Thus where time and eternity meet, was revealed a scene of indescribable misery. "This," said my guide, "is but a faint view of the effects of violated law."

Touched again by the light beaming from her right hand, I beheld the immortality of those who were quitting their house of clay, entering upon the regions of eternity and commencing new and untried realities. Around each dying form were gathered spirits, varied in appearance and in movement.

Over battle-fields were congregated spirits of the dead, and according to the moral nature of the dying, was that of attending spirits who awaited their arrival in the spirit world. In like manner, all classes and conditions are effected, since this intermediate state or vestibule of the spirit world, is visited by beings varying in character from the unholy and wretched, to the bright and sanctified angels who in multitudes congregate at the portals of death, as messengers of God. And all classes as they emerge from the physical form are attracted to and mingle with kindred associations, beings to whose character they assimilate. Those of discordant and unhallowed natures are attracted by like elements, and enter into regions overhung with clouds of night; while those, who for the love of good, desire pure associations, are by heavenly messengers conducted to the orb of glories appearing above the intermediate scene.

The strange sensations of human spirits as they mingled with the disembodied multitudes, beholding what was transpiring around them, excited my wonder, and while watching their movements, I began to ask myself, if what I saw was a reality or mere imagery reflected upon my mind in a dreamy state? Upon discovering my thoughts, my guide took me by the hand saying, "These beings moving about thee, once the inhabitants, of earth whence thou art, having left their mortal dwelings, are commencing a new state of existence. Their surprise is the effect of their sudden change from external objects and sense to spiritual, and their more immediate knowledge of cause and effect. But more of this state and their condition shall be revealed, when that instruction will better befit thy mind. These scenes we will leave and ascend to yon bright orb." Thus saying she led me toward the cloud of light.

While passing the intermediate she touched me again, and I became conscious of additional and expanded vision.

"Behold," said she, "the countless, planetary hosts. Mark the rolling orbs, suns, and systems of suns, moving in silence and harmony. The vast expanse is occupied and peopled with universes, constructed in infinite wisdom. These are inhabited by holy beings, happy and immortal, though varied in degree of development and refined spirituality."

Again the organs of perception were touched, and lo! above and around me, and far in the distance, were passing and repassing with the quickness of thought, spirits of pure light.

"These," said my guide, "are ministering angels; their supreme delight is to go upon errands of mercy. Their home is with the ever blest. They are employed as guardian protectors and messengers to those in conditions below them."

While beholding them ascend and descend, one drew near me, in whose arms, and borne upon whose angelic bosom, was an infant spirit. The angel passed, and I saw that the nourished nestling rested in calm security, apparently conscious of its safety in the hands of its protector. "Whence came this?" I inquired; and the angel answered, "I received it from a heart-broken mother at the gateway of death, as the spark of life expired in the external world, and am conveying it to the sphere of infancy in the paradise of peace."

As the infant’s guardian spirit proceeded, we moved silently in the same direction, until the scenes below perished from my vision, and my being was absorbed in the bright light descending from the orb we were approaching. Soon we entered a plain, whereon were visible trees, bearing fruit. Passing through these shadowy, groves, I was delighted with the melody of the birds, whose warbling notes arose in sweetest song. There we paused. Supposing that I was on some terrestrial orb I inquired its name.

My guide answered, "These trees, these flowers, these birds occupy the outer expanse of the spiritual paradise. So pure are they, and so refined, that mortals with beclouded vision may not behold them. And so soft their notes that they are not made audible to the dull hearing of men. Beings inhabiting forms more gross, do not conceive the reality of the existence of nature so refined. Absent from thy body, thou canst comprehend through spiritual senses the existence and reality of spirual habitations; but what thou dost now behold is but the outline and more exterior of the home of spirits. These floral plains, and warbling melodies, are but the lower order of the external habitation of the sanctified.

"Here the redeemed are first conducted by their guardian protectors, as they leave the valley and shadow of death, and here they are taught the rudiments of immortal life. Here they receive instructive lessons relative to their heavenly abode, and learn the nature of pure love, unmarred by sin. Here friends who have advanced in spiritual attainments return from higher employment to welcome the spirit on its entrance upon this plane of the spirit world. Here kindred are permitted to meet and hold converse; and ‘tis in these immortal groves where spirits first attempt in unity the song of redeeming grace, and reposing in soft and heavenly sweetness, breathe the pure air of paradise."

While listening to this strange, though welcome address, my spirit burned to meet the friends long lost to me on earth. The angel said, "Thou art not to tarry, since thy present mission is to learn the condition of the departed child of God. When thy course on earth is ended, here thou shalt mingle in the infancy of thy immortal state, with thy kindred and receive lessons, preparatory to an advance to more exalted mansions, the more glorified home of the blessed."

Then she reached out her hand, and plucked a rose that hung over us, and bidding me receive its fragrance, with it touched my lips. Again a more interior sight was given, and I beheld around me, and moving in every direction, through the varied floral scenes, happy beings without number. Desiring to mingle with them, I sought permission; but my guide moved on, and upward through forests becoming more pure and fair as we ascended.