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

130 APOLOGY FOR MY CONVERSION.according to Ilcrschcl, requiring nineteen liundreJ tliousand years forsouls to travel, moving with the velocity of light, two hundred thousandmiles in a second. In one of my lectures, in 1842, I suggested that heavenmight be situated at that central space about which all the constellationsofthe universe have been supposed to revolve.682. But if we infer a general place of reception for souls, then in thatcelestial emporium every soul from all the myriads of planets, of all thesolar systems in the universe, must congregate. Far more rational does itnot seem that our heaven should be associated with our own planet, in thewelfare, the past history, and future prospects of which the souls who wereborn upon it,must take pre-eminent interest?C83. The separation of any heaven into spheres seems inevitable, since;the association of spirits according to their virtue and intellectual acquirementsand capacity seems indispensable to harmony and happiness. Thusthe more virtuous, wise, and cultivated spirits are, the higher their spheresof existence.C81. Let any person contemplate the information respecting the spiritworld given in the preceding pages, in the communications from my spiritrelations and others, and then say whether, in receiving them as true, anybeliever in immortality, as vaguely portrayed in the gospel, will not makea beneficial exchange.685. How can any person become a spiritualist without forthwith findingan irresistible impulse to conduct himself in this world, so as to acquireeminence in the next ? For what are we all working ? is it not for happiness,'^ our being's end and aim," the difference being only in the modeby which it is sought ? By some it is through the good of others as wellas of themselves ;yet too many seek it without regard to that portion oftheir fellow-creatures whom they may deem it their interest to oppress, deceive,cheat, or rob.686. But even these will perceive how much better it will be to pursuethe opposite course, since every wrong done by them here, will have to beexpiated by a proportionate penance in the spirit world.687. By every good action resulting from the wish to do as we wouldbe done by, we advance a "step higher in that heavenly stairway by whichwe may ultimately reach the supernal heaven, and become ministering angelsof God.688. But even during our ascending progression, we shall pass througha succession of stages wherein ever}'- intellectual, social, and amiable propensityof our nature will be gratified.689. In justice to myself, and to give more weight to the inferencesdrawn from my laborious investigations, I will subjoin the correspondencebetween Mr. Holcomb and myself, which succeeded the receipt of the letterwhich has been introduced in the commencement of my narrative, (128.)So far as my judgment goes, there never was a letter written of which the