When this new song was ended, I looked and lo! the dome above me parted, and beings far more glorious approached. Awed by the presence of the light, I approached my guide, who said, "What thou hast seen, Marietta, is but the earnest of joys to come. Here thou hast been welcomed, and here witnessed this manifestation of thy Redeemer. But, behold! above thee the descending glory of the Cross appears. Spirits, members of thy race, redeemed, who are advanced to higher life, attend.

Then visible above me appeared a Cross, borne in the midst of twelve, on whose circle I read, "Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles." Above it was written, "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Bowing at the feet was a spirit, whose raiment was white, and expression that of holy adoration. She kissed the Cross, and then descending, approached me, and said, "Welcome spirit from the world of woe. Lo! by the will of Jesus, even that Jesus crucified, my Lord and Redeemer, I come to commune with thee. ‘Tis but by his permission thou art admitted here; and be not sad, though thou shouldst be required to return to thy friends on earth."

The thought of being subjected again to the sins and misfortunes of my former life, so affected me that it seemed as if I was quitting the divine abode, and rapidly descending to earth; when lo! I was embraced by my guide, who said, "When thou returnest, thou shalt go to bear a message of holy love, to earth; and at an appointed time, free from the power of mortal attachments, thou shalt enter here, a member of the holy band."

The spirit who descended from the Cross then said, "Marietta, thou hast been conducted here for a wise end, and for that purpose I am, permitted to instruct thee in many things, pertaining to earth and heaven. The thought of returning makes thee sad; yet thou shalt go laden with riches, the riches of instructive truth.

"First learn that all Heaven reveres the Cross. Before it myriads bow, and around it the redeemed delight to linger. Earth’s religions are but dreamy scenes, compared to these. Vague and imperfect are the highest conceptions of the human soul, relative to our condition here. ‘Tis but just above the plains of earth, where in perfect order begins the Spiritual Heaven. Around it move the guardian spirits. Mingling, as permitted, with the inhabitants of earth are countless guardian angels; no day, nor hour, nor moment passeth, but each mortal is watched by the spirit appointed to his charge.

"Man knoweth not the nature of sin, nor the fullness of Grace in his Redemption. Numberless are the causes, to prevent the light of heaven from reaching and controlling the race of man, wretched and deathward tending. But the time draweth near, when man shall become more conscious of the reality of this abode; when his attention shall be turned more fully to the truth of Inner Life. Man’s redemption draweth nigh. Let angels swell the chorus; for soon the Savior descendeth, with holy attending angels."

Then after an immortal hymn, she said, "Observe what passeth around thee; for lo! shall be mirrored upon thy mind a faint expression of the joy that fills this land of peace. Thou didst notice when I descended, I kissed the Cross. All saints delight themselves in thus expressing their remembrance and regard for their Redeemer who offered himself a sacrifice."

A pause in the address ensued, during which, voices, apparently in the distance, arose in soft and melodious alleluias.

"Who are these?" I inquired. "These are they," she said, "who having come out of great tribulation, cease not day nor night to raise their anthems high, in exaltation of their Savior’s name.

"Wouldst thou dwell for ever in this world of peace, joy and love divine? Wouldst thou bear some humble part with the psalms of these immortal choralists? Be thou admonished by thy former incredulity, thy want of faith and consecration; for there are no other means than those in Christ, the Redeemer, by which to attain inheritance in this blest abode."

This last address revived within me remembrance of my former doubts, my want of confidence in the Savior, and of consecration to his cause. My spirit drooped. I saw the justice of the mild reproof, and inquired, "May I yet hope? Or is the opportunity to secure this heaven of life forever gone? Fain would I return no more to earth. O, that I could forever dwell where peace like a river gently floweth, and love unpolluted, moveth from heart to heard"

"Be faithful, then," said the spirit, "to the light given, and at last thou shalt enjoy the bliss of heaven. Marietta, the scene now passing before thee, is one fraught with interest. In this assembly are the Prophets and martyred Saints. See, their raiment is white, pure and transparent. Upon their breast is the manifestation of the Cross. In their, left hand is a golden censer, and in their right a small volume."

The scene expanded and I saw that from the center, and around which the multitudes were congregated, arose a pyramid whose column was composed of pearls and most precious stones, set with crosses of spiritualized diamond, upon which were engraven the names of those who had suffered for their love of Truth, and who not counting their lives dear, had endured persecution even unto death. Upon this column stood three spirits, in the attitude of meekness and adoration, holding in their hand, and above them a Cross from which floated a banner ever unfurling,—"These," said my guide, "are select, one Patriarch, one Prophet, and one Apostle. They represent the triune circle of commissioned saints who shall attend the reappearing of the Son of Man, and shall go forth in the day appointed, gathering together the elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."

"The volumes the spirits hold in their hands unfold the order of creation, the redemption of man, and the principles which govern the obedient, world without end."