On my awakening for the second time from a sleep of death to consciousness in the spirit world, I found that I was in much pleasanter surroundings. There was daylight at last, though it was as that of a dull day without sun, yet what a blessed change from the dismal twilight and the dark night!
As I regained consciousness in the spirit world for the second time after dying, I found myself in a much more pleasant environment. Finally, there was daylight, albeit like a cloudy day without sun. Still, what a welcome change from the gloomy twilight and pitch-black darkness I had experienced before!
I was in a neat little room quite like an earthly one, lying upon a little bed of soft white down. Before me was a long window looking out upon a wide stretch of hills and undulating country. There were no trees or shrubs to be seen, and hardly any flowers, save here and there some little simple ones like flowering weeds, yet even these were refreshing to the eyes, and there were ferns and grass clothing the ground with a carpet of verdure instead of the hard bare soil of the Twilight Land.
I found myself in a cozy room that could have been on Earth, resting on a small bed of plush white down. A long window in front of me revealed a vast landscape of rolling hills. The scenery was sparse, with no trees or bushes and only a few simple wildflowers dotting the terrain. Despite this, the view was soothing to the eyes. Ferns and grass covered the ground in a lush green carpet, a stark contrast to the barren soil of the Twilight Land.
This region was called the "Land of Dawn," and truly the light was as the day appears before the sun has arisen to warm it. The sky was of a pale blue grey, and white cloudlets seemed to chase each other across it and float in quiet masses on the horizon. You who think that there are no clouds and no sunshine in the spirit lands hardly know how beautiful a thing you would shut out, unless you have spent, as I did, a long monotonous time without seeing either of them.
This area was known as the "Land of Dawn," and indeed, the light resembled the early morning before sunrise. The sky was a soft blue-gray, with small white clouds drifting across it and gathering peacefully on the horizon. Those who believe there are no clouds or sunshine in the afterlife don't realize the beauty they're denying. You can't truly appreciate it unless you've experienced, as I have, a long, dull period without seeing either.
The room I was in, though by no means luxurious, was yet fairly comfortable in appearance, and reminded me of some cottage interior upon earth. It held all that was needful to comfort, if nothing that was specially beautiful, and it had not that bare prison-like look of my former dwellings. There were a few pictures of scenes of my earth life which had been pleasant, and the recollections they called up gave me a fresh pleasure; there were also some pictures of spirit life and oh! joy, there was my picture mirror, and my rose, and the letter--all my treasures! I stopped my explorations to look into that mirror and see what my beloved was doing. She was asleep, and on her face was a happy smile as if even in her dreams she knew some good had befallen me. Then I went to the window and looked out over the country and those long rolling hills, treeless and somewhat bare, save for their covering of grass and ferns. I looked long upon this scene, it was so like and yet so unlike earth, so strangely bare and yet so peaceful. My eyes, long wearied with those lower spheres, rested in joy and peace upon this new scene, and the thought that I had thus risen to a new life filled me with a thankfulness of heart unspeakable.
The room, though not luxurious, was comfortably furnished and reminded me of a cozy cottage on Earth. It contained all the essentials for comfort, if not particularly beautiful items, and lacked the stark, prison-like atmosphere of my previous accommodations. A few pictures adorned the walls, depicting pleasant scenes from my earthly life, evoking fond memories. There were also some images of spirit life and, to my delight, my treasured possessions: the picture mirror, my rose, and the letter. I paused my exploration to gaze into the mirror and see what my beloved was doing. She was asleep, a contented smile on her face as if she sensed, even in her dreams, that something good had happened to me. Moving to the window, I looked out over the landscape of rolling hills, largely treeless and somewhat bare except for their covering of grass and ferns. I studied this scene for a long time, noting how it was both similar to and different from Earth – strangely barren yet peaceful. My eyes, long weary from the lower spheres, found joy and peace in this new vista. The realization that I had risen to a new life filled me with inexpressible gratitude.
At last I turned from the window, and seeing what was like a small mirror near me, I looked to see what change there might be in myself. I started back with an exclamation of joy and surprise. Was it possible? Could this be as I appeared now? I gazed and gazed again. This myself? Why, I was young again! I looked a man of about thirty or thirty-five, not more certainly, and I beheld myself as I had been in my prime on earth! I had looked so old, so haggard, so miserable in that Twilight Land that I had avoided to look at myself. I had looked twenty times worse than I could ever have looked on earth, had I lived to be a hundred years old. And now, why, I was young! I held out my hand, it was firm and fresh-looking like my face. A closer inspection of myself pleased me still more. I was in all respects a young man again in my prime of vigor, yet not quite as I had been; no! there was a sadness in my look, a certain something more in the eyes than anywhere else that showed the suffering through which I had passed. I knew that never again could I feel the heedless buoyant ecstasy of youth, for never again could I go back and be quite as I had been. The bitter past of my life rose up before me and checked my buoyant thoughts. The remorse for my past sins was with me yet, and cast still its shadow over even the joy of this awakening. Never, ah! never can we undo all the past life of earth, so that no trace of it will cling to the risen spirit, and I have heard that even those who have progressed far beyond what I have even yet done, bear still the scars of their past sins and sorrows, scars that will slowly, very slowly, wear away at last in the great ages of eternity. For me there had come joy, great joy, wonderful fulfillment of my hope, yet there clung to me the shadow of the past, and its dark mantle clouded even the happiness of this hour.
I finally turned from the window and noticed a small mirror nearby. Curious about any changes in my appearance, I looked at my reflection and gasped in delight and surprise. Could it be true? Was this really me? I stared in disbelief. I had become young again! I appeared to be around thirty or thirty-five at most, looking as I did in my prime on Earth. In the Twilight Land, I had looked so old, haggard, and miserable that I had avoided my reflection. I had appeared twenty times worse than I ever could have on Earth, even if I had lived to be a hundred. But now, I was young! My hand looked firm and fresh, matching my face. A closer inspection pleased me even more. I was once again a young man in his prime, yet not quite the same as before. A sadness lingered in my expression, particularly in my eyes, revealing the hardships I had endured. I knew I could never again feel the carefree ecstasy of youth, as I could never truly go back to who I was. My bitter past rose up, tempering my excitement. Remorse for my sins still haunted me, casting a shadow over even this joyous awakening. We can never completely erase our earthly past; its traces cling to the risen spirit. I've heard that even those who have progressed far beyond my current state still bear scars from their past sins and sorrows - scars that will fade very slowly over the vast ages of eternity. For me, great joy had come, a wonderful fulfillment of hope. Yet the shadow of the past still clung to me, its dark mantle clouding even the happiness of this moment.
While I yet mused upon the change which had passed over me, the door opened and a spirit glided in, dressed (as I now was) in a long robe of a dark blue color with yellow borderings, and the symbol of our order on the sleeve. He had come to invite me to a banquet which was to be given to myself and others who were newly arrived from the lower sphere. "All is simple here," said he, "even our festivals, yet there will be the salt of friendship to season it and the wine of love to refresh you all. Today you are our honored guests, and we all wait to welcome you as those who have fought a good fight and gained a worthy victory."
As I pondered the transformation I had undergone, the door opened and a spirit entered. They wore a long, dark blue robe with yellow trim, bearing our order's symbol on the sleeve—just like mine. They had come to invite me to a feast honoring the recent arrivals from the lower realm, including myself. "Everything here is uncomplicated," they said, "even our celebrations. But the warmth of friendship will enhance it, and the joy of love will invigorate you all. Today, you are our esteemed guests, and we're eager to welcome you as those who have fought bravely and achieved a meaningful victory."
Then he took me by the hand and led me into a long hall, with many windows looking out upon more hills and a great peaceful quiet lake. Here there were long tables spread for the banquet, and seats placed round for us all. There were about five or six hundred brothers newly arrived, like myself, and about a thousand more who had been there for some time and who were going about from one to another introducing themselves and welcoming the new-comers cordially. Here and there someone would recognize an old friend or comrade, or one who had either assisted them or been assisted by them in the lower spheres. They were all awaiting the arrival of the presiding spirit of the order in this sphere, who was called "The Grand Master."
He took my hand and guided me into a spacious hall with numerous windows overlooking rolling hills and a serene lake. The room was set up for a banquet, with long tables and chairs arranged for everyone. About 500 to 600 newcomers like myself were present, along with roughly 1,000 established residents. These longer-term inhabitants moved about, introducing themselves and warmly welcoming the new arrivals. Occasionally, someone would spot an old friend or colleague, or recognize someone they had helped or been helped by in the lower spheres. Everyone was waiting for the arrival of the order's leader in this sphere, known as "The Grand Master."
Presently the large doors at one end of the hall were seen to glide apart of themselves, and a procession entered. First came a most majestic, handsome spirit in robes of that rich blue color one sees in the pictures of the Virgin Mary. These robes were lined with white and bordered with yellow, while a hood of yellow lined with white hung from the shoulders, and on the sleeve was embroidered the symbol of the Order of Hope. Behind this man were about a hundred or so of youths, all in white and blue robes, who bore in their hands wreaths of laurel. At the upper end of the hall there was a handsome chair of state, with a white, blue and yellow canopy over it, and after saluting us all the Grand Master seated himself in it, while the youths ranged themselves in a semicircle behind him. After a short prayer of thanksgiving to Almighty God for us all he addressed us in these terms:
The large doors at one end of the hall slid open, revealing a procession. Leading the group was a regal figure in robes of deep blue, reminiscent of those seen in paintings of the Virgin Mary. The robes were lined with white and trimmed in yellow, complemented by a yellow hood lined with white. On the sleeve was the embroidered symbol of the Order of Hope. Following him were about a hundred young people in white and blue robes, carrying laurel wreaths. At the far end of the hall stood an ornate chair of state, adorned with a white, blue, and yellow canopy. The Grand Master, after greeting everyone, took his seat while the youths formed a semicircle behind him. After a brief prayer of gratitude to God, he began to address the assembly:
"My Brethren, you who are assembled to welcome these wanderers who are to find for a time rest and peace, sympathy and love, in this our House of Hope, and you our wandering brothers, whom we are all assembled to welcome and to honor as conquerers in the great battle against selfishness and sin, to you we give our heartiest greeting, and bid you accept, as members of our great brotherhood, these tributes of our respect and honor, which we offer and which you have fairly won. And from the increased happiness of your own lives we bid you stretch forth your hands in brotherly love to all the sorrowing ones whom you have left still toiling in the darkness of the earth life and in the spheres of the earth plane, and as you shall yourselves know yet more perfect triumphs, yet nobler conquests, so seek ye to give to others yet more and more of the perfect love of our great brotherhood, whose highest and most glorious masters are in the heavens, and whose humblest members are yet struggling sinners in the dark earth plane. In one long and unbroken chain our great order shall stretch from the heavens to the earth while this planet shall support material life, and each and every one of you must ever remember that you are links of that great chain, fellow workers with the angels, brother workers with the most oppressed. I summon you now, each in your turn, to receive and to cherish as a symbol of the honor you have won, these wreaths of fadeless laurel which shall crown the victors' brows. In the name of the Great Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in the name of all Angels and of our Brotherhood, I crown each one and dedicate you to the cause of Light and Hope and Truth."
My friends, we gather to welcome those seeking temporary rest, peace, sympathy, and love in our House of Hope. We also greet our wandering brothers, whom we honor as victors in the great battle against selfishness and sin. We offer you our warmest welcome and invite you to join our brotherhood, accepting these tributes of respect and honor you've rightfully earned. As you experience increased happiness in your lives, we urge you to extend brotherly love to those still struggling in the darkness of earthly life and its surrounding spheres. As you achieve greater triumphs and nobler conquests, strive to share more of our brotherhood's perfect love with others. Our most glorious leaders reside in the heavens, while our humblest members still struggle as sinners in the dark earthly realm. Our great order will form an unbroken chain from the heavens to the earth as long as this planet supports material life. Remember that you are all links in this great chain, working alongside angels and with the most oppressed. I now call upon each of you to receive and cherish these wreaths of fadeless laurel, symbols of the honor you've won, which shall crown the victors' brows. In the name of the Great Supreme Ruler of the Universe, all Angels, and our Brotherhood, I crown each of you and dedicate you to the cause of Light, Hope, and Truth.
Then at a signal we, the new arrivals, many of us almost overcome by these kindly words and this mark of honor, drew near, and, kneeling down before the Grand Master, had placed upon our heads these laurel crowns which the youths handed to the Master, and with which he crowned us with his own hands.
At a signal, we newcomers approached, many of us deeply moved by the warm welcome and gesture of respect. We knelt before the Grand Master, who placed laurel wreaths on our heads. These wreaths were handed to him by the young attendants, and he personally crowned each of us.
When the last one had received his crown, such a shout of joy went up from the assembled Brothers, such cheers, and then they sang a most beautiful song of praise, with so lovely a melody and such poetical words that I would I could reproduce it all for you. When this was over we were each led to a seat by an attendant brother and the banquet began.
After the final crown was bestowed, the Brothers erupted in joyous cheers and applause. They then sang a beautiful hymn of praise, its melody so enchanting and lyrics so poetic that I wish I could share it with you in its entirety. Once the song concluded, attendants guided us to our seats, and the feast commenced.
You will wonder how such a banquet could be in the spirit world, but do you think that even on earth your all of enjoyment at such a scene is in the food you eat, the wine you drink, and do you imagine that a spirit has no need for food of any kind? If so, you are in error. We need, and we eat, food, though not of so material a substance as is yours. There is no animal food of any sort, nor anything like it, save only in the lowest spheres of earth-bound spirits, where they enjoy through others yet in the flesh the satisfaction of the animal apetites.
You might wonder how a banquet could exist in the spirit world. But consider this: even on Earth, is your enjoyment of such events solely about the food and drink? Spirits, too, need and consume food, though it's not as material as yours. We have no animal products or anything similar, except in the lowest spheres where earth-bound spirits vicariously satisfy their animal appetites through those still living in the physical world.
But there are in this second sphere the most delicious fruits, almost transparent to look at, which melt in your mouth as you eat them. There is wine like sparkling nectar, which does not intoxicate or create a thirst for more. There are none of those things which would gratify coarse apetites, but there are delicate cakes and a sort of light bread. Of such fare and such wine did this banquet consist, and I for one confess I never enjoyed anything more than the lovely fruits, which were the first I had seen in the spirit world, and which I was told were truly the fruits of our own labors grown in the spirit land by our efforts to help others.
In this second realm, you'll find the most exquisite fruits, almost transparent in appearance, that dissolve in your mouth as you eat them. The wine resembles sparkling nectar, neither intoxicating nor creating a desire for more. You won't find anything to satisfy coarse appetites here, but there are delicate cakes and a type of light bread. This banquet consisted of such food and wine, and I must admit I've never enjoyed anything more than these beautiful fruits. They were the first I'd seen in the spirit world, and I was told they were truly the fruits of our own labors, grown in the spirit land through our efforts to help others.
After the banquet was over there was another speech, and a grand chorus of thanks in which we all joined. Then we dispersed, some of us to see our friends upon earth and try to make them feel that some happy event had befallen us. Many of us, alas! were being mourned as among the lost souls who had died in sin, and it was a great grief to us that these earthly friends could not be made conscious how great were now our hopes. Others of the Brothers turned to converse with newly-found spirit friends, while for my part I went straight to earth to tell the good news to my beloved. I found her about to attend one of those meetings for materialization, and, trembling with joy and eagerness, I followed her there, for now I knew there was no longer any reason why I should not show my face to her who had been so faithful and so patient in waiting for me--no longer would the sight of me give pain or shock her.
After the banquet, another speech followed, accompanied by a grand chorus of thanks in which we all participated. We then dispersed, some of us visiting our earthly friends to convey a sense of our newfound happiness. Sadly, many of us were still mourned as lost souls who had died in sin, and it pained us that our earthly friends couldn't grasp the extent of our current hopes. Other Brothers engaged in conversation with newly-discovered spirit friends, while I immediately returned to earth to share the good news with my beloved. I found her preparing to attend a materialization meeting. Trembling with joy and eagerness, I followed her, knowing there was no longer any reason to hide my face from her who had been so faithful and patient in waiting for me. No longer would the sight of me cause her pain or shock.
Ah, what a happy night that was! I stood beside her all the time. I touched her again and again. I stood there, no more the dark shrouded figure hiding his face from all eyes. No! I was there in my new dress with my new hopes, my risen body, and the ashes of my dead past were there no more to give me such shame and sorrow of heart as I had known. And then--oh! crowning joy to that most joyful day--I showed myself to her wondering eyes, and they gazed into my own. But she did not know me at once; she was looking for me as she had seen me last on earth, with face of care and wrinkled brow, and the young man's face looked strange to her. Yet not quite strange, she smiled and looked with a puzzled wondering look which, could I but have held the material particles of my form together for but a few more minutes, must have changed to recognition. But, alas! all too soon I felt my material form melting from me like soft wax, and I had to turn and go as it faded away. But as I went I heard her say: "It was so like, so very like what my dear friend must have been in youth. It was so like and yet so unlike him, I hardly know what to think."
What a joyous night that was! I stood by her side the entire time, touching her repeatedly. No longer was I the shadowy figure hiding from view. Instead, I stood there in my new attire, filled with fresh hope and a renewed self, free from the shame and sorrow of my past. Then came the pinnacle of that blissful day—I revealed myself to her astonished gaze, our eyes meeting. At first, she didn't recognize me, expecting to see the careworn, wrinkled face she remembered. The youthful appearance before her seemed unfamiliar. Yet, not entirely so. She smiled, a puzzled look crossing her face. Had I been able to maintain my physical form for just a few more moments, I'm certain recognition would have dawned. Alas, all too quickly, I felt my material form dissolving like soft wax, forcing me to depart as it faded away. As I left, I heard her say, "It looked so much like what my dear friend must have been in his youth. So similar, yet so different—I'm not quite sure what to think."
Then I went behind her and whispered in her ear that it was I myself, and no other. And she heard my whisper and laughed and smiled, and said she had felt sure it must be so. Then indeed the cup of my joy was full, then indeed was the crown of my day complete.
I approached her from behind and whispered in her ear that it was truly me, and no one else. She heard my whisper, laughed, and smiled, saying she had been certain it was me all along. At that moment, my happiness overflowed, and my day reached its perfect conclusion.