent law. Here, 
 in this world of light where no masks can deceive 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 141 
 
 or pleasure corrupt, through a more perfect knowl- 
 edge of natural law, souls are drawn into closer 
 spiritual relations, old marital bonds are severed 
 and the really united move in the way of the an- 
 gels, who in the material sense neither marry nor 
 are given in marriage. And such affinity or mar- 
 riage is indeed the perfection often of that super- 
 ficial union begun or consummated on earth; it is 
 the white rose of eternal love. Spirits witness 
 the demoralizing effect of incompatibility in the 
 married lives of mortals, and, in the interest of the 
 highest morality, of that true progress the radical 
 principles of which lay the only foundation for 
 supreme happiness here or hereafter, seek to point 
 out a divine and universal spiritual law, that should, 
 as early as consistent with the highest interests of 
 all concerned, be embodied in practical form. The 
 time has come when mortals should awaken to 
 the true philosophy of marriage, and stand on the 
 solid rock of truth. That which is interior and 
 spiritual is being brought to the surface each day, 
 and affecting the marriage vows and relations, and 
 through spirit agency the truth is reforming the 
 world by gradual social evolution in which the soul 
 is becoming more and more refined and adapting 
 it to the heavenly and angelic union. 
 
142 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Conscience is not fully born in some until after 
 the change called death. Marguerite did not be- 
 come fully cognizant of this important law under- 
 lying all true domestic happiness until she had 
 been in spirit life a long time and had made a 
 careful study and practice of its principles. Since 
 then she has been interested not only in her own 
 development in regard to this law, but has impart- 
 ed a knowledge of its benign influence to others 
 on the earth sphere who, after mutual misunder- 
 standings and long separation, have as a conse- 
 quence renewed their attachments, and by a true 
 soul affinity have won the pearl of great price. 
 
 This important question, the leading one in fun- 
 damental existence and the solution of which is 
 found in the philosophy of the soul's unfoldment 
 and destiny, the question which is the characteristic 
 feature of social science, though somewhat mooted 
 and unpopular among mortals, for the reason that 
 it is not fully comprehended in all of its natural, 
 delicate, prenatal and home relations and bear- 
 ings, or because, owing to the erratic conduct of 
 some, marriage is associated with immorality, has 
 been here freely and frankly discussed, hoping 
 that the suggestions made may lead to higher 
 methods, more heavenly purposes and real soul 
 
Marguerite hunter 143 
 
 anions among all. By subjecting the physical to 
 the control of the spiritual nature, marriage be- 
 comes indeed the institution of God and the adage 
 that all true marriages are made in heaven be- 
 comes no longer a travesty or rhapsody of words. 
 Child birth will be looked upon as a holy event — 
 the birth into earth life of an angel blossom sent 
 from the courts of the Most High, and the home as 
 one of the delightful centers about which all celes * 
 tial spheres ever revolve. For let it not be forgot- 
 ten that marriage projects its happy or baleful state 
 beyond the grave — into the endless future and 
 there the divine law of marriage must be recog- 
 nized and obeyed. Progress among mortals and 
 immortals is established upon the underlying law 
 of this relation and each one's destiny is condi- 
 tioned and outworked by his present conduct. 
 May the time speedily come when humanity will 
 discharge its duty in this respect, according to the 
 divine principles of the spiritual nature and spir- 
 itual universe, and, rejoicing in an innate or un- 
 folded purity, make the marriage state the mirror 
 of heaven's harmony and bliss, and, in company 
 with the angels, gladly and wisely co-operating 
 with them, promote the higher civilization on 
 earth which is the preparation for the grand and 
 perfect life hereafter. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Roll on, O mighty universe, forever more, 
 And sail like ships of light from shore to shore; 
 Thy limpid seas bathe worlds on worlds unceasingly; 
 Thy rhythm sings of heaven unendingly. 
 
 One sun is but a taper in the night of space; 
 From smile to smile we pass — where is thy face? 
 One planetary system is a gleam of thee; 
 
 Where is the end? Unroll thy mystery 
 
 « 
 
 Yet lead us, Father, till we lose all self in Thee 
 O, lead us till we all shall perfect be. 
 Still ever lead us till we shine with Thy pure light, 
 God all in all, and all in glory bright. 
 
 Mortals often wonder whether the four seasons 
 which furnish a climatic cycle annually to the in- 
 habitants of the planet earth, exist in the spirit 
 world. Seasons of planetary conditions, of sun- 
 shine and shade, alternate in all material and spir- 
 itually corresponding worlds alike, but they differ 
 in the latter from those of the former in that they 
 are purely psychic effluxes — that is, the peculiar 
 atmospheric condition that surrounds a spirit, or 
 
 perhaps a spiritual sphere, responds and corresponds 
 
 144 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 145 
 
 invariably to the interior spiritual state of the indi- 
 vidual soul or family of souls. In the spheres, ex- 
 ternal and internal conditions harmonize, the soul 
 being the center of the ratio of cause and effect, 
 and making, not creating, shaping rather than pro- 
 ducing all environments which encompass it. Thus, 
 the spheres and the inhabitants of them, allow- 
 ing somewhat for degrees of variation in each 
 sphere and each spirit in the sphere, are harmo- 
 niously blended, a unity in combination that out- 
 flows from the soul forming the law and designing 
 the ordination of all reflections of the soul. As 
 in the earth plane all atmospheres follow and cor- 
 respond to the perihelion and aphelion of the 
 earth, the solar orb being the center and cause of 
 all terrestrial conditions that blend into and with 
 the hem and circumference of the sun's aura or 
 photosphere, thus bringing about the variation in 
 seasons and the stages of vegetable and organic life 
 development, so, but in a yet more subtle and refin- 
 ing manner and corresponding spiritually to this 
 material condition, the soul emits a personal aura or 
 photosphere, which affects corresponding ethers 
 and produces among them the actual reflections 
 of the soul's life and thought; and, as when look- 
 ing in a mirror you see the image of whatever is 
 
146 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 reflected but first inflected, so environments mirror 
 in celestial ethers only what the soul throws into 
 or upon them. Thus the spirit world among the 
 higher and exalted intelligences in the spiritual har- 
 monial spheres, is called "Summerland," the 
 fact being literally true that the soul and the 
 sphere of the soul correspond in quality or state, 
 Summer being the state of the soul or souls in any 
 given sphere beyond the third degree that encircles 
 the earth plane, the concomitant environment or 
 land being the affected ethers and becoming the 
 Snmmerland. Ethers are ductile and so pliant 
 that they uniformly follow the soul's attractions 
 and spheres, and these ethers themselves refined 
 and refining by a process of law, ever are assimi- 
 lated by souls in the manner we have described. 
 The soul, by its own states, may center about it 
 or attract the atmospheres of earth and live in 
 these material ethers that reflect its thought im- 
 ages and states, or, it may ascend into higher fixed 
 spheres where one delightful, serene, uniform con- 
 dition of summer prevails. These states and 
 spheres are within the reach of all. And the bow- 
 ers wherein grow the flowers, trees, and spread the 
 fields, hills and streams, all aglow with the soul's 
 reflected light, — they too belong to the sphere which 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 147 
 
 the pure soul inhabits and, by a spiritual law, the 
 counterpart of the material law, they furnish the 
 conditions for the soul's interior harmonies and 
 needs. We would have none think that the soul 
 creates these environments — they are as eternal, 
 in one sense, though but relative to the soul, as the 
 soul itself, though but reflective of the soul's states 
 and unfoldments — they belong to the spheres and 
 degree of the spheres which the spirit inhabits, as 
 might be said the present earth, its environments 
 of land, water, air, and all that there is in them be- 
 long to mortal man, but they are on a grander, 
 more ethereal scale, yet tangible, fixed, real! And 
 as the spirit unfolds, these glorious scenes come 
 as visions of the reflected soul state, and you have 
 but to aspire for and merit these Eden bowers, 
 these real gardens of life, the soul being the central 
 wand of power or the causal oasis, and at once 
 the desert ether unfolds the beauteous rose of the 
 soul's attractions. For the Infinite Intelligence has 
 thus provided here in the planetary spiritual spheres 
 as on the planet earth for the endless unfoldment of 
 the spirit, by luring it, in the love sense, from gran- 
 deur to grandeur until the apocalypse of the soul's 
 apotheosis is attained, And the eternal pilgrim- 
 age is through a Summerland graded in beauty, to 
 
148 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 be sure, ever growing more inviting, entrancing, 
 joyous, ever appealing more perfectly and har- 
 moniously to the soul's elevation and attractions, 
 ever unfolding new splendors, as the soul becomes 
 more divine, until the time arrives or the condi- 
 tion is reached when the soul cares only for the 
 Father and that which is His will, thus becoming 
 fixed in all good and truth, where there is and can 
 be no infringement of law or violence or a fall or 
 descent from the deific and blessed state. Eden 
 everywhere perfect within and without, the serpent 
 of materiality, the tree of knowledge and the two- 
 edged sword, the symbols of sensuous being, be- 
 coming allegorical of the final conquest and victory. 
 So that all worlds, and all souls in those worlds, 
 according to this principle which we have eluci- 
 dated, are analogous. Differently constituted and 
 unfolded souls attract a corresponding condition 
 of light and darkness, the interior flame being dull 
 or bright, the emanations or auras thereof being 
 also tinged or luminous, and these conditions pro- 
 duce sorrow and unrest or peace and harmony. 
 But these states are relative and only mark de- 
 grees. There are souls so constituted, not having 
 attained the degree of experience necessary to 
 afford the spiritual luminosity, that were all the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 149 
 
 joy and beauty of their natural sphere revealed to 
 them, they should still dwell in the conditions cf 
 darkness and sorrow. In their undeveloped state 
 they can find no pleasure in the purer elements of 
 life, nor can they realize the enjoyment of those 
 who, through spiritual culture, find joy in perform- 
 ing the humblest and most exacting work and du- 
 ties. In the spiritual world, when through travail 
 and discipline the unfolded intuitions are awakened 
 and the higher motives are quickened into activity, 
 then the spirit by the effect of its superior surround- 
 ings is led on to the realms of greater advance- 
 ment. 
 
 The seasons, then, in spirit world are ever in har- 
 mony, as we have shown, with the soul's highest 
 conception and realization of darkness and light, 
 sorrow and joy. Scientifically and exactly speak- 
 ing, there are no atmospheres of either extreme 
 such as surround the earth and which are governed 
 by physical, astronomical changes. 
 
 The spirit-world as the abode of disembodied 
 spirits is not far from the earth's atmosphere, yet 
 at such a distance as to preclude the effect of earth's 
 climatic changes, as experienced by mortals. Spir- 
 its may dwell in the boundless ethers, yet attract 
 to themselves opposite conditions — one may find 
 
150 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 only glory, another only sorrow, just as with mor- 
 tals in the earth's atmosphere. 
 
 The different atmospheric conditions, then, as 
 understood by spirits, are the effect of conditions 
 and causes existing in the soul. Exalted spirits 
 find pleasure in the discharge of their duty under 
 all circumstances, however undesirable their spheric 
 surroundings may seem to them while toiling for 
 higher ones, and the warmth generated by the 
 magnetic forces of an active, spiritual nature en- 
 velops them in an aura of genial sunshine. Those 
 spirits who are disposed to remain in ignorance of 
 these broader conceptions of duty and life and thus 
 obscure their own nature by reacting the wrong 
 or morbidly dwelling on the gloom of the past or 
 some present magnified disappointment, draw 
 around themselves or reflect a darkened condition, 
 the discordant counterpart of their own thoughts, 
 just as did Marguerite as a spirit during her earth- 
 bound life. She experienced darkness and chilli- 
 ness in all nature, and, as she came in contact 
 with the various principles of life to which she did 
 not conform, she felt a contrasting effect. 
 
 The different celestial spheres that are compre- 
 hended broadly by the phrase, spirit world, 
 throughout all space and in all solar systems, are 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER If 1 
 
 constantly in motion, as is the earth, each one 
 obeying the general law that governs the solar 
 systems. Spirits experience all the magnetic and 
 electric attractions that are imparted by and that 
 surround each sphere, in the general order of univer- 
 sal attraction or vibration, forming a law of grav- 
 itation that sustains them and holds them to their 
 sphere, and makes them a unit with material 
 spheres on the planets, as mortals are held to their 
 own plane by the same law; but as they become 
 more spiritualized they are able to advance to other 
 galaxies and planets, and, through understanding 
 of cosmic law and their adaptability to finer ethers 
 and elementary affinities, they can obtain a more 
 thorough knowledge of the planetary systems and 
 the life that thrives on each one of them. The 
 science thus possessed through patient study and 
 broader experience in the realms of universal scul- 
 life and affinities, and the mental vision they re- 
 ceive of the vastness of the universe, showing the 
 unlimited resources of the Infinite Being, places 
 them upon a higher plane for the solution of the 
 great problem of life. 
 
 The inhabitants of the spirit world, but only 
 those who have advanced to the eleventh condi- 
 tion in celestial life, can visit the different planets 
 
152 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 and float forth on magnetic seas or highways into 
 the higher realms of refined elements. This p.ower 
 can be attained only as they become learned in all 
 the laws pertaining to each planet and their spheres. 
 Through a knowledge of spiritual but natural laws 
 spirits can gather facts concerning the planetary 
 systems and their inhabitants. 
 
 The surrounding celestial or ethereal belts that 
 mark the divisions of the spheres in the spirit 
 world are more refined as they relate to finer 
 ethers and environ the spheres of the higher intelli- 
 gences— that is, they grow more uniformly bright 
 as they move in finer ethers and spirit auras, in 
 short, as they recede from each planet. There are 
 planets in the universe where, by the interblending 
 and interpenetration of material and spiritual 
 ethers, spirits mingle with the inhabitants on the 
 physical plane as freely as with those of their own 
 sphere, and where such inharmonies as are expe- 
 rienced by mortals on the planet earth never exist. 
 There, inter-communion with the spirit world is 
 readily carried on, free from all the conflicting and 
 discordant elements that produce unfavorable con- 
 ditions for communication with spirits and mortals 
 of the planet earth. 
 
 Only those who have advanced to the eleventh 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 153 
 
 condition in celestial life, as we have said, visit the 
 different planets. These spirits, angelic in wisdom, 
 seldom return to earth but they communicate 
 through intermediary messengers. 
 
 Centuries sometimes pass before the spirits di- 
 vested of mortality and the crude, inherent states 
 and ethers of earth life and environments, are able 
 to advance to this high condition, during which 
 time the friends whom they left on earth have 
 entered spirit life, and passing through the different 
 grades of progression, have either joined them in 
 their special realm, or have grown to be within 
 range of communication. 
 
 The spirit spheres, with their exhilarating at- 
 mospheres and their different degrees of magnetic 
 and electric forces, move around their particular 
 solar center in each galaxy, as the earth and the 
 planets move around the center of their own solar 
 attraction, and always in conjunction with them. 
 As their atmosphere grows more refined, this ro- 
 tation is more uniform and spirit life partly as a 
 consequence becomes a season of perpetual sum- 
 mer, a feature corresponding to soul states and 
 auras. 
 
 The planets throughout all solar systems are 
 permeated by two great forces, the positive and 
 
154 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 the negative, which affect and embrace all the 
 attractive and repellent modifications. 
 
 Most of these planets are inhabited by intelli- 
 gent beings having and obeying these two different 
 and inherent qualities of life, each kingdom of nat- 
 ure, and all contained therein, the mineral, veg- 
 etable and animal creation, being affinitized in like 
 manner. Life as embodied and expressed on the 
 planet earth has corresponding creations; modified 
 to suit local planetary conditions, the same is so on 
 all planets and in all the solar systems. The planets 
 farthest from their solar center experience, in a 
 less degree, the various powerful perturbations that 
 produce in the life-forms disease, vice and sorrow, 
 which uniformly multiply in and fasten to the worlds 
 in closer proximity to their magnetic or solar 
 centers. All such by their proximity naturally at- 
 tract the grosser and less refined elements. These 
 innumerable worlds, many having the finer forms 
 of vegetable, animal and spirit life, are peopled 
 with souls who ever follow the inspirations of the 
 angels, until yet higher spiritual conditions are 
 reached. These worlds possess wonderful unfold- 
 ments of life, too glorious in their significance and 
 evolution for the comprehension of even those 
 who, in the spirit world, are far in advance of the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 155 
 
 wisest on earth; and yet these heights of spiritual 
 unfoldments can be attained by all souls by grad- 
 ual, patient, faithful effort. 
 
 Throughout all time do great and fruitful 
 changes incessantly proceed out of all life, every- 
 where elevating the thought of the spirit, enno- 
 bling the character, and giving a fullness of spiritual 
 enjoyment, unknown to any who have not expe- 
 rienced it through these evolutionary transforma- 
 tions. Herein consists the happiness of heaven* 
 
 In spirit life night is unknown, except as spirits 
 attract to and about them dark conditions, as the 
 counterpart of spiritual states, through vacillating 
 and impure thoughts. These conditions, as those 
 who reflect them, grow refined through intellectual 
 and spiritual unfoldment. The soul becoming lu~ 
 miniferous, the darkness which it reflected and the 
 conditions which it attracted become changed and 
 the aura and ethers partake of the light of the soul. 
 
 To the inhabitants of the spiritual world, sub- 
 stance is not an obstacle in the way of progress or 
 unfoldments. Spirit can penetrate, permeate and 
 mould it as ethers to the power and purpose of 
 thought and life. 
 
 Rest is found, as in earth life, in quiet and repose 
 at needful and given periods. 
 
156 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 The various languages used by mortals, as we 
 have elsewhere stated, continue in a measure, as 
 the medium for thought transference by spirits in 
 spirit life. The members of different nations give 
 expression to their ideas through the vernacular 
 used by them when in the form, but in a symbol- 
 ical way not appreciated nor understood by mor- 
 tals, until they grow into a far more spiritual 
 atmosphere and condition, where soul thought, 
 divested of the crudities of material symbolism, 
 the highest mode of thought expression, is the only 
 language employed. 
 
 There is an established method, akin to mun- 
 dane international law, but freer and more nat- 
 ural, an interchange established on spiritual prin- 
 ciples, by which representative souls from the 
 various spheres of the planets meet in a parliament 
 of universal brotherhood for grand spiritual 
 achievements, to compare, discuss, and learn of the 
 laws and systems of government which exist 
 throughout the cosmic spirit spheres. This con- 
 gress grows out of the necessity for providing means 
 of growth in and understanding of the unity and 
 operations of uniform universal law, and which aid 
 all, especially pioneer spirits, in their onward 
 march. For here it is learned by practical dem- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 157 
 
 onstrations that one universal law of progress ob- 
 tains among all planetary spheres. 
 
 Mortals have personal peculiarities that cannot 
 be overcome or utilized spiritually immediately 
 upon entering spirit life, but by means of existing 
 laws everywhere uniform in degree and quality to 
 which they learn to conform, they gradually gain 
 a victory over all obstacles. 
 
 Earth languages are unified, idealized and per- 
 fected by spirit agency by the potent but subtle 
 inspirations of thought from the higher spheres of 
 intelligences — a work of love that will eventually 
 effect a universal language or system of communi- 
 cation, one of the greatest boons to both worlds in 
 the further progress and civilization of the human 
 races, 
 
 Mortals imagine that the spirit world is located 
 far away from earth, that it is in some remote place, 
 because astronomical science has not been able 
 to peer into its depths or expose it to view through 
 physical or telescopic agencies. This is a false 
 idea, The spirit world is not far away, but enfolds 
 the earth and moves in the same orbit through 
 space as does the earth, attracting to and convey- 
 ing with it its own peculiar elements and atmos- 
 phere. And so with all the spiritual kingdoms en- 
 
158 ARGUER1TE HUNTER 
 
 folding the different planets throughout the 
 universe. Earth and the spiritual world move in 
 conjunction with each other, and through the same 
 general course, yet each keeps within its own lim- 
 ited radius and circle. This grand spirit kingdom, 
 objectively speaking, is a combination of elements 
 peculiar in their adaptability to their inhabit- 
 ants, as we have shown, and far superior in their 
 intrinsic, refined character to earth. These king- 
 doms revolve with their own planet to which they 
 affine, the spiritual spheres in each case having a 
 beauty, harmony and light corresponding to the 
 unfolded genius, spirituality and purity of its in- 
 habitants. Throughout this spiritual zone that 
 environs each planet, there are found all the vari- 
 ous appliances needed for the comfort and effect- 
 iveness of the life of the spirit, Not only are there 
 rivers, lakes, landscapes, cascades, mountains, 
 ravines and valleys, flowers, fruit trees, animals and 
 birds, all of surpassing beauty, but there are places 
 fitted up with special care for study, recreation and 
 enjoyment, known among mortals as art museums, 
 parks, gardens, music halls, theaters, cathedrals, 
 and all are used for the higher spiritual purpose of 
 unfoldment or education. The beautiful and the 
 true of soul, throughout the spheres, find here ade- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 159 
 
 quate expression in all lines of thought. Nature 
 puts on her garment of refinement and leads with 
 gentle hand the earnest spirit, seeking higher at- 
 tainments, through her various avenues. 
 
 A telepathetic system of the most perfect char- 
 acter exists throughout the spirit world. Its bat- 
 teries are located in the mind of each intelligence 
 communicating, and thought is transmitted and 
 answered correctly and as rapidly and freely as 
 mortals can transfer themselves in thought to any 
 distant part of the earth. It is free to all who 
 have acquired the proper strength, science and 
 quality of intellectual force to use it. 
 
 The spirit world is the world of cause; all the 
 important inventions of earth have their origin 
 here. 
 
 There are no monopolies in this land of love and 
 light; all souls and work are co-operative, The 
 only real plutocrats are those who have acquired 
 a wealth of manhood and womanhood through 
 virtuous efforts. Those who come into this land 
 of equal rights, loaded with the ill-gotten gain of 
 earth, are poor indeed. Like miserable paupers, 
 they wander around in the desolate waste of the 
 lowest sphere, and may not, for centuries, ascend 
 to the higher. Verily, "it is easier for a camel to 
 
160 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man 
 to enter into the kingdom of God." Riches, when 
 generously and thoughtfully used, are a great bless- 
 ing to mankind; but the acquisition of great wealth 
 by the few, to the detriment of the masses, is the 
 prolific cause of most of the poverty and wicked- 
 ness on earth. Spirits understand this, and are 
 seeking to bring about a better condition of things 
 by opening up and quickening the springs of fra- 
 ternal love. Those who would be perfect in the 
 spiritual sense, must give of their abundance to 
 the poor, and must give wisely and from an un- 
 selfish motive. Idleness and prodigality must not 
 be encouraged, but the opportunity for existence 
 must be given to all equally. All should be free 
 to acquire the necessaries and comforts of life, that 
 they may the more surely lay up treasure in 
 heaven. This is the voice of the angel world to 
 mortals. Everywhere in spirit life exists, but only 
 in a degree in the lower spheres, a spirit of equal- 
 ity and harmony. It is a democracy based on 
 natural and acquired equal rights. The highest 
 wisdom rules. The soul that sees and hears and 
 speaks, makes character transparent and gives a 
 lucidity and unity to the expression of thought. 
 Deception and hypocrisy are written in the atmos- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 161 
 
 phere of each one who practices them, and evil 
 imprints its negative on the aura that environs 
 and emanates from the spirit. 
 
 Spirits not only understand the chemical nature 
 of the earth's substance, the astronomical effect 
 of one planet on another and on each soul, but 
 they can fathom and unveil the more intricate 
 character of the relations of trivial things, penetrate 
 the law of greater things, broadly discerning the 
 principle of cause and effect among all entities, both 
 physical and mental- This is an eternal quality of 
 spirit, but must be unfolded. The most minute 
 particle of every element and essence, material 
 and spiritual, has its proper place and purpose in 
 the divine economy, and is an essential ingredi- 
 ent in every progressive movement, preposterous 
 as this may seem, and a factor in the government of 
 the universe. From the humblest and most ob- 
 scure, as well as from the most prominent and 
 universal entity, may be derived lessons of wisdom. 
 Spirits avail themselves of and profit by their 
 knowledge of the many diversified modes of the 
 principles of psychic and life unfoldments. They 
 take into account all the conflicting influences in 
 life, and by a knowledge acquired of the purpose 
 of these inharmonies, they thus, by applying that 
 
162 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 knowledge to the life, rapidly develop character 
 rounded out in all harmonious activities. 
 
 In the elementary conditions the spirit, after 
 entering spirit life, does not visit nor communicate 
 with distant planets* It is not until the eleventh 
 condition of advancement on any planet has been 
 reached that any spirit can pass beyond the con- 
 fines of its own planetary atmosphere and mingle 
 with those who inhabit the spiritual realm of an- 
 other planet. The farther the distance from the 
 central or solar orb, as the spiritual spheres recede 
 inwardly from the positive effects of the photo- 
 sphere of that particular sun and escape from its 
 material luminiferous power, the more the invo- 
 luted soul unfolds its veils by expression and shines 
 by a light all its own, — and we here speak of the 
 spiritual spheres in contrast to like spheres among 
 mortals on the planets,— like Ezekiel's wheel, the 
 more delicate becomes the interior states and the 
 more spiritual and refined the soul, acquiring by 
 such etherealization of the spirit form and spirit- 
 ualization of the soul, the ability to make these 
 wonderful journeys through the celestial spheres 
 of all planetary worlds. 
 
 Spheres are uniformly one among all planets, 
 we do not mean in parallel circles, but in degrees, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 163 
 
 conditions and qualities; numbers one, two, three 
 and so on, of the planet earth, uniformly blending 
 and corresponding to like degrees and spheres of all 
 the planetary bodies. For God is one, soul is one, 
 essence and principles are one, law, process, modes, 
 spheres are correspondingly one in this order of 
 ratios throughout all solar and planetary systems. 
 Thus science and religion as modes of expression of 
 the Divine Will are one in all souls. Now, as spirits 
 advance, the various scenes in these zones or belts 
 that circle the spheres become more celestial, the 
 ethers more refined and congenial. All life in the 
 ascendant scale of harmony has a deeper and finer 
 adaptability to the Divine Will. It inbreathes and 
 outbreathes a diviner and more musical expression. 
 This appeals so forcibly to the imagination and is 
 so vague to the average mentality that the prin- 
 ciple is not easily grasped or elucidated. The to- 
 tal environments blend with the thought life of 
 the soul. Throughout the spheres all life comes 
 under the general influence and order of the Great- 
 est Teacher and a gradually unfolding rhythm of 
 expression outworks into the divine oneness. As 
 souls advance they find a subtle essence, uniform 
 in all life, and they discern a grand purpose which 
 hitherto they had overlooked or denied or which 
 
1G4 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 had been veiled from them. Design ramifies and 
 pulsates among the life essences and in the soul, 
 and outworks a beautiful outline and order among 
 all ethers. The law of progress unfolds more 
 grandly and apparently to their view as they rise 
 in the heavenly ascent, the potency of an all-per- 
 vading attraction and harmony grows more irre- 
 sistible and commanding and as they proceed on- 
 ward through the finer ethers and the most lumi- 
 nous spheres, the interior glory assumes a magni- 
 tude and splendor truly God-like, and they feel 
 and float into thought currents that irresistibly 
 draw them to the one Infinite Divine Principle of 
 all life which we call God. 
 
 When spirits refer to their spheres in spirit- 
 world, it is not that they wish to convey the im- 
 pression that they are in form like the earth, a 
 globe. Yet spirit-land is as substantial to those 
 who live in it as is the earth to its inhabitants. 
 The proportions and adaptations which are spirit- 
 ual counterparts of the earth are the same, and, 
 as far as surrounding stellar immensity and conti- 
 nental outline are concerned. But spheres must 
 be given a spiritual reading or definition. The 
 spirit-world is bounded on all sides by aerial seas 
 that have the appearance of immense bodies of 
 water, and all above is sky. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 165 
 
 The planets which appear to mortals as stars, 
 are larger and more brilliant to those inhabiting 
 spirit-life, because of their spiritual discernment, 
 and their quickened intellectual perceptions, awak- 
 ened and developed through the freedom of spirit 
 and the power of penetration. These aerial wa- 
 ters, formed from rivulets as on the continents of 
 earth, flow onward like a broad belt, with cease- 
 less rhythm through space, on to the different 
 planets, ever mingling with other planetary seas, 
 and on to infinity. Over their rippling, sparkling 
 vibrations spirits are conveyed through their 
 spheres and the different atmospheric conditions of 
 all spheres and planets. Will is the motor power. 
 
 The natural and highest impulse of mortals is to 
 unfold the spiritual part, but such impulse is most 
 often undermined, subverted or abused by habits 
 formed in infancy and adolescence, and through 
 various agencies growing out of environment. The 
 inner impulse is ever good, but the outer influence 
 very often predominates and masters. By the ele- 
 mentary surroundings the outer material form is 
 moulded, and so to material conditions the spirit 
 adapts itself in the conduct of its expression until 
 a time of change and victory comes. Yet with 
 man, after physical maturity has been reached, the 
 
166 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 physical being can be rounded out into symmetrical 
 beauty by the application of beneficent experiences 
 and principles to the uses and practices of life, as 
 is done on another plane in the spirit world, but 
 by a similar will force. Those who have lived a 
 life of degradation, who have been false to the 
 principles of spiritual harmony, must remain in 
 like inharmonious environments, until they awaken 
 to or cultivate the purer impulses of the soul. 
 Once fully awakened to the higher principles of 
 life, there can be no more faltering or receding. 
 Slowly the soul becomes established; step by 
 step it ascends perfect evolution and spirituality. 
 The ethereal surroundings in spirit-life tend to up- 
 lift and impel the spirit to higher conditions of 
 good and light. Environments with soul states 
 interact. Mortals who can be made, through some 
 kind nature or favorable circumstance, to see or 
 walk in the true way, while still of earth, and be 
 led to act in true accord with their highest con- 
 science, can, in a great measure, redeem the past 
 and thus, upon entering spirit-life, they can advance 
 more rapidly than could they have done had they 
 remained in their low condition and entered spirit- 
 life with a character marred or tinged with the 
 baser and baleful influences of earth-life environ- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 167 
 
 ments. All life is at heart good, is a true inspira- 
 tion of the Divine, and must sometime claim its 
 own. Though ages may pass, each soul retains 
 the germ that will eventually lead it to some har- 
 monious sphere. Good will win the soul, because 
 Divine Love is its essence. As the law of gravity 
 tends to bring material objects to the center of at- 
 traction, the inspirations of the Almighty per- 
 sistently and inevitably draw every life to the 
 bosom of infinite love. 
 
 In spirit-life, as in the earth-world, there are 
 locations whose spiritual atmosphere is so dense 
 that the light cannot permeate it. It shines all 
 around from angelic intelligences, seeking admit- 
 tance, but the light inflows only when the evolu- 
 tionary forces within the soul that creates the dark- 
 ness prepares the way for it. These atmospheric 
 conditions intervene between the earth atmosphere 
 and the spiritual and form a veritable sheol. In- 
 spiration as breathed forth by the higher intelli- 
 gences carries with it an aura of light that ever 
 surrounds these spirits, whose light dispels dark- 
 ness. Gross natures emit an aura of darkness that 
 repels the light. The aura of light glows from 
 within the soul and belongs to the soul and serves 
 to lead all spints treed from the body into tne at- 
 
168 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 rnosphere of the higher spiritual spheres, while 
 those who enter the spirit world or who already 
 inhabit it and who are surrounded by darkness 
 remain in the intervening space between the earth 
 and the spheres of graduated light. Thus it is that 
 the two extremes of character, with the infinite 
 states between them, exist in spirit-life. 
 
 In spirit-life the different localities and spheres 
 are given names unlike those of the earth sphere, 
 each having a meaning that indicates or symbolizes 
 the grade or the nature and advancement of those 
 occupying them. Spirits, also, assume spiritual 
 names that represent the nature and ambition of 
 their thought and aim; no two possess precisely 
 the same qualities, though a similarity may exist, 
 differing as human faces differ, and therefore they 
 assume special titles or emblems to indicate special 
 traits of character, and a purpose and scope rad- 
 ically or slightly diverse. 
 
 The important events that occur in earth life 
 are never obliterated from the memory, veiled 
 they may be, but never eradicated. They have 
 legitimate and ineffaceable effects, and hence they 
 exercise an important power on the character and 
 life. The spirit, divested of mortality, more clearly 
 perceives and deeply realizes the influence of 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 169 
 
 former mental and moral activity in moulding char- 
 acter and shaping the soul's destiny. The action 
 of the will in dealing with and determining the 
 various events of earth-life of whatever nature, is 
 in spirit life more fully understood in all its bearing 
 on the future happiness and environment of the 
 spirit. If its decisions have been just and generous, 
 they brighten and intensify its state and enjoyment, 
 and, if selfish and narrow, they retard the spirit's 
 progress, but the gain, in either event, is the prog- 
 ress that can be achieved by overcoming evil by 
 good. 
 
 Freedom to mingle in each other's society de- 
 pends in the spiritual spheres upon harmonious 
 natures, in the interblending of soul auras. The 
 good can ever go to the degraded, but the degraded 
 cannot soar as such to spheres of light. Progressive 
 spirits, while aspiring to greater achievements and 
 grander destiny, find enjoyment in outworking the 
 plan or the aim of life as it regularly presents it- 
 self, conceding to others who are less favored the 
 divine right to command all the facilities necessary 
 for their highest development. This may, to mortals, 
 seem strange or as gotten at the cost or the hu- 
 miliation of personal pride, the sacrifice of private 
 opinion, or selfish ambition, but to spirits who 
 
170 . MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 have conquered self and thus gained the real or 
 first victory, conquest ever after becomes easy 
 along any and all lines. Thus they triumphantly 
 plant their banner of love on the successive battle- 
 fields of the slain by the power of love. To be 
 progressive implies broad charity and a love un- 
 foldment that exalts and purifies the soul. The 
 divine law of progress ever inspires the spirit to 
 adoration of the Divine. This disinterested be- 
 nevolence, this appreciation of the undeveloped 
 good and the veiled divinity in others, this willing 
 sacrifice of self for the true apotheosis, brings an 
 elevating influence to spirits who, ministering to 
 the spiritual needs of those whose higher nature 
 is debased by self find, contentment and promo- 
 tion in all good works. These same principles of 
 advancement, so universal throughout the spirit 
 world, apply with equal force to the development 
 of the soul's higher capacity while yet on earth. 
 To aid mortals through such avenues as exist to 
 comprehend them in their fullness, and early ap- 
 ply them to the life, is the ennobling mission of 
 exalted spirits who preach the gospel of progress to 
 both worlds. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 All life, all soul, obey a central power, 
 
 One wisdom guides the universe; 
 Pure love sustains the circling laws each hour, 
 
 There never was a primal curse! 
 
 The soul has gateways leading to the skies, 
 
 Through which all inspirations flow, 
 And ever in those mystic skies there lies 
 
 The remedy for every woe. 
 
 All life must realize the dark and light, 
 Must bud and bloom in space and time, 
 
 Push ever upward through the deepest night, 
 And dower heaven with fruit divine, 
 
 When, lo! the soul shall recognize its own, 
 
 And live within the perfect spheres, 
 Shall dwell in peace in an eternal home, 
 
 Where God shall wipe away all tears. 
 
 In the early part of the narrative mention was 
 made of the earth-bound condition of Marguerite. 
 Some spirits remain earth-bound for a number of 
 years, for causes similar to those that influenced 
 her. They may or may not seek to gain various 
 
 171 
 
172 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 experiences which they failed to receive while in 
 earth-life, though ordinarily they profit even in 
 this condition and in this respect, but some return 
 for this very purpose or rather remain in the earth's 
 atmosphere solely because of the necessity of gain- 
 ing such experiences. 
 
 In accordance with spiritual law, founded in the 
 beneficence of nature, spirits who have, through 
 some imperfection of the physical organism or 
 other causes, been denied the unfoldment that 
 earth-life was designed to give, or who in their 
 life development, owing to mental and organic im- 
 perfections, have not been able to treasure up 
 their earth-experiences sufficiently to utilize them 
 in attaining the higher lessons of spirit-life, return 
 and seek an embodied soul with whom they can 
 sympathize and harmonize, one capable of assist- 
 ing them in unfolding their dormant energies, and 
 should the one selected meanwhile become a dis- 
 embodied spirit, they attach themselves to an- 
 other of similar organism and character, and so 
 on, following each through his or her earth-life, 
 until they have gained the necessary knowledge for 
 which they sought such soul companionship. 
 Some of these spirits are so dull of comprehension, 
 so gradual in their spiritual growth, that it requires 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 173 
 
 a long time for them to reach a condition where 
 they are able to take up and understand the higher 
 lessons and laws of spirit-life. Sometimes spirits 
 are for many years, even for generations and often 
 centuries, bound to earth through imperfections 
 of various kinds, but, in time, all such are and 
 will be led by sympathizing teachers into the light 
 of love and a higher understanding of their own 
 being. 
 
 To be earth-bound is not the normal condition 
 of spirits whose earth-life has been one of sym- 
 metrical development. With Marguerite a grand 
 aim was outwrought by it. In her case it was 
 both a choice and necessity. Spirits of fine mould 
 and broad culture often return to earth to better 
 the conditions of others, but while engaged in this 
 missionary work, by an inevitable law of life, they 
 are, also, themselves benefited. They who give, 
 likewise receive. The disuse of an organ or facul- 
 ty enfeebles its power. The refusal to exercise a 
 gift invites its temporary forfeiture. For "he that 
 hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, 
 from him shall be taken even that which he hath," 
 is true when spiritually interpreted. 
 
 The spirit is not perfect on entering spirit-life, 
 nor does it, in any case, have the infallibility 
 
174 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 usually attributed to it, by the uninformed, sim- 
 ply because it has been released from its mortal 
 habitation. The knowledge of an intelligent, pure- 
 minded man or woman is superior in spirit-life to 
 that of one of the same culture in mortal life, for 
 the reason that, being on a higher plane and free 
 from the limitations of mortality, the spirit can 
 more accurately discern causes, and, hence, with 
 greater certainty can perceive future results and 
 thus qualify their life thereby; but some law, at 
 the time unknown to the spirit, may intervene, 
 and lead the soul into grander and still more be- 
 neficent achievements. "Whether there be prophe- 
 cies, they shall fail," is true of all utterances that 
 are not based on spiritual science. Spirits, es- 
 pecially those on the lower planes, are limited in 
 their knowledge of causes and the operations of 
 divine law, and some know considerably less than 
 the highly intelligent people on earth. But this is 
 due to the fact that they knew less when in the 
 mortal form. By what law of nature, let it be 
 asked, could they, through the mere act of their 
 transition, suddenly become possessed of superior 
 knowledge? There are no miracles in the universe, 
 nor its spirit worlds, nothing supernatural; all 
 things are natural and obey divine laws. To hold 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 175 
 
 and keep an undeveloped spirit earth-bound as a 
 means of preparation for a higher condition, is one 
 of nature's inevitable yet beneficent laws. Spirits, 
 however, are not thus held and drawn to earth to 
 act as fortune tellers to mortals through media. 
 The realities of spirit-life, so far as its sphere and 
 relative spheres are concerned, may be accurately 
 communicated by any spirit, as these are facts of 
 which it can take immediate cognizance. When 
 there is any discrepancy between the statements 
 of spirits of different or even the same spheres, it 
 is easily accounted for on the ground that they 
 communicate from different points of observation. 
 Two correspondents writing from the United States 
 to London, one from Chicago, the other from San 
 Francisco, might each write quite different but 
 equally truthful accounts of a great Fair, giving 
 the correct topography of the country and describ- 
 ing the climate of the city 'in w T hich the Fair was 
 located. Each flavors the letter with the spirit 
 and character of his personality. There is great 
 variety of points of observation in the spirit-world. 
 Highly advanced intelligences who comprehend a 
 wide range of causes, may, and often do, predict 
 with certainty the future, for years, even centuries 
 in advance. From these come the high inspira- 
 
1?6 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 tions which proceed originally from the source of 
 all knowledge, through the graduated medial ave- 
 nues. These are the higher ministering spirits to 
 mortals. Only the Infinite One is infallible, but 
 truth may be perceived absolutely by all. 
 
 Little children, who pass out of the material 
 form with a limited amount of earth's experience 
 are generally attracted to the parental home, and 
 through their mingling with the other members of 
 the family as time advances, they secure the nec- 
 essary unfoldment, the spiritual growth along the 
 line of that expression that would have been theirs 
 had they remained in the mortal form. To some, 
 it may seem unnatural for little children and those 
 yet in the bloom of youth, to be summoned from 
 the mortal state, but, if such will remember that 
 "heaven," as they conceive of it, is not far removed 
 from earth, and that the higher spirit birth is as 
 natural as the birth into the earth-life, they will 
 readily understand that death is but the awaken- 
 ing into real life; and thus they may be able to 
 comprehend the early summons, and know that it 
 is brought about directly by the angel of love, 
 whatever may have severed the vital cord and re- 
 leased the spirit; for let it be known by pseudo 
 science and religion that death is the issue of life 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 177 
 
 in the interest of humanity, by wisdom inscrutable. 
 What is more beautiful to behold than little chil- 
 dren in heaven? These heart treasures, born into 
 the higher life are yet in the innocency of child- 
 hood. True, they must gather their quota of the 
 experiences of earth-life, but they are ever under 
 wise guidance, and unfold in accordance with 
 spiritual law. In purity of spirit, freed from con- 
 tact with the false standards and grosser elements 
 of earth, they, in that degree of freedom, are able 
 to see and walk in the true and the better way. 
 And who can measure the good these little ones 
 unconsciously bring to those with whom they in- 
 visibly associate on earth? As little children make 
 the spirit-world a paradise, so they bring comfort 
 and joy to mortals. As they are indispensable to 
 the happiness of mortals on earth, so heaven would 
 not be perfect without them. All the different ex- 
 pressions of life found on earth and known to mor- 
 tals, are essential to the spiritual spheres; the law 
 of God in material and spiritual spheres compre- 
 hends equal justice to the soul in all of its expres- 
 sions. 
 
 The entire universe is filled w r ith life. Nothing 
 is lost. Matter is moulded by the incarnated spirit 
 and changes form as the soul unfolds itself. There 
 
178 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 is continual unfoldment throughout time and eter- 
 nity. When any avenue for expression is closed, 
 another source for development is opened; when 
 death cuts down the young or advanced life the 
 spirit seeks unfoldment in the eternal spheres. To 
 understand different problems of the soul's life 
 and destiny necessitates a variety of experiences. 
 We can but hint at the facts or law here. 
 
 Those cumbered with mortality find it difficult 
 to discern the interior spirit. They only compre- 
 hend the thought as it is embodied in material sub- 
 stance or as it is reflected as an image in the 
 subtle essence of consciousness. The universe is 
 pervaded with soul. Mortals ordinarily do not take 
 cognizance of it; earth-bound spirits do not. It 
 requires finely developed spiritual perceptions to 
 comprehend the soul of things. This condition lies 
 at the basis of the law holding undeveloped spirits 
 to the earth for further discipline. 
 
 There are etherealized substances, infinite in 
 number and variety, throughout the universe, 
 and forming an essential part of it, of whose 
 existence mortals are entirely ignorant, because 
 of their veiled perception. They comprehend 
 them only as they are revealed through immut- 
 able laws in external manifestation. For example, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 179 
 
 there are colors invisible and sounds inaudible 
 to mortal mind above and below the scale 
 which scientists, by means of most delicately con- 
 structed instruments, have shown to exist. They are 
 known, also, by their effects, yet they do not ap- 
 peal to the senses, though clairvoyant eyes and 
 clairaudient ears sense them. They become actual 
 only to those capable of discerning them. An idea 
 is a concept of the image of a thought fashioned 
 by the spirit in the mind, whether sensate or spir- 
 itual. It inheres in the spirit which gives to it, 
 through the different faculties, ideal expression in 
 created forms. Ideas, though purely of spiritual 
 origin and intangible, are fully realized and ex- 
 pressed when they become factors in human con- 
 duct, when they are incorporated in the inventions, 
 conduct and laws of mankind, imparting an in- 
 fluence for good or evil in shaping the destiny of 
 men and nations. It is true that there are some 
 things in nature, notably spiritual realities, so ex- 
 ceedingly fine and ethereal in essence that they 
 can be comprehended, and to immature minds 
 known, only as they are embodied in or developed 
 through the forms of matter. 
 
 A spirit whose power of perception or whose 
 spiritual sense w T as not sufficiently unfolded in 
 
180 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 the mortal form to prepare it for the higher 
 studies of life, its facts and principles, needs 
 on an entrance to spirit life to remain in the 
 earth's atmosphere, and so is firmly held there 
 by the law of its own attraction, until it ob- 
 tains the necessary development and discipline 
 which earth experiences alone can give. For only 
 through such unfoldment can it obtain the incip- 
 ient spiritual perception and knowledge which 
 are fundamental to higher unfoldment in the spir- 
 itual realms. It is for this reason that a desire to 
 live on earth as long as possible has been so deeply 
 implanted in the human heart, even when there 
 is absolute knowledge of the more glorious ex- 
 pressions of life that come through transition. 
 Soul, or spirit, having the attributes of the Infinite, 
 is possessed of a wondrous amount of resources 
 and a variety of power that eternity cannot ex- 
 haust. Few mortals attain a full knowledge of the 
 disciplinary character of their sphere while on the 
 earth side of life. Often nature's laws are violated 
 before any high degree of mental and spiritual de- 
 velopment is attained. Meanwhile the spirit, 
 through the disintegration of the mortal elements, 
 takes its flight. After a period of waiting, having 
 learned the principles of life, it returns to the earth. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 131 
 
 and through attractions gathers a knowledge 
 that might have been earlier learned. All spirits do 
 not return at once or immediately after leaving the 
 form to earth's inhabitants. The inhabitants of the 
 spiritual spheres so outnumber those of the mor- 
 tal plane that many must wait a suitable opportu- 
 nity until they can find expression in harmonious 
 adaptations, through which they can return and 
 successfully fulfill this part of their destiny. There 
 are numberless grades of spirituality and spheres'* 
 of progress, but spirits must first attain a full 
 knowledge and experience of their own given 
 sphere, be it ever so rudimental, before they can 
 pass to and through the higher, and ascend in 
 spiritual life and knowledge. 
 
 Throughout the universe there is the material 
 and the spiritual expression in all things, even in 
 the vegetable and mineral kingdoms. By cultivat- 
 ing the spiritual or the essential part, one may be- 
 come exalted and spiritually individualized, even 
 while inhabiting the material form, thus obtaining 
 an intuitive or acquired insight into spiritual sci- 
 ence, unknown to the purely materialistic thinker. 
 
 * The word sphere is used in this narrative to designate location, 
 but it implies mental and spiritual condition, and these may exist 
 in any locality; it is not infrequently used by some writers ex- 
 pressly to indicate these physical conditions. 
 
182 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 In every degree or grade of advancement in hu- 
 man life, both in the material and spiritual world, 
 the principles or laws, though manifold in their 
 office and application, are the same, being ex- 
 pressed with more or less intensity and variety ac- 
 cording to individual spiritual development; the 
 environment, as the soul progresses from each 
 grade of evolution, having served its purpose, is 
 outgrown and is lost in the sweep of time; but 
 the experiences gained, the character formed, in- 
 heres in the soul, giving it a higher spiritual capac- 
 ity and endowment. Life in the spheres contin- 
 ues to unfold and bear fruit in accordance with the 
 same law that defines and governs its existence in 
 the mortal form. Nature as law and purpose is man- 
 ifest in the spiritual spheres just as really as in the 
 material world, and while the changes are greater, 
 the vision is clearer, and all principles are under- 
 stood on a more harmonious scale, yet the soul 
 never escapes its God. For this reason it is not 
 possible for those imbued with a selfish, degraded 
 nature to continue long in that condition. Those 
 who, when in the earth-form, were engaged in 
 some special line of labor that deeply absorbed 
 them, realize that, while they retain on the spirit 
 side of life a certain interest therein, yet they can- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 183 
 
 not long have a voice or take part in material mat- 
 ters, though they still delight to mingle with earth 
 friends and in earth scenes of interest. For a time 
 in such intermingling they are as sanguine as of 
 old, expressing pleasure or disappointment, as if 
 they really inhabited the form, and were active 
 participants; nor can they be persuaded or forced 
 to abandon their course, until through an evolu- 
 tionary work, they are impelled to change their 
 minds. 
 
 Sometimes these excarnate spirits exercise their 
 persuasive power for good, sometimes for evil, 
 owing to their degree of development. It is not 
 generally known and yet it is true that individuals 
 are often influenced to do some good act, contrary 
 to their natural inclinations, and when, after re- 
 flecting, they seem to have excelled themselves in 
 meritorious conduct, they attribute it to a sudden 
 outburst of a latent, generous impulse, though in 
 reality they acted on the suggestion of some good 
 disembodied spirit. On the other hand, some per- 
 sons of highly sensitive, receptive minds, but of 
 weak will power, otherwise of good character, fre- 
 quently find themselves doing what their moral 
 sense condemns as wrong, and these act on the 
 suggestion of some impure earth-bound spirits who 
 
184 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 find pleasure only in earth-experiences, and a cer- 
 tain kind of delight in the misdemeanor of mortals. 
 
 This law holds good also in the lower spiritual 
 spheres, especially with religious natures that were 
 strongly creed-bound on earth. Some of the more 
 unprogressive minds retain their false religious 
 views for years after entering spirit-life. The 
 different creeds on earth have their representa- 
 tives and illustrations in spirit-life among spirits, 
 who sometimes communicate their old beliefs to 
 mortals, announcing them as truth, and only after 
 high spiritual development learning that "the let- 
 ter killeth but the spirit giveth life." In time, 
 each soul finds the good there is in the other's creed. 
 All, indeed, learn in time to abandon the false which 
 they ignorantly but often honestly advocated, and 
 as they advance into the divine light they learn 
 to love only the truth and to build upon the broad 
 and eternal foundation — the thought of the Infi- 
 nite Love. 
 
 When an undeveloped, earth-bound spirit exer- 
 cises a dominant influence over one of perverse 
 mind, one "who is drawn away of his own lust 
 and enticed," such influence is, indeed, baneful in 
 a high degree; but it does not relieve the tempted 
 one from responsibility. Evil must be resisted 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 185 
 
 only by overcoming it with good. The true and 
 the false are ever presenting themselves to the de- 
 veloping mind for acceptance; man must exercise 
 the will and give the soul its imperious power. 
 Aided by the higher inspirations of truth, his vic- 
 tory is not uncertain, but assured and permanent. 
 As in earth so in spirit life, there are different 
 organizations and societies for the diffusion of 
 knowledge. Comparatively few become administer- 
 ing spirits to mortals, and not until they have 
 reached a degree of mental culture and spirituality 
 that fit them for the work of instructors in their 
 own sphere. These spirits are not always attracted 
 in their guidance to their own relatives and friends, 
 but often to individuals whom they did not know 
 in the form. There are laws of attraction in the 
 spirit-life that affine souls and that extend beyond 
 the circle of immediate friends, yet are closely cor- 
 related to those that relate to communion with 
 kindred and friends, and ties of consanguinity. 
 Such higher spiritual ties, foreign as they may 
 seem to those of a family, for instance, are some- 
 times the only available means through which spir- 
 its may reach their relatives and those dear to 
 them on earth. The attraction leads to an affinity 
 which forms a oneness of soul where the characters 
 
18tf MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 blend in harmony as do certain elements iil nature. 
 Thus they find their own through others whom 
 they can the more easily approach. There is a re- 
 sponsive and correlative soul for each and all ab- 
 solutely; they realize their adaptability as they 
 grow into spiritual harmony, sometimes on earth, 
 more commonly, in spirit life, as they then more 
 fully understand the law of unity that attracts its 
 own in guardianship and love. 
 
 This law of spiritual attraction is and must be 
 at the basis cf all true social reform. 
 
 Marriage in spirit-life is a duality of soul, and is 
 a profound and sacred blending of mutual reason, 
 understanding and affection. The two as one are 
 harmoniously united. True soul companions may 
 differ in genius, but naturally they are beautiful and 
 essential contrasts, not duplicates. One offsets 
 and supplements the other at a center of equilib- 
 rium, making a contrast of two parts that form 
 the whole. True union is always spiritual and in- 
 tellectual, never carnal. Marriage, as entered into 
 upon the material plane, is unknown in spirit-life. 
 "In spirit-life they neither marry nor are given in 
 marriage, but are as the angels in heaven." Love 
 is the law essential to soul and is the source of 
 promotion throughout the universe. It is potent 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 187 
 
 in each atom and element, Yet it is misunderstood 
 and but faintly put into practice by mortals. Soul- 
 union is of the good, true, noble and divine, and 
 never fails ultimately to effect a heavenly peace. 
 
 In the spiritual kingdom there are institutions 
 for the diffusion of light as imparted through 
 lessons and communications from the intelli- 
 gences of the higher spheres. At their suggestion 
 and under their guidance, spirits of harmony unite 
 and form bands to visit special localities in earth- 
 life and perfect good results, Throughout the differ- 
 ent spheres, inspiration or knowledge is imparted 
 through the avenue or law of magnetic and electric 
 currents. Through this same law, highly intellec- 
 tual spirits become guides; they do not always re- 
 turn to earth's elements in spirit, but through the 
 transmission of thought by intervening messen- 
 gers, they become guides to those known as medi- 
 ums, both on the material and spirit-side of life. 
 Through this great law of spiritual science, the 
 two worlds harmoniously interblend in the acquisi- 
 tion and diffusion of knowledge. 
 
 There are various laws and conditions governing 
 spirit communication with mortals. It is natural 
 for those who have just passed beyond the veil of 
 mortality to desire to return to the old conditions 
 
188 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 and friends, even when realizing the beauty and 
 pleasure of their surroundings. In the newness 
 of life they experience an awakening interest 
 in those left behind, and a desire to impart to 
 them a knowledge of their condition and joy. 
 There is a continual yearning, until through 
 some kind, administering spirit, they are led back 
 to the scenes of earth. Not all spirits understand 
 the transmission of thought. Only those who have 
 reached a high degree of spiritual expansion and 
 receptivity are competent to act as administering 
 guides. They have entirely overcome earth's ele- 
 ments, and are ordained by virtue of their qualifi- 
 cations to hold such office. The administering 
 spirits act as intermediates and carry communica- 
 tions from sphere to sphere until they reach their 
 destination on earth, where the messages are 
 transmitted through kindly efforts of guiding spirit 
 influence. It is not possible for all spirits to re- 
 turn to earth and communicate individually. In 
 such cases, when there is a desire of inter-com- 
 munion on the part of mortals, some messenger of 
 light is present and bears the thought of the indi- 
 vidual to the mind of the spirit, and in the same 
 way, bears the answer back, inconceivably more 
 perfectly, rapidly and directly than the telegraphic 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 189 
 
 system of earth conveys a message, because the 
 thought is penetrative, and is transmitted as 
 quickly as it is expressed in the individual mind. 
 
 Spirits have their stated times for study, devo- 
 tion and rest as do mortals, yet always in compli- 
 ance with the laws of harmony. 
 
 Among all the various forms of life there are no 
 two whose characters are precisely alike; there 
 may be a similarity, but in some phase and quality 
 they differ and have different attractions. There 
 is perfect adaptability in all callings. Some select 
 one line of thought and, by a development in that 
 direction, attract a higher inspiration through 
 which a higher expression of work and a grander 
 achievement are given. In the different callings 
 in the material world, there is the natural .genius, 
 whose stroke, word or movement is like unto na- 
 ture. Others, however, are not so ingenious, their 
 hands are not so dextrous, they cannot adapt them- 
 selves to any special line, owing to imperfect qual- 
 ifications. Yet all can accomplish something. A 
 few are evenly balanced and may succeed in al- 
 most any undertaking. With the majority there 
 is some one thing, even though it may not rank 
 among the higher forms of thought, in which each 
 can attain perfection, if, fortunately, he ascertain 
 
190 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 what this specialty is, and receive through train- 
 ing in early youth, when the mind is susceptible 
 to educational influences, the primary impetus. 
 Many do not awaken to a true knowledge of their 
 true involution, on which is based their true evolu- 
 tion, until they pass out of the form. These, as 
 has been shown, return to earth to gather experi- 
 ence. Those somewhat advanced, when suffi- 
 ciently receptive, can unfold their dormant pov/ers 
 on the spirit side of life. 
 
 The universe presents conditions which, if mor- 
 tals fully understood them, they could so mould 
 as to obviate contention and failure. Progressive 
 spirits make this principle one of the first studies 
 after entering spirit life; therefore the spiritual 
 spheres, as we have elsewhere taught, are in true 
 accord, even in extreme conditions, with the spirit. 
 The right and the wrong way lie, respectively, in 
 the light and in the darkness. Life ever unfolds, 
 and beneficent changes are effected only through 
 eternal, immutable laws. Throughout the uni- 
 verse these uniform principles or laws securing reg- 
 ular and harmonious conditions, are enforced with 
 a unity of purpose and diversity of unfoldment that 
 makes life not only a continuous, glorious reality, 
 but receptive of the Divine. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 191 
 
 From what has been said in regard to the desire 
 of undeveloped spirits to learn through those yet 
 in the earth-form, and of the kind treatment ren- 
 dered to human beings by the more advanced spir- 
 its, the duty of mortals to the earth-bound may be 
 readily inferred. The golden rule is of universal 
 application. It touches all grades and all worlds. 
 Mortals should remember that their responsibility 
 extends beyond the visible horizon. You are 
 "compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses. " 
 The unseen are more than the seen. Christ 
 preached to the spirits in prison. All should gladly 
 follow his example, all should have a kindly feel- 
 ing towards the weak, whether embodied or dis- 
 embodied. While firmly overcoming evil influences 
 from all sources, each one should earnestly desire 
 the advancement of his fellowman in all conditions 
 of life, and in all worlds; then none will be troubled 
 with "evil spirits." The so-called evil spirits may 
 be undeveloped, but they embody the grand pos- 
 sibilities of eternal life; the duty of each one is to 
 love such and help them onward. 
 
 i\s the law of evolution continues to effect benefi- 
 cent changes in the states of the soul, civilization 
 in the material world will advance, and with the 
 unfoldment of the soul will come increased pros- 
 peri ty and happiness among mankind. 
 
192 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 A great spiritual awakening awaits the world of 
 mortals. When this millennium fully dawns, spir- 
 its in the form will recognize in spirit messengers 
 from the higher spheres their kindred, they will 
 realize that all are the children of the same Heav- 
 enly Father, and they will welcome the fruitful 
 changes of progress which they suggest and en- 
 courage as fundamental to universal human fel- 
 lowship and felicity. 
 
 Great strides have been made during the last 
 two centuries, nay, during the last two or three 
 decades, and still greater progress will unfold in 
 the coming century. Then will Ezekiel's prophecy 
 be fulfilled, and the mechanism of the inner wheels 
 be revealed. There will be a generous shaking up 
 of all the dry bones, and Spiritualism will rise en- 
 throned, imperial and absolute in truth. Theol- 
 ogy, sociology, medicine, law, science and govern- 
 ment will all respond to the voice of the spirit. 
 Symbolically speaking, bone shall come to bone, 
 and all shall be clothed with the sinews and flesh 
 of the undying soul. From the four winds shall 
 come the breath of life. Every nation will con- 
 tribute its quota of love and genius to the new or- 
 der of humanity. Universal brotherhood will be 
 the world's spiritual badge. And in "the open val- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 198 
 
 ley where once were many dry bones/' the temple 
 of the living God, redeemed by the Spirit, shall 
 arise where full-grown men and women, "an ex- 
 ceeding great army,*' shall worship the Eternal 
 One in spirit and in truth. The gates of the spirit 
 world are ajar, the angels flood the outer atmos- 
 phere with their effulgent light, and the river of 
 love flows out to every wilderness and desert until 
 the rose of Sharon shall bloom and peace fill the 
 world forever and ever. 
 
 Mortals may wish to know the view which the 
 advanced spirits take of the Bible, the Atonement 
 and the Resurrection, and hence we subjoin their 
 teaching, more especially for the perusal and edi- 
 fication of those who may not have considered 
 these questions in the light of spiritual science. 
 
 Spirits do not interpret the Bible as many mor- 
 tals do. The Bible is a book containing many val- 
 uable precepts and much inspiration, but it was 
 written by human beings and in an age when in- 
 telligence was not on as high a plane as it is in mod- 
 ern times, and hence there is incorporated in it 
 many errors of an ignorant and superstitious na- 
 tion. It should be interpreted spiritually, not ma- 
 terially or literally, and as other books. No one 
 should allow himself to become a slave to the 
 
104 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 teachings of any book. It is necessary to exercise 
 the reason, illuminated by the highest inspiration, 
 on all subjects. It is the highest faculty, and by 
 its supreme authority the Bible or any part of it 
 is decided to be or not to be the word of God; 
 Much evil has resulted by interpreting the Bible 
 too literally, and by holding as sacred and obliga- 
 tory the sentiments which it contains, irrespective 
 of their truth, and which a higher philosophy has 
 rejected. The world cannot advance in shackles. 
 The spiritual world is anxious that the truth only 
 shall be held as sacred, and it is the truth that 
 maketh free. The spirit world regards Jesus as 
 a great inspirational teacher, and not divine other 
 than as all men are divine. Buddha and Confucius 
 were also great moral teachers; each became a 
 savior to his followers. Jesus lifted mankind to 
 a higher spiritual plane and brought "life and im- 
 mortality to light. " He lived his doctrine, and this 
 made him a good and great example. Jesus prayed 
 to his Father in heaven, and was in constant com- 
 munication with the angels, as were also his apos- 
 tles, and the prophets of the old dispensation. The 
 Bible has been subjected to many revisions, to keep 
 it in touch with the progress of the age, which is 
 a lamentable mistake. Let it be correctly tran- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 195 
 
 scribed but not altered. Spirits value the Bible 
 for only the good that it contains, not for the er- 
 rors. 
 
 As to the atonement, it is natural for barbarous, 
 semi-civilized people to try to escape the penalty 
 of their sins by seeking to attribute them to others ; 
 and hence, when a vicarious atonement was 
 offered in the "plan of salvation" by theologians, 
 it found ready acceptance, even among people of 
 high civilization. The idea that Christ had suffered 
 in their stead, was a relief to conscience-stricken 
 sinners. It was an Old Testament idea that sac- 
 rifices, or the shedding of blood, was necessary for 
 the remission of sins, and some passages in the 
 New Testament favor this theory. Isaiah arose 
 to a higher inspiration, however, and denounced 
 burnt and blood offerings, substituting in their 
 stead the doctrine of reason, good works and a 
 pure life. But, notwithstanding the high inspira- 
 tion of some of the Hebrew prophets, the ancient 
 temples of the Jews would, in modern times, be 
 regarded as slaughter houses. 
 
 Christianity was, in its ceremonials, an advance 
 on such barbarous customs and worship, especially 
 in doing away with the frequent shedding of the 
 blood of bulls and goats and substituting the sac- 
 
196 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 rifice of Jesus on the cross once for all It was 
 morally worse, however, in that it substituted an 
 innocent human being for the guilty. If Christ 
 is, as some claim, God, the very Creator, it does 
 not help the matter any but makes it worse, as 
 his innocence is in that case absolute. That the 
 just should suffer for the unjust is immoral, and 
 this immorality is the foundation of the theological 
 doctrine of the atonement. The fact is, Jesus 
 suffered and died as a martyr; he went about do- 
 ing good, healing the sick, teaching spiritual doc- 
 trines. He was an ardent reformer, and the Jews, 
 fearing lest he would establish an earthly king- 
 dom, precipitated his martyrdom. They could not 
 comprehend the spiritual kingdom he was trying 
 to establish, and they put him to death. He taught 
 the true doctrine of the atonement by his practical 
 life, a sublime unity of the finite with the Infinite 
 soul in love. Atonement (at-one-ment), stripped 
 of its technical, theological meaning implies recon- 
 ciliation to God; and as God is love, justice and 
 truth, the true atonement (if mankind need use 
 such a technical term) consists in bringing one's 
 self into harmony with truth, justice and divine 
 love. This can only be done by living a pure life 
 — one of good works. The old theological doctrine 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 19? 
 
 of the atonement, that men can sin, no matter 
 how much or how long, and have their sins all 
 washed out by the blood of Christ, is a most per- 
 nicious doctrine, as it simply offers a premium on 
 and license for sin. The doctrine is contrary to 
 reason, and to all that is revealed in the laws of 
 the natural and the spirit-world, Each one must 
 suffer the natural penalty of his wrong-doing, and 
 be judged in the court of his own conscience. As 
 transgressors, the violators of natural and spirit- 
 ual law realize their sin and experience the discom- 
 fiture and evil arising therefrom. They may, by 
 making amends as far as possible for an injury 
 done another, by seeking a regeneration of their 
 own natures, and a heavenly inspiration to sustain 
 them and guide them to higher living, effect the 
 only and real atonement possible for sin. It is the 
 Christ in each heart who makes this atonement, 
 that saves the soul from sin. 
 
 As to the resurrection, it must be said that Paul 
 had a true inspiration when he taught, "There is 
 a spiritual and there is a natural body." At the 
 dissolution of the natural, or physical body, the 
 spiritual body is formed. This is the true and only 
 resurrection, so far as the form of the spirit is con- 
 cerned. The elements in the mortal body return 
 
198 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 to dust. They enter into other bodies and con- 
 tinue for all time, and thus they serve the purpose 
 of physical growth in vegetable and animal life. 
 At the event called death, the spirit "arises into 
 newness of life," The angel world is present in 
 every death-chamber to aid the spirit in its effort 
 to throw off the cumbrous material covering that 
 holds it to earth. Clairvoyants have in many cases 
 seen the spiritual body arise in its beauteous fash- 
 ion out of its perishing house of clay. The spir- 
 itual body is not, at once, strong enough to give 
 expression to that which is within. When the 
 spirit becomes weary from long suffering in the 
 physical form, rest and quiet are sought, and from 
 the natural elements of the spiritual atmosphere, 
 strength and a new force to life are given. Many 
 times, spirits freed from the body cannot, at once, 
 use the spiritual organism and converse with 
 those around them. They are taught by those of 
 advanced spheres, the same as a child of mortality 
 is taught to walk and talk, and gradually they ac- 
 quire freedom of spirit and expression, How beau- 
 tiful is the resurrection of the spirit! How loath- 
 some and horrible the idea of the resurrection of 
 the mortal remains! The latter doctrine is scien- 
 tifically absurd and has no place in science, nor is 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 199 
 
 it recognized by spirit intelligences. As spiritual 
 ideas prevail more and more on earth, these crude 
 ideas of the carnal mind will vanish. Let science 
 reign and superstition and ignorance perish in their 
 own grave-clothes. The spirit has no need of the 
 old material covering which it has outgrown, being 
 renewed by the Divine Parent who giveth it a 
 freer habitation, one not made with hands eternal 
 in the heavens, never unclothed but ever clothed 
 upon in the endless cycles of eternity. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Scorn not a gift, however rare it be; 
 
 God gave it and He loveth thee; 
 
 He knew what each should do to grow the tree 
 
 Of life for time, eternity. 
 
 The sibyl forming words into a rhyme, 
 Or seer who sees what sense cannot, 
 Each vestal virgin who in trance divine 
 Gives utterance to spirit thought, — 
 
 All these serve man and God in duty's path; 
 The medium is the instrument 
 Who voiceth truth and good that spirit hath 
 Inspired, and God in heaven sent. 
 
 Attend the shrine where angels hover near, 
 Accept their inspirations pure, 
 Listen to thought of teacher, savior, seer — 
 For truth alone can live, endure. 
 
 Among the different human callings and adap- 
 tations to natural lines of thought in life, each soul 
 having its own peculiar surroundings and elements 
 of attraction, there are those whose aura and con- 
 stitutional qualities characterize them as mediums. 
 
 200 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 201 
 
 The aura, this subtle, invisible fluid, radiates from 
 all bodies and all things, from persons and ani- 
 mals, from planets, stars, and all forms of life, 
 and designates to the psychometrist the hidden 
 thought, nature and aim of each. It is the sign or 
 symbol of the interior nature, visible in materiality 
 only to clairvoyant mortals, but readily perceived 
 by spirits. The term medium has a wide signifi- 
 cation and is applied to persons of various degrees 
 and unfoldment of medial power. A medium is 
 one who is exceedingly sensitive or impressionable, 
 and naturally passive or capable of becoming so 
 at will. He need not necessarily be positive nor 
 extremely negative or receptive, but he must be 
 more than ordinarily receptive and sensitive by 
 nature. And yet he may also, when occasion de- 
 mands, be decidedly positive. The best basic or- 
 ganism for mediumship, all other qualities being 
 equal, is one of great vitality where the magnetic 
 and electrical forces are harmoniously fused and 
 divided. Such are extremely sensitive, naturally 
 or unusually receptive to influences, or capable of 
 becoming so at will, reasonable and patient, ordi- 
 narily positive and with a large reserve of latent 
 will force. With these necessary and fundamental 
 qualifications, the greater the intellect and the 
 
202 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 finer the culture and the purer the spirituality the 
 greater the mediumship or the office thereof, 
 especially when of the inspirational phase. 
 
 All spiritual phenomena are natural, that is, 
 they belong to the order of the universe. There 
 are occurrences that are effected by invisible agen • 
 cies, spiritual in their source, though phenomenal 
 in character, through a harmony of being and a uni- 
 formity of spirit. These phenomena are a part of 
 life and as natural as the law of gravitation and 
 physical vibration. Mediums possess a varied and 
 graduated amount of mental qualifications. All 
 are not saints or philosophers. All have medial 
 qualities. With most of them these qualities or 
 forces lie dormant for want of unfoldment. When 
 maturity of earth-life is reached, there is some- 
 times an awakening of the spiritual perceptions, 
 and a consciousness of medial power, but such 
 mediums cannot easily be developed into any par- 
 ticular phase. There are laws which regulate me- 
 dial gifts and unfoldment. 
 
 There are two general phases; the first is the in- 
 tellectual or inspirational, the other is the phys- 
 ical or phenomenal. Some psychic organisms pos- 
 sess an adaptation to either or to both. The latter 
 is characterized by an equilibrium of the spiritual 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 203 
 
 and physical forces, while the former prevails among 
 those in whom a highly sensitive, sympathetic men- 
 tality predominates, Both classes of mediums, 
 when fully developed, are readily susceptible to 
 spiritual influences. 
 
 Mediumship is of divine appointment and has 
 existed through all ages, and not being understood, 
 has been generally ridiculed and rejected. Only 
 the elect or spiritually awakened have accepted it. 
 
 There is a deep, silent conviction among the 
 more intelligent, honest thinkers that a great truth 
 underlies the sublime doctrines of Spiritualism, but 
 they are patiently waiting for time and evolution 
 to crown their manhood with sufficient moral cour- 
 age to seek the truth for its sake. 
 
 It is not possible to enter into a minute mention 
 of the elements and qualifications possessed by 
 those of medial power. There are many subtle laws 
 and conditions which permeate spiritual manifes- 
 tations of which material science takes no cogni- 
 zance, nor does it know or care to know of them. 
 True, they transcend its scope, but since they are 
 within the realm of spiritual science, they can be 
 gotten at if the scientist would wish to know them. 
 Spirits understand them and make them available 
 in the diversified work of mediumship. 
 
204 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Each individual carries about him or ner an in- 
 fluence or aura, which is analagous in quality to 
 the spirit, having its cause or center in the soul, 
 and by which he or she is attracted to places or 
 purposes; and hence through this subtle agency 
 existing throughout the universe of spiritual be- 
 ings, progress is made in all humanitarian spiritual 
 work. In medial development magnetic and electric 
 forces are generated and manipulated through the 
 law of vibration by spirits, and in the production 
 of spiritual and phenomenal manifestations. As 
 chemists analyze the different elements and com- 
 pounds in the material world, so spirits are able to 
 detect and refine the atmospheric waves, known 
 in solution as hydrogen, oxygen and the like, and 
 through the nerve force of the medium, manipu- 
 late and utilize them as the chemist forms new 
 compounds from various affinitizing elements in 
 his laboratory. As the photographer subjects the 
 negative to chemical solution to bring out the im- 
 age, so spirits subject their work to sensitive and 
 receptive conditions, and hence, sometimes, dark- 
 ness is used. Darkness in such cases is as neces- 
 sary to the success of the work of the spirit chemist, 
 as is the darkened chamber in the camera or the 
 laboratory essential to the production of a picture. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 205 
 
 The various forms or manifestations of electric- 
 ity as understood in the material world, become 
 more refined and ethereal in their nature as they 
 extend into the spiritual realm. 
 
 Now spirit return, including its diversified man- 
 ifestations, is as much a part of the infinite pur- 
 pose as are the different systems of laws and pro- 
 cesses throughout the material universe. As new 
 unfoldments in material, social and spiritual evo- 
 lution constantly arise, the law of spirit intercom- 
 munication gradually reveals itself, and, as naturally 
 as an effect legitimately and certainly follows a 
 cause, intercommunication becomes more general 
 and accepted. Ultimately, it will be universally 
 acknowledged and the divine mission of spirit 
 messengers understood. 
 
 Mediums are of such peculiarly sensitive nature 
 that they become psychological and in a sense 
 mesmeric subjects to the spirit, and, for the time, 
 realize as much the life of others as they do their 
 own individual experience. When available as per- 
 fect subjects they are constantly kept in a nega- 
 tive condition, because of the frequent control of 
 their organism by spirits. Therefore, they often 
 silently suffer the mental and physical happenings 
 of those into whose atmosphere they enter. 
 
206 • MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Thoughts to them are realizations. With medi- 
 ums the spiritual sight, hearing, feeling and sensi- 
 bility become refined and spiritualized, as they 
 continually unfold, especially as they study and 
 practice the laws pertaining to their own powers 
 and nature, Thoughts and desires, whether of a 
 kindly or wounding nature, projected through space 
 by spirits or mortals, cause a vibration through 
 the atmosphere, extending in the direction intended, 
 and affects the truly sensitive nature in the way 
 designed. 
 
 Spirits, in coming into communication with their 
 friends on earth through some sensitive subjects, 
 manipulate the atmospheric forces so that they 
 will vibrate and play in harmony with the spiritual 
 elements and forces of the medium, and through 
 this combined condition and the auric solution 
 they affect their messages. They produce the 
 thought by playing upon the different organs of 
 the brain. This pertains to the mental phase alone, 
 and exhausts the vital force and drains the mental 
 aura to a greater degree than were the individual 
 undergoing some long and tedious study. This is 
 significant of the inspirational phase. 
 
 The trance condition which we classify under 
 the mental, is, of itself, a distinct phase. The spirit 
 
Marguerite hunter 20? 
 
 Control throws an influence of rest or sleep over 
 the medium's spirit, and takes possession of the 
 organism, giving voice to identical character and 
 often changing the facial expression. This con- 
 dition is affected by the spirit control, the medium 
 becoming the subject of physical influence. 
 
 The conditions and forces necessary to physical 
 manifestation are more intricate than those of the 
 other phases. They comprise the manipulation 
 and combining of various forces in nature. The 
 successful work is accomplished by an application 
 of the principles of both material and spiritual sci- 
 ence. There are a number of phases pertaining 
 to physical mediumship, yet, in their order of 
 change, each one requires a different quality of 
 elements. The materializing phase has within it- 
 self three different classes of manifestation, the 
 independent, the personation, and the etherealiza- 
 tion. All are equally exhaustive of the medium's 
 vital force. In independent materialization, the 
 medium's spirit is suspended for a time, while the 
 life action of the physical organism is kept up or 
 sustained by the magnetic currents, manipulated 
 by the controlling spirit. Independent materiali- 
 zation comprises the extraction of portions of all 
 the elements and principles within and surround- 
 
208 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 ing the sensitive subject, but within a limited ra- 
 dius or degree of the auric essence, together with 
 the magnetic and electric forces and other neces- 
 sary elements gathered from the circle. All such 
 is utilized for the one grand purpose. This pro- 
 cess results in the temporary forming of the body 
 through which the spirit manifesting may give ut- 
 terance to thought and even similarity of form 
 and feature for identification. The forces or ele- 
 ments are extracted from the circle and centered 
 through the medium. The temporary form must 
 necessarily partake not only of the composite char- 
 acteristics of the form of the members of the circle 
 and medium, but likewise have, in a sense, the 
 semblance of voice, more especially of the medium 
 who serves as the battery. So closely and sensi- 
 tively harmonized and outwrought are the condi- 
 tions of this phase that the intrusion of a foreign 
 thought will ruffle and mar the expression, chang- 
 ing almost instantaneously the countenance and 
 outward vision of form; and at such times should 
 the electric chain of the circle be broken or any 
 disturbance arise, the elements that were used to 
 form the temporary body then immediately sepa- 
 rate and return to their source, back to each center 
 and medium by the chemical law of attraction. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 209 
 
 Mediums are subjects of the spiritual world in all 
 phases. They cannot command any form of man- 
 ifestation, Now the spirit, in order to give mate- 
 rial form and manifestation, must employ the 
 elements known to earth spheres and weave from 
 them the material garment. The spirit thus for com- 
 parison moulds the form to resemble it; the me- 
 dium, being the sensitive or polar center, must 
 necessarily become a party to the phenomenon. 
 Great harm is sometimes done by ignorant, dis- 
 trustful investigators in creating disturbance dur- 
 ing a seance for materialization. This phase is 
 difficult to produce, and often unsatisfactory, chiefly 
 because not understood. The medial qualities 
 essential to the phase of independent materializa- 
 tion are in the nerve-fluids of the body and 
 can be generated by proper elements and forces 
 known to spiritual science. Under these condi- 
 tions, with surroundings of harmony and uniform- 
 ity of thought, materialization can be wonderfully 
 demonstrated. The spirit, during the interval of 
 manifesting, can be easily disturbed by a thought 
 that may vibrate through the air to the spirit thus 
 engaged and in an instant retard and dispel all ex- 
 pression, if not impair and dissolve the form, for 
 spirit is sensitive and easily repelled by conditions 
 of inharmony. 
 
210 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 The nerve force or fluid gathered from the me- 
 dium is a part of the physical organism, but bor- 
 rowed by the operating guides, and must be 
 returned to sustain the spirit in its office while em- 
 bodied. If left to the controlling spirit, a reflex or 
 reaction through natural laws will never prove in- 
 jurious to either the medium or the sitters, whereas 
 a sudden disturbance (such as seizing the form 
 or otherwise destroying conditions of harmony), 
 returns the forces and elements so suddenly that 
 they tend to stun and paralyze the nerve tissues, 
 sometimes causing long illness and suffering. In- 
 vestigators should bear this fact ever in mind. 
 
 The second phase of materialization is that known 
 as personation or transfiguration. This is the 
 weaker phase. The medium for such phenomena 
 is possessed of that peculiar electrical combination 
 which spirits can easily control and thus by such 
 control change the form, the facial expression and 
 the voice of the instrument to represent the spirit 
 presented, and can do this as easily as mortals can 
 mould a ball of clay at will. The spirit identity 
 of the medium is subject to a condition of rest 
 and sleep, the same as in an independent material- 
 ization. The spirit immortal then takes possession 
 of the organism, assuming individual identity, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 211 
 
 sometimes as it is in its home in spirit life, but 
 more often and for recognition of the friends of 
 earth, as it was when in the form. This phase 
 should be as satisfactory as independent material- 
 ization, but it is not so regarded, The border-lines 
 are so closely interblended that there is scarcely 
 any distinction. Oftentimes a medium possessing 
 materializing qualities, is used by spirits who find 
 it necessary, either from lack of nerve-force or the 
 proper elements of harmony in their subject through 
 which to combine the conditions required for the 
 building of the form, in personation to represent 
 the spirit. Great care should be taken in stating 
 these facts to the investigator, so as to avoid general 
 misunderstanding and contention. Honest medi- 
 ums often suffer in reputation because, since per- 
 sonation is not understood by the members of the 
 circle, or is not explained to them by the medium 
 or some one qualified to speak, they detect the 
 personality of the medium, and at once regard the 
 manifestation as a fraudulent materialization. 
 
 The first impulse of the skeptical mind in investi- 
 gating the phenomena of materialization, is to 
 suddenly seize the form, which can easily be done 
 under the ordinary conditions of a mixed audience. 
 Where there is harmony of purpose and confidence 
 
212 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 among the sitters, with proper atmospheric condi- 
 tions, the spirit can be materialized and dematerial- 
 ized at will, even while within the grasp of mortal 
 hands, but when such experiment is to be tried 
 there should be previous arrangement and under- 
 standing to this effect between the investigator and 
 the guide, so that no harm may follow the experi- 
 ment. When two or more forms appear simulta- 
 neously in the presence of the medium and the 
 sitters, there is, in each case, a personality unmis- 
 takable, but in such a combination and distribu- 
 tion there is a division of the vital forces, and 
 therefore, to affect such a multiple of forms, great 
 harmony should prevail, as the requirements of 
 the law of concentration for such additions are 
 greater than for a single materialization, and con- 
 sequently more taxing to the sensitive. 
 
 Etherealization is the third and finest phase of 
 materialization. It consists of the concentration 
 of the most spiritualized elements into the vapor 
 form; back of it are combined electrical forces 
 sufficient to illuminate the shadow. In this phase, 
 the voice can be assimulated only through the 
 vocal organs of the medium and guide. The ele- 
 ments required are unlike those of independent 
 materialization, being formed more from the elec- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 213 
 
 trical forces of the personal atmosphere, centered 
 in the medium and brought into compass and action 
 by the magnetic currents as gathered from the 
 stars. In each instance, the medium serves as the 
 battery or magnet. 
 
 In all these phases of spirit manifestation, the 
 condition of darkness is, in a degree, required. 
 Comment and adverse criticism often arise from 
 this fact, but if mortals will but think, they will 
 perceive that all growth is generated in the dark, 
 all life is subjected to darkness in the matrix. 
 Darkness is negative, and the generative processes 
 of nature are, at certain and earlier stages, more 
 easily established, unfolded and perfected under 
 such conditions. In the negative state of darkness 
 the magnetic and electric forces are even, while 
 under the influence of light and heat, the vibrations 
 of these forces are more positive and irregular and 
 the elements used for such phenomena more read- 
 ily exhausted. The same principles invariably 
 apply to the spiritual universe in all activities as 
 to the material kingdom. 
 
 There are many phases pertaining to physical 
 phenomena as demonstrated through spirit power. 
 Similarly but specially organized individuals have 
 an aura that favors these manifestations, all of 
 
214 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 which are produced under and through the differ- 
 entiated condition of darkness. Any manifestation 
 of the material form or character comes under the 
 head of physical phenomena. The process or modus 
 operandi for their production is in concentrating 
 the forces in some special form in obedience to 
 law, and further, by forming a battery by the join- 
 ing of hands of the sitters in a partial or complete 
 circle. The nerve and auric forces are drawn from 
 the members of the circle and focused in the sensi- 
 tive, whence proceed the outward expressions which 
 must necessarily, so far as quality and character 
 are concerned, partake of the predominant char- 
 acteristics of the circle. If any of the sitters be 
 of a gross and rough nature, the physical manifesta- 
 tions will be of the same character, while, if the 
 members who convene are of an earnest mind and 
 have an honest purpose, only desirous for spiritual 
 truth, the vibrations of force will accord with their 
 mental state and be even, quiet and harmonious, 
 and hence the results of the spirit in manifestations 
 will be of the same nature. 
 
 In our teaching we have tried to be brief, and 
 hence it is not necessary to elaborate more exten- 
 sively upon the subject of conditions and forces re- 
 quired for spiritual manifestation. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 215 
 
 In the production of all kinds of physical phe- 
 nomena the laws and principles are the same as in 
 materialization. Some mediums are entranced 
 during the giving of such phenomena, but rarely is 
 this done outside of materialization. 
 
 The independent slate-writing phase comes nat- 
 urally under the head of physical phenomena, but 
 is involved in more intricate laws and conditions, 
 because both mental and physical forces are used, 
 and are used independently of the will of the me- 
 dium. The writing is usually, but not necessarily, 
 obtained under the adverse physical surrounding 
 of light. It is not possible to explain in full all 
 the processes and laws pertaining to this phase, 
 as science in the material world has no recognition 
 or understanding of them. Slate-writing mediums 
 possess and furnish the quota of nerve force nec- 
 essary for the manipulation of the pencil by the 
 spirit, or, as is sometimes the case, the reproduc- 
 tion on slates of the photographic reflection of the 
 thought impressed on the brain of the medium. 
 In the independent slate-writing phase, the me- 
 dium must possess a large amount of physical, 
 magnetic and electric energy, which is extracted, 
 combined and independently used by the spirit in 
 obedience to spiritual laws pertaining to the science 
 
210 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 of penetration. Darkness in a degree is needed, as 
 is noticed, when the pencil is placed between two 
 slates. When a pencil is used, it is manipulated 
 by spirit forces through material and spiritual laws, 
 the forces being concentrated at a center or point 
 within the compass of the writing, in most cases 
 the medium not being cognizant of the thought 
 transmitted. 
 
 Through other mediums who are differently con- 
 stituted, or who sometimes, when conditions are 
 imperfect, cannot receive the writing, as we have 
 shown, it is necessary to impress the mind of the 
 medium with the theme or thought, before it can 
 be transmitted by means of the pencil to the slate. 
 In neither case does the medium do the writing. 
 Should the forces become exhausted, as is usually 
 the case in long communications, before the thought 
 is expressed, the thought may be imperfectly ex- 
 pressed, because the writing had to be hurried. 
 The numerous laws that have a bearing on this 
 one phase cause great diversity of form and char- 
 acter in the writing, and make it difficult to sepa- 
 rate and define each variation or shade of difference 
 even in one message. This phase is most delicate 
 in its operation. Its conditions are most easily 
 destroyed; and hence it is most difficult to obtain, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 217 
 
 because of its intricate spiritual laws and medial 
 requirements. The vibrations are so fine that a 
 contrary thought can mar or destroy them. Yet 
 it is the phase that is so convincing to the skeptic 
 because of its outward and free demonstration, 
 thus enabling the investigator to fully test its gen- 
 uine character openly. All spirits do not under- 
 stand this branch of spiritual science, and cannot 
 comply with the law of direct communication 
 through this particular phase, and hence most often 
 the operating spirit writes the message from dic- 
 tation of the spirit communicating. 
 
 There is a natural law for the communication of 
 thought of which spirits, in their free condition 
 and atmosphere, avail themselves, understanding 
 and using it as naturally as do the children of 
 earth, who, through a law of mental association, 
 learn to give outward expression to their thought 
 which appeals to the mind through the senses. 
 Spirits, free of the material form, readily enter into 
 soul-thought and understanding. They converse 
 by thought transference, and in returning, in order 
 to communicate with their friends on earth, they 
 sometimes find difficulty in again taking up the 
 symbols or language of mortals. More especially 
 difficult is it when a long time has intervened or 
 
2is Marguerite hunter 
 
 elapsed before they are called upon to do so. 
 They find it difficult to give identical expression. 
 As mortals grow in understanding, they change 
 their thought and expressions of their thought; so 
 also do spirits, as they pass on to the higher grades 
 of individuality and spheres of light, making it 
 difficult to again resume the habits of earth-life. 
 There are also other difficulties that occasion this 
 variance and retrogression. There are occasions 
 when the communications are carried down through 
 messengers to the guide of the medium, and hence 
 there must necessarily be, in part, a similarity of 
 expression common to all, or even an interblending 
 into one form, as in the mixing of several colors 
 there is a seeming semblance of each without 
 exactness. 
 
 Sometimes there is free and independent expres- 
 sion, but more often the form of the thought par- 
 takes of the medium or sitter or both, because the 
 forces used in the translation of the thought are 
 drawn from either or both; and, besides, there is a 
 condition of harmony of thought which, like blended 
 waters, affects the reflected image of thought. To 
 produce direct, unblemished communication, there 
 should t*e a pure spiritual atmosphere and an ear- 
 nest desire for the truth, The investigator should 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 219 
 
 first be honest with himself and with the medium. 
 Mediums are sensitive. They are subjects through 
 whom all influences can, in a sense, communicate. 
 Such thought or results as you seek you will re- 
 ceive, as like attracts like. Some spirits who, 
 when in the body, delighted to take part in decep- 
 tion, often delight in so returning, thus deceiving 
 the skeptic who is self-conceited and arrogant, for all 
 have not outgrown their former environments and 
 character, and by opening the way with thoughts 
 of dishonesty and infidelity or immorality, these 
 spirits step in and take part, more especially among 
 those where the medium or such an one's special 
 phase of mediumship is undeveloped, or the guid- 
 ing influences or controls are not permanently es- 
 tablished. 
 
 The next phases in order are clairvoyance and 
 clairaudience, and psychometry. Often the first 
 two, and occasionally the latter accompany the 
 physical phase. They are gifts or qualities that 
 belong to every organism, and though latent, can, 
 in special cases, be developed to some and often 
 to a full extent. They are more practical and 
 serviceable to some than to others, but are prom- 
 inent in all the higher phases of mediumship. With 
 some, each one is a distinct phase, that is, one is 
 
220 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 developed clairvoyantly or along the other lines. 
 The spirit operating on such subjects manipulates 
 the different faculties of the mind and organs of 
 the brain simultaneously, making the spiritual sense 
 more clear, either in respect to sight, hearing or 
 touch, with some it being a conscious and with 
 others an unconscious condition. 
 
 In psychometry, the spiritual sense and vision 
 become so sensitive that the medium, by coming in 
 contact with individuals or objects, can read their 
 history, by the various vibrations or aura surround- 
 ing each, for causes may be traced from their 
 effects. In further explanation of this one phase 
 it can be said that as one condition brings about 
 a result, so does that result, in time, cause some 
 other condition to follow. In each case, the effect of 
 a preceding cause becomes the cause of a subse- 
 quent effect, thus forming lines and links in history 
 that reveal their secrets to the touch of the highly 
 sensitive psychometrist. Spirits are, also, able to 
 trace these conditions from the aura or emanations 
 of things closely connected and affinitized. All rel- 
 ative circumstances loom up before them, as do 
 also the events in the lives of those who are closely 
 associated with them. Each aura having, in some 
 way, an individual reflection, nothing is lost and 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 221 
 
 life is an open, transparent book. Spirits can always 
 give to mortals all that is perfectly clear to them, 
 but as there is a limit to material expression, also 
 to the capacity of human faculties, for this reason 
 communications are often given in symbols. Psy- 
 chometry interprets the action and force of life. It 
 is a spiritual science of soul-force, peculiar to and 
 complete in itself. Its estimates or measurements 
 are based on soul perceptions which are quickened 
 or awakened as they are brought into the mag- 
 netic aura of persons and objects. 
 
 The conditions leading to or affecting spirit com- 
 munication, in all phases where mediumship of 
 course is involved, are that of harmony and uni- 
 formity of purpose. Spirits, while more sensitive 
 than mortals, yet cannot, of themselves, perceive 
 beyond the boundary of their own sphere. Good 
 thoughts and lofty aspirations aid and strengthen 
 the spirit, but gross thoughts and evil purposes are 
 baleful, and tend to dispel direct, unblemished 
 communications between the two worlds. 
 
 The different laws pertaining to the concentra- 
 tion of the spiritual and material forces, though uni- 
 form, are, in each case, adapted and applied to 
 the organism of the medium, and the different pha- 
 ses through which phenomena are demonstrated. 
 
222 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 The operating spirit or guide is able to define the 
 application of these laws or dictate their use in 
 this respect by studying the genius underlying each 
 particular case. 
 
 The use of music at seances is for the purpose 
 of forming a serene, unalloyed condition of mental 
 harmony that assists in perfecting the highest spir- 
 itual results. 
 
 Intuition, like perception or consciousness, is 
 direct or immediate knowledge of the soul and inde- 
 pendent of any reasoning process. It is the oppo- 
 site of tuition. It is direct and divine inspiration. 
 
 The impressional phase of mediumship is as much 
 a gift of mediumship as the inspirational, similar 
 in character, though less marked, spirit impres- 
 sions being received suddenly and without formal 
 thought. Spirits often impress mortals at night, 
 by dreams, because when in the more positive, 
 wakeful state there is a lack of receptivity, through 
 which condition they cannot reach them effectually. 
 This phase is not always reliable, as much depends 
 upon the physical condition of those upon whose 
 mind the spirit would impress its thought. 
 
 It is not necessary for an individual to believe 
 in spiritual phenomena to receive spirit communi- 
 cations or other manifestations of spirit power. 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 223 
 
 If the person be medial and there is a strong de- 
 termination on his part to be positive, the nervous 
 system then becomes secretive, and withholds that 
 peculiar aura, or electrical fluid which is contin- 
 ually thrown off, and which is necessary to the 
 forming of material conditions for spiritual results, 
 and so closes absolutely for the time the avenues 
 to spirit power. This accounts for many failures 
 of those seeking spirit demonstrations. Magnet- 
 ism is one of the agents employed by spirits to ac- 
 complish the outward expression of whatever char- 
 acter, and mortals have the power of withholding 
 this, since by exerting the will power for or against, 
 the magnetism is generated or suppressed by a 
 process conveying with it a characteristic force, 
 rendering communication impossible. 
 
 There are fixed laws through which all spiritual 
 phenomena occur. These laws are uniform and 
 common to all the different spheres and planets in 
 the universe. By the same law that Moses, Sam- 
 uel and Jesus held converse with the saints, com- 
 munications are had to-day with those who have 
 passed beyond the scenes of earth. There is a 
 continual interblending of the two worlds, that is 
 not apparent to the uninitiated mortal. Those 
 who seek the truth fearlessly reap their reward; 
 
224 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 their own ambition and thoughts governing the 
 result for the good. Those who seek not for truth 
 nor care for light, have also their reward, the re- 
 ward of the sluggard, of him who hid his talent in 
 the earth. You can draw or repel the dear ones. 
 Blood ties, social caste, wealth, count for nothing. 
 Where there are pure designs, none but pure spir- 
 its or those seeking purity will be attracted. To 
 the pure the Divine is revealed. As you aspire, so 
 will you receive and grow spiritually. Whenever 
 or wherever a false communication is received, 
 there will invariably be found false conditions, 
 sometimes created by false intentions in the sit- 
 ters or a mercenary spirit in the medium. 
 
 All mediumship has the one and the same origin, 
 and is a gift as natural and real as that of music 
 and is as essential to soul in outworking human 
 destiny as is life itself or the brain of man, It 
 unfolds in quality and diversity with each genera- 
 tion. Co-operative societies from the spirit side 
 of life are constantly exerting an influence over 
 those of earth who possess psychic power, that 
 they may develop the qualities necessary to the 
 unfoldment of mediumship. The spiritual world 
 has need of more mediums, true laborers in the 
 service of humanity. The harvest is ready. Their 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 225 
 
 assistant of co-operative societies are constantly 
 in search for such, and there are those whose office 
 it is to select, and form bands for the guidance of 
 individuals of even the slightest degree of medial 
 power. 
 
 Mediumship is more easily, more generally de- 
 veloped in youth; then, the qualities can be more 
 easily moulded into their characteristic and or- 
 dained phases. There have been, however, some 
 noted cases of mediumship developed late in life. 
 In many homes, unknown to the world, there are 
 those of medial power who are constantly being 
 utilized by the spirits, in the private home-circle, 
 for the good of humanity. This silent influence 
 is so far-reaching in its results, growing stronger 
 each day, that the time will yet come when it will 
 not be an uncommon thing to clearly see and con- 
 verse with friends from the spirit side of life. May 
 each and every one help to hasten that glorious 
 time. 
 
 Gradually prejudice and opposition are being re- 
 moved from the minds of mortals, and from those 
 of like character in spirit life, who, through early 
 teaching and a false faith, refuse to accept of the 
 truth. The unfoldment of thought in the spiritual 
 spheres is in touch and harmony with that of 
 
226 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 earth sphere, and as both become enlightened, the 
 spiritual growth of the denizens of both worlds 
 will become more intense, free and perfect soul- 
 converse and spiritual vision will become a daily 
 and universal experience, while the earth sphere 
 will practically become almost a part of the spir- 
 itual; so united will be the two worlds. Material 
 environments will become less oppressive, because 
 etherealized, and mortals will move on in perfect 
 harmony with the spiritual and natural design. 
 
 What is more convincing, solacing and beautiful 
 than a knowledge of everlasting life? To know 
 that earth's experience is not all that there is of 
 life; to feel and realize that those whom we loved 
 and cherished in the form, still live, and have 
 grown to a higher understanding; to realize that 
 they became administering spirits, returning to the 
 humble home, encouraging the loved ones, impart- 
 ing knowledge to them and inspiring them with 
 hope and "the power of an endless life," is indeed 
 an inspiration. Silently in divine light they enter 
 the home, patiently, quietly waiting and watching 
 for a favorable time for communication, making 
 greater effort day by day than words can express. 
 Who would not welcome them back to the fireside ? 
 Mortals cannot fully appreciate these silent, spiritual 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 227 
 
 influences that constantly guide them through the 
 devious pathway of their earthly pilgrimage, infus- 
 ing light into the shadows, tempering the too bril- 
 liant sunshine, awakening the mind to all that is 
 beautiful and good, in the present life drying the 
 tears and sharing the griefs and burdens, educat- 
 ing the heart and the will of the weak that they 
 may triumph over the baser worldly desires and 
 pleasures which so quickly perish, and elevating 
 the thought to a conception of celestial grandeur 
 and ideality of soul that reveals the true knowledge 
 of life and prepares man for the home of eternal 
 progress in the realm of the heavenly mansions. 
 And yet how many open the locked door at their 
 loving call or knock and receive their garlands of 
 roses? 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 O light, O love, O power forever near, 
 
 O angels , truth and God the Good, 
 May perfect love that casteth out all fear 
 
 Be unto us our daily food. 
 
 May we perceive within, the blessed shrine 
 Where souls are made completely Thine; 
 
 And there with Thee may we in glory shine, 
 The White Rose of the Love Divine. 
 
 From the character of the soul, as we understand 
 the spiritual law of its unfoldment, we derive a 
 science of duty and living, The teaching which we 
 have heretofore given but foreshadowed through- 
 out the pages the thought of the soul's character 
 and destiny, and if, in what has been said, the trend 
 of our teaching has been missed or overlooked, we 
 shall here in a more practical and compact way 
 set forth what we in part have hinted, Marguerite 
 may have differed in her experiences and life line 
 from the mass of humanity, although each mortal 
 unfolds the life according to his or her peculiar 
 needs and adaptations to environments. Yet her 
 
 228 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 229 
 
 character was uniform with all mankind in the law 
 and destiny of soul. She, according to the law of the 
 soul, reached her elevation step by step and through 
 conditions as natural as the outflowing laws of na- 
 ture. The gravity of her case was exceptional, 
 but none the less a feature of her development, and 
 as the shadow is associated with the light, nay, is 
 the product of it, so the gloom through which she 
 passed in earth-life and afterward while earth- 
 bound in spirit-life related to the exceeding glory 
 that should ultimately pierce the gloom, rend its 
 veil and radiate her being. The direction of the 
 shadow is ever established by the light, and moves 
 with it. Here in materiality, the domain of shad- 
 ows, where the real light, that of the soul, is not 
 visible except as it sometimes shines out through 
 the human face when under high and penetrative 
 inspiration, as is often witnessed among the me- 
 dia, sometimes among poets and great reformers, 
 and rarely among men in the ordinary walks of 
 life, the contrasts are those of material light and 
 shadow, where in the kaleidoscope of nature they 
 vibrate in forms beautiful and divine. In this vale, 
 the light of the soul, from its own radiant height, 
 is seen only by the clairvoyant eye or as the spir- 
 itual perceptions are quickened and awakened. 
 
230 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 and so fine and pure is it essentially and so will 
 it at last be when the veil of materiality and all 
 that inheres in the soul by virtue of its experience 
 while in the earth are utilized, that words cannot 
 paint nor thoughts convey its superior and divine 
 glory. Yet it is so ordained that as hope re- 
 mained in Pandora's box after all the ills and dis- 
 ease of life had taken their flight and filled the 
 earth with their piercing thorns, so this light should 
 be the gift of God that should at last reveal itself, 
 More than this, the Greek allegory or myth teaches 
 that ever underneath the devastating, disintegrat- 
 ing and refining process of sin and disease, for the 
 two are correlated, hope for this very possession 
 of light should be found, as the evidence of things 
 unseen but to be received. And the myth, like all 
 allegories, had its origin in spiritual science; and 
 root, stock and branches of the tree of mythology, 
 in whatever land it thrived, sprung out of this 
 science of which we speak, though conveying the 
 lesson only in a crude form and a vague language. 
 This spiritual light, the very subject of all its ob- 
 jective forms which we see in materiality, the 
 thesis of every antithesis in shadows or reflections, 
 is the source of all material light, the fountain 
 hidden in the soul; by which, as from the Over 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 231 
 
 Soul, the various suns that expel light to all 
 worlds, as from gateways into the outer kingdom, 
 are fed. Could you as spirit penetrate the swirl of 
 this mighty electrical orb, the sun, that is throned 
 in a corona of light and which guides the planetary 
 system unerring on its course — and all suns are alike 
 in composition, quality and office — you would enter 
 a mystic flame of piercing, blinding light, spark- 
 ling like a mighty diamond from one central focus 
 yet radiating forth a myriad of rainbows, inter- 
 secting each other so as to form a circle of glory 
 inconceivably brilliant and luminous, yet making 
 a perfect white sheen without variation, and, this 
 nucleus, a spark, in itself a vanishing point that 
 inflows to the very center of the heart of the Over- 
 Soul. And as this light, first spiritual, pure and 
 white, outflows from its one center to the fixed 
 point of solar existence and radiation, it becomes 
 dimmed and veiled, until as it is seen in material 
 form, even majestic in its glory in that state, it 
 divides itself into the shadows of its own produc- 
 tion. So all light that proceeds outwardly, that 
 recedes from a center to a given circumference, 
 first issued from a spiritual fountain of pure 
 spiritual light. 
 
 In this analogy we find a key to the evils and 
 
232 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 sins of the world, all of which may be designated, 
 from the standpoint of birth into existence or ma- 
 terial life, the shadows which cloud the spirit and 
 hover about its sphere because of it. This light, 
 however, of which we speak, the light of the soul, 
 brings in material life not only its shadows but its 
 laws that will, if understood and applied, give the 
 spirit the power to overcome or dissipate them. 
 We do not wish to become too metaphysical or 
 abstruse, and yet, as naught that passes for conduct 
 has any interpretation outside of conscience, so 
 naught that is of this life, its sorrows and joys, 
 trials and labors, its evil and good, has an inter- 
 pretation outside of this light of the soul. As you 
 go to a spring for the source of the river or as you 
 go to the skies for the laws that solve the chemical 
 construction of the dewdrop, so we take you for 
 the understanding of the problem of life, up the 
 strem of life to the source which is in the soul. And 
 as man, the epitome of God in finite expression, 
 with his mind, spirit, soul, can be explained and 
 understood organically and his office and duty here 
 in the earth perceived and realized, only in the light 
 of his origin and being, we affirm that spiritual 
 science which truly delineates man, has, and should 
 have, the precedence over material science. The 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 233 
 
 one deals with essence, being, soul and all that pro- 
 ceeds therefrom, while the other deals exclusively 
 and only with matter and organic man in matter. 
 A philosophy of life that is established upon ma- 
 terial science, will be both hopeless and helpless 
 save as it is upheld and endorsed, nay, given its 
 superscription and authority from spiritual science. 
 Conscience and reason, the entire mental estab- 
 lishment of the soul, which cannot and will not be 
 subjected to either chemical or microscopical an- 
 alysis, fall to the ground, if man cannot prove that 
 he as spirit survives death, has a deathless and 
 indestructible intelligence and power within him- 
 self, which he can assert and demonstrate when- 
 ever called upon to do so, either in or out of the 
 form through mediumship. And though the pseudo- 
 scientist, the skeptic and scoffer may laugh at this 
 assertion, we firmly say that he has no argument 
 for or against the immortality of the soul in the 
 whole range of his agnostic science and philosophy, 
 And for any one to deny this in the face of the 
 facts which Spiritualism as a science affords of 
 man's inherent spiritual origin, nature and 
 being, is to prove himself an egotist and a foe 
 to progress. We do not reject evolution as an 
 organic process of life, nor say that when given 
 
234 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 its spiritual interpretation it is not the process of 
 the soul's unfoldment, but we reject it in the light 
 of spiritual science when it wildly and without 
 reason premises protoplasm as the basis of life. 
 Protoplasm is the basis of organic forms — that 
 which vivifies protoplasm is at the basis of organic 
 life, but spirit is the breath of life that issues from 
 the soul; and the mission of Spiritualism is not only, 
 in the light of its demonstrable revelations through 
 the spiritual phenomena, to set science right, re- 
 ligion right, philosophy right, but to give to every 
 man, woman and child, the proofs of their real im- 
 mortal being. For upon this proof which Spirit- 
 ualism alone can give, and alone has given through- 
 out its history, under whatever name it may have 
 been received by its ignorant but loyal advocates, 
 rests the entire superstructure of all true living. In- 
 deed conscience, duty, mind, the virtues, the habits 
 which lead to individual and national wellbeing, 
 whatever of civilization in the form of the me- 
 chanical and industrial arts, all that holds man- 
 kind together, have their root in man's spiritual 
 being, and could the atheist and infidel prove their 
 claims the civilization that we rightly enjoy would 
 be dissipated as a bauble and all enlightened na- 
 tions would at once sink into the sty that sent 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 235 
 
 Babylon and Sybaris to oblivion. Upon spiritual 
 science that alone can demonstrate spirit, the hope 
 of the world rests, and the time is speedily drawing 
 near when the world will no longer be blinded to 
 its own highest interests. 
 
 We said that the light of the soul produces what 
 appears to be its own shadows, and so we add in 
 lieu of this fact that this light brings to the soul 
 its personal responsibility. The injunction of the 
 good book is "to let our light so shine" and this 
 word "so" not only defines but qualifies man's ac- 
 tion. How and when and where to let the light 
 shine are all comprehended by the word "so," and 
 this little word is really a synonym of "ought" or 
 duty. The object of man, that is, the end or des- 
 tiny of his life, is to let the soul shine in the light 
 in which it was conceived, and so the great medi- 
 um, Jesus of Nazareth, qualified the "so" by say- 
 ing, "that men seeing your good works may glorify 
 your Father who is in heaven." What more 
 sublime presentation and exposition of duty, in 
 harmony with all true teachings of spiritual sci- 
 ence, could be uttered than this one of the despised 
 prophet of Israel, and where shall we go for a deeper 
 penetration of the office of light? Now not only 
 does the soul per se emit light, which is its aura, 
 
236 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 and is the exact ratio and product of its unfold- 
 ment, but the various elements of the soul and the 
 many faculties send forth according to this same 
 law of unfoldment a light that makes the quality 
 of the whole light or aura of the soul. If it be 
 true, as physicists allow, that light travels in rays, 
 which we call vibrations, and each vibration is a 
 ray or a delicate, indivisible thread of light that 
 breaks into a prism of rainbows, perfect as the 
 circle of the sun's aura to which we have referred, 
 that not an atom spins in space but bears an in- 
 tegral and organic relation to the universe, how 
 much more should not the soul and all that is of it, 
 emit in part and whole this spiritual light which 
 comes from within? Hence, to develop man, to 
 unfold the soul in any one or all of its expressions 
 in embodiments, means to exercise, educate, per- 
 fect every power and faculty of being, that the 
 light of the soul may stream forth in perfect glory. 
 Each power and function of the mind has its part 
 to do to unfold this light, and should be a vibration 
 or ray of the perfect glory on whose horizon and in 
 whose sphere no mist or cloud, no darkness as the 
 lack of culture, should be seen. And the outline of 
 duty, the very extreme ends of the threads of this 
 light, which is extenuated into the darkness of the 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 237 
 
 circumference of the outward being, is, by birth, 
 presented in the degree of light in which the spirit 
 comes in embodiment. The duty of each one is 
 to work inwardly toward the perfect light. And 
 the way to do this is by giving the real light of the 
 soul freedom of expression through the various 
 avenues which we term faculties for the transmis- 
 sion of this light. Faculties, whether imagination, 
 reason, memory or sensation, are really but ave- 
 nues for the outflowing of this light, the mind itself 
 as an instrument, reflecting it as a mirror or re- 
 fracting it as a lens. And the seeming variations 
 in the offices and qualities of these faculties, are 
 due entirely to the vibrations of the light as they 
 proceed or recede in the soul' unfoldment. The 
 soul is an entity, is entire, acts not in and by the 
 use of one faculty but by the light of all; indeed, 
 each one, while serving the soul, goes to make such 
 light as we perceive or realize. In ordinary men- 
 tal science the different faculties are assigned their 
 peculiar office and quality. It is said that percep- 
 tion is not reason, nor is either one imagination 
 or memory or vice versa, and yet, the truth is that 
 man is the whole consciousness and thinks as 
 such. Memory does not do the memorizing, per- 
 ception does not do the perceiving, imagination the 
 
238 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 imagining, nor reason the reasoning; the real man 
 or ego, the soul, does all that has been or is im- 
 puted to any one faculty. A faculty, really, is a 
 mode of thought vibration, and so allied is thought 
 to light that we have used them synonomously, 
 although the light is truly the symbol of thought 
 as we have employed it. An organ is literally the 
 channel through which in the body the soul ex- 
 presses this or that faculty or mode of thought, 
 The mind is the reflex of the spiritual conscious- 
 ness and is the mental function of the soul in spirit 
 embodiment. The spirit is the breath of God, or as 
 it is related to each soul, it is the consciousness of 
 soul, its theme and object. The soul is the entity 
 and has but one, unchangeable, eternal identity. 
 The body is the material form of the spirit, and 
 the form that the disembodied spirit has is com- 
 posed of etherealized substances and varies accord- 
 ing to the refinement and unfoldment of the soul. 
 Now, all that we have said, though seemingly ir- 
 relevant to the point which we make concerning 
 the character of the soul, we mean so far as its 
 conduct is concerned, yet has a special application. 
 The character of man denotes and measures the 
 degree of light he has unfolded or attained. If that 
 character be evil or good as these words are com- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 239 
 
 monly employed, that evil designates crude, murky 
 light and hence an imperfect mental and spiritual 
 unfoldment, in short, a lack of soul symmetry in 
 expression, as on the other hand, the good be- 
 speaks the rhythm that produces the aura of light, 
 fair to behold and shining as the sun. And hu- 
 man responsibility is discovered and enforced ac- 
 cording to the light that one has. Though the 
 light that a man has be darkness and that dark- 
 ness be ever so profound, the man is responsible 
 only for that light and the use he makes of it. And 
 such responsibility cannot be shirked. Light alone 
 is permanent, eternal, absolute, because of the 
 soul; darkness is transient, material, relative, and 
 the direction of the soul is ever from darkness into 
 the light. So that, if one is unfolding, dark- 
 ness is fading away and light is growing in bril- 
 liancy > and the sphere of light or darkness in which 
 one dwells determines his responsibility and duty. 
 New unfoldments of soul bring new relations and 
 responsibilities, as climbing up a mountain peak 
 widens the view and affords a purer, serener at- 
 mosphere. Yet man is one and ever the same as 
 an entity, in darkness or light, in the shadows 
 of the valley or the effulgent sunlight of the 
 mountain peak. Though his duty is one what- 
 
2i0 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 ever may be the state of the soul, though he 
 cannot add to his real, innate, eternal, immutable 
 responsibilities, yet the growth, the mental and 
 spiritual evolution brings with it a greater empha- 
 sis of what he dimly perceived as duty and vaguely 
 comprehended as responsibility when seemingly 
 under the bondage of darkness or materiality. 
 And so character unfolds and becomes the expres- 
 sion of love, of course in degree we mean, as man 
 aspires for the perfect light, which we here sym- 
 bolize by the truth; having some light, the human 
 quality attaining step by step the quality of the 
 divine, the soul blossoming into its own white 
 light, the very image in which it was made. And 
 none will accuse the soul, save the soul, all along 
 its pilgrimage in the garden of the earth or through- 
 out the eternal spheres. The soul is its own arbi- 
 ter and judge. The 'scales it holds forever in its 
 own hands and measures by the light of its own 
 perception of truth its foul or worthy deeds. No 
 blind justice with outstretched scales is conscience, 
 when freed from the entanglements and seductions 
 of the flesh, but open-eyed, pure-visioned, serene in 
 divinity and blind only to public opinion and false 
 standards, she weighs all unerringly, righteously, 
 truly, and her verdict the soul never reverses. And 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 241 
 
 all must meet conscience and confess their guilt, 
 and ere they go one step forward or attain a higher 
 sphere, they must undo their wrongs, make repa- 
 ration and amends as did the husband of Margue- 
 rite. No other white throne or tribunal save this 
 one, walled up in the precincts of each soul, where 
 before the world of light, out in the open air of 
 all, under the piercing gaze of spirit, the soul must 
 meet its God and effect the only real and effica- 
 cious atonement. Not one of blood, or propitiation, 
 nor salvation through the meritorious acts of a 
 martyred saint and savior, not a confession to 
 priest, friar or pope, not an absolution by penance, 
 but an atonement which is a compensation for 
 every deed done, exact and unfailing, at the bar of 
 each one's conscience. Conscience is not an aveng- 
 ing angel, but the angel of mercy and love that 
 rebukes only to bless, that puts the thorn about 
 the rose to protect it from evil in its blessed and 
 divine unfoldments. This has been the teaching 
 of all true seers who received the tuition and in- 
 spiration of the spirit, and Paul who, with Jesus, 
 shared a mediumship that gave their words and 
 works an authority above those of the scribes and 
 Pharisees, taught, that whatever a man sows that 
 will he also reap, here and hereafter. And the 
 
242 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 Christian's Bible, yea all sacred books, are literally 
 filled with inspired teaching, though mixed with 
 much that is mortal, objectionable and false, which, 
 in consonance with the standard ethics of the 
 world, fulfill and' confirm what we here maintain. 
 Thus, as in accord with the law of organic life, 
 effect follows cause and harvests result from seed- 
 sowing or cycles of evolutionary changes, so, in the 
 spirit, it is likewise true that he that soweth to the 
 flesh reaps destruction, but he that soweth to the 
 spirit reaps life everlasting. That which is of the 
 material is like the cloud, evanescent, temporary, 
 but that which is spiritual alone is abiding. And 
 if any one desires light he must unfold it, he must 
 aspire unto the truth and the good and apply such 
 light as he has unto all good works; so will he 
 now here in the earth and when he changes by 
 death his material habitation, reap the fruition 
 of the Spirit, which is light and peace forevermore. 
 
 We have in the natural life, then, the mere shad- 
 ows and prototypes of what is real ; there is a heav- 
 enly light toward which we should ever aspire until 
 life is swallowed up in victory, death in life, all 
 shadows in the light of the soul, which in the spirit 
 world is the real light of sun, moon and stars. 
 
 Concerning spiritual phenomena, all their diver- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 243 
 
 sified and interesting phases through medial in- 
 strumentality, so far as their antiquity is concerned, 
 and especially in reference to the miracles of the 
 Bible, need we say that they are from one source 
 and have been in the world since the birth of man? 
 Their evolution dates back to a period beyond the 
 remotest history of man, when Egypt was in her 
 infancy, thousands of years before the dawn of 
 Christianity and even as many thousands of years 
 before Moses. Hermes, who is an Egyptian, a 
 man of arts and letters and sciences, who lived about 
 1800 B. C, just two centuries later than Moses, 
 informs us that not only among his own people at 
 that time, but among the Jews, mediumship so- 
 called and the various phenomena of Spiritualism 
 known in modern times flourished and that what 
 was then known as magic, virtually man's power 
 of controlling the ancient four elements, earth, 
 air, water and fire, together with the higher phases 
 of medial and spiritual gifts, existed and was 
 universally practiced among those who had made 
 profound studies of the laws of nature and soul, 
 Astrology had reached a high degree of penetration, 
 and those who practiced it associated it reverently 
 with religion and God. Astronomy, though sup- 
 posed to be the oldest physical science, yet was 
 
244 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 preceded by both astrological and psychological 
 science. Man in the period of mental adolescence 
 looked in as well as out and associated the soul 
 and its states, pain and pleasure, and the map and 
 line of its orbit and destiny with astrological ob- 
 servations and castings of the heavenly bodies; and 
 as late as Ptolemy, yet earlier than his time, horo- 
 scopes of human destinies were cast that were said 
 to be of unerring accuracy. Inspiration ever flowed 
 into the soul and knowledge from within its won- 
 drous sphere came and threw light upon the occult 
 problems of life. Slate writing was known then, 
 and Moses, the law-giver of the Jews, received on 
 tables of stone on Mount Sinai his first impres- 
 sions of the Ten Commandments, afterward re- 
 vised by him under the guidance of his band of 
 spirits. This moral code of the Jews, ever received 
 by them as a revelation from God, was but a prac- 
 tical experiment in the spiritual science of inde- 
 pendent slate writing and proved the regnancy 
 of the gift of that phase of medial power among 
 those early Jews. Has the world yet outgrown it, 
 or has it as yet attained in life the grandeur of those 
 spirit impressions? Their antiquity but flavors 
 more richly and sweetly their divine quality, and 
 in line with them even material ethics and science, 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 245 
 
 to say nothing of subsequent inspirations and 
 teachings of the Spirit, have ever kept pace, nay, 
 they have unfolded in accord with and as a proof 
 of their inerrancy. 
 
 The Bible of the Jews is itself a powerful wit- 
 ness to the facts of Spiritualism. Rationalism has 
 repeatedly sought to destroy the Bible and under- 
 mine its authority as a work of inspiration. Yet, 
 while we submit that the Bible contains blemishes, 
 fables, errors, inaccuracies, it has a divine and 
 spiritual origin that neither reason nor science can 
 destroy. And Spiritualism, as modernly inter- 
 preted, gives to the receptive and fair-minded 
 student an insight into its hitherto occult and 
 seemingly mysterious, if not miraculous or super- 
 natural character, that which historical and textual 
 criticism cannot and never could give. The pages 
 open up in the light of recent spiritual phenomena, 
 which have a counterpart in the Bible correspond- 
 ing even in their details, and reveal the old but ever 
 new workings of the Spirit. 
 
 Spiritualism as a word is not even new, having 
 roots in all languages and referring to the same sub- 
 ject or class of phenomena. The word is as old as 
 Spirit. 
 
 The evolution of man, along the line of inspira- 
 
246 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 tional teaching and as affected by spiritual phenom- 
 ena, has been and is real, aggressive, permanent. 
 The Bible itself, were there no other and alleged 
 secular proof, is a positive and clear demonstration 
 of this slow but inevitable growth, for it is a record, 
 not of the psychic experiences of one man or one 
 class of men, but of many men and many classes 
 of men of one nation, in their relation to adjoin- 
 ing or distant peoples, and much foreign evidence 
 is given incidentally of the practice of the misno- 
 mers, the so-called arts of divination, sorcery and 
 witchcraft among other races than the chosen race 
 of God, which set forth unmistakable signs and 
 proofs of the universality of medial gifts among 
 mankind. But these gifts were exercised among 
 many ignorantly and among others violently, and 
 among others for morally subversive or mercenary 
 purposes; yet, the gifts themselves existed and 
 led to the achievement of the end for which they 
 were given to man. As social, political, moral 
 and educational evolution unfolded, these gifts 
 among seers and saviors became beacon lights on 
 the highway of rational progress, through the ex- 
 ercise of which nations were warned of their sins 
 and dangers and the higher knowledge, the only 
 true and plain path, was outspoken and outlined 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER Ml 
 
 Inspiration through chosen media, in all ages 
 throughout the world, has ever directed and led the 
 fate of humanity. That nation that stoned and 
 killed its prophets and mediums paid the penalty 
 for such crime by speedy decay and destruction. 
 Wherever the voice of prophecy was scorned or 
 hushed and the nation turned a deaf ear to the 
 pleadings of heaven, God has inevitably visited 
 upon it, through the natural law of its own folly 
 and disobedience, the woeful penalty of retribu- 
 tion. History is filled with proof of what we here 
 affirm. But so has it been, in the wise ordina- 
 tion and dispensation of Divine Providence, that 
 the law of the soul's unfoldment, among the few 
 as well as the many, ever fulfilled itself, and true 
 to the letter of the spoken word of the Spirit through 
 its media, each age and generation in spite of the 
 persecutions, martyrdoms and deaths of mediums, 
 opened with and even produced greater and a larger 
 number of workers in the spiritual vineyard. We 
 could show how this evolution of "the plan of sal- 
 vation of mankind," as we interpret this phrase, 
 proceeded from springs that bubbled forth frcm 
 many hidden centers on the planet earth, how 
 the natives of India, Arabia, China, Atlantis, 
 Greece, indeed every remote or relatively remote 
 
248 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 people, followed the inspirations of the Spirit and 
 were affected in their conduct, government and 
 destiny in about the same way and for the same 
 good end as those of the earth who assisted in the 
 translation and composition of this book and by the 
 Spirit. Mortals are acted upon in this manner 
 more than they ever think, and what has been in 
 this respect is and will ever be, until earth and 
 heaven are one, until one brotherhood at one with 
 God, the Over-soul, is established. The end is 
 divinely possible, the achievement is but a ques- 
 tion and matter of soul unfoldment. 
 
 When, however, it is recalled that Jesus of Naz- 
 areth prophesied, the spirit controlling, that 
 greater things than he had ever done would be 
 possible among his immediate followers, his dis- 
 ciples, and some of these greater things were ac- 
 complished shortly after his transition, as is re- 
 corded in the Acts of the Apostles, why should the 
 church ignorantly affirm that Spiritualism is a 
 type of anti-Christ? Were the works which were 
 done by the apostles, by Peter when entranced, 
 by Paul and the hosts who talked with strange 
 tongues on the day of Pentecost, were they the 
 works of the devil and should man expunge their 
 testimony, the narrative of the Apostles, from true 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 249 
 
 Christian teaching as apocryphal? Nay, not so, nor 
 should the church, if consistent, allege that the 
 same law of prophetic and inspirational teaching 
 which Jesus, by his own testimony, said that he 
 came to fulfill, Spiritualism destroys. Either the 
 phenomena of Spiritualism are genuine and in 
 accord with the laws of God, one in character and 
 uniform in process throughout all time and all 
 worlds, the facts of which are attested to by millions 
 of rational beings, or the miracles of Christianity 
 and Bible history are frauds. The two can and must 
 stand together; divided, they both fall. One Spirit 
 of truth inspired and operated them — and that 
 Spirit was not the devil, but the intelligences of 
 the Spirit world, and they inspired and operated 
 them through chosen media for the good of man- 
 kind. 
 
 It remains to be said that recent archaeological 
 and antiquarian investigations of excavated ruins 
 of old empires, outstanding monuments as the 
 pyramids of Egypt, have thrown much light upon 
 the hitherto occult sciences, which were under- 
 stood by these ancient people. As all religion dates 
 back to antiquity, as masonry threads its way into 
 the lore of the Egyptian magi, as there is naught 
 of science in any or all of her branches that had 
 
250 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 not a beginning among the earliest people who 
 inhabited the earth, as the day that now glorifies 
 the world had a dawn in the East, so Spiritualism, 
 old as nature, ancient as God, the exponent and 
 corollary of all progress, light, truth, love, is to 
 be and must be the solvent of life's deepest and 
 most occult problems. But when we say this we 
 do not refer to or designate any past or present 
 form of it, but we mean Spiritualism, which, as the 
 religion, science and philosophy of the soul, the very 
 book of life in which we have read and taught but 
 the introductory pages, ever unfolding truth and 
 leading through inspired media capable of receiv- 
 ing the higher lessons and laws of life, shall 
 become the guide of humanity to the height of 
 truth, to the light which is the light of the world. 
 Man has within himself the gifts and powers, 
 which, if unfolded and perfected, can make Spir- 
 itualism just what we here proclaim. It is this, 
 it cannot be less than it, and all other "isms" are 
 but side lights of this all-glorious source of light. 
 And the deeper lesson of this book is found in the 
 teaching which everywhere at this hour on the 
 spiritual rostrum and from lips of inspired medi- 
 ums, emphasizes, above all creeds, all theologies, 
 philosophies and sciences, above all pride, preju- 
 
MARGUERITE HUNTER 251 
 
 dice, selfishness and self-righteousness, above 
 power, fame, riches, above empires, nations and 
 principalities, yea, above pleasure, culture and in- 
 dividualism, the positive need and the saving pow- 
 er of spirituality. And spirituality is the love life. 
 Spiritualism as religion, science, philosophy shapes 
 everything to it. The attainment of it is the ob- 
 ject of all spiritual phenomena. And he who once 
 learns through spiritual phenomena that he is 
 immortal, eternal, that he is in the earth to unfold 
 the soul into the God image, and then goes 
 asleep spiritually, is bringing reproach upon a 
 sacred cause and is missing the very object for 
 which Spiritualism stands. 
 
 We reiterate the lesson of this book in one sub- 
 lime trinity of truth which is ever one, first, Life 
 eternal, second, Spiritualism, the key that opens 
 the mystic door to the truth, and third, Spirit- 
 uality, the fruition of love, in the life of the soul — 
 making the blessed one which is peace. And spirit 
 Marguerite, with a garland of white blossoms in 
 her hand, gathered from the garden of her own life 
 experiences, imparts to each one who reads under- 
 standing^ and lovingly the lessons of this book 
 and, after reading, seeks to put them as a leaven 
 into the life, she imparts to these who alone can 
 
252 MARGUERITE HUNTER 
 
 receive, the inspiration of that love and truth that 
 led her to the light and gave her the victory over 
 self. May all follow the mystic white flame of 
 love that burns from out the soul, and this light 
 will lead all such to peace. For this is the light 
 that lighteth every one that cometh into the world, 
 and as many as perceive and receive it to them it 
 giveth the power to become one with God. 
 
 Lead on, O purest flame, lead on to victory, 
 The love of God, divine, glows in thy light, 
 
 Lead truly on until we feel the ecstasy 
 
 Of life and live, nor shrink from Thee affright. 
 
 We love thy light and swim within its aureole 
 Of glory. We sigh for the effulgent day 
 
 Wherein the sun of love shines purely, wholly; 
 O keep us, Father, in thy perfect way. 
 
 As angels radiant in a sheen of beauty, 
 
 We would receive the true and fadeless smile 
 
 Of thine eternal love, that true to duty, 
 
 We may possess Thee fully all the while. 
 
APOTHEOSIS. 
 
 The lily seed, transplanted well within the darkest 
 
 soil, 
 Ts symbol rare of soul immured within the mortal 
 
 coil; 
 The outward sun that shines abroad a radiance 
 
 bright and fair, 
 And gently draws the lily life into the upper air, 
 Prefigures thus the heavenly plan that destinates 
 
 the soul, 
 And in the lily vine and leaf sublimely hints the 
 
 goal. 
 
 The tender shoot of lily vine, the leaf and blossom 
 
 green 
 Move ever upward in the thought of the diviner 
 
 scene; 
 The throbbing life within the plant breathes through 
 
 and through the thrill 
 That truly prophesies the bloom and shows the 
 
 Father's will; 
 And ever does the music sweet of wave and light 
 
 and sound 
 The lily touch on every side until the flower Is 
 
 found. 
 
 253 
 
254 APOTHEOSIS 
 
 And, O divine, as from the mire and water in the 
 lake, 
 
 The flower sweet in purest white its sunny gar- 
 ments take; 
 
 And, O divine, to know indeed that work should 
 lead to this, 
 
 And bring to light the aim of life in one apocalypse; 
 
 And, O divine, to realize that somewhere flowers 
 white 
 
 Will prove the law of lily bud, that darkness leads 
 to light. 
 
 And surely man at last shall rise, adorned in lily 
 white, 
 
 And from the mortal seed reveal the soul all pure 
 and bright, 
 
 The trials, toil, and passions base shall teach the 
 end in view, 
 
 And give man thought to use and make the life 
 forever true. 
 
 And, O divine, shall be the end when souls to an- 
 gels rise, 
 
 In glory white, in life divine, the lily of the skies, 
 
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