In a moment we were ascending in the direction of the angel who had borne along the infant, and who had disappeared in the light. Soon we drew near that which at first appeared like a city built in the midst of a floral plain. There appeared stately edifices and streets lined with trees whose foliage cast a lovely shade; on whose branches birds of all colors appeared; and although all were singing with different notes, all mingled in one full and perfect harmony. Many corresponded to those on earth, and yet were as superior to them as the Paradise itself was superior to the mortal world.

As we advanced, the beauty and harmony increased, and new scenes appeared. The architecture of the edifices, the sculptures in the open air, the fountains that sparkled in the light, the trees that waved their extended branches, the flowers and flowering vines becoming more majestic, interwoven and beautiful. There were also many avenues, each of which, slightly ascending, led to a common center toward which we pursued our way.

As we advanced, I perceived before me a vast and complicated structure, whose outer walls and towers appeared formed of marble, that was in appearance delicate as snow. This served as the foundation of a vast canopy, like a dome, though far too extended to be expressed by the earthly architectural meaning of that term. We drew near this building,, and I perceived that the dome was suspended over the vast circular space. "This," said my guide, "is the place where all infants from thy globe are gathered for the instruction. There infants are first conducted, and there nourished beneath the smile of their guardian angels. Each nursery, though somewhat varying, is a miniature of this vast temple of instructive manifestation, and each is a home for the infant spirits who enter there, until they attain to higher degrees, and enter the Paradise of more advanced youthful existence, for degrees of instruction adapted to a more intellectual condition. Over each of these are appointed seven maternal guardians. Thou seest, Marietta, that no two edifices are perfectly alike in interior beauty, external form or decoration, but that all harmoniously combine; and also, that each guardian angel is different in the radiative light and individuality of the faces and form. This thou art permitted to know.

"Whenever an infant dies on earth, the angel guardian who bears up the spirit to the Land of Peace, perceives its interior type of mind, and according to its type it is classed with others of like order of intelligence; and as the skillful gardener on earth in one floral division trains the various species of the lily, and in another compartment roses, and in another the camellias or the honeysuckles; so here angelic wisdom classifies the infant spirits, and according to their variety of artistic, scientific, and social tendencies, assigneth each a home best adapted to the unfolding of its interior germs of life, into intellectual, artistic or industrial harmony.

"Over each educe preside seven guardian angels, who collectively form one octavo of instruction, each angel being of that type of mind which agrees with his associates, as one note harmonizes with the associate tones and semi-tones of the harmonic scale.

"The infants are led forth each day, or each successive period- corresponding thereto, to the center pavilion, for the education of their unfolding natures. As soon as these infants arise to a degree suitable for the general assembly in the great and center dome, or temple of instruction, they are led first from their several homes to their separate center school, and then all emerge from the different wards and move beneath a cloud of angel choralists, who chant loud alleluias to their Prince and Savior, and with whose harmony the infants move toward the outer temple."

As the spirit closed, I saw on our right a portion of one of the lesser temples remove, as if an invisible hand gathered it in a manner corresponding to the removal of a suspended curtain, and lo! to my already astonished spirit, there appeared visible the interior of one of the nurseries, supremely light with the glory thereof, and adorned with artistic beauty correspondent to the majestic appearance of the paradise of infants. At first I was greatly abashed, feeling my own unfitness to behold any abode so pure, lovely and majestic. "There," I unconsciously uttered, "is heaven." My reflections were perceived by my instructress who observed, "Marietta, behold the manifestation of infant life in Paradise. Let us enter, and there thou shalt lean the true condition of those who as babes leave the world of sorrow, and who are immediately conveyed to this place and are henceforth happy. Little do mortals know of the blessedness attending their little ones who leave in the morning of their existence. Those who believe in Christ, become reconciled to the loss, but this is mostly upon condition of the law of submission established in the Christian’s heart. I was once a mother in the world of sorrow and loss. There I learned to weep; and there I also learned the priceless value of faith in God’s mercy through our Lord Jesus Christ; there, Marietta, did I bid adieu to the infants, who lived but to pain a mother’s heart at the parting.

"Thrice I pressed to my fond heart the loved babes, flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone and life of my life, and looking up to God, adored Him for the precious gifts. But scarcely had I with hope illumed the future, and placed my heart upon them, ere, like young and tender buds they were nipped by the frost of death, and I was left wounded and forlorn. I hoped in Jesus, and consigned them to Him, believing they were well; but, Marietta, had I only known, yea, could I have but seen what thou now seest, then would my soul have had from knowledge added to faith, greater rest, for here the babe who has left its parents in woe, but waits their arrival, and here it is safe from the contaminations of the vices and sins of the fallen race. See, Marietta," she continued, "these germs of immortality."

I beheld and lo! the interior that was opened before me was that of a temple gloriously adorned. In circular tiers, one rising above another, were niches or segments of circles. In each reposed an infant spirit. Before each was an attending or guardian angel, whose employment consists in fitting for higher life the germ formation of the spirit for its eternal existence in holy usefulness. The angel breathes upon it and every breath causes its capacity and life to expand, for the breath is that of holy love and inspiration, as her life is in God whose Quickening Spirit pervades all angels in the heavens.

As we entered, I saw that those infants, as they awoke to still greater consciousness, and as they beheld their angel bending over them, wore an expressive smile, and were happy.

Could I portray to you this one nursery, and so fix it in your mind that you could realize its glorious magnificence, then would I be more content, but I cannot.

There are also angels appointed, who touch in softest notes, the varied instruments upon which is made melody. Thus music is ever mingling with that of angelic voices of sweet and heavenly utterance. So soft, sweet, and melodious was that music, that it served as life to give action and strength to the spirit nerve of those who were reposing beneath the smile of their guardians. "This," said the spirit who conducted me there, "is but one of the many of these great temples, and corresponds to all in this degree. Here—oh! that earthly parents could realize it—is, as it were, the birth-place of those who are not permitted to tarry in the outer form until understanding awakes within them. From this they ascend to places prepared. But, Marietta, thou hast not witnessed the most delightful of all the realities connected with this temple."