Chapter 1: My Home Enlarged / 2: A “Passing” / 3: The Awakening / 4: First View / 5: A Visit / 6: Spirit Interaction / 7: Spirit Locomotion / 8: The City / 9: We visit a “Church” / 10: A Question of Age / 11: A Lesson in Creation / 12: The Man in the Cottage / 13: Philosophers' Folly / 14: A House in the Forest / 15: Two Visitors / 16: The Ruler of the Realms / 17: Epilogue

Book II - Chapter 1: My Home Enlarged

So many of my reader friends, being painfully conscious of the immense and disruptive changes that have taken place upon Earth since my communication over thirty-seven years ago, may wonder what changes, if any at all, have occurred in the Spirit world.

They know that neither we nor the lands wherein we live are static, that we are forever progressing and advancing, and that while we cannot undergo the vast upheavals that have so violently shaken and disturbed the Earth world, bringing havoc and ruin, yet things must have altered with us in some measure, in some manner, since that time when I first 'broke the silence of the grave' in these writings.

My friends, too, are very kindly interested in my own welfare, and they wonder how I have 'got on' during these passing years of your calendar. In answer to the many friendly thoughts that have come to me, I can say that I am truly well, happy, and supremely contented. Of personal changes there has been none worthy of your interest. I am fully occupied, managing to make myself useful in a number of directions.

You will doubtless recall that among my various activities is that of helping folk when they are making their entrance into these lands at their 'death'. I work in company with others, chief among whom are my two old friends, Edwin and Ruth. The former, you will also recollect, is an erstwhile priestly colleague of my Earthly days who met me upon my arrival here, and whose welcome presence I was overjoyed to have in those initial moments immediately following upon my transition.

Ruth is a young lady of great charms whom we met upon my journeying forth, under Edwin's able guidance, to see the wonders of these lands. She joined our expedition, upon our invitation, with great alacrity as she was in similar case to myself. That is, she was a new arrival, and was just as ignorant of everything concerning this glorious new life as I was.

From that moment of our first encounter we have been fast friends. The three of us work closely together, so closely, in fact, that both Edwin and Ruth spend far more time in my home than they do in their own. A most happy and pleasant arrangement. Beautiful is Ruth's own dwelling, yet there is something that appeals to her in the old house which has been my home since my advent into these realms.

There is nothing very outstanding about this house, though it is incomparably more beautiful now than its counterpart in which I lived when on Earth. But it suits my purpose. Indeed, I can say it suits the purpose of all three of us. I have mentioned the house to you before and given you one or two details concerning it so that I will not make myself tedious by going over old ground. I must tell you that Ruth has undertaken the entire disposition of it in all matters, and I am perfectly content to leave it so.

Though there may be no observable changes in myself, we have, however, made an addition to the house. It came about in this way: First, I must explain that there are thousands of people engaged upon work similar to our own. We are really all part of one organisation, but we work in small groups. Edwin sometimes undertakes - we all do at times in more or less degree - some task alone as on the occasion when he met me at my 'dissolution'.

But we find by experience that when we come forward to offer our help to people who have just left the Earth at their 'death', and who, knowing nothing of the true state of life here, fervently and fearfully believe that they are to be dragged off to a frightful Judgement, we find in such case that the force of our numbers adds weight to our words as we each individually explain to the sorely perplexed soul that there is nothing to fear, nothing to cause the least anxiety. That soul can turn from one to another of us, three different personalities, different in feature and form, real and Human in appearance and voice, and he can see corroboration - and find it.

Our purpose is to calm any fears and induce tranquility of mind so that everything is eliminated or avoided that would tend to obstruct our efforts and add to our labours. When Edwin met me, he was in clerical attire, exactly as I remembered him, and I was similarly habited. Now Edwin normally wears his Spirit habiliments when he is in his own realm, but if he had met me clothed in such manner, then just as surely should I have taken fright - of that I am convinced. But to see him standing there looking precisely as he did of old when on Earth, together with his cheerful countenance, at once served to reassure me. And that saved Edwin a vast deal of labour.

Although the women-folk, of course, are fully represented among us, by far the larger part of our particular section of this organisation consists of men who were clergymen during their Earthly lives.

Transitions vary so greatly in their circumstances that we find it to be of first rate advantage if we meet, fairly frequently, all those who are connected with our own group, to discuss our individual experiences and to exchange and compare notes. It increases our knowledge prodigiously, and provides us with invaluable information upon which we can base any future action of our own when similar circumstances present themselves. Such meetings take place over a wide area of these realms - it is not an original and exclusive idea of our own! Our meeting-place varies as we each take it in turn to act as host or chairman to our companions, just as so many small society meetings are conducted upon Earth.

When it devolved upon me to accommodate our friends, hitherto we had always met in a chamber upon the upstairs floor of my house. The chamber that was set apart for these gatherings is extremely pleasant, but hardly large enough for convenience and comfort. It is true, the view from this upper floor is enchanting, but then we do not forgather merely to gaze upon the undoubted splendour of the scene.

As the numbers of our workers grew, I felt the time had come to provide other and more adequate accommodation. Edwin and Ruth, who had naturally perceived the state of affairs as readily as I had done, were in hearty agreement with me. We thereupon betook ourselves outside into the gardens to survey our little domain, and at length we decided upon the right spot upon which to build an extension or annexe to the main building. We discussed the style and form the new room should take, its interior and exterior disposition, how it should be furnished, and such details of like nature.

The first active step thereafter was to consult the Ruler of the Realm, lay our proposals and plans before him, and seek his approval. For though we may have earned for ourselves the right to increase the dimensions of our home, that is not to say that we have become a 'law unto ourselves'. For you must know that in these lands everything is done conformably and in good order.

It may puzzle some of my friends as to how we know when we have earned the right to possess anything in particular, which in this instance happens to be an increase in the size of my home. That is a question one finds very difficult to answer. Nor am I alone in this.

So many processes and procedures become as second nature to us here in the course of our lives that we scarcely stop to ponder just when this condition first exerted itself so to speak, and became part of our lives. Some things, of course, are very apparent. For instance, the first occasion upon which Ruth and I made the attempt to move ourselves by the thought process instead of using our legs in the old method of locomotion, which we had employed hitherto. That we shall never forget. It was such a revolutionary event in our lives.

I fancy that there are not many of us who will forget an experience of that nature for it made us realise very early the immense power of our minds. The most I can say, then, with regard to our absolute knowledge that we are free to possess some particular thing or another, whatever it may be, is that we are conscious that we lack that object, and that we have a strong, deep desire for it. Then we are aware that our desire has passed out from our minds, and in place of the desire there is the unmistakable certainty that we are at liberty to possess. So that the procedure comes to this, first one has the desire to possess, and that thought leaves us. Whence it goes, I am unable to say.

If, after the wish to possess has been projected from our minds, we are entitled to possess, the desire will no longer be as a yearning, for in its place will come the knowledge that nothing debars us from becoming owner of what we want. We are, ipso facto, virtual possessors. We have then only to take the necessary steps towards actual ownership.

But if we have not yet earned the right to possess, then the desire will remain with us as an unfulfilled desire until such time as we have advanced Spiritually. We shall be aware of a positive barrier.

To return to the new wing of my home. Before setting out to see the Ruler of the Realm, we made, in a roughly drawn sketch, a plan of the new chamber as we should like it to be. We are not accomplished draughtsmen by any means, but we managed to produce a drawing, rather crude, but we hoped sufficiently clear, to place before the Ruler, and from which it would be possible for an architect to glean a good understanding of our requirements. We sent forth a message to the Ruler to explain our needs, and within a moment's space of time, back came the answer, an answer which said, not that he would 'grant us an interview,' or that we might 'present ourselves to him,' but simply that he would be most happy to see us.

There, I think, you have in a few words the true character of this great personage. For he is not a remote and unapproachable being, surrounded by so many satellites that to come within measurable distance of his very presence would be almost an impossibility, except to those, who are themselves already illustrious.

We waited but the instant for our message to travel to the Ruler and for his reply to travel back to us. Nor can any degree of privilege whatever be claimed for us in this case. The simple truth is that the Ruler is never unnecessarily communicated with in this way unless the need is imperative or otherwise unavoidable. If we can gain what help we need elsewhere, we always do so, but in the matter of erecting a new building of any kind here the Ruler is always consulted first. It is a precept from which we never deviate, though conceivably the heavens would not descend if we did.

The most that would happen is that we should have committed a breach of good manners, and taken upon ourselves a high degree of presumption. Our feelings in the circumstances, however, would be sufficient reprimand. No finger would be pointed at us, no word spoken. Our own thoughts would be sufficient. Not only in such cases I am mentioning now would we feel thus, but in any other departure from good taste and the established order of things here.

With our free invitation to call upon the Ruler, we set out in great good cheer, for this was something of an event for us. We had oft-times witnessed buildings 'going-up' in different parts of the realm, but this was the first occasion upon which we were actively concerned in the erection of a building that was to be our own.

The Ruler himself lives in a most beautiful residence. I would like here to observe that I call him 'Ruler' for want of a better term. One might call him 'Chief,' or 'Head,' or 'Leader' of these realms and yet none would adequately convey the true meaning of the office which he holds. I use the title Ruler, therefore, with such reservation as I have made.

We know him here by his personal name. His position and functions being known and understood by everyone, the mere mention of his name is all that is required. We address him by that name. His functions are wide and varied, as you can well imagine, since he acts as a father to us all, rather than as one 'set in authority' over us. Servus servorum Dei, he would say in good truth, without affectation, and within the real meaning of that phrase.

The building which he occupies is large since he retains the services of many assistants and colleagues. There is no shortage of willing workers and there is always something to do. The result is efficiency of the highest order in all concerns affecting the welfare of the realm and its inhabitants. He has experts without number upon every branch of Human endeavour in these lands.

Those who work for him - and in working for him they are, of course, working for themselves towards greater Spiritual progression and advancement - those who work for him are thoroughly conversant with the whole organisation of this realm, each in his own department. The Ruler leaves his people to do their work without troublesome interference, knowing that he can rely upon their knowledge, kindliness and good sense. This leaves him free to perform those many little (as he would call them) acts of kindness and helpfulness which have gained him the devoted affection of every dweller in these realms. For it is common to see him upon his way through the lands, enjoying the beauties of the countryside, and being greeted and welcomed upon every hand wheresoever he goes.

Thus we went to seek this great soul. His apartments, in the spacious residence he occupies, are modest and unpretentious; beautifully equipped, it is true, but without those adjuncts with which one might suppose a great leader would be surrounded. In fact, one would describe his 'office' and personal apartments as being decidedly 'homely.' We had but a moment to wait before we were taken to see our friend, and such is the way of things here, we were 'treated like royalty' during that brief while.

As soon as we entered the Ruler's chamber he made us heartily welcome, and seated us in comfortable chairs. He knew the purpose of our visit, but none the less, he asked us to give him all the details of our wishes, which he did from motives of pure interest, and not of lordly patronage. There was no question of going 'hat in hand,' to use a familiar expression.

He was delighted with our plans and notions for the contemplated extension, made one or two capital suggestions far and away beyond what we had planned, and finally gave the whole scheme his warm-hearted approbation and blessing. With this matter settled so expeditiously, he next enquired about our respective activities, apart from those in which the three of us are concerned together, and then reverting to the purpose of our present visit he invited us to see a man in whom he was much interested, an architect of great skill and originality who, he knew, would be delighted to draw up a proper plan and undertake arrangements for the building itself.

A brief walk brought us to a charming house encircled with tastefully laid-out gardens, through which a pleasant brook ran its clear course. The occupant was seated without doors; he rose upon sight of us, and came forward to greet us. The Ruler, of course, he knew at once. A brief introduction, not to make us formally known to our new friend but rather to give him our names, together with such few personal details as would establish a cordial relationship. Had we been strangers entirely upon our own, we should have received just as warm a welcome so that such formalities as were now observed were purely nominal.

Our new friend was geniality itself. He was profuse in his thanks to the Ruler when the latter had explained the reason for our descent upon him in such numbers. He was happy to do all he could, and as, he said, he was at the moment merely idling away his time, we could go into our business at once. We were amused at his description of his present situation as we had only a moment earlier been told by the Ruler that he was a most industrious soul who never seemed to stop work for an instant.

The Architect took us into his workroom, and we seated ourselves round a table upon which were large sheets of paper and a variety of drawing instruments. Rather diffidently I drew out our crude sketch, which certainly appeared more like a child's scrawl in the presence of so many skilfully drawn plans and designs, which we could perceive in different parts of the room. He laughed at our hesitancy and complimented us by telling us that on many occasions he did not have even the roughest scratchings on paper, and relied upon what he knew his enquirer wanted.

Fortunately for many of us similarly situated, it is not at all necessary to make elaborate plans, provided we know in our minds what it is we want. If we have some moderately clear conception of our needs, the perceptive faculties of the architects of these and other realms can quickly ascertain exactly what is required. That, of course, applies to all of us here. The experts in the numerous crafts will soon gather what we desire, and in most instances will make capital suggestions of which one never dreamt. A final and complete plan is made, however, for the masons, and that our friendly architect now proceeded to do.

The new chamber was to be longer than it was broad, and rectangular; a sort of 'Great Hall' upon a smaller scale. There would be windows upon three sides, and double doors at each end, one pair of which would afford entrance from the main building, and the farther pair would lead directly into the gardens so that whichever way we happened to glance we should see the trees and the flowers and the lawns beyond.

The windows themselves were to be mullioned, with some coloured glass introduced at the top. The question of panelling arose, and we were a little undecided upon this point. Just then Ruth turned to the Architect and whispered something to him. As the Ruler, who had remained with us, and Edwin and I were obviously not meant to hear, we became studiously occupied with our own conversation, but we could not help an occasional glance at the two of them. There was evidently some little secret in progress. We observed the architect point to a series of positions upon the plan he was making. Ruth smiled and nodded, whereupon the Architect smiled and nodded too. He had seemingly joined the conspiracy as well.

At length the plan was sufficiently advanced for us to see how the new chamber would look, and we could but admire the general prospect with the additions which the ruler had made, together with those which the Architect had himself introduced. There was to be no delay in the proceeding, and after we had made another call, this time to the Hall of Fabrics, and thence returned home, we should find everyone there assembled to commence operations.

As the Architect would himself be present to witness his work being created, we bade him brief goodbye and walked to the Hall of Fabric. Here we chose a choice carpet for the floor, a beautiful piece of work, thick in texture and rich in colour, to tread upon the pile of which was like walking upon a finely kept lawn. We arranged for what furniture we needed, and at length arrived at our home.

Of details of the actual erection, it should not be necessary for me to speak, for elsewhere I have given a fairly close account of how buildings are set up in these lands. The method is the same in all cases, and the present one is no exception. It was vastly interesting, however, and as Ruth firmly declared, positively thrilling, to watch our own new apartment growing into life before our eyes. Our enthusiasm was shared by many other folk, and we were the recipients of a host of complimentary remarks, just as on numerous occasions we had complimented others in like circumstances.

Before the work actually commenced the ground had been prepared. That is to say, as we were to build upon a site that was already carefully laid out in lawns and flowerbeds, the latter were removed into other quarters so that nothing was lost. Once the requisite space was clear, then work began, and so soon as the main structure was created the few adornments that we had decided upon were added, for instance, the insertion of the stained glass in the windows.

At length the whole chamber was completed, and we were invited to step within and inspect it. With a word of invitation to the assembly of friends and neighbours who had gathered to watch the proceedings, we entered. Ruth, Edwin, and I were enchanted with the absolute perfection of the work, and we expressed our gratitude to both the Ruler and the Architect for their respective suggestions which, indeed, crowned the work.

At present the chamber was without furniture, and completely bare. I bethought myself of one or two pieces that were to be found in different parts of the house, and which I had collected from time to time. They had been beautifully carved by skilled craftsmen, and I thought they would suit our new room admirably. With this idea in mind, I left my companions for a moment to seek out the several articles - a cabinet, chairs, and so on.

It was a little while before I returned. When I did so, it was to find that the carpet we had chosen had been laid, and a long and very substantial-looking table had been placed down the centre of the chamber with a number of chairs round it, and notably a fine, heavily carved armchair at the head of it.

Possibly my friends had put it into my head to leave the new apartment on my quest. Whatever was the truth - and I have my suspicions - imagine my surprise and delight when I observed, hanging upon the walls between the windows, six of the most exquisite tapestries. This, I learned, was the outcome of the whispered conspiracy carried on between Ruth and the Architect when we had discussed whether or not we should panel the wall. It appeared that Ruth had made these hangings herself and had kept them by her, awaiting a suitable opportunity for their disposal. The moment had at last come, she said when they would be put to a good use.

The tapestries depicted rural scenes, showing an abundance of flowers and trees, and they had been so fashioned that when the whole six of them were hung in close juxtaposition, they formed a long and continuous panorama of countryside. But each could be used separately and apart if desired and still form a complete picture in itself, as they were more or less at present, since they were hung between each of the windows.

When Ruth had first come to these lands, she had studied the art of tapestry weaving as a profitable occupation and pleasant amusement, and here were hanging the fruits, or some of them at least, of her industry. My friend will doubtless have in mind the kind of tapestries common upon Earth, with their rather dull olive greens and browns, altogether exhibiting something of a faded look, pleasant enough as suggesting other days and the effect of time upon the fabric.

But tapestries of the Spirit world are very different. The colours are bright and fresh, clear and glowing, but without being garish. The colours of nature are accurately and minutely reproduced. As we stood gazing upon Ruth's clever handiwork, one could almost forget that we were looking upon woven material, or indeed material of any kind. It seemed as though the walls had disappeared and that we were viewing the actual countryside.

As the light came through the stained glass at the upper sections of the windows, the whole chamber was bathed in the most exquisite tints and blends of colour. Here was an effect that is not possible upon Earth for the shafts of coloured light streamed from all three directions at once, forming a perfect blend in the middle of the apartment.

And so, to bring this account to an end, which I fancy has already been far too protracted, was our new room added to the house. An extremely small event in an extremely large world, but I give it that you may see how life deals with us here in these particular realms, and to provide you with some idea of what lies before you in pleasurable enjoyment and contentment of mind when it so happens that you, my friends, will come to join us in these lands.

What I have told you in the preceding account is but a commonplace incident in lives that are, however, anything but commonplace. For if these realms of which I speak were to appear commonplace to us, we should soon betake ourselves to other parts, or energetically earn the right to do so. Never for one moment, since I became an inhabitant of the Spirit world, have I found the time to drag, as you would say; never have I been at a loose end for somewhat to do; never have I been bored with circumstances.

Life, indeed, is full to the brim with activities of many kinds. Truly can I say that I have never worked so hard in my life since I came to live in the Spirit world! I always thought I could do a good day's work when I was on Earth, and indeed, my friends there all declared that it was overwork that finally took me off the Earth altogether.

Now, as I promised at the beginning, to the changes that have taken place in these realms themselves since my passing thirty-seven years ago. Such changes [1951] that have occurred are not sensational for we have undergone no great upheavals such as you have on Earth. You cannot pass through the 'trials and tribulations' of two Great Wars without many corresponding changes taking place. With us, of course, it is utterly different. Life here goes on placidly, without interruption or interference. Nothing can upset our economy, under which term I would designate the whole immense organisation of these realms, so that as we pass our lives here we see houses built, and houses being removed, not in large numbers, but here and there as the circumstances demand.

Were we a world that had only itself to consider, were we completely shut off from Earth, the case would be different, perhaps. But my friends will remember that every soul that lives upon Earth must eventually come for all time into Spirit Land! During normal times upon Earth, the many organisations in the Spirit world are fully capable of dealing with the usual influx of folk into these lands. But bethink you what happens when universal war breaks out on Earth and people pass to us not in hundreds of thousands but in tens of millions. The normal influx becomes a torrent.

There is no real need for us each, individually, to work harder, for there are so many eager and willing to augment our usual numbers as to allow for all contingencies. But while we ourselves can be supplemented in our services without any strain being placed upon the community of these realms, the Homes of Rest, as they exist and function during normal terrestrial conditions, become totally inadequate. For you will know that most folk, as they come here at their dissolution, need rest in more or less degree according to the circumstances and manner of their passing.

The period of rest varies from what would be a few days to what would be a few months, if we were to judge such things by Earthly computations. For example, my own passing was not attended by any distressing conditions - distressing, that is, to myself - and so my period of rest was exceedingly brief. But the thousands upon thousands whose dissolution is caused by war are an altogether different case. They have frequently undergone a severe shock. They have, in every sense of the term, been projected into the Spirit world, and that is an irregularity for the Spirit body itself. It was not meant to do that, but to pass naturally and gently into these lands.

When your wars commence upon Earth, the word is given to us that new Homes of Rest must be built in readiness for the hideous slaughter that is to take place. Spaces are vast here so there is no lack of room in which to build the most beautiful Homes of Rest, where, in addition to those already existing, the tortured mind and the riven body may regain their calm, and become rested and re-invigorated. Such buildings as these, and the demand has been for many of them, are built rapidly, but they omit nothing.

When the use for them dwindles and finally ceases, they are removed, but temporary though they may be, nothing is forgotten or omitted that will make the buildings themselves beautiful and their efficiency of the highest. Transient as they are, they must not be roughly put up; they must accord in every detail with the permanent beauties of these realms.

That is the great change that takes place among us, my friends. Sensational - no. Vital and urgent - yes. Would that it were never necessary. For here are we rectifying the colossal blunders of the Earth people. But just so long as man in his abysmal folly tolerates wars, then just so long will it be necessary for us to erect these great new Homes of Rest for the dwellers of Earth who have been driven forth from their Earthly lives into the Spirit world through the wicked acts of man.

Recently, since the end of World War II, we have seen the removal of numbers of these Rest Homes. We are not sorry to see them go, for with their departure it means that the need for them has departed too, and that gives us good cause for great joy.

Chapter 2: A “Passing”

Situated in the City, which is not far from my home here, is a large building which carries out the important functions of an office of Records and Inquiries. Here knowledge is to be obtained upon an infinite range and variety of subjects and affairs. Of all these, what closely interests us at the moment is that department which deals with the actual 'passing' of folk from the Earth to the Spirit world. Part of my work consists of helping people at the moment of their physical death, people of all kinds, of both sexes, of any religion - or none - and of all ages, from young folk to the aged. Working in conjunction with me are my two old friends, Edwin and Ruth. Sometimes Edwin is not with us, but Ruth and I almost always work together.

Now you may wonder how we come to know when our services are needed, and who or what directs those services into the required quarter. The answer is a simple one: the Office of Records and Inquiries. It is not part of our normal functions to be fully acquainted with all or any of the methods employed in the gathering of information by this central office. All that Ruth and I are called upon to do is to apprise this Office with the fact that we are both free to undertake whatever task may present itself, and we follow the simple procedure of awaiting notification that our services are desired.

We were seated, then, upon a particular occasion in our house, which is itself a replica of my old home on Earth, when word reached us that our presence was desired at the Central Office. We at once proceeded thither, and were greeted by one whom we had come to know very well during the passage of years, as he had come to know us.

This man is a genial soul, of great kindness and comprehension, and his knowledge of those who work for him is prodigious. For it is by the application of this knowledge that he is enabled to send upon their various missions those of us who are exactly suited to the specific task in hand.

There may appear to be a great similarity between one normal transition and another when viewed by Earthly eyes, but from our point of view the variations are enormous. They are as great, in fact, as the variations in Human personalities. What to the Earthly beholder is the end of life, is to us and the person chiefly concerned, the beginning of a new one. It is with the personality that we have to deal, and according to the personality, to the knowledge or ignorance of Spiritual matters of the passing soul, so is our especial task governed and our course of action regulated. In short, every 'death' is treated and served with strict regard to its essential requirements. So that we are allotted our various tasks with one eye, as it were, upon our capabilities, experience, temperament, and so on. Edwin, Ruth and I are decidedly of similar temperament, while our capabilities and experience have been augmented and broadened by long practice.

As you can imagine, a great deal of patience has at times to be exercised when we are confronted with minds that are tenacious of old beliefs and ideas that bear no relationship with the truth and facts and realities of Spirit life, and it may take much arduous work to free the newly arrived person of so much that is mentally inhibiting and Spiritually retarding. You will see, then, the wisdom of choosing instruments who are ably suited in all respects to the work in hand, so that a difficult or awkward case may not be rendered more so.

The Spirit world never does things by halves, to use a familiar expression, and what might appear to be sheer precocity to the Incarnate is clear wisdom to us who have to carry out the work. No trouble is spared. We have infinity of time, a vast amount of patience, together with the services of a multitude of people always available. There is no bungling, there are no mistakes; nothing is left to chance. Our principal in the Central Office, therefore, knowing us, sends us upon our missions to Earth with complete confidence in his choice of ourselves, while for our part, we have complete confidence that we are not being given a task beyond our powers of performance.

After a few friendly exchanges and kindly inquiries, our friend turned to the business in hand. A perfectly straightforward case, he informed us, and one that should present no unusual features. “It is the passing,” he said, “of a lad, aged eighteen. A sprightly youth; mentally alert and receptive. I have kept this case for you both, as I think he will be useful to you later on when he has become accustomed to things. Would you care to take him to your home? It would be a good plan.” We readily acquiesced.

We then plied our friend with a few questions so that we should be as fully charged with information as possible. It appeared that the Lad's Earthly end was approaching rapidly, that he had no prejudices concerning the subject of 'life after death'; his religious instruction had followed the usual lines but had not left any very great impression. There was a happy toleration between him and his parents, but no such strong affection as would introduce any complications of an emotional nature. The parents would regard the early 'death' of their son as part of God's will, and they would therefore submit in accordance thereto.

We were agreed that this certainly did seem to be a straightforward case enough, and we were not sorry, inasmuch as we had had a number of very trying transitions of late, and welcomed this fresh one upon easier lines.

We are given the name, but not the address of the person upon whom we are to attend. Indeed, the whole procedure is far simpler, and gives a very good example of what I mentioned but a moment ago regarding the relative simplicity of life in our world as compared with the complexities of life in yours.

At the present moment, as Ruth and I were seated before our friend of the Central Office, all that remained was to receive our 'sailing directions'. These were given to us in this manner: our friend sent a message - thought, of course - to the Spirit person who was in attendance at the place of dissolution, to the effect that we were ready to assume charge whenever he deemed it advisable. This brought an instantaneous response. We could perceive the light as it flashed to our friend, and by a sort of confluence we were brought into the 'thought-beam'. We were now in direct rapport with our attendant friend 'at the other end', as you would say. And now - to use very unscientific language - we had but to project ourselves along this thought-beam to find ourselves in the exact spot where our services were needed.

We now thanked our Principal for this new case, and upon his intimation that the time was close at hand, we immediately set forth.

Ruth and I found ourselves in a bedroom of a house of modest dimensions, unpretentious, and moderately prosperous as far as Earthly possessions were concerned. A nurse was in attendance, and relatives were close at hand. It was evident that they believed the end was not far distant, and the doctor appeared to have done all that he could to make things easier for his patient.

There also seemed to be some evidence that a Minister of their Church had not long left the room. There were distinct signs that prayerful petitions had been sent forth, but these being couched in the usual terms of theological obscurity, and in addition being totally inapposite to the events about to take place, they were completely ineffective to achieve any purpose whatever beyond giving a doubtful satisfaction to those then present. This was a matter, however, that Ruth and I were quickly able - and qualified - to set right. We did so, asking for a downflowing of helpful power to supplement our own natural resources and abilities. It was instantly forth-coming, and was clearly observable in the bright beams of light that diffused themselves round about us.

It was plain to see that in a brief space our friend would be joining us. Accordingly, we commenced our small preparations. Ruth stationed herself at the head of the bed within easy reach of the Lad's head, and placing her hands upon his brow, she gently smoothed his temples.

We are never certain that or ministrations are perceived or felt unless the 'patient' reveals some sign or another that he - or she - has done so. In this case, it was patent that Ruth was making a decided impression, because coincidental with her placing her hands upon the boy's head, he turned his eyes with an upward motion as though seeking or trying to perceive whence the pleasant, soothing sensation came.

It was possible that he could actually see Ruth; if that were the case, so much the better.

We had both assumed a replica of our former Earthly habiliments, Ruth being attired in a cheerful summery garment, looking very natural and normal, and altogether charming. It is necessary to emphasize this, since it was - and always is - our aim to appear as unlike 'Celestial Beings', should our presence be observed, as it is possible to be.

I perched myself at the foot of the Lad's bed, and directed my gaze upon him, and there were evident signs of his seeing me. I smiled to him, and gently waved my hand to reassure him. So far, things were proceeding very favourably - would that all passings were as serene.

The great moment in the boy's life had now arrived. I moved to a position at about the middle of the bed upon the side opposite to Ruth. The boy had lapsed into a gentle sleep. As he did so, his Spirit body rose slowly above his inert physical body to which it was attached by a bright silver cord - the Life-Line as it is termed. I placed my arms beneath the floating form; there was the slightest momentary twitch, the cord detached itself, retracted, and disappeared.

To the relatives in the bed-chamber, the boy was 'dead' and 'gone'. To Ruth and me he was alive and present.

I held him in my arms, as one would a child, while Ruth again placed her hands upon his head. A gentle movement of her hands for a minute or two to ensure that the boy would be peacefully comfortable, and we were ready to start upon our rapid journey to our home.

Throughout the transit Ruth held one of the boy's hands, thus giving him energy and strength while I supported him in my arms. The journey, as with all such journeys, was soon over; we had left the dismal bedroom, and we were in our own beautiful land and home. Quietly and gently we laid the boy upon a very comfortable couch, Ruth seating herself close beside him, as I took a chair at the foot facing our new arrival. “Well, my dear,” Ruth remarked with evident satisfaction, “I really think he'll do.”

All there was for us to do now, was to await the awakening, which, in the nature of the case, would not be long delayed.

Our simple, but usually effective, arrangements had already been made. The couch upon which the Lad had been laid, was placed close beneath a wide open window in such a position that, without even the slightest movement of the head, a most enchanting view was to be seen of the gardens without, while through a gap in a line of trees, a distant view of our beautiful city was to be had, clear and colourful. Upon the wall immediately facing the Lad there hung a large mirror, so that the reflection of the rest of the room, with all that it suggested in comfort and ease, could be observed with the merest turn of the eye. Children's voices could be heard in the distance, and the birds were singing with their customary vigour.

This was the pleasant situation awaiting our friend when he emerged from his short but refreshing sleep, and this is often the moment when our real work begins!

Chapter 3: The Awakening

Ruth was the first to speak when our friend had opened his eyes.

“Well, Roger,” she said, “how do you feel?” (Our friend at the office had given us the boy's first name, which was sufficient for all purposes.)

Roger opened his eyes still wider as he turned to Ruth. “Why,” said he, “I saw you - when was it? A little while ago. Who are you?”

“Just a friend to help you. Call me Ruth.”

“And you, sir. I seem to remember you were sitting at the foot of my bed.”

“That's right,” I said. “The memory will become clearer in a moment or two.”

Roger started to sir upright, but Ruth gently pressed him back upon the cushions. “Now, Roger,” said she, “the order of the day is that you just stay quietly there, and not do too much talking.”

The boy stared out of the window.

“Lovely view, isn't it,” I said, pointing through the window. “Feeling comfortable? That's right. Well, now, you are wondering what all this is about. Have you any idea what has happened? Only a hazy notion. But the great thing is that now you are feeling all right. All the aches and pains are gone. Isn't that it?”

Roger nodded and smiled as the realization seemed to come upon him. “Yes, rather, thank you.”

The boy was obviously not of the nervous sort, and there appeared to be no purpose in withholding the truth any longer. I caught Ruth's eye, and she nodded in agreement.

“Roger, my dear boy,” I began, “I have some pleasant news for you. You were perfectly correct, you did see Ruth and me a little while ago. We were in your bedroom at home, and you were very ill, so ill that the doctor couldn't pull you through. So Ruth and I came to bring you through, through into another world, a lovely world. Do you follow?”

“Then, I've died. Is that it?”

“That's it, old fellow. You're not frightened?”

“No, I don't think so.” He paused. “I never expected anything like this,” he added.

“No, I don't suppose you did. Who does, except the very comparative few who know what's to come? Honestly, now, what did you expect?”

“Goodness only knows.”

“Angels with large wings, and stern countenances, looking very frigid and remote? Suppose you had seen something like that, what would you have felt and thought? You needn't tell me; I'll answer the question for you. You would have thought that they had come to haul you off to be tried before some awful Judge somewhere in the High Court of Heaven. And woe betide you if you had misbehaved yourself, my lad.”

Ruth gave a merry peal of laughter, while Roger, who had caught the look in my eye and interpreted it correctly, laughed too.

“Let me tell you at once, Roger, that there are no Judges, or even a single Great Judge, anywhere in this world, the Spirit world. Any judging to be done, we do it for ourselves, and manage very nicely. You'll find you will become extremely critical of yourself, as we all do. We can be very hard on ourselves even. So whatever you may have thought about 'Judgment Day', dismiss the whole idea from your mind. There is no such thing, there never has been, and there never will be.

“Now I expect you are wondering what is to happen next,” I went on. “The answer to that is simple: Nothing! - at least for a little while, until you feel refreshed, and then we might all go off together and explore things a bit. How does that appeal to you?”

“It appeals to me very much, but there is something I would like to know.” Roger looked round. “Whose house is this, and who are you? I can see you are a padre, but the colour of your cassock is not what I've ever seen before.”

“As to the house, it is mine, though really it is ours, as Ruth lives most of her time with me and so does an old clergyman friend you will meet later. As to my clothes, these I am wearing are only replicas of my Earthly ones which I have put on specially for you. I have proper Spirit clothes, but suppose I had worn them - and Ruth hers - when we came to fetch you in your room, we might have looked like those grim, forbidding Angels I spoke about just now. And no matter how we set our faces into pleasant looks and smiles, there is no doubt there would have been a very frightened Roger. So, behold us as we used to be when we lived on Earth, and now you look at yourself as you used to be on Earth only a very short while ago.”

Roger glanced down at his clothes to discover that he was wearing a pair of flannel trousers and a brown jacket, while on his feet were a pair of substantial shoes. He caught hold of the material as though to reassure himself that it was real. He even clutched his arm to make doubly sure he was solid! Then he placed one foot on the floor and stamped lightly with it.

“All pretty solid, eh, Roger?”

From a side-table Ruth fetched a huge bowl of fruit, and offered it to the boy. “You'll find these very real, too,” said she with a smile; “help yourself to what you fancy. They're lovely, and will do you a world of good. We keep them 'specially'.”

We all three took some fruit, and Ruth and I waited to the boy tackle his. First, he looked at it closely, turning it and over in his hand - it was a plum he was examining - and seemed undecided what to do with it. There is, of course, only one thing to do with a fine, juicy plum, especially if it is grown in the Spirit world, and that is to eat it. Ruth and I did so, while Roger watched closely to see what would happen. He expected, no doubt, to see a torrent of juice run out and down our clothes. His eyes opened in astonishment when saw the juice run out, certainly, and with equal certainty, disappear, leaving our clothes unstained. Thus encouraged, he followed our example, and was wild with delight at this seeming wizardry.

“Nothing is wasted here, Roger,” explained Ruth; “everything that is unwanted returns to its source. Nothing is destroyed. You couldn't destroy anything however hard you tried. If you find you no longer need or desire a thing it will simple fade away to all appearances, just evaporate before your eyes. But it is not lost; it will return to the source from which it came. If we didn't want this house and all its contents, it would vanish, and there would be nothing to see but the ground it stood on. It's the same with anything else you care to name. All things are living in the Spirit world; we don't have such things as 'inanimate objects'. Things are managed better here than on the old Earth, don't you think - from the tiny bit you've seen of things so far?”

Roger thanked Ruth for her explanation. He seemed a little diffident in the matter of speaking, though, of course Ruth had recommended him not to talk too much yet. However, he turned to me after pondering Ruth's words, with something of an air of puzzlement:

“Were you a Bishop, or something?” he asked.

“Oh dear, no,” I laughed; “nothing so grand or exalted. You were going by the colour of this garment I'm wearing. No, I was only Monsignor when I was on Earth. Some of my friends there still call me by the old title. It pleases them, and does no harm, though really we have no such titles and distinguishing marks here. Still, if you would like to use the same name, do so by all means. It serves a useful purpose, and it's not 'against the regulations'. Ruth always uses it.”

Roger had felt tempted to rise from his couch, a sure sign that he was gaining in strength and vigour. The fruit had made an improvement, as we knew it would. In matters of that kind there are no failures. At the same time, it would not have done to let him test his strength too far, and so for the time being, we recommended he should remain where he was. He was - and of course, still is! - a most amiable fellow, and was ready to fall in with all our suggestions. In such cases as these, that is, in the initial moments of the newly arrived, so much depends upon the little incidents, those homely things, of great implication in themselves, and outwardly so very reassuring - and comforting.

Long experience has taught us that often the smallest, most insignificant incident can do far more to bring peace and mental quietude to the newcomer to Spirit lands than would a hundred of the most brilliant dissertations. Therefore it is that we deliberately introduce the apparently trivial. And I cannot do better to exemplify this than by recounting what next occurred in our care of Roger.

The boy suddenly turned his gaze towards the window, attracted by the sound of fluttering wings upon the window-ledge, when he perceived a small bird had made its entrance into the room, and had perched itself only a foot or so from him. Roger remained perfectly still, as though scarcely daring to move lest he should frighten the small visitor away. Ruth, however, called to the bird, which immediately flew to her and perched upon her outstretched finger. The bird was dressed in a smart livery of pale gray feathers.

Roger was greatly interested when Ruth transferred the bird to his own finger.

“He often visits us here,” I told him, “though he really belongs to two old Earth friends of mine.”

“Then what is he doing here?” asked Roger.

“Well, he was found by my friends in great distress when he was but a fledgeling; they cared for him, watched him grow, but sad to say, he came to grief. Possibly he became a trifle too daring, overdid things, had some sort of sudden seizure, and died almost at once. A great pity. He was like you, Roger, you and had hardly begun his life. And exactly like you, Roger, he passed into these beautiful lands, and was cared for immediately, just as we try to do for all the Human souls who come to us. That small bird, so very inconsiderable on Earth, and the action of my two friends, equally inconsiderable, have not been lost. Their affection for that tiny atom of life has preserved that life for all time. At present he is part of the 'household' of a mutual old friend, who already has other bird and animal friends of his own. They're a merry family, and we'll take you along to see him - and them. Don't you think he is a rather handsome fellow?”

“I do. What kind of bird is he?”

“When he first came to us here, he was a much darker gray and not so big. But he has grown, and his colour, as you see, is now almost dove-gray. What kind of bird is he, did you say? Why only a common sparrow.”

Ruth was indignant that I should refer to him as in any sense common, and so I was compelled to recant - not for the first time since I came to the Spirit world!

Roger was still playing with the bird, when Ruth espied two visitors coming towards the house. They were walking in leisurely fashion through the garden, often stopping to examine the flowers that were growing in profusion round the house. As they drew nearer, we recognized them as old friends who had often come to see us before. One, the taller of the two, was a Chaldean by nationality, the other an Egyptian.

I told Roger that not on any account was he to rise when these two visitors came into the room, as they both knew the purpose for which that couch was used, for it had had many and many a newly arrived person resting upon it.

Ruth and I went to the door to welcome our visitors, and cordial greetings were exchanged. The Chaldean's name is Omar, by which he is universally known. He is a man of striking appearance, the most remarkable feature being his raven-black hair, so much in contrast with the slight pallor of his complexion. He is, without doubt, one of the merriest souls to be met with in these lands, and he has a wide reputation for his keen sense of humour.

“Will you come in, Omar,” I said, “and see our 'patient'?” He replied they would be delighted, and we moved two chairs nearer to the couch.

“Well, my son, how are you feeling? Happy? Rested?” Omar turned to us: “Roger is wondering who I am. Perhaps he is wondering what I am.”

“You see, Omar, you are really the first person he has seen wearing Spirit clothes. Isn't that so, Roger?”

“Yes, it is, and well, I'm a bit confused. Your clothes,” he said to Omar, “are so different from Monsignor's.”

“Different from those he is wearing now because he did not want to frighten you. You are not frightened of me, are you Roger? There's no need to be, my dear son, for I'm really harmless, and my two friends - your two friends - will vouch for me. Perhaps you think I'm an Angel! Well, that's better than being thought a devil. Do you know, Roger, there are some charming people on Earth who would call me one, yes, and you, too; in fact, all of us here! Do you think Ruth looks particularly satanic? Monsignor, now; there is certainly a hint of brimstone about him. Well, well, it's a good thing we can laugh, though, mind you, those same nice people would deny us that. Speaking for myself, I don't feel the least bit Holy, and Monsignor is far too hardened a sinner ever to come within a mile of it.”

Omar turned to me: “I must be off now,” said he, “give my love to my friends on Earth.” Then he took Roger by the hand, held it for a moment, and patted him on the cheek. “Bless you, my son,” he said, “be rested, then get your friends to show you the glories of these lands. This is your own home land, now, you know. And just between ourselves, we're rather proud of it.”

Chapter 4: A First View

As we returned to the house after parting with Omar and his companion, we saw that Roger had left his couch and was now leaning out of the window. We waved to him, and he waved back.

“It looks as though he's completely regained his vigour,” I remarked to Ruth.

“There's no doubt of it, I should say.”

“And I should say what's completed his 'cure' is Omar's visit. Did you notice how he held the boy's hand? If that wasn't charging him with vitality I'm much mistaken. Now isn't that just like Omar.”

There was no question that a great change had been wrought in the lad for he stood in the doorway as we drew near with every appearance of youthful buoyancy. No longer was that slight languidness to be seen, so common in such cases.

“Well, Roger,” said Ruth, “you look ready for anything.”

“That's how I do feel, Ruth. Now, Monsignor, the old brain has got clear, and I want to know lots of things.” He grasped an arm of each of us, and held us in a firm grip.

“Omar certainly has given you strength, judging by the pressure,” I observed. He laughed, and it was good to hear him, for it showed more than anything else could, that the lad was now clearly himself, and that our task thenceforward would be the simple one of introducing him to the wonders of the Spirit world, always an enjoyable occupation, in spite of the fact that we had gone through a similar performance times without number.

“Come along, my boy, and let's start on the roof.”

“On the roof? What on Earth do we want to go climbing on the roof for?”

“On Earth, Roger, my lad, no reason at all. However, I know what you mean. Come along and wait till you get there before making any rude remarks about it. Now then, to the roof!”

We mounted the stairs to the upper floor. Here there is a passage, and about half-way along it is a small bay, in which a brief flight of stairs leads to a door on to a flat roof. Here was presented to the astonished gaze of Roger a most superb view of the countryside, a vast territory extending far away into the distance.

“Now, Roger; cast your eyes over this. Did you ever see anything like it, or even remotely approaching it in beauty?”

The boy was silent for a minute or two as he turned in a full circle. “Gracious heavens,” he said.

“And that's just about it,” said Ruth, “those two words are a complete description, if ever there was one.”

“Now, Monsignor, Ruth - I don't care which of you - but one of you must tell me what all this is. All those people, for instance. What are they doing?”

We could see many people interspersed about the countryside, some close at hand, others at a distance; some in small groups, others in larger, and individuals either seated or walking alone.

“All these folk you see are going about their various business, or perhaps no definite business at all. Look there at that little group sitting beneath the big tree. They may be doing all manner of things, from merely having a pleasant, gossipy chat among friends, or perhaps one of them is doing what Ruth and I are doing now for you - introducing you to the Spirit world. Whatever it is all these folk are doing, no one will tell them they shouldn't be doing it - and move them on!

“Of absolute, positive idling, I don't think you'll find a trace, Roger, because no one, as far as I've been able to find out - and Ruth and I have poked about in all sorts of places - no one ever feels the slightest inclination to do nothing simply by virtue of an indolent nature. There are no indolent natures here. We are always occupied in some way, but that doesn't mean that this is a life of eternal work as opposed to the old - and still current - idea of Eternal Rest. We all, every one of us, have our time off, and no one will come and tell us it's time to start work again in the Earthly sense. We have all the recreation we need and desire, and we come and go as we please. What Ruth and I are doing now, here on this roof, is a very pleasant form of recreation to us both, and a pleasant change from our chief occupation. It might look as though we were idling the time away - to anyone who didn't know. But, you know, Roger, there are millions of us here - with no over-crowding either, as you can see - so that even as there's plenty to do, there are plenty of people to do it.”

“Well, that's simple enough, Monsignor, but that makes me wonder what I'm going to do.”

“Then stop wondering, my dear,” put in Ruth. “Good gracious, why you've only just arrived here. Wait till you've been here as long as we have, then you'll see there's not always such a terrific hurry to be getting on with something.”

“How long have you been here, then, Ruth?”

“Oh, getting on for forty years.”

“And you, Monsignor?”

“About the same time. There might be ten minutes difference between us! You see we are really seasoned residents.

“How long has Omar been here?” Ruth and I exchanged glances, and there was a roar of laughter.

“Omar has been in the Spirit world some two thousand years, Roger. I think I had better withdraw what I said about being seasoned residents.”

The lad enjoyed our trifling joke, and so was helped along the road of self-assurance and well-being.

“Now, Ruth, point out the sights to Roger.”

“Do you see that large building with the blue beam of light coming down on it? That's a Home of Rest for people immediately after they have arrived here. You could have gone there. It's very beautiful, and you would have been well looked after, with every kindness in the world.”

“Then why was I brought here?”

“You're not sorry, are you?”

“No, no; I could never be that.”

“The suggestion of bringing you here came from the particular person who sends us on our various errands in helping folk, when they are crossing into this world. He thought it would be a good idea, and we shouldn't dream of questioning his wisdom. It would not be the first time this has happened, by any means; many people have caught their first peep of the Spirit world while reclining on that couch downstairs. It is good for them, and it is good for us.”

Roger pointed to the houses of all kinds that could be seen, some almost buried among the trees, others in more open ground. “Whose are those?” he asked.

“They belong to the folk here. Once you have the right to possess a home there is nothing to prevent you from having one. Everything is owned upon the same terms here, no matter what it is - even your Spirit clothes. That does not mean that you might have to walk abroad naked, because by some mischance you had not earned the right to possess clothes! The natural laws here work in a rational way.”

I broke into the conversation: “It's not by any means everyone who owns a house here, Roger. Some people don't want to be bothered with one - though bothered is not the exact word to use, as no home, whether large or small, can possibly be any bother in the old Earthly sense. But there are folk who don't feel the necessity for a house, and so they don't have one. Perfectly simple. To begin with, the sun is always shining in these and other regions, there's no unpleasant wind or cold. It's always the same steady, unvarying, genial warmth you can feel now. So there's nothing from which we need protection as on Earth, in the way of the elements. As for privacy, well, there are myriads of spots - you can see some of them from here - that will provide all the solitude you are ever likely to want.”

“What are those large buildings in the far distance?” our friend asked.

“Those are the various Halls of Learning in the City. In fact, that is the City. Everything in the way of knowledge is to be found somewhere there, and a thousand accomplishments can be gained there. You can become a technician in any of the varied occupations that are all part of the life of the Spirit world.”

So we went on, pointing out innumerable things to Roger, explaining this, providing reasons for that, and bringing a clearer understanding to a young mind that had left the Earth - as so many do - with no knowledge whatever of the most important part of the Universe - the Spirit World. He could see, spread out before him into seemingly illimitable space, the stupendous countryside, with the bright verdure, the rich colours abounding upon all sides, the gentle undulations leading to the glistening water of lake or river. The carefully laid-out gardens, the flowers, the birds, all heavenly nature - with the blue sky above.

I suggested that we now move downstairs. Roger admired the neatness and solid comfort of the various rooms he peeped into on the way down, and when we had at last reached the lower room that he now knew so well, he broached a matter that we could see was on his mind.

“Where, Monsignor, shall I have to live?”

“You won't have to live anywhere in particular, Roger,” I answered. “You may live where you like, though I understand you have no house of your own. You could have one if you wished, but do you? It would be rather like living in solitary state, although you would have plenty of visitors one way and another. You couldn't really be lonely here, and you have but to step outside your door to find people who would soon drive any loneliness away. Still, Ruth and I know what you mean, so I would like to make this suggestion if it falls in with your own ideas in the matter. Would you care to live in this house with us? You see the size of it - there's plenty of room, and to spare. There are all sorts of little things to interest you, without having to go outside. Stay here for as long as you wish, and be sure of one thing: never will you outstay your welcome.

“We cannot foresee the absolute future, and time, as you will have guessed by now, is of little consideration. Ruth and I, with Edwin, whom you've not met yet, have been doing this work, among other things, for years now. We seem likely to continue for more and more years yet. We are none of us tired of it. Even so, if we changed our work, we should still wish to have our house here.

“Spiritual progression is another matter, Roger. When we go higher - or farther along the road - we may move into other quarters. We need not think of that at present. Join our small household. In other words, stay where you are. That shouldn't be difficult as you have no 'goods and chattels'.”

The boy started to express his gratitude, but we stopped him. There was no need for words; his thoughts were sufficient.

“That's settled, then,” said Ruth, “and now, Roger, tell us what you think of things.”

Our friend seated himself in a comfortable chair, and looked considerably puzzled. “What I can't make out,” he said, at length, “is how all this you've shown me squares up with religion? I wasn't taught much, and never knew exactly what to expect. . .”

“You're not the first to wonder that, Roger. Millions do the same. Ruth and I did so. We were in no better case than yourself. What it comes to is this: when you are on Earth, this whole Spirit world is regarded as the 'life after death', 'the next world', and is treated solely from the religious standpoint, except by a comparatively select few. I call them select because those few possess the truth - not all the truth, naturally, but sufficient for absolute comfort. The religions of the Earth have assumed rights over this life to which they are not entitled. The passing from Earth to the Spirit world is not a religious affair whatever, it's a purely natural process, and one that cannot be avoided. Living a good life on Earth is not a religious matter. Why should it be? Have you seen signs of that sort of thing here, Roger? Yet who will dare to say we are not living good, decent lives here?

“Then take the total number of religions on Earth. There are thousands among the Christians alone, and all believing something different from each other.”

“I read somewhere that no one religion possessed all the truth, but that each had a bit of it, so that taken all together they'd have the truth between them. Isn't that so, Monsignor?”

“That is so. I've heard of that theory, but think what it involves. First, how are you going to tell what is the truth among all the rest of the claims of any one particular Church. Is one to be content with that one fragment, if it can be discovered, or try to do the impossible, and join all the religious bodies spread over the Earth, and so become possessed of all the truth - though you'd have the deuce of a job in sorting the false sheep from the truthful goats?”

The boy gave a loud laugh.

“You can laugh, Roger, my boy, but that's what it comes to in the end.”

“Sitting here in this chair, in this room, actually in the Spirit world seems an awful long way from sitting in a church on Sunday, as I used to - sometimes.”

“Only sometimes?” put in Ruth; “that was naughty in one so young!”

“I know what you're thinking of,” I said; “that Sunday churchgoing, with the clergyman, and the choir singing, and the sermon - and the collection, don't forget that! Especially the sermons that didn't seem to have any bearing on what you know now. How could it have, coming from the average Minister? How could you expect a person - or a Parson - to be able to instruct others on a particular subject, or on any subject, when the instructor knows literally nothing about it? That's the real trouble. Ignorance, or lack of knowledge. Yet it is his job, the Minister's job, to know. I should have known, but I didn't. A person in my position on Earth should have been able to tell a person in Ruth's position, or yours, Roger, all that we know at this moment. There are abundant opportunities for finding out.

“What a mournful, miserable business it all is, when you come to think about it. Here is this magnificent world we're living in, and yet on Earth it has been shrouded and obscured, with a multitude of extraordinary beliefs, conditions, limitations, misconceptions, and I don't know what else besides. The one cannot be reconciled with the other. Like oil and water, they do not mix. Unlike those two substances, there is nothing with which to emulsify them, so to speak. They are not to be found.

Odd, isn't it, how the religions of the Earth have assumed authority over us - so they think? They cannot regard us in terms of solid reality, of rational living, of breathing, working, playing, helping one another. They would look upon that bird you have there, Roger, as being too outrageous, too preposterous to bear thinking about, even remotely. Yet that little grey fellow is part of life in these lands, and a beautiful part of it, too. How many folk have their animal friends on Earth as part of their very lives? Thousands, but the same thing would be denied to us here, if some people on Earth had their way. It's not religious; it's not what one would look for in Spiritual realms. It's not the kind of thing that God would allow, because it's too Earthy and frivolous. It brings us back to that apalling Angel I spoke to you about, Roger, when you had opened your eyes as you lay on the couch.

“The whole thing can be summed up in this way, Roger, my boy: the Earthly religions know nothing about this world at all, about the life we live. They do not seem to be able to conjure up in their minds any sort of vision or image of what it might conceivably be. But they are certain of what it cannot be - upon what authority no one knows - that it cannot be anything like this at all. No man on Earth would be prepared to suggest - if he were sane - that the only thing to look forward to is a life of doing nothing for all eternity, in a place or region that was simply vaporous, a void. The very thought of such an existence - and it would be barely that - would fill him with deep horror, and decide him that he would not wish to survive under such ghastly conditions. And no one could blame him.

“Now, Roger, let's go out and do a little visiting. Bring the bird with you. He could show you the way, without us. Come along.”

Chapter 5: A Visit

Our walk through the countryside was another revelation to Roger, not alone for its beauty and enchantments, but from the many friendly greetings that we received upon all sides. These latter, in the main, came from folk who were complete 'strangers' to us, and whom the boy thought were part of a wide circle of friends, but we explained that had he been alone, he would have had a similar experience.

“We don't wait for formal introductions here, Roger,” Ruth told him. “In fact, we don't need them at all.”

We passed much on our way that excited the interest and curiosity of our friend in his new life, a great deal of which I have already recounted to you, until, at length, we reached our destination.

This was a somewhat large dwelling placed amid the most beautiful gardens, with many flower-beds, glistening pools of water, and innumerable trees. The house itself was a square-built edifice with broad windows and a central doorway, but without any marked architectural ornament upon its exterior surface. It seemed to combine, from outward appearance, the dual purposes of a home and a place of work.

The material of which the building was constructed was, I hardly need add, of that pure Spirit-world order that veritably lives in its superb tones of coloring, as compared with the heavy dullness of Earthly 'bricks and mortar'.

This was the first view at close quarters that Roger had had of anything like a large building, and he could not resist the impulse to pass his hand over the surface of the 'stone'.

“It's real enough, Roger,” said Ruth.

“Yes, but it's warm,” he replied; “at least, it's not cold!”

We smiled in concert, for every new friend's enthusiasm has something fresh about it, in spite of the fact that we have experienced this same thing over and over again.

By this time our arrival had been perceived, and our Host was awaiting us at his front-door. He was an American Indian of handsome and imposing appearance, tall and dignified. He gave us a warm-hearted welcome as we presented Roger to him. We explained that he was but newly arrived, and that we had brought him to these realms, and were now disporting ourselves by acting as his guides.

“And so,” said our Host, with a merry laugh, “you are including me among the sights.”

We hastened to disclaim any such uncomplimentary intention, which only made our friend laugh the more as our explanations seemed to become more involved! At last Ruth said that we had better desist as the patch was rapidly becoming worse than the hole.

It should be mentioned that our Host had learned sufficient of our mother-tongue for all practical purposes in connection with his work, and in here setting down his words I have therefore omitted all such slight linguistic 'irregularities' that cause his friends - and admirers - on Earth such immense joy, and which, incidentally, equally amuse the speaker of them! Most of our conversation has taken place by the thought process - we are old friends - so that he reveals himself to us as the learned, cultured expert that he is.

In common with the great majority of his race, he has retained his picturesque name, with some slight adaptation to Spirit world conditions and circumstances, so that he is known widely in these and other realms of light as Radiant Wing, the first part of that appellation being the adaptation to which I have just referred. It is self-explanatory in that it should - and does here, of course - convey to the onlooker its meaning through the flow of light that leaves the tips of his head-dress.

My friends of Earth may wonder why feathered head-dresses should be worn in such a place as the Spirit world. The answer is simple: all that is beautiful is preserved, and because some feature, in itself beautiful, appertains to the Earth, that is no reason why we should be denied it in these lands. The fact is that we are not denied it, nor shall we deny ourselves anything because, or for fear that, folk on Earth may disapprove.

The head-dress, then, of our Host is very fine, displaying a series of rainbow-tints in the most delicate shades. The feathers of which it is constructed have not been taken from a bird. They would have to be taken from a living bird, if taken at all - an impossible and revolting supposition - as there are no dead birds in the Spirit world. The feathers, therefore, are wholly fabricated from Spirit-world substance, and fashioned by skilful hands and minds into an absolute verisimilitude of the real article. It should be added that such a head-dress is not worn constantly, but upon the more formal occasions.

We had already explained to Roger that Radiant Wing's principal work was that of a healer to incarnate folk, which he carries on through the agency of an Earthly instrument. He is, in addition, a great experimenter, ever searching for new methods in the application of the various resources at his command in many different combinations.

Our host invited us within, and knowing something of my proclivities for gathering information concerning the activities of our life here, he assumed, he said, that we wished see something of what was going on in his particular department.

We found ourselves in a very pleasant apartment which was by all appearances, his own particular 'den', and there explained that apart from his actual healing work, he also trained others in the art, mostly young people, many of them, he informed us, just about Roger's age.

He then led us into his 'laboratory', and we were introduced to a number of young men - his students and probationers he described them.

It was a spacious chamber, upon one side of which were reposing many varieties of flasks, vials, and small jars, each of them containing some substance in a wide range of colours. There were many large diagrams depicting the different parts of the Human body, while a number of anatomical models in full colour were displayed in other parts of the room.

“You will understand,” our Host explained, “that it is essential for us to know all about Human anatomy and the functions of the body, together with the many ailments that Earth people suffer from, before we can even begin to heal them. We are no different in this respect from the doctors on Earth. Our methods of treatment, of course, are entirely different. We use materials and forces which the Earth doctors do not possess. They belong purely to the Spirit world.

“Our methods are very much simpler. For example, look at the glass vessels on those shelves. They contain various ointments for healing an enormous number of complaints. The colours you see have little significance of themselves in the matter of actual healing. They are used to distinguish each unguent, and the especial value of the colour is revealed when we mix one component with another, for as soon as we start blending the colour naturally changes, just as the artist's colours change as he blends his pigments. So you see we are able to know at once the precise amount of any one substance that is mixed with another by the tone of blend. In this way we can modify by increasing or diminishing one substance or another according to the particular requirements of the case we are treating.

“For those with an eye for colour these mixtures are a very great pleasure and joy, for our blendings produce an almost unlimited range of beautiful tones.

“Apart from learning the A. B. C. of the healing art, my student friends here also help me to find new blends, and from this we may find a new healing balm for our Earth friends in their bodily ailments. What you see on the shelves are merely samples of the Spiritual substance. As we attend each case, wherever it may be, our materials are always freshly compounded. By our previous experiments and knowledge, we shall know what colour or blend to use, and so our medicaments are in their right proportions.

“That is but one part of our method of treatment. Another is by Light Ray, and that we cannot put in flasks and bottles upon our shelves. We can show you what happens, though.” He turned to Roger. “Did you, my son, see from Monsignor's house a large building with a bright blue ray streaming down upon it? You did. That blue ray has a soothing effect upon Earth people as well as upon us here. Let me show you. Draw closely round me, my friends.”

We gathered about our Host in a small circle. In a moment we perceived a bright blue beam of light descend upon us, and we instantly felt its most soothing effect - not, of course, that we were in need of it!

Radiant Wing then had the beam reduced to a small pencil of light, bringing it to focus upon each of our hands in turn.

“You see,” he said, “we can direct the light on to any area, and in any width we wish, from a broad beam to this small ray. It depends upon the nature of the trouble we are working on.”

It was fascinating to watch him maneuver and manipulate the light wherever he wished it to fall.

“Now here is another kind of ray. Watch.”

The blue beam ceased, and in its place a bright red one descended.

“This,” he explained, “is a stimulating light; it provides energy: it builds up not only an affected part after treatment, but the whole body, and that is greatly needed on Earth at this moment. Our friends of Earth need not fear that we shall run short!”

There was a distinct feeling of warmth with the red ray, and Roger remarked upon it.

“That is so, my son. Usually some warmth is needed with the application of the red ray, but we have special heat-rays, where we work with heat alone. The colours of these rays are more for distinguishing purposes, though the colour does help. But the force is really in the ray itself rather than in the colour.

“Well, now, I think you've seen everything, except a demonstration of our work, and that, I'm afraid, we can't show you here. But I must introduce you to my family. Come along into the garden.”

Our host opened a door that led directly into the garden, and we stepped out of doors. Turning to our left, we found ourselves in a most exquisite garden. It was very broad and with two long walls upon either side. Our friend explained that these were not to establish his 'territorial rights', but merely to hide from first sight the grounds that were upon the other sides. In addition they formed a perfect background to the tall plants and flowering shrubs that were growing immediately in front of them.

Equally spaced throughout the length of the walls were fairly wide openings beneath rounded arches, the whole of which produced a most pleasing antique effect. There were many grand trees flourishing in the full vigour of their heavenly growth, free from the winds that deform so many trees on Earth, and here displaying their true form in unblemished nature.

In the centre of this haven, there was a lily-pond sunk below the level of the ground, with wide steps leading down to a paved surround.

We could see no evidence of the family, but in response to a call from our friend, there came bounding across the large tract of grass upon which we were standing, two beautiful creatures, one a large dog, and the other a puma.

I have omitted to mention that as we emerged from the laboratory, the small bird that Roger had retained in his hand, then flew away in a direct line to a huge tree. He now emerged bringing with him, as it were, a raven and a macaw. Radiant Wing held out his arms, and the two birds at once perched upon them. The small bird flew back to Roger.

“What do you think of my family?” Radiant Wing asked. “The dog, the raven, and the macaw are my own. The small bird you have there, my son, belongs to friends who are still on Earth, and this lovely puma, as well, belongs to one of them, who is also my instrument on Earth.”

The colours of the macaw contrasted vividly with the blackness of the raven and the soft grey of the sparrow. Roger was obviously a trifle timid of the puma, no doubt from his recollection of the same kind of animal on Earth, but our Host at once reassured him.

“You need have no fear, my son,” said he. “See, she is without her wildness, and wishes harm to no one.” Ruth had stooped down and was stroking and playing with the lovely creature, which was as gentle as a lamb.

“She is not the only one of her kind here, by any means,” continued our Host, “but their dispositions are all the same - harmless and gentle. You see, the two chief Earthly factors are gone from all the animals in these lands - the need for food, which makes them prey upon others, and fear of both their own and of Human kind. Remove these two, and there you have the result. They are a great joy to us - and to themselves. Try for yourself, my son.”

Roger bent down beside Ruth, and in a moment had lost his misgivings in stroking the puma's thick fur.

“She is the mad one,” said Radiant Wing, “and continually keeps all the others 'on the stretch'. Watch her now with the little bird.”

Roger held up his hand and the sparrow flew into the air only a short distance above the ground, but high enough to be provokingly out of reach of the puma. At this height he flew in a somewhat erratic manner, hither and thither, without appearing to be upon any direct course. The puma immediately gave chase, and as the bird followed a zig-zag way so his companion on the ground tried to emulate him. The acrobatics she was obliged to perform sent us all into roars of laughter, while we could but admire the nimbleness of the agile creature on the ground. The latter made the most astonishing leaps into the air, evidently sure of catching her small friend on the wing, but she was foiled upon every occasion by the bird moving an inch or two higher, or to right or left.

“What would happen,” asked Roger, “if the puma actually caught up with the bird?”

“Why, nothing,” answered Radiant Wing with a laugh; “it would be impossible, even if they were not the very best of friends, which, of course, they are. There are no enemies here.”

The game was quickly ended, however, by the bird swooping down upon the puma, and alighting upon the latter's head, who trotted back to us, and rolled herself over on the grass in evident satisfaction with her performance.

Radiant Wing again turned to Roger: “Now you know where I live, my son, I hope you will visit us whenever you wish. My boys and myself will always be delighted to see you. Or, if you wish, just walk into the garden and enjoy yourself with my family. You may not always find all of them here; sometimes these two”, he slightly raised his arms with the two large birds upon them, “and the dog go with me when I'm on my Earth missions. But you know the small bird, and friend puma is most times hereabouts, and ready to play.”

Roger was delighted with this invitation, and thanked our friend warmly, as did Ruth and I, for spending so much time upon us and our new charge.

Chapter 6: Spirit Interaction

As we strolled along after leaving Radiant Wing, it was easy to see that Roger was fairly deep in thought, no doubt pondering what he had seen both in the house and in the garden of our friend.

At length he spoke. “What astonishes me, is that all this is unknown to the world. How all this can be going on without somebody knowing about it, is more than I can understand.”

“By the world, you mean the Earth, Roger. No, all this is not entirely unknown to the Earth people. Some of them are aware of it, but by comparison with the Earth's millions, only a very few.”

“And how do they know?”

“Because they have been told, friend Roger. We have told them. I don't mean Ruth and I, though we have done our microscopic share in the work. But the telling has been going on for years. The Earth has never been left high and dry, without someone to tell them about all this. Latterly, the flow of revelation has increased, but you must remember that one of the greatest ecclesiastical establishments on Earth has long ago decreed that all revelation ceased when the last of the apostles passed from the Earth. Since then - silence. Do you think that sounds at all likely from what you have seen, so far, of the way things are done here?”

“No; I do not.”

“Yet, that is the fact. Others believe that to know, or even try to know, anything about the 'after-life' is against Holy Writ. So there is another 'dead-end'. 'We are not meant to know. If we were we should have been told' – that's what those folk say. Yet they have been told - officially; and in the very book that they say is against this knowledge. Strange, isn't it? Those people read that book piously - perhaps too piously - and fail to perceive that it is crammed, literally crammed with psychic lore of every kind. They will swallow whole accounts of it, but because those phenomena still happen, now, they will have nothing to do with them. If it was right in those far-off days - and it was - then it must be right now - which it is. Officially, of course, there is silence.”

“Wouldn't you think it to be in the interests of any religion to know, or at least to try to find out?”

“Yes, Roger; that's what you would think. The position on Earth is roughly this. Of the two principal Churches, one says decisively, dogmatically, that anyone is a fool who denies the existence of psychic phenomena of all kinds, but with equal insistence says that the cause of them is none other than the Devil himself, or some of his satellites. That is what Omar meant when he said that there are nice people on Earth who would call him - and all the rest of us - just plain devils. Isn't the whole notion too utterly preposterous for words?”

“It is, but can't something be done about it?”

Ruth and I smiled at the healthy, vigorous enthusiasm of our young friend.

“Roger, dear,” said Ruth, “your feelings do you great credit. We both know exactly how you feel. Monsignor and I had the same experience. We should have liked to have taken people's silly heads and banged them together, and tried to knock some sense into them, but we were restrained - by wiser minds than ours.”

“Now,” I said, “let me tell you what happened with the other important Church I mentioned. That Church held at inquiry into the whole subject of communication with the Earth, ordered by no less a functionary than the Archbishop himself. They investigated very thoroughly and deliberated very carefully, and compiled a report of their findings. The majority were in favour, and declared that communication did in fact exist. Splendid. Now, Roger, if you are fond of a joke - we know you are - get ready to laugh loudly: the whole report was officially suppressed.

“Peculiar, isn't it, how people do not want to know about us and the life we are living here? Of course there are very naughty people who say that if that report had been against us, it would have been published with a flourish of trumpets to help it on. I haven't told you the actual sequel yet. The Archbishop who ordered the inquiry and then ordered the report to be suppressed, has since come to live here himself.

“It's a difficult job, my Roger, to try to undo some things we wish we had never done. That good prelate has all my sympathy, for I too left behind me things which I had rather left undone. By great good fortune I have been enabled to put them right; not entirely right, you must understand, but sufficiently so to make very little difference. And where I spoke with vigour when I was on Earth, I have since spoken with extra double-strength vigour to make up for it. I can feel now in my mind a great calm and contentment that were lacking before. When we get home I will show you a volume that was the cause of the Earthly trouble many years ago. It was terrible stuff !”

Ruth laughed. “Don't get overheated, my dear,” she said, “there are much worse things on Earth than that old book - and more foolish!”

“Both those Churches take a peculiar interest in this world - a religious interest, of course. Neither knows what precisely to expect in the way of an after-life. An after-life there must be, naturally, but they can suggest nothing that does not imply some description of an essentially religious life. In effect, it means that the Earth life is the real material life, and that the after-life is conducted upon holy lines of some sort. Certainly the whole atmosphere will be pious, and totally unlike what man has been accustomed to on Earth. They are right in the latter; this life is totally unlike the Earth life, but not in the way they mean.

“What's to be the end of it all, then? Will the Churches eventually find the truth? That is a large question. As they are at present constituted, nothing could be done. They are perfectly contented as they are. The first of the two I mentioned claims to be the one true Church, and infallible. There would not seem to be much hope there. The second Church possesses no authority whatever. Within broad limits - very broad ones - its members can think and believe what they like. The bishops have little or no authority over their clergy in matters of “faith”. There are some ministers who wholeheartedly support the Spirit world as it really is, because they have Spiritual knowledge derived directly from us. Even if this particular Church pronounced in our favour officially, it by no means follows that the clergy and the laity would do the same thing. There are some who have this knowledge, and uphold the Church as well - with all its strange doctrines. In that they are trying to face both ways at once. But when they come here, they must eventually face only one way.

“You can see, Roger, what difficulties are in the way when it comes to official acknowledgment of the true manner of life in the Spirit world. That is why the truth is in the hands of unofficial folk. You see what a lecture your simple proposition has brought upon you!”

Ruth suggested that we sit down for a while. We found a spot beneath a tree upon slightly rising ground, where we could see in the distance a glittering expanse of water.

“Doesn't it seem an awful pity, Roger,” said Ruth, “that so many millions of people on Earth should know nothing about this lovely land? And doesn't it seem outrageous that officially they should be 'warned off' from knowing anything, and for the most silly, stupid reasons? What harm, what possible harm could there be in knowing all about us and the life we live? One would think we are absolute outcasts, or peculiar people it were better not to have anything to do with. It makes me furious.”

“Now, don't you get overheated, my dear,” I said. “This wholesale ignorance isn't a new thing. It's been going on for hundreds of years. That's the real trouble. It's been going on too long, so that people have got into the one way of thinking - mostly the religious or theological way. You know, Roger, it's not so very surprising that hundreds of people, when they arrive here and find out the truth, go about like a 'mighty wind', and want to go back to Earth to shout the truth at last to the folk they've left behind them. Some of them actually do go back, but the result is dismal - on both sides. Their voices cannot be heard - that is, heard in the very place where they want them to be.

“Take yourself, my boy. Ruth and I could lead you to a little spot on Earth where we could make ourselves known among old friends. We could introduce you to them, and ask if they would convey a message for you to your people at your old home. Very well. What would happen next? Remember your relations would be complete strangers to our friends, and presumably your people know nothing about communication between the two worlds, or if they know, do not believe it can be done. What do you suppose would be the result when our friends presented themselves at your parents' house, and said they had a message from their Roger? You know best what would happen, because you know them. As a matter of interest, Roger, what would happen?”

The boy thought a moment. “They would be civil, at least,” he said, “but a bit grim. Probably think your friend is cranks, if not altogether mad.”

“They don't look like cranks, Roger; so they might be able to escape that. But mad - yes, perhaps; though they don't give any evident or unmistakable signs of that either. What next?”

“They might think it in shockingly bad taste.”

“Ah, that would be difficult to overcome. Bad taste that our friends should intrude upon their bereavement, and so on. Then what?”

“I rather fancy your friends would be shown the front door. After that, they would discuss it between themselves, and go off to see their vicar. He would listen civilly, and tell them he had heard about such things, but that they were far better left alone.”

“That's about it, Roger. The same old story all over again, and one we have to recount, and keep on recounting, to people as they arrive here in their thousands, and want to go back to Earth to speak.

“The chief trouble with the Churches is that they cannot make the truth about this world fit in with their theology. They don't realize that they are going about things the wrong way: they must make their theology fit the truth, and that means a wholesale clearance of everything that does not accord with it. At present they prefer the shadow to the substance; they prefer creeds and doctrines and dogmas. They are not realists - far from it.

“Let us put the matter plainly, even crudely, if you wish it. Here are three of us, Human beings who once lived on Earth.

“We have passed through the experience of dying, and now we are seated in the Spirit world upon some delightfully soft turf beneath a beautiful tree, with all the lovely countryside round about us, and reaching for miles away into the distance. It is all unquestionably real and solid. It is no “Spiritual experience” in the religious sense, but an 'everyday' experience of a very ordinary nature. We are here - all three of us - because, by virtue of man's Spiritual heritage, it is our right to be here, and not because of what we believed on Earth, or through the merits of any particular Church to which we belonged. Ruth will tell you herself that she gave up going to church altogether. Yet she is here with us, and she will tell you she was an awful heathen in the eyes of her Church. Another Church would call her a heretic and a schismatic, and doomed to who-knows-what terrible place for her sins.

“As for myself, I was a priest of the Church, and should have known better - but didn't. You, Roger, are young, but I believe you did not become exactly a pillar of your Church. Now between us, and strictly from the theological point of view, you two should not be here at all, if this place is reserved for folk like me. If my theology, and all the doctrines and dogmas I rigorously upheld and preached about, have brought me to this particular region of the Spirit world, then you two have no business to be here at all. You can't say, theologically speaking, that either of you is the least fitted to be in my company, for you, Ruth, on your own terrible confession, were no church-goer all latterly in your Earth life, and you, Roger, were only half-hearted in it. It's extremely difficult for me to adjudicate between you, and settle who is the worse sinner. You're both pretty bad, it would seem, and I have no business to be in your company, or you have no business to be in mine. But the stubborn fact is that you are here, and so am I.

“What is the conclusion? There's only one: that something is wrong somewhere with all the theology. The theology doesn't fit the facts.

“Let's go further. When you were on Earth, Roger, did you go about your daily life in a 'pious' frame of mind - it sounds a silly question to ask, but did you?”

“No, Monsignor; I certainly did not.”

“Of course, you didn't; no rationally constituted person does. One may have pleasant thoughts, kindly thoughts, and do pleasant, kindly actions, but that is not going about and behaving in a 'pious' manner, and generally being sanctimonious and altogether objectionable. Now, how do you feel about things at this present moment? Any different?”

“Not a particle.”

“And so, if a bulletin were issued it might read like this: “no change has been reported in Roger's condition other than his now feeling perfectly fit in bodily health. He is in the most cheerful spirits (as well as being with them), and is at this moment thoroughly enjoying himself - if his face is any indication of the state of his mind. He is pleased to inform all theologians that he does not feel the least particle 'pious' or 'holy', and is most thankful that he feels himself, and nobody else. Would you subscribe to that declaration, my lad?”

“I would, indeed, Monsignor. I wouldn't swap this back for the old Earth.”

“Exchange, Roger, exchange. You must understand that 'swap' is a word that would never be used by a disembodied entity; that you would be expected to speak the most perfect language, entirely free from all slang and vulgarisms, and that everything you say must be profound in nature and weighty in substance. That's how we are expected to behave by most of the Earth people - the uninstructed ones. Now the great point is that there are no evident signs of piety or holiness, or even of religiosity to be seen here, nor do we go about quoting scripture or other uplifting texts to one another, and behaving in a thoroughly unnatural manner.

“In brief: we are not living in a religious institution or a religious world as a whole, but in a sane, sensible world, of incomparable beauty, where we can work and play, as we wish, and laugh to our heart's content, and where, moreover - and this is vitally important - where we can be ourselves, and not be as others on Earth would mistakenly have us to be.

“Isn't it odd that when I had plenty of pulpits at my disposal to preach from, I had nothing much to say - as I see it now? And now I have a great deal to say, I have no pulpit.”

Chapter 7: Spirit Locomotion

We had been walking along in leisurely fashion when Roger turned to me: “Is walking the only means of getting about?” he asked. “I can't see any roads anywhere, and the countryside seems to stretch for miles.”

“It does stretch for miles,” I replied; “thousands of them. What you mean, Roger, is: where's the transport system and what is it? The answer is that we each of us carry our own transport system about with us, the most efficient and the most rapid in the universe. That is in addition to walking. So far we have relied upon our two legs since we brought you here, but the time has obviously come when we must show you something of what we can really do here.

“Personal locomotion is done by the thought process, and it's perfectly easy to do when once you're shown how; then it becomes second nature. It may sound like a contradiction in terms, but the thought process of locomotion hardly requires thinking about when once you're accustomed to it.

“Can you remember when you first learned to walk on Earth, Roger?”

“No, I can't say I do.”

“I don't suppose there are many who can. But there did come a time when you could keep upright successfully and without tumbling down. Since then you have walked many miles on Earth, and some distance here as well. Do you ever think about it?

“Suppose you are sitting in a chair and you wish to rise and cross the room, you simply rise and walk without thinking of all the muscles that have to be controlled to get your limbs on the move. You do all that without thinking, though there must be some thought somewhere, obviously, or else you would remain rooted where you were. What particular line does the thought take: that you must walk, or that you wish to rise, or that you want to cross the room, or all three? It doesn't matter. Basically, the desire is to get across the room - the other side of the room is your destination. And that's all you need to consider here in using the thought process to move yourself about.

“At first, you must make a really conscious effort; you must think about it. A little practice, and you'll find that no sooner do you think, than you are wherever you wish to be. Sounds rather fantastic, don't you think?”

“It does a bit.”

“It's the sort of thing skeptical folk on Earth like to poke fun at, and generally ridicule. Such a splendid joke, and causes roars of laughter. The same folk should take out their Bibles and study them a little more, and then bring their wits to bear upon what they read there.

“A great many of our ways here form a constant source for derision among the incarnate, Roger. Taking the Earth as the standard for everything, including life itself, they cannot imagine anything better or different. Of course, they'll regard “Heaven” as a place or condition of perfection, but of perfection of what, they know not, and cannot imagine. I would say seriously to such people not to pour scorn upon our Spirit lands and the way we do things unless they are prepared to provide better. If there is any single feature or factor or law to which they take exception, let them at once suggest a better or finer or more sensible, and all of us here in the Spirit world will gladly listen, and see that their suggestions reach the right quarter.

“We need not, of course, worry ourselves unduly about these folk. If there is anything of which they disapprove when they come here, they are at liberty to depart, to remove themselves, leaving us in the enjoyment of our own mode of life, while they betake themselves elsewhere and create their own bleak void - and live in it.”

My two companions had such a merry twinkle in their eyes, that I subsided into laughter.

“You know, Roger,” said Ruth, “Monsignor feels very strongly on some subjects. He caught the public eye and ear when he was a priest, and since coming here he has done the same thing again in a very different way. He knows how hard it is to get people to shake off old and wrong beliefs for the truth, and it really vexes him. That is perhaps one of the penalties, if one can call it so, for being in such close touch with the Earth. I'm not, though I visit it occasionally with Monsignor purely to watch proceedings and give a greeting to our friends there.

“Thoughts are very real, Roger,” she continued, “and can reach us here from Earth as easily and as surely as they can reach us here between ourselves. And ours can go to the Earth people too, though they don't always notice them.”

“Perhaps that's what accounts for the feeling I've had. I don't know how to describe it, but there seems to be a sort of pulling, if you follow; a kind of urge to go – well - I don't know where. Oh, this is all terribly vague. I've felt peculiar; not ill, but restless, I suppose”, said Roger.

“Poor Roger,” said Ruth; “I think we can diagnose your 'complaint' without difficulty. The trouble is caused by friends or relations, or both perhaps, sending out a few thoughts of grief. It's natural they should be sorry you've left them, though their sorrow is not deep, or else you would have felt it very keenly yourself, and that would have been troublesome. I doubt if this feeling will get stronger, but if it should, tell us, Roger, and we'll help to dispel it. You have no personal regrets yourself on any account?”

“None whatever, Ruth, thank you.”

“Good; that's a great help.”

“We seem to have wandered a trifle from Roger's question. Do you recall, Ruth, soon after we had arrived here, how we discussed the quaint notion of 'Angelic Beings' having wings? Strange idea, isn't it, Roger. The only thing one can imagine is that long ago, people, especially artists, must have wondered how 'Angelic Beings' managed to get about. Legs would seem preposterous, out of the question, by being far too mundane. I mean for perambulating purposes. But if one eliminates the use of legs, what remains? Nothing, so far as I can see, and I suppose that is how it struck the artists.

“Angels must be able to move; they can't be rooted to one spot for all eternity. That, one supposes, led some genius to invent huge wings for all inhabitants of the Spirit world. I believe Satan himself was endowed with a pair, as, of course, it was essential for him to be extremely mobile so that he could get about comfortably and quickly 'seeking the ruin of souls', as one pretty prayer expresses it.

“Can you think of anything more clumsy and ponderous than having an enormous pair of wings fastened upon you somewhere in the region of the shoulder-blades? I can't.

“I should imagine,” said Roger, “that a large flock of Angels would stir up an awful breeze when in flight.”

“Roger, I'm afraid you're being highly irreverent in referring to a large number of Angels as a flock.”

“Well, what would they be, then?”

“I really don't know; it's not easy to find a word for what doesn't exist, except poetically, perhaps. But you are severely practical when you say that a great concourse - that is more elegant than flock, Roger - would disturb the atmospheric conditions, and that's something the artist fellows never thought of. It is astonishing how the idea originally caught on and has persisted even to the present day. The conventional way of portraying a being from this world - and they still don't look upon us as Human; only half-Human - is with two large wings. Even symbolically it's a pretty poor idea. As a means of personal locomotion, wings would be useless, an impossibility, and we should be anatomical monstrosities. We're obviously not built for such apparatus, the wonders and marvels of the Spirit world notwithstanding.

“Angels with their fantastic wings being another of the many extraordinary misconceptions of the true way of things in Spirit lands, it really is no wonder that in the end, with all these falsifications, the people of Earth regard us as sub-Human. The higher we go in Spiritual advancement the less Human we become, it would seem, and the more grim. Did either of you ever see a picture of an Angel, or a piece of sculpture of one, especially in a cemetery, where the artist had put a smile upon the face of his subject? Smiling is not “Heavenly” enough. Isn't it too awful for words? Aren't you very glad, Roger, that things are as they are, and not as they might be if some folk were given a free hand?”

“I should jolly well think so,” the boy agreed.

“A loud Amen to that,” exclaimed Ruth.

“Otherwise,” I added, “we should have to get all the doors heightened to allow sufficient clearance for our wings. Truth is better than fiction, in this case, Roger, and the truth of moving ourselves about these lands by the process of applied thought is the simplest and best. Now suppose you try.”

“What do I have to do?”

“Only a little thinking. You needn't be alarmed. Everyone has to try at some time. Ruth and I were delighted with the results when we first managed, and you will be the same.”

We were sitting on the grass at the time, and I suggested that Roger desire himself to be at a tree we could see, some quarter-mile distant.

“You need not make a gigantic effort of will, old man,” I said; “merely think firmly that you would like to be under that tree yonder - or anywhere else you fancy. I suggest the tree because it's not too far off, and you can see us easily from there. As 'a good outset is half the voyage', Ruth and I will send a thought with you. Now, then; off you go.”

Of course, he vanished from our presence, as we knew he would, and we saw him beneath the distant tree, where he waved to us. We waved back, and then joined him.

“Well, did you enjoy the journey, Roger?” asked Ruth.

The boy laughed. “There was nothing much to enjoy; one second I was there, the next here. But it is wonderful though; there's no getting away from that. What a marvelous feeling of independence it gives you. Wouldn't I love to have been able to do this back on Earth. My goodness, it would have frightened the life out of mother, though.”

“Yes, it has its possibilities on Earth, and its impossibilities. There it would revolutionize life. Here it is part of life, and has been, ever since there's been a Spirit world.”

“Here is something that occurs to me,” said Roger. “Would it be possible for me to lose myself. I mean, suppose I got out of touch with either you or Ruth; what then?”

“You mean,” I replied, “suppose Ruth or I were to take you to some spot far away from this particular locality, and then disappear and leave you to your own devices?”

“Yes, that's it.”

“Then your own devices would get you out of your difficulty very nicely, Roger. Don't be disturbed, though. We shouldn't dream of abandoning you on a door-step, so to speak, and leaving you for someone else to find!

“This is precisely what would happen in such a case. Suppose for a moment you could not conjure up in your mind any sort of recollection of our house, there is yet the connecting link between ourselves - the three of us. And if the worst really came to such extremes, you would have but to concentrate your mind upon either Ruth or myself, and you would see and feel an instantaneous response. So that, wherever we happened to be, you could come to us. I say you could come to us, but it by no means follows that you would, because we might prevent you - or send someone to do so. You see, my boy, Ruth and I penetrate into some very unpleasant quarters of the Spirit world, places that we have not mentioned to you yet, and it would not do for you to approach them.

“Wherever Ruth and I might be, you would always be in touch with us in mind. Of course, you have not forgotten our house, its arrangements, and surroundings, so really the matter doesn't arise. Merely for the sake of argument, if you did forget, there's Radiant Wing's home and his delightful family. You could hardly fail to recollect all that we saw there, and so you would have that refuge in case of failure of memory, and he would look after you.

“But there's one thing to be considered, though perhaps we have not mentioned it specifically, and that is the impossibility of memory failure. That resolves your difficulty finally and completely. You've not forgotten our home and all its appurtenances, have you?”

“No, indeed not; it's all very clear in my mind.”

“Exactly; and so it will remain. You cannot forget, because the memory is itself unfailing in operation. I know one can imagine all kinds of difficulties or perplexities of the same sort, but they have no substance, and cannot be otherwise. To lose one's self, for instance: impossible. To forget something or other: equally impossible.

“You spoke about a transport system, Roger, no doubt having in mind the usual Earthly services and arrangements: trains, buses, cars and so on. As you see, we don't need any of those for carrying us about these lands.”

“Yes, but suppose you want to move house. How do you shift the stuff?”

“Why, we shouldn't find much difficulty, no difficulty, in fact, in moving it. We may not be giants here, Roger, but we do have powers - and we use them when called upon to do so. We could, between us, move all the furniture in our house with the greatest ease, and feel none the worse for it afterwards. We shouldn't have blisters on our hands, nor strained backs! We could transport the whole contents of our home a dozen times over, while the Earth folk were thinking about it - and without fuss and breakages!

“We do move house when we feel we should like to live in another part of these realms. We are not necessarily tied to one spot, or unable to move without many formalities. The fact is, once we have chosen a spot in which to have our dwelling we mostly stay there, at least until such time as we leave the realm altogether. But we don't become stale, as it were, or tired of our surroundings, for the reason that there are always changes of some sort going on, large or small, to alter or enhance the precincts of our dwellings. For instance, our house, as you see it at this moment, is not exactly as it was when I first arrived. With our various activities we thought we should like to enlarge it for convenience sake, and so we had an annexe built, the fairly large apartment we showed you, with the tapestries on the walls, the long table with the chairs round it, something in the style of the 'great hall' in the ancient mansions on Earth - and in the Spirit world, too. That was one alteration.

“The gardens themselves have undergone all manner of rearranging. That in itself is a delightful occupation carried out by real artists in horticulture and garden design. So you see, the movement of our goods and chattels presents no problem. We don't require great trucks and vans. The mere effort of one person can move the largest piece of furniture, because all things, everything, in this world is endowed with life. There's no such thing as inert matter, as I told you. Between us we could remove the entire contents of our house - or any other house - without the least trouble.

“Now, Roger, would you care to go and see the city at first hand? You've only seen it from the house so far. Come along. Walk - or otherwise? Otherwise, then, by all means.”

Chapter 8: The City

“No one seems to be in a hurry,” observed Roger.

“That's because no one is in a hurry.”

“Oh, of course; that never occurred to me!”

“Just so.”

“If there's any need to hurry, one can be 'there' as quick as thought. If there's no need, there's no hurry.”

We had reached the environs of the City, and we were on ground sufficiently elevated to give the boy a capital introduction to the 'metropolis' in one comprehensive view. From where we stood he could see the many stately buildings, each with its surrounding gardens and miniature lakes, radiating, as with the spokes of a wheel, from a grand central building. He remarked that there were no roads as such, but instead were broad thoroughfares paved with superb grass.

Upon the dome of the central building he perceived a brilliant shaft of pure light descending, and inquired what it was.

“That domed building, Roger,” we told him, “is where we meet upon the more formal occasions to welcome the great personages from the higher realms. It is not precisely a temple, though one might call it that for want of a better name. Nor is it specifically a place of worship, as it would be regarded on Earth. We hold no services there. When we forgather there to meet these great visitants, the whole assembly is never very long. Their visits are brief as a rule, though naturally we are seated comfortably a little while before they arrive, and remain a little while after their departure. But brief as the whole proceedings are, all that is necessary is accomplished within that short space. No time is wasted upon 'non-essentials' or upon useless formularies! The bright beam you see descending upon the dome is permanently there.”

“It must be an immensely strong light to be able to see it in this broad daylight.”

“It is a strong light, have no doubt about it, and considering the source whence it comes, that's not surprising. It comes from the greatest Source of all, my Roger. Yet the light itself is not blinding, is it?”

“When we first talked to you about a city, you hardly expected anything like this, did you, Roger?” asked Ruth, “though that's rather a silly question,” she added, “because you didn't expect anything in particular - like so many people.”

“I don't know what I really expected. I suppose I had something in mind comparable with an Earth city.”

“The secret is that we are much simpler here than the Earth can ever be - unless the Earth radically alters its general mode of life. Bethink you, Roger, of the myriads of things we don't need here. In an idle moment you could compile such a list of commodities that are not required for life in the Spirit world as would reach the dimensions of a stores' catalogue!

“Think, now. Start with the domestic arrangements of a house. Food, for instance. We don't need food, so that means the elimination of a huge industry comprising all the various departments of eating and drinking, and all the vessels and utensils for manufacturing it, cooking it, and serving it.

“Our clothes are provided for us by the operation of a natural law - another vast industry dispensed with.

“The transport system you have already seen here!”

“Conspicuous by its absence.”

“Very much so.”

“Then think of all the trades and professions that have no counterpart or equivalent in these lands.”

“Undertakers, for instance,” suggested Roger with a laugh.

“Or politicians,” added Ruth.

“Don't forget priests and parsons - even bishops,” I said. “Perhaps it would be as well not to be too specific. The undertakers are more pleasantly employed here, and the politicians more usefully!”

“As you can see, Roger, of shops there are none,” Ruth pointed out, “because there is no commerce of any kind.”

“Then what do you do when you want something?”

“Such as - ?”

“Well - ” He reflected a moment. “I don't seem able to think of anything,” he finished, with more surprise to himself than to Ruth and me. We laughed.

“That's rather odd, isn't it Roger? You don't seem to want anything. Those clothes you are wearing are the clothes you arrived with here. By the way, whenever you feel you would like to change to your Spirit clothes proper, you can do so at once. As you are attired now, everyone knows you for a new arrival. If you wish to appear as a 'seasoned resident', the same as Ruth and I, you'll have to put off the old and put on the new. So there, at least, is something you would want - Spirit clothes to make the change.”

“If there are no shops or tailors, what's to be done?”

“Nothing, or at least very little. You would like to discard the old style of attire, Roger?”

“I should very much.”

“Then do so, my dear boy.”

“Yes, but how?”

“I'm afraid we can't tell you how it happens, but look at yourself, Roger. Your eyes have been on the view before you. Now glance a little nearer.”

The boy did so, and was astonished to discover that his old Earthly habiliments had given place to bright Spirit clothing, full and free, and in absolute keeping with the surroundings. Ruth and I did the same, and for the first time Roger saw us in Spirit attire.

“Now you can see, Roger, how we should have appeared in your bedroom had we not returned to our former Earth clothing. It might have frightened you.”

“I'm sure of it,” he said. He raised a fold of his garments, and examined it closely, and remarked that it did not seem to have been made by Human hands.

“No, Roger; no hands were employed upon the creating of these garments, but Ruth and I must tell you, honestly, that we do not know what natural process comes into operation in the making of them. There are many things we must know first, and so we take things as we find them. Did you, when you were on Earth, try to analyze every mortal thing that came your way in life, and try to discover how it was made, and a hundred other reasons or causes for its existence? I'm sure you did not; neither did Ruth nor I. There's no reason why we should carry out minute investigations here into the existence of the many things that are part of our very life. It's problematical if we should be any the better for knowing.

“Our Spirit garments are in a class by themselves, though. Do you see that large building a little to the right of us? That's called the Hall of Fabrics. In there you can inspect thousands of the most wonderful materials and cloths, some of them representing the fabrics that were upon Earth - all parts of the Earth - during the course of hundreds of years. Others are types of material peculiar to the Spirit world alone, both in design and in texture.

“You saw the tapestries hanging on the walls of our home. They were made by Ruth herself in the Hall of Fabrics. When we were first shown over that Hall, Ruth saw numbers of happy folk weaving tapestries, and was immediately taken with the same idea. Since then she has become expert in the art, as you saw at home.”

“It was nothing,” said Ruth; “you could do the same, Roger, if you had a mind that way. That's one of the principal functions of these places, to teach you to do all manner of things expertly.”

“The Hall of Fabrics cannot supply you with Spirit clothing, Roger,” I said.

“It makes me feel terribly ignorant to see all these Halls stuffed with knowledge.”

“Then don't let it, my dear boy. After all, one can experience much the same emotion standing in the presence of a couple of dozen volumes of an encyclopedia, if it comes to that. We are not born with a vast deal of knowledge all ready to hand, as it were. Ruth and I felt the same way about it when we were shown all these wonders of knowledge; and so does everyone else. We're all in the same boat, Roger, so we can all be nicely ignorant together!”

“I must say the people don't seem upset about it.”

“These Halls of Learning are mostly devoted to what on Earth are called the Arts,” I explained; “by which I mean painting, music, literature, and so on. Great stress is laid upon those. There are, of course, many others. On Earth the Arts are regarded more as adjuncts to life than necessities. They could be dispensed with, though the Earth would then be more drab than it is already. Here they are vital and are given a wide field. To begin with, without all those industries that we tried to enumerate just now, there is a corresponding freedom for other and far pleasanter occupations.

“There's one thing, Roger, that you won't see here among the Arts, and that is musical monstrosities or art abominations masquerading as masterpieces. They have not been thrown out - they were never admitted, and never will be. No shams here, my Roger. 'Abandon all pretence ye who enter'.”

“What does a person have to do to get taken on in one of these Halls, Monsignor?”

“Why, walk through the front entrance, and you'll be left in no doubt. You'll be welcomed with the greatest warmth, and set upon the path of studying whatever it is that has taken your fancy. That's how Ruth began, almost, with her tapestry weaving. She asked could she join the others and be taught the art, and forthwith, without any formalities whatever, she did so.”

“And was never so happy in my life,” put in Ruth. “Charming people, patient and kind, especially if you are 'all fingers and thumbs', as I was when I began. Monsignor has spent an enormous amount of time browsing among the books in the principal library. That's a terrible place once you are interested in it. There are millions of books there upon every subject under the sun. Have you ever tried to look up something in an encyclopedia, Roger, especially one that has good illustrations?”

“Yes, rather; a hopeless business, there's so much dallying on the way.”

“Then you can imagine what it's like there in the library. If Monsignor were ever reported missing in these regions, that is the first place where a search party would call.”

“Let us go closer and inspect some of these buildings,” I suggested.

“Are we allowed to go in as we like?”

“Exactly as we like, Roger. No permits required, no opening and closing times, as they are open all day - and that's not difficult as we have no night!”

“Are the same people on duty all the time, then?”

“Oh, dear, no; that would sound like eternal work instead of 'Eternal Rest'. You could say truthfully that the work is eternal, but the same people are not employed upon it in an eternal succession without personal remission. We have no division of night and day, but the work is carefully divided among the staffs so that they can have their periods of change and recreation, and everybody is perfectly satisfied.”

Roger remarked that the buildings were of no very great height as judged by the usual Earthly standards.

“Well, no; two stories of moderate height are sufficient here, as there are no problems of space limitations. We don't have to build upwards; we have unlimited room to spread ourselves, and the result, you must confess, is excellent.”

Roger expressed his unbounded delight with the beauty and charm of the whole creation with its broad thoroughfares of superb grass, the many flower-beds and trees, the pools of crystal-clear water that provided an exq