Part 8

In the interchange of thought and experiences with these arisen co-workers I could readily understand that being brought into direct personal relationship with their “Guides,” “Inspirers,” “Teachers,” “helpers” and with each other, they had become more and more aware of the true meaning and nature of the gifts (mediumship) that were theirs when in the form, and they realized that even those “Inspirers” and “Teachers” were also the instruments of higher and wiser Spirits.

One sister worker said to me “I always wanted to see my Guides, as you did, but I could not, for the gift of spirit vision was not mine. Now I understand what it means to ‘see with the eyes of the Spirit’ and I am satisfied.”

Those who had been my most intimate co-workers had many things to tell me of their “awakening” into added perception of spiritual things and of the work assigned them in their new state of existence; still ministering, still trying to lift the veil, mostly of ignorance, that divides mortals from their arisen ones. Many were the loving messages sent to friends and loved Companions still in Earth life.

“Tell them you saw me here in spirit life, and I am ever near them, in response to a thought, or wish or especially a need, guiding, guarding, aiding.”

It seems better to receive a message from one who has “been there,” who has actually seen and conversed with one’s friends “face to face” and “spirit to spirit.” So, in the treasure house of my spirit are stored those messages to be given whenever I meet any of those loved ones in human life to whom I was so fortunate as to bear a message. It is to them alone that the message for them can be given.

The transcendent brightness and spiritual beauty of that assemblage of spirits--from guardian spirits of relatives and friends to the wisest and most advanced that one could see, are beyond my power of language to express.

There is no formal taking of one’s “place” or “position,” no ceremonious “assigning” of “duty” or “work,” but in groups and larger companies, as well as in personal ministrations, a mutual understanding of purpose, according to adaptation. If a united or concerted action upon earth-minds for any given purpose is needed it is readily perceived and entered upon by all who are in accord, and is performed by such methods as enlightened spirits readily understand.

Human minds are better prepared to comprehend the methods of spirit communicating with spirit since “wireless telegraphy” and other recent scientific wonders have been achieved, not that the process is similar in any degree, but being prepared for the new revealments in science also prepares impartial minds to know of the more subtle powers of the spirit. “Volition” in its highest analysis is the one attribute of the spirit by which other spirits know--through perception, what is being imparted, but there must ever be accord, sympathy, adaptation.

From some of those who had been my friends in my early life and who were “leading minds” in this cause, and in other subjects of human interest, I received many thoughts and suggestions concerning the present status of the “movement” (Spiritualism) and what they now think of the possible and desirable results of “united action,”--“organization” for the work and the workers. These and many other themes must be left for opportunity, time and strength to reveal, as my work goes on in human life.

One notes the same minds and spirits in many assemblages of the different branches of all purposes for aiding humanity. Even as when on earth the “Pioneers” in “Anti-slavery,” “Equal Suffrage,” “Temperance,” were the same staunch body of men and women, ready now as then to respond to the call to give a voice to Truth. In the assemblies for promoting “peace” by “those who love their fellow men,” there was the universal sentiment: “Peace must be born of Justice and Justice can only come by true Fraternity.”

“My country is the world; My countrymen all mankind.”

This is the standard extending to include “All Souls.”

“It seems to inhere in the very nature of human life that men will fight for: (1) Personal liberty: freedom from physical bondage and involuntary servitude; (2) For defence of those nearest and dearest enshrined in the ‘home’; (3) For country when it represents the ‘home’ and those ‘Ideals’ to which the heart ever clings.”

To “remove the Causes of War” all selfish seeking, all aggression by any nation upon the rights of others must cease, “and this must come by growth, by enlightenment in the cardinal principles of justice, love and truth.” These and many other thoughts were given forth in that assembly.

A great wave of uprising among the women of all nations was predicted in favor of conditions that would “make for peace” leading to united efforts between the most enlightened men and women of all nations to the establishment of “Peace born of Right--Not Might.” The Peace foretold by poets and sages of all time. Yet all agree in that wonderful assemblage, that “treaties of Peace” are without avail unless the moral force of the nations--among their leaders, rulers and a majority of their people--is sufficient to dominate; and make just treaties binding.

As individuals are now expected to adjust their difference in Courts of Law (often misnamed justice), and it is the aim of a majority of citizens not to encroach upon the real rights of others, so the time must come when nations will agree to a similar method in adjusting possible differences that may arise; and this much can come even before the real millenium of “Peace on Earth and Love to all Mankind.” There must be some other International Tribunal than the battlefield! Earth, sea, and air, must not be held in bondage for physical carnage!

In the final “Day of Peace” even Peace Tribunals will not be needed, but now--“may Angels speed the Day of Peace born of Justice.”

In most instances I could tell the personality, or human name, of each one giving forth a particular thought, and all were in accord. Alas, I could also perceive that they saw, in viewing the conditions of Earth that “the end is not yet.”

I cannot mar this wonderful visit--this respite from pain and cares of Earth by dwelling too long among the shadows, warclouds and darkened states of Earth life. As beyond the storm clouds of Earth’s nearest material atmosphere the sun always shines glorious and with resplendent brightness, so beyond the horrors of war the desolation and ravagement of nations incident thereto, beyond the storms, earthquakes, and cataclysmic throes of nature, the Sun of Spiritual Hope and Love ever shines surpassing fair, and all the Angelic and Spiritual Hosts are ready to aid, strengthen, succor the spirits enshrouded in time and earth conditions.

THE RETURN

More and more frequent were the summons and the visits to my mortal body, to reimbue, as it was now found possible, with my spirit, to restore with the personal presence, the body within which the vital spark had been kept alive by blessed Guardian Spirits and devoted friends on Earth.

More and more the spirit “Home friends,” the Best Beloved, and the Guides encouraged the thought of my return to fulfill the appointed work on Earth. I had prayed to be allowed to remain, to let the body pass; but now, gradually it is true, the idea of resuming the human habiliments, the garb of the material body, became less repugnant, and I finally freely said: “Yes, I will go as that is the appointed way.”

Have you, dear friend, who may be reading these imperfect fragments of a perfect experience, (as any narrative must be) ever visited some fair garden, some sequestered home of dearest friends, a place radiant with beauty and enchantment; where there were flowers massed in rarest combinations of color and fragrance, fountains murmuring in answer to the summer winds, music, such as seemed a part of the enrapturing scene; have you enjoyed this with the chosen friends that alone could make the scene sacred, the Best Beloved? And have you known the reluctance to return to the “outer world” of daily routine of care, perhaps of pain? Ah, then you know in the smallest degree what it meant to me to return to my bodily form!

Yet even now the soul of all that was mine in that wonderful, surpassing state is ever with me; nor will it again be absent from me--since it is enfolded in my very being. I am more complete now, even in the body which ever divides us from the Soul of Life.

“You will be with us again and often,” they said; the Guide said no formal “farewells,” no “leavetaking,” but everywhere from every Dear and Blessed one “Blessings, Peace, Joy, and Love go with you into added Strength and Work.”

And here I am: ready to help the body to grow stronger, and to willingly, joyfully, in the future as in the past, perform the work assigned me--until--they--call--me--Home.

CORA L. V. RICHMOND.

An Added Word or Two