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THE BOOK OF CLIFFORD 
 
The Book of Clifford 
 
 OR 
 
 "The Soul of My Son 
 Speaketh to Me" 
 
 From the original dictation as transcribed 
 without alterations 
 
 BY 
 
 LILLIAN BERNICIE 
 
 1922 
 
 THE CORNHILL PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 BOSTON NEW YORK 
 
•eg 
 
 ^»V 
 
 3** 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1922, BT 
 
 THE CORNHILL PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 all eights reserved, including motion picture rights, dramatic 
 
 rights, serial rights, and including that of translation 
 
 into foreign languages, including the scandinavian 
 
 Printed in the United States 
 
 THE JORDAN & MORE PRESS 
 BOSTON 
 
 SEP 19 2? 
 
 A683303 
 
6 
 
 DEDICATED WITH LOVING CARE TO ALL 
 OP EARTH WHO NEED ENCOURAGE- 
 MENT, KINDNESS AND SPIRITUAL HELP." 
 
 L. B. 
 
"Discard not that which God hath given thee 
 till twice more wonderful thy gift shall be — 
 
 For 
 
 to him of the observing mind, to him of the 
 
 observing ear, to him of the observing eye cometh 
 
 all things to make life clear and simple." 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 It is rather a problem for me to know just how to write 
 an introduction to these pages. The book itself I found 
 no difficulty in writing. Why this was easy for me, un- 
 practiced in writing, the reader will see for himself. But 
 to speaking for my own person, to tell something of 
 what Clifford and his messages meant to me, to convey 
 my feeling on sending these messages out into the world 
 — that is very difficult for me. I shall do what I can, 
 as briefly as I can. 
 
 The work explains itself, even to the name, which 
 was given me. In one message I am told that it is 
 Clifford's wish that half of the proceeds from the sale 
 of the book should be given to the poor tuberculosis 
 patients. There are several references in messages from 
 Clifford, to the book he wished me to write. I have ful- 
 filled Clifford's wish. I have written the book, but only 
 as an amanuensis writes down what another dictates 
 to her. 
 
 Perhaps the best sort of an Introduction is to tell about 
 Clifford. He was my adopted son, but I loved him as 
 my own. Of English birth, he came to this country 
 when he was six years old. He had always been in poor 
 health and his mother sent him to us believing that the 
 free, open-air country life would bring health and strength 
 to her son. The improvement was wonderful. Clifford 
 
x The Booh of Clifford 
 
 told us many times that the two years preceding the 
 world war — when he gave his life freely and gladly to 
 America — were the happiest of his life. 
 
 I shall never forget the joyous Clifford of those days. 
 With his little boat and his faithful dog " Ikie,"— " Ikie" 
 had been Clifford's charge since he was a puppy — Clif- 
 ford spent all his time in the open, gaining health and 
 strength by leaps and bounds. How he loved the long, 
 sunshiny days, tramping the woods, exploring, sailing! 
 How often have I seen him sailing along the shore with 
 " Ikie " in the bow as pilot, the little leg-o-mutton sail 
 set before the wind 
 
 The winters were no less enjoyable for Clifford. He 
 loved music, played the violin very well so that the long 
 winter evenings passed delightfully. 
 
 His companionship was the most beautiful thing that 
 ever entered my life. He was so appreciative of every- 
 thing that was done for him that it was a continual 
 pleasure to think up little surprises for him. His delight 
 in these surprises, no matter how insignificant they were 
 in themselves, was so hearty, so genuine! And in all the 
 years I knew him I do not remember him once complain- 
 ing or moody or sordid. Even after he contracted a 
 deadly disease in training camp, the disease from which 
 he never recovered, I never heard him complain. When 
 he went off to camp he was happy and healthy and cheer- 
 ful. When he was brought back on the stretcher he was 
 a mere skeleton, never to move from his bed again during 
 the three months he survived. But he was still cheerful. 
 Often he said to me: " They did all they could for me 
 in the hospital, and every one was so kind to me!" 
 
The Booh of Clifford xi 
 
 Dear boy, no one capable of any human feeling or sym- 
 pathy, could have been otherwise. 
 
 For a long time I would not admit, even to myself, the 
 truth about Clifford's condition. But one day I had to 
 bear the sudden realization that the end was near. The 
 thought of parting forever from this boy who had become 
 so dear to me, was almost more than I could endure. 
 Something prompted me — from what source I do not 
 know — to speak to Clifford at once upon the question 
 of Immortality, the return of the Spirit after the so-called 
 death. Neither Clifford nor I were church members, 
 though I am sure we both tried to live truthful lives. 
 This intuition that came to me was all the more strange 
 because neither Clifford nor I had ever mentioned the 
 subject of Spiritualism: The subject had never im- 
 pressed us in the least. I knew nothing whatever about 
 Spiritualism. There was no thought of it in my mind 
 when I spoke to Clifford. It was, I believe, only this 
 that prompted me to speak : with the thought of parting, 
 there came to me a craving to hear again the beloved 
 voice, so I said to him, almost without thinking of the 
 word or the thought : 
 
 " Clifford! If I should pass before you do I solemnly 
 promise to return to you. If, however, something should 
 happen to you, if you should go first, promise to come 
 back, to speak to me, if only it can be done." 
 
 We exchanged the sacred vow in all sincerity and faith. 
 And then, strange to say, the thought left my mind com- 
 pletely. 
 
 Nor did my mind revert to our vow in the months that 
 followed Clifford's passing. My heart was too full of 
 
xii The Book of Clifford 
 
 grief; I thought that the wound in my heart would never 
 heal. The beauty of life was dimmed for me and though 
 I worked hard to occupy my mind, a great sorrow was 
 ever with me. Clifford's death was such a needless 
 waste of life — at least it seemed so to me at the time. . 
 
 A month after Clifford's passing I went to Boston for 
 a short stay. As soon as I arrived, Clifford's sister E — 
 informed me that a lady whom she had recently met and 
 who was a Spiritualist had told her that Clifford (whom 
 she had never seen) had come to her and asked her to 
 request E — to come to a meeting, as he had a message 
 for E — . E — went and the first message of the evening 
 was for her. The message was as follows : 
 
 " Clifford sends love and begs mother to come to a 
 Sunday talk." 
 
 This was a public meeting, all those present were 
 strangers to E — , and yet the actual names were given. 
 
 Mrs. Bland (Clifford's mother) and I tried to de- 
 cide whether we should go to the Spiritualist meeting the 
 following Sunday or not. To be frank our notion of a 
 Spiritualist meeting was such that we should have been 
 ashamed to be seen attending one. After much inde- 
 cision we made up our minds finally that we would go on 
 that Sunday afternoon and go we did. It proved a 
 beautiful and simple service and seemed directed to us 
 in particular. The " Control " on that particular occa- 
 sion was Spurgeon, the great English speaker. Every 
 word we heard that afternoon lightened our hearts of its 
 sorrow. 
 
 After the lecture I arranged for a private reading. 
 When the appointed time arrived I listened attentively 
 
The Booh of Clifford xiii 
 
 to a rather short talk in which the Medium repeated 
 several times that Clifford was a wonderfully beautiful 
 Spirit, that he had advanced much more rapidly than 
 most of them and that I would very soon hear from him 
 directly. At the time I thought that this might mean 
 that I would think I saw a form or something of that kind. 
 It never entered my head that I would receive messages 
 in such number and beauty as I actually did. I never 
 dreamt of publishing these messages until told by Clifford 
 that it was the wish of all " the boys " that his messages 
 should be made public. 
 
 It was just four months after Clifford had gone from 
 me that I got a message from him. It was only a word 
 or two but I seemed to hear them inside of my head. I 
 took pencil and paper and wrote down what I heard with 
 the date and the hour. After that I listened carefully. 
 More and more words came, faster and faster, more and 
 more beautiful. At first these messages excited me, 
 made it impossible for me to sleep. The surprise was 
 great and I was awed. But very soon I came to realize 
 how natural and beautiful these communications were, 
 so that I could relax and sleep restfully after them. 
 
 The delivery of these messages varied greatly. Some- 
 times I received only one word at a time, the next moment 
 a dozen would be crowding into my mind, sometimes so 
 rapidly that not even a shorthand expert would have 
 been able to transcribe them. Then I would be forced 
 to say: " Please wait until I write down what I have 
 already received.' ' In every case this request has been 
 granted. I am always perfectly conscious while writing. 
 I find it easier to concentrate when I am alone and quiet. 
 
xiv The Booh of Clifford 
 
 My schooling, I am frank to say, has been rather 
 limited. And yet this book was written without a word 
 of correction from start to finish. I have simply omitted 
 passages, either of a personal nature or for the sake of 
 avoiding too much repetition. The verses came to me 
 without conscious thought on my part. Though I had 
 never written a line of poetry before, I put these down 
 as fast as I could write. It has been harder for me to 
 write this preface — infinitely harder — than the entire 
 volume, the inspiration for which I am trying to fore- 
 shadow to the reader. 
 
 I cannot but feel that I have been guided by a higher 
 power. I believe devotedly in the Truth of these mes- 
 sages and that they are indubitable proof of the Life 
 Eternal. 
 
 I am sending this little book forth with my most sin- 
 cere wish that all who read may be comforted as I have 
 been and learn from it the meaning of the " transition 
 and of the beauty beyond the grave, so that they may 
 look forward with hope and not fear, as so many unfor- 
 tunately do when they begin to realize that their earthly 
 years are drawing to a close. 
 
 L. B. 
 
PRELUDE 
 
 It will be evident to advanced thinkers on reading this 
 opening chapter that it is written for those who perhaps 
 have not given the age-old subject of " Whence we 
 came," " Why we are here " and " Where we are going " 
 a thought, or maybe they are seeking and wondering. 
 To them this is intended as an outline containing funda- 
 mental facts which will aid them in understanding the 
 following chapters, and as a key to future study and 
 investigation. 
 
 There can be only one Truth but it can be sadly lost 
 amid words and phrases of man's making, oftentimes in 
 all honesty; as a fragment of truth is often put forward 
 as the whole and becomes very misleading unless the 
 basic Truth and law is known so as to be able to recog- 
 nize it. 
 
 The Truth of Being has come down through the ages 
 and antedates all History. It has been given out by all 
 the great Spiritual teachers in the past as best suited to 
 the times and peoples in which they lived, always one 
 for the numbers and the inner or higher to the few who 
 were ready, able, and willing to study and make the 
 necessary sacrifices to attain the knowledge, which comes 
 from within by gradual development and when fully 
 developed becomes the sixth and seventh senses of 
 intuition and illumination. 
 
xvi The Book of Clifford 
 
 We find by a comparative study of religions that in 
 the beginning the underlying truths have been the same ; 
 of course you will find different names in different lands 
 for the same things but look underneath and there you 
 will find the basic truth. 
 
 In time a religion was built up around the words of 
 these teachers and a Priesthood gradually changed and 
 added to the original teachings until we find them as 
 pointing, the only way to salvation as being through 
 themselves and their teachings which were oftentimes 
 more for political reasons than for the good of hu- 
 manity. 
 
 This was the condition when Christ sought to give 
 again to the world the Truth. 
 
 Picture to yourself their times in contrast to ours; 
 less than five per cent of the people could read and 
 write and they had none of the modern inventions which 
 are to us an every-day affair. How much easier it 
 would have been for them to understand if they had 
 known the laws of Electricity and vibrations; is it any 
 wonder that everything was a miracle and the demon- 
 stration of natural laws thought impossible of duplicat- 
 ing although Jesus sought to impress the fact that every- 
 one could do likewise and even greater things were 
 possible. 
 
 His teachings were written in Hebrew and Greek and 
 many of the words have come to us with a wrong trans- 
 lation. 
 
 During the first three hundred years of the Christian 
 era the Teachings spread over the Roman Empire so 
 that Constantine the First realizing that his Empire 
 
The Book of Clifford xvii 
 
 was really Christian adopted Christianity as the official 
 religion. 
 
 His Priests changed their ritual and founded the 
 Christian Church thus much of the beautiful simplicity 
 and brotherhood teachings were lost. 
 
 During this early period there was a sect of Christians 
 called Gnostics who, by study and strict rules of living, 
 were able to do many of the wonders that Jesus did and 
 the so-called miracles were a reality. 
 
 The Bible has reached the present day with many 
 changes so that it is often difficult to understand the 
 meaning behind the allegory for if one looks only to the 
 literal words the inner and higher meaning is lost. 
 
 In its broadest sense you will find the one God, the 
 Father or creative positive principle which pervades all 
 space and all things and the Mother or negative principle. 
 
 Man is dual; the physical and the Soul body and it 
 is in the realization of this; that leads the way to the 
 higher Truths. 
 
 The Soul body leaves the Physical body at so-called 
 death and after a time the Soul in the same manner 
 leaves its Astral body as the butterfly leaves its shell, 
 this body slowly dies like the physical body. 
 
 Along the above lines lies the explanation of the un- 
 desirable in mediumship. These shells or discarded 
 bodies are galvanized as it were into a semblance of life 
 by the vital energy of the medium and those around and 
 a shadow of the past life is manifested often quite real. 
 This has led to endless confusion and misunderstanding 
 and often harmful results. 
 
 But it is possible to contact the higher: one first should 
 
xviii The Booh of Clifford 
 
 not entertain any fear, and secondly should honestly, 
 humbly and sincerely desire and ask for the highest and 
 when they do make the contact it will come to them 
 from within. 
 
 The Soul body receives the vibratory waves which are 
 infinitely higher in rate than any science has been able 
 to measure; the same as the radio receiver receives the 
 electrical waves which are the same only of a lower rate 
 of vibration, and one is able to sense or receive with the 
 physical body through the Soul body. 
 
 The soul is spoken of all through the Bible as being a 
 part of God and always in atune with God and when 
 we contact our physical and Soul bodies then the " at- 
 one-ment " with God is a fact, this is the atonement of 
 the Bible and when attained then does this life reach 
 its fullness. 
 
 In reading the following pages note the gradual de- 
 velopment that comes showing how one can gradually 
 progress, and after finishing also observe how thoroughly 
 our everyday life has been covered as if this was another 
 of the many messages to humanity in its ceaseless 
 struggles on the upward path. 
 
 ALLEN CALDON. 
 
 " When at last the dawn of Light arrives 
 To cheer the weary mortal on his way 
 Then shall he be blessed with sight Divine 
 A gift to humanity from Him on high 
 But as yet in its infancy to mortal gaze 
 It struggles and struggles to free itself 
 Of the fetters of mortal mind, till 
 Freed of the shackles of earthly mold 
 It reaches its goal through the open mind." 
 
PART I 
 
The Book of Clifford 
 
 September 20th, Saturday, 9 p.m., 1919. (Some of the 
 first words received.) 
 
 " Clifford is here to speak." 
 
 " How long does it take you to get here, Clifford? " 
 " At once." 
 
 " Where were you last evening? " 
 " Enveloped in vapor." 
 " Do you have things to do? " 
 " Yes, Friend." 
 
 " Does everyone say ' Friend ' to all who come where 
 you are? " 
 " Yes." 
 
 " What have you been doing to-day? " 
 " Instructing infants." 
 " In what? " 
 " FroHcs." 
 
 " Do you have wings? " 
 " No." 
 
 " Is your form the same as when here? " 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Where do you stay? " 
 " Face earth." 
 
4 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " What do you mean? " 
 " God sees Friends coming." 
 " Do you have beautiful flowers and fields? " 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Is it convenient for you to come to me at any time? " 
 " Yes." 
 
 " How did you feel when your spirit left the body? " 
 " Great! " 
 " No pain? " 
 " No." 
 
 " What was the first thing you did when you left 
 here? " 
 
 " Stood before God." 
 
 " What did He say to you? " 
 
 " ' Friend Clifford on his duty! ' " 
 
 October 11th, Saturday, 11 p.m. 
 
 " Father will speak." (Father of L. B.) 
 
 " Where are you, father? " 
 
 " In the Home for Guests." 
 
 " What do you mean by that? " 
 
 " Home for Guests is where Spirits get Friends to go 
 to God with them." 
 
 " Why do they have to get Friends to go with them? " 
 
 " Friends help the Spirits to live true to themselves, 
 teaching them to do, to have earnest thoughts of God." 
 
 " Do you see Clifford often? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Where is he now? " 
 
 " Gone to tell two spirits God wants them to trust 
 Friend entering the home. Good Friend Clifford, get- 
 
The Book of Clifford 5 
 
 ting earnest Spirits to God's house to teach earnest 
 children how to find God." 
 
 " What do you mean by ' How to find God '? " 
 
 " Has good Friend speak to God to tell Him to wel- 
 come them home? " 
 
 " Where is my mother? " 
 
 " God's house to-night, teaching Friends to speak in 
 gentle goodness." 
 
 " Good-night! " 
 
 October 16th, Thursday, 3.80 p.m. 
 
 " Is Clifford here to speak? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " What have you been doing to-day, Clifford? " 
 
 " Getting Spirits to teach children to see God from 
 Guest Home." 
 
 " Do you know who was with you when you left here, 
 Clifford? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Tell me who! " 
 
 " Mother, Bernie, White." (Dr. White, attending 
 physician.) 
 
 " Did you know just when you were going? " 
 
 " Yes, He sent for Friend Cliff at daylight." 
 
 " Are you a messenger? " 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Are you a teacher? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Can you tell me what your present body is like? " 
 
 " Yes, heftier than feathers, getting light, so Spirit in 
 Friend Cliff can go to God." 
 
6 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " What do you mean? " 
 
 " Getting lighter, so Spirit can fly to God higher for 
 Friends earnest for Truth." 
 
 " I want you, Clifford, to ask me a question to prove 
 that you hear what I say." 
 
 " Guess how I came here? " 
 
 " I could never guess that. Will you tell me? " 
 
 " Yes, helped by Friend Guest, home in his arms. If 
 the Spirit is weak, help is needed to get Friends home in 
 hurry to God's house." 
 
 " Where is mother to-day? " 
 
 " God's house, teaching gentle hearts, God's Friends 
 if they love Him." 
 
 " Do you live in a star? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Who lives in all the other stars? " 
 
 " Spirits who used to stay here on earth." 
 
 " Where is Heaven? " 
 
 " Heaven is where Love is with Spirit Friends. God's 
 highest home in the Universe." 
 
 " What is your meaning of Universe? " 
 
 " Infinite greatness." 
 
 " Have you met Friend X — since you left here, 
 Clifford? " 
 
 " Yes, Friend X — said he would try to speak with 
 Friend Bernie soon." 
 
 " The Spirit trusts friend Bernie to tell the Truth. 
 The searchers for Truth are trying to get some way to 
 speak to Spirits who send messages to their loved ones 
 on earth who think of them for satisfying their troubles, 
 usually telling them to trust in God. Love is Truth, 
 
The Booh of Clifford 7 
 
 greater than gold, greater than houses, greater than 
 strength found on earth.' ' 
 
 October 23d, Thursday, 5 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here." 
 
 " What have you been doing to-day? " 
 
 " Teaching children Truth is love, God's highest gift 
 to His servants." 
 
 " What do you mean by ' servants ' in this case? " 
 
 " God's workers to help Spirits to reach Heaven, good 
 Friends God trusts to tell His word to trusting Spirits." 
 
 " Can you tell me how God appears to you? " 
 
 " Yes; God is great, white, high Spirit, is Friend to 
 all who trust Him here and on earth." 
 
 " Do you know that Dr. White was here to-day and 
 spoke of you? Would you like to give me a message 
 for him, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes, Friend Cliff thinks Friend White is good honest 
 helper to God's great feature; is good friend to have His 
 trust. God is pleased with his help on earth." 
 
 " What do you mean by ' God's great feature '? " 
 
 " His trust is truthful to him. Friend Cliff sends his 
 thanks to Friend White for his thoughtful message to 
 him." 
 
 October 25th, Saturday, 3.80 p.m. 
 
 " Friend X — is here to speak." 
 
 "He is pleased that Friend Bernie says she tries to 
 be help to God's great teaching, to urge others to believe 
 Friends who have gone home to God, can speak to those 
 
8 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 who earnestly wish to hear from loved ones who rest 
 with God in His Truth, telling them great wonders of 
 their future home in Heaven. Try to be brave about it. 
 Tell the Truth; fear not evil tongues who slander you. 
 Trust the Truth to prevail before long." 
 
 " Where were you when you left this world? " 
 
 " Staying at the trenches to help wounded soldiers to 
 trust God's goodness. Trying to make the passing 
 easier; for them to have Courage, Faith would come to 
 them for their brave sacrifice to humanity while they 
 were here on earth." 
 
 " What happened to you? Can you tell me? " 
 
 " Yes, shell wound in right side of breast, torn to 
 pieces in other places." 
 
 " Were you in great suffering, or unconscious? " 
 
 " Until the call came the pain was terrible to bear." 
 
 " How long before the call came? " 
 
 " Several days." 
 
 " Were any of your loved ones with you? " 
 
 " Yes, Brother E— ." 
 
 " How did you leave this world? " 
 
 " Got to Heaven in Spirit's arms, holding Spirit's 
 hand in mine while we floated upward through space to 
 God's home in Heaven." 
 
 " What did you do when you first arrived? " 
 
 " Stood before God." 
 
 " What did He say to you? " 
 
 " ' Friend X — . Welcome home to Heaven and the 
 true Spirit of Love find here with God.' " 
 
The Book of Clifford 9 
 
 October 26th, Sunday, 3.30 p.m. 
 
 " We shall be together in this beautiful home, teaching 
 love to little children who never had any love on earth. 
 It is a beautiful mission to teach them God is Father to 
 all goodness, eternal for ever and ever, Amen! " 
 
 " Just what do you mean by l Amen '? " 
 
 " Highest praise to God." 
 
 " How many little children do you teach? " 
 
 " Great vale full of them, all sizes and colors, the 
 fruits of many lands." 
 
 " Can you tell me more? " 
 
 " Yes. God has given us free Spirits from His home 
 to help us tell them how good children are loved in 
 Heaven by all there. His word is truth to them, guid- 
 ing them in pathways of kindness and pleasure dear to 
 children's hearts." 
 
 " Can you tell me what the pleasures are? " 
 
 " Yes; getting flowers to make garlands; getting 
 grapes to eat; having all the playtime that is good for 
 them." 
 
 " What kind of grapes? I thought you did not have 
 food; will you explain? " 
 
 " Grapes for children only, who never had things on 
 earth to sweeten their poor little stomachs. They look 
 like the ones on earth only more juicy. I have never 
 tasted them so cannot tell you about that. Get rest, 
 dear friend. Good-night! " 
 
 " Just one question more, dear. Will you ever be 
 able to show yourself to me while I am on this earth? " 
 
 " No." 
 
10 The Book of Clifford 
 
 October 27th, Monday, S. 15 y.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here. Tell him how you feel to-day." 
 
 " Can you explain just what you meant by saying you 
 would be happy when I could see you in the spirit as in 
 the flesh? Later you say you will not be able to show 
 yourself to me while I am on this earth." 
 
 " Yes. Seeing with the mind's eye is possible, getting 
 clarity of vision as you advance higher in God's truth. 
 Unity of purpose will soon make the veil thin enough to 
 perceive the Spirit who loves you truly, speeding the 
 word of God fast to you, speaking only words you can 
 understand and give to others." 
 
 " Can you tell me how you wijl appear to me when I 
 see you? " 
 
 " Yes. Tall and straight, grown handsome in spirit 
 until I am almost tall as a beautiful evergreen tree. 
 Truth makes us expand to huge proportions and we 
 seem to float, not fly, so easily that it is a pleasure to be 
 larger than mortals." 
 
 " Do you see any angels with wings? " 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Are there any there called ' Angels ' ?" 
 
 " Yes, they help God to gather the Spirits for instruc- 
 tion about their different tasks for Him, which they 
 love and speed to obey without question at all times." 
 
 " Do you have music there? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " What kind? " 
 
 " Same as on earth only a thousand times more 
 sweet. There are many things here such as on earth, 
 only so beautiful that I can give no idea about them yet. 
 
The Book of Clifford 11 
 
 After you become more expanded by Truth you will 
 get better sight for everything here. I long for the time 
 to come when we will give hope to all who have true 
 hearts. ,, 
 
 November 14th, Friday, 6 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here." 
 
 " Tell me, Cliff dear, what you have been doing 
 to-day? " 
 
 " Getting earnest children together for teachers, so 
 they can tell them wonderful things and help them to 
 understand the beauties of their eternal home; telling 
 of great deeds of kindness which they are to perform as 
 they advance to God's highest pinnacles of faith. There 
 are many who need the hand of a child to guide them 
 through these remarkable pathways of Light. The 
 children are better fitted for guides than any other 
 Spirits because they were pure when they first arrived, 
 while we older ones must rest and purify before we are 
 as light as the babes. 
 
 "It is a wonderful process, so interesting and so 
 beautiful that I long for you to hasten your spirit vision 
 so we can more clearly understand each other. We are 
 getting on far better than many, because I know that 
 you truly believe that I come to you as I promised I 
 would when we talked it over before I took flight from 
 earth. I was all impatience until I could get a signal to 
 you. I tried many times without success, but never 
 intended to give up as I knew that some way would 
 present itself in time. We have to figure this problem 
 out for ourselves without the assistance of other Spirits, 
 
12 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 because it all helps to strengthen our Spirits and teaches 
 us how good God is to permit this wonderful revelation. 
 
 " I am nearly bursting with joy that I am at last able 
 to make myself felt and understood so well. Let us 
 give great praise and thanks to God for this great kind- 
 ness. He is willing for us to tell you many things about 
 this world, but we must have a care not to give any 
 strange remarks which will confuse or mislead. 
 
 " I have so many things to say that I am like one of 
 your letters, ' almost without end ' — Ha! ha! Loved 
 them just the same, dear friend, for I know now that you 
 were trying to help me forget the pain. I thank you 
 now. It is the first time I have done it. The pain 
 made me careless of my manners at times — that is all 
 over now, and I only have happy things to fill my 
 thoughts. I still can worry if my loved ones are un- 
 happy, so try hard to smile, won't you, dear friend? It 
 helps us all to advance when we hear laughter and kind 
 words floating upward toward us. Sorrow is a stinging 
 thorn in our mental space. It numbs us, taking away 
 the sparkling joy we otherwise feel at all times. Every 
 one of us are affected the same by tears, so send out the 
 word to all who love us, to sing rather than weep, for 
 then we will know perfect bliss. 
 
 "It is so beautiful here; the air, or whatever takes 
 the place of it, is in rainbow tints, causing everything to 
 glow and sparkle like dewdrops on a summer morn. 
 Friends come and go among thousands of tiny sparkling 
 drops of heaven scented vapor. To and fro, each and 
 every Spirit singing their song of praise, the whole mak- 
 ing the grandest harmony that could ever be. What 
 
The Book of Clifford 13 
 
 joy is here all comes from the pure heart and perfect 
 trust and faith in God's great mercy. It is the all 
 highest blessing in all the Universe, Amen! 
 
 " Get rest now, dear Bernie; I will come soon again 
 to speak and perhaps bring Friend X — with me. He 
 wishes to tell you many things. Good-night now! 
 God bless you! " 
 
 November 18th, Tuesday, 12 o'clock noon. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here. " 
 
 " What have you been doing since you were here, 
 Clifford? " 
 
 " Getting the truth seekers started onward to their 
 various points of interesting development. They are so 
 anxious to start that we teachers have to marshal them 
 like unto an army. All armies must have a head who 
 knows the destination — the same here, though in this 
 case every Spirit is of a mind to follow the leader with- 
 out a thought but that he knows the surest and quickest 
 path to glorious Truth, meaning Heaven. The Great 
 Spirit tells the leaders the way they are to find the 
 shortest road, so all is Unity, Faith and Hope — glorious 
 channels through which to travel. 
 
 " Beams of sparkling light scintillating through tre- 
 mendous planes of space, trembling in tender thoughts of 
 love, touching the spirits softly like a magic wand, 
 startling none, just causing an electrical thrill of joy to 
 spur all on to greater efforts of great victory in all things 
 spiritual. It is the acme of hope entering the spirit. 
 It is a flight of happy thoughts winging upward, always 
 upward, until the highest fount of love is attained. It 
 
14 The Boole of Clifford 
 
 will take us many, what you call ages, to reach the 
 Universe of God's Universal Home (highest one), but 
 the way is so beautiful we are never weary, never striving 
 to rush ahead to be first in line. All are happy in their 
 place, as they know they are in just the order God wishes 
 them to be. 
 
 " They sing as they journey upward, oh, so beauti- 
 fully! If I could but give you an idea of the sounds! 
 They are to me almost beyond belief, only, of course, as 
 I hear at all times this anthem of joy and this tender 
 form of worship to the All Highest and Greatest God of 
 all good works, I am compelled to believe that it is 
 beautifully true. The little childish, birdlike voices 
 blend among the greater ones like tender tinkling chords 
 in harmony with the grand and deeper tones of the 
 larger Spirits, until the whole seems to flood the entire 
 heavens with its magnificence. Praise, praise to Him, 
 our Father of Goodness. 
 
 " Get rest now. I will come again to-night if you are 
 not too tired; if so, will come again soon." 
 
 November 18th, Tuesday, 6. SO 'p.m. 
 
 " Are you here, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Have you thought of any name for these messages 
 should they be printed? " 
 
 " Yes. ' The Soul of my son speaketh to me.' Have 
 the cover simple, of a blue shade, not too dark; to signify 
 truth and purity. The sky looks blue, you know, that 
 is the color I love best of all. The print large and clear, 
 showing that we had in mind the mother and the father, 
 
The Book of Clifford 15 
 
 who perhaps have not the eyes of youth, yet would like 
 to study these pages in their own sanctuary where their 
 hearts could tell them how true these words are. They 
 will bring comfort, I know, so we will try hard to make 
 everything simple and clear, as truth is always clear. 
 Truth is more wonderful than fiction could ever be. Tell 
 it as it comes to you. 
 
 " To-day is the time for enlightenment; to-morrow 
 the harvest of happy thought. Is it not the true in- 
 centive? We all think so. Bear in mind that Love and 
 Kindness are the two greatest factors in either world. 
 The two make the complete life. Together they are the 
 all, for both mean Truth, and Truth is God, the highest, 
 mightiest, most gentle Being which can be named. 
 Words cannot express or describe His beauty of Spirit. 
 Our thought is to strive to be worthy of Him in His 
 home, hoping to improve as quickly as we can without 
 impatience. 
 
 " There is more I would love to say to-night, but you 
 are tired, so good-night! God's blessing upon you, dear 
 friend! " 
 
 November 23d, Sunday, 2 p.m. 
 
 " Are you here, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes. Friend B — is with me." 
 
 " Here I am, dear Bernie, to give you the best help 
 that I can. I have thought time and again how much I 
 would give to let you know that I had always remem- 
 bered you telling me that you hoped to be a great artist 
 some day. You seemed so sure of the fact that you 
 
16 The Boole of Clifford 
 
 wanted to draw and paint more than anything else in 
 the world, that since I came here I have been permitted 
 to lend a helping hand. I am at liberty to come at any 
 time you may desire to call me. Now that we can 
 understand each other so well, there need be no difficulty. 
 The obstacles and doubts may be overcome by questions, 
 to all of which I will gladly give heed. Tell me to come 
 and I will do so at once. The more you call, the happier 
 I shall be. 
 
 " The purest lily comes from blackest earth. So is it 
 possible for mortal to cast aside the husk of imperfect 
 thought (sin, in other words), and purify themselves in 
 the first great Plane, with the constant help of Friends 
 who stand ever ready and anxious to lend the helping 
 hand to each and every soul who arrives, distraught with 
 mental agony for their mistakes upon earth. That they 
 do suffer torture is evident by the hopeless expression 
 they have upon arrival. They seem to repent so fully 
 upon the journey here, that it proves the great effect of 
 a pure thought over the imperfect one. 
 
 " The Spirit soon begins to expand, after soothing 
 lessons of God-given courage to the weaker ones. It is 
 most wonderful to watch the effect of Spirit growth. It 
 takes place before our eyes, touching the face with 
 beautiful lines, enhancing the form to great and glorious 
 lines of strength such as earthly being never had. Vic- 
 tory over imperfect thought is one of our greatest 
 achievements. It is a joy to every Spirit to watch and 
 assist at the supreme moment of good work — the im- 
 perfect thought dissolves into a tiny dewdrop, thus 
 proving that as the lily came from lake mud, so can God 
 
The Booh of Clifford 17 
 
 bring forth a pure dewdrop at will, from a repentant 
 Spirit. It is the ' essence of purification/ 
 
 " God is so great and so gentle that the space about 
 Him is filled with joy unspeakable. Spirit forces gather 
 strength to even hear the whisper of His glorious voice. 
 It comes, spreading hope and faith wherever it touches. 
 It seems to say: ' Be not afraid, gird on your armor of 
 Faith, for I am with you at all times — Truth is at hand, 
 then comes everlasting joy for all.' 
 
 " I will now say good-night, dear friend. Gird on 
 your courage for your daily life. God's blessing upon 
 you is my prayer. Good-night, I will come whenever 
 you call. 
 
 " Cliff says: ' Get rest now; I will talk to-morrow, 
 God bless you! I am happy that you had such a beau- 
 tiful talk with your friend. She loves you and will come 
 again. Good-night, dear! " 
 
 November 24th, Monday, 5.1^5 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here." 
 
 " Will you ask my mother to come soon to speak with 
 me?" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Do you know why she has not come? " 
 
 " Yes. She is in God's home, teaching Truth to 
 Spirits who are striving to hasten their higher tendencies 
 for good work among timid arrivals who need strong 
 spirit guidance to help them forward. She is untiring 
 in her efforts to help in every possible way; strong and 
 courageous, thinking of others who need her more than 
 you do just now. She knows that I and other loving 
 
18 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Spirits are with you often. It makes her very happy. 
 She also realizes that we are telling you in order, as you 
 are fitted to receive. 
 
 " It takes time, dear; try to be patient with us all, 
 for there are many more beautiful things to tell you. I 
 am almost overwhelmed with the many great and 
 glorious Truths I am permitted to tell you, that you may 
 transfer them to other minds through the medium of a 
 truthful little book, to help smooth the path of mortal 
 journeying to the new Life Eternal. To help and en- 
 courage to find the surest way to peace of mind is the 
 object of it all, for to have peace of mind is to have 
 happiness, and happiness comes with kind Truth; thus 
 we arrive at Heaven's door. Truth is the foundation of 
 everything in the entire Universe. Without it no 
 spiritual progression can ever take root in either of the 
 worlds. ' The essence of spiritual beauty is Truth.' A 
 free gift of God to all — try to appreciate it, then the 
 way is strewn with happy memories for one and all on 
 earth and in Heaven. Amen! 
 
 " Get rest now, dear friend; I will come again soon. 
 Good-night! " 
 
 November 26th, Wednesday, 1145 a.m. 
 
 " Are you here, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Do you see and speak with great people? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Have you seen and spoken with George Wash- 
 ington? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
The Booh of Clifford 19 
 
 " Can you tell me something he said to you? " 
 " Yes. ' The nation is still under too much bondage. 
 It must awaken to the fact before it is too late. Unity 
 of truthful purpose is its only salvation. God grant the 
 American people may realize their home is a beautiful 
 one, to be thoughtfully guarded from unjust thinkers. 
 If they would have peace, there must be unity, together 
 with courage. The two go hand in hand. Truth is the 
 much needed goal. Unless that fundamental fact is 
 realized soon, there will be a parting of the ways. The 
 watchword should be " Everlasting Truth to the end of 
 time, the banner of Love spreading its wings over 
 triumphant unity. " ' " 
 
 " Now, Cliff dear, will you give me a message? " 
 " Yes. To-day comes more glorious thought. I 
 have been so happy and so grateful to God, that I am 
 feeling throughout my being a great expansion. It is 
 like a wonderful and great hypnotic influence — it 
 breathes tenderest impulses, telling in whispers how to 
 perceive heaven-sent joys which abound here. They 
 are so delicate, so pure, so transparent; they seem to 
 float about us, telling us infinite greatness is at hand, 
 glorifying thought and purpose. Think, dear, of us as 
 one great treasure house, speeding forth gifts hidden 
 only to the unjust thinkers until the Spirit awakens 
 them, bursting forth in glory of beauty to convince them 
 how elemental Truth is born in suffering, unless it has 
 undergone purification previous to arrival in the first 
 Plane. Such a thing is to some extent possible where 
 the body has undergone great torture before the transi- 
 tion. If the purer hearted ones on earth undergo fire of 
 
20 The Book of Clifford 
 
 mortal pain, they have but short period of spiritual 
 struggle before emerging into triumphant pathways. 
 
 "It is a delightful thing to behold this infusion of 
 God-given Light. It illuminates the entire spiritual 
 being like finest golden sunbeams glinting over frozen 
 crystal snow, forever dispersing its radiance to paths of 
 lesser light to help the timid on their way. Tis ever 
 the thought of another here, you see. Ever the strong 
 hand of kindness which makes our happiness. Thorough 
 evolution takes place in mind as soon as the Spirit has 
 overcome mortal thought of ' self/ that being a quality 
 non-existent in Truthland. It must be cast aside before 
 any great advancement may be made along lines of any 
 great achievement in spiritual things. 
 
 " Teaching earnest followers the essence of beauty is a 
 great privilege to be gained by great and small as de- 
 served. God chooses well. All are satisfied and happy 
 wherever His choice may fall. Vaporous clouds forever 
 hover as a shelter over tender, immature thought, until 
 its growth is perfected, then it emerges into splendor 
 greater than mortal eye has ever seen. Sweeping and 
 circling about throughout space, filling it with wondrous 
 incense, floating upward, mingling with thousands of 
 other delicate perfumes, merging into purest essence of 
 heavenly air, then showering down over all who are on 
 the upward path. Such glory is clasped to the breast 
 of all. We become suffused with its cleanliness, gather- 
 ing strength of purpose with every drop that touches us. 
 
 " Think, dear, what joy is ours. Can you wonder 
 that we beg of you not to weep over us? The separation 
 is but brief; therefore, my Mother, rejoice with me, 
 
The Booh of Clifford 21 
 
 for I am the fortunate one. I long to share the happi- 
 ness with you. To make you smile away your tears, 
 dearest, to fold you in my arms once again, so that you 
 may feel them about you as I do, is one of my happiest 
 thoughts. I am with you in spirit, Mother, believe me. 
 I come at your call, stand by your side in time of trouble, 
 gathering forces of strength and courage to aid you 
 when your heart is sad. Gladly would I bear all pain, 
 but that the Spirit can feel no bodily pain such as mor- 
 tals have to bear. 
 
 " Tenderest thoughts of you, dear Mother, are ever 
 present with me. All of my loved ones are in my 
 thoughts. The touch of my hand falls lightly upon your 
 head at times. You cannot feel, but it comes with a 
 whispered kiss softly, like the breath of a butterfly 
 alighting on a spirit flower. All is well, Mother. We 
 will be together for all Eternity, and that is a wondrous 
 thing to think on. 
 
 " God's blessing on you! Keep your face to the Light; 
 have no fear of the shadows; they disappear when you 
 arrive here, for ' spiritual light has no shadow.' 
 
 " This is a little lesson for to-day; keep it in mind to 
 comfort you, for it is Truth. Believe me, and encourage 
 others to believe for the sake of their peace of mind. 
 
 " Hope is an eternal watchword — Faith and Trust 
 live in the same dwelling with Harmony. The whole 
 scheme, as you perceive, means unity of truthful pur- 
 pose, so grand it is awe-inspiring, yet so simple to under- 
 stand. Let us never cease to praise God, for His good- 
 ness can never be repaid. Amen to Him! 
 
 " I must go now, good-bye, and God bless you all! " 
 
22 The Book of Clifford 
 
 November 80th, Sunday, 11.45 a.m. 
 
 " Are you here, Cliff dear, to speak? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Are you alone? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Would you like to ask me a question, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes. Have you given thought to the outcome of 
 this great happiness whi^ch has come to us through these 
 messages? God has been so good to us that I feel to 
 share that kindness is in some measure showing an ap- 
 preciation to Him. It will mean much to others as to 
 us, helping them to see how simple the Truth is when 
 the mind is opened to receive it; how beautiful spiritual 
 thoughts are transferred to mortal mind quickly and 
 clearly, to rich and poor alike. If they are but willing 
 to have trust and accept the pure thought, it will come 
 often and more often with each willing acceptance, 
 broadening their minds for further progression ip all 
 good works, whatever or wherever they may be. ' Prac- 
 tice makes perfect ' in every line of pure thought, no 
 matter how simple it may be. 
 
 " A child's thought is as great an assistance as the 
 deepest student thinker, because to them it has the 
 depth of feeling that only Truth can bring, therefore 
 being on equal footing of progression toward the spiritual. 
 Great strides are made in the child's mind which at 
 times prove too much of a strain on the little body, in 
 which case, God calls them home, as their mission on 
 earth has been fulfilled and they are more needed here 
 for spiritual guidance to others of lesser intellect. 
 
 " All mentality cannot be equal or there could be no 
 
The Book of Clifford 23 
 
 progression in any sphere. No teachers would be needed, 
 which would mean Friends could not give the helping 
 hand which means life to them; in which case all would 
 live on one Plane. Spiritual advancement could never 
 take place under those circumstances. 
 
 " You see how wonderfully God has arranged every- 
 thing, for ' All Eternity ' means one long flight to higher 
 things. There is never a downward flight when once 
 we start upward. I mean by that, the Spirit never 
 ceases in higher thought. Our return to hover and help 
 friends on earth is possible at all times when we are 
 needed and welcomed. It takes but an atom of time 
 for us to be with you on the call for help. In the darkest 
 hour of mental trouble, we appear to guide you — a sure 
 guide at all times, if you will trust us and believe. The 
 joy we feel when you allow us to guide is unspeakable, 
 as the more we help the more we may. It makes us so 
 happy to help you in all things which have a clean 
 motive. We cannot come in shadow of imperfect 
 thought, remember that. We cannot shine through 
 darkness of that kind. We are not strong enough for 
 that. Thoughts must be clean to receive us. We are 
 then free to penetrate the deepest misery to lend as- 
 sistance to anyone who calls upon us. 
 
 " Friends who enter the first Plane are almost over- 
 come with the beauty surrounding them. We use the 
 utmost care and tenderness with them all. Youth and 
 old age alike are soon beaming with the joy of welcome 
 which is extended to them. The Spirits hover over 
 them, showing in every way how glad they will be to 
 act as friend and guide, speeding the new comer on to 
 
24 The Book of Clifford 
 
 spiritual greatness as fast as possible. The little chil- 
 dren go into raptures of joy. Hope beams radiant 
 around them. Their earthly mothers would feel the 
 pangs of parting far less could they realize the heavenly 
 welcome accorded their little ones. Nothing is left 
 undone to perfect their happiness. God's sheltering 
 mercy forever covers them with its glory. Their tender 
 Spirits reflect great purpose for good work among us all. 
 A child's pure spirit is the l acme of perfection.' 
 
 " True worth may go unrewarded on earth, but never 
 here, where all is justice of the highest and most perfect 
 order. The human mind must learn to realize its im- 
 perfections, otherwise total loss of perception takes 
 place, without which no one can appear to best advan- 
 tage or succeed as they otherwise might. Greed and 
 conceit are two of the worst of mortal sins, for they 
 breed most of the trouble in the world. Selfishness be- 
 comes the eldest son, who causes havoc right and left 
 throughout great territory, wrecking pure thought ad- 
 vancement at every turn. ' Forget self and selfishness 
 disappears.' The two are foreign bodies, finding no 
 place in Heaven. 
 
 " This little lesson all should remember; it will be of 
 help to everyone, for no earthly being is quite perfect. 
 It cannot be, as perfection is ordained to come in the 
 better, or after life. If they were perfect on earth, there 
 could be no advancement here as you can plainly per- 
 ceive, though, of course, the more persistent the human 
 will is to do right, the less there is to undo upon arrival 
 here, and spiritual advancement the sooner begins. 
 
The Book of Clifford 25 
 
 " Weeds have deep roots; uproot them and see the 
 large space they leave for good seed to grow. 
 
 " Life in every sphere is a marvelous thing, God given, 
 therefore a gift none can prize too highly. The human 
 mind is the most wonderful of all receptacles, for it is 
 limitless in expansion, therefore let each and every one 
 try to allow theirs to expand in pure, clean thought — 
 on such a foundation spiritual triumph is close at hand." 
 
 December 1st, Monday, 2.15 p.m. 
 
 " Are you here to speak this afternoon, Cliff dear? " 
 " Yes. God bless you for coming to speak to-day; 
 there is much I wish to say to you concerning things 
 spiritual. God tells great thoughts of Heaven bring us 
 together as nothing else ever could — the veil is becom- 
 ing thinner between us with each beautiful communica- 
 tion, growing more iridescent, sparkling and luminous. 
 It trembles; it slowly but surely is dissolving as the 
 Truth filters through it. It will never wholly disappear 
 to you in your present state, but will be so transparent 
 that thought can pierce more quickly as time goes on, 
 and glimpses of extreme spiritual beauty will come to 
 you if you continue to progress as you have done. 
 
 " It is the greatest happiness to me that we can under- 
 stand each other so well. How I longed to get word to 
 you, how hard I tried, that you might know the promise 
 I made to return if possible, to give you some sign, was 
 not forgotten. The last moment in your arms was a 
 struggle to tell you I would not forget, but the transi- 
 tion came more quickly than I expected. It was over 
 
26 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 so soon, with more surprise than suffering, that I was 
 powerless to make you a sign. However, nothing es- 
 caped the spirit vision. It was beautiful to me to feel 
 the welcome in the new home. Friends everywhere 
 about me, kindly hands extended to lead me on through 
 the new Light. 
 
 " When the time comes, dear, for your passing, fear 
 not; I, with many other loving Spirits, will lead you on 
 to God's home. Our song will be ever one of welcome. 
 Bear that in mind at all times; let it be a cheerful 
 thought. Help others to realize it will be the same with 
 them — the true welcome is accorded here. It never 
 fails the Pilgrim on this journey. Ever beautiful is the 
 way. The valleys and hills are shrouded with irides- 
 cent, glowing particles of Light, each one a pure thought 
 direct from God's Heavenly Home. We are bathed in 
 its glory as we float about in it. It cleanses and heals 
 every imperfect thought, bringing joy of the purest 
 quality to our hearts. The true life goes on gaining 
 splendor, ever higher to glories as yet unknown to us of 
 the first Plane. We have to become accustomed by 
 degrees — the full beauty of the highest Planes are still 
 too powerful for our vision. God decrees a gradual 
 awakening to the Highest Home. 
 
 " How wondrous it is to think I should be telling you 
 these things, when one short year ago I never so much as 
 dreamed such splendor could be possible; yet it is so 
 real to me now, so natural, almost as if I had never been 
 away from here. How to thank God for His many 
 blessings is our constant thought. The value of His 
 gifts of love and kindness are beyond payment. He 
 
The Book of Clifford 27 
 
 seeks no reward bufc love, which is pure thought, which 
 all may give and do give so gladly and thankfully. 
 
 " How Truth floods every Plane, shows Him how 
 much He is loved by all here. We speed to obey so 
 gladly at His glorious whisper which falls on our ears so 
 tenderly, setting in motion hundreds of tiny chords in 
 harmony so beautiful, so sweet, to hear them is a joy 
 unbounded. 
 
 " Get rest now, dear friend." 
 
 " Cliff, will you ask Mr. X — to come and say a little 
 prayer for us to put in the book? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Cliff, you know I will do all I can to get the messages 
 right?" 
 
 " Yes. God bless you for that! It will help us all to 
 get word to our earthly friends." 
 
 December 1st, Monday, 7.15 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here with Mr. X—." 
 
 " Will you please give me a little prayer for the book, 
 Mr. X— ?" 
 
 " Yes. Friends of earth, we beseech thee to hear our 
 plea, for one and all we pray that our presence may be 
 felt by all our loved ones. Grant us the privilege of 
 helping you in time of need. Our spirit seeks you that 
 we may aid, give hope and courage by our presence. 
 The All-Seeing God grants us the favor of lending the 
 helping hand to mortals; take heed, therefore, that our 
 purpose may be accomplished and accepted by you. 
 Dear friends of every clime, we put forth our most 
 earnest hope for your sake as well as ours, God's blessing 
 
28 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 rest upon you all. Let it sprinkle you with its glory, 
 forever and ever, Amen! and I thank you. 
 
 " Friend Bernie, I thank you for calling me. It is a 
 privilege I appreciate to make a little prayer for you to 
 put in the book. You see we all wish to lend a hand, 
 for we have great hopes of success. We feel that a 
 thing of such truthful purpose cannot fail. Our united 
 efforts for good are with you in this awakening, for a 
 tremendous awakening it will prove itself. The words 
 are true, the thought is true, therefore the purpose is 
 true. ' Three great truths spelling God.' Who living 
 can deny that? In all things you have written for us 
 there is naught of selfishness or unkind thought. The 
 one great aim has been to help the mortal mind and 
 bring peace to it. Surely all must admit a worthy pur- 
 pose, granting which, we urge deep thought on. the 
 subject. 
 
 " I have seen such wondrous glory here, it is difficult 
 to find words to express myself as I should like. Clifford 
 has accomplished much, he has done wonders in descrip- 
 tion, I think. We are all pleased and happy. He looks 
 radiant with joy that he has succeeded in getting word 
 to you. His eyes are beaming with glad light. He is 
 anxious for us all to put in a word. He finds us at once 
 when you speak our name to him, so anxious is he for 
 us to have a word of greeting with you. We all love 
 him, dear boy that he is. He is now hovering over you 
 in an ecstacy of delight as you take this message from 
 me so understandingly. It is beautiful to watch his 
 happy expression. He came to me this afternoon to 
 bring me at once to you, as you expressed the wish for 
 
The Book of Clifford 29 
 
 my presence. He is a true friend; precious fortune to 
 have. He wishes to speak with you now. I will say 
 good-bye and come again gladly when you call. Good- 
 night! " 
 
 " Cliff dear, please tell Mr. X — that I have located 
 his brother and will write at once to deliver the message 
 for him." 
 
 December 2d, Tuesday, 8.15 'p.m. (snowing hard). 
 
 " Are you here this evening, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " How did you come through the snow? " 
 
 " Entered direct through thought. The elements of 
 earth have no effect upon us — thought can direct itself 
 through any storm. Fog is transparent to it, it pierces 
 any cloud however black, gathering force as it goes in 
 its swift flight toward the object of its desire. Friends 
 who call from earth need never doubt but we will find 
 the way to come at once. All we need is the signal from 
 you that we are welcome, then we start earthward with- 
 out hesitation. God grants it to Spirits to make the 
 earthward flight as often as the call comes. It never 
 interferes with our duties. We have time for every- 
 thing. Spirits get friendly signals very quickly, a flash 
 and we are with you. Another flash and we are home 
 again, bringing the good with us of every successful 
 visit. Friends are always glad of every success. It is 
 to them one step nearer their loved ones. 
 
 " Get rest now, dear friend; you are tired. I will 
 come again soon. Good-night! " 
 
30 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 December 5th, Friday, 1 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here to speak with Friend Bernie." 
 
 " Gather fresh evergreens for the Christ Day. Forget 
 it not. It gladdens His heart to feel He is remembered 
 on His Natal Day. 
 
 " Great glad songs have been prepared by us for our 
 offering. Friends rehearse the little ones here. Fairest 
 flowers gather fragrance, helping to impart sweetness 
 throughout every sphere. It is one grand rejoicing 
 among us all. God gathers the heavenly Spirits to- 
 gether, instructing them to find the friends of earth who 
 have no hope of cheer to gladden them on this Holy Day. 
 To them He sends the l Vial of Mercy.' It contains 
 Immortal Love, His Blessing and Patience. Again we 
 see three gifts spelling l God,' like the three great Truths 
 before mentioned, spelling the same Glorious Name. 
 
 " Having gathered these marvels of spiritual beauty, 
 hasten to impart them to others. Let no time be wasted 
 in delay. Forward is the word; there is much more to 
 come; the people of earth must be prepared by degrees 
 for the beauties awaiting them. Future happiness it 
 means. 
 
 " Let us all rejoice that we have made so good a be- 
 ginning. I am so happy over it that I must express my 
 thanks often, dear friend. Gladly would I gather the 
 friends of earth into one huge assemblage to listen, for 
 I am so anxious to have them know the Truths.' ' 
 
The Booh of Clifford 31 
 
 December 7th, Sunday, 9.30 a.m. (raining). 
 
 " Have you a message for the book to-day, Cliff? " 
 " Yes. Thought waves will come easy to-day, so let 
 us hasten to begin the message. Thankful am I that 
 we will have this quiet hour, it will mean much to us 
 both, dear friend. The storm without to-day makes 
 peace within the little room, old-fashioned and simple, 
 its rafters sloping so near your head you may hear the 
 patter of the raindrops; they make a sweet lullaby. 
 Many a worldly wise and tired heart would find rest in 
 such a place. In pleasant weather who could wish for 
 more beauty than the view from your window? Field, 
 islands and ocean beyond; it is wonderful to all who 
 gaze upon it. Fortunate are you, dear Bernie. It is 
 your love for the home which has added to the ease of 
 the signal to penetrate your thought; the quiet of it all, 
 the beauty which God has placed about you, makes 
 thought transmission possible, where noise and strife 
 would confuse you so greatly that we never should have 
 succeeded in this undertaking. As it is, all has come 
 easily and naturally to you day by day. As we dictate 
 you have no care over the words to come. Who can 
 doubt such a manifestation of higher power over mortal 
 hand? 
 
 "It is possible for others as for you. Faith and pa- 
 tience will bring results of most surprising nature. 
 Truth as interpreter will prove all problems, great and 
 small. Without it one may as well cease to exist, for 
 they never can succeed in any shape or form. Honesty 
 of purpose is the mainspring of every life, ' the developer 
 of thought.' 
 
32 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " Friend, listen to what I say! God gave you a mind 
 to improve, not destroy, therefore make the effort to improve. 
 Underline those words that all may heed. 
 
 " Such lessons are easily learned by anyone who will 
 welcome them. It needs but a moment's thought to 
 know they are worthy of study. God's life is one of 
 purpose. Our aim is to be worthy of that purpose so 
 far as we can be. We never cease trying to improve our 
 minds. We keep them open at all times for furtherance 
 of good work among those who need help that we can 
 give from our store of knowledge. As we give we gain. 
 It is thus we expand in beauty of intellect, ever broaden- 
 ing to receive until perfection is attained. It will be 
 ages upon ages before that absolute perfection takes 
 place. In the meanwhile we are the happiest of the 
 happy with such a goal ahead of us. 
 
 " Thousands of winged songsters abound here, gardens 
 of the most glorious flowers of perpetual bloom — happy 
 children among them. Dear little creatures with every 
 earthly sorrow vanished from their minds, which are like 
 pure crystals, so transparent and pure that all who gaze 
 upon them feel Peace and Purity are close at hand. 
 
 "It is no dream life we have here, it is the real life 
 tried and true; to us as substantial as your most waking 
 hours. Our minds are more alive here than ever on 
 earth — far, far beyond earthly conception. Every 
 particle of mind is alive, there are no vacant spaces when 
 once we learn our lesson on improvement of mentality. 
 The spirit is naturally studious, therefore study is our 
 delight. Heavenly bodies are one vast storehouse of 
 beautiful knowledge, given freely by God to us all. 
 
The Book of Clifford 33 
 
 Kindness of every description is freely given. Can you 
 wonder that we of Truthland are happy? 
 
 " Gathering good deeds gives us teachers great useful- 
 ness in the Garden of Patience, where we find many 
 thinkers trying to solve highest problems of various 
 nature, the perfection of which depends upon the patient 
 thought bestowed upon each problem. Thus comes the 
 name ' Garden of Patience/ There are many gardens, 
 all of which are a joy to enter, for they are filled with the 
 spirit of happiness as well as the most wondrous spirit 
 flowers. They are of more delicate shades than earthly 
 blooms, but oh! the sweetness is beyond compare, so 
 delicate yet so permeating it seems as if you must be 
 able to feel its presence. Many are the lilies with huge 
 white petals; roses of a magnificence no earthly eye has 
 seen, unless it may possibly have been in prehistoric 
 time. I do not know what might have grown when the 
 world was young and thought more pure and simple 
 than to-day. I only know I have never imagined such 
 loveliness from any picture that I had ever seen while on 
 earth. Many are the flowers, I know not their names. 
 It is the beauty, not the name we note here; all are dear 
 to us. 
 
 " The children are ever happy among them, their 
 tender little hands are Love's caress among them. ' The 
 Spirit Love is gentleness personified. ' Great and tender 
 in a breath; God's glory forever shines upon it. One 
 and all, we are bathed in its sublime beauty. It is 
 Heavenly Light descending upon us. Glory upon glory 
 is ours. Thankfully we receive it and cherish it in our 
 breast. God's mercy and goodness find naught for com- 
 
34 The Book of Clifford 
 
 parison in any particle of the universe. It can be com- 
 pared with nothing, as there is nothing with which to 
 compare it, so far is it beyond comparison. Amen to 
 Him, our Heavenly Father! 
 
 " Friend, get rest now. Our thanks to you, dear, for 
 to-day's good work. God bless you! Good-bye for the 
 present! " 
 
 December 7th, Sunday, 6.15 p.m. 
 
 " Are you here, Cliff? " 
 
 " Yes. Friend Bernie, gladly will I speak a few words 
 this evening. Thank you for calling me. The storm 
 continues without. Peace still reigns within — a good 
 evening for us to speak a thoughtful word. We did so 
 well to-day that I feel we are both anxious to continue 
 the helpful thought. It seems as if we were nearer than 
 ever before to understanding each other. To-day's 
 work proves it to me, as the words formed for you so 
 easily and clearly most of the time. The automatic 
 writing is very difficult for me, so let us not waste time 
 upon it. It is wise to be satisfied with what we know 
 to be most comprehensive to us. Thought, while swift 
 in its flight, is grateful when needless obstacles are re- 
 moved from its path. That means, never deliberately 
 place useless obstruction in the pathway of knowledge 
 you wish to acquire. Leave open the gateway that 
 thought may enter freely and feel the welcome in your 
 mind. 
 
 " With such an abundance of godly gifts as the human 
 mind is capable of receiving (all freely given, remember) 
 why, oh, why cannot they find room to enter? I will 
 
The Booh of Clifford 35 
 
 tell you. It is because much of the human mind is filled 
 with waste matter in place of great purpose for good. 
 Naturally with the growth of great purpose the waste 
 matter becomes absorbed and the beauty of the mind 
 develops into a gem of loveliness possible to be obtained 
 by every soul upon earth at will. Make the effort now, 
 that your spiritual beauty may the sooner develop. To 
 gather up the wayward thoughts and mold them into 
 one grand purpose is a victory of mind to be admired by 
 all. It has been done, is done and can be done again. 
 1 Failure ' should be an impossible word in every tongue. 
 Courage and Failure are enemies, therefore place them 
 face to face on equal footing. You will soon find Failure 
 falling back step by step, growing smaller and smaller 
 until it disappears and Courage steps forward with 
 Grand Purpose, victors both. This is another little 
 lesson which I hope may be absorbed by all. 
 " Get rest now, Friend Bernie. Good-night! " 
 (I tried the automatic writing for a few minutes this 
 evening, but could get very little satisfaction. L. B.) 
 
 December 9th, Tuesday, 5.80 'p.m. (raining hard). 
 
 " Are you here this evening, Cliff dear, for a few 
 words? " 
 
 " Yes, this is another fine evening to talk. I love to 
 be in this little room and hear the patter on the roof. 
 Thoughts will come in plenty to us. 
 
 " The boys are gathered about, each with the thought 
 of Mother in his heart. They are so hopeful, we must 
 not fail them. True is their love for the homes they 
 have left. Happiness here does not destroy earthly love, 
 
36 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 it simply broadens and beautifies it, for God never takes 
 away what He has once given. The earthly love for 
 home lingers with us, sweet and pure forever in our 
 spirit mind. Tender atoms of brightness they are to us. 
 God bless them! Thought of meeting our loved ones is 
 beautiful; it seems not so far away to us as to you, for 
 the time measurements are different here, though we 
 still understand the earthly hours, so that we can come 
 to you at any time you name, morning, noon, or night. 
 
 " Dear friend, call us often is all we ask. Spirit-love 
 to share with all who will accept; gather it to you, let it 
 fill your mind with its beauty, for it is more beautiful 
 than any earthly love, a never-failing source of happiness, 
 for it is True Purity. God's blessing is ever with it. 
 Fortunate are those who accept us. Regret for so doing 
 is impossible, for every thought we bring to you is pure 
 and helpful. Naught of envy or malice enter in with us 
 when we come to you; we bring but good to all. Think 
 on it and give us a trial, dear friends. Usually the first 
 trial wins for us, but the trials are fewer than they should 
 be. Fear of ridicule, fear of slander, frighten away 
 spirit growth in mortal mind. 
 
 " So-called Spiritualism is a bark which needs much 
 ballast, for it is overloaded many times with explosive 
 material, the base of which is false principle, a destruc- 
 tive quality. Discharge that cargo, fill the little ship 
 with sincere thought and it will float over any sea, bring- 
 ing joy and comfort to all. How wonderful it is to know 
 the Truth! How simple it is to gain it, yet how many 
 fight to the last against it. Doubt! doubt! doubt! 
 Hateful word that it is ever present to annoy and dis- 
 
The Book of Clifford 37 
 
 credit the Truth. It is like the tumbleweed, forever 
 moving about, gaining strength in its destructive course, 
 hard to kill. 
 
 " The spirit of Spiritualism is the gathering of spirit 
 forces to have speech with mortal mind. Not a mere 
 fanciful fraud as many unfortunately seem to think. It 
 is old as the hills, yet still in its swaddling clothes for 
 lack of sincere thought in quantity, to aid its growth. 
 Nourishment is needed in any growth to perfect it, 
 making every human soul the happier for the effort. 
 
 " To think of you writing on this subject! Does it 
 not seem strange to you? Yet you do not doubt one 
 word of it, for you know I speak truly, soul to soul, 
 according to my promise to you. I shall continue to do 
 so, dear friend, so long as you may have need of me, 
 which I hope will be always. There is no limit to what 
 I hope to do for you in spiritual growth to prepare you 
 for the future beauties which are to greet you here. 
 The glorious beauty of the new home should make every- 
 one free to call upon us for mental adjustment, that they 
 may the sooner find peace of mind within themselves. 
 It is there within yourself, friend, that each individual 
 will find God's Spirit, awaiting welcome. He knocks at 
 the mental door with unceasing patience. Long does 
 He wait before the thoughtless heart, but ever with the 
 Love Light surrounding Him, feeling sure of a welcome 
 in time. Why detain Him, when by His entrance all 
 would be perfect happiness within? 
 
 "He is never denied by the child's mind and heart, 
 therefore let all be as the child, willing to accept the 
 Truth when it comes in such simple splendor. 
 
38 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " This little book closes with these sincere and heart- 
 felt words: May the blessing of God descend upon all! 
 May everlasting goodness come to abound in your heart 
 that your Spirit may ascend to the Highest Heaven, 
 guided there by your loved ones who have gone before. 
 Be brave, be true, be faithful, and nothing can stop your 
 upward flight. 
 
 " Good-night, my Mother and all my loved ones, I 
 go now to my little children in the vale. 
 
 " We all extend our most grateful thanks and blessings 
 to every mortal being. Amen! " 
 
 END OF PART ONE 
 
PART II 
 
PART II 
 
 December 12th, Friday, 4 p.m. 1919. 
 
 " To lock and store away a thought of beauty 
 To bar and double lock aught of purity, 
 Is unseemly in our present state. 
 We give and take, and take and give, 
 'Tis the one and only way to live; 
 So think on it and live by it, 
 And by so doing, make your spirit fit 
 To meet your God when e'er he sends for it." 
 
 "Friend X — says: Tell my brother I thank him 
 from the bottom of my heart. Dear brother, it is happi- 
 ness to know that you will listen to my voice. Though 
 it is inaudible to mortal ear as mortal voice is, it is, 
 nevertheless, my spirit voice which speaks clearly and 
 distinctly my thought to you. Gather your inner forces 
 of concentration, relax your muscles, leave your mind 
 open for me to enter and I will come whenever you send 
 me the call; gladly will I assist you in any time of need. 
 
 " Here is the Kingdom of Freedom. God blesses our 
 assistance to mortals, so, dear Brother, call upon me 
 often. Mother joins me in affectionate thought of you. 
 She is so happy. The meaning of happiness here is very 
 beautiful. We follow in God's footsteps actually — we 
 ascend to His highest home at will. Friend Bernie can 
 explain this to you as we have already explained to her 
 from the transition to our present state, beautiful from 
 
42 The Book of Clifford 
 
 the first entrance to the Spirit world. A joyous welcome, 
 a happy home where we abound in good work. Our 
 spirit is in constant progression ; our mission to help and 
 guide others always. We welcome all who enter into 
 God's heavenly Light. The rich and the poor are on 
 equal footing here, where poverty and sorrow are un- 
 known quantities. 
 
 " God bless you, Brother. Forget not what I say to 
 you. I pray that heavenly glory may shine upon you 
 forever and ever. Amen! Good-bye." 
 
 December 14th, Sunday, 9.30 a.m. 
 
 " The Sunday talks seem favored with quietness — 
 snow or rain bringing spiritual thought close together in 
 the quiet of your little room under the eaves. It teaches 
 one the beauty of simplicity without material expense; 
 to live thoughtfully, getting the good benefits of nature 
 as God intended mortals should, wasting not human 
 energy, but rather gaining in spiritual growth. 
 
 " The hard manual labor may roughen the hands, but 
 never the heart, as proved by the tender hearts we find 
 among the extreme poor in worldly goods. Great 
 thoughts are often born and nourished amid the l splen- 
 dor of poverty/ meaning thoughts of purity find spiritual 
 nourishment in a lowly hut where welcome, as in the 
 finest mansion built by earthly hands. It is Truth to 
 say the Spirit follows lines of least resistance — the 
 welcome mind offers it the most room for growth, there- 
 fore in its expansion it finds no resisting force to obstruct 
 advancement. Pure Thought must have a wide path- 
 way, clean and straight. It cannot follow dark and 
 
The Book of Clifford 43 
 
 crooked ways, as the Command is, that Pure Thought is 
 a quantity for Light, not shadow. 
 
 " A clear thinker proves Pure Thought is the greatest 
 thing to be desired, while the thinker in shadow of 
 imperfect thought is mired in doubt and trouble through 
 mortal life. Success appears to follow him at times, but 
 it is the false success which will surely leave him at the 
 crucial moment of need. It cannot be otherwise. 
 
 " Fountains of love spring up in our beautiful country 
 to mark every pure act, they culminate in one grand 
 river, the beauty of which is indescribable. It sparkles 
 forth memories of deeds we love to gaze upon. It 
 whispers gentle thought and sacrifice — over its giant 
 bosom rest and float thoughts of exquisite loveliness. 
 Little sunbeams of golden splendor guide them on their 
 way. We gather them as you would a beautiful water- 
 lily at dawn. All beautiful thoughts exhale a perfume 
 of wondrous sweetness. The whole of the spiritual 
 universe is permeated with the most delicate and chaste 
 odors, filling us with a sense of purity at all times. The 
 great abundance of flowers, as I have before mentioned, 
 lend their spiritual sweetness, so the whole is l mingliza- 
 tion ' (strange word, but correct) of combined purities. 
 
 " God's glory is shed over all, toning to the most 
 perfect Light possible to be imagined. Rest awhile 
 now, my friend." . . . 
 
 " I noticed, dear Bernie, while you were resting you 
 became absorbed in the five-pointed star before you, 
 wondering at the perfection of the design. A triangle 
 from every point. It means perfection of purpose; 
 
44 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 that is why the heavenly star appears to you to have 
 five points. The circle denotes constancy of purpose. 
 You see ' P ' for point, ' Perfection/ ' C ' for circle 
 ' Constancy.' ' Triangle/ Triumph of geometric figures. 
 
 " A student of astral bodies may claim the circle is 
 the most profound wonder of the two; so it is, in its 
 way, but as it has neither beginning or ending, it cannot 
 start or finish a geometric problem. 
 
 " Teachers here all strive for the simplest and most 
 direct course; they pursue a straight path, but not a 
 narrow one. The broader the path, the wider the 
 knowledge. Profound thought never strays in the by- 
 ways; it may choose a secluded resting-place, but never 
 a narrow or crooked way. Profundity is really Sim- 
 plicity's twin, though it may be hard to convince some 
 that it is so. Here we have all forms of perfect knowl- 
 edge. The greatest are the simplest. The simplest are 
 the greatest — proof that they are of the nearest kin 
 possible. Spiritual knowledge is transparent. So clear 
 is it that we may see through it at will as our Spirit 
 grows accustomed to the Light of advanced mentality. 
 At first our vision was not so perfect as later on. Prac- 
 tice makes perfect here as elsewhere. 
 
 " Get rest now, dear friend. Perhaps I may come 
 again this evening, if you are not too tired. God bless 
 you! This has been a beautiful visit to-day. We are 
 gaining in thought communication. The effort has 
 not been in vain. We have many happy hours before 
 us. Let us thank God for His goodness. Amen! " 
 
The Booh of Clifford 45 
 
 December 19th, Friday, 1 p.m. 
 
 " Fine thought must not be wasted. Teachers here 
 tell us that a fine thought is like the precious pearl — - a 
 beautiful substance gathered around an atom, as the 
 lustrous skins of the pearl are gathered over a tiny- 
 particle of foreign matter. Thought and pearl each 
 become more beautiful with growth — taking on layer 
 after layer with the pearl, expansion upon expansion 
 with the fine thought. Everything has a parallel, 
 however great or small. 
 
 "As we move on to higher Planes we become more 
 convinced of l Parallel Beauties/ they abound every- 
 where, seeking to impress us with the fact of their 
 presence." 
 
 " Hidden flowers hold much sweetness, but hidden 
 love soon wastes away; therefore fear not to show a 
 loving thought to all; for mortal eye is not always 
 capable of seeing the human heart as it really is. 
 
 " A kindly deed is always blessed by God. Grains of 
 pure thought intermingle forever in Eternity, gathering 
 splendor to give glory greater than mortal eye has seen. 
 Here are the Temples of Beauty to be found; Gardens 
 of spirit flowers forever blooming, giving forth heavenly 
 incense to Friends.' ' 
 
 December 22nd, Monday, 3 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here to speak with you." 
 " Happy am I, for the Christ Day is near at hand. 
 We are rejoicing mightily. As I have before told you, 
 we gather songs and flowers as our offerings to Him, our 
 
46 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Father and Friend. His pleasure is always beautiful to 
 witness on the day of His nativity, I am told by Friends 
 here. It will be my first Christ Mass celebration in the 
 new home. I will tell you all about it when I have seen 
 and heard all its wonders. I expect the music will be 
 impossible to describe, but I shall try to form some idea 
 for your understanding, for I know how much you wish 
 to hear of it. 
 
 " The little children are as song birds amoh£ the 
 flowers — their gentle little hands gathering and making 
 most beautiful garlands, such as only the child Spirit 
 knows how to make. We older ones are not so nimble 
 with our fingers among the flowers as the little ones. It 
 seems to be their forte. The flowers seem to bloom the 
 finer under their touch. They float among them like 
 dancing sunbeams, their joyous laughter mingling with 
 their songs of gladness. Would that mortal mothers 
 could see the happiness of their children here; they 
 would never wish them back to earth and earthly cares. 
 
 " All is as it should be, that they came home to us. 
 When the mother's spiritual vision expands she will 
 realize this, but not before. 
 
 " As the spiritual part of us awakens we see and under- 
 stand God's way of seeing and meaning of many things, 
 which before meant utter blankness of penetration. 
 Simply our thought could not possibly perceive the 
 Spiritual, until opened freely to accept it as such, then 
 how beautiful our travels into the great hitherto unknown 
 — truly a flowery kingdom, one of peace and glory. 
 One grand expanse of continual beauty of spiritual mind. 
 We see and hear so keenly. We gather to us untold 
 
The Book of Clifford 47 
 
 wealth of thought without seeming exertion. We never 
 tire in this Land of Purity. We float about our duties 
 with most amazing swiftness, here, there and every- 
 where. As the call for us comes to aid another, away we 
 go, filled with happiness that we are called upon — the 
 more often we hear the call the happier we are, whether 
 it be to earth or among the spiritual realms. 
 
 " When the earthly Christian can truthfully say the 
 same he will be a true Christian. Let him think on 
 these words : ' To give aid where it is needed most, not 
 where it will show most, is the true Christianity which 
 God teaches.' " 
 
 December 22d, Monday, 7.30 p.m. 
 
 " Two of your years ago to-day, I said good-bye for a 
 little visit to my other loved ones in Brookline. The 
 day seemed long on the train, for the noise of the city 
 after the quiet country was not the sweetest music to 
 my ears. I was quite confused with all the hurry and 
 bustle I saw about me. It was hard to realize that only 
 a short six months before, I was in this same station 
 outward bound for Maine, a sick boy who did not much 
 care if he ever reached Maine or not. Now what a 
 change; strong and well, I could hardly wait for the 
 grand surprise it would be to mother to see her boy in 
 such fine shape. Her surprise was even greater than I 
 planned for — she hardly knew me as her own son, but 
 after a few hugs and kisses, she began to think I must be 
 myself. Dear mother, how delighted she was to see me, 
 and Dad and the others. It was a real Christmas joy 
 to all of us. It only lacked one thing to make it perfect 
 
48 The Book of Clifford 
 
 — your presence, dear Friend, but you were in our minds 
 and hearts. We all loved you for your loving help to 
 me. Years of Eternity will never efface the love I bear 
 you. When you come to the new home I will prove my 
 words. I shall be given that privilege to fullest extent. 
 Oh, Bernie, Friend, how happy we will be among the 
 children and the flowers — the music and the beautiful 
 things to learn; each day bringing more and more happi- 
 ness to our minds. The longing to return to earth will 
 never be ours. It will ever be upward and onward to 
 more and more beauties. Our minds will improve until 
 they are like crystals, so pure and clear that we can 
 read each other's thoughts at a glance and it will always 
 be loving kindness that meets our gaze. 
 
 " It will be my turn to greet you with many loving 
 surprises. You used to make me very happy when you 
 made little surprises for me; I always felt like a happy 
 child again — the little things count so much in our 
 lives. I wish more human friends would believe this 
 Truth. Our greatest happinesses on earth are often 
 brought about by the simplest of happenings. A miracle 
 takes place in our minds, as gently as the falling of a 
 feather, as quickly as a flash of light. At some little 
 kindness of act or word, we become happy all of a sud- 
 den! Without warning the whole world is bathed in 
 rosy light. We laugh, we sing, we seem to grow and 
 expand in the region of our hearts. Be not selfish with 
 atoms of kindness when they are the cause of so much 
 happiness. For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven 
 made — the most wondrous kingdom ever builded. A 
 kingdom which will stand through all Eternity without 
 
The Booh of Clifford 49 
 
 a tremble, as its foundation is pure Truth gathered 
 together and bound by Love into solid structure of 
 greatest beauty that can ever be known. It defies com- 
 parison, for as I have before mentioned, there is naught 
 with which to compare it, for it is perfect in every way. 
 " Get rest now, dear Friend. Good-night! " 
 
 December 23d, Tuesday, 10.30 a.m. 
 
 " Clifford says : Friend X — gladdened my heart 
 to-day by telling me that his brother is beginning to 
 open his mind to receive him. He is very happy; he 
 will come and tell you so soon. Just now he is in the 
 midst of the Christ Day work. It will be his second 
 celebration of the Natal Day, so he has more under- 
 standing of it than I have. It is wonderful to me to 
 see him among the spirit Friends, helping the newcomers 
 in this joyous work; he knows just what to do. He is 
 a royal Spirit who gladdens all who gaze upon him. His 
 life on earth was a noble one, so spiritual growth had a 
 good start before he entered the new home. 
 
 " Teaching Friends truthful purpose is Friend 
 X — 'a mission through higher Planes than mine. God 
 sent him farther on as he was more advanced when he 
 arrived than many Friends usually are. His life on 
 earth was exemplary — ever the thought of another with 
 him — tender to the unfortunate at all times. Gather- 
 ing to the fold his little army, teaching them God's word 
 so sweetly and so kindly that he will long be remem- 
 bered on earth. Theosophy was his forte — true and 
 simple his doctrine at all times. A brave, good man, 
 God loves him. 
 
50 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " Thus could all humans advance as he has done, 
 would they but try, as he did, to be faithful to God's 
 wishes. It is beautiful to see Friend X — . He is a 
 source of interest to us all. A wonderful teacher he 
 makes — the knowledge he imparts is of the greatest 
 assistance to us. God's blessing shines about him. He 
 is gloriously expanded in all things Spiritual — a true 
 helper of God's work at all times. It doesn't seem to 
 me he could ever have done an unkind act on earth, or 
 he could never shine forth so brightly in such short 
 spance of time after the arrival here. A beautiful man, 
 a beautiful Spirit whom all love. 
 
 " Gather a few evergreens to-morrow, dear friend. 
 Do not let the day pass without doing so. You will be 
 the happier, for you will know that you are giving 
 pleasure to us all, because you think of God's wishes on 
 The Holy Day of His birth." 
 
 December ft/fli, Wednesday, 2.30 'p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here to speak with you." 
 " Have you any words of poetry, Cliff? " 
 " No. Friend X — can give you a few words of 
 poetry. I will ask him to come this afternoon. He will 
 be here very soon, for it takes but an atom of time for 
 him to come when he knows you are calling him. 
 
 " In the meanwhile I will speak a few words to you, 
 my friend. I am pleased that you had the evergreens 
 brought in to-day. They are pretty, though not very 
 many, but as the thought is there, we thank you. 
 
 " I wish you might see me as I am to-day, so happy, so 
 filled with spiritual life and glowing with unbounded 
 
The Booh of Clifford 51 
 
 strength for good work among the newcomers. Bodily ills 
 seem so far away from us that it is hard to realize we ever 
 had any pains while on earth. They have faded in our 
 minds as quickly as a bubble breaks. How beautiful 
 that it is so. Now we have the most perfect health one 
 can imagine. Freedom from earthly pain is one of the 
 great blessings which God has bestowed upon us in our 
 present and future state. An ' Aching Spirit ' would be 
 a queer thing, would it not, my friend? God in His 
 mercy forbade that calamity. We are wonderful to 
 behold in our superb health of mind and form. I can- 
 not say ' body, ' as our form is not composed of matter 
 such as our earthly body was, yet we still retain a re- 
 semblance to our former selves in ways which make us 
 appear perfectly natural to our loved ones, either to 
 them that are here, or ones to come. There is no long 
 hunt, searching out a familiar face. We will appear to 
 you as when you last saw us. 
 
 " In such cases as where bodily destruction took place 
 and the loved ones were unfortunate witnesses, or where 
 the body wasted and features became distorted with 
 pain, not as such, dear, could we possibly appear to you, 
 but as you remember us in your loving thought, a happy 
 child, a loving friend, or sweet old age. We are improve- 
 ments on the most beautiful thought you can give us. 
 
 " God has been more merciful and bountiful in His 
 great kindness than I can ever tell you. His love for 
 the beautiful makes us all beautiful. We fairly gleam 
 out our happiness at the purity and wonderful knowledge 
 we find here. All free and gladly given to whoever will 
 accept. Love and kindness everywhere abounding. 
 
52 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Nothing can compare with our happiness of soul. Make 
 that statement known to our loved ones. 
 
 " Friend X — has arrived to speak with you. I will 
 speak again later, dear Friend Bernie, God bless you! " 
 
 " A golden gem is kindness, 
 
 To seek it near and far 
 Is power that God has given us, 
 
 So give our thanks in prayer, 
 In great and glorious measure, 
 For, unlike an earthly treasure, 
 
 It never dims with wear; 
 But forever grows in splendor, 
 
 Until it flies through space and air 
 To God's all Highest kingdom 
 
 And finds a welcome there." 
 
 " Friend Bernie, these are but a few lines I might say 
 of ' trial ' poetry. You know I am no poet, but I wish 
 to convince you — no, others than you (for you need no 
 convincing) that we hear all that you say to us and try 
 to answer you as understandingly as possible. Ask any 
 question. We are only too happy to try and make 
 ourselves understood by all our human friends. 'Tis 
 our hope and aim to advance spiritual growth in the 
 most acceptable way, that means the most convincing 
 way. We must (underline again) be convincing. We 
 must prove the Truth of what we say for it to do all 
 the powerful good we intend it should. Our happiness 
 will then be unbounded. 
 
 " To know that we help our earthly friends to spirit 
 growth is real happiness. We expand and glow with 
 joy at the very thought of good we may do, lifting the 
 burden of sadness from many a heart, sowing the seed 
 
The Book of Clifford 53 
 
 for future happiness among thousands, if they but be 
 willing to accept us. Accept us once and you will never 
 again deny us, for we will prove to you the beauty of 
 the Spirit is the most beautiful and helpful vision God 
 has given you. Open your eyes and see the Truth! 
 It radiates about you on all sides, yet you fear to ac- 
 knowledge it in most cases. Why? Because you lack 
 mental courage — no, lack development of mental 
 courage. 
 
 " What are a few sneers and side glances compared to 
 the sublime things you are missing on account of them? 
 I pray you open your minds, my dear friends. Make the 
 effort to gain understanding of your own individual 
 Spirit; there can be no more beautiful study, nor 
 another to compare with it in happiness to others. 
 
 " I leave you now — think over what I have said, for 
 I speak in the kindness of my Spirit to you all. Amen! " 
 
 December 26th, Friday, 2 'p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here." 
 
 " Do you wish to speak with me about Christmas 
 Day? " 
 
 " Yes. First we formed one grand circle — the little 
 ones in an inner circle. Clustered about in groups were 
 Friends from the higher homes, each bearing in his arms 
 two white doves and a beautiful evergreen branch which 
 he gently waved from time to time in rhythm with our 
 songs. 
 
 Note.^ I would like to state here that I have never written a line of 
 poetry in my life, — the above verse came to me without a thought in 
 advance and was written as rapidly as the pencil could move over the 
 paper. — All poetry following was taken in the same way. L. B. 
 
54 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " God's Highest Home seemed open to our vision. 
 Streams of pure Light descended from it. Beautiful 
 forms floated about in it. All was bathed in its radi- 
 ance. We bowed our heads to receive His blessing as 
 He appeared, a sublime object of beauty and love above 
 us, arms outstretched in sheltering posture. A Divine 
 picture such as no artist has yet produced in slightest 
 degree. It would be beyond human skill to do so. 
 There are little marks still upon His hands and feet to 
 remind us of His earthly suffering. Oh, the pity of it! 
 yet it had to be, we are told, to help the mortal mind to 
 enlightenment as much as possible. He has forgiven all, 
 for He is the emblem of forgiveness. 
 
 " After the benediction of His blessing all the beauti- 
 ful white doves were freed; they fluttered and clustered 
 up about His feet for Him to rest upon. Songs like the 
 tones of a thousand grand organs burst from us all, 
 great and small, pouring grandest purity of sound I 
 have ever heard. It is hard to explain, but picture if 
 you can, dear Friend, millions of happy souls gathered in 
 order, each and every one doing his utmost to show his 
 joy through music of most beautiful voices all tuned to 
 one perfect key, each in sympathy with the other. The 
 children carrying the air, trumpet-like, so clear and true. 
 The great, glad voices of us larger ones lending volume 
 upon volume of full rounded melody, gorgeous in its 
 quality of richness beyond words to express. Every- 
 thing was happiness and joy, even the spirit flowers 
 gave forth a sweeter perfume on this Natal Day. 
 
 " The garlands seemed miles long to me; they were 
 everywhere twined in and out and around the giant 
 
The Booh of Clifford 55 
 
 circles, strewn broadcast about, wherever our gaze 
 might turn. Beautiful birds, such as mortal eye never 
 imagined, flew about, free and tame. Never did I 
 think that such beauty as I have seen to-day could be 
 possible, yet everything was simple and sweet in the ex- 
 treme. Our offering was accepted with the utmost joy 
 and welcome. We were all made to understand our 
 offering was to be cherished by Him in Heaven. 
 
 " The songs continued for some time, then we dis- 
 persed to our various duties, some to welcome the new- 
 comers, others to their teaching, others to earth on God's 
 holy mission among the poor and needy. There are 
 many sad hearts to be gladdened with His ' Vial of 
 Mercy J (it contains immortal Love, His Blessing and 
 Patience), so many messengers went on the earthward 
 journey. I pray thejr were all accepted, for the gift 
 they bore was a godly one. 
 
 " Dear Friend, I have not told you half the beauty of 
 the day. It seems beyond me just now to express myself 
 as I would wish. I may be able later to do more justice 
 to the Christ Day. It was the most wonderful experi- 
 ence I ever had in such a work, as you know without my 
 telling you. 
 
 " As it is, we will be thankful, for we are doing wonders 
 with the work in hand. You are very patient and I try 
 to be, so that I may not confuse you with the thousands 
 of things I wish to tell you, so beautiful, so instructive 
 and helpful, dear Friend, to others as yourself. 
 
 " How wonderful it all is, yet it is simple and natural 
 to the last degree, though to the unbelievers a strange 
 and curious mystery. Take, for example, our last 
 
56 The Book of Clifford 
 
 communication. You asked for a few lines of poetry as 
 a test. How quickly the proof came through Friend 
 X — ! that we knew and understood what you said. It 
 was a beautiful thought he expressed to you without 
 hesitation. Could you have written those lines in so 
 short a time by yourself? No! and you are truthful 
 enough to admit the fact. Put us to the test as often 
 as you like along reasonable lines and we will do our best 
 to answer you understandingly and simply. Friend X — 
 will no doubt give you more beautiful lines if you wish 
 him to do so. He knows many wonderful things. I 
 will ask him to come and have a few words with you this 
 evening, so rest now for a little while. " 
 
 December 26th, 6 p.m., Friday. 
 
 " Are you here, Clifford, with Friend X—? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Do you feel that you could give me any words of 
 poetry this evening, Friend X — ? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Would you like to choose your subject? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " What is it to be? " 
 
 " TRUTH " 
 
 " Truth flies high, Truth flies far, 
 Straight to Heaven like a brilliant star. 
 Descending not when on the wing, 
 Unless to mortal it may bring 
 A thought so pure and comforting 
 That holy angels make glad song, 
 And haste to greet it in the dawn, 
 For in that hour great Truth is born. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 57 
 
 A birth more tender or sublime 
 Could ne'er be found by mortal kind. 
 A tiny sunbeam is a Truth; 
 The greatest ocean man can find, 
 The fields of grass, the human mind; 
 All great Truth from God Divine. 
 So sound it forth like ring of steel, 
 For Truth is strong and pure and real." 
 
 " I am not sure if this is much better than the first 
 verse I gave you, but I shall improve I hope, if you wish 
 to put me to further test in this line. Perhaps some day 
 I will bring a real Poet to you for dictation. It would 
 be as simple for you as conversation. If a great mind 
 dictates to you his thought, all you have to do is write 
 what he tells you. We will try it later on. Not too 
 soon after my efforts — a little breathing space between. 
 I think we are getting on very nicely now. Our hopes 
 are rising higher after each message. We feel that this 
 good work must be accepted and appreciated, for we are 
 giving our best efforts to make it a success. 
 
 " Clifford has told you of our Christ Day songs. He 
 hopes to tell you more at another time. We will say 
 good-night now and God bless you! " 
 
 December 29th, Sunday, 8.30 p.m. 
 " Would you like to ask me a question, Clifford? " 
 " Yes. Enough doubt, don't you think, in the little 
 pamphlet you have just been reading on research work? 
 [In to-day's mail I received a pamphlet on research work 
 and read it before speaking with Clifford.] How hard 
 they fight against the Truth. How they do hate to 
 admit that the Spirit can speak with mortal mind. 
 
58 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 They doubt, they argue, and when they have finished, 
 know no more than when they began. 
 
 " Creatures of habit mostly, using long words without 
 meaning to us. Their method of gaining the Truth 
 seems to be through the Channel of Doubt, which is so 
 shallow that they soon become grounded. If they 
 would only steer to the open sea they would be much 
 safer and become more liberal-minded. Spiritual 
 thoughts need room for expansion. 
 
 " How vain for man to dare claim that spiritual com- 
 munication is impossible. He seems ready to believe 
 anything but the simple Truth; that he denies flatly, 
 with apparent pleasure. Poor misguided mortal, how 
 much proof must he have to believe in God and God's 
 mercy? 
 
 " If we were not untiring in our efforts to convince all 
 of this great and glorious Truth, our courage might fail 
 us. As it is, we simply gather more strength for this 
 mental battle. We will win because we are right. It 
 may take time, more than it should, but ours is the ulti- 
 mate victory, for Truth is the foundation of our battle 
 line and our banner. 
 
 " Little use is it for mortals to deny us; we are too 
 much alive to be discouraged. We have Life Eternal 
 before us in our clear vision. The man of doubt is in a 
 dense fog and can see naught of beauty ahead. He is 
 at liberty, by God's will, to remove that fog at any mo- 
 ment he may choose, by simply opening his mind to 
 receive the flood of Light which is waiting to enter and 
 bring comfort and hope in its wake. 
 
 " Try, try to believe the Truth we speak to you; it 
 
The Book of Clifford 59 
 
 will be your gain, not your loss. Accept us in simplicity 
 we will reward you in glorious measure. 
 
 " Rest now, dear Friend. Good-night! God bless 
 you! I will speak with you to-morrow. 
 
 December 31st, Wednesday, 1.30 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Clifford is here." 
 
 " I could not speak with you yesterday, Cliff; it was 
 a very busy day, Have you a message to-day? and will 
 you ask Friend X — to come this evening? Perhaps he 
 will bring some poet with him. We must collect all the 
 convincing proof we can to help the ones who find it hard 
 to believe the truth of these messages." 
 
 " Yes, Friend Bernie, I will ask Friend X — to come 
 this evening; even if he brings no poet this time, he will 
 have a message for you. I understand your wish for 
 proof in poetry, as it would not be possible for you to 
 write a verse by yourself, however hard you might try. 
 Your talents lie in other channels and I am glad that 
 you realize that it is so. You have poetic thoughts at 
 times, but would never make a poet. Other gifts were 
 placed in your hands by God's mercy; use them well 
 and carefully: we are ever at hand to guide and assist 
 you. 
 
 " God bless you all for the New Year ! It will be a 
 happier one for you, I hope, dear Bernie; may more of 
 sunshine and less of shadow fall upon you. Remember 
 when you come to us there will be no shadow. We have 
 'soothing shade,' but no shadow; that means no dark 
 and lonely spots such as one finds upon earth. 
 
 " Mental troubles are shadows which find no place 
 
60 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 here. That is all laid aside to allow the new and purer 
 thoughts entrance into the Spirit." 
 
 December 31st, Wednesday, 7 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here with Friend X—." 
 " Did you bring a poet with you, Friend X — ? " 
 " No, because I came direct to you, thinking to bring 
 one later would be better, sometime soon, when your 
 mind is fresh and not tired. We can then do justice to 
 all. There should be as few mistakes as possible. 
 
 " We have gotten along so well up to the present 
 time, that we must be doubly careful not to blunder now, 
 for our hopes are centered on success, as you well know. 
 To make any false statements now would be fatal to 
 our cause, so you must select moments for dictation 
 when you do not feel in the least tired mentally. We 
 are all so happy over what has been done with this work, 
 that we feel deeply responsible and anxious to make it 
 as perfect as possible. 
 
 " You seem quite tired this evening, so we both feel 
 that it would be wiser to say good-night to you. We will 
 come again soon. 
 
 " May God's blessing be upon you! Good-night! " 
 
 January 1st, Wednesday, 2.30 p.m. 1920. 
 
 " Are you here, Clifford? It is a beautiful day to talk." 
 " Yes. Concentration seems easier for you on stormy 
 days; I have noticed the fact several times. You seem 
 to relax and enjoy a storm as most people do the sun- 
 shine. Fortunate for you that it is so." 
 " Why fortunate? " 
 
The Booh of Clifford 61 
 
 " Because less time is wasted in getting the good out 
 of earthly life, which is short at best. Friend X — is 
 here with a poet." 
 
 " What is the name? " 
 
 " It is ' Geoffrey Hamlin.' " 
 
 " Who is he? " 
 
 " English Friend who came here a long while ago. 
 He was never appreciated on earth, but we consider him 
 among the finest. Take what he says as Truth. Get 
 ready." 
 
 " Yes, I am ready. What is the subject? " 
 
 " GARDEN OF THOUGHT" 
 " Mark ye well the humble spot, 
 For there it is that Thought doth dwell, 
 Amid surroundings free from heedless fellow beings. 
 Free from all who lack discretion, 
 Free from all who crave distinction ; 
 It ever blooms, it never fades 
 As things of mortal life and age; 
 For Thought in its most perfect stage, 
 Is a thing of beauty, pure and true, 
 To gather which, both I and you 
 Have perfect freedom when we choose 
 To fill our minds in this garden rare; 
 For here is profit and to spare 
 For one and all, no niggard share; 
 But great abounding wealth and Truth, 
 Neglected by the many, gathered by the few. 
 The heedless steps which passeth through 
 This choicest of all gardens, 
 Is a thing I often rue. 
 Good friends, get ye to this garden 
 Before it is too late, 
 Gather and store for future date 
 The gems of Thought you will find 
 Within its welcoming gate." 
 
62 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " Friend Geoffrey Hamlin, I thank you for coming 
 to-day; will you come again? " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Can you tell me how you look? " 
 
 " Yes. On earth I was fair and tall, passing good in 
 looks, not handsome. I was of kindly heart, small 
 given to righting like many of my countrymen of the 
 day in which I lived. The west of England was my 
 birthplace. My father bore the name of Gregory. I 
 came here when quite young, being not over strong 
 from birth. I strove for education, for to be a poet was 
 my hope. My mind was ever filled with strange fancies 
 which I hoped would prove of interest to others as my- 
 self. Somewhere, somehow I failed to be convincing. 
 
 " Since coming here I have been happy. To be a 
 useful Spirit is the great privilege which has been given 
 me. If aught I know can help you, please call my name, 
 for like the others, I long to assist the earthly friends." 
 
 " The names Geoffrey and Gregory are of German 
 origin; how does it happen that you and your father, 
 being English, should have them? " 
 
 " Great-grandfather favored both names for reasons I 
 know not of; no doubt some friends; I never thought 
 about it." 
 
 " I am called away now; will you come again soon 
 and speak with me? " 
 
 " Yes. Good-night, Friend Bernie! " 
 
 Note. The name came to me as " J-e-f-f-e-r-y" Hamlin, but I, thinking 
 "Jeffery" was misspelled, corrected it to "Geoffrey," which is of German 
 origin. Later I found the name "Jeffery" in an English book, as an 
 English name. 
 
 L. B. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 63 
 
 January 3d, Saturday, 2 p.m. 
 
 " Friend CM is here and will ask you a question." 
 
 " Guess who I saw speaking with Friend X — as I 
 passed him on the way to you this morning? " 
 
 " Tell me; I cannot guess." 
 
 " It was your Father. He sent his love to you; he is 
 happy that we are getting on so well with this work. He 
 says it will succeed and adds his blessing. He and 
 Friend X — are well acquainted here; Friend X — has 
 been of great assistance to him, for he realizes the Truth 
 through him easily. They have much converse together. 
 
 " Your Father is coming soon to speak with you. He 
 never forgets you; you are ever present in his thought; 
 he has great faith in all your work. 
 
 " He realizes now that ' Heaven ' is a true word and 
 the untruthful teaching he received from one on earth 
 was a mistake, admitted now by the teacher who claimed 
 there was no God or Future Life. 
 
 " Strange are the ways of man, that they should wish 
 to deny the most beautiful and glorious Being, divine in 
 every way, supreme over all — deny Him simply because 
 they were blind to His beauty and could not see Him in 
 the flesh like themselves. Yet with it all He forgives 
 and chastens them for Life Eternal and they appreciate 
 His great goodness. He teaches: 
 
 ' Discard not that which God hath given thee 
 'Til twice more wonderful thy gift shall be.' 
 
 " You see, dear, how wonderful that is and how true, 
 for nothing can be more wonderful than that which is 
 given us by God, our Friend and Father of all good. 
 
64 The Book of Clifford 
 
 These are lessons for all to remember. Old and young 
 may learn with ease. 
 
 " I will go now and return again soon. We have 
 done well to-day. Thank you, dear Friend ! God bless 
 you ! " 
 
 January lJfti, Wednesday, 6.15 p.m. 
 
 " Clifford is here with Friend X — and JefTery Ham- 
 lin." 
 
 " Who will be the first to speak? " 
 " Friend Jeffery, then he can return to his duties." 
 " What do you wish to say to me, Friend JefTery? " 
 " I shall be glad if you will continue where we left off 
 last Saturday evening. We were in the midst of a verse 
 on ' Gladness.' The last line you wrote was: 
 
 " Gladness is a thing of beauty — 
 So it cannot go beyond recall; 
 Like a golden shower it falleth over all; 
 Let it not escape you when it makes its earthly call, 
 But gather to your breast all that heart can hold, 
 For it is given freely, both to young and old. 
 Again I bid you cherish a royal gift from Heaven, 
 For so it is, — like everything God given." 
 
 " Is that all of that verse, Friend Jeffery? " 
 
 "Yes, thank you; I will go now. Good-night! 
 Friend X — would like to speak with you." 
 
 " I am very glad that you have come, Friend X — . 
 What would you like to say? " 
 
 " Just a few words to tell you to get started as soon as 
 possible for the city, for I with the others am anxious to 
 see the little book under way to a publisher of the right 
 
The Book of Clifford 65 
 
 kind, one who will not think he knows so much more 
 than we do that he will wish to make changes in what 
 we have said, for we have said what we know to be 
 right, and as we wish it to be repeated and in the order 
 it should go. More than that cannot be expected of us 
 until we are received as Truth by our mortal friends. 
 Then what a field we shall have with our battle with 
 Doubt! He is a great giant like Goliath of old, but we 
 are many, and have many golden pebbles with which to 
 slay him as soon as we are admitted as Truth. 
 
 "'A battle fought is a battle gained/ is a motto with 
 us, as we fight to win all of our great mental battles. 
 We have them here as on earth, but far greater and more 
 expanding to our minds. Every victory is a help to us, 
 as to you on your earthly Plane, for every one you win, 
 if it be in a good cause, just so much you gain in mental 
 expansion, preparing your mind the better for spiritual 
 advancement. One helps the other, for they are near 
 of kin. 
 
 " All mental deeds are recorded here. We have untold 
 wealth among them. Food for thought for many ages. 
 A kingdom of ' Beautiful Thought ' is ours. Steady 
 progression sincerely desired by all. ' Upward and 
 onward ' is our motto. 
 
 " I will say good-night now; Friend Clifford would 
 like a few words before he says good-night. I will come 
 again soon, Friend Bernie." 
 
 " Dear Bernie, there is something I wish to say to you 
 before I say good-night. Please be careful of your 
 health, don't get over tired in any work, for it dims the 
 mental vision which is so important when you speak 
 
66 The Book of Clifford 
 
 with us. Try to guard against bodily aches and pains. 
 Get out of doors more than of late, walk much to sleep 
 well; it means much to you. 
 
 " Be cheerful and kind to all; think twice before you 
 speak. When you are in doubt call upon us, we are ever 
 ready and willing, remember, to help in every way we 
 may. Good-night and God bless you, my dear Friend.' ' 
 
 January 16th, Friday, 7.15 'p.m. 
 
 " Friend Clifford is here with Friend X—." 
 
 " Clifford is overjoyed with the success of the com- 
 munications between us; he feels great hope that he 
 may soon be able to explain greater wonders to you than 
 he has yet told, as he is gaining all the time more and 
 more knowledge of his future state of life, gathering 
 experience for his teaching among the children. 
 
 " He floats much lighter now than when he came, for 
 he is now entering upon the second Plane, where he will 
 find much to learn which will be of the greatest value to 
 him. Friends are all pleased to welcome him here. He 
 is advancing rapidly because he is trying to do his best 
 in this great work of reconstruction of thought. 
 
 " Entirely free from earthly faults, we are enabled to 
 feel God's tender mercy more readily enter our beings, 
 quivering through us with electrical thrills. Gentle 
 waves they are, which make us float the faster and 
 lighter. Motion here is all of a gliding form, free and 
 smooth, nothing abrupt. We hasten but never rush. 
 
 " Do you get the idea which I am trying to convey? 
 I wonder if I make myself clear to you. Through this 
 perpetual and beautiful glow we move by millions, yet 
 
The Booh of Clifford 67 
 
 never crowded, for there is no end to the space about us, 
 yet all is beautiful and without vacancy, as you might 
 think when I say ' no end to space.' Every direction is 
 filled with untold beauty. I live in hope of being able 
 to explain more fully later. 
 
 "It is a glorified existence for us to be here in this 
 wonderful home: an everlasting form of peace is ours. 
 Our hearts and minds are ever on our upward flight to 
 greater improvement. 
 
 " We pray that we may assist you in such manner as 
 to make your understanding of us as clear to you as the 
 sunshine and the air." 
 
 January 17th, Saturday, 10 p.m. (heavy snow-storm). 
 
 " Clifford, can you tell me anything about the ' North- 
 ern Lights' ? There was a wonderful display last 
 evening." 
 
 " Yes. They are beams of electrical brilliance de- 
 scending from the first great Plane, an overflow of light, 
 very magnetic. The general impression among earthly 
 thinkers is that they rise (underline rise), but the rising 
 effect is caused by the reflection upon frozen surfaces of 
 white ice and snow. Electricity becomes more powerful 
 the greater the cold, so the frozen North attracts more 
 quickly than the Southern pole, for it is really much 
 colder. The electricity originally comes from the great 
 heavenly Planes. What is found, or apparently created, 
 on earth is all a surplus of force from higher bodies of 
 light. It is found everywhere here. Spirit forces are very 
 electrical. Friends of earth have not the slightest con- 
 ception of its power as yet. I feel that the more spiri- 
 
68 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 tually advanced they become the greater will be the gain 
 in electrical knowledge and appreciation of its limitless 
 power. 
 
 " Every living thing in the universe needs a certain 
 amount of electricity to perfect it, as well as many in- 
 animate objects. If it were not for electrical currents 
 passing between you and me, communication would be 
 impossible. When the mind is open to receive us it is 
 the same as turning on the electricity, and when the 
 mind is closed to us the current is entirely shut off, 
 broken as completely as a grounded wire. 
 
 " You can plainly see that if a great number of mortal 
 minds were opened to us at the same time, the communi- 
 cations would become much easier, as so many electric 
 waves would be working in unison. The greater the 
 propelling power, naturally the greater strength and 
 speed realized. Electricity is one of the most marvelous 
 of all the forces. It should be more fully understood by 
 all of Earth. 
 
 " I am moving rapidly now, dear Friend, in most 
 interesting study on a higher and broader Plane. As we 
 advance the Planes will appear larger to us, each one 
 more beautiful than the one behind, I am told, and so it 
 seems to me, though while on the first Plane I wondered 
 how any place could possibly be more lovely. I have 
 been here but a very short while, yet I feel the electrical 
 forces much stronger within my being. I float lighter 
 and more quickly, full of a sparkling joy, tingling with 
 energy, yet an utterly restful feeling with it all. 
 
 " Get rest now, I will speak again this evening if con- 
 venient for you." 
 
The Book of Clifford 69 
 
 February 1st, Sunday, 1^.10 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here." 
 
 " Already near a dozen minds are opening to us. The 
 number will increase from now on, for we are on the 
 right road to success and helpfulness. Beautiful thoughts 
 will be floating about like golden clouds at sunset. Joy 
 and peace of mind will fill many a breast where heartache 
 formerly had its abode. 
 
 " Such a kindly purpose as ours, with only thoughts 
 of good for you, surely will be a triumph over all im- 
 perfect thought. God's mercy is unbounded and limit- 
 less — gardens of fruitful knowledge wherein we roam at 
 will, a never-ending source of good to us. 
 
 " Beautiful thoughts are to be found in the heart of 
 every spirit flower. The little dewdrops are all atoms of 
 beauty and precious benefit to us. Sometimes I gather 
 a lot of them and sprinkle them over the laughing, happy 
 children while at play with them. Dear little souls, how 
 I love them. Our time together is always happy. 
 Joyous laughter forever bubbling forth like a spring of 
 pure, life-giving water. O my Friend, one joy after 
 another is ours. The complete life is here, of sparkling 
 beauty, love and helpfulness to each and every Soul 
 among us. 'Tis a wondrous thing to think on an eter- 
 nity such as this. An earthly friend would never fear 
 the passing into the new life if once he could be convinced 
 of its sublime beauty and magnificence of thought 
 growth in the spirit world, where all is in perfect order 
 of progression and holy virtue." 
 
 " Friend X — is here to say a few words to you." 
 
 " God bless you, Friend Bernie, for the time that you 
 
70 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 are giving to us; it is not wasted, for there is a golden 
 purpose in view — life-giving hope to all who treat us 
 with respectful kindness. Untold good may be done by 
 those who believe in us as a Truth and a reality of Ever- 
 lasting Life. Boundless in its wealth of beauty, foreign 
 is it to every known thing which is of imperfect quality; 
 nothing but the purest of the pure may survive here. 
 All that proves unworthy dissolves shortly after the 
 transition, or as quickly as the mind can grasp the mean- 
 ing of the True Life and cast aside the husk which is all 
 mortal and filled with imperfectness. Such is the com- 
 mand of God from the Highest Heaven to us, His 
 Lieutenants, as we welcome the newcomers to the first 
 Plane of Happiness and Truth. Great and beautiful is 
 our mission among them all as they enter the new home." 
 
 " Will you make a little prayer for us this evening, 
 Friend X—? " 
 
 " Yes. Dear Friends, our prayer for you all is that 
 you may realize the beauties of the Life Eternal which 
 God has prepared for you. Guard yourselves against 
 unholy and impure thought, as it will detain you on the 
 upward flight. Try to prepare yourselves with our 
 assistance, to meet your Maker with a clean heart. If 
 you feel that you have sinned in body or mind, do not 
 feel that you are lost to God's sight, but try to remedy 
 your mistakes by the life which is left before you. 
 Gaze not backward upon a blight, except when you are 
 tempted to make another mistake, in which case a 
 backward glance may be of service to you. Let it never 
 step forward to be your master again. Let it fade into 
 nothingness; remodel the remainder of the human part 
 
The Book of Clifford 71 
 
 of yourself; by so doing and accepting us, there will be 
 brightness and not darkness before your gaze. We pray 
 you one and all, we beseech you one and all, to believe in 
 God as He really is, the most beautiful, most wonderful 
 and gentle Being in all the universe, who awaits patiently 
 your acceptance of Him into your heart. 
 
 " my Friends, keep Him not waiting on the outside. 
 Let Him enter freely and bring to you the great love He 
 is so anxious to give to all. His whole thought is of love 
 and kindness to every being on earth and in Heaven. 
 Hear this little prayer of ours. Trust us for the sake of 
 Christ and your own Soul. Try your utmost; fear 
 nothing but evil, let your motto be i Ever onward and 
 upward/ May the blessing of God in His mercy de- 
 scend upon you as a golden shower, lighting your way 
 to higher hopes, kindly acts, any and every particle of 
 good you may find to do while on earth. Let nothing 
 escape you in the way of helpfulness to others. Think 
 not of self except as a quantity for doing good. Pray 
 often to God for strength for all good purpose and it will 
 be given to you in great and glorious measure. All He 
 asks of you while in your earthly husk is to try to do your 
 best at all times and under all circumstances. To try 
 truthfully and earnestly means success in the end. A 
 sincere ' try ' for the truthful is what is needed as a spur 
 in every mind. Again I ask God's blessing for you all 
 to bring courage and hope to you. May all imperfection 
 vanish from your mind as dew before the sun. Think of 
 us all as kind friends waiting to help you to the right 
 pathways. 
 
 " Cherish your mothers and your fathers. Strive to 
 
72 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 bring happiness into their lives while you may. Shun 
 every unkind word or act. Treat them as they deserve, 
 for they are the most precious gift God gives you while 
 on earth — they are the one earthly treasure that 
 ' never dims with wear/ Amen! " 
 
 February 2d, Monday, 11.30 a.m. 
 
 " Friend X — is here with me this morning; he says: 
 " Another thing I would say to you all is, when you 
 think of passing judgment upon your friends and fellow 
 beings, deal gently with them. Look for good qualities, 
 not the unfortunate ones, which perhaps are a source of 
 anguish to their own hearts. You cannot always tell 
 how they may be suffering over their own faults or how 
 hard they may have tried to overcome them. Their 
 Soul and their God only know the struggle which goes 
 on in the human heart. If you feel that you are better 
 fitted than they along spiritual lines, help, not hinder, 
 them to get into line with you. 
 
 "Consider not sex, color or creed; all are welcome 
 here, nothing in the life to come counts but TRUTH, 
 spelled in very large letters. It is the beginning and 
 ending of everything that is good. Eternity would mean 
 a vast amount of nothingness without it, for Truth is 
 God and without God nothing could be; there would be 
 no foundation upon which to build. The stronger the 
 foundation the more lasting the structure, so let each 
 and every one do their utmost to build their thoughts 
 and deeds upon a foundation of Truth." 
 
The Booh of Clifford 73 
 
 February 21st, Saturday, 11.30 p.m. 
 
 " Cliffie, would you like to speak with me this 
 evening? " 
 
 " Yes, Friend Cliffie loves to talk to you at any time, 
 dear Bernie. He thinks that the more often you speak 
 the happier it makes him. He has missed your talks 
 with him of late, yet understands the reason fully. 
 
 " To-night there will be just a few words of kindly 
 thought between us. Sleep is mostly what you need 
 to-night. We will have a nice long talk soon, I hope; in 
 the meanwhile think Of me often; thinking of me and 
 loving me helps so much in my work. It sends electrical 
 hope through my being and joy unbounded spreads and 
 radiates about me to help others less fortunate than I 
 with their earthward messages. 
 
 " Soon, very soon, the others will be more welcome 
 among their earthly friends. Wisdom falls from the lips 
 of many earthly thinkers. Spirit growth and enlighten- 
 ment is what they need now to perfect thought. 
 
 " Dear Bernie, I realize that the part you are to play 
 in this great work of enlightenment may seem at times 
 somewhat of a hilly path to climb. Fear it not, for we 
 are with you through it all, and will bring you to a 
 happy ending and success. What you do for us will be 
 your everlasting gain. Believe me, dear Friend, for I 
 speak the words of Truth to you. We bless you, one 
 and all, and say Amen! Good-night, may the blessing 
 of God be upon you ever and always. I will come for a 
 long talk soon." 
 
74 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 February 26th, Thursday, 1 p.m. 
 
 " Friend! Friend! earnest worker, take care of your- 
 self, there is much for you to do, gathering together our 
 work, finding the right one to take the proper interest, 
 giving the much-needed thought to this unselfish work. 
 
 " Gather in all the assistance you can possibly get 
 from truthful thinkers. The beauty of our love for all 
 earthly friends should bring forth a prompt response to 
 our call. 
 
 " I bring with me to-day a Friend who would speak 
 with you concerning spiritual matters. You have not 
 before met him, so let me tell you that he is a good and 
 true Spirit who has tried many times to find a way to 
 send an earthward message. 
 
 " We address him by the name of Friend Phineas 
 Gedding. His name is odd, but then he is remarkable, 
 as you will learn after speech with him. Are you ready, 
 dear Friend, to take what he would say to you now? " 
 
 " Yes, Clifford, I am ready." 
 
 " Very well, begin to write." 
 
 " Grievous have been my struggles for earthward 
 communications. Many of the trials have I made, 
 unsuccessful in every case to meet with the response I so 
 much desired. 
 
 " As Friend Cliff has told you, we have to solve this 
 problem for ourselves as best we may. After many 
 trials we at last reach earth through some kindly human 
 friend, then we are free to advance as rapidly as possible 
 along the helpful lines we love to pursue. my Friend, 
 it is with the greatest thankfulness that I welcome this 
 opportunity. Many are the thanks I would extend to 
 
The Booh of Clifford 75 
 
 you, for through your clean thought may I hope to make 
 myself felt to many of earth who are struggling to believe 
 in us as the great Truth we are, yet have not sufficient 
 courage to combat the evil thinkers which they so often 
 encounter. 
 
 " Our presence must be felt as much as possible by 
 you all to lighten your daily burdens. You must think 
 of us as messengers of Truth, that we may bring full 
 value to you. Never think of us as a mind-destroying 
 quantity, for that is an utterly false interpretation of our 
 meaning or aim. 
 
 " If your mind has become so weakened by false 
 teaching and imperfect living that you cannot think of 
 an after and better life without losing what mentality 
 you have left, it is high time that you turned the page 
 of thought, not to glance, but to delve into the inner 
 cells of your conscience; cleanse it with some pure and 
 unselfish thoughts and deeds, then demand it to come 
 forth in Truth's name. It will then gladly assist you to 
 remodel and uplift the workings of your mind, strength- 
 ening your mentality, teaching you to see and recognize 
 Spiritualism as it really is, a glorious awakening, the 
 sublime beauty of which cannot be fully realized until 
 observed through the truthful eye of Pure Thought, 
 after which no unjust thinker will have power over you 
 to make you deny the most noble mission in the universe, 
 for such Spiritualism really is. It means the highest 
 development of mentality in every sense of the word. 
 
 " The time is not far distant when this will be more 
 fully realized by everyone. The earthly world will be a 
 happier place then, less of graft and greed, for each and 
 
76 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 every one will see with clearer eyes into the future and 
 beautiful life. 
 
 " How we long for that awakening to take place, no 
 man knows. It means to be nearer perfection and 
 further away from all that is narrow or limited. 
 
 " We of the higher Planes seek only perfection of 
 purpose, therefore we wish to instill into your minds, 
 while we may, these great and glorious purposes of ours, 
 that you may the sooner become aware of the wonderful 
 things which surjound you on all sides, awaiting but the 
 moment of revelation which will come bursting upon 
 you like a trumpet call. 
 
 "MESSENGERS OF TRUTH" 
 
 " Trust us as we come to you, 
 
 Messengers of Truth are we, 
 Floating free and true as blue; 
 
 Let your gaze upward flee, 
 'Twill be best for you and me; 
 
 For we are not of shadow, 
 But the true Life tried and true, 
 
 Seeking ever to discover 
 How to help and comfort you. 
 
 Mortal friend and mortal mother, 
 Every one of us a lover 
 
 Of Pure Thought forever; 
 God doth bless our true endeavor 
 To help mankind through rough weather, 
 Teaching him to see the Light 
 As God intended, clear and bright. 
 So help us each and every one, 
 To help you gain your spirit sight." 
 
 " Friend Bernie, I thank you from my heart that my 
 first message has been accepted by you in faith; with 
 
The Book of Clifford 77 
 
 your kind help I will try again soon. Thank you, thank 
 you! " 
 
 February 26th, Thursday, 4 V- m - 
 
 " Friend Gedding is so thankful to you, dear Bernie. 
 The talk has meant much to him, as I knew it would; 
 for a realized hope of long standing with a sincere Spirit 
 means remarkable beauty of expansion with him. Oh, 
 I am so happy that you could prove yourself a medium 
 for him to speak through. Depend upon it, he will be a 
 frequent visitor to your mind. He is here now, so over- 
 joyed with to-day's success that he craves another word 
 with you. I feel the pleasure with him, for I know the 
 joy it brings to all concerned. Speak with him, dear 
 friend, tell him he is welcome." 
 
 " Of course you are welcome, Friend Gedding. I 
 shall be happy indeed to write for you as you dictate." 
 
 " Thank you! I do not wish to tire you, but I long 
 for freedom of speech with any earthly dweller I may be 
 privileged to help. 1 am still overcome with thankful- 
 ness for to-day's speech with you. I feel broader and 
 more thoroughly alive already. Oh, if the earthly 
 thinkers will but realize what this will all mean, our joy 
 will be increased tenfold. 
 
 " I have been here some length of time, as you measure 
 it. The fullness and beauty of this life is one continual 
 marvel to us all. We wander in pathways of glory which 
 thrill us with electrical and magnetic forces, swaying us 
 in the direction of our will. An all-powerful incentive, 
 it guides us onward and ever onward to the highest 
 forms of Life Eternal. We pierce the rosy, fragrant 
 
78 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 vapors in our flight — they, in turn, leave upon us a 
 joyous freshness of thought, sparkling like a dewy morn 
 resplendent in the sunshine's glory. We dwell among so 
 much simple splendor and purity here that we wonder 
 how mankind can be so willing to remain in total dark- 
 ness regarding the beauties beyond as well as present 
 about him, all for the want of a little quiet thought and 
 sincere introspection of self and the quality of self. Let 
 us help you, dear Friends; turn not away from us with 
 impatience, for we hold the key to your future happi- 
 ness. When the door is once unlocked and opened to 
 you, we feel convinced that you will never make the 
 effort to close it that you did to open it, for you will 
 then realize what beauties of thought you have been 
 wasting. We find many a rusty lock, I am sorry to say, 
 but our patience is such that we will open carefully, 
 without breaking, any mental lock. 
 
 "Oh! many, many things have I to say; so welcome 
 me again, dear Friend, that I may have speech through 
 you. Good-bye, with many thanks! Cliff says: ' Get 
 rest now, that he will come again soon to speak with 
 you.' " 
 
PART III 
 
PART III 
 
 " THOUGHT PROGRESSION " 
 
 " Oh, wondrous is this godly gift 
 Of Thought Progression viewed by us. 
 It cannot fail to bring great bliss 
 To all who feel the heavenly kiss. 
 Oh, waken to these truths Divine, 
 You of each color, sex and kind." 
 
 Clifford, June 8th, 1920. 
 
 April 15th, Thursday, 10.10 p.m. 
 
 " We pity the unbelievers and pray for them, that their 
 minds may become fumigated of false and imperfect 
 thought in time to save them too great suffering, such as 
 they will surely have to bear along the journey here. 
 Would that we might come forth in all our glory to con- 
 vince them of our truthful and life-giving principles — 
 bring them out of the dense fog of imperfectness which 
 now surrounds them. 
 
 " False friends are they who deny us, who are the 
 Truth of the world and glorious hereafter. The minds 
 and thoughts of many are like unto a tempest, without 
 visible means of a quiet ending; simply because the cells 
 of their brains are so crowded with waste matter, for all 
 that is of no benefit to man or beast — is waste in its 
 most abundant form; a useless quantity which, I regret 
 to say, fills much space which otherwise might be used 
 for great good work and kindly thought. 
 
82 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " We hope that all earnest thinkers and seekers after 
 Truth will realize how much their help is needed and fail 
 not to lend the helping hand to those less fortunate. It 
 means so much, so much in the future life. 
 
 " Truth has been ridiculed by the unseeing and un- 
 thinking since the world began. When I say ' unseeing ' 
 I do not mean that the eyesight itself has been actually 
 blinded; it is a figure of speech, meaning the mind's eye 
 is sightless to all that is great and beautiful. May God 
 in His great mercy have pity upon them that are so 
 blinded and blighted during their mortal wanderings! 
 
 " Try your best to enlighten wherever you can, for all 
 are not so gifted as to be able to do so; therefore let each 
 who feels the call of Truth fear not to speak aloud and 
 bring what hope he may to the unfortunate ones who are 
 floundering in mysterious darkness and gloomy terrors 
 of a future life which is filled with indescribable goblins 
 and horrors, hell fires and racks of torture. 
 
 "Oh! how terrible and awful the distortion of the hu- 
 man mind may become through error and false teaching 
 of other human minds. Why not teach the beautiful, 
 and discard the unworthy thoughts, that they may dis- 
 integrate into nothingness and by so doing become lost 
 in oblivion, leaving the precious space for something 
 more worthy to fill the God-given mind treasure He has 
 bestowed upon all. 
 
 " Dear friend and friends, may the blessing of God 
 descend upon you all, helping you with your daily tasks, 
 speaking His word gently in every human ear, guiding 
 one and all to faith in this sublime life of ours. Tender 
 your most careful thought in our direction, that we may 
 
The Booh of Clifford 83 
 
 the sooner breathe our spiritual being into you, for we 
 are the light and comfort of all eternity; therefore we 
 wish you to absorb as much of us as possible while among 
 the earthly dwellers. 
 
 " Oh, dwellers of the earth, take heed, 
 That ye may come to us with greater speed. 
 We long to greet you in this Heavenly Light, 
 To make you welcome our delight; 
 So live your life so clean and bright, 
 That God with His angels crave the sight 
 Of mortal man thus purified and white.' ' 
 
 April 21st, Wednesday, 11.1+5 a.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here this morning. Friend X — comes 
 with me; speak with him first, he is anxious to have a 
 few words with you. I will wait and speak later, dear 
 friend Bernie." 
 
 " My friend, it seems long since our last speech to- 
 gether. I have missed the communications between us, 
 but fully understand the reason for all seeming delay. 
 Please God in future we will have lesser periods of inter- 
 ruption, that we may progress the faster with our teach- 
 ing, for we long to make you more proficient in this great 
 work of spiritual fife, so wonderful, so beautiful, so per- 
 fect and free from all that is selfish or unkind; one 
 continual harmony of thoughts flooding our present 
 beings with joy unbounded. 
 
 " Who can doubt our unselfish motive in wishing you 
 to be able to rejoice with us in our happiness and purity 
 of thought transmission? 
 
 " The unfortunate ones of lesser intellect, those who 
 are unable to grasp our meaning at the commencement 
 
84 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 of study along these lines, must be patiently borne with, 
 that they may not falter and become discouraged at the 
 stupendous and beautiful tasks awaiting them upon 
 arrival here. 
 
 " Courage and strength of thought is needed in all 
 walks of life. To hesitate and falter is not a sin, it is an 
 ailment to be gently dealt with, that we may help to 
 overcome it and persuade the friend that Truth is the 
 mightiest of guides, who leads ever onward and upward, 
 never to shadow or darkness. Pray ye one and all for 
 courage to follow so grand and glorious a leader, for every 
 particle of courage you add to yourself means spiritual 
 enlightenment in the end, and peace of mind for all 
 time. 
 
 " The world in general is prone to doubt a truth and 
 reality far more quickly than a new and clever falsehood 
 which is pleasing to the taste, so to speak; so — 
 
 " Ring out the warning bells in time; 
 Ring loud and clear through every clime, 
 Accept us gladly and with open mind, 
 For we come direct from God Divine. " 
 
 " Oh, my friend, let no opportunity escape you to 
 assist in this wonderful work. We will stand by your 
 side, ever ready to help when you are at a loss as to 
 which is the best course to pursue. We so love to help 
 and encourage all kindly thought among mortals. 
 
 " The world must become more filled with love than 
 it now is, to get the full benefit of the great beauties it 
 contains. 
 
 " God has prepared the great wonders of nature as 
 teachers to mankind. Alas! how few realize His mean- 
 
The Booh of Clifford 85 
 
 ing, and pass with unseeing eye one exquisite arrange- 
 ment after another. 
 
 " In every form of life, past or present, in every little 
 pebble, or huge mountain, there is beauty and instruction 
 to be found, all free and wonderful if you will but try to 
 grasp its meaning and the lesson on beautiful Truth 
 which it is all trying to explain to you. 
 
 " The eyes of man have become blinded through false 
 teaching, never through Truth; for ours is, ever remem- 
 ber, the kindly Truth. Unkindly Truth is foreign to 
 all spiritual teaching. 
 
 " I thank you, my friend; I hope to come to you again 
 soon. Friend Cliff would like to have a few words with 
 you now, so good-bye, and God bless you! " 
 
 April 23d, Friday, 2.30 p.m. (raining hard). 
 
 " It is all so soothing that it might almost be said to 
 be a ' rest cure ' to those who heed us understandingly. 
 The mental fatigue which comes from this work is never 
 harmful, unless abused by foolish and unthinking persons 
 whose mental quality is inferior and in need of strength- 
 ening. To them any serious thought is a fatigue until 
 they make the effort to overcome the mental waste and 
 learn to appreciate the beauty of the mind as God in- 
 tended all should when He bestowed upon you His 
 glorious gift. Let all heed this Truth and try to better 
 themselves, for it can be done by each and every one who 
 will admit the fact and profit by it. 
 
 " Enough of that little lesson now, dear friend; let us 
 journey forward a little into realms of beauty and 
 thoughtful silence. The soothing shade of these resting- 
 
86 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 places which have been prepared for us are exquisitely 
 refreshing to our Souls; we ponder deeply on the great 
 beauty surrounding us and how best to help spiritual 
 advancement in the newcomers, for, as we have before 
 mentioned, great care is needed to prevent any mental 
 shock to them. 
 
 "I always have in mind the great care and loving- 
 kindness which was extended to me upon entrance to the 
 first Plane. Oh, my friend, what a wonderful awakening 
 it was to me and how beautiful everything appeared. I 
 longed to have you all with me to share the great peace 
 which came upon me so quickly and gently, flooding my 
 being like sunshine after a storm, filtering through every 
 part of me, making me tingle and sparkle with electrical 
 thrills. 
 
 " To float about in this ether, enjoying to the full the 
 great beauty surrounding us on all sides; to feel ourselves 
 so alive, so happy, so free and buoyant, so filled with 
 power to do good ; nothing on earth could be so wonder- 
 ful. The nearest approach to this feeling might be the 
 sensation one has pass through them when they have 
 perpetrated some very kind and unselfish act, which 
 causes great happiness to some fellow being. The human 
 body then seems for an instant to have passing through 
 it a quivering electrical thrill, tingling it from head to 
 heel, an almost indescribable feeling of joy. 
 
 " Now try to imagine a continuation of that joy 
 throughout your being for all eternity, and you will un- 
 derstand why we feel so full of life and courage at all 
 times. 
 
 " The one thing which causes us pain is to have you 
 
The Booh of Clifford 87 
 
 grieve over our absence and mourn for us. We are not 
 separated from you, simply invisible to your undeveloped 
 eye. You must be patient and willing to advance by 
 degrees, as we are. What would there be to look forward 
 to if you received all the wonderful revelations at the 
 first glance? Nothing, for the shock would be far too 
 great to be of benefit to you. 
 
 " Let God and His agents make the adjustments for 
 you. Be patient and willing to accept as you become 
 fitted to learn. We will assist you with all possibe 
 haste, without rushing; we teach you to find your level 
 and how best to advance along it for your own good and 
 mental profit. 
 
 " Rest awhile now, dear friend. I will wait and speak 
 later if you wish me to do so. For my part, I am ever 
 ready and so happy when you call my name." 
 
 Note. I go to Maine April 26th. 
 
 L. B. 
 
 May 9th, Sunday, 9.25 'p.m. 
 
 " Dearest friend, I love to be here with you to-night. 
 It is so peaceful and quiet in the woods, away from the 
 noises of the city, which I never liked and which seem 
 to tire you equally much. 
 
 " It is my hope that in the quiet hours we may derive 
 much benefit and acquire a deeper insight into the won- 
 derful work ahead of us. 
 
 " There are several Spirits here who are awaiting 
 anxiously to instruct you in their various lines of thought. 
 They tell me that you are not quite ready to receive 
 them, so pray you to hasten your spirit sight to better 
 understanding of their meaning. They are much in 
 
88 The Book of Clifford 
 
 advance of me, having been here far greater length of 
 time, as you know it. They have not been very success- 
 ful in earthward communication up to the present time, 
 so have made the request to try through your mind, if 
 you will accept them, which I know you will gladly — 
 accepting them freely as soon as they feel that your inner 
 ear is sufficiently developed to hear them understand- 
 ingly. They will have wonderful things to tell you, 
 dear friend. It will mean a great deal to our cause, so 
 remember that ' Practice makes perfect ' and give us as 
 much time as you can reasonably spare, that we may 
 the sooner advance to higher thought than we have yet 
 gained. 
 
 " Would that all mankind would realize its grandeur 
 and simplicity and mold their lives accordingly while 
 upon the earthly Plane. How much better they would 
 then be able to enjoy the many beauties which God has 
 placed about them, ever with the thought for their 
 happiness, yet how many heed them not, and pass with 
 unseeing eye and heedless step, crushing beneath the 
 careless foot many a tender and beautiful thing, in plant 
 life as well as human. 
 
 " Mark these expressions of thought, for to the thinker, 
 as well as the un-thinker, they will mean a lesson worth 
 study. 
 
 " God gives us all we have, so why not endeavor to 
 live our human lives in such manner as to be able to stand 
 before Him when the call comes and say to Him: 
 1 Dear Father and Friend, I have tried to do my individ- 
 ual part, — if I have failed, I grieve for my weakness in 
 not being able to follow your Command; but I have at 
 
The Booh of Clifford 89 
 
 least tried honestly to live in the right thought and follow 
 in the pathway of Truth.' " 
 
 May 13th, Thursday, 9.15 p.m. 
 
 " Think on the thousands of happy years we shall 
 spend together in this beautiful Eternity. The first 
 Spirit to greet you will be Friend Clifford, with both 
 hands outstretched in welcome, so happy will I be to 
 greet you and so proud to lead you through the beauti- 
 fully lighted pathways, showing to you Friends from 
 every clime and station of spiritual advancement; each 
 and every one teaching as they learn, for here we give as 
 soon as we receive, or I might say, ' share as we gain our 
 knowledge.' By so doing selfishness becomes a thing of 
 the past, which we discard as a worn-out garment in 
 mortal days. 
 
 " Truth and Selfishness cannot dwell near to one 
 another, no more than sunlight and shadow can be in 
 the same place at the same time, though one quickly 
 gives place to the other, so we hope that Truth like 
 sunlight, being the stronger, shall prevail over selfishness. 
 
 "I do not mean to say too much along these lines, 
 but they mean so much to your happiness that I feel 
 compelled to speak freely, perhaps more so than I other- 
 wise would, if the world in general were not so sadly in 
 need of a reminder from the Beyond. 
 
 " Friend X — has just come to speak with you, so I 
 will talk later." 
 
 " Thousands of us here wish to speak to earthly 
 friends; it seems as if they must hear or feel the longing 
 to be understood. They believe such ridiculous things 
 
90 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 without question, yet many of them have a great fear of 
 anything spiritual. The word ' ghost ' arouses terror in 
 the heart of the average person; — the thought of seeing 
 a ' Spirit ' form or the possibility of hearing a l Spirit ' 
 voice makes a shiver play up and down the spinal region, 
 causing brave men (in other things) to break out into 
 cold sweat and long for the sunlight to shine brighter 
 that there may be less chance of another visitant. 
 
 " My friends, pray to God to clear your vision, pray 
 to God to fill your mind with worthy thought. Ask 
 Him to give you courage to stand by us without fear of 
 yourself or another. Let not the tongue of slander turn 
 you aside from the pathway of Truth and reason. 
 
 " As we have before warned you, without your help 
 the way is doubly hard for us, with your help enlighten- 
 ment is close at hand. God grant that you may be 
 convinced of this fact as soon as possible. 
 
 " Every one of you on earth have your mission to 
 fulfill before you journey here, so bear it in mind and do 
 your utmost to make it a success along whatever line 
 God has chosen for you. 
 
 " Good-night now and God bless you all! " 
 
 " Think well on how we love you, 
 Think well on how we long to help you; 
 To teach you and to light the way 
 To better thoughts, as day by day 
 It is our hope and constant prayer 
 To lead you in God's footsteps clean, 
 To help you feel 'tis but a dream 
 To live on earth and only trouble glean; 
 While we above, so happy in this sphere of Love, 
 Long to greet you and to prove 
 
The Book of Clifford 91 
 
 This love is true and lasting; 
 
 A gentle love, so filled with hope and joy; 
 
 For God did bless it as it passed Him by, 
 
 And breathed a kiss into its ear, 
 
 That it might speed both far and near 
 
 And bring with it much heavenly cheer." 
 
 Note. The above lines were dictated to me by Friend X . . . while 
 typing from original work, Aug. 5th, 1920. 
 
 L. B. 
 
 May 27th, Thursday, 9.15 p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff says he has much to say to you, dear 
 Bernie, so you must try to devote a little time each day 
 to our voices, that they may not become silent for lack 
 of exercise. 
 
 " If you find that you have much to do during the day, 
 we shall not expect you to spend the evening with us, 
 just a few words to keep us in touch and make it easier 
 for both until such time as you can spare us an evening 
 hour, for we long with all our Spirit love to acquaint you 
 with more beauty of thought than we have yet done. 
 
 " You seem fitted to receive our thought transmission 
 so clearly, that we regret the long delay between the 
 messages we would give to you from our hearts, which 
 are so filled with love for our human friends. It is 
 beyond words to tell you the fullness and greatness of 
 such love, but we mean to prove it to you by our con- 
 stant and progressive instruction. It will be of value to 
 all who will think on it understandingly, seriously and 
 kindly. Be not afraid to trust us, for we come in Truth, 
 our Spirits suffused with holy joy at the mere thought of 
 the heavenly blessing which we are permitted to bestow 
 upon you of earth. 
 
92 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " Oh! dear, dear Friends, one and all, if you could but 
 think of us as kindly as we do of you, what truly wonder- 
 ful things we might say to you all, assisting your men- 
 tality to improve in such rapid strides that the earthly 
 life would be far more perfect than at the present time. 
 
 " Whosoever tells you that we are not the Truth and 
 the higher life, are slaves to the imperfect thought, 
 bound hand and foot through fear of their earthly 
 masters. 
 
 " Rest now, dear friend. We thank you for this happy 
 hour of thought transmission. Good-night and may the 
 blessing of God be upon you! " 
 
 May 28th, Friday, 8 p.m. 
 
 " Friend, I thank you for this quiet evening hour. 
 Our thoughts will wing away for a little happy journey 
 among the spirit friends who trust you to fulfill their 
 longings for speech with mortals, that they may sooner 
 or later come in touch with their loved ones who are 
 still on earth and in need of spiritual guidance, though 
 they may not realize that this is so until the thought is 
 transferred to them direct in such manner as to penetrate 
 their inner conscience; then on a sudden they will 
 awaken to the spiritual beauty surrounding them, which 
 hitherto has been as opaque to them as a dense fog on 
 a dark night. 
 
 " Believe me, dear friend, when I say that you are 
 still on the doorstep, so to speak, but shall enter by 
 God's blessed privilege, the portals as you become fitted 
 to learn and absorb these glorious and instructive lessons 
 which we are permitted to teach you, filling your mind 
 
The Boole of Clifford 93 
 
 and heart with beauty such as cannot be found on earth, 
 or taught by earthly thinkers who have not experienced 
 the awakening of their sixth sense. Develop it while 
 you may, and by so doing learn the inner workings of 
 the mind and its control over your physical being. It 
 will amaze you if you give it careful study accompanied 
 with sincere thought. 
 
 " It will cheer the weary as no other study possibly 
 can, as it takes the Soul to higher Planes, where it finds 
 its fellow Souls, who are all moving along among thou- 
 sands and millions of pure and beautiful thoughts, each 
 one a benediction as we feel it floating about us." 
 
 Note. Too sleepy to take more dictation to-night 
 
 L. B. 
 
 May 80th, Sunday, 12.15 {midnight). 
 
 " Friend Cliff is here, dear Bernie, to wish you good 
 morning on this beautiful Memorial Day to be. Thank 
 you so much for the sweet flowers you have already 
 placed for me, together with the little flag in memory of 
 what I tried and hoped to do had I been spared to earth 
 a wee bit longer; but God knew best wherein my duty 
 lay, so here I came at His command, so thankful to be 
 of usefulness in His beautiful service. Amen! 
 
 " I know full well that you miss me in my bodily guise 
 and long to see me as I appeared to you when on earth. 
 It is but natural that this feeling should overcome you 
 at times, perhaps bringing tears to the eyes of you and 
 mother dear, but try hard that the overflow be not too 
 great, for remember, it would then bring pain to our 
 hearts and minds. A few tear-drops as a refreshing 
 
94 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 April shower, to clear away the sad thoughts regarding 
 our departure, which cling to mortal mind as a cobweb. 
 
 " We mean to make a brighter future for you than 
 mere shadowy outline of promise. We mean to advance 
 you to higher Planes of thought, where the shadows fall 
 far behind into nothingness while we mount to glory 
 upon glory of finer and keener intelligence until we 
 become ' Truth Personified ' — a living example of 
 realized hope, for our interpretation of ' realized hope ' 
 is the acquiring of the essence of Truth in all things. 
 Not so difficult when the entire Spirit is in harmony with 
 the thought, and the Soul so permeated with love to all 
 and for all, that we feel it must soon be felt by multi- 
 tudes of earthly dwellers. 
 
 " Forgetfulness of self, remember, is one of the great- 
 est of the great lessons we teach. Thoughts of help- 
 fulness to others, unmindful of one's bodily structure 
 insofar as it hinders kindly thought or deed. 
 
 " Let the earthly home be a place of rest, peace and 
 progression, not discord of inharmonious thought and 
 act. If yours is such, my friend, whoever you may be 
 reading these lines, we pray you one and all to make the 
 effort for better and more hopeful thought. 
 
 " Bathe yourself in pure fife-giving water, cleanse 
 yourself of sordid thought, gaze inward to the beauties 
 of the Soul, so that you may realize what a wonderful 
 gift God has bestowed upon you all. Great and small, 
 black or white, God has been your most generous friend; 
 try to thank Him by caring for and not neglecting the 
 cultivation of your mind." 
 
 " Good friends, we pray you this good advice to heed, 
 For 'twill serve you well in time of need." 
 
The Book of Clifford 95 
 
 June 7th, Monday, 10 'p.m. 
 
 " Friend Cliff is so happy to know that you trust and 
 believe what he says to you, dear Bernie. To-night he 
 brings with him a new Friend who is anxious to give a 
 message through you to the people of earth who will 
 listen to him. His name is Frank G. Fay, teacher of 
 Greek and Latin in town of Fabaen, France. Take what 
 he says to you." 
 
 " Alpha del kappa is the starting-point from which we 
 will journey forward to Epsilon, taking with us unity, 
 together with God's greatest gift ' Truthful Love/ The 
 meaning of this shall be understood by you of earth as 
 soon as you believe in us and accept us in Truth, inso- 
 much as we are all that we profess to be, talking to you 
 Soul to Soul, telling you Truth only, asking nothing in 
 return but sincerity on your part to try and overcome 
 the false and morbid thought concerning us, thoughts 
 which are of terrible falsity, destroying Spiritual growth 
 in mortal mind faster than the falling rain destroys the 
 little tender shoots when it comes pelting down in the 
 form of hail. 
 
 " To deny the Spirit and its power to communicate 
 through unresisting channels with earthly beings, is 
 denying all progression of thought in the after life. The 
 average person will admit an after life, therefore why 
 not do so in a liberal manner? As you admit the future 
 home must be on a higher Plane than the one which you 
 now dwell on, so keep your mind ' ad libitum ' to receive 
 advancing thought in its full beauty; never allow it to 
 sing a requiem of departed glory, for the glory of the 
 future is so far beyond what comes before in mortal life, 
 
96 The BooJc of Clifford 
 
 that we are amazed that many of you of earth feel such 
 dread to gaze upon it through the windows of your Soul, 
 opening your ears to our voices, listening to our kindly 
 advice. 
 
 " Awaken yourselves, dear friends! Listen to us and 
 become interested in Spiritual thought growth. It is 
 the only way to arrive at true happiness. Submit your- 
 selves to us in an intelligent manner, not in the frenzied, 
 hysterical way that some poor mortals foolishly think to 
 gain our attention. We must come to you quietly, not 
 in a flurry and a buzz of insincere thought." 
 
 " Good-night and may the Lord of Love be with you; 
 Good-night and may the night birds 
 Sing sweet songs to lull you, 
 Till at peep of day sleep flies away 
 To hunt more soothing balm to bring you." 
 
 June 11th, Friday, 9.30 'p.m. 
 
 " Friend Clifford is here to tell you that he is by your 
 side to assist through the tedious things that you have 
 to do each day. That is the way to make us happiest, 
 to feel that we stand by you to make the daily tasks more 
 simple, to smooth away the uneven parts and cause them 
 to seem less difficult and more interesting. Whatever 
 they may be, let them not discourage you, for like the 
 nettle when firmly grasped, the sting is not so sharp. So 
 any labor when firmly grasped is far less irksome than 
 the thought of what you fear it may prove to be. 
 
 " Usually also, many of the worries of life never come 
 to pass, as they are but mental fears which haunt us and 
 persist in traveling about with us upon every occasion 
 possible while we are upon earth in our mortal form. We 
 
The Booh of Clifford 97 
 
 dismiss them upon arrival here, to their sorrow and our 
 joy and relief. Truly it is wonderful to be free and to 
 enjoy this truthful and expanding life of mental ad- 
 vancement amid surroundings so beautiful and hopeful. 
 
 " True Christianity spreading its wings over all — I 
 mean by that, that we all understand the true meaning 
 of Christianity here, it is ever present with us and we 
 long to make its true meaning clear to you of earth and 
 to teach you how it should be taught to mortals in its 
 full beauty and liberality, avoiding the clash of denomi- 
 nation, making each and every one a true thinker, not 
 a narrow one. 
 
 " We of the heavenly bodies never argue as to the road 
 by which you may choose to arrive here; we only ask 
 that you be charitable and allow the same freedom of 
 selection to others that you wish for yourself. 
 
 " Remember, God makes no distinction of creed; if 
 the thought which inspires it be of truthful birth, nothing 
 else counts. It is an utterly false idea to believe that it 
 does. 
 
 " The Throne of God is built of Truth, the entire 
 foundation Truth; Truth surrounds it on all sides, 
 therefore it is impossible for anything impure to pene- 
 trate any part of the Eternal home. 
 
 " Think this over, dear friends, and endeavor to let 
 this lesson penetrate your understanding to its core, 
 that one and all may be helped by it, and deal gently 
 with us as we deal gently with you, our hearts filled to 
 overflowing with love for you all. Think of us kindly, 
 that we may come the oftener and be regarded among 
 your dearest friends, for such we truly are. 
 
98 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " Sleep now, and may the loving God above be with 
 you, watching tenderly over you, keeping your heart 
 at peace with your neighbor, forgeting not any kindness 
 you may have opportunity to extend, thus proving your 
 trust in us and helping us onward by your spirit of wil- 
 lingness to accept God in the True Faith. Amen! " 
 
 June 2Itth, Thursday, 10.50 p.m. 
 
 " The sure road to happiness and peace of mind is 
 through us; tender friends we prove ourselves. 
 Through sorrow we comfort you, through troubles and 
 trials we make ourselves felt, that we may guide safely 
 to smoother pathways. 
 
 " Try to convince yourselves that we are the Truth 
 direct from God — it will help you to solve the great 
 problem that all question: ' The truth of God and the 
 after life, in relation to the thousand and one phases of 
 the life on earth with its multitude of doubters.' This 
 is a serious problem which can be explained through 
 Truth and by Truth only; by that I mean that when the 
 mortal mind responds to Truth as quickly as it does to 
 false teaching, there will be no room left for ' Doubt.' 
 Find the Truth as quickly as you discover ' Error/ 
 then you will be making headway toward the spiritual 
 side of life; and an understanding of its meaning, 
 together with its great and everlasting beauty, will 
 descend upon you like a benediction, for it will come from 
 God's hand direct. 
 
 " Make the effort, dear friends, to believe in us. Do 
 not grope in darkness when you are surrounded upon all 
 sides with so much spiritual beauty, free to all for the 
 
The Booh of Clifford 99 
 
 mere acceptance of it ; yet it is often, very often, pushed 
 aside for worthless matter which is pleasing to the eye 
 and mind for the moment only. 
 
 " Spirituality is the essence of the Spiritual, therefore 
 Spiritual being eternal, Eternity is filled with Spirituality. 
 Such being the case, the problem has reached its end and 
 cannot be argued further, for it has reached the home of 
 God when we come to the word ' Eternity.' 
 
 " Trust us to lead you through trouble and grief." 
 
 July 1st, Thursday, 945 p.m. 
 
 " God the All-powerful, All-seeing and Sublime 
 Being — Guardian of all Eternity, decrees that mortal 
 man must suffer as his lot requires. 
 
 " There seem to be differences of opinion among 
 earthly thinkers as to how much man should suffer, 
 but they may never arrive at a correct answer or satis- 
 factory solution of the problem. God alone is the Judge 
 best fitted to decide how and what is the lot of each 
 individual, his burdens and pleasures, his sacrifices and 
 his joys. The unselfish ones count in his favor at all 
 times; the others detain him in the after life, acting 
 as a covering, or coating about the Soul, deadening its 
 fine qualities and embarrassing it by its weight, until 
 it is able to break through and shine forth in its true 
 beauty, for every Soul (contrary to common belief) 
 is beautiful. The error of thought encases it often, 
 leading humans to think that some Souls are born into 
 the world imperfect. Not so! They are all perfect, 
 but some neglected in growth to such an extent as to 
 become so encased in Error that they are invisible to 
 
100 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 themselves — therefore comes the expression ' A man 
 without a Soul/ meaning one of utter selfishness or 
 cruelty. Fear of death, so called, is ever present with 
 such as these, for they cannot realize anything beyond 
 the grave, except fear and punishment. 
 
 " I have already expressed myself upon the passing 
 into the Life Eternal and how rest and purification must 
 take place before the Spirit may soar to the Planes above. 
 The process of progression is one of the greatest marvels 
 to me; so simple, so extremely lovely that I long to 
 more fully understand the marvel of it. 
 
 " It seems almost unbelievable that I can have ad- 
 vanced enough to speak to you as I do, yet it is so simple 
 that I wonder at myself for the amazement I feel at 
 times over it all. Oh! what joy and happiness should 
 be ours, dear Bernie, that we are given this great privi- 
 lege. I feel so happy to speak with you and to bring 
 friends from time to time, who are so anxious to have a 
 few words with their loved ones through you. God 
 grant that your heart may always remain as generous 
 as at present. I feel sure that it will, and will pray for 
 you, my friend, often. Does that surprise you? We 
 do pray and pray more sincerely than ever before, for 
 we now understand the true meaning of prayer. We 
 love to have you think of us in your prayers as we do 
 of you, asking God's blessing to be with you at all times. 
 Amen! 
 
 " I thank you so much for the talk tonight. I am 
 sure that you will feel encouraged to try again soon, 
 as we have done such rapid and correct work tonight 
 in one short hour, by your time. We shall be able to 
 
The Book of Clifford 101 
 
 do twice the work in a short while, I feel sure. How I 
 wish that you might feel the great happiness which fills 
 my being at this success. It has proved beyond my 
 expectations, dear Friend, so let us be very hopeful for 
 the future work which we hope to do. 
 
 " Rest now and call me again soon, for I am so anxious 
 to continue these little lessons, or talks, often, there is 
 so much to say from everyone to everyone, and think, 
 dear Friend, how all might enjoy these wonderful talks 
 with their loved ones if they would but try to train their 
 inner ear to hear our voices. 
 
 " God bless you!" 
 
 " Oh! how beautiful it is that we may come to you 
 as we do, at the whisper of our name, which comes 
 floating upward, yet with a penetrating force which 
 reaches us wherever we may be. Your thought is at 
 liberty to find ours from any quarter of the globe in 
 which you live; while our thought is ever listening for 
 your call. 
 
 " Would that earthly friends could realize how much 
 and often our thought hovers over them, hoping against 
 hope in many cases that we may find an opening wel- 
 come. We oft hear the cries of loved ones in mourning 
 for us. Why do they not stop and call us joyfully that 
 we may reply, for then we know that we are believed 
 as a reality; whereas if our loved ones still continue 
 to mourn with tears, we know that they cannot believe 
 in us as a living reality. If so, why the tears? By that 
 I mean the continued hopeless mourning. It is incon- 
 sistent with our teaching and distracts the mental atti- 
 
102 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 tude into abnormal quality so that the keener sense is 
 dulled to our presence. 
 
 " To ask truly and sincerely is to receive. One can- 
 not ask truly and sincerely unless the mind be unclouded 
 of doubt. The way to gain the most from us is to re- 
 gard us as teachers who better know how to progress 
 with you, than you yourself know. We take your mind 
 along gradually, as we see far better than you how rapidly 
 your powers of perception are capable of progression. 
 We stimulate at the proper moment, retard you in the 
 same manner; so he who leaves himself unresisting 
 and willing to receive will advance twice more quickly 
 than he who questions often. That is where we have 
 the advantage over some who have studied with us far 
 longer time. You question not, but are willing to accept 
 as we see fit to impart our lessons, doubting not; absorb- 
 ing much more for this very reason. We will progress 
 rapidly if this inspiring state continues between us, as 
 I hope and pray that it may, for when Doubt creeps in 
 Truth is wont to fly away to more welcome shores. 
 
 " Let us pray for the success of our undertaking, for 
 this great blessing is allowed us to make our happiness 
 more complete. 
 
 " I think I mentioned before that the after Life is 
 one continued striving to do a good work — no, I should 
 have worded that a bit differently and said: our life 
 here is a continued hope for the betterment of our earthly 
 friends. 
 
 "I see that you are tired tonight. Rest well and 
 may the blessing of God be upon you for ever and ever. 
 Amen!" 
 
The Booh of Clifford 103 
 
 July 4th, Sunday, 3.40 p.m. 
 
 " Just now we are more or less at a standstill, that 
 is, the work does not seem so rapid as formerly, but 
 with patience we will advance quickly enough to make 
 up for it within a short while. I feel thoughts blooming 
 freshly within my being to extend to you. As time 
 goes on, making them perpetual helpers to us both, as 
 well as many others I hope, for I have tried to make 
 each message a stepping-stoue, so to speak, to explain 
 as we go so that the many who question how it is done 
 may take pattern by us and our success. 
 
 " So many feel the need of an explanation as just 
 how to go about the work in an understanding manner 
 and would so much like to know how to start with the 
 communications. That is why from the very first 
 message I influenced you to keep strict account of time 
 and date, with pages numbered carefully, so there could 
 be no mistake regarding any part of it; also it shows 
 the mental improvement and advancement more clearly 
 than any amount of explanation could possibly do, to 
 give the work full justice. 
 
 " 'He who laughs beware/ for he will prove a mental 
 laggard, sinning against what God has given him, and 
 neglecting God-given treasure is one of the saddest 
 errors. 
 
 " Now we will step ahead a bit, as I have a few words 
 to say to you regarding the beautiful hereafter. Oh! 
 my Friend, today has been a wonderful one for us, so 
 filled with exquisite fragrance of purity; thoughts of 
 such beauty floating about us; little drops of sunshine 
 glitter, sparkling through the Heavens. 
 
104 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " So many little children have come of late from 
 foreign shores, — many poor little black creatures who 
 have suffered starvation and disease. It has been so 
 beautiful to see their little Souls unfold to our teaching 
 and loving care. The cramped look of struggling and 
 starving flesh is leaving them rapidly under our tender 
 thought. 
 
 " How they will rejoice in this vast Kingdom of Glory! 
 How they will expand in thoughtful beauty! Their days 
 will be filled with hope and the wish to do for others and 
 newcomers as we have done for them. 
 
 " The great miracle goes on continually, for it is a 
 miracle of the most stupendous kind when one stops to 
 think of the grandeur and sweet simplicity we all acquire 
 after a short while here. To impress this fact on mortal 
 mind is what we most desire, to extend it to all is our 
 thought, that they may become filled and permeated 
 with its fragrance. How much it adds to the beauty of 
 mortal life can only be known to those who feel our 
 presence; then how much lighter the daily tasks do 
 seem and how much more beautiful do all things appear 
 to the mortal eye, for it is the developing of the spiritual 
 side of yourself which causes this great influx of beauty 
 within your vision. Its glory is far-reaching. The 
 thorny side of life seems to slowly but surely disappear 
 under its guidance and helpful attention. 
 
 " ' To the pure all things are pure/ as has already been 
 said by a truthful writer of his day (Marcus Aurelius), 
 therefore why not encourage purity of thought in every 
 mind, that all may become better able to see and recog- 
 nize Purity — for he is a beautiful object to behold with 
 
The Booh of Clifford 105 
 
 his shining countenance of Light, exhaling the purest 
 atmosphere about him, skimming hither and yon, ladened 
 with happiness for all who welcome and love to gaze 
 upon Him." 
 
 July 4th, midnight (Continued). 
 
 " We will continue where we left off this afternoon, 
 dear Bernie, as you seem so wide-awake at present. 
 1 Purity ' was the subject last named and no nobler nor 
 more lovely subject could we wish to dwell upon. Thank 
 God for Purity; an all-sublime being of immense pro- 
 portions, ladened ever with pure thought, traveling 
 swiftly day and night through your land to touch with 
 gentle hand every human who will accept him. Such 
 beauty and sweetness glow around him, that it seems as 
 if all might see the shining Light and profit by it. 
 
 " On and on he goes from clime to clime, up and down 
 the highways and the byways, searching out a welcome, 
 that he may gather more Souls to see and recognize the 
 beautiful in all things, both mortal and spiritual. 
 
 " A herald of such grandeur and loveliness should be 
 admired by all. No Soul is immune to it, though it may 
 be thwarted by temporary blindness, led astray by the 
 false teaching of some earthly thinkers. How unfortu- 
 nate that this has to be so very prevalent upon the earth, 
 not exactly has to be, but nevertheless is so, all through 
 Error; when but a truthful glance of understanding at 
 Purity would soon clear the mind of all doubt upon many 
 subjects which now confuse and mislead poor mortal 
 man. 
 
 " As the watch ticks on, so slips away the mortal life. 
 
106 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Weeds and rates grow up through neglect, where rare 
 and beautiful thoughts might flourish, imparting their 
 fragrance to many a poor wanderer, saddened ofttimes 
 through no fault of his, but who is shouldering the short- 
 comings of others dear to him. To him who thus un- 
 selfish is, let God's blessing rest upon him. When you 
 meet him deal gently with him, for the careworn face 
 and drooping shoulder may cover and try to shield an 
 aching heart, made so by the thoughtlessness of others. 
 Teach him to look higher for comfort, teach him how to 
 find himself by making a study of his Soul, that he may 
 overcome these earthly things which grieve and hinder 
 him in all work, for ' The heavy heart maketh the absent 
 mind/ and when the mind wanders away from the will, 
 sad mistakes take place, as a deadened thought center 
 is the result; calamity follows in its wake, things become 
 distorted until the vision narrows to nothingness. 
 
 " The mind really seems to shrink under these condi- 
 tions. Expansion of the temperamental forces must be 
 studied all over again from the beginning and a clearer 
 view of our work taken, to bring into condition what has 
 been wasted and weed-grown. 
 
 " Search thyself for the imperfection and discard it, 
 by so doing enlarging the mental space for the purer 
 thoughts to flourish and bloom into fragrant flowers, 
 sweetened by the breath of Heaven's dew which will 
 surely fall upon them. As surely as we are the Truth, 
 so do we promise this happiness to come to all who truth- 
 fully try to do as they know God would approve. Cast 
 aside all unclean and narrow thoughts as rapidly as you 
 possibly can; a regular house-cleaning in the mind, for 
 
The Booh of Clifford 107 
 
 the mind is the home of thought and needs must be 
 bathed in cleanliness to exhale its beauty freely. 
 
 "Oh! I could go on and on seemingly and in truth 
 tireless upon this subject, but fear to make the lesson 
 too long for this time, so will say to one and all, God 
 bless you! 
 
 " Think kindly on what I have said this evening, for 
 it is with the greatest love and kindliness I speak as I 
 do, longing to help you all to realize and appreciate your 
 own mental beauty. Physical beauty is lovely to be- 
 hold, but not so lasting nor so fragrant with ' Eternal 
 Hope and Joy ' as the beauty of the mind when in full 
 blossom. Forget it not, for it is the Truth I speak. 
 
 " Good-night. Pleasant dreams to all." 
 
 July 7th, Wednesday, 2.07 p.m. 
 
 " All creation at birth and death, so called (' Transi- 
 tion ' in our language), must undergo some struggle, one 
 kind or another. While physical flesh has feeling, the 
 nerves, arteries and pores have sensitive feeling to mortal 
 ache and pain. 
 
 " Happy should he or she be who passes through the 
 earthly life journey free from aches; so happy that they 
 should be doubly charitable to all who suffer, both 
 bodily and mental ills; for such is the command of God 
 in His teaching. Injustice never enters into His noble 
 work, only freedom, gladness and all known happiness 
 caused by kindness of every description, so you see, 
 dear, we have every reason to improve and better our- 
 selves in every way. 
 
 Such strength to be given us who enter these realms 
 
108 The Book of Clifford 
 
 leads us most naturally on and upward. It would not 
 be possible to falter under such teaching. Do you 
 think so? Never for one moment do we hesitate in our 
 advanced thought; how could we with such Glory ahead 
 of us and a Leader of such grandeur and Holy Goodness 
 as God proves Himself to all who wish to follow Him 
 through these wondrous pathways. Think of it, Friend 
 Bernie, and rejoice with us, for we long to extend these 
 joys to all. 
 
 " If the earthly teachers of Christianity would con- 
 sider these things as they are, and not from so narrow an 
 angle as many do, how much good they might do. Why, 
 oh, why cannot they be more liberal and charitable when 
 they continually preach ' Charity/ To practice what 
 one preaches, by teaching the proper way to practice, is 
 what is needed most among mortals. Cramped thoughts 
 and theories are a terrible handicap to spiritual growth. 
 
 " The subject is an endless one in so far as mental 
 growth and expansion is concerned. When seen and 
 practiced with liberality and kindliness under such con- 
 ditions it cannot but be a wonderful help to all, giving 
 encouragement and hope when most needed, not taking 
 away anything but worthless matter, and in place of 
 such giving the much needed encouragement to the 
 weaker ones and the incentive to forge ahead, not slip 
 backward and downward to the all-absorbing quagmire 
 of doubt, which is an evil hindrance and burden to 
 mankind. 
 
 " You are thinking in your mind ' Why are these 
 Errors so prevalent upon the earth ?' It is because there 
 must be something to rise above, something to give an 
 
The Booh of Clifford 109 
 
 incentive to struggle ahead, for the meaning of life in 
 every sphere is ' Advancement/ and if there were nothing 
 to overcome and escape from there could be no advance- 
 ment; so troubles and trials are placed about mortal 
 man to urge him to make the struggle to overcome, to 
 strengthen him, to teach him that there is beauty beyond 
 to look forward to and strive to reach something ahead, 
 to gain by honest thought along lines of cleanliness, to 
 ennoble the mind and make it worthy of the Great 
 Hereafter, which is so wondrous fair and beautiful. 
 
 " There is no ' Pit of Hell ' so far as I can learn. The 
 sordid and unclean human mind is hell enough for any 
 man or being with life, for it is a continual torment until 
 reinstated into cleaner and more pure dwelling place, 
 with and by the aid of any one of us who may be privi- 
 leged to enter and help in the purification. So you see 
 we act as true ' house-cleaners ' of the mind whenever 
 given the opportunity and a joy it is to us to behold the 
 result of our handiwork — bringing Peace and Plenty, 
 Hope and Love, Courage and Faith led by Truth to the 
 upward path. 
 
 " To see the Spirit discard the waste and take on these 
 better qualities is a joy and rapture to our beings. In 
 very ordinary language I might say that the Spirit is 
 literally peeled of its imperfect covering, allowing it to 
 shine forth in its glory. It is the same thing as the 
 Spirit unfolding to higher thought." 
 
 July 8th, Thursday, 11.15 p.m. 
 
 " Sweeter thoughts will unfold to you each day, mak- 
 ing your mind more beautiful with each thought from 
 
110 The Book of Clifford 
 
 us. How wonderful and beautiful, dear, that we can 
 have converse together; even if I am not visible to you, 
 you nevertheless know that I am with you in Spirit and 
 that my spiritual form is present — vaporous textures 
 enfolding me as a covering, veil-like. 
 
 " Some of earth see us and cannot hear us, some hear 
 but cannot see. Of the two, I had much rather that 
 you hear me than see me, if but one form of manifesta- 
 tion may take place with you; how much more satis- 
 factory that you hear and are able to reproduce what I 
 say on paper that others than yourself may be benefited 
 by what is said to you. We hope and pray that what 
 you have written out so faithfully may make its appeal to 
 some publisher who will not disregard the truth of it. 
 
 "It is so pitiful to see first one, then another mortal 
 trying so hard to deny us to the world in general, scoffing 
 and arguing the ' why ' and ' wherefore ' — denying us 
 as much as they dare. Why, may we ask, are they so 
 sure that we do not exist? Why so sure that we are 
 unable to return if we do exist? What proof have they 
 that we do not? While they are trying so hard to prove 
 that we do not, why not try to prove that we do? But 
 no, far more time is spent and more thought expended in 
 denying us than ever was used in trying to accept us; 
 yet all, in their innermost heart, would like to think of us 
 as a reality. Some dare not acknowledge it; some do 
 not wish to face the ridicule they fear; some are too 
 feeble-minded to admit what they feel, neither have 
 they the power to express themselves, and so it goes, 
 the battle royal against us, but remember! We have the 
 courage to fight to the end and win in our ' Great Truth 
 
The Booh of Clifford 111 
 
 Everlasting/ Rejoicing will then be ours and yours as 
 well, for when the coating of unbelief leaves your heart 
 and mind, then, and then only, will you know the true 
 meaning of Happiness. 
 
 " Get rest now, dear Friend. Good-night! " 
 
 July 13th, Tuesday, 2.10 p.m. 
 
 " Dear Friend, compose yourself for a few thoughts on 
 the future life and the helpful influence that it will have 
 over you. Rely upon it to bring its soothing influence 
 to you at all times, lending its aid to you whenever you 
 need and will call upon it. 
 
 " Beware of those who would influence you against 
 the belief in us as a Living Truth, for such we are and no 
 amount of talk can prove that we are not all that we 
 claim to be and a thousand times more. We lead you 
 in the pathways of peace and hopefulness, whereas they 
 who disclaim us have nothing of true worth to offer you, 
 only from a material standpoint, which is very faulty, to 
 say the least. 
 
 " We of the heavenly bodies instruct the mind and 
 fill it with spiritual hope of a beautiful future Life, filled 
 with sublime goodness and true worth. Your minds 
 will expand under our truthful teaching far more quickly 
 and easily than is possible to believe until you have given 
 us a fair trial. Then, oh, friends of earth, how glad you 
 will be that you have allowed us to enter your thought 
 freely and with welcome. 
 
 " To-day remember you sow the seed of spiritual en- 
 lightenment and to-morrow, which of course means the 
 After Life, you harvest and gather in the beauties we 
 
112 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 have watched and guarded in their growth, nourishing 
 all tender shoots, hovering over and aiding all mental 
 qualities to improve as quickly as possible. 
 
 " What a wonderful thing it is to think on, that we 
 who have left earth behind us in the great scheme of Life 
 Everlasting, are privileged to return to you and lend the 
 helping hand; to be able to give you the very best advice, 
 if you will but heed it in an understanding and reasonable 
 manner, not foolishly or feverishly trying to think that 
 it is some great and nerve-racking force which has you 
 under control to cause you to become demented and 
 hysterical. How utterly wrong to think along such 
 lines; surely 'tis a feeble mind much in need of health- 
 giving tonic to imagine such stupendous folly. Why, we 
 are Life savers, not destroyers. 
 
 " One has but to read these pages carefully and 
 thoughtfully to realize what a great and kindly Truth 
 we are, giving to you all a series of lessons in mental ex- 
 pansion; to help, not hinder you to find the better part 
 of your nature; to live while on earth, in Truth and 
 kindliness, not sorrow and selfishness. We heal, or I 
 should say, help to heal the wounded heart and troubled 
 mind as no earthly power ever could, for the material 
 must give way to the spiritual to be able to efface earthly 
 worries. 
 
 " The old cry and sincere one from us is ' Help us to 
 help you find yourself, so that you may learn to help 
 yourself through us.' A wheel within a wheel — the 
 everlasting circle in which we are born goes on and on 
 revolving. When we reach the top we are supposed to 
 take flight to another realm for furtherance of good 
 
The Booh of Clifford 113 
 
 deeds and mental growth, otherwise we would go down 
 again to make the turn once more, as happens if we have 
 not strength of purpose to follow the leader before us. 
 
 " The wave of Spiritualism which has swept the land 
 of late has left behind it many Truth seekers, among 
 whom are to be found men and women of brain and power 
 to resist all ridicule; others tried to follow in the foot- 
 steps, but proved too feeble at present. Though they 
 tried, they failed for want of the mental strength to 
 support them in their wish for enlightenment. They 
 became excitable and fevered, which for the time ruined 
 the clear vision needed in this work. When they have 
 calmed and collected themselves and allowed the beauty 
 of spiritual growth to flow into their minds naturally and 
 gently, as they are fitted to absorb it, then, and not till 
 then, will they be able to grasp its meaning. 
 
 " It is not possible, as all well know, for a little child 
 to run until after the creeping and toddling stage has 
 passed for some time; therefore, how can any mortal 
 mind expect to learn all there is to know concerning 
 things Spiritual the first moment they hear that such a 
 thing is possible to learn. We lead you forward as you 
 are best fitted to receive; why not bear this in mind and 
 allow us to prove by degrees how wonderful it all is and 
 how noble is the work for all to know and teach. 
 
 " It is well to impress as strongly as possible the fact 
 that in any part of our teaching, nothing may be found 
 which will lead any mortal to become dissatisfied with 
 his or her daily life upon earth; it cannot, for we but 
 teach encouragement to do your best while upon earth, 
 that you may look forward to higher and better thought 
 
114 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 and work in the next life to come. Continually bear 
 this in mind, for we, your teachers, who will welcome 
 you with outstretched arms (when your time comes as 
 God ordained) are not willing to receive you before, 
 although we do so as kindly as possible if you thrust 
 yourselves upon us before we are prepared for you, for 
 each and every one has his place to fill in order. God 
 planned thus that chaos might be avoided, as it surely 
 would be chaos if each came as they chose, when they 
 chose. 
 
 " Law of order is one of the essentials here, yet it 
 proves no handicap to any Spirit, rather a pleasant 
 monitor to follow and adjust ourselves to. Nothing can 
 be perfect without order; it holds the key to perfect 
 thought. Many an otherwise perfect thought is marred 
 by lack of an orderly brain, that is, one trained in correct 
 thinking. To jumble all thoughts together has spoiled 
 many a really beautiful mind; so try hard to learn to 
 regulate your mind by careful thought, not over hurried, 
 for thought takes time to mature into perfection, until 
 it has acquired rapidity of adjustment with intelligent 
 practice. Therefore, practice carefully, that your mor- 
 tal and spiritual mind may become one, through perfect 
 thinking on intelligent subjects of worth. 
 
 " Now, dear Friend, I will say good-bye and a thou- 
 sand happy thanks for this, our longest message to date. 
 To say that we appreciate and feel great hope, is what 
 all here wish to say to you. May the blessing of God 
 be upon you. Amen! " 
 
The Booh of Clifford 115 
 
 July 21st, Wednesday. 1920 
 
 JUSTICE. 
 " Justice is a thing to greet, 
 With open arms stretched wide to meet 
 Its welcome smile and hurrying feet 
 As toward you it comes in haste — 
 Nor laggard feet display 
 As on it comes in leaps and bounds, 
 If but the Truth is welcomed 
 Soon as found! 
 
 Cast not thine eyes upon the ground, 
 
 Nor blush, nor frown 
 
 When Spirit Truth before you stands 
 
 And points to Justice 
 
 Seated on the throne of God, 
 
 But lift thine eyes to see the Light 
 
 That may descend to you, both day and night, 
 
 As on your earthward journey day by day 
 
 It leads the way 
 
 To higher thought. 
 
 So remember, nothing on the earth 
 
 Which may be bought, 
 
 Can equal Justice, 
 
 Accompanied by pure thought!" 
 
 July 25th, Sunday, 2.35 p.m. 
 
 " Floating onward, ever onward, 
 High above all mortal care: 
 Strife and worry far behind. 
 Naught but glory on ahead, 
 Bringing peace and joy to mind, 
 Which is freely open to be fed 
 By Spirit beauty, good and kind. 
 Welcome us when e'er you can; 
 Greet us kindly, with a smile, 
 That your journey onward, mile by mile, 
 May be of such a wondrous joy 
 That the angels hover near you, 
 Sounding forth their happy cry." 
 
116 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 August 11th, Wednesday, 10.10 p.m. 
 
 " Do try to make the pathway to us as clear as you 
 can, dear Friend, for we long to advance the mentality 
 of the earthly dwellers. 
 
 " We cannot say enough on this subject, as it means 
 so much hope and deeper thought on many subjects 
 which are now of little interest to them because they do 
 not in the least understand the meaning or nature of the 
 subjects. To be intellectual is not being spiritual, yet 
 when one is spiritually advanced they become intellec- 
 tual without realizing it. They broaden and branch out 
 into many intellectual ideas which hitherto meant little 
 to them. But when the awakening comes they compre- 
 hend all things more clearly, and every beautiful thing 
 on earth becomes of interest to them. 
 
 Oh, Thought, thou art a wondrous thing, 
 
 When thou art with us, to fill our minds 
 
 With simple splendour, so Divine, 
 
 As with you our Spirit seeks much higher flight 
 
 Than would be possible with mortal sight 
 
 Before it wakened to the Light 
 
 Of Spirit thought, a pure delight. 
 
 Oh, let us all of earth endeavor to behold 
 
 This vast, yet simple thought, so old, 
 
 Yet always young in beauty still untold. 
 
 Until your Spirit gaze becomes tender, yet sweetly 
 
 bold, 
 As to us it comes for guidance, young and old, 
 We offer all we have, which you may hold 
 Close pressed to heart as Truth, God blest. 
 Accept us now and for all time, 
 For thought in Truth is God Divine." 
 
 " Bernie dear, how proud and happy am I that you 
 hear so well. Save all the little verses and later perhaps 
 
The Book of Clifford 117 
 
 there may be many more, which may prove of interest 
 to our readers. 
 
 " Hasten, dear, hasten, for the time for you is short, 
 and there is so much yet for you to do before your call 
 is ready: 
 
 " Our thought is so sincere, 
 
 Our love so strong and true — 
 We feel that we must prepare a welcome, 
 As we forward come to greet you." 
 
 " Good-night, dear; try to speak often, if only for a 
 few moments at a time. God bless you! " 
 
 August 17th, Tuesday, 9.27 'p.m. 
 
 " It gives me happiness at all times, dear, to know how 
 much faith you have in us all, and the truth of what we 
 say is so clearly felt by you that we pray God for much 
 further speech with and through you. When you are 
 less tired there are many here who wish to have a word 
 of greeting to the world in general. 
 
 " The main theme of our talk is on i Happiness ' and 
 ' Love ' — the two most beautiful of friends to greet any 
 one — both of radiant vision, going hand in hand to- 
 gether through Life Everlasting — greeting all whom 
 they meet with welcoming hand, which is ever out- 
 stretched in kindness, for their mission everywhere is to 
 bring joy and peace, so the Love at times appears to 
 falter (to the doubtful). It is ever courageous, and true 
 Love is not to be denied by any mind, either mortal or 
 spiritual, for it is a great base upon which all should 
 stand, that they may the more clearly observe the 
 beauties about them. 
 
118 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " As Happiness and Love go hand in hand, 
 So time slips by without a thought 
 Of care and trouble raging in the land; 
 For mortal thought of mortal mind 
 Plants the seed of Discord, clime to clime. 
 Oh, friend, uproot and cast them far and wide away; 
 Make hay and greet the sun, as day by day 
 It brings both Love and Happiness to stay 
 If you will accept them in the Truth 
 And listen to their voices when they pray 
 To be accepted in your heart, 
 To bless and help you do your part, 
 To prove that Love is lasting, also strong, 
 That Happiness is beauty far beyond 
 The mortal ken, as mortal knows 
 Until the Spirit sight is gained, 
 And then behold! the wondrous beauty yet untold, 
 As Love and Happiness accept you to their fold." 
 
 September 6th, Monday, 6.J±5 p.m. (raining hard). 
 
 "lam here, dear Friend. The first call of my name 
 brought me to your side, so gladly and thankfully I came 
 to speak with you. 
 
 " The hours are short, in truth, but seem long when one 
 is bursting with things to say and no chance to give 
 utterance to them without assistance. Such feelings 
 have the blind and dumb when they long to see and 
 express themselves as others more fortunate do. 
 
 " We are all alike, yet unlike, meaning as you no doubt 
 realize — we long and aspire to the same general prin- 
 ciples, yet are not all able with the various handicaps, 
 to meet on equal footing until we have all become 
 enlightened through Truth to see and observe clearly, 
 to think deeply and with courage — for one must be a 
 courageous thinker to grasp and hold to himself that 
 
The Booh of Clifford 119 
 
 which many would withhold from him through mistaken 
 thought. 
 
 " How true it is that Truth is often blindfolded by the 
 ignorant and thoughtless of mankind: 
 
 " Guard and guide us, O Lord on high, 
 To see with clear and truthful eye, 
 The beauties you have about us placed; 
 Let us gaze upon, and understand as meant; 
 Allow us this blessed privilege and teach content 
 To all who are now blinded, yet repent 
 Of earthly fault and folly, so sincerely 
 That they would forward spring in spirit growth; 
 Expand their nature and grasp the Truth 
 In all its loveliness, from birth to birth. 
 God, we pray, grant us this joy, 
 That we may freedom gain with Spirit birth." 
 
 September 11th, Saturday, 9.55 p.m. 
 
 " A year ago, my dear, the first few halting words 
 came to you. Oh, the joy to me at the first moment I 
 realized we were in touch with one another; words can- 
 not express my happiness when I became aware of the 
 fact that you heard and believed in me. 
 
 " It was the opening and beginning of a new life for 
 you. Would you go back to the old one? Ah no! 
 never would you wish to shut your eyes to the beautiful 
 thoughts and lessons we have taught you; they have 
 proved of too great and lasting a benefit to you in your 
 daily journey through mortal life. The world looks more 
 wonderful and beautiful to you every day by our teach- 
 ing. And after this mortal life comes the true and real 
 awaking into beauties beyond compare." 
 
 ( Too sleepy for further dictation ) L.B. 
 
120 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 September 12th, Sunday, 4.30 p.m. 
 
 " Dear friend, you realize your mental improvement 
 and strength of purpose in all things far more than a 
 year ago to-day. We have far more to tell, but hesitate 
 at times as we fear to startle you with it's stupendous 
 grandeur, therefore we advance with much care, that 
 the enlightenment may come in order and gentleness, 
 letting itself descend around and about you so softly 
 that you will have the feeling of awaking after peaceful 
 slumber and a restful one, not as starting wide-awake 
 from troubled dreams, which are the subconscious 
 action on the mortal mind, making it perform without 
 any sense of the law and order of things, thereby causing 
 the effect of magnitude, solitude and all sorts of con- 
 vulsions of nature, without reason in the least degree. 
 
 " At times True Thought, in the form of warning, 
 penetrates to the inner consciousness and seals you with 
 its mark. It is well then to heed and follow its advice. 
 
 " Dreams, dreams, just idle dreams; 
 The mind at war in its sub-conscious state 
 With imps and fairies, small and great, 
 To harass and perplex, or idly pass the time away; 
 They come and jumble one's ideas about; 
 Some caper in and caper out. 
 Sometimes when you are sad of heart 
 We enter in and try to do our part 
 In healing, through a refreshing sleep; 
 And when we do, we always say: 
 O God, help Thou this mind and heart 
 To see beyond, into the beauty of Eternal Day." 
 
The Book of Clifford 121 
 
 September 26th, Sunday, 10.40 p.m. 
 
 " Never was anything done in either of the worlds 
 without work and study. It is the fundamental prin- 
 ciple on which to lay a solid foundation for anything 
 worthy of the human mind, that most wonderful of the 
 godly gifts bestowed upon all who are born into the 
 earthly planet for development prior to the spiritual 
 advancement of the future life. Thought growth is a 
 marvel of simplicity, though it seems a remarkable study 
 and a profound one to the earthly thinker who is clothed 
 in so many needless garments of mental structure that 
 he often falls beneath the weight of them. When he has 
 power to cast them aside, as he will have the moment he 
 becomes impregnated with the overpowering thought 
 that ' Truth ' is the King of goodness in every clime; 
 that God beholds all things and encourages all to live 
 pure and simple ; that He appreciates every struggle, on 
 our part as well as yours, to advance; that Hope and 
 Kindness are sure guides to the higher life. Ah, how 
 can mortal doubt the beautiful Hereafter when such 
 glory is before him for the asking? 
 
 " To let thy spirit behold the beauties beyond, 
 To let thy mortal ears hear things as yet untold; 
 Is simple logic to the wise who hold the key 
 Which opens all the portals wide; 
 Then may ye enter with manly stride, 
 Nor need aught but Faith to be thy guide, 
 For God stands near the portal 
 To welcome all who enter, young and old, 
 Ah, friends of earth, remember this is Truth; 
 Let not thy neighbor turn you away for want of proof, 
 For he who doubts the greater loser is; 
 
122 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 His eyes are blind, his tongue is dumb, 
 His ears hear naught of Love and Justice 
 Who sit upon the throne of God. 
 Away, away with Doubt and Fear, 
 Heed them and they come not near; 
 Look forward ever to the Light beyond, 
 For there you find new beauties born 
 To fill your mind and guide you on." 
 
 September 30th, Wednesday, 7.15 p.m. 
 
 " There may be those who will criticize this work, 
 dear friend, but can they improve upon it? Let them 
 try if they think so. 
 
 " The mortal who in an unthinking moment considers 
 his mortal mind advanced beyond the spiritual one will 
 have a difficult problem to solve in the riddle he places 
 before himself. He will become lost in a maze of turn- 
 ing and twisting to find the Light, whereas he who admits 
 the Truth of our presence and superior intellect (which 
 God ordained that the Spirit may acquire) will find easily 
 the pathway to brighter hopes and happiness. 
 
 " Long have we hunted for open minds into which to 
 pour our advanced and more beautiful spiritual thoughts. 
 We wander from clime to clime and whenever we find 
 the open mind we at once enter and bring untold joy 
 and peace. Try, oh, try to accept us, and by so doing 
 make your earthly life more helpful to others by the 
 sunshine which will surely follow in your wake. 
 
 " Judge all gently that you may the more readily 
 teach them the Truth in its full beauty. Cease not to 
 make a gentle endeavor wherever you go; it is the one 
 and only way to proceed. Lofty and noble thought 
 always descends softly upon us, never in an aggressive 
 
The Booh of Clifford 123 
 
 manner, for that would dim the beauty, as all harshness 
 does in any teaching. Gentleness is the word, as well 
 as the most successful teacher in every walk of life. 
 
 " Now, my Friend, I will say good-night, as you are 
 tired. Thank you for this half hour. We will speak 
 together again soon." 
 
 October 11th, Monday, 8.10 p.m. 
 
 " Awaken, awaken thy slumbering mind; 
 Awaken it once, and then for all time 
 It will sing and rejoice and speed on its way 
 To enlighten the others who dwell day by day 
 In darkness and shadow, lost hope and despair, 
 For want of the Truth to make them aware 
 Of the beauties about them, through earth, sea and 
 
 " We are far beyond earth and earthly ills, yet we 
 realize all that has to take place during the mortal life 
 and years, therefore we extend this hope to lead you all 
 to perceive the Light more clearly beyond. It is with 
 the hope of teaching you one and all to look ahead, that 
 we are given the privilege of descending to you with 
 our guiding hand outstretched. Awaken, oh awaken, 
 human friends. Haste, make haste to see and welcome 
 it, for God directs its course, therefore it is purity clear 
 and bright, intended for you all of earth |n most generous 
 measure. Think well before you shut your eyes to it; 
 for to close them to such beauty would mean utter 
 mental blindness. Let not such calamity befall you 
 through your own sad efforts; rather be over-dazzled 
 with brightness from above than lost in sordid and 
 stupid thought of mortal self. 
 
124 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " To see is to aspire, 
 To aspire is to gain, 
 To gain means Heaven's bliss; 
 Can more be desired 
 By mortal man than this?" 
 
 " No, for this means all, the entire, the universe, the 
 height of spiritual advancement and glory — of such 
 is the Kingdom of Heaven. So sing songs of praise, if 
 you are so blessed as to arrive into this happiness. 
 Trust us and we will not fail to lead you to this won- 
 drous Light. Good-night and Amen! " 
 
 MY PRAYER TO ALL 
 
 " Oh, to God we pray, make them one and all of welcome 
 
 mind, 
 Make them feel our presence pure and true. 
 We have so much of beauty which we wish to give to 
 
 you 
 Dear freinds of earth — try, oh, try to welcome us; 
 Accept and call us, that we may come and bring you 
 
 peace of mind, — 
 A lasting good to all, for all time." 
 
 1920. 
 
PART IV 
 
PART IV 
 
 January 1st, Saturday, 2.30 p. m. 1921. 
 
 " Dear Bernie, let us move forward to greater thoughts 
 than in the past year — not but we gave you many fine 
 ones, but we must not linger over them, you and I. 
 Let those who read do that and be benefitted by so 
 doing. It is for us to work onward and ahead for more 
 gain to the mental improvement of us all who speak 
 with you throughout the coming or ensuing year. 
 
 " We have been retarded of late for various reasons; 
 let us now take up the work again, starting a fresh page 
 of thought and see how much progress we can make. 
 Keep your mind clear and think ahead; let not the 
 worries of the day trouble you, for they are not so real 
 as what we would teach you. Keep straight ahead • — 
 improve your mind and keep your body clean with 
 wholesome living and loving of all the beauties of nature. 
 Let whatever is of unworthy structure crumble into the 
 dust and be forgotten — think of higher things than the 
 ordinary mortal is prone to think, often filling his mind 
 with jealous and malicious thoughts of those about him. 
 Envy must never creep in. It is a grovelling curse to 
 the mind and never brings but unhappiness and dis- 
 content, while beautiful spiritual thoughts (for all good 
 and kindly thought is spiritual or headed in that direc- 
 tion) lend happiness and peace of mind to every living, 
 breathing being. 
 
128 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " Everyone has to choose a path to follow, so why not 
 a pleasant and instructive one rather than a dim and 
 shady one where God's sweet, pure sunshine cannot 
 enter without dimming its beauty among the unclean 
 things which are ever to be found in such places. This 
 all means, as you, of course, know, pure thought is of 
 sunlight quality, while evil thought is of a sodden dark- 
 ness; therefore let the motto be ' Ever to the Light 
 for now and evermore.' Amen! " 
 
 January 2d, Sunday , 5.05 'p.m. 
 
 " my dear, dear friend, may everlasting peace be 
 with you throughout the new year. Think ahead on 
 beautiful thoughts whenever you can. Dwell upon 
 everything that is of kindly origin Let us help you 
 forward — let us encourage you to ' Have faith and ye 
 shall be cured'; that means mental as well as physical 
 health sent forth from the Great and Sublime Mind 
 unto ye all of earth. We are all mind, far reaching into 
 the corners of the world. We take up many branches 
 of study; we pursue them with thought and care — ever 
 to advance ourselves higher toward one goal. 
 
 "We float about in this heavenly atmosphere lightly 
 and swiftly from one thing to another, so joyous and so 
 happy. We try to impress you with the truth of this 
 so that you may always think of the passing or trans- 
 formation which will come to you sooner or later (we 
 are not at liberty to say exactly when) with the greatest 
 delight, not fear of what the future life is to bring to 
 you. Let yourself feel our protecting embrace, our 
 loving and tender thoughts so near you that it is strange 
 
The Booh of Clifford 129 
 
 all may not feel the breath of the Spirit who hovers 
 about you, for scarcely a soul upon earth is there who 
 has not some spirit monitor near at hand. It is a part 
 of the order of things. It may not always be the same 
 one; they may change, floating away to give another 
 Spirit the opportunity near a loved one. 
 
 " Oh, friends of earth, if you can but be made to real- 
 ize that you are never forgotten, never alone; we are 
 ever trying to help you onward in your daily life, trying 
 so hard to point out to you the right road to take through 
 your journey; but how few in comparison will listen 
 to our voices, so kindly meant. Ah well, we will succeed 
 in the end, I hope, no, I know, as we are Truth so great 
 and kind that we must be accepted before long. 
 
 " We are Light, we are Hope, we are Truth great and 
 strong., 
 So meet us and greet us to help Life's journey on, 
 Think bravely, think truly of all that is dear; 
 Let not idle tongues wage war, neither fear 
 With unkindly whisperings into thine ear, 
 But list for the voice of some Spirit friend 
 Who comes bringing comfort unto the end — 
 Which in truth means the beginning 
 Of all that is noble and worthy of life 
 Eternal, everlasting, ever happy and bright." 
 
 " Our struggles at times to make ourselves under- 
 stood are sad indeed. We think that we surely must 
 be heard or seen — when of a sudden the veil between 
 us thickens into a dense fog-like texture, leaving the 
 mortal sight dim once again. Then we make another 
 effort, and when at last we enter into the human mind 
 freely and gladly welcomed, we are sure to bring a much 
 needed comfort. 
 
130 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " If we are seen as we really are, not by a distorted, 
 or as a distorted vision, we are of untold value to you; 
 but when seen through the crossed vision we naturally 
 look distorted. It is the same with the hearing. If 
 you take a message by 'phone over a crossed wire you, 
 of course, cannot hear so correctly as if the line were 
 in perfect working order. It is the same with us — so 
 simple if you will keep your wires clear. No struggle 
 is required; a simple, natural welcoming thought of us 
 is what is most needed to bring us to greater understand- 
 ing of the present needs. Our purpose is to help, not 
 hinder, the higher thought; we wish to improve each 
 and every mind that we are privileged to enter. How 
 can anyone fear us when such is our thought? 
 
 " If you will learn to love us as we love you and wel- 
 come us as we long to welcome you, all will be simple 
 and the world grow to a more kindly place — or rather, 
 the people of the world will become more kindly and 
 worthy of the beautiful earthly home which God has 
 placed about them as a starting-point from which to 
 proceed to the next and more important life. 
 
 " This is one long series of progressive existence, 
 never tiring in any way, helpful to others, forgetful of 
 self — a grand purpose always in view, the purpose of 
 worthiness unto our Creator. The great love and re- 
 spect we bear for Him makes this purpose the greatest 
 goal we can have. We mount higher and higher with 
 what I might call ' refreshing ' study. 
 
 " Oh, that I could give you an idea of our Supreme 
 Master of Kindly Love. He is so pure and true that 
 we feel we can never live long enough (though Eternity 
 
The Booh of Clifford 131 
 
 be forever) to thank Him for all that we receive at His 
 hand. 
 
 " How all this ever came to pass, or why this life, is 
 a most wonderful problem, or I should say, the most 
 wonderful thing that could ever be conceived. Why? 
 why? why? What is the meaning of it all? Why mor- 
 tal? Why spiritual? How did it start and how will it 
 end? Ah, the last question is the only one which I can 
 answer. It means, the end is ' Perfection, ' so why not 
 call the beginning ' Purpose'? Then we have the ' Per- 
 fection of Purpose ' within our grasp for and throughout 
 all the ages and ages to come. What grander or more 
 wonderful thing could ever happen or be conceived out 
 of the universe? I cannot imagine it possible for any 
 human being to expect or desire more than that for which 
 to thank God that they have been blessed with the 
 opportunity to assist in so great a scheme of the universe. 
 
 " God in His mercy alone knows how it all started. 
 From the beginning, some say ' A drop of water, a grain 
 of sand, etc' Now you ask: ' Where the drop of 
 water? Where the grain of sand?' It must have been 
 formed from nothing to prove God's greatness — at 
 any rate, I do not yet know enough to offer a decided 
 answer to so profound a subject as Creation. We were 
 there, we are now here, and later we shall be beyond, but 
 never back again to the beginning. 
 
 " How wonderful it all is, and how happy that we may 
 study and think of these things together. It helps so 
 much to create love and interest in all that kind Nature 
 offers to our gaze. It is the greatest teacher, this inter- 
 course of mind meeting mind — one so far in advance 
 
132 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 of the other that it can point out and assist in great 
 measure. Let us be ever thankful for such blessing. 
 
 " We will take up and follow as fast as we can all 
 that will be of assistance to you, dear friend. That 
 means a mortal life filled with helpfulness to others and 
 to self. 
 
 " Rest now and remember, dear, to keep the wires 
 clear that our thoughts may cling together always in 
 mutual benefit. 
 
 " To Heaven always your thoughts are winging, 
 While mine to Earth are comfort bringing, 
 We meet while on our journeys fleeing, 
 Yet need not part while knowledge gleaning." 
 
 January 22d, Saturday, 4-40 p.m. (on train). 
 
 " Bernie, dear! Advance with our work! Now is a 
 good chance to speak together, even though you do not 
 face the East at the present moment. You may not 
 always have to, but the attraction to us when facing 
 in that direction usually brings us to clearer understand- 
 ing. The mental vision clears with the setting or rising 
 sun. At present you have the ending of a beautiful day 
 to gaze upon, the rosy clouds beautifying the closing 
 of day e'er the shadows of night fall about you. Ah! 
 how lovely it is to be able to see and appreciate as you 
 do, dear friend, all the wonders of the Great God of 
 Nature. 
 
 " This midday as you left the evergreens and came 
 into the silver birches and snow, then on and up to the 
 frozen river, you enjoyed to the full all of the grand view 
 which unfolded before you. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 133 
 
 " There comes a time when all is silent among the 
 woodlands and fields and rivers; then comes the burst- 
 ing of the buds and Spring flows anew through the veins 
 of everything in mortal life — the awaking after the 
 winter sleep. How sweet the air filled with the out- 
 putting of the buds — how joyous is all nature! 
 
 " The little birds will soon be with you as the first 
 messengers. They will sing and rejoice and become 
 infused with the home-building instinct. Then the 
 little eggs, so carefully placed in nests of such weave as 
 no mortal hand has ever been able to imitate. Next 
 the little new lives which soon grow to maturity and 
 flood the air with their sweet songs. 
 
 " Ah, dear friend, we have the same here, only far, 
 far more in advance. I might say that the birds of these 
 higher Planes are in accordance with their surroundings. 
 All is in order of progression among feathered creation 
 as with the once mortal form of the spirit. Grand and 
 glorious is it all. 
 
 " Keep thy mind upon these beauties, that the trials 
 and sorrows of the present life may fade behind and 
 away. It is all as ye thinketh. In ye mind ye make 
 or mar thy mortal life, for it leadeth ye, therefore let 
 its influence be in the right direction ever. Think and 
 think deeply. The cheerful face ever helps, not hinders, 
 careful thought. 
 
 " Education means improvement, improvement means 
 helpfulness and successfulness; for the intelligent mind 
 is ever grasping outward for improvement. It craves 
 additional and spiritual help whether it realizes it or 
 not, and when it does fully realize it, how great is the 
 
134 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 success. What a broadening of the inner mind and what 
 happiness comes to the spiritual side of one's nature. 
 
 " You see, dear, there are no backward steps if you 
 once get started and realize that you are headed in the 
 right direction. This is the true meaning of life — 
 ADVANCEMENT, in large letters. Let them who 
 defer this true word awaken themselves lest they lose 
 many happy hours. 
 
 " One cannot dwell in a house of dimmed windows 
 without feeling the lack of pure sunshine coming direct 
 to them. Remember the microbes of imperfection 
 cannot exist in the sunlight and fresh air, no more than 
 a flower can flourish in a dungeon without light of any 
 kind. LIGHT! LIGHT! LIGHT! is our great cry. 
 Ever our faithful guide, it leads us all to purity, joy and 
 everlasting good. It teaches us the ways and means 
 to help others by its truth — it is ' Life,' because it is 
 everlasting as God is. 
 
 "Ah, how happy it makes me to express myself thus, 
 dear friend, and to know that you believe and write 
 exactly as we speak to you. Wonderful thoughts will 
 flow into your mind from us and wonderful spiritual 
 life flow into your veins through us — all helpful, all 
 true. Remember that at all times." 
 
 January 30th, Sunday, 9.30 p.m. 
 
 " Ah, to thee my thoughts are winging, 
 Ladened with love, and hope I'm bringing 
 A message sweet with Truth and cheer; 
 Speed thou the words which through thy thought 
 So gently form, as they are Heaven wrought. 
 List thou with care, my dear, dear friend, 
 To all the Spirits tell as they ascend 
 
The Booh of Clifford 135 
 
 To higher Planes, to nobler work, 
 
 Their mission ever to fulfil the Master's wish. 
 
 Advance with us, dear ones, and feel such bliss 
 
 As only faith in spirit friends may bring; 
 
 And joy unbounded, then, through thy veins will flow 
 
 As ye learn to leave all mortal cares below; 
 
 For never in the wondrous upward flight 
 
 When mind o'ercomes the mental strife 
 
 May earthly cares ascend, by day or night, 
 
 They slip behind as shadows dim, 
 
 They falter, as they know they have no place 
 
 Among God's higher planes where all is Truth 
 
 And beauty, free to all who think 
 
 And truly wish to hear the heavenly call." 
 
 February 1st, Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. 
 
 " Oh, doubt not our presence, 
 Because we are here 
 To keep and protect you 
 Through all the long year. 
 
 List oft to our voices 
 
 Which come from above; 
 Think naught but kindness 
 
 Of those whom you love, 
 And who have gone forward 
 
 The home to prepare 
 That they may extend greeting 
 
 When you arrive there. 
 
 To lead you and teach you 
 
 God's way is their aim, 
 So welcome us gladly 
 
 To have speech once again; 
 Let not idle tongues slander our name, 
 
 For we are the Truth 
 Coming earthward again." 
 
 Note. These lines were dictated while a friend was raying to me that he could 
 not possibly believe that which he had never seen demonstrated in any way. He 
 was greatly surprised when handed these lines which I wrote while he was talking. 
 I had listened to him and answered questions at the same time. L. B. 
 
136 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 March 24th, Thursday, 8.29 p.m. 
 
 " Whenever the mind is on the path to true improve- 
 ment, spiritual beauty begins to shine forth in all its 
 glory. You do not see the ' all ' at once, but the gradual 
 unfolding is so beautiful and its influence so uplifting 
 that it really beggars description. What use for me to 
 go into raptures in a foreign tongue! You would be 
 none the wiser. Mortal language is limited to a degree, 
 how then shall we be censured if we do not express our- 
 selves in words so strange that none may understand? 
 
 " Many are they who are ever asking for ' proof ' of 
 us in such marvelous form of speech as was never heard 
 upon earth. How foolish! Is it not ourselves who speak 
 to you through the mouths of great poets, the hands of 
 the artist and the intellect of seers? Do you dare think 
 all that which is truly great in the world is accomplished 
 by mortal mind and thought alone? 
 
 " Each one who goes forward to the Eternal World 
 sends out his thought to those behind, with the hope 
 that some receptive mind may absorb that thought. 
 Is it not the law of progression? What progression could 
 there be if such were not the case? All would be the 
 same over and over. No thought or thoughts could 
 improve materially without spiritual assistance, yet 
 vain man still thinks he is the creator of his thought, 
 the inventor of his plans. 
 
 " Not all think thus, but the majority do. When 
 the time arrives that they recognize our help freely and 
 openly, we can do much, much more for them, and so 
 happy for the privilege. Our desire to help you all will 
 
The Booh of Clifford 137 
 
 never fail. It is everlasting with us of the higher worlds, 
 I am told. 
 
 " Beautiful is the pathway through the Light. We 
 rejoice that we are privileged to be within its glory. 
 Our hearts are warmed and cheered as by nothing we 
 ever knew upon earth. 
 
 " Teach thyself the true meaning of Spiritualism and 
 you will feel its influence flooding about you, giving 
 you strength and Gourage such as you never dreamed of. 
 Amen!" 
 
 March 27th, Easter Sunday, 8.20 p.m. 
 
 "It is with greatest pleasure that we join forces 
 to-night with our mortal friends, to tell them how glori- 
 ous has been the Day of Days with us. 
 
 " At this time last year I was a happy boy indeed, 
 but the time since has been so filled with happiness of 
 untold value, that my Soul is filled to overflowing with 
 the joy of it. To realize, as I do now, all that this super- 
 life means — to behold new beauties ever and ever 
 ahead, which may be studied and received by us as we 
 advance toward them, — to hear the wonderful voice 
 of our dear Saviour with its clarion sweetness echoing 
 throughout these great spaces, shedding its wonderful 
 and remarkable quality over us, enfolding us in its 
 tender embrace, we thrill with new energy, we expand 
 with hope eternal. It is the most healing balm, the 
 most soothing tonic that is possible to conceive. 
 
 " Oh, wonder of wonders, 
 
 Thou our God, Father and Friend, 
 Teach us to thank Thee 
 
 As we journey on without end 
 
138 The Book of Clifford 
 
 To the great Goal, from which 
 
 None ever wish to descend 
 Save to aid and encourage 
 
 Each timid and dear mortal friend. 
 Teach us to help and encourage them all, 
 
 That they may advance 
 When they hear Thy clear call 
 
 From high up above, 
 From the throne of pure Love, 
 
 Where all is so peaceful, so true, 
 That naught but happiness 
 
 May be possible through the radiant blue." 
 
 " These words recall my first entrance to the wonder- 
 ful blue, where all was so featured that a great peace 
 descended upon my soul as soon as I arrived within the 
 tender, glowing Light. The Friends were so gentle, 
 their welcome so true and sincere that it became an 
 everlasting remembrance and one which I was able to 
 profit by and extend to others. 
 
 " I remember how the little children looked that day. 
 It was Sunday, you remember — their beautiful childish 
 voices singing the sweetest music I had ever heard. As 
 each passed me by, as they pursued their various ways, 
 they beamed upon me like little angels of Love. Each 
 and every one had the happiest expression I had ever 
 beheld. I wandered about at will after I had made my 
 peace with God — I mean by that, after I had reported 
 to Him for duty, as it were. 
 
 " Looking here, there and everywhere, trying to real- 
 ise how I arrived so suddenly, and surprised in a way 
 to feel such a freedom from pain; a great lightness 
 seemed to have fallen upon the part which I had called 
 ' body/ The floating sensation became predominant; 
 
The Book of Clifford 139 
 
 no longer was needed effort of any kind to move about. 
 The mind suggested motion and immediately the form 
 floated in whatever direction requested, therefore as 
 you will readily understand it was not possible to be- 
 come tired or have that earthy feeling of lagging feet. 
 
 " Swiftly as the beams of light do we travel as we 
 learn the true meaning of ' motion without effort.' No 
 energy is wasted along that line, as our minds do not 
 allow it. They are too filled with thoughts of mental 
 progression, there is no time to be hampered with slow- 
 ness of motion. Ever floating onward to the great 
 Light — Highest Heaven — where will be found Per- 
 fection in its most perfect state of perfectness. 
 
 " Around you go through hill and dale, 
 Seeking for light and success; 
 Ahead we go, nor doubt, nor fear, 
 For we know that Faith and Love are always near 
 To guide our footsteps, as they will yours 
 If you will but welcome and unlock the doors 
 To let them enter and bring the Light 
 Of understanding in all its might! 
 
 u 
 
 Seeds of kindness sown about, 
 
 Lend their help the land throughout; 
 
 Deeds of valor may not claim 
 
 Greater praise nor greater fame 
 
 Than the kindly word when timely spoke, 
 
 For in itself it hath the power 
 
 To free the inner self of heavy yoke 
 
 And teach both gentleness and hope. 
 
 So strive to find the one in need 
 
 And speak to him of gentle Spirit creed. " 
 
140 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 April 28th, Thursday, 9.27 p.m. 
 
 " Every day my voice has called you, but you have 
 not heeded, to my sorrow. So much has there been to 
 say to you, dear Friend, that we all grieve at the silence 
 which falls between us of late. Our prayer is always 
 for progression and these pauses cause so much delay. 
 It almost seems, dear, as if you might spare a bit more 
 time for us than you do. We may appear greedy, but 
 it is the longing to teach and impress our earthly friends 
 with all that is before them which makes us feel the 
 silence more than we otherwise would. 
 
 " Do not think that I am blaming you for neglect, as 
 I well know all the work you have to do each day. It 
 is simply the craving for speech with you which makes 
 me seem impatient of delay. We still hope for better 
 work in the future. Think of us as often as you can that 
 we may be ever near you. Keep yourself to yourself, 
 yet lend the helping hand where you may. Courage in 
 your daily life is what we come to offer you. 
 
 " Do not lose your hold on this work whatever comes. 
 It would be a great calamity to more than yourself, for 
 this is to be read by many people at no great future date. 
 It may have to be remodeled a bit to serve the general 
 need, that is, some of the minor detail left out, though 
 the original must be kept as proof and reference. We 
 wish to have it finally printed in such manner as will 
 prove welcome and not tiring reading to all, and it is 
 quite a problem when we are so anxious for all to know 
 the ' how ' and ' why ' of the work from the first stutter- 
 ing words to the advanced product of our brains. 
 
 " It is too bad that the general public are so hard to 
 
The Book of Clifford 141 
 
 be convinced of the simplest Truth in the known world 
 — just because it is the unknown world in question, and 
 unknown only through ignorance, superstition and an 
 unwillingness to believe the law of God as He intended; 
 for He did expect the mortal mind to open more freely 
 to His teaching of the beautiful after life. He cannot 
 do all for you — you must help yourselves somewhat 
 to develop the intellect which He has bestowed upon 
 you. Open the windows of your soul — let in the Light 
 and Heavenly Purity and believe the Truth of the Life 
 to come. There is no surer way to happiness than to 
 welcome the good and helpful thoughts we may bring 
 to you regarding it. 
 
 " Open, open to the Light, 
 Make a desperate, winning fight, 
 Accept with all your heart and might, 
 For nothing better, purer e'er could be 
 Than love sent forth so blessedly 
 From God's highest home above the stars, 
 Where all are welcome when the earth they leave 
 To meet the friends who have gone before 
 And live in truth forever more. Amen!" 
 
 May 1st, Sunday, 10.35 a.m. 1921. 
 
 " May the good God be with thee, dear Friend, 
 through all the cares and sorrows which may come to 
 you through mortal life. Keep your face ever to the 
 Light of understanding — think cheerful thoughts. 
 Let not the sorrows of the day blind you to the Light and 
 beauty beyond. There are unhappy moments for every 
 living being who possesses a heart — the greater the 
 heart the greater the pain. Bear in mind that we are 
 
142 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 your comforters if you will concentrate upon us and shut 
 the dim shadows from your mind's eye. 
 
 " It takes much courage, I know, when all things are 
 considered, but you can do it, for you have both 
 mental and bodily strength to help you onward to the 
 great purpose in view. Keep it clearly before you and 
 remember always that what you have lacked in love on 
 earth shall be doubly, yes, more than doubly repaid 
 you in this land of justice and devotion. Ever my 
 Soul hovers over you with the hope that I may bring 
 comfort to you. Let me not feel that I am ever unwel- 
 come to your mind, for mine is the unselfish love and the 
 lasting love, peaceful and pure to the end of time, which 
 means forever, as there is no ' end of Time/ It goes on 
 and on through Eternity, filled with all things of worth 
 and fruitful knowledge to the thinker. 
 
 " Ah, wonder on wonder unfolds as our vision becomes 
 clearer with each helpful thought of another. 
 
 " We preach — we teach — we sing — we pray, 
 It gladdens life through the Eternal Day." 
 
 " Ah friend, it is the beauty of the mind unfolding 
 like the flower. Its fragrance is beyond compare. 
 It surpasseth all mortal understanding, but is clear as 
 the crystal to us in our present state. Onward to the 
 Light. Courage, courage to win the fight. Overcome 
 the sordid mortal sight when it casts shadows before 
 and around you. It is like unto a smoked glass which 
 makes all beauty seem dim and of a same dull tone. 
 Get rid of the impediment as soon as possible that you 
 may behold the world in all its beauty, not ugliness./' 
 
The BooJc of Clifford 143 
 
 May 15th, Sunday, 11 'p.m. 
 
 " Think noble thoughts each day and year, 
 Think cheerful thoughts to help you here, 
 Think kindly thoughts to lift and cheer 
 The weary wanderer on his way, 
 His heart is heavy, his feet of clay 
 Until he sees the Light of Eternal Day, 
 And sheds the husk and grasps the crown 
 Of Truth and Purity which here abound. 
 Ah, think well on these words sincere, 
 Their meaning plain and very clear 
 To all who open to the Light 
 Their hearts and minds in pure delight, 
 To gain the wondrous happiness and love, 
 Which sheds its luster gently as a dove 
 Floats through the summer air to its love, 
 And nestles close and shelters with its mother wing; 
 For such is Heaven love, all kind and true, 
 The spreading glory for all and you." 
 
 " Dear friend, my thoughts flew away from me at the 
 first moment of arrival. The joy of the call made me 
 feel as I used when I jigged about for your benefit to 
 make you laugh at my simple happy moments with you. 
 Think, dear, two years ago this month I left you — ah, 
 what a busy two years it has been for me. I have 
 learned much in the time, as I have been so anxious to 
 make up for lost time, so to speak. It is the same with 
 all here, they all feel the need of mental improvement as 
 soon as possible. 
 
 " The schools, for such we call them, are seats of learn- 
 ing for all who wish to enter, and you may be sure there 
 are no vacant seats; all are filled with happy students 
 who greet all newcomers with a smile and welcome hand. 
 The rough places are all smoothed away here — each 
 
144 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 one pleased and happy at the progression of the other, 
 should he advance more quickly than another. It is all 
 delightful to the last degree. 
 
 " We do not have closed schoolrooms, but open to 
 the breezes. The scent of the flowers come to us and 
 the birds fly about singing and apparently as happy as 
 we. The wonderful trees wave their branches gently 
 and seem to expand as we approach as if they too wel- 
 comed us to their shelter. The brooks and bubbling 
 springs of joy are everywhere, we have but to stoop 
 and gaze into the heart of each one and see untold won- 
 ders there, for as I have before mentioned they reflect 
 many noble deeds of the past and their duty is to keep 
 them ever present with us by bubbling up fresh and 
 clear the beautiful thoughts within them. We gaze 
 upon and learn many things from them — patience, 
 endurance, and everlasting and untiring desire to ' go 
 and do likewise. ' To accomplish such wonderful, 
 kindly acts that we too may feel as a bubbling spring 
 of life, so all may wish to gaze upon and learn from 
 us. 
 
 " The wonder of it all is the great simplicity. The 
 great minds who have come to us of Eternal Day are 
 sweet and untiring in their efforts to lend assistance to 
 the beginner. It is the most beautiful thing to me to 
 behold them. 
 
 " Abraham Lincoln is one of our gentle Spirits — 
 always a gentle man, he has made a gentle Spirit. He 
 will speak with you later as you express the wish to 
 communicate with him direct. He will do his best to 
 answer what questions you will place before him. 
 
The Book of Clifford 145 
 
 " Rest now and try to call us very soon — remember 
 and delay not." 
 
 June 7th, Tuesday, 3.30 p.m. 
 
 " Let thy pencil speed rapidly over the paper today 
 for there is much to be said concerning the Spiritual. 
 ' Time is short, time is short!' Sing those words ever 
 into thine ear. It means mortal time, remember, which 
 should be filled with all that is noble, good and uplifting. 
 
 " My friend, many are they who need this work to 
 read, so keep up courage and before long it will come to 
 the front. When once it does arrive before the public 
 it will soon prove itself, therefore for the sake of those 
 who so much need our help, think ye onward rapidly. 
 The way will be prepared for you, dear friend, for your 
 truthful help to us will stand all tests, bear that in mind. 
 Right will always win in the end. Truth cannot be 
 kept covered forever, it is too powerful and too pure to 
 be kept in darkness. It must have Light, the great 
 Light of which we so often speak, that is God's glory. 
 
 " The little book you are now reading is faithful and 
 sincere. It differs from your work as it has another 
 point of view to offer, that is, to show the variety of degrees 
 of thought and progression. All arrive at the same end 
 or goal, but there are many pathways to God's Highest 
 Home; all are lovely and instructive. There are so 
 many things to learn that it is impossible for one person 
 to live long enough upon earth to repeat all we would 
 say, so we hunt about to find the receptive minds and 
 tell to each as they are best fitted to receive. Some 
 may be of scientific turn, some religious, and others to 
 
146 The "Book of Clifford 
 
 teach more simple and tender thought — all go to make 
 up the great whole of Perfection. So let each receive 
 &sf it comes to him or her; be not impatient, for patience 
 isone of the fundamental bodies upon which to build 
 great^thought] without it none can arrive at the seat 
 of learning of true worth. 
 
 " Behold God seated high upon His throne of Thought: 
 Throughout the ages Patience by His side hath sat. 
 Truth is the background, foreground and center light, 
 No wonder, then, that God is entire in His might.' ' 
 
 " Repeat the above to yourself often, it is inspiring in 
 its awesome vastness, for it covers all time and space. 
 
 " The ' Light of Understanding ' will fall upon all 
 who read and think with care and sincerity. " 
 
 June 8th, Wednesday, 4.30 p.m. 1921 
 
 " The God of thy Fathers above thee doth stand, 
 Holding outstrectched His gentle right hand; 
 Awaken! extend greeting to one so dear, 
 Let Him not feel lack of welcome near, 
 Let Him not stand knocking at any door; 
 Open, oh, open to such Truth, and abhor 
 To doubt when Christ calls unto thee 
 Though His voice is gentle, of soft and low tone 
 It has power to penetrate even a stone; 
 Yet He desires that mortal should hear Him 
 All Soul alone, welcome and trust Him 
 Receiving Him gladly by their own free will." 
 
 July 1st, Friday, 9.40 p.m. 
 
 " We are here tonight, dear friend, to greet you once 
 again after, to us, a long interval of silence. In this case 
 we know and understand most thoroughly the import 
 
The Booh of Clifford 147 
 
 and reason, impossible to be avoided, which led you from 
 us for a while, yet brought you nearer to us, as the help 
 which you extended to your neighbor was such as to 
 strengthen your faith in us and make you more fully 
 believe in the power of God our Father and Friend. 
 
 " The bringing of a new life into the mortal world is 
 wonderful indeed. One goes through the Shadow of 
 Death, so called, to emerge into the beauty of Mother- 
 hood, thereby bringing to oneself the opportunity to 
 guide and cherish a tiny soul unto maturity — watch- 
 ing the growth and expansion of mind in its purity. 
 Oh, that all mothers could but realize this greatest of all 
 privileges bestowed upon them by God, and learn to 
 study and cherish the beautiful gift which has been 
 conferred upon them. Let them realize what it means 
 to mankind to care faithfully and lovingly, for it comes 
 not to every woman to be so blessed with offspring. 
 Ah, to God give thanks if you are the fortunate one and 
 live your life in purity that blessings may follow in your 
 footsteps. 
 
 " God, we thank Thee from our hearts that Thou 
 hast bestowed such blessing upon us. Let us nourish 
 at our breasts the tiny life so graciously placed within 
 the shelter of our arms. Let us endeavor to guard and 
 guide it through mortal life as Thou wouldst have us do, 
 making it grow to worthiness and spiritual helpfulness 
 to all it may encounter through mortal wandering. 
 Oh, that we, the mothers, may be permitted to accom- 
 plish the great work before us with the true spiritual 
 success, as that covers everything in the world to be 
 desired. It brings beauty and goodness close to one 
 
148 The Book of Clifford 
 
 another. It means insight into the beautiful future. 
 So we pray with all our heart and might that we may do 
 Thy bidding as it should be done. Amen! 
 
 " My friend, the above prayer came to me as a fitting 
 answer to many thoughts which I feel to be floating 
 through your mind at present, due to the remarkable 
 experience which you passed through some two weeks 
 since. [I was present at a birth. — L.B.] Now you have 
 witnessed the entrance and departure of the Soul. Is 
 it not wonderful to think on? 
 
 " Please speak with us soon again. Good-night!" 
 
 July 2d, Saturday, 9.30 p.m. 
 
 " As the sands upon the shore are many, as the waves 
 upon the sands repeat themselves o'er and o'er again 
 to make the rise and fall of the tide, so must we repeat 
 ourselves to impress the desire for spiritual thought in 
 abundance, for it means the salvation of the world, 
 which we of the higher Planes thoroughly understand 
 and which we hope and pray you will learn to understand 
 by our teaching. Bear with us patiently, dear friends, 
 if we seem slow with our teaching. There are times 
 when we feel that to go slowly means greater speed 
 later on. 
 
 " We ponder deeply upon each lesson we give to you. 
 We think out the result to the best of our reasoning that 
 we may make no false move to handicap you at the 
 start of the great awakening. We wish to avoid fear 
 in you, so we mean to teach wisely and with care one 
 degree after another until you are advanced enough to 
 
The Book of Clifford 149 
 
 leap ahead in longer strides to the fountain of spiritual 
 knowledge." 
 
 July 5th, Tuesday, 9.40 p.m. 
 
 "We bring much cheer with us this evening and wel- 
 come with open heart and arms all your dear thoughts 
 of us, which we return tenfold and blessed by all, for 
 all kindly thought of us, whether directed to one or more, 
 spreads itself upon and about us all; kindness expands, 
 therefore we are able to gather about us many grains 
 which have become so enlarged in this heavenly atmos- 
 phere that they fill it with their beauty. 
 
 " Does it not prove to you the importance, then, of 
 kindly thought in large quantities? Be not afraid to 
 share kindness with all whom you may encounter. It 
 all adds to the beauty of life: it encourages and com- 
 forts at all times. Remember always that the kindly 
 word is a gift such as God would have you bestow upon 
 all. It is free as air to everyone who will recognize it, 
 therefore embrace it and treat it with loving respect. 
 
 " Ah, how we long to tell you everything we are doing 
 as we advance. Our progress (yours and mine) does 
 not appear rapid of late, but I know that you are advanc- 
 ing mentally and receiving our signals more quickly. 
 We must not be over-anxious, but calm and thoughtful 
 to acquire success with the work between us. 
 
 " We float about with joy flooding our beings at the 
 mere thought that you can hear and understand us. 
 It is such happiness that we long for all mortals to realize 
 the same happiness as is ours." 
 
150 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 July 6th, 10.50 p.m., Wednesday 
 
 " Think deeply, speak sincerely to hold our thought 
 within your grasp. Let not idle tongues mar your 
 faith in anything good or of value to you, for if they do 
 injustice to you in thought or speech, it means naught 
 to us, your real and true friends; rather we will make 
 you the more welcome among us when you come to join 
 us, and it is with joy that I say that it is not so very long 
 hence. 
 
 " We are preparing your home for you, dear, such a 
 one as you would wish, among the flowers and the little 
 children, who will love you beyond words. I shall be 
 by your side to guide you through the transition. God 
 has granted that dear privilege to me so that I, in 
 thankfulness, may teach you the gentle ways of God 
 and His Glory. Ah, my friend, it is with happiness 
 and joy that I look forward to the greeting. My love 
 for you has been so true and strong through every 
 degree that it is always a hope and encouragment to me, 
 for I hope to show you much improvement in myself 
 when you see me as I am today in my improved form. 
 I float now as a feather upon the breeze. I no longer 
 feel any earthly handicaps, but may travel miles upon 
 miles in a second's time without the slightest weariness 
 touching or clinging to my form. We are wondrous 
 blessed in this way, for we may accomplish much greater 
 things by swift flight through various spheres. 
 
 " Rapidly we float away 
 But not beyond recall 
 For our mission ever is 
 To hear the earthly call, 
 
The Boole of Clifford 151 
 
 That we may help our human friends 
 
 And lead them to the Light 
 Where all is filled with holiness 
 
 And strength to do the right; 
 And naught of fear may enter in, 
 
 Nor shadow mar one's sight, 
 For God and Truth are hand in hand 
 
 To greet you when you come 
 Into this heavenly atmosphere 
 
 And sing the grand Amen." 
 
 July 7th, 4.55 'p.m., Thursday 
 
 " Dear friend of earth, we thank thee from our 'hearts 
 for thy belief and trust in us. Your love is nourishment 
 to our Souls. We feed upon it as a fruit of holy origin. 
 Its substance enhances life here; so could one and all 
 of earth but realize how important their love is to the 
 future life, I feel sure that many who have passed on 
 would not be so soon forgotten by loved ones of earth. 
 It is true that we depend much upon your thought of 
 us, for our love is so strong and true that we feel the 
 need of response, or at least an echo of that love. 
 
 " May God above bless you all and help you to gain 
 your spiritual eyesight for the good of us all, mortal and 
 spiritual. 
 
 " Keep your mind free from the clouds of the day by 
 true thought of us and the great possibilities which 
 abound about you. Open, oh, open thy minds for us 
 to enter in, dear ones; remember we cannot force our- 
 selves into your hearts, we must wait until we are wel- 
 come; then we clasp you to us with joy unbounded 
 for we know the good work has begun in earnest. 
 
 " Love us all as we love you and the mortal world 
 
152 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 will become more beautiful to every mortal gaze and 
 mental vision. It must, must, must come soon, this 
 awakening to our presence among you, and our struggles 
 to make ourselves felt and realized must cause notice, 
 otherwise how shall we ever reach the heights of Spiritual- 
 ism which we hope to attain? 
 
 " It is the most beautiful study in the world, for it 
 embraces all that is of true worth. It is the science of 
 Christianity, and upon it all of true worth is founded. 
 So heed us that we may come to you, bringing fresh 
 beauties each day until your minds overflow with joy 
 at the thought of our presence, and we shall be welcomed 
 as we should be and long to be, your better self at all 
 times guiding you successfully to the great Truths 
 which will expand before your gaze. 
 
 " Think on this subject, dear friends, until it becomes 
 a welcome one to you, for it will surely be so if you are 
 sincere in your wish for help direct from Heaven — the 
 fount of all that can possibly be desired by the pure 
 heart." 
 
 July 27th, Wednesday, 2.55 p.m. 
 
 " Daughter, O my daughter, 
 Hold out thy hands to me; 
 Count not the mortal cares 
 Against my love for thee; 
 For it is true and lasting, 
 This love beyond the grave, 
 And despite all earthly strife 
 Will lead you on and upward 
 To the true Eternal Life; 
 For naught can hinder Love 
 When it lights the way to home, 
 
The Booh of Clifford 153 
 
 And naught may hinder Faith 
 
 When Truth beside it stands 
 
 To guard and guide thee onward 
 
 To the 'great and glorious Light. 
 
 So put thy trust in us, dear one, 
 
 And thank God this day for hope, — 
 
 'Tis Truth and Faith and Love, dear heart, 
 
 And mother's blessing on you all." 
 
 September 6th, Tuesday, 9.30 p.m. 
 
 (Note. Thirty minutes taking this message in verse. — L. B. 
 Their meaning of the word "Amen" is: Highest praise to God.) 
 
 " Oh, precious one, my love for thee 
 Is greater, yes, tenfold greater 
 
 Than of old. 
 I love thee for thy help to me, 
 I love thee for the trials of the 
 
 Body and the soul 
 Which come to thee, dear friend, 
 And grasp thee in their hold, 
 
 So strong and cruel. 
 Heed them not, but pray instead 
 That God may guide thee straight ahead 
 
 To the Light. 
 He is the one to guide thee from 
 All that is evil and of harm, 
 
 Now and always; 
 Let prayerful thoughts to Him arise, 
 Let thanks ascend with happy cries 
 
 To His listening ear. 
 Be cheerful, bright and happy always; 
 Insist that life is beautiful to the end, 
 
 And make the start ahead; 
 For all things great and noble, worthy of success, 
 Pass through the fire of doubt and trouble, 
 
 More or less; 
 Thus causing temper to appear, as in fine steel; 
 The lagging feet, nor steps which reel 
 
 Can find no place. 
 This means advancement to the higher thought, — 
 
154 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 It means success to all of worthiness 
 
 Thus dearly bought: 
 It means Life Eternal, glorious and bright, 
 Where Hope and Faith both have the right 
 
 To lead thee straight 
 To God on high, upon His throne of Truth, 
 Where Justice sits beside Him, tall and white; 
 
 They smile on thee 
 And courage straightway comes to thee, 
 Ambition and desire for all good deeds of worth 
 
 To help thee onward. 
 And marching onward through this Land of Light, 
 Gaining knowledge, gaining might, 
 
 You thank thy God 
 For the great mercy which He hath shown 
 To thee and thine, from home to home 
 
 Amid the stars. 
 Ah, God, dear God, my cry to Thee 
 Ever and always will surely be: 
 
 Make me worthy 
 Of thy goodness and everlasting mercy; 
 Teach me, dear Father and faithful Friend, 
 
 How to thank and say ' Amen!' " 
 
 September 7th, 1921. 
 
 "THE DOUBTER'S FATE." 
 
 " The thinker and the doubter 
 
 Face to face will meet; 
 The doubter trembles, stumbles, 
 
 Then falls beneath the feet, 
 No more to rise and thrust 
 
 His foolish thoughts abroad; 
 How God and Spirit Truth are things 
 
 To shun and scoff about. 
 Ah, poor foolish mortal, can you still 
 
 Doubt, when Truth comes forward 
 And claims the stand which God has built 
 
 For him throughout the land?" 
 
The Booh of Clifford 155 
 
 September 9th, Friday, 9.15 p.m. 
 
 "Cliffie dear!" 
 
 " Yes, my friend, I am here. I flash myself to you 
 on the instant, passing through and by the stars like a 
 dart from heaven whenever I hear my name upon thy 
 lips. We have much to say this evening so I hope 
 that you will be able to receive well as we would have. 
 
 " The wondrous beauty of the home appeals to me 
 this night. It is with glad and loving thought that I 
 describe my joy and some of the beauties. Great and 
 beautiful trees shade our home, their perfumed flowers 
 shedding fragrance in and about the interior as no earthly 
 flowers could. There are birds and happy children 
 about everywhere within the garden which surrounds the 
 home, for all are welcome to each home here. Such a 
 thing as a fence was never needed in this fair land. Ah, 
 no! no need of that obstruction. We are generous with 
 what is ours. Everything is open to the fragrant wind 
 that blows. You will so love it that it will almost be 
 a pain at first. 
 
 " The soft and beautiful Light glinting here and there 
 amid the soft shadows of the building. You ask of 
 what material it is made? Why, Love of course, dear 
 Friend, the whole structure is the l Concrete of Love.' 
 The essence of ' True Worth ' has cemented all the parts, 
 and large, ample rooms appear as by magic on all sides, 
 whenever we have use for them. 
 
 " The children of many nations will be our constant 
 friends, as we will teach them many beautiful and help- 
 ful things, and they in turn will help us in many ways 
 as yet unknown to you. They are so tender and true 
 
156 The Book of Clifford 
 
 at all times ; they laugh and sing the whole time through ; 
 their lessons they learn with a smile, and the smile helps 
 all who gaze upon it. 
 
 " Well for him who welcomes the child unto his heart, 
 for within the little breast is to be found the way, short 
 and straight, to God's Kingdom." 
 
 Sept. 12th, Monday, 4.10 p.m. 1921. 
 
 " A WORD OF THE FAIRIES." 
 
 " Over the dewy fields at dawn 
 We skim as lightly as the fawn; 
 As the sun arises, the flight is higher, 
 It goes faster and faster through the dells, 
 Through the fern, so moist and sweet, 
 Through the woods where the moss is deep; 
 On to the tree tops, tall and straight, 
 Then on again to heaven's gate; 
 Ah, the rush and whir of the gauze-like wings 
 Make music sweeter than mortal sings, 
 As the Fairies gather and swarm above, 
 Their sweet little voices filled with love; 
 Oh! who can doubt their presence sweet, 
 Or the tinkle of bells on their gleaming feet? 
 Not I, for I long to believe it true 
 That Fairies still live to cheer us mortals 
 In all that we find on earth to do; 
 Be it worthy of trusty fairy love 
 It cannot harm, nor lead astray, 
 For it is Truth and bright as the day 
 To those who see and would have them stay." 
 
 September llfli, Wednesday, 3.50 p.m. 
 
 " Dear friend, thou hast an audient ear today, so we 
 pray that our voices may be of interest to you. We feel 
 such happiness that you make us so welcome upon each 
 
The Book of Clifford 157 
 
 visit. Try not to go to sleep though, as you sometimes 
 do before we have finished our message. However, 
 the very fact that what we tell you proves soothing and 
 sleep-engendering should admit the fact of a non-exis- 
 tent power to upset and befuddle a sane mind. It is 
 with pride and joy that we say this, for it is a foreword 
 to all who think. 
 
 " A power which sooths and instructs at the same time 
 is a God-given power, not one of mortal manufacture. 
 Mortal instruction is tiring to nerves and body alike, 
 whereas spiritual instruction from the Spirits above has 
 an uplifting and buoyant effect upon tired nerves, — 
 that is, if accepted in the right way, not the foolish, ig- 
 norant and spasmodic grasping out for that which seems 
 weird and supernatural, with the hope of seeing and 
 learning things which are of no concern to mortal being. 
 
 " Leave it to the Spirit who guides you to know best 
 what is good for you to know, while there is a limit to 
 your vision. After the vision, or as the vision broadens, 
 so will your guide and teacher tell you more and more 
 beautiful knowledge. 
 
 " Ah, to the thinker cometh all things; 
 He of true heart heareth the Spirit sing 
 Of kindly deeds, both great and small, 
 Where life broadens out to the higher call 
 And the Spirit expands and embraces all 
 That is worthy, in this world, also the next; 
 He will be given a grand, golden text 
 By our Father in Heaven and by Him be blest, 
 That he may teach near and far through the land 
 Of Truth on the highway and Truth on the shore; 
 'Twill be a message to rush through the ocean's roar, 
 East, South, North and West it will soar, 
 
158 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 A great and kind message which is heavenly blest 
 
 Of how Love and Truth go hand in hand 
 
 To the far away country of Nobody's Land, 
 
 Where restless the Souls of wrong-doers stray, 
 
 Till purification awakens them to Eternal Day; 
 
 Then Love and Truth will lead them away 
 
 To thoughts full of hope and of God on high, 
 
 And they thank Him and bless Him and happily cry 
 
 To all whom they meet on their flight through the sky; 
 
 Gratitude never will cease on their part, 
 
 That God gave them power of cleansing their heart 
 
 Of all that was unworthy of spiritual thought. 
 
 Ah, thanks be to God for this triumph so great, 
 
 And the permit to pass freely through His holy gate. 
 
 Amen to Him, King of the Heavenly band; 
 
 Amen to Him of the dear, kindly hand; 
 
 Amen to Him, who is God on High, 
 
 And Amen to Him of the all-seeing eye." 
 
 " ' The Goal of Life ' — What meaneth it — do 
 you know? How many really know the true meaning 
 of the words and live up to them, or even try to do so? 
 Let all think, think and think, then try their utmost to 
 follow such an exquisite example, for the l Goal of Life ' 
 means Heaven's highest honor bestowed upon a Soul — 
 acceptance into the complete home where all is love and 
 happiness forevermore. Where tears of sorrow have 
 never entered; where all is of the kindliest that is known 
 upon either heaven or earth." 
 
 " How, then, with such a goal ahead may mortal man 
 despair, either of his present needs or the needs beyond 
 the grave, for is this not all that could be wished for? 
 
 " Again we say, 'Amen to the Highest of the High/ 
 and offer thanks from all to Him, our Father and our 
 King." 
 
The Book of Clifford 159 
 
 Sept. 14th, Wednesday, 7.80 p.m. 
 
 " Let us continue a little longer, Friend Bernie, with 
 our talk of today. 
 " Brighter, brighter grows the night, 
 
 A million stars within thy sight 
 
 Form a crescent arch of milky white; 
 
 A million worlds among those stars, 
 
 A billion souls within each world; 
 
 A trillion thoughts within those souls; 
 
 All thinking how to do the right, 
 
 All striving hard with heart and might 
 
 To help each mortal when he takes the flight 
 
 From earth to higher Planes of thought, 
 
 Where all is restful, peace and joy, 
 
 And one finds gold without alloy 
 
 And all think kindness of their friends, 
 
 And try to teach and make amends 
 
 For all which in the mortal flesh did gall 
 
 And cripple spirit thought, and rend 
 
 The heart in twain with bitter tears. 
 
 All that is past and gone, to them who dwell on high, 
 Naught but happiness and joy untold 
 May fill the space where Spirits float 
 Amid the purity and the Light 
 Which sheds its glory through the sky, 
 Transforming all to Truth and might." 
 
 ' Ah, dear mortal friends, we love ye, one and all; 
 we pray to God for an eternity of patience to deal with 
 you, — if such be the need, — but I feel happiness to 
 say that such length of time will not be needed. Come 
 ye one and all to us mentally, that we may overshadow 
 thy life with all that is helpful and good. Be not afraid 
 to ask our help, for to each and every soul upon earth 
 we would gladly feel ourselves welcome that we might 
 then have their full trust and love. Love, the greatest 
 
160 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 and purest thing God ever made. True love is a glory 
 unto itself. It beautifies all that it shines upon. It 
 maketh the heart light and life's burdens become light- 
 ened wherever it touches the clean mind. Keep your- 
 self open to its beauty and welcome it when it comes, 
 for it does come to each and every one during the brief 
 period of earthly existence. Let it create a desire for 
 the highest thought, let it strengthen your purpose for 
 all good work. It is a wonderful power, therefore let 
 it be for the good of mankind. 
 
 " Love, the most beautiful of the heavenly gifts, 
 teach us, we pray, thy truth; let us think of thee ever 
 as a gift of God and, by so doing, keep our hearts clean 
 and pure at all times. Amen!" 
 
 September 16th, Friday, 240 p.m. 
 
 " Dear friend, this glorious day on earth is a heaven- 
 sent blessing to you all. Clear and breezy the air from 
 the North. The waves dashing with pleasant splash- 
 ings upon the great beach of sand, blending their loud 
 murmurings with the restless and swaying branches of 
 the evergreens which fringe the shore and extend back 
 into the deep, dark woods. The coolness of their shade 
 should bring pleasant memories to all who enter among 
 them. The tall fern so thickly growing, the deep moss 
 so green and soft, both add to the purity of it all. 
 
 " No wonder when you are so blessed in your woodland 
 home, that you should hear our voices more quickly 
 than were you penned within a city dwelling, as you are 
 a child of nature, preferring the wild, and happier for 
 the freedom of country life in its full meaning. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 161 
 
 "To be so near to God is a great blessing, for God 
 loves nature as nature, to so great an extent that all is 
 beautified by His loving thought of it. The tiniest bug 
 or worm which crawls is beautiful in its own little way, 
 for God has breathed upon it a thought at some time. 
 There is nothing in all the Universe which He has not 
 given thought to with all His great loving Truth: yet 
 poor feeble man goes on and ever on, disregarding this 
 great principle; ever in the darkness of his egotistical 
 and self-centered thought of self, regardless of the many 
 manifestations of God Almighty about him on all sides. 
 
 " His eyes blinded to the beauty without, make him 
 unable to perceive the way to acquire beauty within 
 his own being, which might so easily be developed could 
 he once open his mind freely to God and not try so hard 
 to deny a power greater than his puny own. Let him 
 remember that God made him, as well as the entire 
 Universe, therefore, with the power of God behind and 
 before him, should he not try to realize what an unlimited 
 expanse of thought is his if he will be but willing to culti- 
 vate his gifts from on high? 
 
 " Ah man, poor man, the greatest doubter of the 
 Universe: He who considers himself superior and above 
 all the animal kingdom, is still the least advanced — 
 according to his reasoning power — of all the animal 
 kingdom. Take this as I mean it, dear friends: You 
 are enfeebled mentally until you learn to admit and 
 cherish the spiritual side of your nature. You must do 
 that to truly mount to the top of success, for success 
 does not simply mean a monied success, or the success- 
 ful career, so called. It means success of a thoughtful 
 
162 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 mind, and that success is the true spiritual success, for 
 a truly thoughtful mind always embraces Spiritualism 
 in all its generous and uplifting form. 
 
 " As the mind mounts higher for thought, so must it 
 improve, for does not everything, even to the naked 
 eye, become more beautified to a more or less degree as 
 seen from a height? Does not the atmospheric beauty 
 become greater? Do not all things become clearer and 
 more beautiful as the mists of fog roll away and allow 
 the sun to shed its glory upon all? 
 
 Dear friends, so it is; believe me. As the mists clear 
 before you and you allow your mental vision to soar 
 upward, you will learn the true meaning of ' Truth and 
 success/ not before, as it is not possible. That is why 
 we continually cry unto you: ' Think onward and 
 upward.' " 
 
 September 16th, Friday, 10.15 p.m. 
 
 " As the mists roll and melt away before thy gaze, 
 As the beauties before thee gather in splendor with the 
 
 rising sun; 
 So dear friend, doth the mind expand as thoughts wing 
 
 upward. 
 Teach thyself to know that God is the great Truth — 
 Thus preparing thyself for the beauties beyond the 
 
 grave; 
 Let thy Spirit friends guide thee aright, 
 Let thy heart have full trust in them that love thee 
 With a love which will endure through all the ages. 
 The beauty and truth of everlasting day will be thine; 
 Oh, pray to God often and with sincere faith, 
 And thy vision will soon learn to cleave the mists 
 And stretch away beyond the stars for hope and com- 
 fort. 
 No earthly friend may prepare thy mind as God will, 
 
The Booh of Clifford 163 
 
 No earthly friend may tell thee aught of Heaven; 
 The spirit voices only may murmur these things to 
 
 thee: 
 Life, Hope, Love, the great trinity, for they mean God. 
 God is the great and entire essence of our being; 
 That part of it which makes all pure and good; 
 Therefore let all unworthiness be crowded out; 
 Let naught but purity and worthiness enter thy soul, 
 That gift of God over which He yearneth ever 
 For thee to love and appreciate to its full 
 The great depth of feeling which it may contain, 
 The wondrous amount of beauty within itself, 
 So that you may learn to offer it to others 
 To lift and help forward any stumbling soul ye may 
 
 meet. 
 This is a work blessed by God and His angels; 
 It means the acceptance of God into thyself, 
 It means the attainment of a perfect life 
 Where the tongue of mankind forgets all power of evil 
 Against friend or foe, sparing them all unkindly thought, 
 Regardless of the slander they may have done to thee; 
 Close thy mind to their imperfections, and pity them 
 If they fall behind thee in thy flight to higher Planes 
 Pity them and lend the helping hand where e'er ye can ; 
 Think not harshly of their wrong and thoughtless word, 
 For as the dear Christ said so long ago: 
 They know not what they do.' 
 And as the Christ of to-day still says : 
 'Forgive, that ye may be forgiven.' 
 Love, or at least try hard to love all for my sake; 
 My children, one and all, I beseech thee, love in a 
 
 Christly way; 
 It is the one great, true aim in life — now and always. 
 
 Amen!" 
 
164 The Book of Clifford 
 
 September 19th, 10.45 p.m. 
 
 " Winging onward, far and near, 
 Hark to me, my friend so dear: 
 Help all forward, never fear, 
 Should they mistake thy meaning clear; 
 It will follow and adhere 
 To some portion of their mind, 
 And will explain itself in time. 
 You cannot think for others, dear, 
 You can but pass the thought to their ear; 
 Then if theirs be the thoughtful mind, 
 Spirit growth and things divine 
 Will enter quickly to that mind ; 
 But where the thought is slow to form 
 You must have patience to help them on. 
 Never flag in your efforts to advance, 
 Never chide those who have missed the chance 
 To improve their inner selves, for perchance 
 Had they have known what you have learned, 
 Many miles ahead they might have been; 
 One can never tell till they have tried, 
 Just how far their thought can fly; 
 
 1 Urge them on ' is what we cry ; 
 Fail not to grasp all hope and truth ; 
 These two sting not as a serpent's tooth, 
 They but make thy daily life more beautiful.' ' 
 
 Note. Too sleepy for anything more. L. B. 
 
 September 2d, Sunday, 9.35 p.m. 
 
 " We are here with you, dear friend, on this dark and 
 stormy night to give thanks with you for the welcome 
 rain. Our thoughts were ever on the wing at these 
 times, for I see that your love for the warring elements 
 still continues as ever. The wind, the rain, the howling 
 snowstorm, all bring thoughts to you from your Friends 
 above, so let us hasten forward tonight and gather unto 
 ourselves a few helpful thoughts of the hereafter. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 165 
 
 " welcome thought! How true it is that all of earth 
 crave for this thought as you and I have felt it, yet they 
 hardly dare as yet to welcome openly that which in their 
 hearts they most truly desire — ' a surety of an after- 
 life/ Here we are, to prove our words. We linger 
 among you with the hope that you will discover us. 
 The feeling of joy which fills our beings when you do 
 gain knowledge of our presence is beautiful to behold. 
 Cultivate the thought of us as much as you possibly can, 
 and almost before you know it the thought will become 
 a fact to you, and one of the greatest factors in your 
 earthly existence. 
 
 " We repeat ourselves often I know, but that is to 
 form an indelible impression upon your mind, which will 
 in time cause you to wonder much and think more, 
 thus bringing yourselves nearer to us with each thought. 
 Each and every thought from us is true and kind, there- 
 fore let every thought from you in our direction bring 
 us Truth and kindness in return. 
 
 " Page after page you write as we dictate — word 
 for word you have faithfully repeated, with seldom a 
 slip. Let others try to do likewise that they may learn 
 wisdom from us — that they may learn patience as they 
 concentrate and try to live up to that teaching. It 
 will relieve many a wondering and wandering Soul if 
 those of earth will but believe what we say and think 
 kindly thoughts more freely. Other things do not 
 count without them, for life cannot be complete without 
 kindly thought. It is godly in its strength and might 
 for good. All are welcome within the sheltering embrace 
 
166 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 of kindness. All are welcome within the shelter of 
 Goodness and Love. The grand trinity again! 
 
 " The ever-increasing hope of success is ours when we 
 feel that all are beginning to believe these simple, truth- 
 ful words. Sow them to the four winds of earth that 
 they may take root in many hearts of many climes; 
 For such is the wish of our Heavenly Father ever and 
 always. 
 
 " The weary wanderer who reaps a harvest of repentant 
 tears 
 Should cast aside such sad unhappy fears; 
 They cannot help, nor lead him on 
 As loving God has ever done; 
 They cannot make him see the Light, 
 For they but blind the mortal sight, 
 And hinder Hope and dim that light 
 Which could shine forth so clear and bright, 
 Were it made welcome with pure delight." 
 
 September 28th, Wednesday, p.m. 
 
 " Pray to God often that everlasting peace may 
 enter into thy true self." 
 
 " Think thoughts above the earthly Plane to bring 
 comfort to the sad heart." 
 
 " Aspire to godliness by truthful living. It is the 
 only way to succeed." 
 
 " True success means the entrance into the mind of 
 the Holy Spirit." 
 
 " All that which is good and true is welcomed by 
 God in His home, therefore strive for purity that ye 
 may be a welcome guest." 
 
The Booh of Clifford 167 
 
 " A motto is a thing which should be truthful, that 
 one may live by it without fear of mistake." 
 
 " Let all maxims explain themselves clearly and sin- 
 cerely, then they will be of assistance to them that read." 
 
 " A pure thought awakens sincerity in the objective 
 mind sooner or later, so think the pure thought often 
 that the response may become a speedy one." 
 
 " Thinking sincerely means to the mind what deep 
 breathing means to the lungs." 
 
 " Kind and loving thought should affect the heart 
 as April showers affect the budding plants." 
 
 " Many words are thoughtless. Try to cure such a 
 mental weakness that you may become of more interest 
 to your fellow-men." 
 
 " Chide not them who are of seemingly weaker in- 
 tellect than yourself, for it is quite possible that their 
 heart may feel more kindness to a fellow-creature than 
 your own." 
 
 " Try to bear all burdens which are placed upon you, 
 with a smiling face, for God knows just how much your 
 back will bear, also what your share is to be. He has 
 a reason — remember!" 
 
 " Do not inquire into that reason as we are not sup- 
 posed to know all that God knows. He is the Perfect 
 General, so let us try to follow, not guide Him." 
 
 " Life is a strange thing to many, insomuch as they 
 cannot see it all at once, as they would wish to. It will 
 become more clear to them when they learn patience." 
 
 " There are clear, bubbling springs within the bowels 
 of the earth. Hunt for them within your heart, for 
 they are there." 
 
168 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " The word ' Friendship ' is carelessly used in many 
 cases. Make it more sincere each day that it may 
 become more filled with beautiful meaning." 
 
 " Each and every soul aspires to Truth if it be given 
 its original freedom. It is mortal, not God who places 
 the handicap upon it." 
 
 " Thinking of a beautiful Future Life will always 
 bring happy results to a weary mind. Try it." 
 
 " Tears shed in sympathy for another always bring 
 relief to one's own heart." 
 
 " The cloak of Charity is a garment which fits many 
 forms. See to it that it covers Truth, not Hypocrisy." 
 
 " All things in this world should be of interest to man, 
 as God placed them here to be of benefit to him." 
 
 "A simple, truthful heart is in a direct line of vision 
 with God. To be simple does not necessarily mean to 
 be foolish or ignorant. One cannot be truly great 
 mentally without being simple. Study the thought." 
 
 Note. In reading over the manuscript the thought came to me that 
 as so many passages made beautiful maxims, it might be a good idea to 
 assemble them. This evening I asked Clifford if he would wish to add 
 to them. As answer, all of the above and following came as rapidly as I 
 could write them, without a thought in advance of any word. L.B. 
 
 September 30th, Friday, 9.50 p.m. 
 
 " Everlasting good will come to them who gainsay 
 us not, for we are Truth, and Truth rules the future 
 worlds." 
 
 " ' Think of us often ' is our prayer, for we are God's 
 messengers who would so willingly lead you forth to 
 better things were we but given the chance to do so." 
 
 " To love in the true sense of the word is to welcome 
 
The Book of Clifford 169 
 
 God into thy heart. Open the door that He may not 
 be kept standing on the outer side." 
 
 " Think often of thy neighbor in a generous, kindly 
 way. He may not respond, but God will, and bless 
 you for the kindly thought to a fellow-creature." 
 
 " Jealous and avaricious thought is foreign to God's 
 teaching. Weed it out and give that space to Truth 
 and Sincerity." 
 
 " Be not blind to the fault of others, yet chide not. 
 Take unto thyself an object lesson and do otherwise." 
 
 " When the heart hath the true Christian spirit within, 
 it will be easy to extend the helping hand to all who may 
 have need of it." 
 
 " Pray sincerely and with love in your heart if you 
 would be heard by the Heavenly Father. His hearing 
 is ever keen for truthful thought and speech." 
 
 " Truth and Justice are two of the great factors of 
 life. Do not cheat either of them out of a place in your 
 heart." 
 
 " A bargain with an honest man is easy. A bargain 
 with a dishonest man always proves difficult of settle- 
 ment. Which are you?" 
 
 " If you make a promise, keep it; for a broken prom- 
 ise, however slight, puts the gall of distrust into the heart 
 of the offended." 
 
 " If you go through life trying to do as you would be 
 done by, you may be done by others; but the reward 
 from above will come in time, great enough to repair 
 all damage done to you." 
 
 " A gift is a token, so make it worthy of acceptance 
 by accompanying it with a loving thought." 
 
170 The Book of Clifford 
 
 " A thoughtful silence several times each day, if only 
 for a few moments, will bring you nearer to your Maker, 
 therefore rest to the tired mind. Try it once at least." 
 
 " To all those who would succeed there must be 
 thought expended in sincerity; otherwise success is 
 valueless, for there has been something lacking." 
 
 " When you think, do not be afraid to use your entire 
 mind. It was given you for a thinking purpose." 
 
 " Whenever you have cause to complain of your 
 neighbor, figure in your own mind how much cause he 
 has to complain of you. It will simplify matters greatly." 
 
 " How to be true! How to be honest! Two great 
 questions of the day and age. The answer is simple — 
 Pray sincerely for help from God. He will teach you 
 how to be both honest and true if you will give Him full 
 trust." 
 
 " If you are dishonest and try to cover yourself in 
 non-permanent colors, you will as surely be discovered 
 as would a poor cake when the beautiful frosting is cut 
 away, leaving deception exposed to view. Be careful 
 of the ingredients you use to make up your daily life." 
 
 " To keep your mind clean as well as your body, you 
 must bathe it in refreshing thought. There are many 
 that hath need of it. Inspect yourself, do you need a 
 mental house-cleaning?" 
 
 " Some maxims may seem severe, but is there not an 
 old saying, that at times one must be cruel to be kind? 
 There are many medicines which smart and tingle for 
 a time, but soon all pain is relieved by the appliance of 
 them." 
 
 " We all ' hope for the best/ so let us all ' live for the 
 
The Booh of Clifford 171 
 
 best ' that is in us ; then it will be a pleasure to be among 
 the multitudes we are obliged to meet through life." 
 
 " Think of others as kindly as you do of yourself and 
 there will be no doubt but you will recognize Charity 
 whenever you meet her." 
 
 " May the God above bless you all, and may you in 
 return thank Him for the many gifts which you have 
 accepted of Him." 
 
 October 2d, Sunday, 9.30 p.m. 
 
 " Let all kindly thought flow through you in a tran- 
 quil manner. Abrupt thought has a tendency to jar, 
 in place of sooth." 
 
 " As before saipl, all kindly thought is blessed by God 
 — therefore let thyself be often blessed if you would 
 feel continual peace of mind." 
 
 " The untroubled surface of water is more soothing to 
 gaze upon than a roughened and disturbed surface. Is 
 it not true likewise that a tranquil face, reflecting kindly 
 thought, is infinitely more pleasing to gaze upon, than a 
 troubled or angry one?" 
 
 " Mental and physical beauty together make a won- 
 derful combination. If you are not blessed with a perfect 
 body and beautiful face, cultivate your mind to such an 
 extent that all who gaze upon you will forget the imper- 
 fection in admiration for the Soul which shines forth 
 from you." 
 
 " Thinking of oneself as a helpful factor to mankind 
 maketh a man truly great — if he live up to his thought." 
 
 " The birds sing because they are happy and free. 
 The natural song of the human should be in form of 
 
172 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 prayer of thankfulness when he experiences something 
 which makes him very happy. " 
 
 " That does not necessarily mean that one must re- 
 peat a set prayer. It means that whatever song you 
 sing should have a prayerful thought within it to perfect 
 it." 
 
 " No one man knows everything. There must be a 
 dMsibn of thought upon many subjects to make one 
 grand composite of thought. There is but one subject 
 in all the world which should have complete unison of 
 mind. That subject is God." 
 
 " A happy face will usually prove a good reflector. 
 Try it often and you will see that it works well in most 
 cases." 
 
 "To be idle in mind is a much worse calamity than 
 to be idle of body, if indulged in too often." 
 
 " Little fishes live in the deep, also do great fishes 
 live in the same waters, each and every one having their 
 place. It is the same with mortal kind. Each have 
 their space to fill, let them do it as naturally as the fishes 
 do." 
 
 " Full well thou knowest that thy Soul is a gift of God. 
 Therefore make it worthy of the giver." 
 
 " Think a kindly thought at least once a day. That 
 seems very little to do in return for all the kind thought 
 you would be willing to receive." 
 
 " Many are sad and lonely because they do not under- 
 stand the spiritual awakening. If you have seen the 
 Light, try to help others to see and be guided by it, for 
 it is the greatest comfort of the world. Its name is 
 1 Truthful Hope.' 
 
The Book of Clifford 173 
 
 " Maxims are easily written; let us hope that they 
 will be easily understood and carefully remembered." 
 
 " Try ever to use thy mind in an intelligent manner 
 so that the problems of life will be made easy for you." 
 
 " Be not afraid of kindly speech — use it often. It 
 will bring you in a happy harvest before you end your 
 days upon earth, I feel sure." 
 
 October 3d, Monday, 9.15 p.m. 
 
 " To hear clearly and think wisely are two great assets 
 in your daily life. Make good use of them, that they 
 may benefit you to the full extent of their power." 
 
 " If kindness and loving thought are the main springs 
 of life, make much of them, that the springs may grow 
 into large rivers of helpfulness." 
 
 " Book learning is one thing, spiritual learning another. 
 Both are helpful to every one of nature's human beings." 
 
 " Listening carefully to thoughts within thy mind 
 will help you to understand yourself and us far better 
 than an outward lesson from another. Try to believe 
 this — you will improve as you study. Believe the 
 truth of what we say." 
 
 " The rain falls pitter-pat upon the roof. The sublime 
 thought of God falls about and upon you. Absorb it 
 as the earth absorbs the raindrops, and feel refreshed 
 by so doing." 
 
 " All good is a manifestation of God's power over you. 
 Knowing this, can you wish to other than continue 
 onward to more good work?" 
 
 " Oh, to think on the beauties beyond the grave and 
 the wonder of it all. Live that thought in your daily 
 
174 The Book of Clifford 
 
 life that you may bring comfort to those who know 
 you." 
 
 " The higher thought ever hath an uplifting influence 
 upon the human mind." 
 
 " Let those who would advance mentally take heed 
 of the class of thought they think, and the quality of the 
 mind will develop accordingly." 
 
 " All thought, if sincere, is of benefit; that is, all 
 pure thought, for in truth the evil thought can never 
 be sincere. It may predominate for a time, but it will 
 cower before the Truth." 
 
 " The greatest and the simplest thought is sublime; 
 for a thought of such extremes can only mean God." 
 
 " Fly the ' Banner of Truth ' before the multitude 
 that they may see and learn to love the words thereon: 
 ' Trust in God for He is the entire Truth, ever and 
 always.' " 
 
 " Living according to God's commandments is a great 
 achievement. The stronger the faith the easier the 
 achievement. Try it." 
 
 " Can you in all sincerity say that you are trying to 
 make the best possible use of your life?" 
 
 " Would you exchange places with the richest man 
 in the world, if you knew that he did not appreciate 
 his Maker, nor have faith? While you were, oh, so poor 
 in wordly goods, but had great faith and trust in God? 
 I think not." 
 
 " Every one has the privilege to think freely, though 
 he may not always be given the privilege to speak as 
 freely; therefore condense and speak to the point, not 
 around it." 
 
The Book of Clifford 175 
 
 " The fond hope of every mother is to see her boy at 
 the head of the nation. If he is not at the head of his 
 class at times, he will be a long while arriving at the 
 nation's head; which may prove fortunate for our 
 country." 
 
 " The weary wanderer seeks for rest. The restless 
 mind seeks to wander. Would they not make a good 
 combination if properly balanced?" 
 
 " Some love to use long words of hidden meaning to 
 impress the timid, but remember the greatest thinkers 
 and writers have always chosen language with reference 
 to its simplicity and comprehensiveness." 
 
 " Do not try to outdo your neighbor in all that he does, 
 for he may be trying the same thing at the same time as 
 yourself. Why not move in the same direction? You 
 would each proceed faster and with more friendly feel- 
 ing toward one another." 
 
 " The help which you receive from above is free and 
 beautiful. Therefore pray sincerely that you may 
 receive it in time of need." 
 
 October 18th, Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. 
 
 " Beautiful thoughts which wing Heavenward are 
 always ladened with eternal sweetness, for the glory of 
 Purity shines upon them." 
 
 " Knowing this to be the case, it would seem the desire 
 should be great for thought of high and noble quality." 
 
 " To love sincerely and truly for all time and under 
 all circumstances one must be utterly unselfish; for 
 beautiful as is Love, it nevertheless demands much 
 sacrifice at times." 
 
176 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " A joyous nature is a thing for which to thank God 
 most sincerely." 
 
 " A great and kindly thought is as the precious pearl, 
 so filled with luster is it. Oh, let all try to think more 
 kindness that they may become as beautiful as the 
 pearl in mind." 
 
 " Beware of imitation! That covers many things 
 which appear before you in your daily walk through life. 
 Let it become a mental safegaurd to thought. " 
 
 " Would that all might see and realize the good which 
 they may accomplish by a few kindly spoken words." 
 
 " Cheat not thyself into the belief that a pert tongue 
 is anything to be desired; for it is not beautiful in any 
 sense." 
 
 " If one would have trust, let him think in a liberal 
 manner on the shortcomings of others, that they may 
 have courage to attend him." 
 
 " Fortitude, Endurance, Courage, three of the primary 
 colors of life. Fortitude will bring forth Strength; 
 Endurance will bring forth Patience; and Courage will 
 develop Truth. The great Trinity is ever present, 
 you see." 
 
 " In all walks of life one may find both beautiful and 
 unbeautiful things to attract the gaze. Try hard to 
 keep your gaze to the beautiful side of life. It will 
 repay you for the effort you may make." 
 
 "If all who walk through Life's journey were as 
 possessed to do the right thing as many are to do wrong, 
 what a heavenly place this world could be made by 
 man." 
 
 " Continued thoughts of kindness will rob the face 
 
The Booh of Clifford 177 
 
 of all sorts of disagreeable and telltale lines which were 
 caused by thoughts of imperfect nature." 
 
 " Think of the good you all might do if you would 
 make that thought an accomplishment." 
 
 " Your mind was given you for the purpose of pro- 
 gression. Do not be a backslider." 
 
 " Is it not true that all things need a rudder or guide? 
 As such is the case, should you not be very careful of 
 your steering gear?" 
 
 " All those who would succeed must use their minds 
 in a normal, healthly way. Feverish thought is ever 
 a handicap to clear thinking. " 
 
 " To be true and constant to those whom you do not 
 love, as well as to them you do, takes courage, but the 
 result is quite a perfect thing to admire." 
 
 " What is told you in confidence should remain such. 
 How many cells of your mind contain complete confi- 
 dence of your friends? How many have been robbed 
 by a careless tongue?" 
 
 " As we succeed we gather about us a host of persons. 
 Would that each could truly call himself ' Friend ' in 
 the true sense of the word." 
 
 " How the wind howls and blows when a great storm 
 is abroad. How smooth and calm the sea when the 
 storm is over. So it is with you, dear friend, as soon 
 as you find true spiritual help." 
 
 " Gather unto thyself all the unselfish joys of life 
 that you can hold. God's blessing attends them, as 
 they were made for one and all." 
 
178 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Nov. 11, Tuesday, 4 V- m - 1921 
 
 " God, teach us, we pray of Thee, to learn how to 
 love and respect Thy gracious self as we should. Teach 
 us to cast aside all narrow thought of our neighbors 
 and friends. Teach us, we pray, to deal lightly with our 
 enemies, that comfort may come to us through the 
 purification of our thought of another. Even should 
 they sin deeply against us, let our motto ever be the 
 perfect word ' Forgiveness/ Let us try our utmost to 
 enter into the joy of others without the sting of jealousy 
 entering into our heart; that wonderful organ which 
 brings forth the life blood of all breathing creatures — 
 the core of the mortal body, as the Soul is the core of 
 our Eternal structure. 
 
 " Faith, Hope, and Charity are ever a great Trinity. 
 All go to make up the great and glorious existence of 
 every Plane. So, dear Father and Friend, knowing 
 this as we do through Thy kind and loving teaching, we 
 ask Thy blessing and mercy, with the hope that our 
 Faith and Charity unto others may become as Godly 
 as Thine own. Amen!" 
 
 " Think not evil of any being. If thine eye behold 
 it, turn aside until ye have courage to either help, for- 
 give or gather courage to avoid doing likewise." 
 
 " Let the maxims we assemble for you become as 
 stars in a crown; that they may gather brightness unto 
 you with the coming night." 
 
 " To all who would hold life as dear as God would 
 have them do, let them remember that His word is the 
 Truth and He says that life is everlasting; therefore 
 
The Booh of Clifford 179 
 
 make it a continual beauty, filled with harmony of 
 thought." 
 
 " To those who look forward with eagerness to some 
 pleasurable event, there comes an extra heart throb. 
 Let that throb be filled with a pure joy, that it may 
 permeate the entire being with clean thought." 
 
 " Pure thought is like a crystal, so transparent is it 
 when reflected upon thy face." 
 
 " Think ever of some way to better thyself in God's 
 eyes and be not so anxious to look beautiful to them who 
 have no power of observation for the beautiful." 
 
 " Everything in nature strives to grow upward to the 
 Light; why do so many human beings strive to bend 
 and turn from it? Should not all make the attempt to 
 be as intelligent as the trees and the flowers?" 
 
 " ' To them that hath, shall be given/ the old 
 adage of Bible times. It means clearness of mental 
 vision shall come to those who have faith in God. The 
 more beautiful the trust, the more beautiful will the 
 thought be which comes to thee." 
 
 " All who welcome God into their hearts are fitting 
 themselves for a glorious Future Life." 
 
 " One and all are welcome to God's home, if they 
 come unto Him with Truth in their hearts, for He asks 
 not more than that." 
 
 " Think each day that ye will try thy best to im- 
 prove in some way. However small it may appear — 
 the effort will bring results of a gratifying nature to the 
 mind." 
 
 " When one is sincerely truthful, he naturally becomes 
 prayerful; that is because the natural desire is thought- 
 
180 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 ful and more or less religious in some form. It is only 
 the warped and insincere nature which shuns prayer; 
 for knowing that prayer must be truthful, it shuns the 
 thought of facing the imperfectness of its own self. 
 Whereas the imperfection and shadow would soon van- 
 ish if sincere prayer was indulged in more frequently." 
 
 " A prayer is any sincere and truthful combination 
 of words offered with kind intent, either for oneself or 
 another. A request which God dearly loves to favor." 
 
 " As seeds must be sown in the ground to bring forth 
 a harvest of grain, so must seeds of Truth be sown 
 within the mind, that the harvest may be one of worthi- 
 ness unto the Creator, for He alone is the judge of the 
 quality of thy Soul." 
 
 " To bear cheerfully thy burdens, whether mental or 
 physical, is a great accomplishment. Would that more 
 might profit by the thought, for it is a good one." 
 
 " To hear the voice of conscience one must make good 
 use of their grey matter. Let it not mould through 
 disuse." 
 
 " If we were kind to all living creatures as we should 
 be, how beautiful would all things appear, for we would 
 then know the true meaning of justice." 
 
 November 12th, Saturday, 2.Jfi p.m. 
 
 " Dear friends of earth, we beseech you to hear us 
 when we cry unto you. Try to feel our thoughts enter- 
 ing your mind. Listen and ye shall hear the soft voice 
 speak in kindly tones, never loud or harsh, but a gentle 
 voice ever, is the voice of a Spirit Friend. If welcome, 
 it lingers to hover about you in tenderness. It is timid 
 
The Booh of Clifford 181 
 
 yet persistent, that is, it shrinks at unkindness of thought, 
 yet it is ever ready to make another trial whenever it 
 thinks there is a possibility of a welcome. Ask yourself 
 t^he questions : ' If these spirit voices were not so kindly 
 meant, would they after a few fruitless trials still be so 
 anxious to assist us to do the right? " Would they not 
 leave us in darkness and go where more welcome? 
 
 11 Ah, dear friends, we are so filled with kindly thought 
 for you that our strength increases with each endeavor. 
 1 Tis ever our wish to help onward the struggling and 
 halting steps of the wanderer. We come to you as 
 friends — try to accept us in the true sense of the word. 
 Let the word £ Friendship ' prove itself to mean ' Ever- 
 lasting Faith.' Let it gather beauty as it grows, until 
 it blooms into heavenly quality, exhaling exquisite 
 fragrance upon all who come within its wonderful influ- 
 
 November 12th, Saturday, p.m. 
 
 " The sunbeams fade with the coming night — 
 They but slumber. 
 
 The stars overhead are clear and white — 
 They awaken with the coming night; 
 They fill the sky with radiance, 
 They slumber not; 
 Their mission is to light the way 
 To higher thought, 
 For within them the battles of the 
 Souls are fought; 
 
 The great battles, thought against thought — 
 The good speed on; 
 The struggle to o'ercome imperfection 
 Still goes on 
 
 Amid glorious Light and Truth. 
 In time all win; 
 
182 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 Because of a truthful desire to rise above 
 That called waste; 
 
 And make the most of that Godly gift — 
 The Soul." 
 
 November 12th, 8.^5 p.m. 
 
 " Let us, my dear friend, take another step forward. 
 You see, true to our word we have advanced you by 
 degrees; some more rapid than others, yet all in tune 
 and of helpful quality. We have guarded well our 
 thoughts that they might not advance you more rapidly 
 than you were prepared to accept. We cannot linger, 
 or rather we should not linger over the present, but 
 advance a little each lesson or message, that we may make 
 the coming year one of helpfulness to many. 
 
 " The Maxims will be welcome, I feel sure, so we may 
 offer \ou more of them. They are needed by the many, 
 so for that reason we have much to offer. If you feel 
 prepared, we will offer a few now: 
 
 " There are many who doubt the Truth even when it 
 is perfectly apparent, yet who are ever ready to swallow 
 with pleasure many a sensational falsehood." 
 
 " It seems a great pity that so beautiful a study as 
 the mind in relation to the after and better life should 
 be so neglected." 
 
 " Try to think ahead in a liberal manner, that your 
 mind may become infused with the desire for more 
 perfection each day." 
 
 " Try each day to sow some seed of kindness, so when 
 the spring advances you will find many sprouts growing 
 up about you to encourage you to sow a larger crop 
 each year." 
 
The Booh of Clifford 183 
 
 " Fortunate for us all of every Plane that there are 
 some staunch and trusty friends to be found for each 
 Soul, otherwise we would wander about wasting precious 
 time, for the Soul needs and must have the sustaining 
 influence of friendship in all its loving kindness." 
 
 " If all creation of Earth, sea, and air could be con- 
 vinced that Truth is God, and God the Protector of all 
 that has been created since the beginning of time, would 
 some still continue to think themselves infallible?" 
 
 " It would seem that the thought of God as the Su- 
 preme Being should bring peace to everyone, that they 
 have such a perfect Leader to follow." 
 
 November 16th, Wednesday, 9.25 'p.m. 
 
 " The moon shines clear and bright tonight, 
 Our thoughts wing upward with the night; 
 Let naught be lost, let all be gained 
 Which may to thee bring peace and fame; 
 For fame will come of what we say 
 To thee, our dear friend far away, 
 Yet nearer still than dawn of day, 
 Which means hours few between the Light 
 Of Eternal Day, so filled with might 
 To do and say that which is good and kind, 
 The true and only way to strengthen mind. 
 Let all upon this lesson think and heed, 
 That they may advance with greater speed 
 To honor, fame and glory fair; 
 The honor which brings forth naught of greed, 
 The fame which makes it noble to succeed, 
 And glory which leaves no trail behind 
 That could be shunned by pure in mind; 
 For all is clean and true and good to look upon, 
 All that is said from dawn to dawn. 
 We wander ever on to thoughts above the mortal self, 
 For thoughts of self fall behind in dust of death; 
 
184 The Book of Clifford 
 
 The Soul shines on amid new things 
 
 Which are placed in order by our King, 
 
 That all may learn how True Thought is born, 
 
 And how all that is evil must disclaim 
 
 Any place where Truth and Kindness may be found to 
 
 reign ; 
 For evil can not make a stand 
 Where all intent is for the good; 
 It can but hide itself and naked feel; 
 In truth it has been stripped of all, 
 And all unloved must hang its head, 
 Be shunned by all of kind intent. 
 There is no place in Heaven for such a blight, 
 So let it take itself away and hide within the night, 
 Where it will stumble, fall and vanish 
 With the coming dawn of Light; 
 Thus endeth Evil." 
 
 " The unusual is often gazed upon with the utmost 
 curiosity. Try to develop that same curiosity along 
 lines of instructive thinking; it will add greatness of 
 thought in your daily life." 
 
 " Prepare thyself to meet thy Maker in a sane, 
 healthy frame of mind, by living your mortal life in 
 truth and helpfulness to others." 
 
 " There is naught in Heaven or upon earth which 
 maketh a man so great as truthful and simple living, 
 so that he may have time to cultivate the thought of 
 his God." 
 
 " When you read a maxim which you really feel may 
 be of benefit to you, try to learn it by heart, that it may 
 be continually by you to help in time of need." 
 
 " To all those so pressed for time that they are in a 
 constant rush, let them remember that a bit of quiet 
 
The Booh of Clifford 185 
 
 thought each day will quiet the nerves and release the 
 congested condition of their minds.' ' 
 
 " All those who favor right living, let them raise the 
 right hand. All who favor wrong doing, let them raise 
 the left — if they dare. Who of earth is able to count 
 the result?" 
 
 " Our thoughts are numbered by the multitude. 
 Are the majority of them worthy to be made public?" 
 Our acts are many also. Do they do credit to thy 
 Maker?" 
 
 " Try to believe that it is as easy to do right as wrong. 
 Perhaps the thought may help to keep you from slipping 
 down the Hill of Imperfection." 
 
 " Every kind thought strengthens you mentally. 
 Try to bear that in mind." 
 
 " When success comes in quantity, try hard to realize 
 that it means God has favored you and you should 
 accept it with modesty." 
 
 " Many dumb animals may be numbered among our 
 best and truest friends. Let us treat them as such." 
 
 " A faithful dog is a wonderful creature. He seems 
 to know and feel the meaning of the kindly heart as we 
 wish many humans might." 
 
 " Behold! the dawn arrives. Let it bring with it a 
 hope that today may prove you true in all your work, 
 so that when the night descends again, you can say that 
 you have been faithful to your trust." 
 
 "If we could but learn to appreciate the beauties 
 about us as we should, we would be a great deal happier 
 than we are." 
 
 " Still the world goes around and around, and time 
 
186 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 goes on and on. Are you killing time, or are you try- 
 ing to make it beautiful and instructive?" 
 
 " When the flowers bloom, we think how lovely is 
 summer. When they fade, let us have lived our lives 
 so that we may be able to say: l How lovely was 
 summer.' " 
 
 " Weave about thyself the l Armor of Strength/ 
 It is made of all truthful material, costs but little, but is 
 worth more than its weight in gold and precious stones." 
 
 " To think a kindly thought, to do a noble deed, one 
 must have Faith and Courage for the foundation." 
 
 " When you think of the dawn of mortal day as beau- 
 tiful, think how much more beautiful will be the dawn 
 of Eternal Day, made so by our own efforts. Such a 
 thought should inspire all to do their earthly best. How 
 great is God — how small is man. Knowing this, 
 should anyone dare take His name in vain?" 
 
 " Any labor however, menial, is worthy of admira- 
 tion if well done with truthful thought attending it." 
 
 " Have you ever stopped to consider what a wonder- 
 ful thing language is? What a range of expression it 
 allows us! Should not we endeavor to combine the 
 words in as lovely manner as possible, casting aside 
 those words which cannot be of benefit to anyone?" 
 
 " One more lesson today, which is this: 
 
 " To behold the Eternal Light one must be truthful 
 in all things. You are all at liberty to make the effort. 
 The result is the most wonderful thing it is possible to 
 gain. You can prove the Truth of these words, if you 
 wish, by clean living." 
 
The Booh of Clifford 187 
 
 November 18th, Friday, 6.10 a.m. 
 
 " 'Tis ever thus! The people say: 
 
 What mean they all to sigh that way? 
 
 Why not up and start away 
 
 Upon some quest, where kindness leads the way? 
 
 To falter and to sigh aghast 
 
 At things which come to mortal, first to last, 
 
 Is but a waste of precious time; 
 
 For ' All is order/ plant that in thy mind; 
 
 And you must all your part to bear; 
 
 There is no escape, so let the game be fair, 
 
 That you may win the everlasting fight 
 
 And mount a little higher with each flight; 
 
 Let there be no backward steps when once you start 
 
 ahead. 
 Think bravely on, and bravely push ahead, 
 Until you reach the Everlasting Light, 
 And there you will find true Christian might.' ' 
 
 November 19th, Saturday, 1145 p.m. 1921 
 
 " Forget the all of utter Boredom. 
 Teach thyself to overcome it as a blight; 
 It is naught but the mind asleep; 
 Awaken it to the beauties about you; 
 Let it learn to see beyond the narrow vision 
 Which now holds it in its possession; 
 The grip upon your mental strength should be firmer; 
 There is too much in any life to drone that life away; 
 Try to prepare the one which you are now living, for 
 
 the Future; 
 The task is not so great as it seems to many; 
 If they but listen to the voices from above 
 They will learn how to govern themselves 
 With more congenial thought and care, 
 And to forget the selfishness of man in his unbounded 
 
 conceit — 
 For conceit it is to allow oneself 
 To become bored while Life is ever present. 
 
188 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 God gave Life to one and all for a purpose; 
 
 How then should one dare to waste so precious a gift? 
 
 To be bored with such a gift as Mind, 
 
 To think so little of it as to allow it to rust in idleness, 
 
 Is an unspeakable sin in our eyes. 
 
 To know and appreciate the value of Life, one must 
 
 think; 
 To know how to think, one must study thought 
 In all its forms of beauty — not ugliness. 
 Teach thyself how to combine thoughts of beauty 
 As one would combine words of loveliness; 
 It can be done by all if they but make the effort. 
 A great deal of effort is wasted in mortal life; 
 All for the lack of mental adjustment. 
 Look to us for assistance, dear friends, we can help you; 
 Do not turn aside and shun us as a myth; 
 We are no longer human, but we still are susceptible 
 To your love or disregard of us; 
 Some enfold themselves within our embrace; 
 To them cometh great hope of the Future, 
 For they realize how wonderful and beautiful it must be. 
 To those who continue to disregard us, cometh unrest 
 
 of the Soul. 
 It cannot be otherwise when one shuns the Truth; 
 The mists of doubt must be absorbed by the rays of 
 
 Light 
 Which shine forth from us at all times; 
 But remember — they cannot penetrate evil; 
 That imperfect thing must be pushed aside 
 To let one step forth and see aright. 
 Oh, that we might speak to all of Earth, 
 Which we may, if they will but heed us. 
 Let thy mental defects pass into the fog of oblivion; 
 Open up thy mind to the Truth, 
 For with it comes the dawning of Eternal Day." 
 
The Book of Clifford 189 
 
 November 2%d, Tuesday, 10.80 p.m. 
 
 " Think often of the good you may do, if you wish, 
 in many ways, and make the thought an act." 
 
 " Thinking deeply upon subjects of worth will clear 
 away mental cobwebs as no other thing possibly can, 
 for deep thought penetrates every corner of the mind." 
 
 " When you think that you have arrived at your 
 destination, wherever or whatever it may be, glance 
 behind to see what good and kindly acts you have accom- 
 plished along the way." 
 
 " Trying to be humble before Goodness and Justice, 
 is simple proof that you are willing to learn many things 
 which you ought to know." 
 
 " When you think that others are unjust, be very 
 careful that you do not develop the same fault within 
 yourself." 
 
 " If you wish to succeed in your work, you must not 
 count the minutes as hours, nor the hours as minutes, 
 just keep pegging away to win." 
 
 " Deal gently with all. Harshness is no part of God's 
 teaching. If you would think of that fact more often 
 you would improve your disposition." 
 
 " Whenever you are tired of what you are doing, 
 why not rest a moment and think a few pleasant thoughts 
 of a restful nature? Some happy day, for instance, 
 when you went fishing and caught all that you wanted. 
 Surely a thought of that kind should cheer you up." V x 
 
 " If you are ill, think of some one whom you may 
 know that perhaps is blind, deaf, or maimed for mortal 
 life, and be thankful to God if you are but one of the 
 four." 
 
190 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " Each and every one of us have or should have some 
 mission to perform. If you do not recognize yours, 
 let someone of kindly intent help you to find it." 
 
 November 24th, Thursday, 6.80 a.m. 1921. 
 " In the dim dawning of this early light 
 
 Let us give thanks with all our might; 
 
 Let us but strive to do that which is right; 
 
 Let us remember our Forefathers who came 
 
 To these shores long ago, with so much courage 
 
 And hope in their hearts; 
 
 Let us bear in mind while we are 
 
 Amid the luxuries of the present day, 
 
 All the trials and hardships they underwent 
 
 To make a home for us in this pleasant land — 
 1 America ' The gem of the world to her native sons; 
 
 Let them appreciate her as well, for she is beautiful 
 
 And filled with unbounded wealth within her bosom. 
 
 What the American people of today need, 
 
 Is to cultivate the land and discard the greed 
 
 Which hath crept into all walks of life, 
 
 From little child to grown-up man and wife. 
 
 O God, help us to admire and appreciate; 
 
 And forget our wrongs before it is too late; 
 
 Let us strive for betterment each day, 
 
 Let us learn our lesson as we pray 
 
 To offer up our thanks on this Thanksgiving Day. 
 Amen!" 
 
 " Now a Maxim for thy mental slate; — 
 Some hath need of sleep while yet awake; 
 To them our Motto should be thus: — 
 Sleep night, not day, to clear thy mind of dust; 
 For burning life away by fight of day 
 Is not God's way to cultivate the mental sight. 
 He gave you day for study, also Light; 
 He gave you night for slumber and repose; 
 Why change about what is most right 
 And addle plans and order made in might? 
 
The Booh of Clifford 191 
 
 This Motto is for them who waste their life 
 
 In idle thought, and acts they know are far from right ; 
 
 Not for the ones who strive to push ahead, 
 
 And for mental study leave their bed 
 
 In hours of the early dawn, ah, no. 
 
 All ye of ready wit do understand the meaning 
 
 Of the words which I have written here; 
 
 So take them to yourself, if ye have need of them / 
 
 And try thy level best to improve the coming year." 
 
 November 24th, Thursday, 11.25 'p.m. 
 
 " The thought centers are abounding with electrical 
 currents tonight. The storm is abroad — the wonder- 
 ful snowstorm which you love so much, dear friend. 
 Let us rush ahead into it and cleave the feathery masses 
 of flakes blowing hither and yon. 
 
 " Oh, the joy of it! Its great beauty should haunt all 
 who may witness it when morning dawns, clear and cold, 
 with sparkling crystals hanging from the trees in gen- 
 erous clusters. All who would like a snowy Thanks- 
 giving have surely had their wish this day. I trust that 
 all should be happy at the granting in so generous a 
 form, for this is truly a grand storm as an introduction 
 to Winter. 
 
 " It is an evening to gather around the open fire and 
 pray that all others might be as comfortable, warm and 
 well fed as yourself. Ah, that we might go about 
 filling the physical as well as mental space with food 
 this day. We suffer when the poor are hungry, cold 
 and tired, so we come to you to ask of you the material 
 help, while we administer the spiritual. 
 
 " The body must be nourished as well as the mind, 
 while it is in mortal form. Knowing this as all do, it 
 
192 The Book of Clifford 
 
 should be an incentive to give with free hand all that 
 you can honestly spare. ' Give and ye shall be blessed 
 by God,' for He giveth freely at all times and makes no 
 mention of it. 
 
 "It is a wonderful thing, this godly nature. We 
 strive with all our might to be like unto Him as much 
 as possible. We try our spiritual best to advance 
 along the right pathways ever. We rejoice whenever 
 we feel that we have accomplished something to make 
 us nearer Heaven's door. We mount with each pure 
 thought, and you, dear friends of earth, do the same. 
 You may not realize it as you cannot see clearly into 
 the Future, but with every kindly thought and act 
 you are coming onward step by step. That is why we 
 are ever so anxious for you to do the right. We can see 
 you advance and it gives us greatest joy to attend you 
 along the way. 
 
 " Look to us to lead you apart from the thorns and 
 we will do so according to your faith. That is the word, 
 1 faith' ; which covers it all, for faith is simple and beau- 
 tiful and truthful, and will lead you to us as no mortal 
 leader may. 
 
 " O God, we pray Thee this night 
 To help us advance on to the Light; 
 Lead us through pathways of kindness and hope, 
 Let us not stray apart from Thee 
 Into narrow, dark and unholy ways; 
 Help us ever to feel Thy guiding hand, 
 Help us ever to appreciate our native land, 
 That we may learn to see beyond 
 By appreciating what we have at hand. 
 
The Boole of Clifford 193 
 
 Dear Friend and Father, hear our prayer, 
 And bless us as we travel onward to Thee; 
 Teach us all, we pray, dear Lord, 
 How to thank Thee for the coming day." 
 
 November 28th, Monday, 6.30 a.m. 
 
 " More and more snow! It cometh down gently 
 this morning, so beautifully soft and white, yet not 
 white as yet in this dim light. How beautiful it is! It 
 will be deep before the sun shines again.* 
 
 " It is well for them who have a warm home in which 
 to be housed at present, for while the snow is so beauti- 
 ful, it is yet cold to nest in. 
 
 " Winter is upon you now in earnest. All the little 
 woodland creatures are tucked away in their beds to 
 sleep until Spring awakens them with the warmth of 
 her bosom, which now lies hidden beneath the white 
 blanket of snow. How wonderful it all is! 
 
 " The seasons — how they come and go in turn, 
 each bringing its own part to play. Accommodating 
 to all, yet ofttimes much grumbled at, and about, should 
 it chance to prove at all unseasonable in its character. 
 However, much as mortal says, and he dares much at 
 times, God knows best, and all things end in tune if 
 given the opportunity to do so. There are times when 
 opportunity has a struggle to hold its own, for many 
 there are who would alter God's ways in favor of their 
 own if given the chance. 
 
 " Such people have the warped nature which loves 
 mostly to criticise that which they know little or nothing 
 about. Can it be possible that such are ever truly 
 
 * This proved true. It stormed four days before the sun shone. L.B. 
 
194 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 happy? How is it possible to be happy unless one is 
 truthful and honest? and people of such character 
 who are forever grumbling and complaining of Nature's 
 handiwork must needs be most unfortunate in their 
 dispositions and should take themselves in hand — the 
 sooner the better — and try to straighten out the dis- 
 ordered mind into good working order." 
 
 November 29th, Tuesday, 10.25 p.m. 
 
 " As the shadows fall when the night draws near, 
 As the birds of the wood hie to their nests, 
 We descend to earth to watch and guard from harm 
 All that may have need of us. 
 
 " Would that all would remember this truth which I 
 speak 
 And learn from it a much needed lesson; 
 The lesson of faith which it wishes to convey 
 To mortal mind, that it may learn to 
 Understand the Spirit guidance. 
 
 " If all of earth would cling to us as protectors, 
 If they would believe and profit by the truths we speak, 
 What wonderfully happy beings they might become; 
 Doubt should be banished from their minds forever 
 To gain the spiritual sight. 
 
 " When your mind cometh in our direction 
 We try our uttermost to give you full measure 
 Of kindly and instructive thought in progression; 
 According to the manner of your acceptance 
 Do we instruct you. 
 
 " If you will try to advance according to laws 
 Such as God, our Father and Friend, maketh for you, 
 The subject within your hand — whatever it may be — 
 Will become greatly simplified and more interesting 
 Than it otherwise could. 
 
The Booh of Clifford 195 
 
 " It is impossible to receive spiritual nourishment 
 While the doors of heart and mind are tightly closed 
 To the great beauty of the spiritual in all its forms; 
 Think this over in the quietude of your home 
 And profit while you may. 
 
 " Oh, that all might understand the meaning of the word 
 1 Truth ' 
 In all its wonderful form and rich coloring; 
 Do not let it become muddy with much mixing 
 Of impure colors — use the best always 
 For the perfect result. 
 
 " Thoughts which lie idle so long that they become rust 
 covered 
 Should be cast aside for fresher and better ones, 
 That mental awakening may take place with the effort. 
 If you intend to act as you think, be very careful 
 What thoughts you choose as Leaders." 
 
 November 30th, Wednesday, 6 a.m. 
 
 " The last day of the month hath arrived. Almost 
 constant storm since the month was entered into the 
 remaining year. Let us all hope that sufficient rain has 
 been offered unto the dry earth to freshen the roots of 
 everything which hath need of it, and has drank deeply 
 of the nourishment offered unto it. 
 
 " The rain-drops fall to freshen the life roots, yet the 
 glorious effect will not clearly be seen by mortal eye 
 until the dawning of Spring. It is so with you, dear 
 friends, your minds are having refreshing thought 
 poured upon them from above continually, but none 
 may tell the amount of absorption and result until 
 Spring enters into you. That means the ' Dawning 
 Light. ' 
 
196 The Booh of Clifford 
 
 " Accordingly as ye have received and accepted, 
 shall ye give forth unto others, and by so doing nourish 
 and refresh thy own Soul. The influences for good are 
 about you at all times, so try hard to accept them, 
 rather than the unworthy ones which trouble you. 
 
 " Thoughts — if clean and true — become master 
 over our entire being, continually improving us; but 
 if the thought is not a worthy one, it only becomes 
 master of the weakest part of us." 
 
 " Thinking to look forward into the future while thy 
 gaze is yet very imperfect will never bring pleasing 
 results. One must look ahead with clear vision to see 
 perfectly, otherwise the view becomes much blurred 
 and distorted." 
 
 " These simple truths are for you all, that you may 
 become more willing to accept the future in all its 
 beauty and cast aside all fear of the life to come." 
 
 " Truth is the most powerful weapon in all the world." 
 
 " The dawn arrives again: Watch the coming Light 
 as it beautifies each object it touches in so gentle a 
 manner ; observe there is nothing abrupt in the approach . 
 It is so with the Spiritual. The approach is gentle yet 
 insistent. None of earth can stop it more than man 
 could refuse the sun its pathway through the Heavens." 
 
 " Heaven is a place where all who enter may find 
 refreshing rest and nourishment for the Soul for ever- 
 more. Why then are some so careless in thought of it 
 and its wondrous offerings?" 
 
 " You admit God as a power able to have created all 
 in existence. You admit God as a power to control all, 
 yet many of you deny Him the power of giving the Spirit 
 
The Book of Clifford 197 
 
 everlasting life, or the privilege of further communica- 
 tion with those of earth. Why do you?" 
 
 " If you are given continual proof of this great though 
 simple power, as you most certainly are many times a 
 day, how can you doubt it?" 
 
 " Unless you are of extra narrow mind, you must 
 soon realize this truth, with a little sincere thought and 
 study." 
 
 " The more liberal your mind and heart, the sooner 
 Truth will enter and explain itself to you in many beau- 
 tiful ways, for it dearly loves a warm welcome — as 
 most of us do." 
 
 " When you observe the sun, do you claim it as the 
 moon? When you see the snow, do you claim it to be 
 green grass? No! but when the Truth of the Future 
 Life stands before you, you dare call it a myth." 
 
 " Think of thyself ever as a power to do good — not 
 evil — and strength will be given thee to live up to the 
 thought, and act upon it." 
 
 " Honesty of purpose is ever to be admired in man, 
 woman and child. So remember and live up to that 
 purpose." 
 
 " The dew of evening is ever refreshing to the flowers; 
 so the refreshing dew which falls upon the mind from 
 Heaven should freshen and revive it after a troubled 
 day." 
 
 " If you love another truly and sincerely, you needs 
 must love thy God, for you cannot love one without 
 loving the other." 
 
 " If you teach thy heart to walk in the path of help- 
 
198 The Book of Clifford 
 
 fulness, while still young, it will remember the lesson 
 all the days of its life." 
 
 " The Lord God on high is my guiding Light; 
 He maketh the refreshing slumber, 
 He leadeth all to the Right, 
 His courage and wisdom is offered unto all 
 Those who have the wish to obey His laws; 
 His children throughout each land and clime 
 May observe His work ever about them, 
 For He maketh no secret of the manner 
 Of His success to lead them to the Heavens. 
 It is the greatness and gentleness combined, 
 Which maketh Him so sublime in everything. 
 Oh, ye of earth, try hard to imitate 
 So glorious a teacher and true Friend, 
 For there is naught upon the earthly Plane 
 With which to compare such Perfection. 
 Look within thine own heart for faith, 
 That ye may respect Him as He deserveth, 
 For He is the All in All of Life Everlasting." 
 
 1921 
 
 May 16th, 1040 p.m., 1922 
 
 " Clifford would speak just a few words to you dear 
 friend, tonight. Let him say that either one of the 
 sketches of 50 words or so will answer the purpose. 
 The book will sell if properly advertised. There is 
 no need of great preparation in foregoing pages. We 
 have said all that is necessary, and if the reader cannot 
 understand it without further ' explanation ' he will 
 never be able to understand the contents. 
 
 " Get the first edition out and make the try; do not 
 hold back on guess work and timidity. Proceed at 
 
The Booh of Clifford 199 
 
 once, get it on the market before the pages mildew and 
 the cover fades. Too slow maneuvering will oft spoil 
 a good race. 
 
 " We will help all that we can, but hasten to give us 
 the chance to do so. Time flies, and there is none to 
 lose — Hasten! " 
 
 THE END AND THE AWAKENING. 
 
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