Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

108 COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE SriRIT WORLD.form beautiful arbours with arched entrances. The grounds about thisdwelling arc skilfully and tastefully laid out. The clematis and honeysuckleentwine their tendrils around the trellis-work of the door.Let usenter. Statues of the most exquisite finish fill the niches ; couches anddivans of various forms and singular devices grace the rooms, and carpetsof the softest texture and most brilliant dyes cover the floors.It is,indeed, the beau ideal of a poet's home. In this sphere dwell Channing,Ballou, Murray, the Wesleys, Byron, Burns, Moore, Shelley, Scott, andHahnemann, the founder of your school, who is still engaged in the investigationof scientific truths. I speak of those persons in particular,because I am personally acquainted with them, being attracted to themby a congeniality of feeling.520. The sixth state or sphere far transcends the most gorgeous pictureof oriental splendour.So lovely are the scenes presented to the view there,that I cannot impress your mind with any thing like a just conception ofthem. / receive my ideas of the fifth, sixth, and seventh spheres fromthe spirits icho dwell therein, having never visited them in px^^^son. Whata magnificent panorama is there presented to the spirit's gaze !There arecolossal temples, and " houses not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."As far as the vision can extend may be seen cities and palaces,whose lofty domes sparkle like diamonds in the sunbeams of heaven;oceans and seas with which yours are mere lakes in comparison ]placidlakes and noble rivers winding their interminable way through valleysclothed with perpetual verdure.521. There are gardens there of inconceivable beauty, filled with thechoicest and most aromatic herbs and flowers, and birds with every conceivablevariety of plumage. The parks are of great magnitude, andabound with the most beautiful animals. The swift antelope, the wildgazelle, and the graceful deer are seen ranging over the flowery plains.There the lion and the lamb lie down together in peaceful innocence.There are congregated millions of spirits, who are associated togetherlike a harmonious and happy family. The vales are vocal with celestialmelody, and the air is redolent with the perfume of flowers.522. How shall I describe to you the transcendent glory of the seventhsphere ? Let us contemplate it. In it all the beauties and joysof the lower degrees are combined, but in a much more refinedand sublimatedform. There dwell the spirits of the just made more perfect.Innumerable companies of children, which constitute the infantarmy ofheaven, are singing in gladsome strains the love of Him who called theminto being, causing the atmosphere to resound with harmonious shoutsof joy. There dwells Jesus of Nazareth, the great moral reformer, and" John the beloved.'' There reside the apostles, prophets, and martyrsof olden time.There live Confucius, Seneca, Plato, Socrates, and Solon,with all the philosephers of ancient Greece and Rome.