i iflili. 4 /m&W mar t.mpmmn 1 "Igivt theft Books foi- the founding, of f College in i% Colonf Gift of the Department of Education Yale University The Solar Empyrean — OR- Cosmos and the Mysteries Expounded By JOHN M. RUSSELL FLYNN PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO Entered according to Act of Congress, A. D., 1920. By JOHN M. RUSSELL, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. JOHN M. RUSSELL. PREFACE We believe this is the last word on Theology and Science. We hope it bears within its folds the elements of peace, yea, and the elements of Harmony; for this work is an humble effort to reconcile the seemingly opposing tendencies of Science and The ology, and to help explain away the apparently conflicting varia tions between Nature and Revelation. Many misunderstandings there are indeed, such as have arrayed themselves between Belief and Skepticism, causing a tumult of sects and detached creeds: Churches founded on the foundation of popular opinion, if not on the ground of popular prejudice. Not on doctrinal fact ; for, considering the undeveloped state of both secular and divine knowledge, it is sometimes truly diffi cult to discern matter of fact. Outside the work of some faith less leaders, the multiplication of denominations has been mostly due to misapprehension of Scriptural meanings, and not to any crime of wilful heresy. As a rule, men are sincere; they are eager to find the truth and to fall in line with the true Light. Man is essentially an earnest being, but in nothing is he so fully in earnest as in mat ters of faith and religion. Most people are wisely and terribly in earnest about their future well-being and life hereafter, only to be able to clearly discern the way. But a clear conception of theological' wisdom and a definite outline of faith and morals can scarcely, if ever, be fully obtained until such time as the Mysteries of the Prophecies are cleared up, and the dissecting flood of their deeper light is thrown on the obscurity and con tradictions of doctrinal explanation, presenting an unclouded aureola of fundamental fact. The treatise as it now stands is nearly equally divided into TWO PARTS. The First Part treats chiefly of cosmic Science, while the Second Part deals with theological Science, giving a series of interpreta tions to the various chapters of the Book of Revelation, or the great Apocalypse. vi THE EMPYREAN Undoubtedly some of the themes and theories as here ad vanced in the scientific pages of the book are by no means entirely new; such as, for instance, the "Cartesian System" of vortices, as presented by Rene Descartes, a seventeenth century naturalist of France; the "Neptunian Theory," as embryonically introduced by Abraham Werner, an eighteenth century geologist of Germany ; and the "Law of Universal Attractions of Gravita tion," as explained about the first part of the eighteenth century by Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned philosopher of England ; and perhaps other theories. However, the greater part of the work, we think, contains comparatively original matter; that is, we are unable at present to find any legible traces of such anticipations. The first Idea of this kind which spontaneously occurred to our mind — however trifling it may seem — is that of Pressure and Heat : that universal heat is the result of universal pressure in matter. Judging by the gravity and bulk of the terrestrial globe, and the ponderous material of which it is composed, rock, land, metal, etc., we considered what likely effects such aggre gated and tremendous weight must necessarily produce far down in the depth of the earth ; that such enormous, and ever increas ing force must, as a natural consequence, effect some great, cosmic strain. And when we know that the earth's interior exists in a highly heated and molten state, is it not likely that such state is really due to this terrific force of pressure? For, by further logical development of the theory (regarding our globe, according to the generally accepted notion, as a solid body), the pressure of its component matter necessarily increases centerward with the decreasing square of the distance therefrom; whence, the force, at such assumed and absolute center, might be augmented and raised to the point of infinity. But finite matter, we reasoned, is incapable of withstanding an infinite force, and must therefore yield at some certain pitch and place and become thenceforth resolved and volatilized into the ethereal elements of fluid heat. Then, again, the fact of the Sun's mass being immensely larger and heavier, might it not in like manner testify to this newly discovered cause, affecting that body's more intense heat and luminosity? When, by analogy, the same rule might be extended to any and all the heavenly bodies, proving alike by their respective size and densities, the grand secret of their various temperatures and degrees of luminosity or opacity. By generalizing from this step, it became inducibly leading PREFACE vii and convincing that the matter of celestial spheres must, as a result of the aforesaid interior heat evolution, be ever reducing and gradually settling centerward ; and, again, from this we de duced that not only the spheres themselves, but likewise their connascent Systems are subject to the same law of reduction and contraction. And, finally, by "hunting down" the theory, one conclusion follows another, when, if, for example, the solar system were perpetually contracting towards its own center, and the Sun, there, be the final terminal Orb, why not reasonably suppose that mighty Body to be the haven, or heaven, of the solar system and Throne of solar Majesty? And by universally extending the hypothesis, we find that if the fixed stars are suns, they are also Thrones, all told. But in scientific books and works of the human pen, we were unable to obtain any satisfactory demonstrations bearing on these ideas, rather the reverse, until happily it occurred to us that, in sacred writings and divine Messages, these inquiries might pos sibly be anatomized and seen ; when to our great joy and surprise there it all was, the grand and open source of all recondite knowledge and deeper wisdom and plain enough withal, only to divine it. For from those emanant messages to man, there pro ceeds the true opening and clearing of all knowledge and law. Whereupon, we thought these rudimentary ideas worth in trenching and penning down as they casually fell to us, perhaps with a view towards publication some day, as a maturer mind might in the future dictate. It is now thirty-three years ago since we began these ruminations in apropos (about April, 1886). Since that time the prospective work has been very gradually under way. In May of 1901, a small edition was printed with the special purpose of distribution among educators and ministers, with a view towards securing critical data and opinion, and we must say that whatever comment was returned, the same was highly appreciative and encouraging, and is, indeed, much the same as that which appears in a review by Prof. Phelan as shown in appendix. The Author. viii THE EMPYREAN PUBLISHER'S NOTICE. The works of the present writer have been for some years before the following named Scientific and Theological tribunals for deliberation and isuue of opinion : The L' Academie Royal des Sciences (Paris); The Royal Academy of Arts (London) ; The American Association for the Advancement of Science (Washington) ; and the Biblical Com mission (Rome). It is worthy of notice, that thus far not any of the above mentioned Societies has formally passed on the work, nor offered any positive opinion, for or against, on its merits. The work is, however, presented to the public under the sanction of authori tative permission, and that, on the ground that should any critical objections subsequently arise with due propriety, with regard to the interpretations or other subject matter contained in the volume of the new edition, then, and in that case, it shall be incumbent on the author, or holder of the copyright, to again submit or cause to be submitted to the Biblical Commission, a necessary and requisite number of copies of said work, for the purpose of review by said Tribunal. Also, in such emergency, shall the work be submitted to those other learned authorities for critical examination. CONTENTS PAGE Preface „ 5 Publisher's Notice _ 8 Contents 9 PART FIRST The Cosmos Expounded Problem I. — The Solar Empyrean. 1 Section II. Logical Demonstration 2 Section III. Popular Ideas About Heaven _ 9 Section IV. Regarding Distance 10 Section V. Verbal Indications 1 1 Section VI. Nature's Assertions 13 Section VII. A Speculation 16 Section VIII. Inductive Reasonings _ 18 Section IX. Ultimation of Argument 19 Section X. The Fixed Stars _ 21 Section XI. The Solar Reign 22 Problem II.— The Great Solar Hell. 24 Section II. The Sun's Heat 26 Section III. Science Speaks 27 Section IV. Crux Criticorum 29 Problem III.— The Problem of Creation. 35 Section II. A Lamentation _ _ „.„ 37 Section III. Destruction's Profundity _ „ _. 39 Section IV. Creation's Profundity _ 41 Section V. The Arc of Life _ _ 43 THE EMPYREAN PAGE Problem IV.— Contraction of Solar System. 45 Section I. Universal Vortices _ „ 47 Section II. Size, Density, Satellites, Etc 49 Satellitic Involution „ „ _. 52 Section III. Earth's Final Distance _ _ 55 Section IV. Comets _ 56 Section V. The Lunar Cataclysm 58 Problem V. — Seven Ages of Creation. 63 Section II. The First Age 63 Section III. The Third or Organic Age _ 65 Section IV. The Fourth or Plutonic Age _ — 71 Universal Pressure 72 Construction of Great Spheres 75 Section V. The Fifth Age of Matter ...... 80 Evidence of a Terrestrial Vortex 82 Epidemics 85 Problem VI. — The Seven Ages Continued. 87 Section I. The Great Life Age 87 Section II. Vulcan's Giants _ 89 Section III. Dramatis Mundi 92 Section IV. The Seven Heads „ 95 Section V. Fall of the Sixth Head 99 Section VI. The Terrestrial Heaven _ „ 106 Section VII. Ceraunics 107 Problem VII.— The Sixth Age Continued. 114 Section I. The Origin of Man _. 1 14 Section II. The Fall of Man 119 Section III. The Redemption of Man _ 126 Section IV. Seven Labors of the Lord „ 131 Section V. Seventh Age of Creation 138 CONTENTS xi PART SECOND The Apocalypse Expounded INTRODUCTION PAGE Article I. A Prophecy 143 Article II. Miscellaneous Data _. 146 Article III. Abodes of the Hereafter. „_ _ 148 The Solar Heaven. „ _ _ „_ 148 The Bottomless Pit - _ 149 The Limbo of the Sea _ _ 150 Apocalypsis loannon REVELATION OF TIME Chapter I. A Vision of Christ and His Churches 153 The Seven Churches „ 153 The Theogony of God 154 Chapter II. Four Dynasties of Zion _ _ 158 The Great Orthodox Church 158 Chapter III. Subsequent Eras of Zion _ 161 Chapter IV. The Beatific Vision _ _ _ 164 The Four-and-Twenty Ancients 165 The Four Living Creatures 165 Chapter V. The Book of Destiny _ „ _ _ 168 Chapter VI. Revelation During Era of Time.- 171 Evangelism Riding the World _ 172 Mars Riding the World _ _ _ 172 Mammon Riding the World _ 173 Abomination Riding the World 174 Synopsis of Time 175 Abomination Unto Desolation _ _.. 176 The First Resurrection 176 xii THE EMPYREAN PAGE Chapter VII. The Saints of the Sun „ 179 Chapter VIII. End of the Present Race of Man 182 Chapter IX. (1-11) Resurrection of the Bottomless Pit 185 Chapter IX. (12-21) Resurrection of the Sea _ 187 The Second Woe.. _ - 188 The Whole Human Family _ - 189 The Mighty City of Babylon 189 Statistique Mundanse 191 Chapter X. The Archangel Presents a Book 194 Chapter XI. The Eagles of the Hemispheres. 197 The First Ascension 200 The End of Time 200 REVELATION OF THE END OF TIME Chapter XII. Vision of the Bride of the Lamb. 202 Vision of the Solar Serpent - 202 Vision of the Battle of Heaven 205 The Great Antichrist 206 Chapter XIII. Victim of the Great Devil 209 Victim of the Mighty Satan 211 Chapter XIV. The First General Judgment 216 The Great Dispensation 217 Beginning of the Third Woe „. 218 Chapter XV. A Scene on High 219 Chapter XVI. The Seven Last Plagues 222 Chapter XVII. Hell Sitteth on Limbus. 226 Chapter XVIII. A Sentence of Doom _. 230 Chapter XIX. Second Coming of Christ 233 The First Doom 233 Unlimited Divine Foreknowledge _. 235 CONTENTS xiii PAGE Chapter XX. Revelation of the Millennium _ 238 The Dragon is Bound „ — 238 The Marriage of the Lamb 238 The Sabbath of the Earth 239 Resurrection of Gog and Magog. 245 Doomsday _ „ _. 247 Chapter XXI. The City of the Sun 252 Chapter XXII. The Conclusion „ _ 256 xiv THE EMPYREAN APPENDIX PAGE A Review by Prof. M. F. Phelan... _ 261 Table of the Solar System - 267 POPULAR VIEWS IN SCIENCE Sketch I. The Solar System 268 Vulcan - - — 268 Mercury - - 269 Venus - _ _ 269 The Earth _ _.. - 269 Mars _ 270 Jupiter _ _ 270 Saturn — 270 Uranus _ — - 270 Neptune — 271 The Sun _ 271 Sketch II. The Fixed Stars _ 274 Sketch III. Nebulae _ 276 Sketch IV. The Milky Way 278 Sketch V. Nebular Hypothesis _ _ 279 Sketch VI. The Earth's Crust - 281 Sketch VII. Secular Days _ 282 POPULAR IDEAS IN THEOLOGY Sketch VIII. Revelation _ _ 284 Sketch IX. The Apocalypse _ _ 286 Sketch X. Existence of a God „ _ 289 Sketch XI. The Trinity _ 294 Sketch XII. The Messiah _ _ 2% Sketch XIII. Antichrist 299 Sketch XIV. The Devil _ _ „ 301 Sketch XV. Angels _ _ _ 309 PART FIRST PROBLEM I The Solar Empyrean 'And I saw a great wonder in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet.' — (Apocalypse vii :1.) Inspired Testimony. Pondering on the words of the above passage of Holy Writ, and a few others of like significa tion, we became struck with the thought that the interior of the Sun is the Heaven of the Solar System; the 'Woman' therein symbolizing the earth's triumphant Blessed standing on high, and all, as it were, united or hypostatized into one great 'Won der,' the destined 'Bride of the Lamb.' And, behold, we here find her in the Sun ! This is a vision of immediately after the 'End of Time,' as related in the preceding or the eleventh chapter of the Revela tion. But in the second verse of the present chapter the scene instantly reverts back to the time of the birth of the 'Man-child' (Christ), and, likewise, from Heaven back to earth. This brief extract of sacred Scripture, in itself, is exuber antly illustrative and suggestive that the Sun is really the solar Empyrean. But we have still other evidence from the pen of the same sacred writer, seemingly no less conclusive, such as : 'And I saw an angel standing in the sun' (xix: 17). And, again, speaking of the yet faroff time of our planet's dissolution in the distant future, the Patmosian prophet declares: 'And I saw a great white throne and Him that sat thereon from whose pres ence the earth and heaven fled away, (xix:ll). The great white Throne here mentioned in the vision is undoubtedly that great, central, solar Orb, the Sun. But the 'Heaven' here mentioned in connection with the quotation evidently means the Heaven of the terrestrial firmament ( Gen. i :8) . But perhaps one of the most direct passages pointing to this supernatural fact. is found in Psalm (xviii :6-7), which says: 'He hath set his Tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom 2 THE EMPYREAN coming out of his bride-chamber hath rejoiced as a giant to run the zvay. His going out is from the end of heaven, and his cir cuit to the end thereof.' It is very inferable from the foregoing and other passages of Scripture that the Sun is an immense Shell of Gold, the interior of which is composed of 'clear gold, like transparent glass,' as it were, having the appearance of 'a sea of glass mingled with tire' (Rev. xv :2), and that the empyrean vault within is, on all sides around, studded with Cities and Thrones of pellucid gold and adorned most gorgeously with radiant gems and pearls of tran scendent hue. And there, too, are Jerusalems and Zions in most gorgeous and magnificent array. The 'New Jerusalem' described in the twenty-first chapter of the Revelation, being one of the many Cities of the Sun, and the one expressly destined to receive and take in the multitude of terrestrial salvation. Indeed, the sacred Scriptures do rather abound in illustrative passages presaging the same idea, as, 'My dwelling place is in the heaven of heavens'; 'As far as heaven is above the earth, so are my ways above thy ways' ; 'My throne is above all thrones'; 'As the sun when it ariseth to the world in the high places of God' ; 'Thou art a hidden God' ; 'The heaven of heavens is his dwell ing place, but the earth he gave to the children of men' ; 'All is vanity under the sun,' etc. Which oracular declarations go to show that the residence of the Deity, the dwelling place of the sovereign God, the Throne of divine majesty, is somewhere far removed from this low world of ours, and that the same is a place of surpassing 'splendor, and, besides all this, that it is a real distinct place, a separate world in itself, and standing apart from all other worlds. And, there, the Lord ordained it, that the brightness of His Heaven should furnish light and day to the outer, dependent, encircling worlds. So much for revealed intelligence. Now for a glance at Scientific investigation. SECTION II And let us notice as to how the two harmonize. Although there is nothing in the field of Astronomy directly declaring the Sun to be an Empyrean, yet the idea is at least very deducible from many stated facts. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 3 In starting out, we must of course admit that outside the pale of inspired Scripture, the proposition cannot be maintained by any directly, declared assertion. Neither can the same be posi tively proven by any rule of mathematical calculation, nor by logic, nor by ocular demonstration. Data can be gleaned only by inference from the question of attribute, such as appearance, size, position, relation, motion, importance, etc., of the great, central, cosmic Body. But even the same is true with respect to many of the scientific discoveries in the field of the natural sciences. And especially in dealing with the Hidden Question, science can give us at best only circumstantial evidence. But circumstantial evidence is, in itself, sometimes very strong, nay, anatreptic, such that cannot be overthrown. Astronomers tell us that the Solar System consists of the Sun at the center, and eight or nine planets revolving around that center in orbits at varying distances therefrom. They tell us that the Sun is the only self-luminous body in the solar system ; truly a fitting char acteristic for the spirit world and Throne of a Deity. The moon and planets all shine only by reflected light, the light of his eminence, the Sun. They tell us that the Sun is the only 'stationary' body in the solar system; all the other members revolve and rotate around this all-governing, glowing Center. Yes, they inform us that the Sun is the great, central body of the solar system, and that all the other members are merely eccentric wanderers, pilgrims, waiting on this radiant, cosmic Majesty ! But this dignified position and commanding location are not un- seeming prerogatives of an omnipotent See. It is the Sun that governs the order and controls the motions of all the other mem bers. Bis is the commanding standpoint of the Commander-in- chief of the cosmic forces. The properties and qualities of su premacy and royalty are everywhere stamped in unfading char acters on this awful, central Orb ; this Solaris firma, the root and stock, the pre-existent base and firm foundation of the solar system. The prerogatives of ponderance, appearance, magnitude, sovereignty and power are all here monopolized in this all con trolling, all-beholding member. This great, reposing, recumbent, luminous body possesseth not unbecoming qualities of uranian dignity, not to speak of the prolific omnipresence of its nature, or the exuberance of its creative capacity, or the all-seeing intel ligence of Heaven's Eye. Of all things visible, there is none like THE EMPYREAN EARTH, 91,430,220 MERCURY 35,392,638 ffil/f) 1 ¦¦:;';!;! 1 SUN AT CENTER THE SOLAR SYSTEM showing the Sun, Planets and Moons. SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 5 10 this, the vision of visions, the see and throne of the Most High! Astronomers assure us that the Sun is by far the largest member of the solar system. All the other revolving members are in size as nothing in comparison to the astounding magnitude of the mighty, central Globe. The Sun is computed to be about 1,300,000 times as large as the earth. Indeed, that body is 674 times as large as all the other members of the solar system together. These figures show how truly the Sun is the monarch of the solar system. And yet the high heaven appears small to our eyes. Why? Because of the strain of the awful distance! If the Sun were as near the earth as the moon is, it would cover three-fourths of the whole sky. The Sun is the greatest of orbs, why not the greatest of worlds? It would require a chain of one hundred earths laid side by side to reach across the Sun's interior from one side to the other. It is said, if the earth were placed at the Sun's center there would not only be room for the moon to revolve in its present orbit about the earth, but the sides of the Sun would stretch out in every direction to a distance of 200,000 miles beyond. The proportionate size which the earth bears to the Sun is very nearly the same as that of a pea to a globe two feet in diameter. If the earth were laid within the Sun it would bear about the same proportion to the vast concave as a marble in a parlor. And if all the planets were fused and consolidated into a single body, that would set in the Sun not unlike a school globe in a large room. It is an astonishing fact that this Orbis magnus is but little less than the entire solar system in itself ! The Sun illuminates the whole solar system, and even at the distance of 91,500,00 miles, we scarce durst look upon his majesty for brightness. Think not the Sun too small for a Heaven, nor that most awful, lofty, sacred sphere deficient in lustre for a solar Throne. All the other members of the system are dark, opaque, little bodies compared to this. Who will think, after a moment's reflection, that this great body, nearly 700 times as large as all the others together, was made for the single purpose of giving light and heat to the planets, and that the Sun is otherwise only a vast, desolate fireball? What a lack of purpose, a deficiency of design on the part of an all-wise Providence that He would not appropriate this mightiest Creation to some further and 6 THE EMPYREAN better, aye, and mightiest, use! Surely, why not make a living world of that also? Forsooth, an Alfonso would here cry out, as he did in disgust over the unmethodic, cumbersome Ptolemaic theory : 'If I had been consulted at creation, I could have done a better job than that.' COMPARATIVE SIZE OF SUN AND PLANETS. Every likely reason which can be adduced on the question goes to support the proposition of the Sun being the Throne and empyrean Heaven of the solar system. Yes, it is apparent, convincing, irresistible, the doctrine that this vast, reposing, luminous, central sphere should be the grand Empyrean of the SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION 7 system of the Sun. Both from science and theology this con clusion must be drawn. However, deeming that bright, burning vision to be but the outer veil or facade of the temple of the great 'Apollo,' we will not kneel down and adore the rising Sun. This is not a system of 'fire worship,' nor 'sun worship,' but it is a theory, or a deduc tion, expounding and declaring the mystery of the Sun. Neither is it a new religion, but it is a new beam, or buttress in support of that oldest, hopefulest, holiest creed, the creed of an ever lasting Heaven; a place of endless joy; another and glorious world hereafter; and that this lowly life of ours is wherefore deemed pregnant with eternal value of daily increasing worth, in pursuance of the great things that are to be. Being architects of our own destiny, we may, forsooth, build an infinite fortune from day to day, as the tide of time rolls on and eternity draws nigh, when the just shall rise like the morning to the Palace of the Lord Most High. It cannot be regarded as heretical either, or heterodoxical, since the same is grounded on several clear, direct and corroborating passages! of Holy Scripture. We are merely looking into the final purpose and deeper function in the Providential design of this solar creation. Such might be called an inquiry into the esoteric nature and purpose of the creation of the Sun. It is a looking upward unto that source of all brightness for a better world than1 this. It is, perhaps, the oldest idea in religion that there exists somewhere an eternal Deity and His heavenly abode. Since men were upon the earth they have striven to grasp the true idea about the Hidden God, and the place of his giant fires and the abode of his safe re treat. But it is a new piece of discovery to point out and definitely locate the exact place and whereabouts of that blissful abode. For six thousand years this problem has puzzled and we may say baffled the world's brain. We lay claim to the dis tinction, however underselling we may be, for, to use a bor rowed expression, it is by standing on the shoulders of these giants, we have been raised to see afar, till we discerned the Empyrean o'er the distance! As Copernicus surmised the fact that the planets revolve about the Sun; as Columbus understood the practicability of the earth's rotundity, and who was sometimes persecuted; as Galileo devolved the rotary motion of our planet and for which he was much derided as a visionary fellow, so we flatter our- 8 THE EMPYREAN self that we have found the Heaven ! Yes, found the Empyrean, or the highest Heaven, or rather discerned the location of the place thereof. As Columbus, from the shores of Spain, descried the Western World, so we behold the New Jerusalem from this wilderness of earth and the beauty of the walls illumine the void; confidently trusting that many friends who have gone before have found the place first, and to them we relinquish, for the present, all claim on the sacred territory, either by right of conquest or earliest discovery. However, we cannot see how it can be other than a most laudable task for any one living to search for the happy place. A hopeful intelligence, this story of the Sun ; bright news ; though we cannot yet see the seraphim nor the cherubim, nor hear the rapturous thunder of the harpers harping on their golden harps. Or must the discovery and inquiry be derided? It is a notable fact, and not undeserving of some comment here, that new truths and findings are often, at first, received by the world with the spirit of repugnance. It has been truly said that 'truth is today abhorred and tomorrow adored!' Admitting that it is the duty of authorized custodians and the wardens of the various knowledges, both sacred and secular, to guard against the inva sion of error and heresy with a paternal and jealous care ; yet these 'watchmen of the night' should, however, keep remindful that although falsehood and deception are ever liable to creep in, there are yet many vital truths of which we do not know; and though much is known, there is much to be known. This wonderful being called 'man,' with unfinished touch of god-like power and appearance, is virtually a new beginner in the rank and file of creation's being — aye, comparatively a stranger he, a newcomer on the planet, with his 'whence and whither' as yet, to him, but faint and dimly known. Hence, it is that we as human beings, beings of intelligence, should, nat urally and of legitimate right, inquire into these things, these things which do so vitally concern us. It therefore behooves us to at least refrain from that class of pseudo-philanthropists and quasi-conservators, and which the Divine Master, himself, so indignantly denounced as: 'Those who would lock up the store house of learning and will neither enter themselves nor permit anyone else to enter.' Nay, and we also misgive lest the discov ery of a solar throne might elicit a howl from the Dragon. POPULAR IDEAS ABOUT HEAVEN 9 SECTION III Popular Ideas About Heaven If the questions were asked: Where is Heaven? What kind of a place is Heaven? the world's answer would be various. Some would tell us that Heaven is up, somewhere up. Some would say, Heaven is everywhere. Others would declare that Heaven is all around us. Others, again, would assure us that 'the kingdom of Heaven is within you.' Still others would inform us that Heaven is where God and his angels and saints dwell. But any of these traditional ideas does not vouch for a distinct and definite Throne of the Deity, nor for an absolute location of the habitation and residence of the ever blest, such as the Scriptures everywhere intimate and describe; nor, for a real, substantial dwelling place. Those assertions are kind of vague, mythical, nondescript, and like many who suppose God to be an immaterial, insubstantial Being, they believe his abode and resting place to be likewise. These ideas are generally the outcome of vagueness and misconstruction of certain Scriptural passages. Of course, they are true to a limited extent, but, after all, very unintelligible. Heaven is up. Well, up is never the same any two seconds. That which is up at midday is down at midnight. Perhaps this viewpoint is founded on the first chapter of Genesis, which says : 'God declared the firmament Heaven,' which later accounts in a manner for Heaven to be in the deep and lofty, cerulean, azure dome surrounding the globe, for the firmament is indeed, as it were, the temporal Heaven of the earth, such that all who dwell on the earth may be said to dwell also in this heaven of the earth, or the azure heaven surrounding the earth. Heaven is everywhere. This notion of Heaven is prob ably an outcome of the pantheistic doctrine that God and nature are one and the same. Or, it may be derived from the idea that the residence of the Deity is boundless immensity, and that the person of God fills the illimitable. And even though the king dom of God be within his servants, yet, this definition very narrowly accounts for a throne of omnipotent majesty. Prob ably the theory of a solar Empyrean was never before brought 10 THE EMPYREAN squarely up before the mind of the world, and will, at first, be received with pome feeling of reluctance and repellancy; and that, because the Sun is commonly represented as being nothing more than a huge globe of fire and intensely burning metal, and that a Heaven should be looked for in a more serene and cooler place. Though most people consider the earth to be a solid body, yet if asked their belief concerning the location of the Bottomless Pit, they most assuredly would say, 'Within the earth,' or the place where they dwell who are 'under the earth.' Well, then, we must consider the earth to be empty. And if we regard the earth as an empty, cosmic body, why not so regard all great spheres? Why not the Sun? And, for that, the heat of the exterior surface radiates all off into space, the interior surface remains refreshing and cool. SECTION IV Regarding Distance Observers agree in declaring that the mean distance of the Sun from us is 91,500,000 miles. Here is a scope of measure ment which no human mind can hope to span and the imagina tion palls before the amazing magnitude of that cosmic fabric called the Solar System. And yet the distance of ninety million miles is simply used as a mere footrule in computing the dis tances of the Fixed Stars, or the stars outside and beyond the bounds of the solar system. 'Suppose a railroad could be built to the Sun. An express train traveling day and night at the rate of thirty miles an hour would require 341 years to reach its destination. Ten genera tions would be born and would die ; the young men would become gray-haired ; their great, grandchildren would forget the story of the beginning of that wonderful journey, and could find it only in history, as we now read of Queen Elizabeth or Shakespeare; the eleventh generation would see the solar depot at the end of the route.' — Steele. Behold, is not this the great and fixed Chaos betwixt Heaven and earth ? as mentioned in the Gospel, where Abraham, speaking to Dives, said: 'And besides this, between us and you there is fixed a great chaos; so that they who would pass from hence to REGARDING DISTANCE 11 you cannot, nor from thence come hither1 (Luke xvi:26). By the Almighty's power alone can this gulf be spanned. Yet our prayers, too, may span this abysmal blank, carried by angel's hand. Out of the depths we cry unto Thee, O Lord; Lord hear our voices from these far-distant lowlands of time ! SECTION V Verbal Indications The propriety and adaptation of the proposition of a solar Heaven is verified in Holy Scripture, which everywhere uses the phrase, 'in Heaven,' and not 'at Heaven,' nor 'on Heaven,' showing beyond the iota of a doubt that Heaven is a place within. T saw a throne set in heaven' ; 'I saw a great wonder in heaven' ; 'and I saw another sign in heaven' ; 'and I saw the holy city coming down out of heaven'; 'Our Father who art in heaven'; 'and I saw heaven opened,' etc. Heaven must therefore be an inclosure somewhere, in a place distinct and separate by itself, and substantially impaled on all sides round; an interior habitation within some mighty swelling dome. The primitive and rudimentary position of dwelling is on the bare outside of a world. The rudimentary form of life (organic) inhabits the convex side of a planetary sphere, and where the view thereon commands but little com pass. But that final, electic and perfect position of everlasting residence is ever in a world within, and that within a sphere. In fact, there is no dwelling place whatever outside the exist ence of a sphere, a cosmic sphere of some sort or order what soever. All material creations is conclobated into the uniform condition of spheres, and all life and being, animate or inani mate, animal or spiritual, temporal or eternal, all, all do forever inhabit spheres. It is folly to say that anyone dwells without, in the chaotic void of the great deep. But the final and eternal dwelling- place isi within a great sphere. There the length and breadth of the enchanting zones and regions are always in full view and visible to all. The latitude and longitude of hemispheres empyrean are far and near, within range of constant sight. Besides, such is the only possible formation into which a world could well be made in order to adequately accommodate an 12 T 1 THE EMPYREAN omnipotent throne, and insure protection from the inveterate wilds without, to the See of an eternal domicile. Internally and not externally, is the place for a God to dwell ; eternal bliss hid den and bounded by unfailing protection and security around about, above and beneath ! The crude worlds of time are worlds without, but eternity's, is a world within. O, a great 'wall' is the auriferous zones surrounding the paradise of God; wherein are crystal cities and angelic empires and zions of jasper and seats of solar regents. The Interior Surface of the Sun is undoubtedly a most mag nificent, concave wall of purest gold, refrangible, transparent, and of the deepest hues and colors, and more ornate than the rainbow or the liveliest flowers that ever bloomed. Nor can any mind picture a Heaven so beautiful, or what mortal could deem a place so lovely, so heavenly, a paradise so fair? Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of any human being, the beauty of that place. And then, high over all, and outglorying all else, the throne of Eternity and Him who sits thereon, whose rarest brightness enlightens the cir cumambient vasts. God is the 'sun' of Heaven within and lights the empyrean kingdom, as it were, by the effulgence of his beauty. It is almost incredible to us that any being, even a God, could be so glorious, so bright, whose face is awful to behold, whose power is dreadful to behold, like to the smoke of the beams of the majesty of creation's immutable Chief, whom thunderclouds of glory summer about His head: the imperturb able God of Gods! Yet, after all, no man is able to conceive a true idea of the appearance and greatness of the great Elohim, except, perhaps, that His power, in a measure is seen in His works, an estimate of omnipotent power in the magnitude of im mensity's works. Heaven's Doorway. The question will here intuitively arise : What is the manner of entrance into the Paradise ? Nay, how can anyone get into the Sun ? The manner is pretty clearly revealed by Scripture. There is a great door leading into the Empyrean; a great door, or door of doors. This door may be opened so as to let in a man, or it might be opened so as to let in an Archangel, yes, or a city. The prophet said : 'After these things I saw; and behold a door opened in heaven' (Rev. iv:l). And in another place in the same mystic book, we find : 'Behold, I have given to thee a door which no man can shut' (iii:8)! NATURE'S ASSERTIONS 13 Here the appointed Keeper holds the keys, which lock and un lock the gate of heaven's threshold. Inferably, heaven's Doorway is placed at the region of the celestial Pole or Poles, where the temperature on the outside of the glowing sphere is lowest, perhaps utterly cool. For according to thei theory of vortical pressure (as explained later on) the temperatures of all cosmic spheres is ever greatest at the equa torial region and least at the poles. Besides, the Psalmist states that the Lord's 'going out, if from the end of heaven.' Even so it is, in a manner, with regard to the earth's structural forma tion. The entrance or entrances into the region of the Bottom less Pit, must obviously be located at the terrestrial poles. Here, there undoubtedly, exists a small cosmic cavity, or vacuity, which condition is the result of an almost total lack of the cosmic force of gravitation and consequent concretion (thus leaving the gates of Tartarus ajar), and which chaotic ends of the geogeny and the wardens there are ever secluded from the gaze of man ; nor can the ends of the Solar be descried from this our terres trial observatory, nor the prospect of the gates. SECTION VI Nature's Assertions A hero worshipper once disserted that a full-grown man, who, for instance, had never in his life seen the Sun, would, upon dent of the impulse, kneel down and adore that body on beholding his first sunrise, and bow his head in meditation and prayer. This, because of the inspiration of the imposing spectacle; because of the transcendent appearance of the object, like an immaculate sea of glory smiling o'er the way ; for the sun is not only an emblem of the living throne, but it is, in fact, the real thing; an emblem of the imperial power and majesty of the Lord, for that bright sphere is truly the world of God and chariot of solar Om nipotence. Of all things visible, the Sun has a most celestial appearance ; indeed, as if enshrining the hidden glory; as if the streaming raii of the super-brilliant disc, were wont to emanate from the hidden Power; for the exterior splendor is but an emblem of the interior resplendence and the plenitude of the living Para- 14 THE EMPYREAN dise. The rising Sun is the stamp and image of unfailing life and immortal youth, and reneweth the face of nature every morn, and remindeth no less than of that place of endless day from whence all blessings flow, as if Heaven's bounteous flood of love would yet more than requite its due. Verily, hath the Almighty 'set his Tabernacle in the Sun.' In the rising pomp thereof, is attested an objective symbol of the living Sanctuary; and in the exaltation of the meridian Sun, the overpowering fervor of the solar Horn; and in the setting thereof, a 'still, small voice,' like the whispering of peace from the Ark of eternal testament. The glory of the solar Sovereign is emblazoned on His flaming Throne, and His power in the con flagrations thereof. Leo, the most conspicuous of all things, the largest of all things, the brightest of all things, such that we scarce durst look upon the great Throne for its brilliancy and the deluge of its refulgence ! Why account it strange that Heaven should illumine the transparent depths and give birth and light to the world abroad ? What wonder that this 'corona lucis' of the solar system should be the Shrine of the solar God? The blessings of the pleasant sunshine are second only to the grace of God. No sooner does that Orb depart at eve, than darkness comes on and coldness comes on, twin-sisters of death. It is the radiance, of the Lord's bright House that even maketh our humble dwelling place so beautiful and glad; it is the brightness of the endless Day-star which makes our lowly planet grand, when Heaven and earth are full of glory. And every sea and every land and every stream and every hill and everything on which the Sun shines, reflects a silent pean: Lo, the exhaustless fount, the illimitable light, the light of Heaven ! All beauty is owing to the Sunlight. The picture on the can vas, the landscape, the brilliant plumes of birds, the color of the flowers, the tints of the rainbow, the crimson-streaked clouds, are naught else thaa the miracle of sunlight painting nature, messages caught from Heaven, such as inspired the poet, the artist, the philosopher, to light their votive lamps with a spark from the living Flame, and taught all mortals to lift their eyes and look upwards. Undoubtedly Milton half believed this when he wrote his famous apostrophe to light : 'Hail holy light, offspring of heaven first-born, or of the eternal, co-eternal beam, may we express thee NATURE'S ASSERTIONS IS unblamed? Or, hearest rather thou, pure ethereal stream of whose fountain can tell ?' And Ossian, when he sang : 'Whence thy beams, O Sun?' Lastly, permit us to offer our humble tribute: Hail distant Throne, whose brightness lends the day, hail radiant Orb, whose luster leads the way, lead kindly heavenly light, till one day we, the glory of thy inmost shrine may see. The reboant Throne is wrapped in brightness and thunder within and without. And I said, Behold, this charming morn ing is a spark from the crystal Fount ! To enunciate a truth is above all things the greatest work that any man an do; and I rejoiced in the morning that it came from the Fount of endless day. And I said, praise the Lord who made the Heavens so high and grand above this troubled earth. But the perennial Sun will ever rise again; the joy of creation's cause. However long and dark the night, the sun will rise again, and fadeless as at creation's dawn and fresh as the new-blown rose. The Sun maketh the morning a heavenly gift, a perpetual restoration. The morning is the vision restored; and the day is a hallowed enchantment from the City celestial, the vision unbound ! How inspiring thy beams, O Sun ! All nature draws virtue from the Sun, whose beams are an inspiration from above and a challenge unto life. Yet, after all, in our looking forth we behold but the bare outside of all creation, the inner side where Heaven is, we never see. The inner side is too pure and bright for mortal eyes. Yet, the exterior is a splendid symbol of the luster enshrined within and the magnificence that is to be. Who would not seek Heaven in the most glorious place, and what place is so glorious as the Harbinger of the morning? Creation's most elaborate work, this, nor could a solar Architect wisely afford to keep the apartment vacant. In characters un fading, the Sun declares itself to be a Heaven. A world of end less day, for there is no night there! Who will not say the gracious, the life-giving sunshine is not heaven's own gift ? How frequently we hear the remark: 'The sun is like heaven this morning.' Aye, common sense intuitively reveals it. And how like unto nearing Paradise day by day, is each returning sea son's bloom and the sweet approach of spring? The light and heat of the Sun withal giveth life to our helpless planet, as it were the father and the mother of life and being. Here again we may safely infer the reality, for such things really are that which they appear and seem to be. How we love those blessed 16 THE EMPYREAN beams, so near and yet so far, like streams of dissolving gold- dust strewn gratis through the void ! The natural appearance of the Sun speaks volumes, and in silent proclamation betokens its royalty. No dubious Heaven this, nor pageant world. That very, very, common thing, the Sun, know we not that is the Empyrean paradise, the paradise of fadeless renown? Revela tion declares it, Science procaims it, and all Nature asserts in solemn tones, that the Lamp of day is the Shrine of the most High! SECTION VII A Speculation Sawest thou Heaven ascending the east, as the Sun kissed the hilltops at morn? Ere the Orb is risen, the levant is all aflame with the ardor of the rising majesty. And I said, glory be to God in the highest for the splendor of His Throne ! Wilt thou burn the firmament, O Sun, or wilt thou devour the heavens at thy coming? But the earth's perpetual gladness is, that the Sun will ever rise again. O, the beauty of the morning, and the cheer of the newborn day, a benediction of bliss from above. For the light of the Sun is such as to make the universe, itself, seem dark, when the stars shut up their fires at dawn, like the miracle would indeed transcend itself, till all nature is be wildered 'mid the splendor of the gloom ! Now the earth was lit with radiance and creation beamed with light, and world's bloom into being 'neath the ray of that splendor so bright. Its grandure is born in mountains, its efful gence reflected by seas ; its fragrance is caught by the wild flow ers and wafted by every breeze. Its colors were stole by the birds and shines in their brilliant plumes; its tints were robbed by the clouds and gleams in the silvery moons. Its bounty be gotten the summer, its gladness begotten the spring; its joy is seen in the eyes of a world and its hope in the children of men. Its circles were formed in the rainbow, its luster glowed in the mine, and fire was snatched by the ruby from altars of Heaven's shrine. Now, behold the Throne at noon. Lo, the diadem of the firmament, wrapped in unapproachable fire above in the seven fold heights. And we saw the magnificat of the walls as it stood on the meridian tower at noon, and its beauty illumined A SPECULATION 17 the void. Who is He that sits thereon, that journeyeth round the heavens in a day, whose mandates troubleth the darkness; whose trumpet calleth up the dead ? He speaketh to the void and warneth the depth 'tis time the dead of old should live again.' He that converseth with Orion as he speedeth to the west in his chariot of fire, and it appears that he looketh down through the crystal walls of the Empyrean. Aye, 'from his habitation which he hath prepared, he looketh down upon all that dwell on the earth,' Ps. xxxii:14. 'And they shall say to the mountains and to the rocks: Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne,' (vi:16). Who maketh terms with the constellations and the far-off cities of Toucan. He beholdeth their heats and their common-place seats and He feareth not the deaths of their dreadful hells. Who fixeth boundaries with Polaris and replieth in everlasting oracles with the powers of the 'Southern Cross.' Who answereth the other infinities of unfail ing fame whose thrones glow in the rainbow of heaven's stars, whose contemporaries are from a beginning of which no reckon ing can be made. And He answereth man by way of enduration : 'Declare unto me the fewness of my days.' Rememberest thou, a little time, whence Shasta was raised up, and Heela began to smoke? And He answereth again by way of nativity: Declare unto me, O man, the womb that brought me forth. But that Heaven is from earth so far removed, that the dimensions of its compass and its glittering diameters — contending with a distance so great — lo, that even the Seat of a Deity, like the focus of a firmament, emboss the sky ! Let us now survey the Throne at Eve, dilated Orb, its glory flaming to the west, for the vista of the sunset is a glimpse into the great beyond ; a revelation in the west, in a tempest of light. Most gorgeous now the west doth show, till the lambent flame doth cooly wane in twilight radiance. Then night comes on, oblivious somber shroud, and we are kindly shielded from thy glaring car, O Sun, and our feeble eyes doth close to rest in sleep awhile, lest we should wander mid the senseless blank, and lose our way for want of Heaven's guidance and thy loving light. 18 THE EMPYREAN SECTION VIII Inductive Reasonings Perhaps, in the chain of argument, there can be nothing stronger or more pertinent offered on the projected doctrine of solar Empyreanism, than the inductive theory of solar contrac tion, or the grand, focal and gradual concentralization of the solar system. And, although observations, so far, seems to fail to declare the theory, it is nevertheless deducive from universal analogy, that the solar system is ever in the actual process of consolidating, or, gradually, infolding itself into the mightiest body of the Sun. Wherever liquids or fluids tend to seek a center, a rotary motion of the converging volume, is at once inaugurated. Even so with the solar system, the rotary is per petually established, which again evinces that counter fact, that the center is being sought. For the solar system is involved amid a mighty whirlpool of space, an universal vortex; and which vortex is itself much vaster than the visible, material system itself, which latter is set within the vortex, with the Sun at the center, or 'eye' of the vortex. Now, the solar system, taken as a whole, is but a cosmic Integer, indeed, a distinct section of the universe, complete in itself, with its own vortex, members and bodies, with its own temporal worlds and its own eternal, spiritual world. We be hold here, a distinct and separately, organized Creation, a de tached, universal Oneness ! But the Sun, besides being the om- nific member, is also the eternal member, the firstj and the last, or will be the last, whose age is incomputably greater than that of any other member of the entire system. Hence, is the Sun the eternal member? For the planets, are — all protest to the contrary notwithstanding — mere temporary or tributary bodies, common carriers created and forever being created in the outer depths of the solar vortex, and by that vortex are con stantly being borne and carried downward, sunward, during vast cosmic ranges of solar time, until, at last, they disappear in the solar flame. Such is the Law of universal convergence, wherein it is the primitive property of all matter, bodies and systems to condense and focalize. Such is the functional cause, such the final result. ULTIMATION OF ARGUMENT 19 The Sun assimilates and is gradually assimilating the solar sys tem, moons, planets, worlds ! Slowly, but surely, they fall in one by one ! It is the solar 'Sea' into which these lesser tributaries empty. Even thus is the Sun the final and eternal port, or harbor, or conservatory of the entire system, the haven, or the Heaven! This all-controlling, solar sphere might well be meta- phorized as the cosmic 'Heart' reposing in the bosom of Chaos, the day and night of whose pulsations, vibrate throughout the solar deep. Yes, verily, is the Throne of God the Solaris um bilicus, the glowing fountain, the firm source and foundation of the solar fabric; 'tis the lasting bourne, the jasper Shrine, the aye, enduring Sun! It is obviously, the organic Law of all Systems, whether animate or inanimate, politic or cosmic, to have an incorporate Head, or a common terminus, to and from which the common current of vital force and activity constantly tends and flows. Even such was the rational plan on which the solar system was built; and that unbilical orb, the Sun, is the functional Head. And that which is the Heaven for each and all the other planets, is likewise the Heaven for our earth. There is no separate or special Heaven for the children of men above the children of the plant Venus and the blessed of Mercury; for our planet is but a dependent, organic factor in the make up of the solar Integer. Here is a great and wonderful system, standing apart, with its own Heaven, its own Hell, its own worlds, its own Creator, too; a complete, creative organization intact. One for all; that mystic megasphere which gives day to all, that sovereign sphere of spheres, that is indeed the solar Capitol and Castle of the solar empire, the goal of bliss ; it is the regal palace of the solar King and horn of the eternal strength ! SECTION IX Ultimation of Argument Of course, a demand for nothing less than a Pan-universal Heaven, a paradise on an infinite scale, would satisfy the am bition of some people's idea of a celestial world hereafter, where the blessed of the Universe of universes shall one day sing in united choirs and hosannahs, all within the pale of solitary em pyrean bliss. 20 THE EMPYREAN But such cosmopolitan anticipation is evidently due to the shortcomings of our understanding and the inadequateness of the human mind, nor would such all-comprehending magnitude and boundless elysian, in any way, enhance the beaitude. Such idea, evidently, sprang from our utter inapprehension of the measure less mightiness and amplitude of infinite space, and the potential of magnitude and distance which must forever lie submerged and hidden in the fathomless realms of the Void. Undoubtedly, the broadest stretch of imagination, that has favored any mortal, on the vastness of boundless immensity, could easily become circum scribed within the limits of solar immensity, if not within the median circle of the earth's orbit. Addison has gone so far as to say, that the size of the earth alone, and which is only like an atom in space, is beyond the capacity of any human intellect. There is yet, at least, one other argument, and one which we are utterly unable to produce, namely, the argument of personal observation, the testimony of an actual eyewitness. But except, perhaps, through inspired visions, the same is ever lacking in proving the existence of a soul, or the existence of a Deity. We have the argument of Nature, which goes far towards establish ing a solar Heaven; we have the argument of Reason, which likewise shows the Sun to be a divine Throne; but like in prov ing the existence of a God, there is only one sure and sustaining method of solving the problem, and that is by Revelations word, wherein we have the testimony of those 'Eagles' of prophecy, who were themselves actual eyewitnesses. And which if we still doubt and will not believe, 'we would not believe one, should he come down from Heaven, or rise from the dead before our eyes, and declare these things.' However new and startling the theory may seem to us now, it is quite certain the time will come, when the idea of a visible Throne of the Deity shall be set down as a canonical truth and dogma of divine faith. The idea of a solar Empyrean has even now become a question which confronts the sages and stands in the portal of the Church. Even as the once rejected hypo thesis of the earth's rotundity soon ripened into a substantial and concrete scientific fact, so the discovery of a Solar Empy rean and glowing Seat of the Almighty's power, must, in time, crystalize into an intrinsic and established doctrine among men. Or, as the Sun was, on a time, shown to be the solar Center, so shall it now be proven to be the solar Shrine. THE FIXED STARS 21 SECTION X The Fixed Stars The Fixed Stars Are Suns. By analogy, it is inferable that the fixed stars are also Suns, Suns like unto our own, though afar off! Astronomers tell us, that since the fixed stars shine by their own light, they are Suns, distant Suns, self-lum inous Centers of unseen systems. The vast distance at which the fixed stars are known to be, precludes all thought of their shining, like the planets or the moon, that is, by reflecting back the light of the Sun. They must, therefore, be self-luminous, and are doubtless each the center of a system of planets and satellites. Our sun is one of them. As we see only the Suns of those distant systems, so their inhabitants see only the Sun of ours, and that as a small star. This, because of the immense distance. Between them and us there is a great chasm which no imagina tion can bridge ; a distance so great that figures are meaningless, and we can only call it space — so profound, that to us it is limit less, boundless, though beyond we see those other Suns twinkling like distant lights over a waste of waters. It is calculated that the motion of light through the trans- cosmical distances of space, is at the rate of twelve million miles each minute. Yet, had one such ray started from one of the Suns away in the vastness of the Milky Way, and set out for our earth in Adam's time, it would have made only about one- tenth of the trip by now. Indeed, it would become visible to a being on the earth only after more than fifty thousand years more had passed. Aye, if that star had been extinguished fifty thousand years ago,, we would see it glimmering still. Is not infinity as unthinkable as eternity? "The distance of the planet Neptune from the Sun is 2,750 million miles, but the distance of the nearest fixed star is nearly 7,000 times farther ! If we represent the earth's distance from the Sun by one foot, then will Neptune's distance be represented by thirty feet, while that of the nearest fixed star will be about thirty-six miles.' {Steele's Astronomy.) The conclusion seems irresistible that these faraway Lights 22 THE EMPYREAN are centers of solar systems, like unto our own, and are every where thronged throughout the infinite mazes of depths of space. Likewise, that these tremulous lights are rays and beams from Thrones of Deities, or as one might say from Thrones of the universal Deity, and are real Empyreans, like unto our own Sun, each with a distinct, presiding personality of infinity's omnipresent God dwelling in each potential Seat of endless majesty; aye, immensity's shining Lights are Thrones forever s'et ! SECTION XI The Solar Reign The Reign within our Sun, might, without protestation or prejudice, be called, the God of the solar system ; beyond whose jurisdiction, for us, there is no appeal; and His dynasty is for ever and ever. And the realms of His empire are unto the ut most bounds of solar dominion. And from thence He speaketh by way of omnipotence and enduration, from the center of the void : I am who am ; before the earth was or the sea, I am, and no one shall reign but me. My joy! My rapture! from eternity to eternity, I am, and no one shalt thou adore but me. From a nameless, dateless beginning, I have overcome all things and standeth alone o'er the deep; in my name thou shalt conquer, saith the Lord, and there is no one thou shalt fear but me. I remember the days of old and the worlds that were, since the foundation of my Throne, since the Sun began to shine, yet I am, the self -same, forever young. I am Elohim, the all-powerful one, the unspeakable one, I am Jehovah, the everlasting one, and who shall they fear but me? I am Adonai, the all-beautiful one, the fadeless one of heaven, saith the Lord, and none shalt thou serve but me. 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God is one God, and him alone shalt thou adore.' My commandment is a lamp and my law a light, and my word is the way of eternal life, and none shalt thou hear but me. Take warning of the fallen, when the stars from heaven fell. My far-bounding thunders search the deep forthwith, and my lightnings pierce the vault. In; my anger I killed the serpent, and in my wrath I slew the worm; for shame why should they live, they fell so low. They went into the deep, those fearful THE SOLAR REIGN 23 ones of old, those mighty ones of yore and their thunders are silent for aye. Their threats are silent for aye, when the terrors of heaven fell. O, they are very silent now ; ask of the regions of silence, where are the dead who opposed me of old. Forever I stand alone on the highest height and look down on the lowest deep ; I am the dauntless one of heaven, saith the Lord. From eternity to eternity I am, from everlasting to everlast ing, I am God. I am the imperishable one, the unspeakable one, the imperturbable God of heaven, saith the Lord, and no one shall reign but me. I grow not old with years, nor days affect my age, nor iron nor brass can bear my weight of time, but crumble in the dust. My days have made worlds decrepit and earths have grown wayworn in my sight, and the hills are bowed down 'neath the journeys of my years. Yet I am who am, the self-same, the changeless one of yore, and time cannot trespass on my youth. I am Alpha and Omega, saith the Lord, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, and the Lord God Almighty is my name. Who will count the days of the Lord, and write in a book, the number of the dynasty of God and the record of his court ? Who will give us, O man, the date of our solitude or the depth of our profundity ; who will give us, O ye living stars, the number of the year of our reign? PROBLEM II The Great Solar Hell In the previous inquiry, we have endeavored to establish the doctrine of a solar Empyrean and a solar Heaven; now we shall go further and undertake to prove, however paradoxical it may seem, that the Sun's exterior is the solar Incinerary, or, in fact, the great Hell of the solar system. The Psalmist, in one of the foregoing tracts, declared: 'He hath set his tabernacle in the sun,' and then concluded by aver- ing: 'And there is no one who can hide himself from his heat!' Ps. xviii :6-7. O, the terrific Sun! With a mind free and open to convic tion, and to the allusions of revelation, and by taking a general view of the question also from a scientific standpoint, one can not help acquiescing to the idea and conclusion, that the surface of that awful sphere, is, indeed, the mysterious Hell of Revela tion. It is the 'pool of fire burning with brimstone' ; the 'lake of tire' ; the 'second death,' and such like epithets, for which the common word 'Hell' is the universal term. It simply means a place of universal cremation, wherein all refuse, rubbish and waste matter of creation, material or spiritual, shall ultimately be cast for the purpose of effecting its. extermination. Thus it is, that Hell surrounds the Heaven, in order to pre vent entrance into the empyrean of anything corrupt or unfit. All things in the great, cosmic system, must fall to the Sun, is falling to the Sun, all things therein shall be destroyed, an nihilated, except such as the just God shall choose to permit to enter, by heaven's doorway, into the sanctuary of eternity's bliss ful abode. All the rest shall become destroyed, wiped out ! Hell surrounds the Heaven; lo, 'tis Heaven's own fortification, the empyrean breastwork, and no one of himself can pass the solar fortress nor hide himself from its heat. Hell is the protector of Heaven and the ornation of all nature. Flame is the adornment without, and cordons of fire 24 THE GREAT SOLAR HELL 25 the embellishment of the sapphire Throne, and heat the emblem of the scepter : behold, verily the pyro-regalia of infinity's See ! There is nothing so hot as the Sun, there is nothing so bright as the Sun; what might we expect to see so hot as Hell or so bright as the Throne of God ? Nay, who durst e'en look on his Throne for the flood of torrid splendor gushing from the fount of light? Revelation, like the Sun, embodies a Heaven clad in fire, and religion, like that sacred Orb, enshrines an endless paradise wrapped in terrible obscurity and which the eye of faith alone can see. Hell is the panoply of Heaven and guards the shining Throne of gold, nor shall the beauty of the amber Heaven turn lurid, for 'tis Heaven's own beauty still. Hell is the fortification of the lights, the bulwark of eternity. Thus Hell guards Heaven with an impenetrable wall of fire, and who will broach the invincible armory to molest the bower of bliss? Nay, not even a Moloch with his desperate powers of darkness, dare face bul warks empyrean to take a city of light. Until Hell is no more, the chieftains of sedition shall lie dead. Behold the lance that foiled them, the scimiter of justice brandished aloft and high that all may see. Thus has Providence made a double, treble, and unerring use of Hell ; first, to bestow light and heat on worlds abroad ; second, to effect the extinction of all waste matter, and third, to pro tect the most sacred vaults of the Holy of holies within. And no one can pass through the gates except by permission of the keepers. Of all fires we ever saw or heard, there is none like to this. Impossible to look upon without pain. Even from the portals of these distanst depths, what eyes can face unarmed that blinding, dreadful glare? Like an universal Gorgon sta tioned aloft ; of all things visible, Hell is the most profound and overpowering to behold, as it were wont to transfix in fatal stare, this frown of infinity's brow. 'Tis the immaculate brilliancy of creation and the universe is warned with the heat of its im- perturable face. But worlds abroad are cherished in the bene- ficient heat of Hell and summer in his smile. 26 THE EMPYREAN SECTION II The Sun's Heat The solar Flame is constantly fed from meteors and cosmic debris which rain down from all sides out of space in incessant showers on the surface of the Sun. Such is the final end of all matter. The planets, comets, satellites and our own dear earth are all slowly, imperceptibly, but surely winding their uncouth way down to the great Incinerary. Lo, the immolation of worlds; worlds emptying into Suns! Hell shall destroy all things, and then like an all-consuming tyrant, murmur to him self that he could not devour their smoke. The one burning passion of Hell is, that he might be able one day to devour the universe and lay all things waste ! That fierce, furious, tremendous White Fire devours all cosmic refuse and rubbish, whether of matter or being. All foulness and wickedness shall here be destroyed. Great is the fire of the Throne, great is the solar flame ! All weeds and cor ruption and serpents and sin-fed growths and ordurous and noxious things go in here. And all dross and solar waste and old worlds and wornout planets and worthless creations and wasted systems and decrepit earths and the sweepings of im mensity and uncouth monsters and canker-eaten things, and all proud and disdainful things and all abominable things and all hateful birds and deadly things are all devoured here, for, ah, the living Throne is clad in a robe of white death, and this great, central white fire forever keepeth the solar system purified. Though Hell hath its virtues and is indispensable to the cause of creation, we should nevertheless never attempt to deride its avidity nor to hide the terror of the seething rock; nor condone nor pass over lightly the hideousness of the voluptuous con queror. But let us in our report rather strive to ever expose the unspeakable frightfulness and dreadfulness of the place from all sides, so that no one might be taken unawares. Aye, He keepeth the solar system purified. That forbidding fire keepeth the brute in abeyance forever, nor is the heat thereof waning, nor is Hell cooling, as some would think. Since solar eternity begun, nothing has ever been able to withstand the intensity of this all-devouring, all-engulfing white fire. Nor rock, nor brass, SCIENCE SPEAKS 27 nor spirit, nor steel, nor devils, nor hard substances, nor the strong, nor clay, nor water, nor granite, nor demons, nor gor- gons can resist the depredations of the flames of this unquench able, inexorable white fire ! So we will write these things in a book, even so, amen. _ Let us disillusion ourselves. The Sun is the Almighty's bright Throne, impaled with a robe of living fire, and that fire serene is the solar Hell; but so far, far away we cannot hear its roar, nor the fearful surge of its swell. O, the monsters that were devoured there and) the heatombs of felons that were slain, slain, and the wrecks that were grieved there of yore; that the great in Heaven tremble, sitting on securest seats and the mighty shrink in fear when they ponder on the power of Hell and what its history yet might be ! SECTION III Science Speaks Wilt thou learn to know deep things? Then put thy ear to the ground and with patience listen to the rumblings. Astron omers tell us that the heat of the Sun is something prodigious and most awful to calculate. Such as filled the ancient naturalist with awe, and is still the inexplicable puzzle of the modern physicist, and men must bow their heads in reverential wonder and amazement when they contemplate the power of the Being who made the Sun and gave to it the potential of its radiative energy ! The amount of heat we receive annually across the depths of space is sufficient to melt a layer of ice thirty-eight yards in thickness, extending over the whole earth. Yet, the sunbeam is only one-three-millionths part as intense as it is at the surface of the Sun. It is said, if the heat of the Sun were produced by the burning of coal, it would require a layer ten feet in thick ness, extending over the whole surface of the Sun to feed the flame a single hour. Sir John Hershel says, that if a solid cylinder of ice forty-five miles in diameter and 200,000 miles long were plunged end first into the Sun's fire, it would melt in a second of time. Truly, is not this solar chaldron the eternal and unquenchable fire so frequently spoken of in the Bible? 28 THE EMPYREAN Speaking of the noise and roar of the flaming energy, it is said that the noise of that fire is such, that it would kill a man at a distance of 5,000 miles. Lo, the Orb of Thunder; lo, the resounding Sphere; the roar of the Empyrean and the fury of its majesty. Yea, yea, that deep, dismal, devouring noise is judgments, everlasting peal of doom. Lo, 'tis the sound of omnipotent power aloft, eternity's loud hurray ! That awful Fire came down the path of eternity, clearing the way of the ages in its onward march and stamping out every excrescence with the hoof of perdition. It hath con quered the past and the present is in jeopardy and the uncom promising conflagration threat eneth even the most untimely fu ture! Its journey is to the ends of infinity, even to infinity's far remotest bounds where other infinities meet. And in the exultation of omnipotence, its voice grows not faint nor weak, nor the bellow of its infernal joy. During the unaccountable, endless past, nothing has been able to overcome this roaring hieroglyphic of eternal victory, nor contend with its matchless power. High-pinioned on the wings of endless day, it swooped down the eternities, booming, devouring, annihilating. In bright blazonry, it felled the terrors in their day, and, mid a halo of boundless triumph it killed the undying serpent which nothing else could kill. But that roar is the loud report of Hell. Hell is one constant, cosmic explosion; one continuous, everlasting endless blast! That infernal rhonchi would put to shame the noise of earth's tempests and laugh to scorn the puny sound of her clouds. The peals that rock the firmament are but the whimper of his voice, and the mutterings of his thundering cir cumferences. And the plundering fire-brand flieth around the fearful earth once every day, but the humbled earth plodeth on, like a captive on her way. And when Hell bellowed through the great deep, the mountains of the planet smoked as if the bonds of nature burst, and voices muttered, and chasms yawned ; and when the groan of Moribund went forth, then the dead turned about in their graves, as 'twere the word of doom, and the earth gasped and shuddered in dismal dread; and I said, what ailed the, O earth, that thou thus leaped in fright at the voice of Acheron? Observers say, that during a total eclipse, immense tongues of flame are seen to shoot out from the Sun's edge for a distance of 200,000 miles in all directions. THEO-SCIENTIUM 29 Nay, this is but a vision of streamers of the reboant flame surrounding the paradise of God ! Swift messengers from that treacherous deep, these; as if voracious, bristling, beryl Hell would fletch out into remotest regions to usurp and imperil im mensity itself. Is not the Sun's fire great enough to answer the purpose of an ideal Hell? Nay, argument is unnecessary; the truth is only too self-evident, fearfully conclusive. This great fire is no purposeless illusion ; it is Hell's bright fire brandished aloft and high that all may see. There is nothing under Heaven so plain as Hell, though safely yet the while, standing on our own beloved planet and gazing o'er the distance, we descry the gigantic flood of the solar Gehenna! SECTION IV. Theo-Scientium, or Crux Criticorum By associating these astronomical teachings with those of religion, we unite two of the great and leading principles of science and ethics which instantaneously blend and unify; the one clearing up and solving the grand mystery of the other. For theology, in its revelations, is ever co-extensive with the solar system, and not much more, for the divine message deals un reservedly with that portion of the structure of the universe, as is more directly connected with the creation of man, to whom the divine word was given ; namely, the earth, sun and moon. Such, indeed, is the unqualified conclusions which this astro-doctrinal theme forces upon us. This theory effects a reconciliation, to the satisfaction of both reason and the senses, between the dis crepancies and heretofore apparently opposing tendencies of science and theology. We see how amicably these things will agree, when once rightly solved and understood. Evidently, the seeming shortcomings in these provinces, are merely the shortcomings in the human concept and comprehen sion, and may become entirely explained away when the true in terpretation is applied and the proper mode of exegesis dis covered. In the true interpretation of science, one cannot de part from an interpretation of inspired revelation; and vice versa, he that presumes to explain the divine word, cannot af ford to ignore the assistance of scientific findings. Both are the 30 THE EMPYREAN teachings of God and of his wonderful works, though through different mediums, and from different sources. Nor can we be persuaded that any portion of the mysteries of divine Revela tion, and which, being given to man for the edification and moral instruction of his race, shall, to him, forever remain in a latent, hidden state of incomprehensibility. It is said, 'there is nothing hidden but shall be revealed, and nothing secret but shall be made known.' There are signs and signals abundantly enough, withal, in both Nature and the Book, wherefore to infer these things, only to surmise them, and not unlike in mathematical equations, we may, in a considerable measure, deduce the un known from that which is known. When less of the abstract and more of the concrete enters into religion and its manifold teachings, many men will be given more to believe. And it seems that science does contain, at least in a great measure, the concrete embodiment of religious fact. And whosoever ignores the one, is guilty of removing the root and basic foundation from the other. Man is a matter-of-fact creature, and ever ready to believe that which he sees, feels and understands. He may believe in mysteries, or he may not, as it suits his fancy, yet, it is difficult for him to so do; mysteries are, anyhow, a stumbling block to him. He calls some things superstition. Yet, he will never say he does not want to learn and know about these things. Besides, why should any cloud of obscurity surround the knowledge of the real places and exact locations of Heaven and Hell? Why not transform the so-called superstition and supernatural of these things, into clear, substantial facts and entities? Can any one assign any reason why these all-important places should be kept secret and hidden from mortal vision ? No, the vagueness exist? in the human concept, not in the reality. However, such a deep- seated error will be hard for a time to remove, even like the idea of the glorious Sun being nothing but a vast, desolate fireball. We must rescue ourselves from the old, time-worn ruts of non- descriptiveness and vagueness, and let our mental conceptions put on real form. Such misapprehensions entrammel the mind, much like the people who once believed the earth to be flat and regarded the calculation of sailing around the globe, as an idle, foolish dream. This astro-theory regarding the doctrine of Heaven and Hell, is purely non-sectarian. Nor does it belong to any species of THEO-SCIENTIUM 31 rites or special form of religion, except that it upholds in that measure, any and all forms of doctrine which presume to up hold and maintain the real existence of these final and ever lasting abodes. Nor can our exposition be urged, in the least, as being prejudicial to the broadest interpretation of the dogmas and tenets of Christianity. It is the project of giving substance, form and location to the revealed worlds hereafter, the worlds beyond the grave. Our position is simply an original and specific species of theological solution and based on a new phase of scien tific discovery. Is it not time that men should learn to know the mystery of the Sun? Is it not time the world should under stand the deeper mystery and mission of that bright and lofty miracle of solar power? Is it in any wise unreasonable or de rogatory to our most cherished faith and sanctity to believe that solar Colossus to be the eternal See? What more befitting resi dence could we either imagine or desire in which to enshrine a beloved Creator and Father of all love and goodness to whom we daily pray? Like that of an endless Heaven, it is also one of the old est teachings in religion that there is also somewhere an ever lasting Hell, a place of punishment and destruction for the wicked and all very evil doers. It also seems to be an innate principle of justification or resentment, instinctive in the human soul, that there ought to be, and therefore must be a place of destruction for all treachery and corruption. The thought is self-appealing. Both nature and reason cry out for such, de mand such, establish such. Likewise, reason and conscience de clare in favor of a place of everlasting reward for the virtuous, the true, the deserving, the good. A place of emancipation in the end from the woes and cares of a troubled world like this. Places these, 'where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.' This is a doctrine which has its founda tion in the bedrock of the Divine word and its superstructure in the human breast ; a doctrine, too, that is the hope of the just and the terror of the wicked. Evil should be destroyed, but goodness should be rewarded with unending happiness. This is an ethical element as old as religion and as constant as day and night, and the embodiment of the doctrine lies in the two old- fashioned terms — Heaven and Hell ! Places, whose existence, believers are given to affirm, while skeptics are prone to deny ; and the negative take advantage of 32 THE EMPYREAN the shroud of vagueness and indefiniteness ever surrounding the question of location and identical whereabouts of these non descript abodes; until the world is learning more and more to doubt and to even altogether deny these existencies and to taunt ingly question the most orthodox principles of divine truth, and even to refuse to accept as rational, the doctrines of revealed fact, 'Where is thy Heaven; where thy Hell? Show us these places, Theophilis, or, at least tell us where they are and we will believe.' This, then, is perhaps the most serious drawback and dead lock in religion in all ages, namely, the lack of definiteness and concreteness in its teachings. In the field of doctrinal ethics, there is no obstacle so formidable as the snag of uncertainty. It gives boldness to inequity and license to immortality on every road of invasion, by removing a positive curbstone of fear and hope from a life hereafter and the prospects of a world to come, until now, even, in our day, much indifference, intolerance and persecution are rampant on the face of the earth. It has been truly said that 'Religion has nothing so much to fear as that of not being sufficiently understood.' Every reasonable man is conscious of his life here below, and likewise of the possibility of another life hereafter. But that reason must also dictate the probability of a life hereafter, and, further, if there be a life hereafter, it is also probable that the same is greater, nay, immeasurably greater than this. And the more clearly that scientific revelations are being understood, the more and more is this same probability determined. No man can deny either the possibility or the probability that the Sun is an em pyrean body, an empyrean world, when its appearance alone sug gests a reign of endless day. Such is, therefore, we presume to aspire, the practical feas ibility and utility of this attempt at the theo-cosmic evolution. And though this is commonly regarded as an age of doctrinal decline, it is nevertheless an age of keen and thoughful inquiry, when a world is gasping and sighing for a more substantial form of truth and light ; in a word, the world at this time wants, nay, demands that these things be explained. The mere unqualified intelligence, that Heaven is an elysian, a paradise, a place of future emancipation and felicity, an incomprehensible something, somewhere, though we know not where it is ; and that Hell is a dungeon of punishment somewhere hidden away; such, we say, THEO-SCIENTIUM 33 is a mode of explanation that does not wholly satisfy the thinking mind. Our reason desires something clearer, more palpable and real, and even in our best moments, we instinctively revolt against such shadowy prospects of hope and fear. Not that this hermeneutics of ours is intended as an inge nious scheme to supply any want or deficiency in either of the departments of science or religion. Our deductions are genuine solutions and disclosures, spontaneous discoveries, as the result of patient investigation as to why our noble sciences and the teachings of the Bible refused to harmonize. Nor can it be imputed that there is anything irreverend or sacriligious in this unveiling of Heaven or the unmasking of Hell. Nor can such be deemed an indignity beneath the Throne of Him that liveth forever and ever. Verily, verily, Heaven and Hell are the Throne of God; Hell represents the wrath of God and Heaven his love. And the jasper Orient is an emblem of Him whose 'countenance shineth like the sun in its full strength.' On the contrary, we deem it a Christian prerogative and duty of any person so disposed, to undertake the task of inquiry and investigation, provided he does not conflict with the established and canonical principles of morals, faith or Church. Methodizing and philosophizing are indications of mental progress. To un fold the mysteries of nature, is to learn the wisdom of God. Truth is the licit goal of all human aspirations and virtue the highest end of all human endeavor, and the clearing up of the mysteries and ever the richest boon that could be well bestowed on a world. Obviously, the discovery of a solar Heaven, is the key-stone to gnostic inception, and first step towards devolving the sacred Oracles. And although many things remain to be yet explained, the book of Revelations is no longer sealed. Prac tically open now, in Part Second of the work; so 'he that runs may read' this book of wonder and woe, creation's cardinal song ! When the Heaven and the Hell are found, the ice is broke in the way of delving. These are, as it were, the Castor and Pollux of vaticination. Hereby are the true variations established for reaching unto the true understanding and real depth of things. Behold in these twin, sunlit peaks of science, are theology's re motest Poles, like antipodal columns of light piercing the skies of knowledge. Aye, whose summits reach the Sun, for Heaven and Hell are only different aspects of the one Thesis, pointing 34 THE EMPYREAN unto the Solar. 'Tis, lo, the eclipse of Theo-science budding in the crescent ! Cosmo-theology is the true and legitimate school in which to explore the revelations of Nature and Scripture. This by uniting the two, and thus closing up the vast, indescribable, inane blank which has heretofore divided and separated the two. Religion is the pith and core of all true philosophy, the revelations also of nature. Such speculations cannot be reputed, either, as the work of pulling down any doctrinal support or edifice, for this is that great part of the edifice that was never built up, the unfin ished part of the structure. Duly impressed with the mightiness of the import, and duly apprised of the fact, that the value of anything or finding, con sists in the essential truth it contains, we started out with such status and datum as we an offer. Trusting, however, that to show the location of eternity's own abodes, is to prove their pal pable existence, and to prove their sensible existence proves alike the existence of a presiding, personal Deity, whose it is forever to champion the cause of eternity; and, likewise, in a manner, proves true all else that the inspired Book has taught; and, at the same time, tolls a sounding knell to infidelity and crime. And when I looked around and had seen the reekings of iniquity on the earth, I exlaimed : Show them thy Heaven, O God, and show them thy Hell, that a fear might strike into them, or else a new spring of hope ! And now we shall take leave of Hell with a cordial adieu, and, while we may, most politely excuse ourself before the bright, laughing Terror, hoping we may not be obliged at some future day to 'call again.' PROBLEM III The Problem of Creation That the Material Universe is a Resurrection or Resuscitation from the Essential Ruins of Angelic Being, Who Fell from Heaven During Eternity's Past and Were Destroyed. Visible Creation, as we behold it, is but a Restoration or a Phcenix-like Resurrection from the remains of extinct spirits, Fallen Angels, who, during by-gone ages of eternity, rebelled on High and were cast out from Empyrean heavens and hurled unto everlasting destruction; which destruction consisted in the utter annihilation of their existence as beings. Their identity is forever lost, and whatever hap may betide their 'ashes,' their sentence of death is eternal. From eternity to eternity, their forms or faces shall ne'er be seen in heaven again, for their empty seats are refilled by other lights. In proof of this fearful speculation, Revelation again affords many striking and unmistakable passages, especially the fol lowing : Oracle: — 'And there was a great battle in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast forth unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.' (Apocalypse xii:8-9.) Like all matters of inquiry into the final cause of things, the Divine Word alone affords us any direct insight. Here, we have an instance of a Battle in Heaven! Such is indeed a celestial transaction and spiritual occurrence, the revelation of which fact, science of herself could never give. A battle fought by good Angels on one side and bad Angels on the other side. Yes, a most mighty, fierce battle, such as mortals hath not seen, 35 36 THE EMPYREAN great as Heaven is above the earth, when the Archangel banished and foiled the Serpent of the Sun ! Exceeding great and fierce ! When the evil Angels knew or feared they were to be cast out forever, and still worse, that they were to be ultimately cast into Hell's fire and be destroyed, was not this the strongest possible incentive to impel them to resist with the utmost power of their being? However, the inspired pen-man tells us they were de feated. Notice, too, that the wicked hosts are called devils and Satans, and further, that taken collectively in unified formation, they are called, 'the Dragon,' and the 'old Serpent.' How is it that these unfortunate spirit beings, taken collect ively in composite cosmogony, are termed, Dragons and Ser pents? What was the cause of Angelic downfall? Sin! Long ranges of celestial sin and transgression transformed the wicked angels. The ultimate consequence of protracted periods of sin is to effect a most abject state of being. These adored 'idols' in forbidden 'bowers' on high, whence they became defiled, superan- uated, inept. Then the all-powerful banished them, blaspheming Dragons now, from high heavens imperial vault and the holy Presence. And falling the 'seven-fold heights,' the ruins of their once cherubic essence filled the empty void beneath, the abyss of the infinite bottomless; and the smoke of their woe swelled the depths, and the depth under depth; the chambers of the great, great dead ! In this attempt on the science of Demonology, we undertake to set forth the doctrine that inordinate fusion of sex results in derogation of being. Abandoning all idea of angelic senility, as a mere matter of the course of time — for they never grow old up there in that domicile of God — the cause which led to angelic downfall, is attributable, according to sacred scripture, and in some mysterious manner, to spiritual 'fornication' and pride.* A demon is a living symbol of celestial majesty ruined; a derogation of being. A male being (a person) in his pure orig inality is a majesty. A female in her holy originality, is likewise a true majesty. But a Devil is an unholy and unlawful combina tion of the two, when one neutralizes and vitiates the other. They are therefore and in that measure united, unsexed, uncreated in ?Indeed it seems that celestial being owes its downfall to some inordinate beatitude by and between angelic being on one hand and more recently created cherubim on the other, and not between the more ancient and perfected Spirits. A LAMENTATION 37 the law of lust. Lo, the downfall of endless being. The undying Serpent and the undying Worm are each and both the essential products and victims of infamy created in the sin of sins, at iniquity's fond shrine, the sure and ultimate fulfillment of fusion of being, when the two counter beings are 'fused' and 'catabol- ized' into one. As virtue buildeth up, so sin buildeth down. As the holy distinction of the two counter-elements of being pre- serveth all good, so, the unholy combination of the two pro- duceth all evil, and the serpent is the ultimation of all degra dation. Thus, they become bent in eternity's 'old age,' and endless decreptitude, until they finally fall down prone, groveling ! These victims become unnatural things ; fused, vitiated, concreted, com pounded, confounded, 'petrified' serpents ; double natures in one, and one undoes the other, and nothing can separate them again, save the sharp, unfailing teeth of the saw of hell's fire. Nor can the fallen, the prone, defend himself from him that standeth aloft on end. A serpent cannot cope with a God. His mal-functioned existence shall sooner or later become extinguished in endless death, when the remains of his double essence, radiating off into space, produceth the doubleness of the element of space and swells the transparent, ethereal deluge of the boundless void. Andygynous seraphim; hermaphrodites cherubic; heteroge neous subsistencies ; valitudinarians of ancient shame; hoary- crested terrors of the Almighty's wrath ; dead weights of infinity ; the irreverend of eternity; whose fall was not of a day. And heaven thunders against the awful deformity with all the vehe mence of infinite anger till the doom; and hell roareth, come, come! SECTION II A Lamentation How shall we mourn for them, the disobedient, the bright erring ones ; those wayward sons of heaven, who went into de struction of old, slain by the eternal sword? What shall the lamentation be, what numbers can we sing? O, how shall we commiserate the unhappy dead? How, when on that day, ere earth's creation was, when the sword of God was rife in Idumea on high, and the Terrors of 38 THE EMPYREAN heaven were slain? How, when Lucifer, the beautiful, pleaded full of hope, but his arguments failed? Then, they, the mighty ones, the sorrowful, went down into the deepest part of the depths. They went down in the haste of despair, their train heralded by a dead angel; and they made for him a bed in the bottom of the void. And they bore their shame with him that went into the unhallowed deep, all slain by the burning sword. Their armies around about them, chariots and riders, powers and dominions, cohorts and the vultures of heaven. And the smoke of the wars of the unholy stretched away to the endless north, and they sleep the sleep that knows no waking, for they were slain by the invincible sword. How shall we sing for them, the lost angels, the perished ones, and their untimely multitudes of woe, the ambitious, when the listening wilds caught the numbers of their weeping and even heaven was disconsolate that such should be? Their graves are at the bottom of the void, and their fallen hosts around them, the hopeless ones, strewn on the endless, voiceless shore, but they sleep in the silence of death that knows no waking, for they are slain by the flaming sword. Great chiefs, strong warriors, whose arms defended heaven in other days since the foundation of the sun, but they trans gressed and their scarlet thrones faded of yore and vanished like the clouds of the morning. How foiled thy arms on high, Azazel, hapless leader, and thy crescents and thy phalanxes and thy cubes and thy half-moons ? Where the glory of thy armies slain? Mephistopheles and Baalzebub, the elders, enemies of purity and light and ancient foes of holy peace; Moloch and Mam mon and Asmodeus and Mars and Satan, leaders of rebel lious hosts, avowed usurpers of mercy and arch-slanderers of virtue and blessed truth, who warred against God in heaven ; but they went into the depths of old, and their thunders are silent for aye. Counselors of strife, who breathed defiance in heaven; mighty spirits, arch-angelic chiefs, strong bolters, frightful kings! who strove to mar the joy of heaven; majesties of iniquity, thrones of hate, tyrants of eternity, serpents of uncouth fame; they who questioned the authority of God in the day that they fell, and forever are not. DESTRUCTION'S PROFUNDITY 39 They went down into the everlasting depths, to rest in the graveyard of the void, the rebellious ones, the ruthless ones of yore, the mighty one of old; and their carcasses swelled infin ity's limitless bounds of space, till the bursting regions groaned with the burden of their slain. SECTION III Destruction's Profundity Now, the ultimate result} of hell's fire is to effect an utter deprivation of being. During the course of long ranges of cosmic time, these unfortunates at length, became utterly consumed; when their essence and the substance of their nature, became at length all radiated off in the form of light or heat, visible or invis ible, and was disseminated throughout the length and breadth of the great deep of space. It is a mistake to suppose that these, or any being suffer endlessly in hell, without becoming annihi lated. Such a conclusion is absurd, from the very fact itself, that pain implies loss, and continual pain, continual loss. Be sides, the idea of unending torture, would be revolting, most gruesome and unjust. The endurance of spirit nature, however, is such as to almost defy destruction's violence, or even pain. The pain of a spirit being, suffering in the agency of great heat, is not to be compared to that of weak, mortal flesh. The vicissitudes of heat and cold which cause we humans to suffer, could no more affect their nature than could the warmth of an August day melt granite or burn copper. No, nor if a living soul, 'stripped of its mortal coil,' were enclosed within an ordinary, heated furnace, for a hundred years, the effect of the heat and suffering on that spirit would, perhaps, be all but unnoticeable. It is also an absurdity to attribute insubstantial property and quality to the beings of the supernatural world, even as heaven is sometimes reputed to be some kind of an immaterial hidden pa geant world ; an unreal, vague land. These places and beings are, though invisible to mortal vision, the most substantial and real in existence. The most perfect substantially and lasting durabil ity characterizes the great beings inhabiting the realms of the higher sphere ; the spirit world. But in the course of hell's de- 40 THE EMPYREAN struction (for hell will in time destroy anything) the eroded or consumed part goes off like in the form of radiation from the Sun. And departing, the same goes into and remains invisible in the eternal crypt of the infinite void. It is the motion of light which renders the element visible, as soon as the radiant Ether is at rest and motionless, it then becomes invisible. Now one of the main features in the issue of this theme, is to explain that the cremated remains of past Destruction, go into the reservoir of the boundless void, the appropriate graveyard of eternity's Dead. And that the light going off from the Sun, for instance, is liable to be, in a measure, the illustrious 'smoke' of spirit destruction in the solar Hell. Likewise, the same from the fixed stars, all told, for these, too, are universal hells. But the Revelations of the Bible does not attempt to treat of anything nor to extend itself outside or beyond the provincial territory of the solar system. And here again, the traditions and legends are even restricted specifically to recent solar time; that is, such time only as has any direct connection with the creation of our planet. For the decline and fall of Lucifer or Satan, at once gave rise to the first cause and purpose of the creation of the earth. The perfected organic creation hereon being destined and ordained to supply and refill the lost seats on high, forfeited and confis cated by that mighty rebel Host. Outside of all this, our revela tions has nothing to do. With other planets our revelation has nothing to do. Back of this certain date, nor with the traditions of other worlds, other suns, other heavens, other falls, other issues, other rises, our God-given revelation has nothing to do. Consequently, all else must be inferred. But is it not infer able, that as Lucifer of Biblical account fell and is destined to be destroyed, that other mighty angels also fell during the etern ity of the solar past, and of which happening, to us, no mention is made ? If one angel fell, and was liable to fall, so were others, and that, too, from the same Heaven. Then where is the limit? How many seraphs sinned? how many cherubic thrones fell? how many blaspheming dragons were cast out from the empyrean vault? We shall answer according to the dictates of reason, that as eternity is endless and as the workings thereof has no limit, so the number of angels who fell is countless, numberless. But the same theory also holds, by generalizing, to any and all the infinitude of Fixed Stars. Then what is the resulting product less than infinity multiplied into eternity? Lo, there was a great CREATION'S PROFUNDITY 41 catastrophe in the past and the eternal God alone was rescued from the awful wreck! This is not saying that the track of the past is all strewn and whitened with the bones of disaster, for the decline and fall of celestial being, must, in all probability, be of comparatively rare occurrence; but it is nevertheless saying that there are vestiges and remains of wrecks more or less all the way, however few and far between, and eternity hath a long record. SECTION IV Creation's Profundity Now we shall have it, that this universal atmosphere or invisible smoke of eternity's disaster, is, in itself, the grand and infinite source from which the Material Universe sprang and is perpetually wrought. The remains of angelic creation is thus forever reviving and reforming into the state of new created matter and being, when the invisible becomes visible in creation made anew. Behold, said the Lord, I make all things new. The glorious universe, as we now behold it, so surpassingly beautiful and grand, with its suns and planets and moons and worlds, and all manner of being that dwell and subsist thereon, and which we behold so magnificently, risen and so surmountingly filling the heights and the depths; all this, we say, is but the timely fulfillment and survival from the fearful wreck of the past; or as one might say, the resurrection from the universal death of eternity's great dead. Creation is a resurrection, or a glorious reclamation from the ruins of the awful catastrophe of eternity's long, long past and infinity's stern dooms. From the ashes of Monstrosities, the universe was built: Hoary sinners of antiquity; willful valetudinarians of the suns; solar outcasts, whose tottering thrones gave way, were cast be neath. The universe is an hieroglyphic of the great Disaster and the vision restored. The magnificat of rising immensity, with its heights, circles and spheres, constitute the sublime causeway on which Death and Darkness travel, returning back again to life and light, from what heights fallen, to regain their native seats, till the pulleys of the universe groan with the weight of the giant dead. Numberless new born worlds rising into being and 42 THE EMPYREAN life and sweeping headlong in their stupendous, spiral paths through the heavens are no less than the recuscitated ruins of fallen cherubin, liberated from oblivions, boundless night, and their folding, spiral orbits are, indeed, steps upwards unto the higher lights. The Universe is an expression and a living sym bol of omnipotent Energy and its motions are but the demon strations of omniscient Wills, forever fathomless and mysterious still. But of all things created, life is greatest. Creation is a mystery and a prodigy, and the universe is forever giving out great things and wonders, but life is the wonder of wonders ! Wilt thou not accept it, O, prudent Theologian, that solar worlds were once living seraphims, or that the substance of the earth was once a Lucifer bright? And yet thou must take it for granted if thou wilt credit Revelation's word, that angels have rebelled against their Maker and fell and were destroyed and are to be destroyed. Now, in all eternity was there but one revolt? Where, tell us, are the ruins, of the seditious ones, where the graveyard of the legions slain? Were the fallen past all piled into an universal, living hell, that hell would fill creation's bounds. Thinkest thou, these things have not happened? In the realms of immensity's achievements, there is nothing good or bad, great or small, happy or unhappy, that has not happened. Will anyone think for a moment, that the narrow range of our own ob servation and experience, circumscribes the utmost, the extreme of all that ever was? Who can comprehend the achievements, the measures, the possibilities of infinite Being and of the work ings of creation's bounds? We are referring now more explic itly to the negative side of untold transpirements : transgressions, curses, punishments. Even the fearful history given us in the visions of the great Prophecy, and which to us is so mysterious and expansive, is only a little mite in eternity's record. Yes, great things have happened of old; ancient strifes, whose records dire are blotted out with age; Dreadful wonders, such as never entered the minds of men; presumptions rage, when the unholy fled from the anger of God; workers of iniquity, from eternity's, earliest, grayest dawn, who defied the Almighty's wrath, in the day that they fell, till a bereaved heavens paled at the emptying of thrones from on high! Mighty, threatening felons of yore, who warred against God in heaven, whom the Lord God alone could overthrow ; but they perished by the heat of the omnipotent Sword and the fathomless deep is their grave. THE ARC OF LIFE 43 Hell roared during all eternity and heaven thundered against the worm till the doom. Notice the potent cause why destruc tion's 'sword' was made; these enemies of creation would have defiled the sanctuary and undone the works of Creation, had not their existence been thus deposed. Heaven is a place of endless joy and unfading, unending hap piness, and, yet, that all depends; it depends on the supreme prerogative of angelic freewill. Eternal vigilance is the genius of eternal life ; each capable being must sustain his own glory. And this is the Element of the great Deep forever concentrat ing and condensing itself into matter in the form of Great Spheres. Thus it is that Creation is risen posthumously and Phoenix-like up from the ashes of its own dead. Thus it is, that the manner of immensity's resurrection is ever visioned in creation's spangled habiliment, and in being's and world's muli- farious modes and entities, inhabiting and investing the ever- moving, ever-rolling deep, and tangibly witnessed in matter's ponderous adjustment, poise and equipoise. Out of the wreck of the past, the future springs anew. And behold, how now, a whirling universe rests on rolling rotundity, and immensity hangs on revolving Thrones and flaming shrines, and day and night and time and years, race round on rapid spheres. SECTION V The Arc of Life Behold, as the Angel fell down into the form of a Serpent, even so is the Serpent again raised up unto the form of a man, an angel, a god; and all this, through the evolutionary process of life on an organic world. During the entire seonian period of a planet's existence, the whole process of evolution consists in ultimately lifting up the serpent, back again, unto a god ; from the depth of destruction's profundity the serpent is lifted up ! Angels are cradled on planets; planets are the cradles of the cosmic systems, where infant gods are reared. Such is the divine purpose of a planet world, that a rising seraph might be reared thereon. But all being on an organic world, begins with the lowest order of animal existence, namely, the prone forma tion; and, finally, terminates with the highest formation, the 44 THE EMPYREAN upright, the godlike. The serpent's fall was not of a day, neither is his rise, for it requires the whole period of a planet's existence, to procure the exaltation. The serpent is an emblem of majesty squandered; the god is a lofty symbol of majesty restored. The prostrate serpent is a typical emblem of a victim; the god, of glory regained. The serpent is a pitiable charge of power ravished ; the god, a herald of power renewed. The upright form of a god is the highest standard in the possible order of creation. The form of the reptile is most low, base, groveling, prone, horizontal; a god is upright, erect, perpendicular, with his head raised aloft; and when I saw men walking on the face of the earth, I said, behold, these are serpents raised up, and now they go forth walking like angels. A serpent is prone, resting on the low horizon; a god is lifted upward even to the zenith. Between the serpent and the god dwells all the other orders of being in the ascending, biological scale of life. Therefore, it is, that the entire scope and range of being is circumscribed within a quadrant of ninety degrees. From the horizontal to the perpendicular, is the geo metric Arc of Life. Above this no being can rise, or below that, no being can fall : the maximum range and compass of all life and being. And all the tremendous on-rush and fearful head-on flight of a planet, its feverish surging activity, all this is but the hope ful, zealous haste of a diligent world, in the work of lifting up and carrying back the Lowest even unto the Highest. 'Tis the maternal rocking of the cradle and the rearing of a swaddling infant, for the earth is a cosmic cradle whereon an infant Angel is being reared and the rocking of the cradle maketh day and night. PROBLEM IV Contraction of the Solar System (Written June, A. D. 1889.) That the Solar System Consists in a Vast Whirlpool of Ethereal Space, Forever Contracting and Converging Towards the Great Center, and Imperceptibly Conveying the Planets and All Cosmic Matter With Itself Towards the Sun, Only at an Infinitely Lesser Rate. Oracle: — 'The heavens shall be folded like a scroll, and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the vine and from the fig tree.' — (Isaias xxxix:4.) That inexplicable, convoluted involvement, called the Solar System, is an integral organ ever infolding itself towards the Sun; lo, a fire infolding it! And the planets are flying rolls, royai volumes of King Sol, and borne by an unseen hand around the Throne of destiny. And are, in turn, falling centerward, and like gnats playing around a burning lamp, now and then, drop into the flame. To burn, is the end of all matter, and time shall be consumed in the fires of eternity. It is most probable, that during the mystic aeons of the past ages of the solar system, many worlds pre-existent to our own, have fallen victims to that august, glittering Conquerer and world-tomb, and became con sumed in the fervor of the awful Pyre. Although observation, as yet, has hesitated, or rather failed, to make the announcement, we are persuaded and given to believe, that the present orbits of the planets are not permanent, but are ever gradually convolving and contracting, and the planets descending sunward. And from our mite of research and inves tigation, we find the enterprise convincing, nay, evident from more than one viewpoint of the question. As previously reiter- 45 46 THE EMPYREAN ated, we find that visible creation came forth from .the plentitude of the inane depths and that all the world and the works of God, are visible in the form of great spheres. It is generally admitted by Physicists, both ancient and mod ern, that all space is filled with an universal fluid or 'atmosphere' of the rarest character. This primitive, subtle consistence has been variously called 'Ether,' 'Essence of Space,' 'Crystalline Fluid,' etc. But this seems to be as far as these fathers of philosophy had gone. They did not attempt to describe the nature, origin or character of this invisible 'Atmosphere.' We shall now venture to proceed a step farther by demon strating, that this essence of the infinite and all-containing deep, is of an all-pervading, all-creating, pre-existing, two-fold char acter, consisting of two kinds of atoms; the Primordial Natures, or, in fact, the Positive and Negative Poles of Creation, distinct and separate — and which, for convenience, let us call them Force and Form, — and which, really and virtually constitute the origi nal, ineffable beginning of all creation, out of which the Universe itself proceeds. As the Lord liveth, this is the raw material from which the Universe was built ! Lo, the tertium quid and sponta neous first cause of material creations in all its diversified mani festations, not to mention the unfailing motor power of the per petual motion of the universe. The Atom, itself, may be said to be a kind of being, truly the first form of existence, endowed with life, which life is an emanent, mutual volition residing in each half of the double na ture. It is by this hylozic life, or atomic energy, that each single nomad, or half, selects and attracts a counterpart; the ultimate union and combination of which results in the formation of mat ter; that is, tangible, palpable, visible matter. It is therefore, that this amorphous, androgynous, omnific, plastic principle is the elementary existence from which all material creation originates ; when the invisible universe hypostatizes, so to speak, and be comes converted into the visible universe. The Atomic element, in its primitive, isolated condition, can hardly be said to be a substance, according to the more general acceptation of that term — as obviously, Force in itself is not a substance, or Form in itself is not matter — but by the act of the uniting of the two, primordial principles, invisible, ethereal space condenses into visible, tangible existence. Matter is therefore a CONTRACTION OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM 47 manifestation of the marriage of the atoms, or in other words, 'space' contracts and develops into matter. After lying dormant for ages in the womb of the great deep, and perhaps chiefly as a question of time, the dead atom gradu ally and spontaneously resumes life anew. The first effort of this new life is to seek and attract its counterpart. Force seeks Form and Form seeks Force; which effort again, during long ranges of time, result in the combination of the two into real matter. Universal Vortices It is now apparent, that the volume of the two atoms them selves become less than before these were united, possibly many times less. Hence, it will be seen that the entire volume of space (or the element of space) contracts, as the numberless, component minims unite. But this universal contraction of space, results in the establishment of great Vortices, everywhere, throughout the boundless regions of the void, each rotating on an axis of matter as its focus. Great celestial whirlpools, these, with suns and moons and worlds and stars as centers, which centers consti tute the generating points of matter and the concentrating points of space. As each and every celestial vortex rotates about a solid nucleus of matter, as its axis, it is obvious that the rotary motion of the vortex is, by its enormous contractile pressure, com municated to, and consequently governs the motion of its central sphere. Thus the motion of the central body becomes identical with that of the vortex. But it likewise follows, that each and every particle and every body of matter comprised within such vortex, and isolated from the common center, is borne about and controlled by the revolutionary force of the vortex. Thus, the first, for example, bestows the rotary motion on the Sun, while the second confers the revolutionary motion to the planets. But the circumvolutionary motion of a planetary vortex, in like manner, effects the rotary motion of the planet and the orbital motion of its respective satellites. Will the savants denounce this as an insurgency or a scientific heterodoxy which undertakes to deny that the orbits of the sidereal system are either constant or permanent? Nay, let us rather aver that nothing in nature is permanent except activity and change. The sea is drying up, the cosmic bodies are burning 48 THE EMPYREAN up, and their mutations ever varying, although these processes are so vast and slow as to defy and baffle the most astute obser vation of man. By extending the theory, we infer that the Milky Way or the Galaxy is, indeed, the Great Ecliptic itself of the Universe. Its pale light reveals to us the direction of the most mighty uni versal vortex around us, within which immense whirlpool of suns — rivers of suns — our Sun, also, hangs suspended amid the supercosmic Chasm ; and all are circling in a dizzy waltz around some great, unseen Center: the mission of the Suns counting the years of eternity. Each seonian revolution constituting the Sun's great Year. Now in the operations and visions of the celestial panorama, have we come to view the expanse of the starry heavens. Be hold, indeed the Firmament Empyrean; infinity's great Dome beyond the firmament ; lo, that sparkling, silent, motionless Firm ament, raised to a height, O, that is dreadful ! But these lights so far, far aloft, these are infinities, ceaseless, fadeless, far- shining shrines; seats of highest majesties, and they hove aloft in the highest, cerulean, azure dome, borne on eternity's own wings. And, yet, the Universe, itself, is probably but one of an infinite series, and which, because of our limited vision, we are far from seeing. Astronomers tell us that the nearest fixed star, namely, Alpha a Centauri, is no less than 19,000,000,000,000 (nineteen trillion) miles from our Sun. And, as it is probable that the exterior boundaries of the respective vortices do lie half way between the fixed stars, and contiguent, the extreme outer limit of King Sol's dominion in space, is, on all sides around, more than 3,000 times the distance of Neptune's orbit from the Sun. Perhaps, far beyond the aphelion distance of any comet, for the orbits of comets are confined to the solar vortex. Aye, the spacial region of the Sun and his power do penetrate even unto extreme, ethereal rarity, if not absolute inanity. The sole diam eter of this solar, crystalline 'ocean,' this superabysmal reservoir, is, therefore, at least 19,000,000,000,000 miles. Such is the pro fundity of solar space and its surplus of raw material ! It is obvious, according to the hypothesis, that during the evolutions of the future, secular ages of the solar system, that other yet undiscovered planets, yes, numberless, unborn worlds, shall in turn and regular order, like shot falling from a tower, SIZE, DENSITY, SATELLITES, ETC. 49 wind their devious way down from the nameless, hidden depths of the inexhaustible treasuries of space, and like they of the past, shall, too, fall to the Sun and be burnt up ! SECTION II Size, Density, Satellites, Etc. The matter of relative size and comparative density of the various members ought, we think, furnish testimony in favor of the theory of contraction of the solar system. But the question of relative Distances also furnish datum for a no less argument. The Solar System consists of the Sun at the center, and eight or nine planets revolving around that center at varying distances, from 35,392,000 miles, or the orbit of Mercury, to that of Nep tune, which is 2,746,271,000 miles. All revolving in the same direction, i. e., from west to east, or in the direction of the hands of a watch facing north. The distance of the other planets are as follows: Venus 66,131,000 miles; the Earth 91,500,000 miles; Mars 139,312,000 miles; Jupiter 475,693,000 miles; Saturn 872,134,500 miles; Uranus 1,753,850,000 miles, and Neptune, or the farthest known planet from the Sun 2,746,271,000 miles. Thus, it will be seen, that the distances between the planets increase at nearly a regular ratio as they recede outward from the Sun. The distance between these members is always greater farther out, even as it is natural that the density of the vortex itself, would also decrease outward. Yet, this condition of the system can hardly be said to constitute a conclusive argument, since these planetary members might hold the same relative positions, whether they were receding from, or advancing toward the Sun. Except, that, if their motion were governed by a vortex, it could be in no other direction than that of advancing sunward. Regarding the existence of a solar vortex, as reiterated, it is admitted by scientists generally that all space is filled with a rare ethereal fluid. Now, if all space be filled with a stationary mo tionless fluid, however rare or subtle, the same would surely be a source of constant friction and resistance, which would sooner or later bring the motion of the planets and of all bodies to a standstill! Hence, this 'whirlwind' of the solar system seems very plausible from every palpable manifestation and point of 50 THE EMPYREAN view. This invisible, ethereal substance within the solar system, or in other systems throughout the universe, does not dwell in a simple, passive state of rest ; but rather, on the other hand, the element consists in a state of constant and perpetual motion and activity, and especially at the region of the vortical foci, in a state of tremendous motion and agitation. And is, indeed, the rare and infinite flood which gives perpetual motion to the ma chinery of the universe and propels the wheels of immensity. And thus we see that the relative motions of the planets in their respective orbits do correspond exactly and proportionately to that of a solar vortex : exceedingly speedy near the center and a regular slowing down as they recede from the Sun. Even such is ever and always the organized formation of a vortex, viz., a regular decreasing rate of motion as the square of the distance from the center increases. Mercury travels at the rate of 105,330 miles an hour, while the motion of Neptune is only 11,958 miles an hour, or about one-tenth that of Mercury. But the density of the planets do also vary, inversely with their respective distances. That is, the planets nearer the Sun are the densest and the ones farthest out are,, as a rule, the rarest. The first step in the production of matter is to originate, but the second step must inevitably be to density. Assuming that matter originates in the rarest form (water in either the liquid or the gaseous state) and through the slow and gradual process of time, it concentrates, crystallizes and densifies into the heavy solid form, as clay, rock, ore, metal. Even as it is with the solar system, so it is with each and every planet, body and member in that system. All matter originates in the form of gas and water and ends in the form of metal and fire! In support of this position of aqueous originality of planets, we have also sacred testimony. For instance: — 'When with a certain law and compass He enclosed the depths; when He established the sky above and poised the fountains of water's.' (Proverbs viii :27-28.) And again: 'For this they are willfully ignorant of, that the heavens were before and the earth, out of water, and through water, consisting by the word of God.' (Peter iii:5.) But especially from the first chapter of the book of Genesis, we find very sustaining testimony in proof of the correctness of the hypothesis: 'In the beginning God created heaven and earth. And the earth was void and empty and dark- SIZE, DENSITY, SATELLITES, ETC. 51 ness was on the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters' (Gen. 1:1-2.) Accordingly, we infer that Neptune is, indeed, comparatively a new-born world and consisting in the embryonic and aquatic stage of its existence; while Mercury is in, or near the dotage stage of its eonian day, and burnt out and reduced to a thin, dense shell, by its own internal heat. The location of the earth] in the course of her cosmic voyage, and physical cosmogony is that of about mid-way. By taking; a general survey of the stupendous structure of the solar system, we see, as a rule, that the planets more and most remote from the Sun, are also much the largest bodies, and, at the same time the rarest and lightest, or about the den sity, or less, than that of water. The density of Neptune is estimated at .96, water taken as 1, while that of Mercury, or the nearest known planet to the Sun, reaches the specific gravity of 7.03, or, Mercury is more than seven times as solid and dense as Neptune. Going) outward from Mercury, the other planets decrease in density, very nearly, on a graduated scale. That of the earth is supposed to be 5.67. As the specific gravity of Neptune is equal to or less than that of water, so the density of Mercury is about the same as that of cast iron. We think this goes to show that the remote bodies are of more recent origin, while the age of Mercury is comparatively very great. It is small, old, and exceedingly dense, and its loca tion away down near the Sun. When the other members reach this solar declivity, they will, undoubtedly, become quite the same in form and substance, and, conversely, when Mercury originated, it was away out in the depths of space, even beyond the present orbit of Neptune. The change in transformation, structure, etc., being due first, to the resulting effects of organic life, and, secondly, to subsequent cohesive effects of time, pres sure and internal heat. It is not necessary to suppose that the original size of all planets were the same, any more than that the size of every snowflake and every drop of rain is the same. The original size of Jupiter was, without doubt, the largest and that of Mars, possibly the smallest of the existing planets. But it is obvious, that the natural size of these bodies do all decrease in size from first to last, with age and the corresponding evolutions of matter, even until the Sun is reached. Besides, is there any deducible 52 THE EMPYREAN argument whatever to infer that the planets are increasing in size or decreasing in density? Is there any reason to suppose that the earth is attaining in size? or that she always has been and always must be just one and the same size? There is not. With respect to the Sun, itself, it is evident that the intense heat of that body serves to keep its surface matter constantly in a highly rarified state. The thin, solid rim or shell of the sun is, probably, composed of highly purified and transparent gold, while the liquid and fluid elements on the bright, burning surface, are composed chiefly of more refractory, rarified metals and of lower specific gravity. The sun's density is computed at only 1.43. Satellitic Involution 'In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.' — (Psalms lxxi:7.) So much for the argument of vortices, size, motion and den sity, in sustaining the theory of solar and universal contraction. We shall now endeavor to produce a very different phase of argument, with respect to the numbers and order of Satellites belonging to the various planets. As the Solar System, itself, is slowly convolving and consol idating, so, likewise, are the several planetary systems; and as the planets are descending, or ascending to the Sun, so the same law holds regarding the satellites, which are no less surely descending to their respective planets. Behold the manifest and telling reason why the oldest planets nearest the Sun are moonless ! Behold the why and wherefore, that the remotest members have many satellites revolving about them. It is an uncontroverted, astronomic fact, long since proven by the power of telescopic observation, that the planets, as they recede from the great solar center, have an almost uniform increase in the number of moons revolving about them. Why is this? Saturn, the third outside the earth, has ten discovered moons, and may have more. Jupiter, the second planet outside ours, has nine, several of them discovered very recently. Mars, the next outside our planet, has two moons. It is needless to say, the Earth has only one moon ; while Venus and Mercury, the planets between the earth and the sun, have no nocturnal companion whatever. How did this come? Is it the result SIZE, DENSITY, SATELLITES, ETC. 53 of fortuitous chance, or is the circumstance owing to the immut able law of cause and effect? Why has a tree, late in autumn, less leaves than it has in midsummer ? The reason is very appar ent: the leaves have fallen. So it is with the moons. Those planets, late in the year of their existence, have their satellites all fallen down. Unfledged science may lisp that the present condi tion of the solar universe is fixed and unchangeable, but we know it is not. It is forever changing. Evolution is the fixed and unchangeable law of all matter, systems and worlds, and evolution implies constant and perpetual change. The present is ever only one, passing mode and condition in the incessant transformations of nature, worlds, entities. Aye, the ever-exist ing present is but like unto the sum total of the vestiges of the past. But the duration of cosmic time is so great that the progress of these transpirations are to us imperceptible, practically in terminable. The age of man upon the earth is of comparatively, such a little while ; six or eight thousand years are but a moment in eternity, a swing of the cosmic pendulum! The change and changes made during this time are so small and the works of God so immense, that human observation during a decade of a few thousand years, is rarely able to detect any permanent or cataclysmic modification in either the form, construction or magnitude of the solar fabric, and yet, no one will deny that many ordeals and convulsions have occurred ; while the more prying and delving observation of armed vision, is in vogue not more than a few centuries. Indeed the deeper knowledge of the solar system and its aeonian workings, like that of almost every other department of modern science, still in its infancy, has been and is for the most part, a solemn mystery to the natural ist and astronomer: like the problem of creation and the riddle of the universe were still to be solved. The process of concentration and consolidation of bodies and systems, is, in itself, a most important one ; and one which ever and anon transpires with respect to the evolution of matter, and seems to be the very phase and factor of investigation which, above all, has received least consideration. This inquiry of the disappearance of satellites seems in itself, to prove conclusively that the planets are periodically 'shedding' their satellites and that they are journeying on their awful voyage in an 'intermin able' spiral path sunward; and that the oldest members are 54 THE EMPYREAN ever nearest to the solar maelstrom. That the members with many satellites are the newest, largest, rarest and remotest from the sun, and vice versa, those near the common center, are small; dense, old members whose moons have long since fallen, col lapsed !* And the Sun's great globe grew to its present size from the aggregated deposition of fallen planets during the solar past, until its present volume is computed, in round number, to be about equal to 1,300,000 globes the size of the earth. Reckoning from this standpoint alone, it is clear that at least 1,300,000 planets of an average size, are, ere now, compiled and consoli dated in the Sun's mass. But we know that by far the greater portion of the solar residue thus amassed at the center, has become exhausted and radiated back into space, in the form of heat and light, and that the remaining growth and accretions of the central body is simply and singly the excess of the quantity of descended matter over that lost by radiation. Then how shall we attempt to ascertain the approximate number of planets, of worlds that have been, which originated in the solar system and fell to the Sun? What number have disappeared during the ages past in that awful terminal body and rendered the pile so large? The figures must be enormous, if expressible at all, practically numberless. ?'Acceleration of the Moon. It was first observed by Halley, that the time of the moon's revolution around the earth has for several thou sand years been decreasing, or her velocity has been increasing. This phenomenon remained for a considerable time inexplicable; at last, Lap lace, in 1787, discovered the cause in the varying eccentricity of the earth s orbit, which has been on the decrease since about 12,000 years B. C. Since that time the moon has been gradually coming nearer to the earth; and this will go on till 36,900 years after Christ, when the eccentricity of the earth's orbit will begin to increase.' — Encyc. Commenting on the foregoing, we have only to remark that the as sertion that the moon's orbit is now lessening is positive, the statement of a know fact; while that, that it is going to increase again, is a mere assumption. THE EARTH'S FINAL DISTANCE 55 SECTION III The Earth's Final Distance At what rate is the Earth falling towards the Sun? How long will it take for the earth to reach the Sun? And how near may our wayfaring planet approach to the solar Acropolis until she becomes destroyed? We submit our rough approximations of calculation. Assuming, first, that the rate of solar contraction is such as to effect an average yearly precipitation of solid matter to the Sun to the depth of 110 feet. That is, the precipitation is equivalent to a layer of solid matter 110 feet in depth at the Sun's surface. This quantity, astronomers tell us, is the neces sary supply for the Sun's annual consumption, and consequently, the surface of the central body settles annually to that extent. And the whole planetary system, we hold, settles thither accord ingly to fill the perpetual vacuum. By taking the Sun's radii, or 426,000 miles, as a unit of meas urement, and by representing that distance by 1, we find that the earth's mean distance, or 91,500,000 miles contains the meas uring unit 215 times nearly. By squaring these numbers, we have P:46,225. Now, if the rate of solar impaction, at a dis tance of 426,000 miles from the exact, solar center, be equal to 110 feet per annum, then at a distance, or a radius vector of 91,500,000 miles, the annual rate will be the product of 46,225 by 110 feet, or 5,084,750 feet, or about 963 miles. Hence we conclude from the foregoing speculation, that the earth, at pres ent, is falling towards the Sun at the rate of 963 miles annually, or we are nigh a thousand miles nearer that glowing Orb every new year. But it is demonstrable, that the ratio of descension of the various planets is ever proportional to their respective square of distance. If, for instance, the ratio of Venus were represented by 1, then that of the earth would be represented by 1.91, or the earth's rate of descension is nearly double that of Venus. For the nearer a body is to the Sun, the slower becomes the rate, and vice versa. The rate of Neptune's falling is 6,670 times that of Mercury. The rate of falling, also, increases with the square of the distance from the common center. 56 THE EMPYREAN This rate of approach, may, at first thought, seem precipi tous and alarming. But when we again consider the great distance our planet is from the Sun, the altitude of the abysom thai needs must be spanned ere that goal of destination is reached, we shall then begin to realize that the danger is very far off, nay, more than a million years. Even the sensible bright ness of the solar Lamp, or its apparent size and parallax would scarcely present any noticeable change to the naked eye, at the present rate of descent, in several thousand years. It will require about* 15,000,000 periodic times of the earth to reach a solar proximity of 10,000,000 miles. However, a certain query, very germanely, presents itself here : Why is it that the Pendulum, in reckoning time, does not betray any incongruity in the measurement of the year? We think the answer is rather obvious, that it is not probable that the pendulum will soon betray any anomola in the exact length of the solar year. That is, for the reason, that as the earth de scends into ever denser strata of space, the growing potential and augmentary pressure of the solar vortex (that is, while the side and destiny of the terrestrial volume continues unchanged) must effect a somewhat simultaneous acceleration, both in the motion of the planet and that of the pendulum. Or, in other words, the periodic time and the number of seconds must, at least, for a long time, remain very nearly isochronal. SECTION IV Comets Comets are the refractory remains of obliterated planets. Immediately upon the event of the annihilation of a planet near the Sun, the pure metallic composition of the shattered world precipitates down and adheres firmly to the auriferous zone of the Sun. The less apyrous portion of the recrementary remains — as the lighter metals — becomes molten and dissolved in the Sun's outer fiery ocean. While the ethereal formations, such as water, air, organic deposits, etc., these are exceedingly rarefied and volatilized, when, by the repellant force of the Sun's rays, are rendered imponderable and are speedily swept away into the outer bounds of the solar cosmos. Here, in those distant COMETS 57 regions of cool retreat the shadowy remains of these now spec tral, irregular members proceed to recollect themselves and develop into Comets, or comet nebulae. Which solar excretions, banished from the torrid presence of the fiery Center, and driven afar unto the realms of old night and the humid bounds, do now proceed to reform and develop into embryo vortices; when, focalizing, they actually begin to resus citate a rudimentary form of life, and, consequently, to crystal lize interiorly into solid concretion. After a long time, then, the solid matter, generating at the comet's nucleus, increases in mass until the preponderence of the axis pretends to overbal ance the repellant force of the Sun, when the freighted spherule causes the entire, cormose paraphernalia to begin gradually to descend towards the Sun. Slowly at first, its downward motion accelerating by degrees ; its nebulous exterior blown and drifted back and cuneated into an ever lengthening 'Tail' ; until at length we behold stretched athwart the nocturnal concave, from horizon to zenith, an inauspicious apparition from the region of the gloom of outer Erebus, like a plummet of the gods, measuring the unsounded deep; and winding its uncouth way among the pre- emptory members of the solar orrery, its portentious eminence appearing in the shape of a Comet. Now doth imaginative and prescient kings and augurers foretell of dire events, of kingdoms broken, of predatory wars and thrones usurped ! But the destined mission of each revisiting Comet, is to go down, or rather up, unto the Sun, to there deposit on the solar Fire-ball, her accumulated stock and store of volcanic fuel; when she is again immediately swept back unto the utmost bounds of the solar abyss ; which bounds these erratic wanderers never pass. Again and again shall these revisiting corruscations of the void, return on the same faithful errand, as it were, to revisit that all-conquering Tomb of tombs, and there, in hal lowed remembrance, strew bright flowers of gems and gold o'er the grave of their adoring dead. 'Observers tell us that the periodic time of some comets may require many centuries. They may then be paying our Sun their first visit, or if they have swept through the solar system before, it may have been at a time so remote that no record of the event is preserved, even if it were not before the creation of man. The comet of 1844 is announced to pay a visit to astronomers in the year of our Lord 101,844. The period of 58 THE EMPYREAN the comet of 1744 is fixed at 122,683 years.' — Observations in Astronomy. The orbit of a comet diminishes from the first period with the condensation of its body. Arago has estimated that there are 17,500,000 comets within the solar system, basing his calcu lations on the number known to exist between the Sun and Mercury. These figures give us, at least, an idea of the number of planets that have inhabited the solar system during its past. SECTION V The Lunar Cataclysm 'And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair: and the whole moon became as blood.' — (Apoc. vi:12.) That beautiful orb, the Moon, which monthly circles about the earth, is but the lifeless remains of a once satellitic world; a cosmical 'corpse' hung in the sky, and dead for thousands of years. Dead since she first denied to show to the earth a view of her other side, her nether visage! Indeed, no life has existed on that fruitless mummy since long before the creation of man, and never shall again. Her commission of life is long since fulfilled, and the mystery of her work is finished, except the work of desolation which she is destined to perpetrate on the earth. Our satellite has descended to within such proximity of the sublimary sphere that the latter has long ere this completely robbed the former of her creative vortex. This view is sup ported by the. fact that the moon has no independent axial motion of her own. It is not inappropriate to here indite the probable theory that long before the eventful opening of the Sixth Seal of the great prophecy, large areas of the temperate zones of both hemi spheres will also become locked up in vast fields of ice — polar, glacial ice-caps. This thermal condition of the planet will be due to the inevitable consequence of the frigid approach of our intensely cold satellite, which is slowly but surely heralding the advent of another forthcoming Glacial Period, already ushering from the poles. The imperceptible strides of another great 'Ice THE LUNAR CATACLYSM 59 Age' are again, silently, though irresistibly, pushing their way tropicward. Indeed the several 'glacial epochs' of geological report were each, in its time, the result successively of lunar frigidity and approach. The length of the lunar 'day' and the lunar 'year' are exactly the same, for the moon revolves on her axis once during each revolution around the earth. The moon completes her revolu tion in about 27 1/3 days. The mean distance of the moon is about 238,000 miles. Her diameter is about 2,160 miles. Besides the foregoing, there are several passages in Holy Scripture which tend to show that the mysteries of the moon and those concerning the 'end of the world,' or the end of the present race of man, are somehow closely and inseparably con nected. For instance, we find in the Gospel of St. Matthew a passage bearing on the mysterious absence of the moon: 'And immediately after the tribulation (persecution) of those days the sun shall be darkened; and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars (fragments of the shattered satellite, lunar me teors) shall fall from heaven; and the powers of the heavens shall be moved' (Matt. xxiv:29). 'And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves; men withering away with fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty' (Luke xxi:25-27). Evidently the Moon is, in some foreboding manner, connected with those marvelous signs and wonders surrounding the end of time; the end of the world; the second coming of Christ; the resurrection of the dead; the seven last trumpets, and other extraordinary and supernatural things relating to the 'great and terrible day of the Lord,' so notably spoken of in the Book and the prophets (See Acts ii:20). According to the theory and the prophecy, we devolve that at or near the proscribed 'end of time,' the Moon will become shattered in the sky, and will forthwith begin to rain down meteors without number ('falling stars') and that the cataclysm of these rock-storms will then destroy every vestige of the living race of man. At that time the Moon's solid volume, held together by 60 THE EMPYREAN naught save a remnant of the physical attraction of cohesion, shall explode, its heavy globe becoming shivered into millions of fragments, meteors, shooting-stars, fiery hail, etc., great and small. The celestial catastrophe most probably shall be the sequintial result of the outburst of an internal aqueous expan sion of superheated steam. And which fearful phenomenon shall be the consequence of aqueous absorption, during these cen turies of suspended or reduced internal heat evolution, of all the residue of lunar oceans and seas. It will, undoubtedly, require several hundred years of the shattered moon to fall. At regular stated times the mighty ruins of the wrecked satellite will rain down 'hail' and hyacinth against the face of a doomed world, its 'floods' of devastation deluging a helpless world be neath. Mountains of rock and ore and iron, thrown down head long from an upper sphere. 'Pelion piled on Ossa!' Uranian fusilades against the humbled earth; as it were, the tumultuous misrule of old Chaos, reigns again supreme. The irresistible force of the shocks will actually split the sub-lunary globe and crush to pieces the earth's crust in places. What are adamantean walls or world-battlements of granite and iron against the bat teries of heaven? Evidently the earth had six satellites, and which are now all fallen but one. These satellites correspond to the biblical Seven Days of Creation, and, scientifically, to the Seven Geological Ages of the Earth. On the evening of the first seonian Day the first and nearest moon fell. The fall thereof produced a great cataclysm and closed the creative work of the first Day. On the eve of the second Day the second satellite fell and closed the second page of the natural history of the globe, and so on. On the eve of the sixth great Day our present and last satellite will fall and cause the end of the present world of man. But on the evening of the seventh creative Day the earth will itself fall to the Sun. Now the question most prominently arises: How long till the moon falls ? How long, how long till the end cometh ? It is rather inferable that the moon will fall before the earth has descended unto the present orbit of her next neighbor, namely, the beautiful planet Venus. Somewhere between the two planetary orbits shall 'the moon cease to give her light,' as the Gospel foretells, and the earth will become a moonless planet. As for the exact time, no one can tell ; it is not precisely given, THE LUNAR CATACLYSM 61 as the Savior sayeth : 'Of that day or that hour no one knoweth, not even the angels of heaven, no one but the Father" (Matt xxiv:36). The rate, or average rate, of the moon's approach may be found by the following rule: Suppose the plane of the moon's orbit to describe the base of a great Cone, with its apex at the Sun's center, the base constructed as far out as the terrestrial orbit. Now, as the planet gradually descends towards the great, central Orb— presuming the earth's rate of descension is known —and as the altitude of the hypothetical cone diminishes, so likewise, only on a lesser scale, must the radii of the base con tract, each amplitude diminishing simultaneously with its respec tive square of distance. As the radii of the earth's orbit con tracts, so does the radii of the moon's orbit, only on a propor tionately lesser scale. At present the moon is falling, probably, at the rate of about four miles a year. She will continue to thus decline on her down grade track during a period of 40,000 suns. The satellite will then be within 115,000 miles of the planet, or possibly nearer. That orb will then be less than half her present distance from us, when the nearness of her position will show the great reflector of the Throne in a state of surpassing splendor and adorning the nocturnal vault with extraordinary lunar illumina tion. But when that body explodes and uncoils her disastrous folds along the course of the ecliptic, when the Sun will grow black like sackcloth of hair and the whole moon will appear as a veil of blood, then will be seen a spectacle in nature of most terrible and appalling magnificence. Then will they say to the rocks, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Hide us,' for the great day of wrath is at hand and the impending doom ! gSSjHzsS'i LARGE APPEARANCE OF MOON ON OPENING OF SIXTH SEAL. PROBLEM V The Seven Ages of Creation This section of the work does not presume to refer to the seven days of creation, nor to the conventional, geological ages, nor in anywise to the seven ages of man. But the subject does undertake to deal with the regular, successive and progressive ages, or stages, of evolutionary development, through which all Material Creation must needs undergo in passing through the various forms of existence, and comprehends an epitome of the several great and cardinal cycles of transformation into which material creation from time to time passes until it finally devolves and develops into spirit, for spirit is the final consummation and product of all life and matter. By the term matter we under stand to mean anything that has substance and as constituting a substance; any real, substantial thing existing, as clay, rock, coal, metal, wood, air, water, flesh, cosmic bodies, heat, light, ether, etc., anything that occupies space and which has or may have motion. SECTION II The First Age The first Age is the Age, or condition of Space, that is, Ethereal Space ; the second Age is the Age of Water ; the third is the Organic Age ; the fourth is the Plutonic, or Age of solid matter, as the solid portion of celestial spheres; the fifth is the Age of Heat, whence all solid matter is perpetually evolving into the element of Heat. The sixth Age is the Life or Spirit Age whence all matter at length finally evolves into Spirit, and that 'through the agency of the Organic Age. But the seventh Age of creation consists in the supreme stage of all existence, or life in the Empyrean. 63 64 THE EMPYREAN The First Age, as already mentioned, is the Age of Space, or the element of space. It assumes that the infinite Void is most rarely filled with an ethereal fluid or phlegn ; and that this transparent fluid consists of the original, binary Atoms, which. indivisible minims constitute the essential, primary factors in the generation of all matter. And that space, so to speak, is every where concentrating and contracting towards regular, innumer able, universal centers, where it is constantly forming into matter. The Second Age is the Aqueous Age, or the age of water. This derives that the first stage of all real, tangible matter, con sists in the form of Water, the immediate successor of the ethereal age, when the bi-elementary atoms of space do manifest themselves in the aqueous constituents of Oxygen and Hydrogen. As it is written: 'Then the fountains of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were discovered' (Ps. 17:16). And again: 'When he prepared the heavens, I was present, when with a certain law and compass he enclosed the depths; when he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters' (Prov. 8:27,28). Here the chaos of the void gave birth to the chaos of the floods and worlds of waters. Their form became spheres and their motion circles ; stupendous paths through the heavens ; and these Coursers of the great deep do travel with cosmic force and speed", even like to cherubic swiftness and power, or as it were, the flight of resurrected giants ushering from the bottomless abyss of everlasting shade. Yes, everlasting night, ior the solar rays do most faintly reach unto those remote outer regions, and the Sun shines there only like a great star. All matter at one time existed in the form of water. Water, itself, like the atomic element, can hardly be said to be real matter in the more technical sense of the term, since this Proto plasm of nature seems to contain neither permanent molecules nor heat nuclei. But water is the immediate source or proto plasmic blastema of the Organic, or third age of creation, just, in a manner, as ethereal space is the original source of the aqueous formation. Organic life develops through the agency of water and heat. By virtue of universal contractility and pres sure, the Atomic Age became concentrated and stored away in the Aqueous Age. The oceans and seas and 'fountains of waters' which surround the earth or any planet, are, in either THE THIRD OR ORGANIC AGE 65 the liquid or atmospheric forms, but vast reservoirs of future life principle. Yes, translucent, fluid water is the immediate pro duct of transparent, ethereal space condensed, and is possibly forming on planets more or less at all times. If we premise, that the quantity of water comprised in the body of any planetary sphere, in indicative of the amount, the force and pertility of organic life which that world is capable of producing, then we must surmise that life on the superior planets is exceeding prolific and abundant, while on the earth and the inferior worlds, it is at present very scarce in comparison. SECTION III The Third or Organic Age Force and Form The Organic Age Is the Third Age; the age of living nature and being. Here the counter elements of Oxygen and Hydrogen become again transmuted and transelementated into the counter-poles of the organic world attesting themselves in the qualities of Sex. This is also the age of recreation of the atom, when the atom is remade out of the new. the age in which all nature begins to be renewed, as it were, the beginning or the closing of the circuit of the infinite Circle: Lo, the benediction of creation anew in the initiation of organic life, the incipient, pupal, swaddling stage of infinite being. Let us now open the third page of creation's scroll and read therein the story of the first life, and which consists on organic spheres, in the unity of creation's remotest poles, and which might be metaphorized as beauty and potency. Lo, the con scious meeting and union of Force and Form! One is nature's impetus, the other is nature's plasmator. One is the power of the universe, the other gave form and grace to all things therein. Note the marriage of the destinies, the wedding of 'Jove and Juno' ; power and grace. Behold creation, that it is beautiful ; behold the universe, that it is strong. Great is the Force that rolled the universe into Form. Yea, what elaborate ornamenta tion and power was lavished on the day the Lord made the universe and painted it bright! 66 THE EMPYREAN These are indeed the Idols of Nature, enshrined in the zion of matter and the clod; lo, angels in the clod. The first is majesty in might, the second is majesty in beauty, and both are equal majesties in virtue and power; neither are they rivals, whose province lie in opposite planes. No being can exist with out form, no matter without force. Equally great, equally im portant, they are the co-efficient factors of all living and all tangible existence, and their all-conquering affinities invest and exert itself throughout every mode of motion, mind and matter. Why does the eye love beauty, why does the heart love strength? Because these are eternal values, factors of infinite importance, and of equal empire, and the soul must love the ever lasting good. But each is the reciprocal denizen and home of the other. Nothing is so mutually correlative and yet so differ ent as these two counter-halves of all nature. Nothing is so fundamentally and diametrically contrasted as the homogeneous functions and constitutions of Force and Form. Of all things else, these are most unlike; as it were, the father and mother, the social antipodes of all creation, and standing on tip-toe on the opposite poles of the universe. Lo, these are the dual, ris ing Destinies; Majesties of the void. Glorious Might is a Maj esty to be adored and charming Beauty is a Majesty to be loved, and they adore each other in all the rising worlds of the deep. Again, Beauty is the efflorescence of Form and these are the regulators of nature's forces; for Beauty is a symbol of uni versal order as well as of universal form. Beauty is the bride and Form the mother of all nature, but father Force maketh the universe substantial. Yet, though most unlike and distant, each is the destined and felicitous residence of the other. For what is Form without Force but like a mere flash of light, or a puff of wind; and what is Force without Form but a shapeless monstrosity, or a worthless junk pile? Yes, Force is, as it were, the raw material, while Form is the moulder. Force is a pledge of greatness, but Form is the badge of excellence, and beauty is the garb of per fection. And when I had seen but a denizen of the forest with plumes of rarest hue, I said, the hieroglyphic of thy beauty is a guarantee that maketh the woods to ring with gladness, for the name of the Lord is written on thy wings. But the organic age is parent of the plutonic age, and it is through the agency of the organic world that the great, original water sphere of the planet is transformed into the solid plutonic THE THIRD OR ORGANIC AGE 67 globe. This increate era is the grand highway which leads from the atomic into the molecular stage of matter. Previous to this age, the constituent, atomic unions of all transitory substances, as water, atmosphere, etc., exist only in a temporary, transient state. But through the Age of Life, the homologous atoms are first brought into actual contact, when a heat axis, or an incipient molecule is produced. The organic being, animal or vegetable, is, therefore, the trans-elementary cause. The plutonic age is made up of permanent molecules, but the molecule is, itself, perhaps, a vortical system of atoms. The organic being is composed of an infinite number of Cells. Now these Cells are the parent, or womb, wherein the incipient molecule is 'hatched.' Thus, are the molecules of the plutonic, or solid world, originated in the organic world of being. The new born molecule from thence passes into the solid earth to increase the bulk of the globe. There, by the aid of time and pressure, the tiny system condenses and metamorphoses itself indefinitely throughout the numberless modes and cycles of matter, passing from one form of solid substance into another, from dust into earth, from earth into rock, from rock into ore, when it becomes a molecule of the mine. Finally, in the course of its plutonic transformations, it becomes transmuted from the baser metals into the heaviest and freest, or the fixed metals, until, now, our historic diatom inherits a place in the sovereign structure of pure gold. From the densest of all metals, the molecule then becomes ultimately transfused into the continuous form of the element of fluid heat, and escaping out from the interior of the globe, becomes a factor and part of world electricity. Thus, the ele ments of water become the cells of the organic age and the mole cules of the plutonic age. Behold, in this attempted philosophy, a rough sketch of the wonders of the cycles of matter. The generation of a new being may be explained somewhat after the following manner: At conception an infinitely great number of opposing atoms — Force and Form — are brought into contact, forming the 'parent Cell' ; and from which, by gradually uniting in pairs, said diatoms originate the foundations of all the Cells, subsequently entering into the structure of the new being. In fact, the generation of a new being — animal or vegetable — takes place according to the following mathematical and typical process. Let us say, for mere illustration, that there dwells within the physical basis many trillions, nay, decillions of generating atoms. That one hundred decillion positive atoms and a hundred 68 THE EMPYREAN and fifty decillion negative atoms, or, conversely, a hundred decillion negative and a hundred and fifty decillion positive atoms enter into the composite, physical structure of a new being. Which aggregation, on becoming fertilized by the vivific element of fecund heat, do commence at once seeking unity and forming pairs, one to one of each, and which co-nascent fusions constitute the initiary points of molecular foci, and the centers, or germ points of new cells. It is now apparent that this continued pro cess of selection and union within the great parent cell, and afterwards within the subsequent 'daughter cells,' must neces sarily result in the gradual, spontaneous multiplication of myriads of cells. The sequence of which continued process effectually results first, in the creation of the embyro. and, ultimately, in the development and life-long existence of such being. For the entire corporeal mould, from first to last, is but the circulating consequence of cellular duplication and reduplication, and the instance of any being's life, is, after all, but the whole time re quired for all the initial homogeneous parent atoms to unite in pairs. And when this biological and mystical process is consum mated, death from old age must inevitably ensue. Specifically, the span of life of any individual, everything else being equal, will depend on the even number of congenital atoms (as it seems probable that these only and none others afterwards acquired do possess the fertilizing property of organizing cells) multiplied into the rate of vital intensity of the respective species ; while the gender will be governed by the described excess of atomic polarity, that is, the excess of force or form, male or female. The most wholesome offspring proceeds from parents of tem peraments most unlike. Dame Nature ever delights in strongest opposition, that her remotest poles and attributes may liberally meet in happiest union. Such coupling embraces the broadest compass of life. Strong attraction whets her appetite when she begets her merriest, healthiest offspring. On the other hand, weak affinity and puny affection clogs her appetite; with such unsavory connections and physical poverty her stomach nause ates. Then, too, the product of nature's womb is feeble; off spring that droop and wither soon. Or, growing rebellious in her just disgust, she sends forth into life a progeny, monstrous, excrescent and unnatural. The period of Adolescence is the required time during which the tide of cellular evolution is acquiring its maximum force and capacity. Death from old age is the consequence, when the THE THIRD OR ORGANIC AGE 69 primogenital contingency becomes practically exhausted in the generation of cells and molecular foci ; for already has the great bulk of the being actually and really gone into the ground. Germ disease is often the outcome in a being of cellular de generation, when a small, fractional portion of the cells, or the feebler ones, for some enervating cause, become, as it were, moulted, and degenerate into a lower order of life, and proceed to breed in a separate and independent state, as bacteria and unicellular 'vermin,' when our 'dead' self turns enemy to our living self. Indeed, sporadic forms of disease are generally the sequential result of interior, cellular 'moulting,' which peculiar or excrescent cellular growth is superinduced in the system through protracted periods of astronomical influence on the weather. Epidemics follow on the heels of a long period, or years, of cool or abnormal weather. Theory of Vitalism. This theory, however new, assumes that the Spirit, or Spirit of Life, in an organic being, consists of the aggregation of the life, or lives, of all the component atoms entering into the life-long structure of the being. This is the true theory of Vitalism : That the life of the atoms of a being, in the aggregation, do constitute the life spirit of that being, when the life force of the atoms becomes transcended into the being's life. The life spirit of any being, animal or vegetable, is, therefore, simply the exponential product of vital force and power which animated all the atoms and cells comprising the being from conception till death. For instance, the human soul is naught else but the bright, invisible Essence in toto of the whole human being's life. In the wonderful process of biological evolution two classes of fundamental activity participate. One is the production of the physical corporeity; the other, the creation of the invisible spirit. The first is of the body; the second, of the spirit or mind in man. But all living organisms do possess a real, dis tinct, active spirit. Here again is life a duality. The divine purpose of one is to produce spirit being on a planet ; that of the other to form and build the solid basis of the globe. Indeed, the physical being in itself, is but a spirit factory, or, as it were, a transitory stream or channel or common carrier of vital force and principle, to the growing ocean of spirit within, which latter is in fact, the real being. The morphological is the instrumental servant of the psychological, when the latter finally 70 THE EMPYREAN becomes the grand algebraic totality of the first. That is, gen erally speaking of the animal kingdom, for it is apparent that the nymph-like spirit of a plant, or a tree, exudes and dissolves, in the main, into the air annually. But with the conscious being it is different. The older he becomes, measuring on the biometric scale, the greater becomes the amount of psychical output and corresponding mental potency, for ever mightier becomes the derived innate spirit being. We are children of sleeping and waking; we are the product of day and night. During night and the hours of sleep the same process transpires, in the main, as that during the period of gesta tion, namely, the morpho-development. During the day and waking, then, the morpho converts unto the psycho-being. Dur ing the day our body createth or secreteth a complement of con scious spirit, and at night we dream it into the soul. Even thus the volume of the inner being increaseth. When a man groweth old, his spirit has grown great and ripe though his body has grown soul-burnt and weak. Now his mel lowed, wayworn countenance beams with the stamp of intelli gence; his knowledge becomes his shield and his wisdom his armor, for the serenity of the resignation of the gods is even now sculptured in his wrinkled visage and he already liveth more in the past than in the present, and his soul reposeth in the dreams of the past, for his day is advanced to the evening, and his memory and understanding are full to overflowing and the consummation of very many things, all ripening with the years unto resourceful old age.* When a human being dies his soul goeth unto a place of abey ance or of rest, until another time ; but when a horse, or a bird, or a fish dieth, its spirit goeth unto the Heaven of the firmament, where it rests in the elysian rookery of the sky and clouds until it is subsequently destroyed in the form of lightning. *To those who maintain the nebulous hypothesis of the pre- existence of the human soul, we would simply ask the question: If the soul of man were worthy to live in the past, why would the Lord now place that spirit being into a mortal sinful body to jeop ardize and imperil its future existence? Truly, this 'Promethean fire' is ignited and originated on our planet. Nay, forsooth, neither the soul nor body dwelt in the past, but both together are designed to live co-existent in the future. THE PLUTONIC OR FOURTH AGE 71 SECTION IV The Plutonic or Fourth Age The great Plutonic Age, is, indeed, the fourth branch of uni versal existence in the successive order of creation. It is the age of unipolar or permanent matter, such as earth, rock, metal, etc., and is embodied chiefly in the solid formation of all celes tial spheres. The constituent elements of this, the great pyrog- enous age, contain no form of life, except what might be called a certain hylozoic activity. And it is ideal as well as logical, that the Molecules of all solid matter in celestial spheres, are micro- cosmic vortices in sympathetic rotary motion with that of the great sphere itself. For illustration, the solid earth is a great globe, made up of molecules or exceeding minute vortical systems. The orbit of these tiny systems is the circumference of the great globe itself, to either pole, their periodic time being twenty- four hours. That the direction of the motion of these exquisite systems, like that of the earth and her vortex, is from west to east, and, perhaps, identical with that of every member and vortex of the solar sys tem — not to speak of the entire diverging universe. That the unipolar ends of each and every molecular axis point north and south — the positive pole north and the negative pole south, or vice versa. Each positive pole attracting, besides its own coun ter-part, the negative pole of its adjacent neighbor; and the nega tive end, likewise, magnetizing the positive point of its neigh boring molecule. And that the magnetism and cohesion of the great globe itself, is but the aggregate, resulting consequence of the polar affinity of all the molecular systems entering into its mighty structure. It is further demonstrable, among these rather occult and extra-physical ruminations, that the molecular system, is a tiny system of atoms converging towards the center, and there uniting into the fluid element of heat; and that the solar current of vortical space, on entering the body of the planet, enters in ever on the east side of the spinning molecule, or longitudinal lines or rows of molecules; while the counter-current of fluid heat, exuding from the interior of the globe, passes up and out on the west side of each molecule or line thereof. According to this 72 THE EMPYREAN ideal arrangement, then, there can be no interference or friction between the structural parts, nor between these parts and those elementary forces. Universal Pressure That Space Contracts With a Vortical Force, Which Force Is Identical With That of the Attraction of Gravitation As space contracts it is apodictical that it contracts with a certain force, its folding Potential, and which is equivalent to the algebraic sum of its atomic affinity. Vortical force or pres sure ever increases with the motion and density of the vortex itself, and is, therefore, greatest at the center or 'Eye' of the vortex, and decreases outward therefrom as the square of the distance increases. This space Potential is, in fact, Universal Pressure, or the pressure of the contracting universe, and manifests itself to our senses when resisted or obstructed by the presence of matter, when it is commonly known as weight, the weight of matter caused by the so-called 'attraction of universal gravitation.' Sir Isaac Newton deduced the law, which is called Newton's law of Gravitation. It holds 'that every particle of matter in the universe, attracts every other particle of matter with a force proportional to its magnitude, and decreases as the square of the distance increases.' But we must say, the Nutonian sys tem did not undertake to explain or to give the cause or philoso phy of this universal attraction. We believe that we recognize in this phenomenal law, that the same is the result of an univer sal contraction, rather than an universal attraction; and that the Law and Force are both attributable to and governed by the presence and vortical motion of the element of universal Ether. For further elucidation of the theory, the atoms, themselves, are bodies of such extreme tenuity and minuteness, that there is no material substance, however dense or hard, which they cannot penetrate and permeate the meshes of its structure, per haps as easily as fine flour passes through a sieve, or wind through the foliage of a tree. Now, our physical weight is the result of the resistance which our corporeal bodies offer against the downward rushing motion of the all-pervading element of UNIVERSAL PRESSURE 73 space, which is forever and constantly pouring into the earth on all sides, and where it is ever uniting with the solid terres trial structure. The grand aggregation of this universal and vortical force of pressure, bearing on and into the earth, is SOLAR VORTEX. Drawn to Earth's Orbit. N, Neptune; U, Uranus; S, Saturn; J, Jupiter; M, Mara; E, Earth. exactly equal to the entire weight of the great globe itself. For the weight of the earth is but the sum total of the resistance which its matter offers against this downward influx of space, constantly rushing into its mass. 74 THE EMPYREAN Space Potential is, therefore, a most mighty force, the omnip otent and omnipresent force of all space and matter, and which at the earth's surface — provided the earth's solid zone were not more than a hundred miles thick — aggregates, approximately, to a little more than 600 tons to every square inch. Behold, this is an estimate of the strength or strain of the mechanical power exerted on the planet, by means of its convoluted vortex! But this overpowering presence around us is not so very perceptible to us, because it bears against our physical body within as well as without, sidewise and upwards as well as downward, with the exception of the difference of our bodily weight, which is the consequence of the excess and friction of the downward draught and affinity of inpouring space. We imagine that this speculation fairly expounds the mys terious phenomenon of matter called, 'Universal Attraction of Gravitation,' but which, more technically speaking, might be styled, Universal Contraction, or Universal Pressure, and which mighty power, in nature, gives to all cosmic bodies, motion, weight and rotundity. This powerful and active energy ever present at the region of the earth's surface, and, likewise, at the surface of any great organic sphere, is not only indispensible in order to maintain the physical existence of the sphere itself, but, likewise, that of all organic life thereon. For all physical existence, animate and inanimate, is utterly dependent on this all-sustaining power of compression. Were the 600 tons pressure removed for an in stant from the surface of our globe, life hereon would at once become destroyed; matter would lose its continuity, dissolve and most violently explode, and our frail bodies would explode like a flash of gun-powder. It is this tremendous hidden power that fires explosives, causes lightning to shoot from the clouds, radi ates light, etc. What is the cause of lightning and air-shaking thunder but the effect of electric resistance to cosmic pressure? Yes, it expels the excess of the fiery fluid from the clouds and thunder is the report of the potent jar. At the surface of the Sun this living power is 27.2 times as great as at the earth's surface, or, per reckoning is no less than 16,500 tons to every square inch. Which incomprehensible force is the point of climax of the potential exerted within the im mensity of the great solar vortex, and which might be appro priately termed Solar Pressure. It is greatest at the region of the CONSTRUCTION OF GREAT SPHERES 75 Sun and causes that mighty body to burn and glow with fervent heat, and decreases outward therefrom at a uniform rate along the plane of the ecliptic. At a distance, therefore, of 13,000,000 miles from the great center, or the orbit of the supposed planet Vulcan, the ethereal pressure diminishes from sixteen thousand down to that of eighteen tons. That is, reckoning outside the planet's own vortex. The valency of the pressure at the region of Neptune's orbit, is equal to only about seven pounds, while at the earth's orbit it is more than 1,000 times as great. For this reason, a small vortex on a planet at the orbit of Mercury would exert a greater strain, than a very much larger one would at the rare region of a Uranus, or a Neptune. Construction of Great Spheres That the Formation of All Celestial Spheres Is After the Manner of Great Hollow Shells Celestial spheres throughout the universe are all constructed according to the uniform plan of vast, hollow globes. The Sun, the moon, the planets and the stars are, undoubtedly, moulded after the same pattern of immense cosmic shells with vacuitous interiors. Even the earth is a great, empty, spherical shell, the proportional thickness of the rind of which might be likened to the evacuated shell of an ostrich egg. The depth or thickness of this terrestrial 'rind' — which for convenience we shall term, solid, or Plutonic Zone — is probably not more than a hundred miles. Which great, cosmic 'Wall' is composed mainly of rock and metal, consisting in both the solid and the liquid state. The density of the earth's Plutonic Zone increases with the pressure and depth from the outward even to the inward sur face, and producing an average specific gravity of 5.67. The exterior surface posseses a density of about 2.5, while the mat ter composing the inner and concave surface of the great Zone, takes a degree pf no less than 22, or the greatest possible density of which matter is capable of attaining. The superficial side of our globe is formed of rock, clay, marl, etc., but the inside, or underside is lined with a thick layer of pure, clear gold. Here is an El Dorado, indeed; the treasure-trove of the gods; Pluto's bright mine ; the Montezuma of the dark and gloomy 'deities' be- 76 THE EMPYREAN neath the nation's feet. Who canst now compute the cash value of a planet? Between the two logical surfaces of the globe, there lies in regular, successive laminated order, all the possible modes and formations of solid matter. For instance, clays, rocks, and then DEPTH HEAT PRESSURE DENSITY MATTER o -1 1.500 DEGREES 25TONSPER.SQ.IN I.WATERASUNITY WATER & CLAY o10 3.000 •• 50 2 ROCK 4500 » 75 3 ROCK 25 MILES 6.000 •• 100 4 ore: 7.500 ' •• 125 5 ORE 111 9.000 •• 150 6 ANTIMONY 1- 10.500 •• 175 7 ZINC (0 oz>, 12.000 •• 200 ,8 IRON 50 MILES 13.500 •• 225 9 TIN 3 15.000 ¦ 250 10 COPPER a. 16.500 •• 275 II BISMOTM 18.000 •• ERA0F6REATESTP. IE LEAD b 16.500 •• 300 13 SILVER 15.000 ' •• 275 •< ¦ 14 MERCURY z 13.500 ¦• 250 15 75 MILES 12.000 - 225 16 10.500 - 200 17 9.000 - i 175 18 7lSpo ¦ ISO 19 GOLD 6.000 125 20 PLATINUM 4.500 IOO 21 IRIDIUM Q 3.000 75 22 Zi I.50O 50 23 .500 25 ¦24 TRANSPARENT SOLD ¦ oo mii ¦» .... SECTION OF TERRESTRIAL ZONE. ores of the lesser and lighter character are first and highest up. Next, the lighter metals and ores, such as zinc, antimony, iron, etc. Then, deeper down are created the heavier formations, such as copper, silver, lead, mercury, etc. Finally, at the base of the concave structure, the mighty dome is curbed with all manner of rarest and densest substances and the most precious forms of CONSTRUCTION OF GREAT SPHERES 77 metal, as clear gold, platinum, iridium, etc. Might we not here exclaim, like the philosopher of old, who discovered the quantity of gold in the king's crown, 'Eureka, Eureka !' ? During the several lunar collapsions of the past ages of the earth's natural history, the terrific force of the collisions caused much of the lighter ores to have been belched up, thrown out and exposed on the earth's exterior surface, along with other eruptive masses — not to speak of such quantities as precipitated with the scoriaceous matter of the satellites themselves. Also, lesser quantities of deeper and denser metals have been, like wise, cast out. Yet, it is doubtful that any unmixed specimens of old earth's rarest, interior substances ever reached the sur face; so that the freest and purest qualities of King Pluto's hoarded bullions are perhaps never exposed to the voluptuous gaze of man. Indeed, we entertain much doubt that our mines contain any gold, except such as was deposited in the earth's convex crust with the remains of the several fallen satellites. And that the tutelary earth reserves her own most substantial treasure within the precints of her unvalued bosom until another time, and for another purpose than that of monetary, or bonan- zan speculation. The inner surface, like the outer side of the great cosmic shell, exists in a solid, not a fused state; while the median region, perhaps extending through a distance of seventy-five miles, exists constantly in a molten and fluid condition. This is due to the fact, that the effects of terrestrial pressure are great est throughout the midway region. The free, dense metals of the most nether strata constitute the perpetual source from which the phlogistic element of the globe is derived and emanates. Which element exuding therefrom — i. e., the under side — attains a maximum entropy at a distance of many miles on this side; the era of greatest heat. From thence it melts everything in its way, until the actinic force is again gradually subdued by the process of radiation at the upper surface. Not to mention the fact that the 'green' condition of the outward, amorphous media, together with the cold, entering element of space, absorbs, or rather assimilates and thereby exhausts the excess of the phlo gistic principle in the physical process and economy of petrifica tion, transmutation, etc. The vast interior vestibule of emptiness within the earth ; that vast, unsound cave, nearly 8,000 miles in diameter, is, indeed, the unhallowed habitation of terrestrial fate; the destined place 78 THE EMPYREAN of the condemned! It is the dragons hollow; the mysterious, Bottomless Pit, spoken of in Holy Writ, wherein the great Lucifer and his fallen hosts shall be commuted and bound during the mysterious 'thousand years.' Lo, this mundane void is a prison of 'ghastly darkness,' and is a space so capacious, deep and wide that the waters of 2,000 Atlantic oceans would not suffice the abyss to fill ! The solid zone of the Moon is, probably, much thicker than that of the earth. This, because of the force of universal pres sure, in that relatively diminutive sphere, being proportionately less — only about one-seventh as strong as in the earth — and the rate of condensation, and interior combustion being correspond ingly low. It follows as a natural sequence, that the heart of our satellite is not so nearly burnt out and hollowed as is that of the planetary sphere. Now, the Sun itself is built on precisely the same general plan, only that the zonular wall of that most colossal Orb is relatively thin, and is composed chiefly of absolutely clear metal. The great, incandescent photosphere of the Sun is, probably, transparent gold like to clear glass, and the thickness of the solid 'rind' is much less than that of the earth. This condition is due to the Sun's intense heat, the force of which actually volatilizes all green and opaque matter, and fires such residue away to the outer bounds of the solar system; leaving nothing standing in the solid state but pure, diathermanous metal. But the auriferous zone is again surrounded by a deep and probably translucent 'atmosphere' of burning metal and flame. The question now arises : What great unseen force thus binds and suspends the plutonic zone of a celestial sphere, sup porting and staying the same firmly in its place? What natural power holds the zonal crust of the terrestrial structure and pre vents the ponderous foundation from caving and toppling down into the hollow interior? What invisible framework supports the foundation of the Sun? The understanding of the foregoing proposition is simply that the massive 'foundation' of a cosmic sphere is supported, and, as it were, hangs midway between two mighty forces, viz., the attraction of gravitation on one hand, and the repellent or centri fugal force of the rotating mass on the other hand; and one force ever quite balances the other. The creative vortex has a powerful affinity for the matter of its central sphere. In fact, the entire strain of the celestial whirlpool is concentrated here CONSTRUCTION OF GREAT SPHERES 79 and confers the property of weight to the globe's entire mass; and at the same time cause the rotund mass to rotate. Which rotation gives rise to a correspondingly powerful centrifugal or repellent force. Now, it is obvious that the force of gravity acts chiefly on the outward side of the convex zone, while the effects of the centrifugal force is more in the inner or concave side; the two opposing forces thus serve to produce an era of greatest pres sure somewhere between the convex and concave sides, the same being also the era of balance. But the parts and hemispheres are steadied and bound still more firmly in their ordinate posi tion and place by the firm grasp of the power of cohesion in the concrete mass. Should the hemispheres of the Sun, for example, become sundered, possibly the halves would each resolve itself into a separate globe, when the two would revolve about each other after the manner of a double star. There can be no question but that the vortex possesses also a considerable affinity for the element of heat exuding from its respective sphere, and, consequently, acts as a conducting medium for the issuing fluid. However, it is obvious that the phenome non of radiation is principally the resulting consequence of the tremendous strain of cosmic pressure. No energy of any kind is exerted from the vacuitous interior of a sphere. For, that place, being devoid of either matter or force of any kind, can exert none. This is a region, speaking from a material standpoint, of positive inanity, an absolute void. It is evident, from the diurnal motion of the superior planets, that these bodies have comparatively very large vortices, their rotary time being about ten hours or less. However, Mars is an exception and therefore must have a small vortex, un doubtedly rendering that diminutive orb a cold, ice-bound sphere. 80 THE EMPYREAN SECTION V The Fifth Age of Matter the vulcanic or the age of heat That Universal Heat Is the Result of Cosmic Pressure in Matter, and the Relative Quantity of the Element Evolved by Dif ferent Spheres Is in Proportion to the Respective Force of Gravity Governing Such Spheres The Fifth Age of Creation is Universal Heat, and describes that omnific element as a substantial product issuing and gen erating in the form of a rare, subtle fluid from the interior region of great spheres. Not from the hollow interior, but from the innermost side of the solid, plutonic shell. It is the tremendous gravity and pressure of the Sun's mass that causes that mighty Orb to glow and burn till the radiant energy of the roaring, thundering Throne is the wonder of cre ation ! It is the same cogent cause, though on a far lesser scale, which ignites the bowels of the earth. The active pressure of the matter composing these cosmic structures becomes so intense away down that it causes the solid globe to burn by virtue of its own weight, and is thus forever reducing all matter into the final form of heat. Pressure acts like friction; pressure is like to static friction. Thus, pressure, plus the assisting agency of time, is forever condensing all mat ter into ever denser forms, from the lightest and rarest even to the densest and heaviest ; and from thence it becomes resolved into the finished product ; the element of fluid heat. To burn is the end of all matter, and heat is the essence, or the quintessence, of all matter. It is thenceforth the life-produc ing, the life-sustaining principle of organic existence. Heat is the means and mode of destruction's profundity ; it is the ripsaw of destruction. But it is, on the other hand, the life-giving ele ment of the material universe. The element of great heat is the most violent of all things; there is nothing so violent as the agency of heat ; nothing in creation can withstand or combat its consuming fierceness. Yet, it is again, in minimum quantity, the THE FIFTH AGE OF MATTER 81 creative, abiding, life-becoming principle, the raw material of life, without which no life could exist. Compression in matter is the measure and consequence of molecular resistance to atomic or vortical contraction. Plutonic pressure is nothing more nor less than atomic pressure becom ing concentrated and converted into molecular pressure. It is only a different phase of the same all-pervading potency, and with a common ratio of increase towards the common center, but which becomes palpably perceptible in matter because of the property of Resistance, which matter offers to the contractility of the invisible, vortical current; or what Bacon regards as the motions of antitypy opposing penetrations of dimensions. By representing the force of gravity in the earth by 1, then will the earth's specific heat also be indicated by 1. But the rela tive force of gravity on the Sun is estimated as being 27.2 times that of our globe ; then the specific heat of the Sun will be repre sented by 27.2. Assuming that the Sun's Heat is equal to about 10,000 de grees, then, according to the square of the distance, at the region of the earth's orbit, the ratio of solar force will be only a fourth part of one degree. Assuming again that the periphery of the terrestrial vortex extends out 1,000,000 miles from the earth, then will the rare solar force become again concentrated accordingly towards the earth, till at the earth's surface it will be raised to the pitch of 580 degrees. However, at the region of the torrid zones, the thermometer will register a mean temperature of not more than 100 degrees. This, of course, because the greater per cent of the caloric prin ciple is absorbed and retained by those junior, evolutionary species of matter — air, water, earth, etc. If the full force of the Sun's rays thus fell to the earth unmitigated, the intolerable fervor would be such as to make the oceans boil. And, further, according to this calculation, the temperature of space, or 'abso lute zero,' is minus 480 degrees, or 480 degrees below common zero. Again, by assuming that the earth's temperature below the surface increases with the depth at the rate of, say, 100 degrees to the mile, we find that at a depth of 100 miles the calorific force becomes equal to that at the Sun's surface, or about 10,000 degrees. But if we add to this the estimated sun heat at the 82 THE EMPYREAN earth's surface, or 580 degrees, we deduce that the estimated Sun's heat will be reached in the earth at a depth of about 95 miles. Of course, it is evident that the earth's temperature rises to such an enormous pitch because of the confinement. But the strenuous confinement would be unable to thus hold down the issuing element beneath if it were not for the fact of the globe's comparatively low degree of pressure and radiation, the same being only about one-thirtieth that of the Sun. Perhaps little or none of the earth's phlogiston radiates off into space, but is all conserved and economized in assisting the multifarious proc esses of matter and life evolution on the globe. Undoubtedly the earth's issuing heat rises above the planet's surface well unto the region of the clouds. The clouds are not unlike to the 'smoke' and vapor of the globes burning. Behold the efficient cause which draws the line and describes the limit of the upper firma ment. The atmospheric boundary marks the legitimate extent and size of the proper sphere. Evidence of a Terrestrial Vortex Meteorology A celestial Vortex is a very elastic organ, and passively expands and contracts with the ever-varying temperature of the medium of space through which it is journeying. On the advent of a cold spell, in either winter or summer, the earth's ethereal Vortex contracts, when the relaxation of cosmic pressure gives rise to an easterly wind, as the atmosphere of the globe now fails to keep pace with the surface of the rotating solid sphere. Consecutively, when the earth has passed through the cold region of space and enters a warmer, the terrestrial vortex expands, when the wind soon blows from westerly points, as now the accelerated motion of the air surpasses that of the sur face of the solid globe. The mystery of the Trade Winds is undoubtedly answered by the same philosophy and cause. Although the speed of the cosmic Vortex is logically greatest at the equatorial regions, yet it is rather obvious that it fails, for certain reasons, to quite keep EVIDENCE OF A TERRESTRIAL VORTEX 83 up with the surface of the earth, whence the air lags behind. It appears, therefore, that the celestial vortex do exert a lesser strain very near the equator. Observation proves that the path of Rotary Storms is in clined to follow the Sun in its annual course. This phenomenon is explained by the theory that the plane of the terrestrial vortex is aligned with that of the ecliptic and not the equator. The action of a Terrestrial Vortex again attests itself in relation to the contrary motion of rotary storms in both hemi spheres. It is a well known fact that rotary storms, north of the equator, revolve from right to left, while south of the equator their motion is from left to right. That is, those electric 'tour- billions' revolve reversely to each other on opposite sides of the equator, not unlike to engaged cog-wheels. The phenomenon is due to the force of the celestial vortex being greatest at, or near, the equator and least at the poles. The true but difficult Science of Meteorology is ever grounded on the motions and mutations of the various members of the solar system. Indeed the science of the weather might be defined as being a purely physical science, the thermo-dynamics of the solar system, the Sun itself being the great electric dynamo, while the planets are all merely auxiliary factors of thermal dis tribution. In short, all weather variations are governed by ever steady principles of cause and effect, though not easily discov ered by human sagacity and inquiry. Every terminal point in the orbit of each and every member of the solar system, when passed, causes an electric and mag netic perturbation, little or much, throughout the entire system, and our atmosphere responds to the signal. For there is no such thing as a thermal constant in the planet no more than in the Sun, and the fluxions of the weather are as numerous as the metes and bounds of the members of the system of the Sun. The mere conjunction, or opposition, or terminal point of a planet, viewed from an heliocentric standpoint; or the various terminal positions of the moon, will produce a corresponding shock that will affect the susceptible attitude of our atmosphere. In a brief discussion of this kind it is not for us to enter into any detailed codification of rules or laws bearing on this important subject. We shall therefore confine our remarks to the specification of a few potent though equally obscure condi tions that do affect the weather. 84 THE EMPYREAN Whenever the planets do numerously congregate on one side of the Sun, an elementary disturbance will ensue in force and proportion as the Sun itself is attracted and drawn to one side of the absolute and normal solar center. The grand reason for this is that the power and concentration of the great solar vortex, diminishes latterly, as the exact and true center is receded from. Likewise, the force of the Sun's heat is always greatest, every thing else being equal, when that body is balanced at the true and logical center. The effects occasioned on our weather by the formation of a dense planetary group, do prevail chiefly during some month immediately after the earth advances past the median longitude of such group, for the earth is then traversing over that portion of the Sun's surface which is also thereby acutely disturbed. Another discernible feature of astro-meteorology, and one which unfailingly affects the conduct of the weather, and also one which, on account of its obscurity, is not well understood, the same being based on the direct action of the omnipresent terrestrial vortex. It is what might be termed : The Influence of the Ethereal Wakes of the Superior Planets. This is, we believe, an absolutely new theory, for it seems to have eluded the calcu lations and forecasts of our most astute observers. By the term 'Wake' here we do not mean the track which a planet leaves after it in its onward course through the ethereal deep, but we mean the wake which is occasioned in the current of the solar vortex where the same passes a planet in its down ward spiral course towards the Sun. It will be readily seen that the earth cannot pass through any except the wake of an exterior planet. Wherever the great solar current of space surpasses a supe rior planet, a chilly wake is wrought, as it seems that the vortex of that planet robs whatever fraction of latent heat which might have been contained in said current. Not but that the effects are also due to the centrifugal resistance at that point of the planet's orbit against the down rush of space, which tends to lessen the tension of solar pressure in the wake. So when the earth, in the course of her orbit, enters one of these Wakes, the effect is a temporary refrigeration of the atmos phere, or the same as if the earth were coursing a colder region of solar space, which spell lasts from two weeks to a month, EVIDENCE OF A TERRESTRIAL VORTEX 85 during which time there is a marked promotion and aggravation of regular storm periods. The Wake of Mars is the most acute, while that of Jupiter is of greatest potency. The earth enters the Wake of Mars in about 54 days after that planet passes 'opposition' to the Sun. The earth enters the Wake of Jupiter in about 52 days after the planet is in 'opposition' with the Sun. That of Saturn in about 120 days; that of Uranus in about 135 days, and that of Neptune in 160 days following 'opposition.' The earth enters the Wake of Mars every two years and about 43 days later each time. We enter the Wake of Jupiter about 31 days later each year; that of Saturn about 12.4— days later; that of Uranus about 4.3 + days later, and that of Nep tune about 2.2 + days later each year. According to this calculation then, during the year 1920, we will enter the chilly Wake of Jupiter on or about March 21st, and that of Mars about the 21st of June. This, we predict, will effect a rather cool, wet spring and likewise a wet Summer, especially during these spells, in our northern hemisphere. We will enter the Wake of Saturn about July 3d, 1920, and that of Neptune about July 10th. We are, however, rather uncertain as to the exact times of the Wakes of Uranus and Neptune. When the earth's vortex begins to enter the region of the Wake our weather becomes affected in the evening. When leaving a Wake the storms come in the morning. The Wake of Mars and of Jupiter lasts about a month, while ihat of the other planets continue about two weeks. But the 'opposition' points of these bodies are also cogent storm centers, generally in proportion to the size and nearness of the disturb ing body. It might be well to here add, that the appearance of the 'Aurora' is invariably a visible forerunner of an approaching storm period and cold wave. These polar lights are the visible result of a thermal draft or suction of the earth's internal heat, out through the poles, and is caused by the exterior cooling. Epidemics It would be unjust to pass over this subject without offering a few words on a theory of Epidemics. Epidemics are caused chiefly from the poisonous effects of subterranean gas. The earth . exhales excessive quantities of this epigene effluvium at 86 THE EMPYREAN times, which give rise to grave disorders in the system of man and beast. It is observable that the earth does inhale and exhale peri odically, as truly as a living being. During warm weather, winter or summer, the earth exhales, which exhalation originates and augments the atmospheric volume ; but during cold weather, the globe inhales. During great and protracted heat periods, the earth exhales an excessive quantity of this invisible, oderless, tasteless gas, which, not unlike volcanic gas, is very poisonous. These more fierce intervals do generally occur at distant times, when the nitrogenous and gaseous effusions give rise to various epidemics. Not but that effluvial exhalations arising from battlefields do also serve to contaminate and vitiate the air of the globe, for it is a well known fact that pestilence follows war. It is, how ever, the happening of a combination of causes which render the conditions most disastrous. But the poisonous gas is not, itself, the disease germ. The specific germ, itself, is formed within the animal system. The breaking down of a quantity of cells in the system gives rise to the specific germ. The 'dead' cells do resuscitate and develop into unicellular microbes, or 'spores,' and proceed to breed and multiply within the victim's system. It is the voracious activity of these spores that now render the disease so ravagous. It is now also that the disease becomes 'catching,' so to speak. The disease will not generally be catching until such time as the sub ject's system becomes 'ripe' for it. However, when the system becomes thus ripe, it is then liable, more or less, even without contact. The nature and character of the disease will be gov- erned by the element in excess which happens to be in the sys tem of the subject, or rather in the system of the race at the time. Which excrescent or over-abundant element is usually less vigorous and most liable to readily 'break down' and develop into spores. By vaccination a slight form of the disease is pro duced and thereby an elementary balance restored to such an extent as to render the subject practically immune. Certain dis eases, such as smallpox, measles, etc., are not repeated, because the described excrescent element, thereby, becomes eradicated and extinct. PROBLEM VI The Seven Ages — Continued The Sixth or Life Age In the Life Age, the vulcanic or Heat Age becomes transub stantiated or translated into being, life and spirit, and that through the agency of the Organic Age. The Organic Age thus performs a two-fold function; first, it is instrumental in trans forming the Aqueous into the Plutonic Age, and, secondly, in transmuting the Vulcanic into the Psychological Age. The first is the morphological production, the second, the psychological production. The first produces the solid globe while the second creates the vital archeus or the anima mundi of a planet sphere. It is indeed difficult, at all times, to distinguish between the blending nature and functions of the Organic Age and the Life Age, for truly they are in a great measure, one and inseparable. It is like striving to discern and expound the mutual and super- physical differentiation between the body and the spirit. The physical being is indeed but the 'tree' whereon, or wherein, the 'fruit' of the spirit grows. The life of the body thus departs into the permanent life of the soul. Here the transient beauty of the body of youth becomes the permanent beauty of the soul of old age. The great and multifarious things of life are constantly taken into the infinitude of the soul, when this 'hall of mirrors' becomes a living, conscious reflection of the exterior world, and memory is the stuff the soul is made of. Aye, every impulse and each and every heart-beat rendereth an additional wave of spirit into this ocean of life and everlasting utility. The true soul is built according to music as well as to beauty and is ever consonant with the gamut and structure of harmony. Music is the soul of eloquence, whose immortal power appeals chiefly to our inner being. Such is the grand mystery of music. 87 88 THE EMPYREAN Hence it is that music satisfies and peacifies the soul and the lullaby makes the baby sleep. And notes and sounds to be musical must vary in order and pitch with the structural forma tion of the joys and sorrows ever entering into the spiritual fabric. Life is a building on a musical scale attuned to the dulcet of nature and the resonant symphony of this great, resounding sphere in an everlasting fugue. It is well to here remark that after all the elegant logic and introspectional effusions of such men as Locke, Libinitz, Hume, Kant, Spinoza, Berkeley, Spencer, Huxly and others, it at least seems to us that these geniuses failed to enunciate or dis cover the one, great, central fact concerning the origin, nature, derivation and true psychology of the Soul, namely, that the soul is a procession from the body. 'Thus sayeth the Lord, who stretched forth the heavens, and layeth the foundations of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man in him' (Zach. xxii:l). As already mentioned in the latter section of the Organic Age, the living, conscious spirit of an organic being is simply the aggregated sum total of that being's vital force from birth till death. The spirit of an ox, for instance, is nothing less than the algebraic sum of the animal's vitalism concentrated during life into the animal's invisible conscious being within, and incor porated into what might be called the 'soul' of the ox. The ox has a soul as well as a man. It is the animal's life within, with out which no animal could live. But the soul of the ox and the soul of a man are exactly as different as their bodies. Aye, as different as their respective physical and functional natures. For the spirit nature of a being ever corresponds precisely to the physical nature. It is from the physical nature that the spirit nature is derived. The first is parent, the second offspring; yet they are mutually co-evil and co-ordinate. The serpent has a soul, the soul of a serpent, whose soul is exactly as base as its body. A fish has a soul, the rudimentary soul of a fish. A bird has a soul and which is as intelligent as the bird. But the mind of the baser being is unable to compre hend the superior nature, function or faculty possessed by the higher type of being. For instance, the capacity of the horse cannot understand the work of human hands, since the horse hath no hands. Nor can the footless serpent conceive the use of feet. Perhaps neither can a man explain the luminous VULCAN'S GIANTS 89 brightness of an angel, nor can an eyeless creature apprehend the possibility of sight. As the soul is evolved from the body, so every organ in that body is reflected in the soul. Aye, the inner being is the emana tion proceeding from (or secreted by) the corporeal mould, and its superior or supernatural nature is impalpable to mortal touch and invisible to mortal eyes. Like an interior radiation, the essence of the body is silently pouring into the formation of the soul. The soul is the life, the mind, the real, inner being. But it is the invisible being again which gives consciousness, power and animation to the visible creature. SECTION II Vulcan's Giants That the several organic Mons on the Planet resulted in the production of as many great, cosmic Pythons or eonian Ser pents; and that the Unredeemed Portion of the human race is destined to complete a mighty, prodigious Serpent with Seven Heads and Ten Horns. This theory attempts to set forth that the timely fulfillment and distinct embodiment of the several organic evolutions on a planet, consists in the production of as many aeonian Serpents, or we might term them universal 'Pythons,' each one of which phenomenal beings, including a separate cosmogonical age on a globe, taken as a whole. For demonstration, let the entire comportation of any organic age, or of any single species during an age of the earth's natural history, become Restored, and, as it were, integrated or resur rected and strung out in its natural order for inspection, full length, according to the successive number of its Generations during the whole time and period of its actual, living existence, and we shall have, indeed, a connected chain of many thousand links : a united series of Reproduction forming a huge serpentine formation ! For instance, from the commencement of his species the Horse begets an offspring, and that offspring begets another offspring, and that offspring begets other offsprings, and so on 90 THE EMPYREAN indefinitely for 100,000 years. Now it is obvious and clear to anyone's imagination that the long-continued series of produc tion and reproduction, both living and dead, if restored and expanded out in full line, will expose and exhibit an immensely long genesial horse chain of many thousand links, or what might be called a Horse Serpent, many miles in length. Even so with any and all species; even so with man; even so with regard to all forms and progenies in either the animal or vegetable king dom. But the Progeny grows chiefly with reference to length and the order of time, or as the successive progenies correspond to the progress of time, for time grows only in length. Or, we might say, such a being grows with respect to relation, kindred, and position of descent, as if each successive offspring were placed immediately following and joined to its parents, and then, altogether, regarded as a distinct, conjointed, cosmic Individ uality. If the earth's entire exuvice were possibly restored and erected into the past in the order of place and time, we would see unwound a real Creature, a huge, severed 'Cestoidea' of the solar void, and stretching its lengthy fabric across the abysom of space from the earth even beyond the orbit of Neptune and through thousands and thousands of years — lo, .the terrestrial globe unwound ! The length and proportional size of each of these uncouth Creatures depend on the duration of its living existence multi plied by its rate of fertility, or what might be called its 'periodic time' by its rate of productiveness, which periodic time is, gen erally speaking, the lapse of duration which transpires between any two lunar cataclysms. Such Beings are the true exponents of Time, for the rate of the tide of time, itself, depends on the progress of nature's evolutions: the unfolding of the cycles of time. Active time is but the indicating Dial Hand on the face of nature's passing revolutions, showing what progress nature has been making. And the ever-living section of the evolving world Serpent is the place on the dial to which the finger points. The heads of the Pythons go into the planet, or, rather, these strange monsters go into the planet head first, while their tails reach unto their objective satellites. And there are as many links in the chain, or conjointed segments in the Cestoidea, as there are distinct generations born and bred during the entire period of its living existence. VULCAN'S GIANTS 91 These aeonian 'Organisms' are naturely divided into two great classes, according to the organic kingdom to which they belong, and which, for the sake of conventionality, we shall term Monian Plants and Monian Beasts. The first three 'Days of Creation' gave rise to the evolution of aeonian Plants, involving all sorts and species extant during those cosmic periods. While the prominent issues of the fifth and sixth genessial Days were that of two great Animals, or 'Beasts.' However, the distinct Cormus of each respective species, plant or animal, might be considered as a separate 'Plant' or 'Beast' in itself. Each succeeding Serpentine Creation — following a cataclysm — is but, as it were, a resuscitated, metamorphosed transforma tion of its predecessor. It might be said there is but one con tinued Serpent in them all, taken a number of times; natural history repeating itself and each time improving on itself. Each so-called 'Being' is ever an improvement on its ancestor. The age of cosmic Plants may be regarded as the pupal period in the Chain of development on a planet, while the Animal corresponds, analogously, to the Larval stage of biotic existence. But the final and ultimate 'Creature' represents the standard of the universal Adult, when the finished Product, at last, takes wings and flies away to another world. On the earth the Archen- cephalic Group, including Man alone, constitutes the great Adult Age of the terrestrial Python. Now these huge Serpents, these pythonian monsters of the past, have gone head and tail into the earth. They are there coiled up and conclobated into the plutonic body of the vast, solid ball. There the game of the fire-god is sealed up forever by the collapsions of their fatal moons, which fell on their hinder-end, pinning them fast forever. Thus the Serpents of the Earth are transformed and transfixed into a heat sphere, for the earth is a globe composed of six fused and fusing ser pents. Behold Vulcan's real Calberi (blacksmiths) in the Foun dry of ignescent Chaos, and the works they have set up ! The sphere they have built of their own malleation, and their Shop is their lasting monument of fame. But the planets are rising Chaldrons of the wilderness of Chaos, wherein these serpents are stewed and served by that ignipotent deity as dishes for the recovery of the fallen gods ! The human race is now, during the sixth aeonian Day, in the active course of giving rise to a monster, serpentine Formation, 92 THE EMPYREAN which terrible and wonderful Being is most graphically de scribed in the Book of the Lord. The mysterious Carnation is characterized as having 'seven heads and ten horns,' and his Day will be 46,000 suns. Five of his Heads are already gone into the earth; the Sixth is now falling, and the Seventh is in the act of rising. This book was written in the rise of the Seventh Head. And the unborn tail of Vulcan's Giant reaches unto the moon, for our mighty 'Centipede' is yet in the elixir of the adolescence of youth. The stereometry of the hexcipitous Monster, when full grown, is such, that the entire resurrected comportation of the race of maiij shall be equal to more than two thousand cubic miles of solid carnation. By arbitrarily stating the length of the Creation at 300 miles, then, the girth of his massive belly would be perhaps no less than three leagues. His auriferous crowns would glitter above the crest of the loftiest thundercloud, and his movements would resemble the exalted vermiculation of a moving mountain range. When the 'Beast' proclaims, the winds of his breath goeth in hurricanes, and when he blasphemes, let the foundations of the earth tremble! His breakfast would consist of the moderate fare of six billion oxen, ten billion tons of fish and four trillion pounds of manna. And now, in our own day, we behold how the quick Life Spirit of the iEon rages down along the Serpent's crooked track, for the Serpent is but the carnal bridge spanning the void, over which the rising Angel rides on to its final Bourn. Our position in the Python is about 177 metameres from the begin ning of his first Head, and about 1,000 rings from the final end of the great Annelid's tail, and this is the place to which the finger of time now pointeth, and where the spirit-tempest now rageth ! SECTION III Dramatis Mundi And I went forth into the wilderness, and saw there that great Beast with seven heads and ten horns. And I wondered in astonishment at the magnitude of his dimensions and the exuberance of his power. There was no strong wall that could him stand, nor hill he could not throw down, and as he stood DRAMATIS MUNDI 93 upon the earth his horns loomed over the mountains. And I cried : 'Behold the heads and horns of creation !' And I noticed the inhabitants of the wilderness, how they admired the size and symmetry of his stature, and he magnetized their eyes on the whole earth, and they adored at his feet. And the whole world was in passionate labor because of his lusty presence, and I scarce could withstand the importunity of the Beast that I should adore him. And 'twas given the Beast to utter great things, such as no other being on earth could utter, and threats that bind with death. And in the exultation of his pride he mocked the stars and the name of heaven's King. And I saw his pompous crowns, that they were studded with earth's brightest gems; and his lofty diadems were filled with stones of fire, whose brightness vied with heaven's stars. And he sat upon the earth, the throne of his solitude, the titulary Prince of Erebus. And thus we saw that mighty Beast and the amplitude of his comprehension and magnificent display of state. And his power is such that no other being, nor race of beings born of the planet, nor strong animal, nor brute, nor beast of the forest, nor race of quadrupeds, could at all contend with or deliver itself from this mighty Power that encircleth the earth. Indeed their might was as nothing to his, for the Beast is truly the head and spirit of the sphere, the power of the globe, the greatest might the planet is capable of producing. And I beheld the great Involute, as he began to unroll his flattened folds; and, lo, there spread out over the east and over the west, over the north and over the south, an innumerable horde of nations and kins and bands and clans and families and peoples and cities and states and tribes and tongues! And a progeny of empires and powers and kingdoms and thrones swarmed the face of the whole earth. Yet I understood that these, aye, even all these, were but the potential beginnings of his bestial train; the initial pages of his vast convoluted scroll; or, as it were, the snout of the endless Beast. And his mountain bulk ranged far into the unseen, hazy distance, and his trending horns half hidden seemed in threatening clouds enrolled, and all the hills resounded to the tread of his fearful march. And I saw his warring heads in combat, how, in Cerberian wrath, they raged o'er land and main. Now they cut away their ranks and thin their files, and then constrain their murderous 94 THE EMPYREAN steeds awhile, till their furies' wrath revives. And his horns stood up like monuments of shining gold, or tombs, whose brightness lures to death. And the Beast has a. Code, the world's court of justice, a palladium of civil rights, and I understood the ponderous tome, that it contained the commandments of the Beast; for the wills of the Beast are the laws of the planet, the girders of strength which underlie the cpmmonwealth, the beams which support and bind the state. And its voluminous seals were charged with oaths, and armed powers, and threats, and scrolls of mutiny, and penalties, and strifes, and stripes, and wounds, and deaths. And the Code of good and evil defended the Beast in every desire of state; and the signet of its brazen clasp was : 'Liberty to all, and equality of rights' ; but it was writ in the blood of Mars and weighed in the scale of Mammon ; and 'twas filled with courts and covenants of mock-justice, and clouds of vain levities riding winds of reason. And the inhabitants of the earth feared the Beast, for his size) was truly terrible, and his might was something to be dreaded, and they exclaimed: 'Who is to be compared with the Beast, or who can cope with him?' And I saw, when the Beast roared, the giants of the deep raised up, and kings grew pale at his oath of proclamation. And he denounced the great covenant 'twixt heaven and earth, and swore against the stars. And he swore by heaven and the powers therein, and he swore by hell and the powers therein, but the might of his oath is the omnipo tence of the sea. And when he stomped his foot the pillars of the earth trembled, and when he stomped again the nations were on fire. And when he waved his regal scepter, empires sprang up and races vanished; and when he shaketh his shaggy mane, then kindoms fell to the earth like meteors from a cloud ! And I saw in the midst of the wilderness, where the Beast had passed through, how he felled the forest in his wake, and the groves he leveled down like a tempest. And where he had ripped the mountain and tore out its iron heart. And with the force of his breath he cleft a great rock ; but he hath no power wherewith to harm the planet. And he made a highway through the mountains, and high o'er the valleys he rode, and his lofty flyers swooped the wilds; for there was naught on land or sea to stop his course. And he stalked throughout the length and breadth of the land, his pulse beating high and strong; and he walked about to and fro upon the face of the cosmos, but the THE SEVEN HEADS 95 foundation thereof is deep inlaid and imperturbable to his touch. And I beheld the great Beast, as his generations flew through the wilderness with a noise like thunder, till the strength of his wheels shook the desert. And thus I beheld the tempest of his flight adown the track of time, and I could scarce withstand the wind of his commotion. And his dark mane, riding the wind, streamed far behind, like the hair of a woman or of a lion bounding on his prey. And the violence of his nostrils roused the plains, and the hills screamed out, and the mountains spoke, and 'twas then I heard the chorus of the vapid rocks striving to mock the living thing. And the creatures of the forest, and the lowly and creeping things which abode on the earth flew from his path and hid themselves in the darkness and in the ground. And I saw the hydra-headed Monster, that he swam the great oceans from pole to pole, and adown the slope of the globe he gamboled on the bosom of the briny deep, and basked in the sun of every clime. And with the might of his brazen arms he lashed the surging main, till it foamed like a mountain of yeast in his wake. And the great whales and the things that abode beneath fled trembling from his sight and hid themselves in the caverns and in the haunts of the deep. And I saw his cave, for he dwelt in a great cave on the face of the earth between the seven seas. And he subsisted on the fruit and the flesh of the earth, and he ate of the fish of the sea. And he fertilized the earth each year and she brought forth her choicest fruits at each returning season to feed the desert steed. And he made for himself a den of clay and wood and stone. And when I beheld the multitude of piles and cities and battle ments and towers, 'Ah well,' said I, 'hath the Beast made for himself a neat, commodious lair.' SECTION IV The Seven Heads The Seven Heads of the Beast are the first seven great nations or groups of nations, which, in turn, riseth up and rule the world. They are the monitorial Powers of the earth; they are seven secular, world-ruling powers, who, in turn, dominate over the earth. 96 THE EMPYREAN The First Head was the race of Giants who dwelt before the Flood. The first Head was a Mammoth and his name was Cain. This Mountain was reared in days of old, for he reigned before the Flood. But he early renounced allegiance to the will of Heaven, and opening his pristine mouth against divine decree, he said : 'No, I shall not die the death.' But in regretful indig nation for that He created the wayward Giant of yore, the Lord drew a great 'sword' and severed that revolting Head and wounded that beast to death. O, Head of wrath, reserved against the day of wrath ! He lived a thousand years and sleeps in the river Phison. The Second Head was a Lioness, and her name was Babel. Behold the mother of Confusion and the nations. From this Head a great warhorse went out and walked to and fro through the earth. She had the wings of an eagle and stood upon her feet like a man. Who arose after the Flood, whose lofty tower is buried in the sand? For a thousand years this Mount stood up on the land of Hevilath and she sits at the bottom of the roaring deep; for her angel showeth to her the River and the number of the wave 'neath which she should rest. The Third Head was a Bear and his name is Egypt. In his mouth were three rows of teeth, and they said to him: 'Arise; devour much flesh' ; and the shadow of the man-eater darkened all the land of Ethiopia. The Bear arose nigh contemporaneous with the beast of confusion and ruled two 'months.' He slum bers in the bend of the stormy Gehon, but his tyrants sleep in Pharaoh's bed; and they shall quietly rest nor be disturbed till the day that Shilo comes. The Fourth Head was a mighty Ram and his name was Assyria, or Grecia; and the title of an angel of wrath is 'As syria.' This cloud of the desert is a wing of Babylon, who arose out of the lap of Confusion. And turning away from the face of Heaven, he adored the Dragon, and thrust the prophet in the lion's den; but the brutes durst not harm the prophet. The fourth head prowled in the wilderness full a thousand years and he sits 'neath the foam of the Gehon, where whispering winds doth revel o'er his head. The Fifth Head of the Serpent was a flying Leopard, and his name was Rome ; and the name of the throne of a great and gloomy angel is 'Rome, the Fallen.' This swift messenger had THE SEVEN HEADS 97 the horn and the strength of a rhinoceros and he gored the monsters of the Orient till the earth grew quiet before him and the blood of enemies' carcasses reddened Lybian sands. The vibrations of his throne shook the east a thousand years, and he ruled on the banks of the Tigris. What are the powers of Europe today but the fragments of Caesar's broken throne ? But the volleys of his cherubs' wrath are spent and Rome is sunk in the murmuring deep. And a voice comes up out of the deep, saying: 'How malignest thou the name of Rome, whose fame has gone forth? Lo, the greatest of the east and his dust is at rest!' How hast the floods o'erwhelmed thee, O mightiest of the past? I conjure thee, Rome, in the name of them thou hast slain, that thou rest and sleep soundly, till the morn of destiny hails thee awake. But Rome the deicide went down to perdition and his god of iniquity could save him not. And the Sixth Head of the Beast is Europa, and Europa is the name of a great red Seraphim who descended at the time when the fifth Head fell. She had four wings and four heads and she flew o'er the rivers of the earth, and her heads nestled in the four winds. She arose neath the rising of the Sun, the pride of the daughters of the Orient and the loftiest of them all, for her eagles soared above the mountains of all the eastern world, and covered half a planet. And she flourished on the shores of her river for nigh two thousand years, when her thrones collapsed with the explosions of oblivion; and she went into the watery chaos and stands in the ford of the Tigris. And the records of the earth roar out with songs of the harvests of the god of war and the fame of his strifes, like a voice ushering up from the sunken past, and the earthquakes of his victories and the groans of his slain. And the Seventh Head is a Behemoth, and his name is Columbia the Mighty; and 'Columbia' is the signal of a great star, which, like Hesper, fell in the west. This is the 'lion of the thicket' who loves to roar in his wild forest home. This portentous Beast is the fourth Continent, and is the one which Daniel saw in the vision: 'After this I beheld in the vision of the night, and lo, a fourth beast terrible and wonderful and exceedingly strong: it had great iron teeth, eating and break ing in pieces, and treading down the rest with his feet; and it was unlike the other beasts which I had seen before it, and it 98 THE EMPYREAN had ten horns' (Dan. vii:7). This Head is again metaphorized by Zacharias, as the 'chariot of grizzled horses and strong ones.' 'And they that were most strong went out and sought to roam to and fro through the earth. And he said: Go, walk throughout the earth: and they walked throughout the earth' (Zach. vi:3, 7). After the progeny of the fourth Continent and seventh Head, the measure of the globe shall be about rounded and full. This is the same Head, or World-power, which was shown in the vision at the commencement of the Christian era as the one that 'is not yet come. And when he shall come, he must remain a short time' (Rev. xvii: 10). We now see this young Prodigy, with his clear and steady eye, fast swelling within the shores and deepening around the mountains, and the winds of heaven are hushed till his thunders break anew. Then rising up and going forth from his lair, on the banks of Euphrates, what foe'll encounter him not quail before his voice, till their stubborn necks doth yield and the rebels bend the knee? This stout Ox of the western world is scarce three hundred summers, yet already does he eye askance the Lion of the Strength on the holy Mountain, and opening his pristine mouth in blasphemies against the Tabernacle and tower of peace, vaunting denunciations and threats from either shore: T abjure thy hill, O Zion, and defy thy dreaded Chief !' But the Dominie Celesti will still be chanting matins in the bloom of her early 'teens,' and the world itself yet reveling in the gayety of vernal prime, when the Angel of the seventh Head is also deposed, and his imperial smoke, and the meteors of his blood-tempest slumbering 'neath the lullaby of the transient waves. Aye, when like historians who now relate to us about the decline and fall of the Roman empire and legions of the east, some literary aspirant of the future, deploring again a nation's infirmities and the fleeting of human institutions, will rest his fame in a quarto abounding in splendid periods, on the decadence of the Occident and the renown of the fallen West. FALL OF THE SIXTH HEAD 99 SECTION V Fall of the Sixth Head (Written July, A. D. 1916 ) A Theological Speculation on the Problematic Issue of the War. The writer here attempts to show that the great Euro pean War is a Destiny and a Fulfillment of the Great Prophecy. The Martial Conflagration now Devastating the Land of the Rising Sun, marks the Catastrophe of the Sixth Head of the Mysterious Beast of Revelation. Judging from the magnitude and virulence of the Conflict now raging in the Orient, and the chaotic aspect of the unwonted strife, we hold, and it has been our contention from the begin ning, that the same is not altogether the work of man. Was it not heralded by a Power Unseen? Aye, an hidden Superven tion; an epoch-making Destiny; an Appointment harbingered by 'Powers and Principalities' from on high? The internecine Struggle, apparently of flesh and blood, is commandeered withal by hidden Powers behind the thrones, while a stroke of destiny smites the earth! It appears demonstrable from the prophecies of Holy Scrip ture that the issuing strife portends the appointed decline and fall of the world's Sixth Head. Examine chapters thirteen and seventeen of the revelations of the Apocalypse, and there we will see a clear and vivid description of that human Cosmogony called the Beast. The sacred writer here describes a vision of a spotted Beast coming out of the sea. 'And I saw a beast com ing out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns' (xiii :1) . This passage refers, however, to the far distant future, or the time of the Resurrection of the Beast. But again, in another passage, referring back and speaking specifically of the seven Heads as they were at the particular time when the Book, itself, was being written, or the commencement of the Christian era, the inspired Penman declares: 'Five are fallen, one is; and the other is not yet come ; and when he shall come, he must remain a short time' (xvii: 10). 100 THE EMPYREAN Such was evidently the condition and state of the Seven Heads at the time of Christ. Five of them were then fallen. Five of them had risen, reigned and fell! But 'one is,' which could be none other than the Sixth and which assumed existence and power immediately after the expiration of the Fifth. While the Seventh Head had not, as yet, obtained, or appeared, on the mundane arena, for, indeed, the Western World was, as yet, un discovered. As before stated, we recognize in these ^Eonian Heads, that they are each, in turn and successive order, the supreme, im perial, and monitorial World Powers during their several, re spective eras and appointed times. And manifestly Europe has been the dominant Power and monitorial 2Eon of the nations of the earth, since the beginning of the Christian era. This mighty Head has ruled the East for nigh two thousand years, and now her end is nigh. This superannuated destiny has had her day and now her senile forms are dissolving in the waning crescent. Lo, the fall of kingdoms and dynasties and despots and the rise of republics! The word 'Beast' is a term employed by inspired writers, to denote the evil portion of the race. In fact, the universal Beast is again divided into two distinct branches or halves, called the 'First Beast' and the 'Second Beast,' and designating respectively the more evil and the most evil portions. And, although, the two are more or less mixed throughout, we are, in the current subject, content to deal almost exclusively with the cosmogony of the First Beast, characterized with seven Hea*ds and ten Horns. Now the 'Heads' are but the initial forerunners of the great forthcoming Beast that is to be. These are but the incipient precursers of that long, serpentine convolution that is to follow. The Heads are only the beginning, or beginnings. These are of martial nature, even as the entire Beast, more or less, is, wherein Mars is a youthful hero, whose lance and scepter are the square and chisel of a world preparing itself in formation. But the shape and make of the terrible Beast, itself, is, according to all theologians and expositors on the subject, that of the real ser pentine formation. Its construction is according to kin, blood relationship and the genessial affinity of our begetting and de veloping race. As previously stated, the parent stock is ever ahead, in the lead, with the offspring following, so that, through- FALL OF THE SIXTH HEAD 101 out the entire period of time and the race, the great Beast is ever growing in length by the acquisition of generation after genera tion. Regarding the secular age of the Beast, or the whole time required to accomplish its evolution and growth, it appears, ac cording to the great Prophecy, that he is to 'act forty-two months' ; and which delphic period, in all probability, means forty- two thousand years, and signifies the whole space of time between the first and the second coming of Christ. The term 'month' in the sacred text undoubtedly means the average time and life of a nation. With the thaumaturgic Heads comes the development and encephalic fulfillment of the world's mind. Under the imperial aegis of the Seventh Head must come the grand consummation of the world's intellectual achievement. Such is the province and attribute of the Heads. The ne plus ultra accomplishment of the arts and sciences and universal knowledges, must herein be come predicated and assumed in the seventh and last Head; the golden age of human achievement and the perfection of the pos sibilities of man. Yea, then also will the population of the globe become full, when the mighty trunk or body of the astounding Serpent will forthwith begin to assume form. For elucidation and brevity, the Seven Heads, in themselves, may be described about as follows: The First Head was that most ancient race of Giants who lived before the time pf the Deluge. This is the Head which was 'wounded to death and its deadly wound was healed' (xiii:3). The Second Head was an cient Babylon, or the first nation after the Flood. The Third was Egypt, or ancient Africa. The Fourth was probably Assyria or ancient Greece, and the Fifth was ancient Rome or ancient Europe. It will be noticed that some of the Heads were some what contemporaneous, and that the earlier ones were generally shorter lived. The Sixth Head is modern Europe, and the Seventh is Columbia. Undoubtedly it could be found that each of these primary historical periods, or the beginning and transi tion of the eras, is marked by unusual political upheavals and changing of times and laws. As previously observed, the Seventh Head was not in evi dence at the time of Christ. That Head had not yet come; the Western Hemisphere was then, as yet, unknown. 'And when he comes, he must remain a short time,' perhaps two or three thou sand years. At the close of the Seventh and over-all Head, the 102 THE EMPYREAN 'Ten Horns,' or ten perpetual Kingdoms, will assume power. These great Thrones will then arrange themselves on the four quarters of the globe, and sway the world until the end of time. The vast, longitudinal conglomeration of the martial and mam- monian Horns will constitute the huge, serpentine Cormus and yet unborn trunk of the mighty Beast. Although the Seventh Head will, in time, reign over the whole earth, yet it is evident that his Seat is the Western Hemi sphere. The Sixth Head ruled half a planet in her day, but the shadow of the wings of the Eagle of the Seventh Head shall cover the East and the West. The advent and exalta tion of this new regiminal Era, shall, undoubtedly, be her alded, and now is, by a kind of universal moulting and casting off of the ancient monarchial forms of government, perhaps the downfall of Monarchies and the rise of Democracies, and culmi nating in the installation of a cosmopolitan Republic, or repub lics. This is now, at present, the most modern, tried and tested form of Body Politic, and flourishes in the United States of America, the god-mother of Republics. Indeed the civilized world is learning to surrender up the narrower principle of national patriotism and contention for the broader attainment of the universal brotherhood of man; the initiation of the regime of the seventh Head. But the world is in a state of bondage ever and ever striveth to unbond itself and its final appeal is to arms. Truly, it seems that every great, arising question of state must needs be settled and decided by the sword. Might is the law-maker and war is the world's high court, and the flag is the blazon of a god, beware who touches it! And right now are the Giants of the earth fighting desperately, wading about in their own blood, to loose the fetters of the unborn babe. At the close of its destined epoch and reign, this last and loftiest Head will become resolved and divided into the cosmo politan decumvirate of the 'Ten Horns.' These Horns, then, or martial Thrones, will thenceforth rule the earth until the end of time. The Ten Horns shall become the Mars of the whole planet, when his Admirals and Armaments shall command both Hemispheres until the second coming of Christ, when this World- Mars will fight with the Lamb and the armies of heaven, in the War of Wars following the end of time. It is to be understood that this augured and ascribed revolu- FALL OF THE SIXTH HEAD 103 tion of world-supremacy of the Seventh Head is not to be the work of a day^ but rather it will require years to perfect the consummation. Evidently the present upheaval of nations is only the beginning in the transition and revolution of the two Heads, while the magnitude and import of the awakening is duly heralded in the 'sound and fury' of the inauguration, and lo, the world travaileth in the new birth ! It is apparently apodeictical, the dual doctrine, that the mystic Beast is ever presided over by its celestial prototype, namely, the great, spiritual Dragon, also of Biblical renown, and, like wise, with seven Heads and ten Horns. In fact, the description of one is the description of the other throughout. And that both of these ^Eonian Denizens of all time, in purpose and power, do circumscribe and comprehend the whole race of man. Further, that the Dragon is a composite, celestial Being, who comprises, in fallen state and prone formation, the expelled and cast out Powers and Principalities from on high. Behold, this is the 'Prince of the World who is already judged' (John xvi:ll). Thus it will be readily perceived that the Seven Heads of the Dragon spiritually preside over the Seven Heads of the Beast, and the Sixth Head of the Dragon is, therefore, the Angel of the Sixth Head of the Beast, and so on. The Dragon acts through the Beast; he exerts his power through the agency of the Beast, as it is written, 'The Dragon gave him (the Beast) his own strength, and great power' (xiii :2). Lo, the supernatural acting through the natural: 'O thou that didst wound the nations' (Isaiah xiv: 12). It is further demonstrable and perfectly logical that the number of the Dragon and the number of the Beast are identical and the same; that is, the number of constituent individuals composing each are the same. There are as many angelic beings in the Dragon as there are human beings in the Beast. But the pythonian Beast, of course, does not comprehend the whole race, by any means, only a considerable fraction ; specifically speaking, the inimical and sinister powers behind the thrones. Nor are all who engage in war and battle by any means affiliated with the uncouth Monster, nor to be classed as sons of Mars. War is anyhow an evil and is brought on or forced on through the agency of the powers of darkness. The fallen race, through the agency of Freewill, divides itself into two major classes, namely, the Redeemed and the 104 THE EMPYREAN Unredeemed; and, in plain language, the Beast includes and comprehends the Unredeemed portion. The other portion pro duces the beatified 'woman, clothed with the Sun,' etc. (xii:l). When a rebel host is to be expelled from the celestial World, there is sure to be a revolt on high and angelic strife. Lo, there are many battles in heaven to cast out the Heads and Horns of the terrible Dragon and make way for the incoming saints. Who will think for a moment that the fallen angels do depart peacefully from the regions of bliss? When a Demon is cast outside great heaven's unshaken walls, his remorse and despair becomes intense and extreme. But then, instead of being condemned at once into the mighty, solar Hell, he is per mitted to come down to the earth. However, he blasphemeth with the fiercest vengeance against the God of eternal justice and His Cherubim, whose lightnings driveth the solar Serpent out. And the Seventh Head fell on the banks of the great river Euphrates, and thenceforth proceedeth to reinstate his 'stars' on the bounds of a planet, and the earth is in an uproar to meet him at his coming, while the noise of terrestrial guns announce the rumor of his fall. For, now, the Sixth Angel riseth up in anticipation and apprehension from the summit of his power to make a final charge and last, receding stand. Now Mars is loosed and Mammon is loosed and Satan with his warwhoops and lies. Thus sayeth the Angel of unrest: 'With war and famine and pestilence and debt I will entrammel the earth!' Spare, O Lord, spare us in thy mercy, and may thy holy angels hover near. Now, therefore, from the foregoing explanations and pre liminary, is this our conclusion drawn. We derive this gloomy and glorious view of the war, like a sunburst from behind the angry cloud, still gleaming through the purple; that we are now on the eve and threshold of the Seventh Head, and the collapse of the Sixth is nigh. The fall of the Sixth and the rise of the Seventh; the fall of the East and the rise of the West! Great and many colored changes are awaiting on the vigil. Even the heavens, themselves, portend change; the solar system is much unbalanced and the elements are withal disturbed ; and the Angel of the Seventh Head and the legions of his 'stars' giveth rise to the Seventh Head of the Beast, and the nations travaileth and are angry and drunk with the wine of wrath, till the destined FALL OF THE SIXTH HEAD 105 equlibrium is restored ; aye, while the Giants are striving and the Powers are grinding out the law anew. What are the nations of the Western World today but con stituents of the Seventh Head awaiting amalgamation? But in the regime of this Utopian Head do we look for a realization of the world's grandest schemes of human commonwealth. Aye, and the mightiest Power the world has ever seen. Even now doth this rising Mars reply in burning mandates across the deep, as thunder answers thunder across heaven's great dome ! The Occident is the Seventh Head in the ascendency on the wings of a great Eagle who has scarce begun to scream. Hemi sphere against Hemisphere, the Seventh Head against the world. Under the sunset the Giant resteth, the last, the greatest. He sleepeth on his1 arms between the shores, the destined hero of the epic of strife, whose lair is bounded by the polar seas. But the Sixth Head, we apprehend, is now in the throes and convulsions of sudden decadence, and the heat of his burning thrones troubleth the East. Fourteen; powers have already sprung into the arena with clinched teeth in death grapple, like so many hyenas or tigers watching to tear each other to pieces. The Sixth Head is now in the overt act of committing suicidal destruction. Europe fallen, fallen ! She arose like the morning, and for nigh two thousand years illumined the East, but her ensign has fallen westward ; like Hesper it fell in the west. Lo the fingers on the wall are writing the signal of Europe's doom : Mane, thecel phares, and the rage of the Angel disturbeth the globe. Thinkest thou there are no unseen commanders over there? From the swirl of smoke he directeth the bolts, the Angel of Death, and challengeth the earth for a grave when the valley is too narrow. O, these are the days when deeds abound and men walk with death as with a brother and a friend. But the trouble is worse than can be told, for this is a whiff of woe to make a halo for the diadem! An unbalanced heaven hangs over the beginning of the fall of the Sixth Head, and the roar of his loud destruction thunders among the hills and bellows from every shore; and the reverberations of the paroxysms of the clashing of his scarlet thrones resound in the ears of utmost kings and their countenances pale by fits and turns, for the Angel reigneth a 'month and a month.' Yea, the explosions of hellish wrath shaketh half a planet, and the earth shudders 'neath the contending thunders of the Sixth Head. 106 THE EMPYREAN SECTION VI The Terrestrial Heaven Oracle: 'And God called the firmament Heaven' (Gen. i:8). Lo, the planet hath a Heaven of her own; the world is wrapped in a Heaven, and we dwelleth amid the charms thereof. But this is the lowest Heaven, the Heaven of the firmament that surroundeth the globe. In the Sun is the empyrean Heaven, the highest Heaven, while on the bare outside of the earth is the beautiful, cerulean Heaven of a lower world. Know we not that we live in a Heaven? the lowly, chaotic, storm-swept Vision of our planet? We do not dwell under ground, nor in the confines of matter, nor under water nor fire, but up in the clear, transparent, sun-lit, crystal, azure vault. Free to move about like birds on the wing; to see afar; to hear afar, and to drink of the nectar of the limpid, life-giving foun tain of the clear, purple deep. Though our feet are on the ground, we stand aloft in a Heaven; though we are entrammeled and bound to the base, earthy clod, we, nevertheless, stand up in a paradise of air and sunshine and are dwellers in elysian. We are staged at the foot of a Heaven, our own sun-lit paradise, our rose-scented Heaven of spring, and the charm of the glory of the Heaven is the siren that calleth all things forth unto life; in the lullaby of thunder tones, this noisy, wind-swept dome calleth all things forth unto life. For this is a wild Heaven, a chaotic, temporal, tempest- riven paradise, the lowly, mortal, star-lit Heaven of day and night; the heaven of the birds of the air and the beasts of the field ; a loud, thunder-riven Heaven, where fiery bolts doth blast the dwellers in the heights ! A Heaven of life and death. And when I behold the agony of the deaths and the work of the king of terrors on the face of the earth, and the awful possibility of long, drawn torture, it maketh us to exclaim and shudder lest this beautiful Heaven be also a type of Hell; this dangerous, mutinous, terrible paradise wherein life and death are in a balance ever, ever! Here life is like the sea, sometimes stormy, sometimes calm, but always CERAUNICS 107 treacherous. Yet the joys of life are greater than the sorrows of death, and, O, how every living thing clings avidly and tena ciously to life ! And how we learn to love this dear, bland, old Heaven wherein we are born ; this dear, old, familiar Vision of the first life; this Book of the wonder vision of days and mortal eyes, wherein are recorded the things of a world of birth and death. Lo, this temporal, transient, protean paradise that standeth on the bare outside of a convex globe. But it is ever the unspeak able resplendence of the Empyrean Flame beyond that even maketh the terrestrial Vision so rapturous and so grand. And when I beheld the clouds of heaven roving about in the summer sky, and the flocks and herds grazing on the mountain slope, and birds singing in the groves of spring, and ships of peace sailing on a sea of tranquility, and the children of men praying beneath the Sun, truly, said I, these are all, all dwell ers in a Paradise, and the scene is an enchantment greater than we know, and our soul is filled and enraptured with the visions and the dreams ! SECTION VII Ceraunics This Theory holds that the Phenomenon of Lightning is due to Combustion by Aerial Friction of Animal Spirits in the Firmament. Who knoweth if the Spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the Spirit of the Beasts descend downward? (Eccl. iii 21). On the approach of a period of Thermal Declension in the atmosphere, the necessary heat element is, to a certain extent, eliminated when the aqueous elements begin to condense and develop into clouds. Now, suppose, for instance, that the air, in certain places, should lose its essential, thermal function to such an extent that its temperature suddenly falls below the normal, or the organic standard, at a time of the warm and growing season of the year. It is evident that under such 108 THE EMPYREAN frequent and refrigeratory conditions the existence of the vege table kingdom, at least, would be in jeopardy. In such an emer gency what precious boon and remedy has nature reserved in store? Right here, like the panacea of the gods, the universal, life-preserving agency is called forth, this time in the form of Lightning. The elements of latent heat and ordinary electricity, these fly the air in a peaceable manner; a silent, invisible mode and method; but the shooting of lightning from the superincumbent cloud, down through the intervening regions, is certainly a phenomenon of a different phase and character, while the roar of the thunderbolt is ever the voice of the proclamation of doom ! The upper, aerial regions are filled with an innumerable horde of the spirits of defunct animal life. And it is from the omnific contingency of this Mortal Heaven, by the ready immo lation of a spirit victim upon the altar of Typhon, that the young and growing world of the kingdom of vegetables and lower animal life is carefully defended from the insidious attacks of the forces of Boreas, the king of the north and eternal ice. By the tremendous power of universal pressure, and the kinetic jar of "Dior's hammer,' each destined victim is, in turn, torn from its elysian roost, in the thick of the sounding cloud, and thrust through the depth of the air in the direction of phlogistic vacuity, and with the thundering force of six hundred tons per square inch. For nothing but electricity, or consumed animal spirit, can thus, providentially, fill a thermal vacuum. The once living spirit is now mortally and immortally dissolved into heat, light and electricity, and the heat of the new and fresh light warms the welkin and the regions. As the flesh of an ox nour- isheth our body, so now the heat of the bovine spirit sustaineth our inner life. This is the true theory of Transmigration ; life proceeding from death; an example of the work of destruction maintaining the cause of creation. The living Projectile is thus utterly annihilated by the terrific force of cosmic omnipotence and the intense friction of the atmosphere. The direction of the vivid flash is always in the direction of the coldest communicating place — earth, sea or sky — devoid of the necessary entropy of the vital principle. The combustion of living spirit produces pure light, and lightning thereby furnishes fresh and abundantly this universal life ma terial, pre-eminently indispensable to the cause of organic nature. CERAUNICS 109 The vividness of the Flash is truly marvelous, and the force of the celestial bolt is something fearful. Its power is mani fested in the earth-shaking peal of Jove's thunder-stone rending the regions. Not unlike the voice of a Sinai, or of an archangel in commandment : 'Hear ye, hear ye, the potential voice of mor tality ; obey thou the will of Jehovah, O, ye sons of men, or you, too, shall perish thus.' And the cliff caught the words, and the winds, and the hollow caves and the sinuous shores : 'or you, too, shall perish thus.' The rapidity of the motion of the doomed and falling 'ghost' in fatal transit is truly an example of spirit quickness. Perhaps an angel can ride a sunbeam moving 200,000 miles a second! Or a seraph may harness the solar kinetic, and mounting his uranian steed doth speed away through the universe like a blaze of light. Electric force and speed are exponents of cosmic potential on a great sphere ; the mightiest physical prowess that a celestial body is capable of evincing. And unless a creative sphere possessed such active might, at least in the measure of a minimum, it could neither create nor continue to exist. Such is the purposive end of the vital force and thermo-dynamic function of a planet. If the true momentum, in this case as it is in ordinary computation, were equal to the weight multiplied into the velocity, in feet per second, and by taking the diameter of the electric shaft at one inch, the vis viva of the celestial missle will be equivalent probably to the energy of a thousand horsepower. But the force of a thunder-bolt in the atmosphere of the Sun is nearly thirty times as great as on the earth. The region of the upper firmament is the celestial rookery of the animal spirits of the kingdoms of air, earth and sea ; that is, prior to and below the 'age of man'; even as the face of the planet itself is the grand menagerie of the living organic world- and birthplace of being. And these two opposite empires, then, the upper and the lower, are set at such a safe distance apart in the order and economy of their construction that the fiercest ghost, hovering in opposition in the upper vault, can scarcely attain to reach the lower convex alive in its transit of fiery ven geance. But in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred these dreadful bombards of the clouds are utterly absumed before reaching the nether surface below the firmament. This especially because of the dense insulating air of the lower altitudes. The length of the Lightning's sinuous chain is the plummet 110 THE EMPYREAN and footrule of standard measurement of the Lord's master- workman, in the day he constructed the firmament. This is the maximum dynam of the living volt, or its medium of annihila tion and final death. It is ever the uniform product of the dis tance by cosmic pressure. The clouds are the thrones of that blustering 'majesty' of the upper air; and lest the sky should fall on our heads, the 'see' of that aerial reign is established far up, up where the varying regions of cloud stratum bespeaketh the different grades and stages, or degrees, of that heaven. The winds are the common carriers of the seats of the jumble paradise, and the tropics are the boundary lines of the dynasty's perpetual bliss. Outside the tropics there is but little lightning in winter; those instinctive reigns do seek warmer and pleasanter climes. This is the heaven of glory on the earth, the first and lowliest heaven, the humble, storm-swept heaven of the beasts of the field. Thinkest thou there is no heaven for these? 'Twere a pity indeed should there not ! In the foregoing speculation we do not presume to contradict whatever truth there may be in the old theory of lightning. However, it appears obvious that the mysterious phenomenon cannot be due to violent expulsion of heat element out from the condensing vapor, such as was previously taken in during the process of evaporation, since that is about all eliminated before the lightning commences. Besides, there must be a purpose in the violence of lightning; a deep, farseeing, purposive cause, and an unsounded mystery in the thunder. Evidently Lightning is nature's own painless sword with which to decimate in timely and orderly course these imperfect spirit creations of the lower orders of life ; the poor spiritlings of the air. Behold in the light ning's host the lost 'angels' of the clouds, and thunder is the murderous report of the sudden and maybe painless doom. 'Tis the sound of the millwheels of the; gods, grinding invisible 'tare,' when the invisible spirit becomes visible for the briefest instant in the flash. When a horse dies, or an ox, or a sheep, or a bird, or a fish, or a serpent, its liberated 'soul' goes into the Nirvana of the upper air, the rare, cerulean, azure vault, and there lives and dwells aloft during long ranges of time, in a state of primitive celestial bliss and real felicity, and until such time as the soul of the brute comes to judgment, when it is actually and utterly CERAUNICS 111 extinguished in the form of lightning. The spirit itself con stitutes the bolt and that, the instant that reaching, searching vacuity touches the static charge. The Savior said : 'I saw Satan fall from heaven as lightning.' Without commenting on this passage, we will content ourself with reflections only on the theme of the spirits of the beasts of the field and the manifold sights thereof. And, lo, we beheld an iEolian vision, on a day of wrath of the 'god' of species, and the four winds fought amid the heaven ; and we saw a thousand ghosts flying through the welkin, fleeing to destruction; when the meteor of a panther sprang from its lair in the cloud down on to a village ; and the wrath of the ghost consumed the village. And the living fire of a dead horse descended from a craggy and ominous cloud down against a great oak, and the smitten tree was blasted even to its roots, and the groans of the loud destruction thundered among the hills. It is said that the suffering of this life enhanceth the bliss of the life hereafter. And a great whale was struck with a deadly fang by the hand of a lordly man, and she plunged a thousand fathoms deep, but relief she found not there. Again she rose aloft, where erstwhile her offspring was captured and slain before her weeping eyes. But it seemed the depth and height turned foe and all things at once her enemy became. Now she stormed the sea and for hours she fought the waves, as in the maddening rage of despair and death she would whip the bound less main and make the thoughtless deep to heed her woe. And kindly death came sure anon, and she went into the heaven. And she remembered that day of doom for, lo, a thousand years, and a great joy arose out of that sadness till the end, and sweet ened the dreams of elysian. At last her nemesis smote the deep, and there was a strong day, till a cool and pleasant wave o'er- swept the face of the earth. , And the livid sparks of many birds of prey fell from a bick ering throne — a cloud spitting fire — down onto an obdurate tyrant; and his soul went into bottomless perdition, and the ravens of the desert pecked out his eyes. For dreadful is the ire of heaven against the oppressor's wrongs and the usurper of the mercy of heaven. And a lion in the firmament roared from his lair in a loud and angry cloud, and the heavens shook and the earth; and the rocks and deep-mouthed caverns echoed the whispers of the 112 THE EMPYREAN triumph of hell ; and all living flesh gasped in fear ; and thunder .spake to thunder across the aerial dome, and day became like to a vaulted furnace. And again I beheld the lightnings of an hundred swine as they poured from an aberrant firmament, and the stress of their vengeance shook the plains; and the brute bellowed outright from the summit of the deep, and bolted down the step of heaven ; and a noise came out of the cloud, like the voice of the darkest, deepest night, or a groan of chaos in trouble, and the rocks and brittle things shivered 'neath the growl of the savage cloud; and the shape of the cloud was like to that of a swine's head dispuming spasms of fire ; and the lightnings of the violent umbra made great heat, and men blasphemed because of the plague of the heat. And the corruscation of an elephant flew from a tempest in a thunderhead, and it struck a ship at sea, and the huge bulk was shivered and burned, and her crew was consigned to the deep. Now the welkin streamed in brilliant light, till the blaze of the bright disaster enlightened heaven's great dome. These are signs and the visible beginnings of sorrow, where abomina tion walked and lurked, and the just must oftimes share with the unjust in these grievous judgments. For the angels, white and red, have charge o'er the elements and directeth the darts of the air and the paths of the winds, and even the fires doth glow and calm at their command and the hurricane boundeth against the seat of an opposer and the spirit taketh him captive. And the celestial hecatomb of a thousand oxen falling from the upper deep flew against a great city; and the heaven roared with a deafening noise, and the firmament danced to the chorus of their thunders ; and, lo ! a thousand men were slain amid the whirl and the crash, and the fair city was made a desolation and a waste ; and the day gleamed with prostrating heat. And I beheld the lives of many serpents chaised mightily through a thunderhead, till the north shone like the glare of hell ; and the proclivities of their winds and thunders caused men to stare aloft; and the cloud made rain, like to a torrent, as it were, to cool the rags of the serpents. And then I saw Acroceraunis as his protean thrones sat on the mountains, and how their lightnings laughed among the peaks, and smote Kamara's craggy crest; and his thunders bel- CERAUNICS 113 lowed in lofty caves, the voice of the earth's past dead. And the god of species strove with the mountain for empire in the firmament. And I saw how Saorta and Teneriff and Shasta shook, and the pillars of Atlas were troubled with the might of the angel's strength ! And how Obi and Volga and the Congos of the east, and the Amazons and Niagaras of the Occident were o'erf raught with Neptune's freight. And when this angel of the firmament casteth down a flickering throne from that jar ing, jumble heaven, the winds did rave and roar and tore the planes where the plague of the firmament fell. And the thunder de clared peace and the wind sighed, Amen. And then we saw the spirits of the aerial dome, as they rode the clouds in post haste, before the Borean billows of the cold and windy north, and the boom of their beneficent thunders subsided towards the sunny south. And the glory of that earth- shaking paradise was a wonder on the globe; but it will return to us again in the spring. PROBLEM VII The Seven Ages Continued The Origin of Man And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a liv ing soul (Gen. ii:7). Evidently the recent lunar catastrophe, and which occurred long before the creation of man, must have left the surface of our globe in fearful shape, so that it required the subduing and disintegrating action of the elements — air and water, heat and cold — during a period of probably no less than 50,000 years to level off the rocks and precipices and smoothen down the dias- trophism of the wreck. At least 500 centuries of general im provement were thus necessary after the crash of the world- struggle to restore the shattered globe, before the terrestrial residence was again rendered habitable, especially for the instal lation of a new and delicate organism like man. Besides, the ordeal destroyed and wiped out, more or less, the several organic species from equator to pole, so that to accomplish the restora tion of life in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms was not the creative work of a few days. On the close of the last Cataclysm, and long before the cre ation of Man, the fifth, great, creative Day closed and the sixth Day dawned. Up to that time man had not existed on the face of the planet. Besides, the Scripture informs us that no cattle nor four-footed beasts were created until the sixth Day. Dur ing the earlier part of this, our great Day, the Lord God made all Quadrupeds. This extensive organic genera would most probably imply all classes of quadrumania. That is, including, altogether, all those species both extinct and extant — the mam moth, the mastodon, the horse, the dog, the sheep, the cow, the 114 THE ORIGIN OF MAN 115 ape, the baboon, etc. The organic world of the Sixth Day was all begun during the great 'forenoon,' and all completed by 'noon,' or midway, in the Day. According to the old Book of divine lores and wisdoms, we are informed that our Race began about 6,000 years ago. How ever, the date is not very precise. Archaeologists would put the time back at least 8,000 years. The human species then origi nated and continued to propagate during a space of more than 1,600 years, when pretty nearly the whole human family was wiped out by the waters of a deluge, after which the race again commenced out of the new. Now, after a course of 2,300 years or more, after the flood, the face of the planet begins to be more or less all populated. If it were not for wars and floods and disasters, the face of the planet would, long ere now, have attained its maximum, human capacity. Speaking of the question of time, it is probable that no man's intellect is capable of conceiving the extent of 1,000 years, much less a million. And when men attempt to reckon the earth's duration and the age of rocks and even animal life by a million or millions of years, they evidently know not well what they are talking about. Yes, man originated more than sixty centuries ago, but the final consummation of the creation of man will be accomplished only towards the end of time. Man is creating, not created. It will require, in all, a grand period of forty-six, or more, thou sand years to complete the creation of our yet youthful race. Then will our full-fledged and full-created progeny be regarded by the supernal Powers as a developed Oneness, as it were, a single being: Man created! What little of this we behold, or is at any time visible, is but the ever present progress of the race unfolding itself. It is the visible point along the range where the mill of the gods is grinding. This mill is ever in the work of grinding Mystery into History. It has been truly said the past is history, the future is mystery, and the present is ever in the act of grinding mystery into history. The 'Days of Creation' are the ages and pages of a planet's natural history ; and the number* of moons indicates as many ignitions and extinctions of species. The term 'Daf simply signifies 'Time,' and the Days of Creation means the Times of Creation. In the morning of each mystic Day a series of species flash into existence, and in the evening they flash out. Such is 116 THE EMPYREAN the delphic lesson of the moons and the mystery of the earth's ages. On the Sixth Day, 'God made the beasts of the earth according to their kind, and cattle, and everything that creepeth on the earth after its kind.' And then God made man. About the middle of the aeonian Day the Lord formed Adam, 'And God said, let us make man to our own image and likeness.' Each and every special creation was not only a special creative act, in its origin, but was, according to the earliest Scnp- ture, a special and continuous creative act, after its own kind. There could be no evolution of species, according to this divine plan. Each particular tribe was peremptorily commanded to increase and multiply after its own kind. Besides, man being created after the image of Divine perfection, it were logically impossible for this species to evolutionize, or improve, on his original formation. 'And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them' (Gen. i:27. See also Wisd. ii:23; Eccl. xvii:l; Matt. xix:4). In reviewing the profundity of human nature from this lofty stand point, namely, that 'God made man to his own image,' it becomes deprehensible that the Creator made the creature like to Him self in more than one, or rather in all, attribute of being; that is, except in the matter of perfection of these attributes. First, man is like a real shadow of the true God in the excel sior attributes of the mind, possessing the qualities of Will, Memory and Understanding. Secondly, in the property of Form; upright, erect, stately. Thirdly, in respect to Gender, 'male and female, He created them.' For the quality of sex is also in the soul, and opposite souls are original counterparts and destined to become hypostatized or united in eternity. Being thus blended in another world, such condition becomes a fixed state and a prime source of perpetual felicity. Fourthly, with respect to number, He created them many, an evidence of tiie plurality of being in God. The Lord said not, T will make man to My image'; but 'Let us make man to our image.' Adam might say, T am a great number' ; but God might say, T am Hosts and Dominions !' Yet God is absolutely one God and one Being, for all these numbers and hosts are hypostatically united and comprehended in one, great, spirit Being. But now the question most emphatically arises: How, or in what manner, did the Creator make the first man ? The answer THE ORIGIN OF MAN 117 implies both the natural and the supernal. The initial Man was evidently the outcome and product of a kind of Resurrection ! It could not be otherwise, since man was formed from matter out of the real, substantial earth: The 'dust' or 'slime' of the earth. And the solid earth is no less than the very aggregated, defunct remains of all physical life that has been. Even so, in like manner, were the lower species originated. (See Gen. ii:19.) But this kind of Resurrection (or reformation plus reanima tion) was also, in all probability, the phenomenal vouchsafe- ment, or rather miraculous resuscitation of a certain, select and special Pair of maybe extinct, or defunct, species. For natural ists assure us that there are within the human formation certain organs or traces of organs which are seemingly purposeless, and that these are vestiges from some inferior and earlier type of being. However this may be, there can be no doubt as to the derivation and manner of extraction that the first human mould was taken from defunct remains. And in a great measure, at least, such is the manner of all special incipience. Aye, even the vegetable kingdom of the Fifth Day was from resurrected seed of older species. As it is written: 'And (the creation) of every plant of the field before it sprung up in the earth and every herb of the ground before it grew,' etc. (Gen. ii:5). The seed was first. The first human Pair, though consisting at first in a single, or rather a double being, was therefore a reanimation and refor mation, or a kind of glorification from the defunct remains of some other pre-existent pair of organic being, and into whose nostrils the Creator blew the breath of life, thus igniting soul and life therein. Of course this was a Miracle ! But resurrections and initial creations are always miraculous performances. A miracle is the performance of a special act through the supervension of divine agency; a power above and beyond the ordinary laws of nature. When once the original Pair is 'ignited,' then the con tinuous species may proceed therefrom according to the ordinary or the natural law. A miracle is never an act contrary to the natural law, but is rather a special assistance or reinforcement of nature. 118 THE EMPYREAN But the original man was soon separated into the two com ponent beings. When our first Parents were first formed out of the 'slime of the earth,' when they first walked out of the invis ible, we are informed by Holy Writ that the Lord made Adam after the manner of the hypostatic formation. Subsequently, then, the grand Author and, Designer of all being divided the original being into a Pair of beings, making them male and female beings. Then Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man' (Gen. ii :23). But Adam was thus stripped of his superior robe of beauty and other self, which was taken away in the form of the woman ; or, for the sake of antithesis, it might be put that Eve was divested of her superior robe of might, and which was taken away in the form of the man. At any rate, to an alarming extent, Force was divorced from Form and Form from Force, and the original hypo-subsistency was dichotomized into two distinct, adoring human majesties: the Lord and Lady of all the earth! Each to each of equal values, equally great and important, only different, and each designed to a distinct and special sphere of activity in life. Behold here a subindication of heavenly things. Likewise is every born family of the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve thus dichotomized and sub- dichotomized into the dual form and manner of brothers and sisters. In quality as well as in quantity, in form as well as in sub stance, Adam was made into two distinct beings, each constitut ing an equal Half or Self in the human sphere of life. Eve was the fairest of women and Adam was the manliest of men. Almost as pretty as an angel she, and he was but little below a seraph. And, now, we behold in this Thy handiwork, O God, thy last and noblest work. Who but thee can found life, O God, who but thee is able to build up being? And we kneel in humble adoration before the greatness of thy power, O God, and we bow before the dignity of this thy Image, in all admiration and praise ! The natural purpose of this divarication or branching out of being, was that of the propagation of the race; but the divine purpose was that these, now, two beings were destined to become joined in wedlock hereafter, with corresponding Angels of God. Again, being thus divested of their hypo-physical 'robes,' they THE FALL OF MAN 119 became then and there and in that measure naked, totally naked, for such is indeed the occult and esoteric meaning of the term; for such is indeed the nakedness, and of which they were not at first ashamed. Aye, Adam was robbed of his original robe of beauty and Eve of her robe of might. But this then became the fiercest temptation of all nature, and bespeaketh the naked and dependent state and condition of our being and existence. SECTION II The Fall of Man That the 'Tree of Knowledge of good and evil,' spoken of in the Bible, is the Race of Man; while the 'Tree of Life' is the race of God And God said to Adam: 'And who hath told thee that thou wast naked, but that thou hast eaten of the tree whereof I com manded thee thou shouldst not eat' (Gen. iii:2). Know thyself, O man, 'thou angel in the clod.' Know thyself from whence thou sprang, and from whence thou mightiest have sprung. Know thy nativity, when thy paradise was turned into a wilderness, and when a world of glory was sold for a cup of misery. Lo, we are but the essential product of our parents' will, and our whole race is, likewise, the unfavored product of our First Parents' willful sin. The Sin is the cause, we are the consequence. If, therefore, the cause be unjust, what must the result be? Our greatest Grandparents transgressed in our conception, and we are the fallen product of that sin; and in the enormity of the punishment is mirrored the magnitude of the crime! From the foregoing Theorem we deduce the following solu tion : That the creation on a planet of a being like man is ever the embryo basis of an everlasting life. But that the human race erred at its source, when our first Progenitor and Progenitress begot solely of mortal or human flesh. Which race, destined to become celestial, should have been begotten of God and Man, for God dwelt on the earth in those days. Thus did they fail to 'eat' of the 'Tree of Life,' and failed to bring forth a race of 120 THE EMPYREAN demigods, but instead, by eating of the forbidden tree, they ushered into the world a progeny of doomed mortals, or a pos terity of good and evil. Behold, is this then the nature of the Original Sin of our first Parents, that they failed and refused to unite with and marry the Angels of God in the Paradise at the beginning; but that instead they mixed and begot solely of their own kind in the copulation of animal nature. Whence followed an unavoid able train of untoward consequence, foremost among which may be enumerated unnecessary reproduction and death. When the Lord spoke to Adam, He spoke to all men, and when He spoke to Eve, He spoke likewise to her daughters. Now, God said to Adam: 'Dust thou art and into dust thou shalt return.' This was the sentence of death. If Adam had eaten of the Tree of Life instead of the Tree of Knowledge, he and his posterity would not be thus obliged to die, because then he would not be composed of all earthy 'slime.' And the Lord said to Eve: 'I will multiply thy sorrows and thy conceptions' This indeed was a sentence of sorrow, that our first Mother should now bring forth children to the celestial Serpent who seduced her, and that she must yet one day behold the condemna tion of these countless millions. Had she disavowed the desires of the evil One, she had no need of this disaster. Had she eaten of the Tree of Life she would have need to bring forth a necessary number for Heaven only. Neither would the Eden and its glory have fled from the now accursed planet, when God (the angels or spirits of God) had left the earth in disgust; nor would a low-bred race of mortals be compelled to toil and sweat and moil for a living on a world filled with thorns and thistles and cockle amongst the grain. Nor would the elements have reverted back to a wild, chaotic state, and all nature, like the new progeny, have grown rebellious; war and peace amongst the elements, and war and peace among men. For now the Dragon became the 'prince of this world' and pre-empted the planet, becoming a legitimate part thereof and of the nature of the things therein, when God called His cherubim away from the earth. For they, our most ancient Parents, foolishly pre ferred and accepted the natural consequences in preference to those of the divine. The world was henceforth filled with confusion and iniquity and all kinds of trouble that poor, frail, human flesh is heir to. THE FALL OF MAN 121 Thus was created 'Beasts' on the earth and the unnatural fusion of being. Now, Mars, the first-born, was crowded on to the earth, and taught men to kill one another. Now, Mammon crowded into the world also and taught men to rob each other of the means of life. Now, Apollyon crowded herself into an already overcrowded world, and taught men to persecute virtue and to worship at the shrine of abomination. And thus Israel is constrained to dwell in a 'valley of tears' ! A 'Paradise of Pleasure' was prepared at the birthplace of Man. This Paradise was a real elysian and was kept by the hand of God, or rather by the hand of His Angels, or Spirits, or Cherubim, and who had formed and made the first man and dwelt in the Eden. They formed man at first and then reformed him into the duplexity of two distinct beings. And they all dwelt in the Eden. Now, as near as we can glean from the Scrip tural account, the Paradise, or the Eden, was a small spot of ground located somewhere in the western part of Asia. It was small at first, for then the population of the globe was small, probably not more than four — two of Angels and two of Man. It was at that time commanded of our first Parents that they should not 'eat' of the 'Tree of Knowledge,' but that they should 'eat' of the 'Tree of Life.' If they ate of the Tree of Knowledge, it was assured them they would die. The power of this 'tree' conferred the property of evil knowledge and experi ence along with the good. If, on the other hand, they partook of the Tree of Life, they would live forever and be translated unto Heaven at the end of a certain time, without the penalty of death. Now these were certainly an extraordinary character of 'Tree,' in order to thus have power to confer such properties and qualities on the participant. There is absolutely no tree that grows in the forest, nor within the vegetable kingdom, like to these ! Behold, verily, these were symbolical 'Trees,' indeed, a figura tive species. Such is the true Exegesis of the wonderful dilemma. This we know from the reason that they could not be any other kind. They could not be otherwise than super natural, in order to be able to confer such attributes. They can not be trees of the arboreal or vegetable character. No natural fruit could make our bodies immortal or save us forever from 122 THE EMPYREAN death, nor could any vegetable quality bestow on the participant the knowledge of good and evil. Such attributes are not within the bounds or province of the irrational, unconscious vegetable world. No, these were symbolical Trees.* But there are many symbolical terms used in the Bible, such as 'Beast,' 'Harlot,' 'Candlesticks,' 'Days,' 'Lamb,' 'Rock,' 'Lamp,' etc. The parables are all aglow with tropes and epithets, and the prophecies are everywhere incandescent with luminous figures. The Lord commanded our First Parents to partake of the Celestial Tree, whereby they might bring forth a Race of superior beings, half human and half divine, in a manner not unlike to that of the Godman Himself, who was born of a Virgin and an Angel or Spirit of God. Such superior men would be the same as was the Messiah up to the time of His baptism. But then, at that time, the entire God-spirit-being entered into Christ, making Him the first Angel incarnate; that is, the first Incarnation from the Seven Spirits of God. Such now, therefore, is the incorrigible sordidness of our fallen race and being, that the Beast hath the greater share of our progeny. In drawing a parallel of superiority between the children of men and the angels of heaven, the divine Master once said: Of they who are born of women, there is none greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he' (Matt. xi:ll). Christ here alludes to the essential and moral superiority of celestial being; that the least, or the most inferior of those that dwell in heaven, is indu bitably much superior in appearance, power and virtue to even the greatest born of human nature on the earth. For, though our First Parents were originally made but a little below the angels, and the Lord, at times, addressing man, said, 'Ye are gods' ; yet it is conclusive that the effect of sin reduced our type a shade below that of the primitive standard. Originists may remonstrate that it is not the part of eternal *We must here say that the Tree of Life, as mentioned in the second verse of the final chapter of the Apocalypse, does appeal very strongly, nay, unquestionably, that the same, along with the water of the River of Life, are indeed celestial and ambrosial food and drink for the blessed in Heaven. However, the term 'Tree of Life,' as used throughout the Scriptures, seems to be rather generic. Jesus called himself the 'Bread of Life.' He might have called himself the 'Tree of Life,' the 'Word of Life,' or the Wine of Life, or the Food of Life, or the Manna of Life, and the meaning would be virtually the same. THE FALL OF MAN 123 Justice to thus impose the guilt of the Parents on the irre sponsible, unconscious Offspring. The answer would be, at least, in part, as follows : Whereas, the offspring is the essential product of the parents and of the parents' will, there can, as a rule, be no quality or property in the product but that which pre existed in the original factors. In the psychology of begetting, it is true that it is no less the will of the offspring (though unconscious) to become begotten, than it is the will of the parents to thus beget. The will of the one is the will of the other. If it were the will of our first Parents to produce a mortal race, it were no less the essential will of that race, on the whole, that it be so produced. In fact, no being is ever produced against his own will, if such conception be the parents' will. If the individual offspring enjoyed the exercise of active and independent freewill at his conception, he would have exer cised it exactly as did his parents. In fact, again, he was the very spark which prompted the act of his own conception; the desire existed in the embryo even as it did in the parents. The offspring is, indeed, a real and virtual part of the par ents. The whole human family, from beginning to end, is but the timely, evolutionary fulfillment of the original Protoplast. The blood which coursed the veins of the primitive Pair has become the sanguinary flood that nourisheth the whole race. In all this the prerogative of individuality cuts no figure. The whole race, taken in the plural number, is but the solitary race of Man, taken in the singular number. But the Individual has, nevertheless, the power and function to make himself celestial if he will, and cause himself to rise above the mediocre of his birth, and all this by a voluntary and divine rebirth. This, the privilege of celestial ascendancy, is the granted, God-given pre rogative of the individual; the conscious and voluntary act of the offspring. Though begotten solely of the inglorious Tree of Knowledge, the born individual may yet rise above his derivation and save himself, if he will, by partaking of the Tree of Life. However, all must suffer the penalty of the proscribed death; the virtue of the Rebirth doth not attest itself in the corporeal mould until the new body shall become resurrected. But to return to our subject. Thus has Satan (the Serpent) succeeded, nay triumphed, in his work! Now has Satan set up woman as the 'goddess' of 124 THE EMPYREAN the race and planet, and man the 'god' thereof, and he, himself, the triumphant Demiurge of the adoring world. Now, verily, this was the Devil's right, his God-given right and privilege, and, therefore, his just and inherited right, to thus seduce the grand Protoplast of a new race, if he could, and, finally, in the course of time, to take with him his apportioned share. Heaven's Mon arch and merciful Arbiter did grant and commute to the Devil this privilege (God, himself, not knowing, or rather not fore knowing, what the Freewill of our first Parents would lead them to do: to stand or fall) in order to mitigate and assuage, or to commiserate the dreadfulness of his doom. And, as a conse quence, we are all born heirs to the fallen god, and so remain, until we renounce allegiance to the infernal kingdom, and, through Christ, become espoused to the Kingdom of Life. Lo, when our first Parents thus fell from their high estate, it was then, even then, that their Creator foreknew that disaster was imminent in the future, when He determined and arranged the future accordingly. Sin and punishment and fate was ours, but fiat and judgment and decree was the Lord's. For it is manifest and clear, if the Lord foreknew this Pair would fall, He could just as easily have created in their stead another Pair whom He foreknew would not fall; and, further, as He did not desire their fall, He most certainly would have so created. If God thus foreknew, will anyone think for a moment, He would have created a Pair that would fall instead of a Pair that would stand ? When man, forsooth, became a fallen race and sided with the great Tempter, it was then that the Lord God prescribed the destinies and the prophecies even to the latter end. Then did the omniscient God indite the revelations of the Apoca lypse ! Upon the event and instigation of their sin and fall, Adam and Eve at once became ashamed of their condition, and pro ceeded to sew leaves together to make themselves aprons. Now, why were they not ashamed of their mouths, if they had literally eaten of forbidden fruit, or of their hands, if it were these mem bers that had transgressed? But no, the parts which were the instruments of violation became the organs of shame forever ! And when God accosted them that 'afternoon' they offered excuses: Eve laid blame to the Serpent for her misfortune, and Adam blamed the woman, and the Lord pronounced on them the inevitable imprecations and judgments which, as a natural THE FALL OF MAN 125 result, were sure to follow the sin and disobedience of their transgression and elopement. Nothing celestial in them, nothing divine in them (save the likeness and formation of God), noth ing but human, animal nature, their fate was to be like to that of the beasts of the field. Their first-born was a murderer. They were turned out of Eden forever, and at the end of a little time they must return to the dust from whence them came, and all mankind with them. All, all mankind was then fallen ! Such is, indeed, the grave situation, immutable, enigmatical, paradoxical! Such is the Foundation of our race, and such is the Foundation which might have been. Nay, was! not the information, the whole truth given us from on high, through the prophet Moses, to acquaint us how our race began? The Lord never intended that we should be ignorant of such an important truth. All things are foreshown, all serious and vital things are made known to us through the columns of the inspired Text, only to discover and discern them. Such is indeed the Stock from whence we sprang, nor is it for us to complain, but to make the best we can of a fallen lot ; nor does it behoove us to lament, for lamentations are any how vain. The constitution of the world and the race is unal terably fixed until the end of time. Maybe the destiny, the ordi nation is in some way for the best, or not all for the worst. Aye, truly, our origin and being depended on the Tree of good and evil; our race would not have been brought into existence if it were not for the fall of man. There is ever a hopeful side to all things. 'There never was a cloud so black but hath a silver lining.' We are unable to comprehend the profoundest ways of God, the inexplicable depth of the ways of Providence. Aye, truly, 'tis an evil wind that bloweth nobody good. This loving, hating generation, this laughing, crying genera tion, this praying, sinning, hoping, sighing, helpless, afflicted, turbulent generation, this mortal, dying world of ours might not be for the worst. Have mercy on us, O Lord ; we are still the work of thy hand, amid the echoings of the realms of time. We are still thy children, Adam, erring man, nor shall we revile thy heavy heart, thy repentant soul; and frail, wayward Eve, where e'er thy spirit rests, thou art still our ancient mother. But now, this big, rotund planet shall brood and nourish on its broad, chaotic bosom a race of fallen mortals, and heaven's Sun shall ever rise and set on naught else but a race of doomed 126 THE EMPYREAN mortals, unless by heaven's help, by heaven's mercy, there be something done! SECTION III The Redemption 'Amen, amen, say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.' (John iii:3) '// any man eat of this bread, he shall have life forever: and the bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world' (Johnvi:52). It appeareth that the 'Tree of Life' in the Old Testament became the 'Bread of Life' in the New Testament. 'He that eateth this bread shall live forever' (John vii:58). Since we failed of divine extraction in the beginning, we must of frail necessity be born over again. No one can be saved who remains purely human, wholly mortal. In this state we fall a sure prey to the evil One. We of ignoble derivation are too gross, too sensual, too animal, if not ingrafted in the divine nature, to be ever able to ascend. Hence, unless we are redeemed, unless we avail ourselves of the fruits of the Redemption, we cannot be saved. No one can be saved unless redeemed. We must become lifted up by partaking of the divine nature from above. Because of the original error, we must indeed be Born Again, not of the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God. 'Amen, I say unless you be born again of water and the Holy Ghost ye cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.' Those who are Born Again constitute the Church, the Church of the Redemption; while those who refuse to become born again shall constitute the Beast of Revelation. There are only these two on the earth, namely : the Church and the Beast. The first eateth of the Bread of Life and shall rise up glorious on the last day. The rest shall not rise up glorified, because there is nothing glorified in them. They will not be redeemed; they will refuse to share in the Redemption. If a man were seen walking up and down the street through the town, swaying his arms with emphasis and crying: 'Hear, ye people, you must be all born again! You must be all born THE REDEMPTION 127 over again, or you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven!' If such a thing should happen, 'Why,' they would say, 'that man is crazy ; arrest him ; he is a nuisance !' Well, so it is ever with the world. The prophets and the apostles were persecuted. However, the man would not be crazy; he would only be inspired. No truer words ever fell from the lips of man. No benefactor ever gave wiser alarm to his fellow-man. But if our derivation and birth were at first according to the divine plan, there would be no need that we be born again. As it is, we are purely animal; there is nothing divine in us. The human should have been engrafted into the divine at the beginning, but since that failed to have been done, it is now, happily, incumbent on us to engraft the divine into the human. We must propagate from a twofold extraction of gods and men, and restore our individual selves in the miracle of Rebirth. However fair, we are mortal ; however brave, we are bestial ; however wise, we are wicked ; however great, we are victims of corruption; however lovely, we are sinners; however strong, however fearfully and wonderfully made, we are subject to misery, pain and death. Indeed, unless we receive of nature celestial, we are empty creations of nothing worth; nor worthy to join with angels, because of the baseness of our nature. First, we must become divinely recreated, then must good works fol low. Then, let the strong lift up the weak, and let the rich divide with the poor; yes, now while there is life and day, for soon the night of death comes on, when we can work no more. Aye, the whole race was lost and doomed to perish, unless redeemed from on high. Unless heaven took pity on them, they could not save themselves. Lo, they were able to err, but were not able to atone! The suffering and death of a God in the human alone could appease an offended Creator. But, for the love of the world, Christ offered himself to ransom sinners. 'He was offered because He willed it.' Thus through the merits of the Savior of the world, penance and prayer is made avail able. And the atonement was also a ransom or a purchase price to be paid to the Prince of the world ( Satan) . For when mankind fell in the first Parents, the whole world belonged to the Serpent and had to be redeemed by a purchase price; and by faith the faithful are separated from the faithless of the multiplied conceptions of a mortal race. The Tree of Life is 128 THE EMPYREAN changed from the visible to the invisible, or, rather, now it is offered under the appearance of bread and wine in the conse crated Host. 'Do this,' saith our Lord, 'in commemoration of Me.' The grand function of the Redemption was to restore the Tree of Life. The blood of Jesus alone hath power to ransom sinners. This bread alone hath power to confer immortality on mortals, and to bestow celestial nobility and seraphic dignity on the children of men. And His Church is the perpetual and only divine institution on the face of the planet, the boon of salvation, the invincible rock which the thunders of hell cannot shake, for it is really and truly purchased and is established as the sole medium of redemption by regeneration, or rebirth. The Church is the divine Mother of all 'who are born again.' She is the triumphant Lady 'clothed with the Sun,' a young Tree of Life, commencing with the immaculate Mary, our second Eve, our faithful Eve. In conclusion, our Race is destined to build life for two Kingdoms, the kingdom of Light and the kingdom of Darkness. And the creating world must needs hasten and run and toil and pace during yet 40,000 suns, ere the measure of the two king doms be fulfilled. We are practically still at the beginning of time. At this, our age of the world, all that dwell on the face of the earth are but a handful to those that sleep in its bosom. Yet, the living and the dead together, are but a handful to Baby lon, yet unborn. Yes, Egypt dead is greater than the Orient living, but Egypt yet unborn is mightier than all the nations born; for the progeny of progenies is yet to come. The mystic term 'Time' signifies the entire ^Eon of birth and death of our procreating race, the era of begetting and burying, aye, and the work of resurrecting, too, and all this work must be finished when the seventh Trumpet sounds! THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION 129 SECTION IV The Seven Days of Creation* genesis, chapter i God created heaven and earth and all things therein in six days 1. In the beginning God created heaven and earth. 2. And the earth was void and empty, and the darkness was on the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters. 3. And God said : 'Be light made.' And light was made. 4. And God saw the light, that it was good ; and He divided the light from the darkness. 5. And Hfe called the light Day, and the darkness Night; and there was evening and morning one day. 6. And God said: 'Let there be a firmament made amidst the waters ; and let it divide the waters from the waters.' 7. And God made a firmament, and divided the waters that were under the firmament from those that were above the firma ment. And it was so. 8. And God called the firmament, Heaven ; and evening and morning were the second day. 9. God also said : 'Let the waters that are under the heaven be gathered together into one place: and let the dry land appear.' And it was so done. 10. And God called the dry land, Earth: and the gathering together of the waters he called, Seas. And God saw that it was good. *For fear of any misunderstanding, it may be well here again to remark, that the Seven Ages of Matter, as set forth in the foregoing chapters, are not the same as the Biblical Seven Days of Creation. Neither are the two phases of progression identical. The first attempts to show the serial progression of the evolutionary stages of matter in its seven forms, from the extreme form of invisible space even to the last and final form of spirit existence. While the described 'Seven Days,' on the other hand, simply affords a descriptive record of as many special and divine Creative Acts, with reference to our globe and its organic existence. 130 THE EMPYREAN 11. And He said: 'Let the earth bring forth the green herb and such as may seed, and fruit tree yielding fruit after its kind, which may have seed in itself upon the earth.' And it was so done. 12. And the earth brought forth the green herb, and such as yieldeth seed according to its kind, and the tree that beareth fruit, having seed, each one according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13. And evening and morning were the third day. 14. And God said : 'Let there be lights made in the firma ment of heaven, to divide the day and the night, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years. 15. 'To shine in the firmament of heaven, and to^give light upon the earth.' And it was so done. 16. And God made two great lights ; a greater light to rule the day, and a lesser light to rule the night, and the stars. 17. And he set them in the firmament of heaven, to shine upon the earth. 18. And to rule the day and the night, and to divide the light and the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19. And evening and morning were the fourth day. 20. God also said: 'Let the waters bring forth the creep ing creature having life, and the fowl that may fly over the earth under the firmament of heaven.' 21. And God created the great whales, and every living and moving] creature, which the waters brought forth, accord ing to their kinds, and every winged fowl, according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22. And He blessed them, saying: 'Increase and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea; and let the birds be multiplied upon the earth. 23. And evening and morning were the fifth day. 24. And God said: 'Let the earth bring forth the living creatures in its kind, cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, according to their kinds.' And it was so done. 25. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and cattle, and everything that creepeth on the earth, after its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26. And He said: 'Let us make man to our own image and likeness; and let him have dominion over the fishes of the THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION 131 sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every living creature that moveth upon the earth.' 27. And God created man to His own image; to the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. 28. And God blessed them, saying: 'Increase and multi ply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creatures that move upon the earth.' 29. And God said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth, and all trees that have in them selves seed of their own kind, to be your meat. 30. 'And to all beasts of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to all that move upon the earth, and wherein there is life, that they may have to feed upon.' And it was so done. 31. And God saw all things that He hath made, that they were very good, and the evening and morning were the sixth day. The Interpretation the seven labors of the lord That the Seven Days of Creation of Heaven and Earth Are Seven Terrestrial Mons, Bounded by the Cataclysms of Six Moons and One of the Sun Behold in the foregoing Chapter on the Creation the grand specifications of the divine Plan on which the terrestrial universe was to be reared, in the day that the Seven Architects of the Lord went out into the boundary of the solar Void to build the Earth. For the Seven Spirits are the Creator, or Creators of our planet, and of all things therein. Those mighty Archangels, in turn, during regular, successive, designated Epochs, or ^Eons of the several Cosmogonies of the globe, are ever the constant and active Authors and Workers in all the various phenomena and construction of life, force and matter, and are the absolute guardians and administrators of the earth, to have and to hold for aye. 'And there were seven lamps burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth unto all the earth' (Apoc. iv:5, v. 6). 132 THE EMPYREAN We shall now endeavor to hermeneutically explain this, the first Chapter of the book of Genesis, according to the previously sketched theories of Solar Contraction and Neptunianism, or to rather expound some of the more salient points thereof. The Creation of the First Day, or the work of great Mon day of holy week, includes that portion of the natural history of our globe, when the earth originated out among the hyper- neptunian depths, at the region of uttermost solar bounds, where the light of the Sun penetrates but feebly, shining only like a great star. This was the era of Experrection of the new-born earth out in the inanities; the beginning and initial date of eternal recla mation of a world from .the boundless wastes ; lo, the Beresith and advent of terrestrial existence! When the passive depths, inspired by the quickening Spirit, acquired form, by concentrat ing into a mighty liquid Sphere. Then did the nescent realms of a new world, like the enlivened ruins of a destroyed cherub reprieved, begin its weird and fearful journey back again towards the beneficent Throne of light, to regain its long lost seat. But a great, red Dragon, from above in the Light, seeing, paled at the rising sight thereof. Our planet was then naught but a vast sphere of water, 'void and empty,' a crystal 'dewdrop' suspended far out in space. But 'the Spirit of God moved over the waters' and they sprang into life at the voice of His word. For not until then did any life exist within this virgin sphere. Nor did the vast and empty reservoir at first contain any concretion or solid matter within. The embryo world had then six Satellites, fatal companions of her way; ensigns of destiny raised from afar, whose several orbits were perspective life boundaries. There were the de scribed 'furniture' of the heavens. And one of these lesser volumes, falling, closed the page of the first Day; and the earth was a Neptune a hundred thousand years. Behold the work of Him who is the first angel of God; praise the name of Gabriel, O, ye waters of the hollow void! The new-made planet, now rotating on her axis, produced the perpetual succession of day and night. But light and dark were, as yet, undivided towards the interior regions of the sphere, where Night reigned alone at the central womb of life; and there was evening and morning one day. THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION 133 The work of the Second Day was the creation of the Firmament. On the 'Tuesday' of creation's week were the waters below divided from the waters above. During the major portion of the first Day, organic life was undoubtedly ignited; its various species of the lowest type of vegetable formations, originating from the fecund waters and impregnated with the electric animus of the solar ray, which life, then existing in the most rudimentary, as well as the most prolific condition possible, at the region of the planet's center (the original Womb of Life) originated the pertrified nucleus from its sedimentary deposit. The concrete Core, thereupon, rapidly growing, until Pluto's world within the Pelagic world, at length, by force of cosmic pressure, evolved sufficient mundane heat of itself to warm the waters of the globe to such a degree that the great, dense marine surface rarefied and cleared and raised into great and perpetual Clouds, which evaporation now intermixed with certain vola tilized, nitrogenous exhalations exuding with said heat from the now burning interior, developed the prime ingredients of an atmosphere; for the aerial formation and that of a firmament were coeval and the same. Behold the Heaven, then, the blessed work of the second Laborer of the Lord. Praise the name of Uriel, who is called the 'Light of God.' O, ye rains and winds and clouds. Now another moon, tumbling down from a towering altitude into the rebellious deep, closed the destiny of the planet's second Era and ended the work of that ineffable Day. The earth was a Uranus a hundred thousand years, and evening and morning were the second geological age. The work of the Third Day's creative labor consisted in the geographical division of Land and Water. Vulcan's giants drank up the waters of the liquid sphere, until their Terra Firma emerged out from the surrounding sea. The philosophy of this, the providential work of the third earth, is obvious, namely: The result of supermarine development and emergence of the solid globe, along with the commensurate depletion of the water, and all that through the morpho-agency of organic life. But the fact of the upheaval of the swelling crust, and its correspond ing subsidation in places, the convulsed consequence of recent lunar precipitation and collision, now exhibited and outlined definitely the boundaries of land and sea. The organic genera of the planet's third Age, or the 134 THE EMPYREAN 'Wednesday' of terrestrial life, consisted chiefly, or rather exclu sively, as did the previous ones, of a vegetable character, and was the immediate metamorphosis now, also, on land, of old oceans' rude and superabundant life kingdom of shade. For we see that, as yet, no mention is made of animal existence among the chronicled categories of time. The reason is appar ent: No sunlight, as yet, had blessed the damp, diluvial world with its transcendent, vital beams, such as to warrant the cre ation of that higher, exquisite, apricate form of being. Such renovation was reserved until after the fourth genessial Day, when the ruling Horn of real life and being, shone down directly and with full force against the face of a cloudless world. For then the atmosphere became clear and transparent and the eva nescent mantle of opaque vapor rolled away and vanished n'eath heaven's burning Eye. But now on the third Day was the land and sea divided. Behold the most clement work of him who is called the 'Healing of God.' Praise the name of Raphael, O, ye fountains and lands and seas. Now another of earth's little 'planets' descend ing struck the sub-lunary sphere, and the third cataclysm ended the period of the third great Day; and the earth was a Saturn a hundred thousand years. The work of the Spirit on the fourth mysterious Day was that of the clearing of the heaven and the casting of the two great lights, when day and night became distinctively divided and day, on the surface of the sphere, became a real, enlightened half of time. Then, also, shone the stars and all the hypaethral fires of heaven, which, in their circles and signs and cycles, became visible, in clear view on the face of the earth. Now heaven's Hyperian orb shone unobstructedly down, and for the first time, perhaps, since the Beresith of the earth, the two great lights were actually visible on the face of the planet. But there were no Eyes as yet created hereon ; no one beheld the grace and splendor of heaven's sacred fires. This was to be, subsequently, a functional work to be enjoined by the glow ing Throne itself, a glorious commission to the earth from the solar Capitol! And we see that on the following mystic day the granted license was fulfilled in the creation of real life in the form of the Animal Kingdom. Mundane life became incar nated, and, on receiving those beauteous mirrors of irradation, awoke to consciousness beneath the glowing dome, to behold the THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION 135 marvelous works of the universe of God, and, maybe, to realize in vision, the plenitude of His power ! Verily, what chief er bless ings adorneth creation itself than light and sight ? Behold, in the 'creation' of the two great Lights, the work of the fourth Arch angel, who went forth to build a heaven and earth: Praise the name of Abdiel, the 'Servant of God,' O, ye Sun and moon and stars. But, lo, another satellite descending in the Evening, fell from the summit of the skies, and the lightnings and thunderings and the earthquake ended that Day on which the great Lights were 'created' ; and the earth was a Jupiter a hundred thousand suns. And God saw all his works, that they were beautiful and good, and evening and morning were the fourth Day. The wisdom of the Fifth Day's work, therefore, consisted in the creation of the lower forms and species of animal genera tion, namely: the fishes of the sea and the birds of the air. Of course, this biology comprised the protoplast of the multifarious genera of all marine and aerial life, embracing the Devonian and Ornithic geological ages. For life on the fifth Day sought to clothe itself in the robes and forms of fish and flesh. Verily, the first series of the second grand-division of the organic age; one of the wonders, nay, miracles of the evolution of time, the solution of which mystery lies in the word Light! For the gradual, progressive evolution, or gradation of species on a world, is due, first, to the procession of life outward from the planet's own center; and, secondly, to the planet's approach towards the Sun. Living existence doth naturally divide itself into three dis tinct groups, namely: the vegetable kingdom, the animal king dom, and the seraphic kingdom — the vegetable, the animal, and the Seraph. Now, the vegetable is the time of perpetual sleep ing; the animal is the time of sleeping and waking, while the Seraph is the time of perpetual waking. The vegetable is the time of perpetual slumber, for the plant has not as yet awoke to consciousness. The animal has awoke with eyes to conscious ness, or rather semi-consciousness, as no one is conscious while sleeping. But the Seraph, or the third part of living existence, or the celestial life dwelling in another world, is the age of perpetual waking and no sleeping, for there is no night there. But then another moon, revolving near and nearer, precipi tated down against the peaceful bosom of the world, and the 136 THE EMPYREAN doom closed the fifth chapter of the earth's natural history. The terrific force of the catastrophe annihilated, perhaps, many forms and immense quantities of life and being, not to speak of the sinking of continents and islands and the sudden elevation of old ocean beds. The earth was a Mars, a warrior in the great deep for a thousand centuries, and evening and morning were the Friday of creation's week. Indeed the sidereal or secular age of our planet might, at this time, be roughly computed at about half a million years. But the Sixth Day's work of the Almighty consisted in the act of bringing forth of the higher and the highest Types of life in the animal kingdom, and which proceeded, posthumously, from the perished remains of the aeonian yesterday of time. Verily, the Sixth Earth; the sixth cosmic Resurrection; the sixth awakening of the planet; when the present wonderous and beautiful forms of life, springing into existence, charmed and reanimated the face of a desolate world. Now the wastes teemed once more with life renewed, 'when the wilderness re joiced and the desert smiled again.' Organic life as we now survey it, enlivening the face of our hopeful sphere, roaming gleefully over the land, or dwelling in the pelagic seas ; man and beast, fish and flesh, animal and vege table, is all, indeed, but the grand reproduction of creation's Saturday of time. And begotten, directly from the hand of God, on good, mother earth, while she is constantly and dili gently threading her perilous way onward and upward toward eternity's great Throne, and Chaos from beneath is removed far behind. Now an enraptured earth rang anew in greater melody ; birds sang, herds lowed, men prayed, lions roared, cocks crowed, as it were, in joy at the nearer sight of the eternal Heaven ! Here let us pause, and for a moment take a retrospective and prospective view of the still inexplicable past and present. And, beholding the estate of man, situated, as he is, on the sixth height of time, the last and finished work of a beneficent and omnipotent Creator, might we not exclaim in enthusiasm and astonishment: What is Man? What this godlike being, still dwelling in mortal robes and yet ordained to rule a World? What, a rising god is this, or an issuing angel he? this lord of creation, this upright, stately, glorious form, this glorified phoenix of the ashes of the past ! Notice, too, the motion, the grace, the inspiring presence. THE SEVEN DAYS OF CREATION 137 The beauty of this, my sister fills the earth with joy, and this, my brother is the lordly pride of the sphere. How profuse is nature in this ruggedness; how lavish in this loveliness! And the laughter of their merry voices is the echo of the world's great hope, the sweet chorus of old earth's melody resounding on the sphere. In the congregation and in the assembly, I reflect : Behold, here, the best the earth produceth. The best what? Grace and glory's best. An unseen, cryptic, brightness within; a revelation clothed in mortality! At the end of the appointed time — for all time is appointed — on the close of the sixth great Day, the sixth and last satellite, the lesser of the 'two great lights,' shall topple down from the upper firmament, when the potency of the shock of the horns of Tarus will annihilate the last remnant of the generations of the sixth ^Eon of the planet; and evening and morning shall be the sixth Day. Praise the name of Ariel the Archangel, who is the 'Lion of God.' Praise the seven Spirits of God, O, ye sons and daughters of men ! For the seven great angels work in harmony throughout each and all creation's Days. Then the Lord's day of rest cometh: 'So the heavens and earth were finished and the furniture of them. And on the sev enth day the Lord ended his works which he had done, and He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because in it He had rested from all his works which God created and made' (Gen. ii:l-3). Such is the divine plan of the work in creating the earth; wherefore it is written: 'Six days shalt thou labor, and shalt do all thy works. But on the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; thou shalt do no work on it, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and sanctified if (Exodus xx:9-ll). The world will be a Venus and a Paradise on the 'seventh earth.' And the whole time of the Millennium shall be equal to a million years. Glorious is the work of him, 'Who is like to God.' Bless the name of Michael, O, ye saints on high. At the close of the last and greatest of creation's ineffable Days, when the awful mission of our globe is fulfilled, the worn- 138 THE EMPYREAN out planet shall fall to the Sun and become consumed in the fervor of the heat of the fiery Throne; and evening and morn ing shall close the mystery of the Seventh Day. SECTION V The Seventh Age of Creation Now the Seventh Age consists in the Empyrean Life, that is, the transcendental life after death in the world to come here after. The same is given and explained, at least in a measure, in Part Second of this volume. End of Part First PART SECOND The Apocalypse Expounded In the Rise of the Seventh Head Anno Domini 1919 'And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book (of visions that were sealed) and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind shall see' (Isaias xxix:18). INTRODUCTION ARTICLE I A Prophecy There is a standing Prophecy in the Holy Scripture per taining to the third coming of Elias. And we are inclined to believe that the fulfillment of the same is not so very far off. 'When Elias Cometh He will restore all things.' And 'blindness in part has happened in Israel' until then. This is a prophecy of St. Paul in his epistle to the Romans; 'I would not have you ignorant, brethren, of this mystery [lest you be wise in your own conceits] that blind ness in part has happened in Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles should come in. And so all Israel should be saved, as it is written: There shall come out of Zion, he that shall deliver and shall turn away impiety from Jacob. And this is to them my covenant, when I shall take away their sins' (Rom. xi :25-27). Now the question arises: What is meant by the fullness of the Gentiles? It means the fullness of the nations, the fullness of the nations on the face of the earth ! We deem it shall be at some future time, when the face of the whole earth becomes fully populated or fairly inhabited; lo, when the 'Wilderness' of the whole world becomes populated. When will the progeny of Adam expand itself so as to cover the landed face of the whole earth ? How long, how long till mankind o'erspread densely the face of the globe? When the nations shall have reached the Sunset. 'Westward the course of empires takes its way.' 'West ward, ho!' yes, ever westward. The onward march of nations ever followeth the Sun around. From east to west the Day- star leadeth the race of mankind climbing o'er the breadth of our rotund sphere, from the rising of the Sun even to the sunset shore. Elias cometh more than once, or more than twice; for the sacred title, 'Elias,' or 'Elijah,' simply means a great prophet; 143 144 THE EMPYREAN or one prophesying in the spirit, or in the name of Elias (Luke i:17). As the Savior, instructing his disciples, said to them: 'Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things. But I say to you, that Elias has already come, and they knew him nof — referring to, John the Baptist — (Matt. xvii:ll-12). In the Gospel of St. Mark, the words are nearly the same: 'And he answered and said to them: Elias, when he shall come first, shall restore all things' (Mark ix:ll). 'When he shall come first': do not these words mean and imply that after John the Baptist, Elias shall come again and again, a 'first' time and a second time? The reference made by St. Paul in his address to the Rom ans, as above quoted, was probably taken from the prophecies of Isaiah, where he says: 'And there shall come a redeemer to Zion, and to them that return from iniquity in Jacob, saith the Lord. This is my covenant with them, saith the Lord' (Isaiah lix:20-21). Not pretending that our humble effort do cast much new light on the solar obscurity of the apokalypsis ioannou, For we only, as in the scientific sections of the work, have simply striven, by whatever light of reason alone there is in us, to communicate our best views on the meanings of the Visions. However, we hope we have, by whatever grace there is in us, at least succeeded in breaking new ground on the subject, the Lord aiding, and maybe sounding another stave in the 'new Canticle.' Yet, in our feeble devinations of- the great Apoca lypse, our attempt is but like to that of an unarmed observer, viewing through the optic-glass of simple faith the super-brilliant disc of the solar Orb, and feebly endeavoring to descry objects thereon and landmarks of data on the clear face of heaven. Admitting that the difficulty in Scriptural hermeneutics is in part due to the sometimes idiomatic and chaotic style of expres sion and likewise to the afflatus of foreign idea, yet their greater incomprehensibleness is due to the fact of the amorphic condi tion of the general knowledge of science, for the latter remains, as yet, in a state more or less destitute of fundamental and salutary conclusions. Theology is the grand and perfect science of sciences; but that the human is not adequate nor commen- A PROPHECY 145 surate with the divine, therein lies the difficulty, when the two — the secular and the divine — are to us in that measure irrecon cilable. That the Revelations of St. John, the divine, has thus far remained practically a 'sealed' Book, perhaps no person will attempt to dispute. Like a mine of nameless wealth unexplored, an undiscovered Montezuma of rarest, freest gold, Revelation is the treasured casket which enshrines the jewels of all knowl edge, human and divine. This last book of the Book of books, this last 'letter of God to man,' is the most perfect and most comprehensive word of prophetia ever handed down to mankind. Most appropriately, at the close of the Lord's book, is placed the divine testimonial of the Apocalypse. Like it were there a kind of total summing up of all the great things written in the book of the Lord, ere the volume closed. In this wonderful Book is the sacred intelligence manifested in words and figures intensely cryptic and profound. No loosely interwoven phrase or sentence, no interpolation or prefatory remark, but like an universal mirror of a distinct, reflective creation in itself, it might be likened to a consolidated letter or monogram from heaven, a unified and single, all-containing, hieroglyphic word of God. It has been truly said, the 'attempted works of commentation on the Revelations are unnumbered if not numberless,' and yet we must say it appears that the reality of the things represented in the Apocalypse are by far vaster, mightier and more capacious than has ever been anticipated or conceived by the minds of the most astute commentators. The Apocalypse has remained practically a 'sealed book' for nearly two thousand years. And although many of the impor tant passages have, from time to time, long since, been inter preted and legally given by the many learned fathers of the Church, yet the task of expounding an Apocalypse in its true sense and manifold expansiveness, and of devling after those deep-seated foundations of theology and holy science, the roots of which unsounded depths lie imbedded and interwoven down into the subterranean heart of the everlasting rock of creation itself, this work was thus wisely deferred until a maturer world and riper day. It shall undoubtedly be one of the labors of Elias to expound the mysteries of creation. Then shall another peal of the divine word go forth. We will look for thy salva tion, O Lord. ARTICLE II Miscellaneous Data The 'thousand two hundred sixty days' mentioned in Apoc, Chapters eleven and twelve, refer to the whole time be tween the first coming of our Lord and the end of time, and do involve a vast period of 42,000 years. The 'forty-two months' mentioned in Chapters eleven and thirteen do also comprise 42,000 years. The 'thousand two hundred ninety days' mentioned in Daniel, twelfth Chapter and eleventh verse, do obviously comprehend the same period as the thousand two hundred sixty days in the Apocalypse, except that in the Apocalypse the reckoning is com puted from the beginning of the Christian era, while in Daniel the reckoning is most probably made from the time of the dedi cation of Solomon's temple. This temple was the first house that was built to the Lord on earth. (See III Kings viii:13). The 'thousand three hundred thirty-five days,' mentioned also in Daniel, Chapter twelve and verse twelve, do in all probability comprehend the whole period between the time of the dedica tion of Solomon's temple and the second coming of the Lord, or the opening of the Millennium, thus giving a space of forty-five days or 1,500 years between the End of Time and the 'Second Coming.' But the term 'Days' or the seven secular Days, as mentioned in the first Chapter of the book of Genesis, refer to the ineffable or aeonian days of terrestrial creation. These Days do each most probably signify and circumscribe the 'periodic time' of the Sun. The Universe consists of a most mighty whirlpool of Suns. Whence, during each successive aeonian circuit of our Sun, it is probable that a new planet is created in the solar system, while the oldest or nearest planet falls to the Sun. Also, during the same period, a satellite descends to each respective planet, and, on an average, as many new satellites are 'born' cognatus with the new planet. The entire circle, or 'Day,' involves a vast period of at least 100,000 years, and might be termed, the Sun's great Year. 146 THE EMPYREAN 147 The 'fourth Beasf mentioned in Daniel, seventh Chapter, means the fourth Continent, or the Western Hemisphere, and is the same as the 'seventh Head' in the Apocalypse. The 'Little Horn' mentioned in Daniel, eighth Chapter and ninth verse, and the 'king with a shameless face,' in the twenty- third verse, alludes to the great Antichrist who is yet to come, and is the same as the second Beast described in the Apocalypse, Chapter thirteen. ARTICLE III Eschatology The Abodes of the Hereafter Regarding the places and destinies of the hereafter and life in the worlds to come, it might be well to here indite another prefatory chapter. We are speaking now of the life after death and during the time prior to the resurrection. The question gravely arises : where does the human soul go after death ? Note the solution of the mystery, to-wit : When a Saint dies, his or her soul goes up into the empyrean Heaven, or the in terior of the Sun. When a great sinner dies, his or her soul goeth into the bottomless Pit, or the interior of the earth. The souls of all the rest of the world goeth into the middle place, or the Limbo of the Sea. THE SOLAR HEAVEN . The Empyrean of the Sun receiveth a fourth part of the souls of the children of men. These are divided into' two classes, namely : The Elect and Faithful. Now the number of the 'Elect' consists of a tenth part of the entire human race. These are the great and undefiled saints of God. These are the spiritual Fathers and Mothers of the Church, on whom the Paraclete sits secure, who overcame the world, the flesh and the devil. They, considered in a body, con stitute the Rider of the first Seal, and after death they dwell within the Throne, or the City within the Sun. You may know them by their robes and their works: they wear the stainless robes, for they are the chaste of the earth. In their mouth is found no lie and they speak like angels. But the number of the 'Faithful' is a fourth part of the souls of the departed less the above tenth part. These are the spiritual Children of the Elect, and who were 'conquered' in the name 148 THE BOTTOMLESS PIT 149 of the Agnes Dei, whose names are also written in the Book of Life, who have eaten of the Bread of Life. These constitute the White Horse of the First Seal. But these have partaken also of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, therefore their joy is not so perfect, for though their garments are white they are not absolutely stainless. These are the lesser Stars of Heaven and of the First Resurrection. THE BOTTOMLESS PIT The bottomless Pit shall also, in time, receive a fourth part of the souls of the children of men. Lo, the ^Eon of perdition, the era of abomination, the roll of destruction, pouring into the vast, unhallowed Abyss ! These are they who denyeth the exist ence and sovereignty of the true God and blasphemeth the name pf the Lord of the earth. Whence they betook to themselves liberty to revel in every sin. Whose names are blotted out of the Book of Life, or never were written therein. Who eat of the Tree of Death and adoreth Satan and drink of the flesh and blood of beasts and devils. This is Antichrist's array of preda tory vandalism against virtue and truth. Vicious 'Paracletes'; 'unclean and hateful birds' ; Satanic doves, infernal heretodoxy, moral apathy and spiritual death. This is the victim of Satan, called the 'Second Beast.' This is the Rider and Horse of the fourth Seal, who, with its god, goeth together into the infernal region of the underworld. There the souls of the Beast and the spirits of Satan dwell in a state of semi-beatitude that is not most holy. On the last day this Beast and his god 'shall come up out of the earth and go into destruction.' At the end of time the earth shall give birth to the Beasts of her wombs. This most woeful 'fetus,' on whom the light of Heaven shineth not, is bred in lurid darkness. He is fed on sin and the souls of the damned and they who sin against the Holy Ghost. This unholy people are thus abandoned by God and cast into that lowest prison of awfulest darkness. 'Abandon hope all ye who enter here.' You may know them by their works and the fruits they bear. These are they on whom Satan sits secure, they donned the filthy robes and speak like dragons. There is a Harlot in the bottomless Pit; there may her giants test the prison bars and try if the walls be strong! 150 THE EMPYREAN THE MIGHTY LIMBO But the Limbus of the Sea receiveth one-half of all the souls of the whole earth. Behold here, the great, promiscuous mass of mankind. A double ^Eon: the second and the third Seals. This is like the main stock or trunk of the human tree. Lo, the great, undecided, uncertain, heretogeneous catalogue of destiny! These are they who have neither denied the existence of the true God, nor confessed their faith in the Lamb. They might be said to comprise that vast middle class of worldlings, who trouble themselves not much about matters of eternal welfare, and failed to become 'born again.' Votaries of the world and their unto ward seed, among whom the common Devil takes his choice. As Satan is the god of the bottomless Pit, so the Devil is the god of Limbo. Lo, the curse of blood and money, power and wealth and the pride of life. This monster constituteth the first Beast of Revelation, with the 'seven heads and ten horns,' and who is now developing and nourishing in the Womb of the Deep during his vast period of 'gestation.' A most numerous horde are resting in the great 'River Euphrates' awaiting the third Resurrection. The souls of the First Beast, together with their concomitant and respec tive devils — one to one of each — go into the depths of the mur muring Sea. But as the number of the children of the sea is much greater than the number of the Devil, there will be an other era of probation for these after the resurrection. You may know these also by their works: red and black, Mars and Mammon, Gog and Magog and others who wear the spotted garments, these reposeth in the elysian of shady oblivion amid the orgies of the sounding Main ! THE APOCALYPSE OF ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE Revelation of the Seven Churches In the first, second, and third chapters of this book are contained instructions and admonitions which St. John was commanded to write to the seven bishops of the churches of Asia. And in the following chapters, to the end, are contained prophecies of things that are to come to pass in the Church of Christ, particularly towards the end of the world, in the time of Antichrist. It was written in Greek, in the island of Patmos, where St. John was in banishment by order of the cruel Em peror Domitian, about sixty-four years after our Lord's Ascension. CHAPTER I St. John is ordered to write to the seven churches of Asia; the manner of Christ's appearing to him. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass; and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John. 2. Who hath given testimony to the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen. 3. Blessed is he, that readeth and heareth the words of this prophecy ; and keepeth those things which are written in it : for the time is at hand. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you and peace from him, who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne : 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of; the earth; who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. 6. And hath made us a kingdom and priests to God and His Father; to him be glory and empire forever and ever. Amen. 151 152 THE EMPYREAN 7. Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him. And all the tribes of the earth shall bewail themselves because of him: Even so: Amen. 8. I am Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the end, saith the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. 9. I John your brother and sharer in tribulation, and in the kingdom, and patience in Jesus Christ ; was in the island, which is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus : 10. I was in spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11. Saying: What thou seest, write in a book; and send to the seven churches which are in Asia, to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamus, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicia. 12. And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me : and being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. 13. And in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to his feet, and girded about near the paps with a golden girdle: 14. And his head, and hair, were white, like white wool, and as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15. And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace, and his voice as the sound of many waters : 16. And he had in his right hand seven stars : and from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance shined as the sun shineth in its full strength. 17. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not: I am the first and the last, 18. And alive, and was dead; and behold, I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and hell. 19. Write, therefore, the things which thou hast seen, and which are, and which must be done hereafter. 20. The mystery of the seven stars, which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches : and the seven candle sticks are the seven churches. THE SEVEN CHURCHES 153 The Interpretation* A Vision of Christ and His Churches The latter portion of this initiatory Chapter furnishes a Transcendental Vision of the Son of God standing in the midst of His sevenfold Church of all the earth. In all probability this affords a real, true vision of the Lord of the earth, standing in Majesty! His stupendous though an thropomorphic form is something, at once, dreadful and tran scendent to contemplate, even like in the Transfiguration, when a cloud hid Him out of sight. A vision, forsooth, of a celestial Denizen in real form, size and appearance. Anthropomorphium Ouranos! whose Jovian voice resembleth Niagaran thunder, and whose face shineth as the sun in its full strength. Lo, the new 'Lucifer' that is to be ; the morning Star of Zion, who will raise up the dead on the last day, and who taketh the place, in Heaven, of the old Lucifer, who fell, 'at whose name every knee shall bend, of those who are in heaven or on earth or in hell !' the seven churches The numerical order of the Seven Churches corresponds not to any ecclesiastical nor geographical division of the earth's surface, nor to any distribution or demarkation of peoples or Christians during any particular age of the world. For there never will be but One of these Churches reigning at any time during any period of the world's present or future history. The seven Spirits of God will, each and in turn, during the grand period of 42,000 years, rule, successively, over the seven Churches. ?We shall now proceed to propound, in a running commentary, such explanation on this Chapter and afterwards on those following, in the order of the sacred book, as, in our best judgment and understanding, coincides with the logical dictates of both Scripture and Science. Not that our remarks are intended to be contrary, critical nor derogatory to opinions previously advanced, but rather they are designed to serve a complementary part, and submitted for consideration and comparison, as, perhaps, being somewhat more comprehensive and dianoetic. However, in the course of the work, we felt that it was rather unnecessary to always give a detailed commentary to every Chapter, since, as a rule, whenever certain parts and verses are elucidated, the rest of the Chapter becomes clear. 154 THE EMPYREAN the theogony of god Viewing this great question from several standpoints, such as the foregoing cosmology of the solar system, and the theory of a solar Emyprean, and, likewise, in consideration of many and various epithets applied to celestial Being, such as, for instance, the 'Lamb of God,' 'Spirits of God,' 'Living Creatures,' 'Like unto the Son of God,' etc., it appears beyond question that these mighty Denizens and dwellers on a greater world, are all, more or less, composite Beings. Take, for instance, again, the 'Woman clothed with the Sun,' 'the great red Dragon,' 'the Beast,' 'the Harlot,' 'Gog and Magog,' and others. These for mations are, indeed, all composite, or creations which are made up of lesser ones. Each of these great beings is composed or compounded, or 'hypostatized,' from hosts of lesser or minor spirit beings. And that, perhaps, in a manner, as the human body, for illustration, is constituted of hosts of minute cells. It is also very suggestive, nay, conclusive, that the minimum size and form of celestial being is about that of the human. And that the great cherubim, seraphim, great angels and arch angels, Spirits of God and the celestial Powers, are all hyposta- sized and beatified Hosts ; and consolidated, in each instance, into a perfected and glorious oneness of being. Or, as one might say, beatified or deified into an absolute, immortal being. Per haps millions and billions of spirits, the size of the human soul, are thus merged into the spiritual embodiment of an Archangel. And not unlike, for example, as numberless small clouds may collect and unite into the formation of a lofty Nimbus, or as many nuggets enter into the formation of a gold mine. Not but that these mighty beings may, again, dissolve, at will, in whole or in part, into their primitive constituents. Neither does this ideal genealogy and theogony detract any thing from supernal glory or celestial beatitude. And however surprising the idea may at first seem, we will notice its verifica tion more and more as we advance through the chapters of these revelations. The 'Seven Spirits,' so notably and frequently men tioned, are no less than seven great Spirits which were dismem bered and proceeded from God himself, and are commissioned to take actual and full charge of the earth, together with the Holy City in the Sun. And further, that Jesus Christ himself is one of the mini mum Spirits composing one of the Seven Spirits, and who be- THE THEOGONY OF GOD 155 came incarnated through His human mother, and was slain and arose from the dead, and he is represented as the 'Lamb that was slain' and standing in the midst of the Throne. And as Jesus Christ became incarnated, so, likewise, during the aeonian period of the Church, or the 1,000 days, the entire Seven Spirits will also, through the God-man, become incarnated. Thus is Christ designated as the 'beginning of the creation (incarnation) of God' (iii: 14)*. Aye, then will the Bridegroom as well as the Bride become incarnated. It is again demonstrable, that those Seven Spirits who pro ceeded from God are, in fact, the Holy Ghost. That they are dissolving and constantly, during the age of the Church, being disseminated over the face of the earth, whence they are guarding and enlightening the Elect and Faithful (v. 6). These minor spirits or guardian angels do take the souls of the saints, one to one of each, up into the empyrean Heaven at death. This exegetical explanation removes the cloud of obscurity surrounding the doctrine of the Trinity; the doctrine of one God and other things. And, finally, it is deprehensible, that the supreme, eternal genealogy of the Deity, himself, is according to the same immutable manner. The great God-Head is a being composed and constituted of hosts of translated and perfected spirits, all united into one being and existing in a state of supreme beatitude. Therefore is He the "Lord God of Hosts," whose primary spirits are deified products of old-time planets of the solar system. These spirit beings were born and created during the cosmic past, and became the integrated, beatified Embodiment of solar Glory! These innumerable, primitive spirits were the souls of saints, rational beings, like men and women, who inhabited those ancient planets and worlds before the earth was, and which long since became; destroyed and extinct ! ?Note. Whenever reference is made to any citation or passage in the Apocalypse, the number of the chapter and verse only is given. CHAPTER II Directions what to write to the angels or bishop of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamus, and Thyatira. To the angel of the church of Ephesus write : These things saith he who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks : 2. I know thy works, and thy labors, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear evil men : and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars : 3. And thou hast patience, and hast borne for my name, and hast not failed. 4. But this I have against thee, that thou hast left thy first charity. 5 Be mindful, therefore, from whence thou art fallen and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee, and will remove thy candlesticks out of its place, unless thou shalt have done penance. 6. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaites, which I also hate. 7. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit sayeth to the churches : To him that overcometh, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of my God. 8. And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write : These things saith the First and the Last ; who was dead and liveth. 9. I know thy tribulation and thy poverty ; but thou art rich : and thou art blasphemed by those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shalt cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried : and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. 11. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: He that shall overcome, shall not be hurt by the second death. 156 FOUR DYNASTIES OF ZION 157 12. And to the angel of the church of Pergamus write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword. 13. I know where thou dwellest, where the seat of Satan is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith. Even in those days Antipas was my faithful, witness who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14. But I have a few things against thee: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat and commit fornication. 15. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaites. 16. In like manner do penance: if not, I will come to thee quickly: and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit sayeth to the churches : To him, that overcometh, I will give the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone; and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, but he that receiv eth it. 18. And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like unto fine brass. 19. I know thy works, and thy faith, and thy charity, and ministry, and thy patience, and thy last works which are more than the former. 20. But I have a few things against thee: because thou permittest the woman Jezabel, who callest herself a prophetess, to teach, and seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things offered to idols. 21. And I gave her time to do penance, and she will not repent of her fornication. 22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed : and they that commit adultery with her, shall be in very great tribulation, unless they do penance for their deeds. 23. And I will kill her children with death: and all the churches shall know, that I am He that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But I say to you, 24. And to the rest that are at Thyatira: Whosoever have not this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will not put upon you any other weight : 158 THE EMPYREAN 25. Yet that which you have, hold fast till I come. 26. And he that shall overcome, and keep my works unto the end, to him I will give power over the nations : 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; and as a potter's vessel they shall be broken ; 28. Even as I received from my Father: and I will give him the morning star. 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. The Interpretation The First Four Dynasties of Zion The first Chapter on the Churches gives, in brief, a complete summary of divine testimonials, exhortations and sacred prom ises to the first, four Epochs, or Dynasties, of militant Zion. The time of these spiritual ^Eons date from the first coming of our Lord. Each of the seven Spirits or mighty Paracletes shall, severally, and in turn, take up his abode on this Orb and reign during a great period of 6,000 years on an average. These are the mundane eras of the reign of the Lamb. the great orthodox church The great orthodox or Catholic Church comprehends that vast portion of Christendom which is presided over by the ap pointed 'Hundred and Forty-four Thousand.' These constitute the Elect of the true Church of the 'perpetual sacrifice,' and are described chiefly in Chapters seven and fourteen. These are the Patriachal lines multiplied into the Apostolic lines of divine lineage. Behold in the Hundred and forty-four thousand, 'who follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth,' an unfailing and un changing sign of the true Church, before the nations. We believe that this is a new interpretation and new argument serv ing to distinguish and identify the true Church throughout every age and nation. Outside the absolute pale of this Fold, or fundamental Center, the universal Church expands unto the outer borders of the Christian world, even though not particularly accounted for in the Chapters of the Revelation. But these outer borders, or zones, or limbs, are like to eccentric orbits of the Church. Like the angels who forsook their first principality of brightness, these THE GREAT ORTHODOX CHURCH 159 renounced, in a measure, the original espousal and example of the Lamb. Lo, the great Tree hath, even now, more than 300 branches, but the branches do not point upward so heavenly as the stock, but more laterally, i. e., to one side. But let no enmity come between us for this; all men are brethren. All, or any, who profess Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, devoutly avoid ing sin, shall never be confounded. Nay, their names shall be written in the Book of Life. But their glory shall be propor tionate to their works. Yet we should not forget that Antichrist doth ever strive to raise up spurious altars on the earth, even as Satan strove to rear usurping thrones in heaven. Thus he leadeth them off little by little towards the verge of unbelief, until they finally topple into the gulf of sheer infidelity. Behold a verification of the Parable of how the cockle is sown among the wheat, the work of the wicked Husbandman! The Church is the bulwark of morality on the earth. He that decrieth against the Church, decrieth against holiness and truth, and such a man would not scruple to see immorality rampant. In short, in the true Church, faith governs the will of man, but, outside that fold, the will governs the faith, when a more loose phase of doctrine is adapted to suit the wilful inclinations. The First Dynasty of the Church is reigning since the first coming of our Lord,, and will continue to reign until the close of the regime of the Seventh Head, or during a period of about 6,000 years. Ours is the Church of Ephesis; we adore under the divine reign of Gabriel, the first of the Seven Spirits. CHAPTER III Directions what to write to Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicia And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith he, who hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy words, that thou hast the name of being alive, and thou art dead. 2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I find not thy works full before my God. 3. Have in mind, therefore, in what manner thou hast received and heard, and observe, and do penance. If then thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief; and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to thee. 4. But thou has a few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in white because they are worthy. 5. He that shall overcome, shall thus be clothed in white garments: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life: and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. 7. And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy one, and the True one, who hath the key of David : He that openeth and no man shutteth ; shut- teth, and no man openeth. 8. I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened, which no man can shut : because thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9. Behold, I will bring of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie : behold, I will make them to come and adore before thy feet: and they shall know that I have loved thee. 10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to tempt them that dwell upon the earth. 160 SUBSEQUENT ERAS OF ZION 161 11. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12. He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name. 13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. 14. And to the angel of the church of Laodicia write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God. 15. I know thy works; that thou art neither cold, nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. 17. Because thou sayest: I am rich and made wealthy, and I have need of nothing: and thou knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. 18. I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be made rich; and mayest be clothed in white gar ments, that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear: and anoint thy eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. 19. Those whom I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous, therefore, and do penance. 20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man shall hear my voice, and open to me the gate, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21. To him that shall overcome, I will grant to sit with me in my throne: as I also have overcome, and have sat with my Father in his throne. 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. The Interpretation The Subsequent Eras of Zion This Chapter pertains to the subsequent eras of the Church of the New Testament. The great Church of Laodicia shall be the reigning, divine institution after the Resurrection of the Dead, and shall consist particularly in the yet undecided portion 162 THE EMPYREAN of the resurrection of the Sea. This mighty congregation will comprise a sixth part of the human race, or the excess of the number of the Sea over and above the number of the devil. Now, one-half of the race — or the second and third Seals — is the number of the Sea ; while the number of the devil is only one-third of the number of the race of man. Hence, that era of probation shall be equal to one-half minus one-third, or one- sixth. This fraction will then again be divided into two parts; one part of which will go into salvation and the other part will go into condemnation. It will be noticed that each of the two parts is equivalent to one-twelfth of the race. One-twelfth added, for instance, to the one-fourth who go into the Sun, will make that fraction one-third, and likewise when added to the one-fourth fraction, or that of the bottomless Pit, it will make that also one-third. Then, likewise, will a third third-part be left. However, there can be no question but that the whole world, including all the faithful also, shall undergo another and final siege of probation, after the resurrection and towards the end of time. This will then be the time referred to in the tenth verse, as a second probative trial of mankind, or the 'hour of temptation which shall come upon the whole world, to tempt them that dwell upon the earth.' In conclusion of this hapter, it may be well to say that although the foregoing serial exposition of the great Church is the one which presents the broadest and likeliest interpretation, and which coincides with the view that the eras of the seven churches coincide, analogously, in matter of time, with the chron ological order of the Seven Seals; yet, some theologians will undoubtedly prefer the design and interpretation of a seven fold Church from beginning to end; or a contemporaneous seven-fold reign, throughout all time, of the Seven Spirits. However, we observe that the seven days of creation occur in regular serial order; likewise, the seven Seals; likewise, the seven Trumpets, and finally the seven last Plagues. Now all these seven-fold transactions are undoubtedly under the govern ance and supervision of the seven Spirits of God, and since each and all of these seven-fold performances are to occur suc cessively, in serial order, we must confess that it appeals very favorably to us, that it is the same divine plan with respect to the Seven Churches. CHAPTER IV The vision of the throne of God, the twenty-four ancients, and the four living creatures After these things I saw : and, behold, a door open in heaven : and the first voice which I heard, was as it were, of a trumpet speaking with me, saying : Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter. 2. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne. 3. And he that sat, was to the sight like the jasper and the sardine-stone: and there was a rainbow around about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4. And around about the throne were four and twenty seats ; and upon the seats, four and twenty ancients sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. 5. And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices, and thunderings: and there were seven lamps burning, before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6. And before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass like crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne were four living creatures, full of eyes before and behind. 7. And the first living creature like to a lion, and the second living creature like to a calf, and the third living creature having the face, as it were, of a man : and the fourth living creature was like to an eagle flying. 8. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings ; and round about and within they are full of eyes. And they rested not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come. 9. And when these living creatures gave glory, and honor, and benediction to him, that sitteth on the throne, who liveth forever and ever, 10. The four and twenty ancients fell down before him that sitteth on the throne, and adored him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 163 164 THE EMPYREAN 11. Thou art worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory, and honor, and power : because thou hast created all things ; and for thy will they were, and have been created. The Interpretation The Beatific Vision Revelation of the Empyrean 'Heaven' spoken of in the first verse of this astonishing Chapter is, undoubtedly, the interior of the Sun. The herein described 'Throne' is the only Throne of which any mention is made in the entire revelation. This, most assur edly, because it is the one and only throne which pertains to the children of men. Likewise the God of this particular Throne is the only God of which any mention is made. It is, however, very probable that there are millions of similar Thrones within that vast encircling Vault ! He that sitteth on the Throne is the Father and God of the earth : the Almighty. As God is a real, substantial, spirit Being (though invisible to mortal vision), He sitteth on a real, sub stantial Throne, just as it is described; not an imaginary, spec tacular nor symbolical Throne. These beatific visions are all presentations of realities and actualities. The position and pos ture of the Deity, in the vision, is that of one actually sitting upon the Throne. It is not necessary, however, to suppose that the King of Heaven forever remains in that particular posture any more than that an earthly king should always remain sitting on his Throne. The dimensions and detailed description of this transcendant Throne of God and of the Lamb is given in the twentieth Chapter. The 'Voices' which proceed from the great Throne are voices of everlasting jubilation on high, and the 'Lightnings' are flashes of heavenly incandescence, while the 'Thunderings' are resonant sounds of musical thunder reverberating through the haunts of paradise. THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES 165 THE FOUR-AND-TWENTY ANCIENTS The four-and-twenty ancients, described in the fourth verse of this Chapter, are, first, the souls of the twelve Progenitors of the kingdom of Israel; that is, the twelve Patriarchs or sons of Jacob, as mentioned in the seventh Chapter. And, secondly, the souls of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. THE SEVEN LAMPS The seven 'Lamps' are the seven Spirits of God, who are, in fact, commissioned and enjoined to be the veritable Creator, Preserver and Destroyer of the earth and all things therein. Behold the probable, or possible, names of the seven 'Lamps' or Paracletes of the Lord and Angels of the Great Counsel: Gabriel, which signifieth Raphael, or Ithurial, or Abdiel, or . Ariel, or Uriel, or . Michael, or The man of God The healing of God The discovery of God The servant of God The lion of God The light of God Who is like to God THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES The four Living Creatures described in this Chapter are the quarto division of the souls of the saints, who are, during time, being translated from the four quarters of the globe up into Heaven, where they dwell within and without the four walls of the great Throne, or the Holy City. These souls origi nate or arise from either one of the four grand Divisions of land on the earth. The first Living Creature like to a lion was a vision of the colonizing spirit in Heaven, from that oldest of grand divisions, namely, Asia. The second Living Creature, like to a calf, represents the gathering together of the glorified spirit of Africa. The third Living Creature, having the face, as it were, of a man: this was, evidently, the Zionian 'hippogriff' of Europe. And the fourth Living Creature, like to an eagle flying: behold the winged Cherub of the Western World. The northern 166 THE EMPYREAN and the southern continents of that, then, nondescript hemi sphere, appearing in the vision, like unto the wings of a great eagle flying. The situation in Heaven of the four Living Creatures is that they surround the four walls of the Throned City, the Elect within and the Faithful chiefly without the walls of the City. The physical outlines of the four great continents are, in a way, imparted to the contoural territory of their respective stands on the great plain surrounding the Throne, which stands or terri tories, within the Empyrean, seemed, to the sacred writer, to resemble, in a manner, the forms of these animals, or maybe the forms of their heads. CHAPTER V The book sealed with seven seals is opened by the Lamb, who thereupon receives adoration and praise from all And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne, a book written within and without, sealed with seven seals. 2. And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice : Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof ? 3. And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor in earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it. 4. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it. 5. And one of the ancients said to me : Weep not : behold, the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath conquered to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 6. And I saw : and, behold, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes; which are the seven spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth. 7. And he came, and took the book out of the right hand of Him that sat on the throne. 8. And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of the saints. 9. And they sung a new canticle, saying : Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof : because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people and nation: 10. And hast made us to our God a kingdom, and priests : and we shall reign on the earth. 11. And I saw, and I heard the voice of many angels around about the throne, and the living creatures and the an cients ; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, 167 168 THE EMPYREAN 13. Saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction. 13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and the things that are therein: I heard all saying: To him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb, benediction, and honor, and glory, and power, forever and ever. 14. And the four living creatures said: Amen: And the four and twenty ancients fell down on their faces; and adored him that liveth forever and ever. The Interpretation the book of destiny This fearful and wonderful Book, or Scroll of the future, and containing the Foreknowledge of the world, is now, in this vision, handed from God the Father, to God the Son, and, by the Lamb, the seven Seals thereof are opened, and the sacred message communicated to the Evangelist (ho theologos) and, by him, through the Church, the destiny of mankind is communi cated to the world. It seems palpable that the foreknowledge of these things was not possessed even by Christ himself until after He 'was slain' and had ascended into heaven. Perhaps this divine and most 'worthy' event was, in itself, the great means of vising and forg ing the destiny of the future. After the terrible and suffering ordeal of His mission of deliverance of fallen man, He, then, be came worthy to receive regarding the eternal prospects of His kingdom and become apprised of the full intelligence of the future and fate of the planet which He had redeemed. This is further evident from the fact that when discoursing with His apostles about the end of the world, He said : 'But of that day and hour no one knoweth, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone' (Matt. xxiv:36). And at another time He said: 'Whatsoever I have heard from my father, I have made known to you' (John xx:15). (See also John xvi:13). It also appears that under the Seven Seals is comprehended, in tersest form, the entire prophecy which the world is to receive. Or, that no more will be added to these things until THE BOOK OF DESTINY 169 after the Resurrection, at which time the sealed message of the 'little book' will be revealed, as described in the tenth Chapter. It -will now be observed that, heretofore, the scenes of the Apocalypse were derived from open observation, in the form of separate and unconnected visions, with angelic interpolation; whereas, henceforth the act and scenes of the immense Drama, terrestrial and celestial, will be obtained chiefly from the 'seven Seals' of this Mystic Book. CHAPTER VI What followed upon opening six of the seals And I saw that the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals : and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder : Come thou, and see. 2. And I saw: and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow : and a crown was given to him ; and he went forth conquering that he might conquer. 3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying: Come thou, and see. 4. And there went out another horse that was red: and it was granted to him who sat thereon, to take away peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and to him was given a great sword. 5. And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying: Come thou, and see. And, behold, a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand. 6. And I heard as it were a voice, in the midst of the four living creatures, saying: Two pounds of wheat for a penny, and thrice two pounds of barley for a penny; and wine and oil hurt thou not. 7. And when he had open the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying: Come thou, and see. 8. And, behold, a pale horse ; and he that sat upon him, his name was Death, and hell followed after him: and power was given to him over the four parts of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. 10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying: How long, O Lord, (holy and true) dost thou not judge and revenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11. And white stoles were given to each of them one: and 170 REVELATION DURING ERA OF TIME 171 it was said to them, that they should rest yet for a little time, till their fellow-servants, and their brethren, who were to be slain even as they, should be filled up. 12. And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal: and, behold, there was a great earthquake ; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair : and the whole moon became as blood : 13. And the stars from heaven fell upon the earth, as the fig tree casteth its green figs when it is shaken by a great wind : 14. And the heaven withdrew as a book rolled up together : and every mountain and the islands were moved out of their places. 15. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the tribunes, and the rich men, and the strong men, and every bond man, and every free-man hid themselves in the dens, and in the rocks of the mountains : 16. And they say to the mountains and to the rocks; Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17. For the great day of wrath is come: and who shall be able to stand? The Interpretation Revelation of Time This portion of the seven Seals of the great Revelation fur nishes a brief history of the world, from the first coming of our Lord until the first Resurrection. The Riders of the Horses in the first four Seals are the appointed Governments of the World; while the Horses under them are each the world in mass, who serve as respective con stituents, supporters, followers, and who for cause are obliged to pay tribute and worship to the riding cherubs. The Cherub of the first Seal is, under the Power of the Holy Ghost, repre sented and embodied in the Elect of the Church, while the other three are Cherubs of State, who are evidently under the power of emanations of the Dragon. Therfirst Seal is the Sacred Seal, a divine Seal, while the next three yEons are secular progenies, and are the veritable Mars and Mammon and Antichrist, successively, who are yet to come. Not but that these three also are already on the earth in com- 172 THE EMPYREAN paratively limited form. It will be noticed, too, that obedience to the first Rider is voluntary on the part of his votaries, while service to the three succeeding Riders, or Drivers, is chiefly of a peremptory nature. Nevertheless, above and beyond all this, it is the God-given duty from Heaven to man to obey the man dates of both Church and State. We must reverence before both the altars and the thrones of earth. Wherefore, the unrolling of the first Seal offers an allegorical representation of EVANGELISM RIDING THE WORLD A. D. 1 to 6,000 The White Horse represents the true Church throughout every age and in every land under the Sun, and his name is Israel. He that sitteth thereon is the Paraclete, as it were, incarnated in the perpetual body of the Clergy, and the name of the Rider is 'Clement,' a most propitious Sovereign. Behold indeed a significant picture symbolizing the Clergy presiding over the universal Church. The spirit of this Seal, both Horse and Rider goeth up unto the Sun. This magnalitous opening was heralded, in heaven, by the voice of the first Living Creature, because the primitive seat ter restrial of that Cherubim is old Asia, the most ancient quarter of the globe and the place where our Lord dwelt. This auspicious Seal signifies the origin and spread of Chris tianity over the face of the earth. Not but that each and every Seal, after its commencement, continues in modified form more or less until the final end. The four 'Horses' of the Apoca lypse comprehend the whole race during its existence prior to the resurrection, giving the characteristic, quarto division thereof. The hieroglyphic of the second Seal metonymizes a fearful emblem of GREAT MARS RIDING THE WORLD A. D. 6,000 to 12,000 This bloody Figurehead signifies war and universal strife, and his name is Gog. This alarming Seal rises with the ten Horns of the Beast at the close of the period of the seventh MAMMON RIDING THE WORLD 173 Head. The ten Horns are a decumvirate of ten mightily armed Kingdoms, or potential Powers and Signatories, into which the whole world shall be divided at the close of the era of the last Head. Or, it might be said that the ten Horns will grow on to this Head. This fearful and scarlet figure represents the real character of the fighting Horns, and is a destined child, both rider and horse, of the oblivion of the Sea. This is not saying that all who go to war are sons of Gog. Many go to war for a holy cause and others enter the ranks because they are com pelled to. But the ten Horns which are to come, are essentially fighting entities, who will rule the world by force and conquer all things in their day. And after the resurrection, the Horns will make war against the Lamb of God and his armies on the second coming of Christ (See xvii.-lJ/.). At that time shall also be fulfilled the prophecy: 'He that killeth by the sword shall be killed by the sword, and he that liveth by the sword shall perish by the sword. The war Horse shall reign in absolute state for about 6,000 years. The riders of the second, third and fourth seals are each and all arbitrary commanders, while that of the first Seal is elec tive and optional. The first Rider ruleth by the abiding spirit of merit, while the others rule by the truculent spirit of force. The unfurling of the third-Seal reveals a mystical figure of MAMMON RIDING THE WORLD Commencing A. T>. 12,000 This dark Hippogriff signifies penury, extortion and hunger, and his revealed name is Magog. In this, the third Seal, has the red Horns of war turned to a deeper hue in Mammon. This Rider is a hydra -headed army of plutocrats, exalted by the right hand of Mars upon the Horns of the earth, and his god is a hungry, fallen cherub and destined child of the sea. Thus the Horns; of Mars will then become the Horns of Mammon, 'who maketh a desert and call it peace.' But when the Fourth Page of the Book of Destiny opens amain, we behold an emblem of 174 THE EMPYREAN ABOMINATION RIDING THE WORLD Commencing A. D. 18,000 This Pale Horse is the giantess of Perdition, for there is not even the color of anything good in her. The Rider thereof is the great Antichrist who is yet to come. The opening of this Seal will immediately follow the great Battle of Heaven, and the overthrow of Satan from on high. When this Rider comes (Satan in the flesh) he shall mount his pale serpent and shall aspire to raise himself above all things, for his steed shall be supported on the thrones of both Mars and Mammon. Then he will set his face against the 'stars of heaven' and against the Prince of the Strength (Dan. viii:10-ll). And the saints of the earth shall flee before the face of his serpent (xii:H). He will adore no god either in heaven nor on earth, for he shall exalt himself above all things. This will undoubtedly be an era of fierce diabolical 'Spiritism' ; this unseen world communicating directly to mortals. Then shall begin a 'reign of terror' and commune against the royal house of Israel, such as never before was seen among the nations. 'Then brother shall betray his brother unto death, and the father his son; and children shall rise up against the parents and put them to death' (Mark xiii:12). The pale Horse is the Beast of the lower abyss, and the Rider is the notorious false prophet and false 'Christ' who is yet to come, after many days. The fifth Seal of the uranian Drama shall be like to a con tinuation of the fourth, only in its most malignant form. This terrible Seal shall consist of the wars of extermination by the intrepid Rider of the fourth Seal, against the Church, and cul minating in the overthrow and downfall of the 'Selesta Standi,' in the middle of the fifth Seal. This is the 'Revolt' so notably spoken of in second Thes. ii:3, and is the mysterious SYNOPSIS OF TIME 175 Jjj&p4*t*t**t* X K» rt a r# UMfZvrri*****? & th*«™>* fty <^««kZm< (hi+*-n fa* _*f. 72* slslsi^jf 3jf.\*ee ^t^f^mf adU ¦faZ&»Hi*~* / / / 7" X«C£ Sr ajlMdt&Uevt &0JL&*s fiuUWt&cKe+t .h.