buttheearthhasscarcelybeenhabitablesincethesunwaslastinitspresentpositioninitsorbitaroundCosmos。Thecurvethatoursystemfollowsisofsuchradiusthatitwouldrequirethemostpreciseobservationsforcenturiestoshowthatitwasnotastraightline。
\"Wecallthistheuniversebecauseitisallthattheclearesteyesortelescopeshavebeenabletosee,butitisonlyasubdivision——infact,butasystemonavasterscalethanthatofthesunorofSirius。Farbeyondthisvisibleuniverse,myintuitiontellsme,areothersystemsmoregiganticthanthis,andentirelydifferentinmanyrespects。Eventheeffectsofgravitationaremodifiedbythechangedcondition;forthesesystemsarespreadoutflat,liketheringsofthisplanet,andtheetherofspaceisluminousinsteadofblack,ashere。Thesesystemsarebutinalaterstageofdevelopmentthanours;andinthecourseofevolutionourvisibleuniversewillbechangedinthesameway,asIcanexplain。
\"Inincalculableages,theforwardmotionoftheplanetsandtheirsatelliteswillbecheckedbytheresistanceoftheetherofspaceandthemeteoritesandsolidmattertheyencounter。
Meteoritesalsoovertakethem,and,bystrikingthemasitwereintherear,propelthem,butmoreareencounteredinfront——anillustrationofwhichyoucanhavebywalkingrapidlyorridingonhorsebackonarainyday,inwhichcasemoredropswillstrikeyourchestthanyourback。Thesameruleappliestobodiesinspace,whilethemeteoritesencounteredhavemoreeffectthanthosefollowing,sinceinonecaseitisthespeedofthemeteorminusthatoftheplanet,andintheotherthesumofthetwovelocities。Withthischeckingoftheforwardmotion,thecentrifugalforcedecreases,andtheattractionofthecentralbodyhasmoreeffect。Whenthistakesplacetheplanetorsatellitefallsslightlytowardsthebodyaroundwhichitrevolves,therebyincreasingitsspeedtillthecentrifugalforceagainbalancesthecentripetal。Thiswouldseemtomakeitdescendbyfitsandstarts,butinrealitytheapproachisnearlyconstant,sothattheorbitsareinfactslightlyspiral。WhatistrueoftheplanetsandsatellitesisalsotrueofthestarswithreferencetoCosmos;thoughmanyevenofthesehavesubordinatemotionsintheirgreatjourney。Thoughthesatellitesofthemoonsrevolveabouttheprimariesinorbitsinclinedatallkindsofanglestotheplanesoftheecliptics,andeventhemoonsvaryintheirpathsabouttheplanets,theplanetsthemselvesrevolveaboutthestars,likethoseofthissystemaboutthesun,insubstantiallythesameplane;andwhatistrueoftheplanetsisevenmoretrueofthestarsintheirorbitsaboutCosmos,sothatwhen,afterincalculableages,theydofall,theystrikethismonstersunatornearitsequator,andnotfallingperpendicularly,butinalinevaryingbutslightlyfromatangent,andatterrificspeed,theycausethecolossustorotatemoreandmorerapidlyonitsownaxis,tillitmustbecomegreatlyflattenedatthepoles,astheearthisslightly,andasJupiterandSaturnareagooddeal。EventhoughnotallthestarsareexactlyintheplaneofCosmos\'sequator,asyoucanseetheyarenotthereareasmanyaboveasbelowit,sothatthegeneralaveragewillbethere;andasallaremovinginthesamedirection,itisnotnecessaryforalltostrikethesameline,thosestrikingnearerthepoles,wherethecirclesaresmaller,andwherethesurfaceisnotbeingcarriedforwardsofastbythegiant\'srotation,willhaveevenmoreeffectinincreasingitsspeed,sinceitwillbelikeattachingthedriving—rodsofalocomotiveneartheaxleinsteadofnearthecircumference,andwithenoughpowerwillproduceevengreaterresults。AsCosmoswaxesgreaterfromtheresultofthesecontinualaccretions,itsattractionforthestarswillincrease,untilthosecomingfromtheouterregionsofitsuniversewillmoveatsuchterrificspeedintheirspiralorbitsthatbeforecomingincontacttheywillbealmostinvisible,havingalreadyabsorbedallsolidmatterrevolvingaboutthemselves。Theseaccessionsofmovingmatter,continuallyreceivedatandnearitsequator,willcauseCosmostospreadoutlikeSaturn\'sringstillitbecomesflat,thoughthebalanceofforceswillbesoperfectthatitisdoubtfulwhetherananimaloramanplacedtherewouldfeelmuchchange。
\"Buttheseuniverses——or,moreaccurately,divisionsoftheuniverse——alreadyplanes,thoughthevastsurfacesarenotsoflatastoprecludebeautifulandgentlyrollingslopes,arespirit—lands,andwillbeinhabitedonlybyspirits。Thentherearegreatphosphorescentareas,andthecolourofthesurfacechangeswitheveryhouroftheday,fromthemostbrilliantcrimsontothesoftestshadeofblue,radiantwithmanycoloursthatyoureyescannotnowsee。Therearealsomyriadsofscentedstreams,consistingofhundredsofdifferentandmulti—colouredliquids,eachwithaperfumesweeterthanthemostdelicateflower,andpouringforththemostheavenlymusicastheygoontheirway。Butbenotsurprisedatthemagnitudeofthechange,forisitnotwritteninRevelation,\'Isawanewheavenandanewearth;forthefirstheavenandthefirstearthwerepassedaway\'？Norcanwebesurprisedatvastness,sublimity,andbeautysuchasneverwasconceivedof,fordowenotfindthisinHisword,\'Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatloveHim\'？Inthisblissfulstate,thosethatfearedGodandobeyedtheirconscienceswillliveonforever;buttheirrestcanneverbecomestagnation,forevolutionisoneofthemostconstantlaws,andneverceases,andtheymustalwaysgoonwardandupward,unspeakablyblessedbytheconsciencestheymadetheirruleinlife,tillinpurityandpowertheyshallequalorexceedtheangelsoftheirLordinheaven。
\"Butyoumenoffiniteunderstandingwillask,asImyselfshouldhaveasked,How,bythelawofhydrostatics,canliquidsflowonaplane？Rememberthat,thoughthesedivisionsareastronomicalorgeometricalplanes,theirsurfacesundulate;butthemovingcauseisthis:Atthecentreoftheseplanesisapole,theanalogue,wewillsay,ofthemagneticpoleonearth,thathasamoreeffectiveattractionforagasthanforaliquid。Whenliquidsapproachtheperipheryofthecircle,therapidrotationanddecreasedpressurecausethemtobreakup,whereupontheelementarygasesreturntothecentreintheatmosphere,ifnearthesurface,formingagentlebreeze。Onnearingthecentre,thecauseoftheseparationbeingremoved,thegasesreunitetoformaliquid,andthecentrifugalforceagainsendsthisonitsjourney。\"
\"Istherenoway,\"askedBearwarden,\"bywhichamanmayretrievehimself,ifhehaslostormisusedhisopportunitiesonearth？\"
\"Thewayamanlaysuptreasuresinheaven,whenonearth,\"
repliedthespirit,\"isbygladlydoingsomethingforsomeoneelse,usuallyinsomeformsacrificingself。Inhellnoonecandoanythingforanyoneelse,becauseeveryonecanhavethesemblanceofanythinghewishesbymerelyconcentratinghisminduponit,though,whenhehasit,itisbutashadowandgiveshimnopleasure。Thusnoonecangiveanyoneelseanythinghecannotobtainhimself;andifhecould,sinceitwouldbenosacrificeonhispart,hewouldderivenogreatmoralcomfortfromit。Neithercananyonecomfortanyoneelsebyputtinghisactsoroffencesinanewlight,foreveryoneknowsthewholetruthabouthimselfandeverybodyelse,sothatnothingcanbemadetoappearfavourablyorunfavourably。Allthis,however,issupposingthereisthedesiretobekind;buthowcanspiritsthatwereselfishandill—disposedonearth,wheretherearesomanysofteninginfluences,havegoodinclinationsinhell,wheretheyloatheoneanotherwithconstantlyincreasingstrength？
\"Inasmuchasboththegoodandthebadcontinueonthelinesonwhichtheystartedwhenonearth,wearecontinuallydrawingnearertoGod,whiletheyaredeparting。Thegulfmaybeonlyoneoffeeling,butthatisenough。Itfollows,then,thatwithGodasourlimit,whichweofcoursecanneverreach,theirlimit,inthegeometricalsense,mustbetotalseparationfromHim。Thoughallspirits,wearetold,liveforever,itoccurstomethatinGod\'smercytheremaybeagradualend;forthoughtothehappysoulsinheavenathousandyearsmayseemasnothing,existenceinhellmustdragalongwithleadenlimbs,andasinglehourseemlikealifetimeofregret。Sinceitisdreadfultothinkthatsuchunsoothedanguishshouldcontinueforever,Ihaveoftenponderedwhetheritmightnotbethat,byaformofinvolutionandreversalofthepastlaw,thespiritthatcametolifeevolvedfromthe,mineral,plant,andanimalworlds,maymercifullyretraceitsstepsonebyone,tillfinallythesoulshallpenetratethesolidrockandhideitselfbybecomingpartoftheplanet。Manypeopleinmydaybelievedthatafterdeaththeirsoulswouldenterstatelytrees,andspreadabroadgreatbranches,droppingdeadleavesovertheplacesonwhichtheyhadstoodwhileonearth。Thismightbethelaststepintheawfultragedyofthefallandinvolutionofahumansoul。Inthisway,thosewhohadwastedthepricelessopportunitiesgiventhembyGodmightbemercifullyobliterated,foritseemsasiftheywouldnotbeneededintheeconomyoftheuniverse。TheBible,however,mentionsnosuchend,andsaysunmistakablythathellwilllastforever;sothatinthissupposition,asinmanyothers,thewishisprobablyfatherofthethought。\"
\"But,\"persistedBearwarden,\"howaboutdeath—bedrepentances？\"
\"Those,\"repliedthespirit,\"arefewandfarbetween。Thepainsofdeathatthelasthourleavebutlittleroomforaughtbutvainregret。Amandiessuddenly,ormaybeunconscioussometimebeforetheend。Buttheydooccur。Thequestionis,Howmuchcreditisittobegoodwhenyoucandonomoreharm？Thetimetoresistevilanddothatwhichisrightiswhilethetemptationisonandinitsstrength。Whilelifelaststhereishope,butthebooksaresealedbydeath。Thetreemustfalltoonesideortheother——thereisnomiddleground——andasthetreefalleth,soitlieth。
\"This,however,isagloomysubject,andonethatinyourheartofheartsyouunderstand。Iwouldrathertellyoumoreofthebeautiesandsplendoursofspace——oftheorange,red,andbluestars,andofthetremendouscyclonicmovementsgoingonwithinthem,whichareevenmoreviolentthanthestormsthatrageinthesun。Theclouds,asthespectroscopehasalreadyshown,consistofiron,gold,andplatinumintheformofvapour,whiletheopeningsrevealedbysun—spots,orratherstar—spots,aresotremendousthatacomparativelysmallonewouldcontainmanydozensuchglobesastheearth。Icouldtellyoualsoofthemysteriesofthegreatdarkcompanionsofsomeofthestars,andofthestarsthatarethemselvesdarkandcold,withnaughtbutthefarawayconstellationstocheerthem,onwhichnightreignseternally,andthatfaroutnumberthestarsyoucansee。Alsoofthemultiplicityofsexandextraordinaryformsoflifethatexistthere,thoughonnoneofthemaretheremortalmenlikethoseontheearth。
\"Nature,intheprocessofevolution,hasinallthesecasesgoneoffonanentirelydifferentcourse,themostintelligentandhighlydevelopedspeciesbeingintheformofmarvellouslycomplexreptiles,wingedserpentsthatsingmostbeautifully,butwhosebloodiscold,beingpreventedfromfreezingintheupperregionsoftheatmospherebythepresenceofsaltandchemicals,andwhicharesointelligentthattheyhavepracticallysubduedmanyofthesedarkstarstothemselves。Onothers,themosthighlydevelopedspecieshavehollow,bell—shapedtentacles,intowhichtheyinjecttwoormoreopposinggasesfromoppositesidesoftheirbodies,which,incombination,produceastrongexplosion。Thisprovidesthemwithaneasyandrapidlocomotion,sincetheexplosionsfindasufficientresistanceinthesurroundingairtopropelthemonstersmuchfasterthanbirds。
Thesecanatpleasuremaketheirbreathsopoisonousthatthelungsofanycreaturesexceptthemselvesinhalingitareatonceturnedtoparchment。Otherscangivetheirenemiesortheirpreyanelectricshock,sendingaboltthroughtheheart,orcanparalyzethemindphysicallybyaneffortoftheirwills,causingthebraintodecomposewhilethevictimisstillalive。Othershavethesamepowerthatsnakeshave,thoughvastlyintensified,mesmerizingtheirvictimsfromafar。
\"Stillothershavesuchdelicatesensesthatinawaytheycommunewithspirits,thoughtheyhavenosoulsthemselves;forinnopartorcorneroftheuniverseexceptoneartharethereanimalsthathavesouls。Yettheyknowthemeaningoftheword,andoftenbewailtheirhardlotinthatnopartofthemcanlivewhenthehearthasceasedtobeat。
\"Ah,myfriends,ifwehadnosouls——if,liketheaestheticreptilia,weknewthatwhenourdustdissolvedourexistencewouldbeover——weshouldrealizethepreciousnessofwhatweholdsolightlynow。Manandthespiritsandangelsaretheonlybeingswithsouls,andinnoplaceexceptoneartharenewsoulsbeingcreated。Thisgivesyouthegreatestandgrandestideaofthedignityoflifeanditsinestimablevalue。Butitisasdifficulttodescribethehigherwondersofthestellarworldstoyouastopicturethegloriesofsunsettoablindman,foryouhaveexperiencednothingwithwhichtocomparethem。Insteadofseeingallthatreallyis,youseebutasmallpart。\"
CHAPTERIX。
DOCTORCORTLANDTSEESHISGRAVE。
\"Isitnotdistastefultoyou,\"Cortlandtasked,\"tolivesoneartheseloathsomedragons？\"
\"Notintheleast,\"repliedthespirit。\"Theyaffectusnomorethanthesmallestmicro—organism,forweseebothwithequalclearness。Sincewearenotobligedtobreathe,theycannotinjureus;and,besides,theyservetoillustratetheworkingofGod\'slaws,andthereisbeautyineverythingforthosethathavethesensesrequiredforperceivingit。Afeatureofthespiritualworldis,thatitdoesnotinterferewiththenatural,andthenatural,exceptthroughfaith,isnotawareofitspresence。\"
\"Thenwhy,\"askedCortlandt,\"wasitnecessaryfortheAlmightytobringyoursoulstoSaturn,sincetherewouldhavebeennoovercrowdingifyouhadremainedontheearth？\"
\"That,\"repliedthespirit,\"waspartofHiswisdom;forthespirit,beingableatoncetolookbackintothenaturalworld,ifinit,wouldbetroubledatthemistakesandtribulationsofhisfriends。Now,asarule,beforeaspiritcanreturntoearth,hisorherrelativesandfriendshavealsodied;or,ifhecanreturnbeforethathappens,heissoadvancedthatheseestheulteriorpurpose,andthereforethewisdomofGod\'sways,andisnotdistressedthereby。Lastly,astheirexpandingsensesgrew,itwouldbepainfulfortheblessedandcondemnedspiritstobetogether。Thereforewearebroughthere,whereGodrevealsHimselftousmoreandmore,andtheflightoftheothersouls——thoseunhappyones——doesnotceasetilltheyreachCassandra。\"
\"CanthesoulsonCassandraalsoleaveitintimeandroamatwill？\"askedCortlandt。
\"Ihaveseennoneofthemmyselfinmyjourneystootherplanets;
butasthesunshinesuponthejustandtheunjust,andthereisnoexceptiontoNature\'slaws,Icanreplythatintimetheydo,andwithequalpowerstheirincentivetoroamwouldbegreater;
forwearedrawntogetherbycommonsympathyandpure,requitedlove,whiletheyaremutuallyrepelled。Ofcourse,someobtainameasureoffreedombeforetherest,andthesenaturallyroamthefarthest,andthemoretheyseeandthefarthertheygo,thestrongerbecomestheirabhorrenceforeverythingtheymeet。\"
\"Cannotyouspiritshelpus,andthemortalsnowonearth,toescapethisfate？\"
\"Thegreatesthopeforyourbodiesandsoulsliesinthecommunionwiththosethathavepassedthroughdeath;fortheleastofthemcantellyoumorethanthewisestmanonearth;andcouldyouallcomeorsendrepresentativestothemultitudesherewhocannotasyetreturntoyou,butfewonearthwouldbesoquixoticallysinfulastorefuseouradvice。Since,however,thegreatestgoodcomestomenfromthelearningthattheymakeanefforttosecure,itisforyoutostrivetoreachus,whocanactasgo—betweensfromGodtoyou。\"
\"Itseemstome,\"saidBearwarden,\"thatpeoplearebetternowthanformerly。Thesinofidolatry,forinstance,hasdisappeared——hasitnot？\"
\"Menstillsetupidolsofwealth,passion,orambitionintheirhearts。Thesetheyworshipasindaysgoneby,onlytheformhaschanged。\"
\"CouldthesoulsonCassandradousbodilyormentalinjury,ifwecouldeverreachtheirplanet？\"askedBearwarden。
\"Theymightoppressanddistressyou,butyourfaithwouldprotectyouwhereveryoumightgo。\"
\"Canyougiveusatasteofyoursenseofprescience？\"askedBearwardenagain;\"for,sinceitisnotclearinwhatdegreethecondemnedreceivethis,andneitherisitbyanymeanssurethatIshallbesaved,Ishouldlikeforonceinmyhistorytoexperiencethissenseofdivinity,beforemyentityendsinstone。\"
\"Iwilltransfertoyoumysenseofprescience,\"repliedthespirit,\"thatyoumayforeseeasprophetshave。Insodoing,I
shallbutanticipate,sinceyouwillyourselvesintimeobtainthissenseinagreaterorlessdegree。Isthereanyeventinthefutureyouwouldliketosee,inorderthat,whenthevisionisfulfilled,itmaytendtostablishyourfaith？\"
\"SinceIamtheoldest,\"repliedthedoctor,\"andshallprobablydiebeforemyfriends,revealtous,Iprayyou,themannerofmydeathandtheeventsimmediatelyfollowing。Thismayproveanobject—lessontothem,andwillgreatlyinterestme。\"
\"Yourdeathwillbecausedbyblood—poisoning,broughtonbyanaccident,\"beganthespirit。\"Somedaybreakwillfindyouweak,afteratroublednight,withyourbodilyresourcesatalowebb。
Sunsetwillseeyouweaker,withyourpowerofresistancealmostgone。Midnightwillfindyouweakerstill,andbutlittleremovedfromthepointofdeath。Afewhourslaterakindhandwillclosethelidsofyourhalf—shuteyes,whichneveragainwillbeholdthelight。Thecoffinwillincloseyourbody,andthelastearthlyjourneybegin。Now,\"thespiritcontinued,\"youshallallusemysightinsteadofyourown。\"
Thewallsofthecaveseemedtoexpand,tilltheyresembledthoseofagreatcathedral,whilethestalactitesappearedtobemetamorphosedintoGothiccolumns。Theyfoundthemselvesamongalargecongregationthathadcometoattendthelastsadrites,whilethegreatorganplayedChopin\'s\"FuneralMarch。\"Thehighvaultandarchesreceivedtheorgan\'stone,andasombrelightpervadedtheinterior。Therewasaslightflutterandacraningofnecksamongthoseinthepews,astheprocessionbegantoascendtheaisle。Whiletheslowstepofthepallbearersandthosecarryingthecoffinsoundedonthestonefloor,theclearvoiceoftheclergymanthatheadedtheprocessionsoundedthesewordsthroughthecathedral:\"IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth,andthatHeshallstandatthelatterdayupontheearth。\"Asthebieradvanced,BearwardenandAyraultrecognizedthemselvesamongthepallbearers——theformerwithgreymustacheandhair,thelatterconsiderablyaged。Thehermeticallysealedleadcoffinwasinclosedinawoodencase,andthewholewasdrapedandcoveredwithflowers。
\"Oh,myfaith！\"criedCortlandt,\"Iseemyfacewithin,yetitisbutadecomposingmassthatIoncedescribedasI。\"
Thenagaindidtheminister\'svoiceproclaim,\"Iamtheresurrectionandthelife,saiththeLord;hethatbelievethinme,thoughheweredead,yetshallhelive;andwhosoeverlivethandbelievethinmeshallneverdie。\"
Thebearersgentlysetdowntheirburden;theministerreadtheever—impressivechapterofSt。PaultotheCorinthians;abishopsolemnlyandsilentlysprinkledearthonthecoffin;andthechoirsangthe398thhymn,beginningwiththewords,\"Hark,harkmysoul！angelicsongsareswelling,\"whichhadalwaysbeenCortlandt\'sfavouriteandtheservicewasatanend。ThebearersagainshoulderedallthatwasleftofHenryCortlandt,andhisrelativesaccompaniedthistothecemetery。
Thencameasweepingchangeofscene。Ahostofmonumentsandgravestonesreflectedthesunlight,whileabroadriverebbedandflowedbetweenhighbanks。Asextonandawatchmanstoodbyagranitevault,theheavydoorofwhichtheyhadopenedwithalargekey。Hardbyweresomegardenersandlabourers,andalsoacrowdofcuriosity—seekerswhohadcometowitnessthelastsadrites。Presentlyafuneralprocessionappeared。Thehearsestoppedneartheopenvault,overthedoorofwhichstoodoutthenameofCORTLANDT,andtheaccompanyingministersaidashortprayer,whileallpresentuncoveredtheirheads。Afterthisthecoffinwasbornewithinandsetatrestuponaslab,amongmanygenerationsofCortlandts。Intheheartsoftherelativesandfriendswasgenuinesorrow,butthecuriosity—seekerswenttheirwayandgavelittlethought。\"To—morrowwillbeliketo—day,\"
theysaid,\"andmoregreatmenwilldie。\"
Thencameanotherchangeofscene,thoughitwascomparativelyslight。Thesunslowlysankbeyondthefartherbankofthebroadriver,andthemoonandstarsshonesoftlyonthegravestonesandcrosses。TwogardenerssmokedtheirshortclaypipesonabenchbeforetheCortlandtvault,andtalkedinaslowmanner。
\"Hewasagreatman,\"saidone,\"andifhissoulbloomsliketheflowersonhisgrave,hemustbeinparadise,whichweknowisafinerparkthanthis。\"
\"HewasexpertfortheGovernmentwhentheearth\'saxiswassetright,\"saidthesecondgardener,\"andhemusthavebeenascholar,forhiscalculationshaveallcometrue。Hewasoneofthefirstthreementovisittheotherplanets,whiletheobituariesinthepaperssayhishistorywillbereadhereafterlikethebooksofCaesar。Afterburyingallthesegreatpeople,IsometimeswishIcoulddothesameformyself,forthepeopleI
buryseemtoberemembered。\"Afterthistheyrelapsedintotheirmeditations,thesilencebeingbrokenonlybyanoccasionalmurmurfromtheriver\'ssteadyflow。
Hereuponthevoyagersfoundtheywereoncemoreinthecave。Thefirehadburnedlow,andthedawnwasalreadyintheeast。
Cortlandtwipedhisforehead,shivered,andlookedextremelypale。
\"ThankHeaven,\"hecried,\"wecannotordinarilyforeseeourend;
forbutfewwouldattaintheirpredestinedendingcouldtheyseeitinadvance。Maytheveilnotagainberaised,lestIfaintbeforeit！Ilookedinvainformysoul,\"hecontinued,\"butcouldseeitnowhere。\"
\"Thesoulsofthosedyingyoung,\"repliedthespirit,\"sometimeswishtohoverneartheirashesasifregrettinganunfinishedlife,ortheopportunitiesthathavedeparted;butthosedyingaftermiddleageareusuallygladtobefreefromtheirbodies,andseldomthinkofthemagain。\"
\"Ishallappendthelinesnowinmyheadtomyhistory,\"saidCortlandt,\"thatwhereitgoestheymaygoalso。Theycanscarcelyfailtobeinstructiveastheconclusionsofamanwhohasseenbeyondhisgrave。\"Whereuponbewroteastanzainhisnote—book,andcloseditwithoutshowinghiscompanionswhathehadwritten。
\"Maytheydoallthegoodyouhope,andmuchmore！\"repliedthespirit,\"fortherewardintheresurrectionmorningwillvastlyexceedallyourlaboursnow。
\"O,myfriends,\"thespiritcontinuedmostearnestly,addressingthethree,\"areyoupreparedforyourdeath—beds？Whenyoureyesglazeintheirlastsleep,andyoulosethattemporalworldandwhatyouperhapsconsideredall,asinahaze,yourdimvisionwillthenbedisplacedbythetruecreationthatwillbeeternal。
Yourunattainedambitions,yourhopes,andyouridealswillbeswallowedinthegrave。Yourworkswillsecureyouaplaceinhistory,andmanywillrememberyournamesuntil,intime,oblivioncoversyourmemoryasthegrassconcealsyourtombs。
Areyoupreparedforthetimewhenyoureyesbecomeblind,andyourtrustedsensesfail？Yoursorrowingfriendswillmourn,andtheflagsofyourclubswillflyathalf—mast,butnoearthlythingcanhelpyouthen。Inwhatconditionwilltheresurrectionmorningfindyou,whenyoursinsofneglectandcommissionpleadforvengeance,asAbel\'sbloodfromtheground？Afterthattherecanbenochange。Theclassification,asIhavealreadytoldyou,isnowgoingon;itwillthenbefinished。\"
\"Wearethemostutterlywretchedsinners！\"criedAyrault。\"Showushowwecanbesaved。\"
\"Asaninhabitantofspirit—land,Iwillgiveyouworldlycounsel,\"repliedthebishop。\"Duringmyearthlyadministration,asItoldyou,peoplecamefromfartohearmepreach。ThiswasbecauseIhadeloquenceandearnestness,bothgiftsofGod。ButIwasamiserablyweaksinnermyself。ThatwhichIwould,Ididnot,andthatwhichIwouldnotthatIdid;andIoftenprayedmycongregationtofollowmysermonsratherthanmyways。Iseemedtodomyfollowersgood,andDanielthuscommendsmywayinhislastchapter:\'Theythatturnmanytorighteousnessshallshineasthestarsforeverandever,\'andtheexplanationisclear。
Thereisnosurerwayoflearningthantryingtoteach。InteachingmyseveralflocksIwasalsoimprovedmyself。Iwassowninweakness,butwasraisedinpower,strengthbeingmadeperfectinweakness。Thereforeimproveyourfellows,thoughyourselfyoucannotraise。Theknowledgethatyouhavesentmanysoulstoheaven,thoughyouareyourselfacastaway,willgiveyouunspeakablejoy,andplaceyouinheavenwhereveryoumaybe。
Yetrememberthis:noneofuscanwinheaven;salvationisthegiftofGod。Ihavesaidasmuchnowasyoucanremember。
Farewell。Improvetimewhileyoucan。FearGodandkeepHiscommandments。Thisisthewholedutyofman。\"
Sosaying,thespiritvanishedinacloudthatforatimeemittedlight。
\"Iamnotsurprised,\"saidBearwarden,\"thatpeopletooklongjourneystohearhim。Iwoulddosomyself。\"
\"Ihaveneverhadmuchfearofdeath,\"saidCortlandt,\"butthemerethoughtofitnowmakesmykneesshake,andfillsmyheartwithdread。IthoughtIsawthemosthatefulformsaboutmycoffin,andimaginedthattheymightbethepersonificationofdoubt,coldness,andmyothershortcomings,whichhadcomeperhapsfromsympathy,ininvisibleform。Iwasalmostafraidtoaskthespiritfortheexplanation。\"
\"Isawthemalso,\"repliedBearwarden,\"buttookthemtobeswarmsofmicrobeswaitingtodestroyyourbody,orperhapstryinginvaintopenetrateyourhermeticallysealedcoffin。\"
Cortlandtseemedmuchupset,andspenttherestofthedayinwritingoutthefactsandtryingtoassignacause。TowardseveningBearwarden,whohadrecoveredhisspirits,preparedsupper,afterwhichtheysatintheentrancetothecave。
CHAPTERX。
AYRAULT。
Asthe,nightbecamedarkertheycaughtsightoftheearthagain,shiningveryfaintly,andinhismind\'seyeAyraultsawhissweetheart,andtheold,oldrepiningthat,sincereasonandlovebegan,hasbeeninmen\'sminds,cameuponhimandalmostcrushedhim。Withoutsayinganythingtohiscompanions,Ayraultleftthecave,and,passingthroughthegroveinwhichthespirithadpaidthemhissecondvisit,wentslowlytothetopofthehillabouthalfamileoff,thathemightthemoreeasilygazeatthefaintstaronwhichhecouldpictureSylvia。
\"Ah！\"hesaidtohimself,onreachingthesummit,\"Iwillstayheretilltheearthriseshigher,andwhenitisfarabovemeI
willgazeatitasatheaven。\"
Accordingly,helaydownwithhisheadonamoundofsod,andwatchedthefamiliarplanet。
\"Wewereborntoosoon,\"hesoliloquized;\"forhadSylviaandI
butlivedinthespiritualageforetoldbythebishop,wemighthaveheldcommunion,whilenowourspirits,nomatterhowmuchinlove,areseparatedabsolutelybyamerematterofdistance。ItisamockerytoseeSylvia\'sdwelling—place,andfeelthatsheisbeyondmyvision。Othat,intheabsenceofsomethingbetter,mypoorimperfecteyescouldbetransformedintothoseofaneagle,butwithamilliontimesthepower！forthoughIknowthatwiththesesensesIshallseetheresurrection,andhearthelasttrump,thatisbutprospective,whilenowisthetimeIlongforsight。\"
Ontheplainhehadlefthesawhisfriends\'camp—fire,whileontheothersideofhiselevationwasavalleyinwhichtheinsectschirpedsharply,andthroughwhichranastream。Feelingadesireforsolitudeandtobeasfarremovedaspossible,hearoseanddescendedtowardsthewater。Thoughtheautumn,wheretheyfoundthemselves,waswelladvanced,thisnightwaswarm,andtheringsformedagreatarchabovehishead。Nearthestreamthefrogscroakedhappily,asifunmindfulofthelongverylongSaturnianwinter;forthoughtheywereremovedbutabouttendegreesfromtheequator,thesunwassoremoteandtheaxisoftheplanetsoinclinedthatitwasunlikelytheseindividualfrogswouldseeanothersummer,thoughtheymightliveagain,inasense,intheirdescendants。Theinsectsalsowouldsoonbefrozenandstiff,andthetall,gracefulliliesthatstillclungtolifewouldbewitheredanddead。Thetrees,asifweepingattheevanescenceofthelifearoundthem,shedtheirleavesatthefaintestbreeze。Theseflutteredtotheground,or,fallingintothetranquilstream,werecarriedawaybyit,andpassedfromsight。Ayraultstoodmusingandregrettingthenecessityofsuchgeneraldeath。\"But,\"hethought,\"Iwouldratherdiethanlosemylove;forthenIshouldhavehadthetasteofblisswithoutitsfulfilment,andshouldbeworseoffthandead。Lovegildsthecommonplace,anddeifiesallittouches。Lovesurvivesthewinter,andinmypresentframeofmindIshouldpreferearthandcoldwithittoheavenandspring。
Oh,whyismysoulsocloggedbymybody？\"
Apillarofstonestandingnearhimwassuddenlyshattered,andthebishopstoodwhereithadbeen。
\"Because,\"saidthespirit,answeringhisthought,\"ithasnotyetpowertobefree。\"
\"Canaman\'ssoulnotrisetillhisbodyisdead？askedAyrault。
Thespirithesitated。
\"Oh,tellme,\"pleadedAyrault。\"IfIcouldseethegirltowhomIamengaged,forbutamoment,couldbeconvincedthatshelovesmestill,mymindwouldbeatrest。Freemysoulorspirit,orwhateveritis,fromthisbody,thatImaytraverseinterveningspaceandbewithher。\"
\"Youwilldiscoverthewayforyourselfintime,\"saidthespirit。
\"IknowIshallatthelastday,intheresurrection,whenIamnolongerintheflesh。ThenIshallhavenoneedofyouraid;
forwe,knowthatintheresurrectiontheyneithermarrynoraregiveninmarriage,butareliketheangelsofGodinheaven。ItiswhileIammortal,andloveasmortalsdo,thatIwishtoseemypromisedbride。Aspiritmayhaveotherjoys,andperhapshigher;butyouwhohavelivedintheworldandloved,showmethatwhichisnowmyheart\'sdesire。YouhaveshownusthetombinwhichCortlandtwilllieburied;nowhelpmetogotoonewhoisstillalive。\"
\"IpraythatGodwillgrantyouthis,\"saidthespirit,\"andmakemeHisinstrument,forIseethedepthofyourdistress。\"Sayingwhich,hevanished,leavingnotraceinhisdepartureexceptthatthepillarofstonereturnedtoitsplace。
Withthisrathervaguehope,Ayraultsetofftorejoinhiscompanions,forhefelttheneedofhumansympathy。Saturn\'srapidrotationhadbroughttheearthalmosttothezenith,thelittlepointshiningwiththeunmistakablysteadyrayofaplanet。Hugebatsflutteredabouthim,andthegreatcloud—massessweptacrossthesky,beingpartofSaturn\'sceaselesswhirl。Hefoundhewasinahypnoticorspiritualisticstate,foritwasnotnecessaryforhimtohavehiseyesopentoknowwherehewas。Inpassingoneofthepoolstheyhadnoticed,heobservedthattheupperandpreviouslyinvisibleliquidhadthebrightcolourofgold,andaboutitrestedagroupoffiguresenvelopedinlight。
\"Whydoyoulooksosad？\"theyasked。\"Youareinthatabodeofdepartedspiritsknownasparadise,andshouldbehappy。\"
\"IsupposeIshouldbehappy,wereIhereasyouare,astherewardofmerit,\"hereplied。\"ButIamstillintheflesh,andassuchamsubjecttoitscares。\"
\"Youareabouttohaveanexperience,\"saidanotherspeaker。
