Here another scene, varying in many parts, was presented to the infants who were congregated in the center dome for that purpose, preparatory to their advance to the superior plain, where they were to commence a life of heavenly use, unfolding and never-ceasing attainments.

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In order that you may better understand what I relate, and the object of the varied representations before the infants, it is necessary to add, that one mode of instruction in the spirit world is to reveal, by figures and scenes, the principles involved in the several lessons.

By these means, spirits unlearned in scientific or artistic wisdom, in moral or spiritual laws, or the plan, structure, and movement of the intellectual, spiritual, moral, and physical universe, are enabled to receive the impression intended, so as to discern the character of all and every idea, substance, thing, organism, or entity conveyed. And so perfect are the representations, that while beholding them the mind conceives the reality, insomuch that whatever is reflected becomes a part of the understanding.

To fully state the principles involved, and to delineate the varied scenes and figures employed even in that primary school, is beyond my comprehension or capacity of narration; and it would require volumes to contain their statements were they written. I must therefore condense the relation to a summary view, and you must be contented with the brief account I give.

As the new scene opened, the light and glory that illumined the dome gradually withdrew, until a twilight like that which follows the setting sun in an autumnal evening, alone relieved and marked the outlines of the great city.

After this great change in the appearance of all around, and a brief pause, there appeared in view a portion of earth resembling a moon-light landscape, in which was represented, as if in some back ground, and beneath overhanging clouds burdened with gloom, a subterraneous aperture where lay a human being wounded in many parts, and apparently expiring. Upon this object, who was struggling as if seeking relief from his suffering, every spirit fixed its ardent attention.

His efforts were fitful and convulsive, but in no wise adapted to his necessities, and his inability to extricate himself was clearly manifest from his demeanor. He strove to heal his wounds by administering what he thought to be antidotes; but which, when tested, proved inadequate, and, by contrary effects, enhanced his suffering, and if possible, added to his peril. He used various instruments by which he hoped to discern the pathway leading from his gloomy abode, and to build a passage across the abyss which encircled him. But all failed, and he fell back in utter despair. Then he sought to be reconciled to his fate.

While he lay languishing and helpless, I saw a group, composed of an elderly female, youths, and children, gather around him. They appeared to grieve on his account, and endeavored to afford him some relief. They tried to bind up his wounds, to raise his drooping head, and to revive vitality throughout; but all to no purpose. He still groaned and languished. I now saw that he lay more directly upon the brink of the abyss, and that he drew nearer each moment, as if moved by an invisible and irresistible power. Oh! the intensity of that moment. The elderly female drew near, and clasping her arms around his neck, sought to remove him from his fearful condition. The youths united in the effort, but all in vain. Still he drew nearer the abyss. I also saw that his body manifested the increasing effects of the malady, until every part was one diseased mass. Finally yielding to the destroyer, he lay senseless; then to my surprise arose therefrom a being like unto the former, and yet I knew it was not the physical man, but his spirit.

The spirit, as it stood above the prostrate form, seemed connected, and was still more deformed and dire. Spiritual and moral disease was inwrought throughout, and controlled each part with unyielding power. I perceived also that the body and spirit were not separated, that they still depended upon each other; and that wherein the body had failed to give manifestation of grief, the spirit, as a separate entity, was capable of making full display, and irresistibly gave full expression of the suffering of the being. As the body had yielded to the power of disease and pain, so the spirit also finally languished under the malady which was working within and throughout. While thus suffering, the spirit looked up, as if to petition aid from above, but a cloud of thick darkness overshadowed it. Then it looked wildly around, evidently seeking some place of refuge or source of relief. This resulting as before, the spirit sank away, as if yielding in absolute despair, to the power of ceaseless wretchedness. As hope declined, the eye of the spirit vacantly fell, and in the downward look, discovered an abyss yawning beneath. Then it was again convulsed, and sought to escape, but in vain. The scene was horrible. The agonizing, fruitless efforts, and the manifestation of final despair, combined to present a scene of wretchedness beyond human description. Suddenly the spirit disappeared, and the man gave signs of returning life and sense; but he only recovered to know again, in the outer man, excessive misery, and to more fully feel his forlorn state.

The group, encouraged by the manifestation of returning life, renewed their efforts to restore him. This, too, was futile. They had no power to assuage his grief, or restore the lost health of body or spirit. While they thus struggled, a light descended, and lo! I saw that they were also in like condition of body and spirit, save that the effect had not manifested itself in them so perfectly. Nevertheless, the result was equally as certain. This they began to perceive, whereupon they exclaimed, "Is there no help?" "No help in the arm of flesh," answered a voice familiar to me, but I knew not whence it came. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?" continued that voice. "How shall the unstrung instrument tune itself?—Yea, how shall the dying, those who are already victims, restore departing vitality? Shall they escape the doom awaiting them by the strength of their prostrate energies? Nay, where’er they go, there is no relief. Help must descend from above, or hope shall not appear."

As the scene closed an angel addressed the multitude saying, "The gloomy region just revealed is a view of earth, the birth place of mortals. The forlorn being, that of man, who there suffers unnumbered ills, physical, moral and spiritual, and who often struggles to overcome and to arise above them.

"His ineffectual efforts reveal his inability to save himself.

"The spirit which arose as the body yielded, represents the immortal nature which though the body perish shall exist in a more acutely sensitive state, and its sinking in despair, portrays the great truth that the death of the body can in no wise relieve the soul from moral or spiritual degradation.

"The group of friends represent human sympathy, which inclines members of the race to seek relief from sorrow, by mutual aid; that principle which prompts the more benevolent and philanthropic to devise means and to prosecute plans for the alleviation of the sufferings of man.

"Those, who indulge this principle feel another’s woe. They deeply sympathize with those who endure pain and anguish from whatever cause. But being in like condition, and by seeking to remove evil from the world, and to elevate man through human devices and in their own strength, fail in the result although apparent relief may inspire transient hope. From this cause the race has struggled without success in unnumbered reformatory measures. For this reason, earth’s reformers have encountered repeated failures until disheartened they sink into despair; and are often finally led to discover fundamental want in themselves.

"Thus hath it been with man from age to age. Periods have succeeded periods, and each have had their philanthropists who have struggled through a weary existence, but without attaining the goal of their purpose.

"Oft the race, to human appearance, has approached the dawn of a better day; and those who have labored to that end, have sung earth’s jubilee. But ere they have emerged from the gloomy plains, they have felt the triumph of inbred disease. The ground upon which they stood, hath yielded to the pressure; and the muscle upon which they relied relaxed, quitting its hold. The rock became sliding sands, and the strength of their hope and effort, weakness. Thus, when they supposed victory won, the heights attained, sudden quaking has seized the world of mind, which in its convulsive throes, hath precipitated them into a ‘still deeper abyss. Thus shall it ever be, until men cleave unto the Lord, who alone is a sure defense and a stronghold in the day of trouble upon whose shoulders rests the government; and in whom, and by whom, all things subsist. The voice from above declared that help was not in the arm of flesh, was that of Truth, which ever seeks to reveal to man his true condition, and to awaken him to a sense of his degradation, and to enforce the doctrine of salvation through the Lord Jesus."

Then raising his eyes toward the superior heavens, the angel, in a meek, fervent and exalted manner, said: "Father of All, let thy Spirit inspire these infant minds with understanding, that they may behold with profit the scenes which are to reveal the effects of sin in the world of discordance, whence they are; also the wonders of thy love in the means of salvation.

"Endow them with supporting grace while beholding the trials of their Redeemer, incident to his mission, and his passion while suffering the cruelty of those he seeks to save.

"Grant, O Lord our Redeemer, that these may be prepared to arise through degrees of life and understanding, to the heaven of youths, where thy glory is revealed in greater degrees of paradisical light, love, and ecstatic beatitudes.

"Let thy will be done by angels who delight to lead upward the little ones whom thou hast entrusted to their charge, so that thy glory may be reflected upon them in a manner well-pleasing in thy sight. Then shall their spiritual understanding be enlarged, and the love principles of their beings unfolded, and thy name, O thou Savior of Men—thou who art all and in all to us, the ministering servants of thy grace—be glorified in them evermore." "Evermore, amen," responded the guardian angels and instructors. "Evermore, evermore, amen," and the heavenly atmosphere reaccented it until the echo expired in the distance.