As I lay in the arms of my heavenly guardian, I looked into her face, which wore an expression of deep emotion. With earnestness her eyes were fixed above; and her holy lips moved as if in prayer. At first the expression of her features was so sorrowful, that I thought she would weep; but tears would have been a feeble manifestation of that feeling which, I could plainly see, continued to increase. Truly, I said, in silent thought, do angels grieve? Can sorrow enter this Holy City? The music had ceased—its echo reverberated, and moved in the distance. Silence reigned in the vast expanse. I still leaned upon the breast of my blessed protector, anxiously observing what was passing. Light from above shone upon her brow with increasing brilliancy. Her eyes were still fixed; and, to employ earthly expressions her bosom began to heave, her lips became motionless, and her glowing countenance had the appearance of reverential awe. Her looks were so expressive, that I felt like shrinking from her arms; and was so awed, that I did not notice the cause of her excitement, until she gently, without turning her eyes, laid her hand of snowy white and spotless purity upon my head, and then removing it, raised it upward, until it pointed in the direction indicated by her fixed attention, and to my utter astonishment I there beheld the cause of her silent reverence, and the wondrous admiration which pervaded the inhabitant of the city. There—oh! that all the world but knew it there hung upon the Cross—and from all I could discover, bleeding and dying my Lord and Redeemer! Oh! that sight! No human heart can know its effects upon the spirits who attend in the Infant Paradise. The crown of thorns, the nails, the mangled form, the flowing blood, the look of compassion, were so plainly manifested and combined, as to convey to the soul an idea of suffering, the most intense and excruciating.

About the Cross were congregating from every part of the city, guardian angels with their infant spirits. All, as they gathered in a circular form, manifested deep humility and holy reverence. As soon as they had assumed this uniform attitude, they held out the infant spirits whom they had in charge, directing their infant minds to the Cross and the Sacrifice. At this moment an angel descended, clothed in bright raiment, and moved around the Cross, holding in his hand his glittering crown. Then bowing he worshiped, and his worship was silent as had been that of all who congregated. After this, turning to the guardian angels he said, "Adore Him, for He is the Redeemer of a ruined race. Yea, let all Heaven adore Him!" Then as he lifted up his right hand, I saw in it a little book. In imitation all the angels in like manner raised their right hands, in each of which was also a book of like dimensions. Then appeared, as from an invisible dome, a choir of angelic beings. These had palms in their hands, and they with one voice sang praises to God and the Lamb. The first I could not understand, but they concluded saying, "Suffer children to come unto me. Of such is the kingdom. Out of the mouths of sucklings and babes Thou hast perfected praise. Amen, alleluia, amen!" Then the guardian angels drew still nearer to the Cross, presenting the spirits in their charge, while they were addressed in a manner, entirely beyond my comprehension; at the close of which each infant was touched with a stream of light. They smiled and bowed their heads, while holding up in their little clasped hands the image of the Cross, which had been given them by their angels. Again they were folded in the arms of their protectors; and again the choir chanted a loud anthem, which, being echoed by the surrounding spirits, filled the city with one volume of holy melody. Then the Cross and Sacrifice disappeared, and the angels returning, whence they had come, the city was restored to its former appearance.

During this manifestation, my guide had not moved nor uttered a word, but appeared to enter into the spirit thereof, and to realize that a scene of absorbing interest had been presented.

At length I inquired, "Is there no heaven without the Cross and the Sacrifice? Each scene moves around its manifestation. Each spirit reverences it with holy awe, and each hymn of praise utters the name of the Sacrifice." She replied with suppressed accents, "The Cross is ever before the vision of redeemed spirits. In every circle is seen the Cross. Every flower, every artistic production, has the Cross, as by an invisible hand, inwrought throughout. And all instruction is based upon that blessed symbol of redeeming love, and it is the duty of the guardian angels to instruct the spirits of their charge, in the great truth of redemption, through Jesus, who suffered upon the Cross, and for this purpose each class of spirits, as they pass from their first guardian protectors, to the care of others, are in like manner congregated. And by this means the Cross and the Sacrifice are imaged and enstamped within their interior sense; and hence its nature and likeness grow into higher life and more exalted being with them. All redeemed and sanctified spirits are thus made to appear. No guile can in any way be found in them. All angels can behold the Cross as it shines forth from the soul which has received its impress. From this cause malicious spirits or beings cannot conceal from their angels or the spirits of just men made perfect, their real nature. Where the Cross does not shine, there is no pure love; and the heart whereon it is not visible, is not at peace with God. Marietta, in heaven there can be no guile. But this, with other manifestations, is only an introductory view of the principles represented, which in due time will be more perfectly unfolded in manifestations more specific and enlarged."