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e moved silently until the
scenes below perished from my vision, and my being was absorbed in the bright light
descending from the orb we were approaching. Soon we entered a plain, whereon trees
bearing fruit were visible. Their interwoven branches formed an arched canopy of
evergreen above us. Passing through these shadowy groves, I was delighted with the
melody of the birds, whose warbling notes arose in sweetest song. There we paused.
Supposing that I was on some terrestrial orb, I inquired its name.
My guide answered, "These trees, these
flowers, these birds, occupy the outer expanse of the spiritual Paradise. So pure
are they, and so refined, that mortals with beclouded vision may not behold them.
And so soft their notes that they are not made audible to the dull hearing of men.
Beings, inhabiting
forms more gross, do not conceive the reality of the existence of nature so refined. Absent
from the body, thou canst comprehend through spiritual senses the existence and reality
of spiritual habitations; but what thou dost now behold is but the outline and mere
exterior of the home of the spirits.
These floral plains (the
first plain), and warbling melodies, are but
the lower order of the external habitation of the sanctified.
"Dost thou discover that these groves appear as if moved with adoration? And
that these melodies which charm and invigorate thee with new life, are but notes
offered to higher degrees of love?
"Here the redeemed are first conducted by
their guardian protectors [angels]
as they leave the valley and shadow of death,
and here they are taught the rudiments of immortal
life. Here they receive instructive lessons relative to their heavenly abode, and
learn the nature of pure love, unmarred by sin. Here are first tuned the lyres of
ceaseless praise, as they learn to utter immortal accents to the Lord, their Redeemer,
and receive new-born thoughts which bring to them increasing sense of the reality
of their change. Here friends who have advanced in spiritual attainments (on higher plains)
return from higher employment to welcome the spirit on its entrance upon this plain
of the spirit world. Here kindred are permitted to meet and hold converse; and 'tis
in these immortal groves where spirits first attempt in unity the song of redeeming
grace, and reposing in soft and heavenly sweetness, breathe the pure air of Paradise."
While listening to this strange, though welcome
address, my spirit burned to meet the friends long lost to me on earth. The angels
said, "Thou are not to tarry, since thy
present mission is to learn the condition of the departed child (infants and children)
of God. When thy course on earth is ended, here thou shalt mingle in the infancy
of thy immortal state, with thy kindred and receive lessons preparatory to an advance
to more exalted mansions."
The Second Paradise Plain
t a distance upon a superior
plain I saw a dome of light.
"That", said my guide, "is the gateway leading to
the City of Peace. There the manifestation
of thy Redeemer is made visible.
There the saints and angels abide; on harps of
gold, and stringed instruments, with immortal lyres, in allelujahs, chant the song
of redemption; the song of peace; the song of love undying."
As we drew near, a class of attendants, more
glorious, gathered around the gateway, and one foremost addressed my guide in language I
could not understand.
Music, the music of love, was in their conversation, and joy as a halo, encompassed them as they welcomed us at the entrance of the Holy Sanctuary. A gate of jasper,
set with diamonds, opened, and two angelic beings
approached, and taking me by each hand, led my tremulous spirit towards an inner
gate, a more immediate entrance to the Pavilion of Light.
Upon entering the inner gate of a great dome-like amphitheater far surpassing in
dimensions any on earth, the worshiping congregation arose as upon the breath of
holy love, and meekly welcomed me as an heir of grace, and with tuned instruments
the immortal choir chanted the spirit's welcome--
"Worthy
is the Lamb
who hath redeemed us. Exalt His name,
all ye sanctified, yea adore Him, ye cherubim
who worship in the celestial heavens. Adore Him, for He hath exalted us.
We will praise His name,
the name of our God Most High.
"We will bow down and worship at His feet. We will sing of His loving kindness.
Waft, O ye breezes of immortal love! waft ye His name throughout the universe of worshiping beings. For lo! from the depths of iniquity and from death is exalted our sister, who from the hands of our Prince and Saviour we receive. Utter allelujahs to Him forever, all ye adorning hosts. Utter ye His praise forever."
Each measure like noiseless waves swelled over
that sea of mind; and with their gentle undulations I seemed to be moving when a
spirit from the innumerable company approached and addressing me in a familiar manner
called me by name.
The spell of music being broken, I was much affected to find myself in the embrace
of one who on earth I had loved with the affections of an infant soul. With willingness
I sank into her arms, and she with a sister's tenderness pressed me to her immortal
form, saying, "Sister spirit, welcome,
for a season, to our home of peace."
"Thrice welcome", uttered the music
of a thousand voices, and lo! around me gathered those I loved,
all eager to greet me and receive me to
their kind embrace.
Around us and in the spacious room, appeared seats
in the form of an amphitheater, yet glorious beyond description. Hereon we rested.
Mingling with those here were many old and familiar friends.
Ideas associated with their heavenly life flowed from being to being, and soon I
learned that in Heaven there is no concealment. Harmony of soul, harmony of desire, harmony of speech, harmony in the swelling notes of adoring anthems, harmony
in instructive movement, harmony in increasing thought, harmony was their life, their
love, their manifestation, and supreme delight.
Being after being pressed to mine immortal lips, and seemed anxious to hold me in their arms. As a soul, newborn, they caressed me, after looking up in thankfulness to their Redeemer and their Lord.
Age Turned to Youth
hen approached me one whom
on earth I had seen bending tremulously over the pilgrim's staff.
I knew 'twas one familiar, one of age and emaciated form, whose hoary head once told
the story of a life of woe. In immortal youth the spirit
stood before me; no staff was there; no
trembling frame, no grief-worn cheek, no hollow eye, no sickly form; but light and health and vigor were manifest.
And the spirit said, "Behold in me the efficacy of redeeming grace. This heart was once the cage of thoughts unholy. These hands were employed in sin. These feet moved swiftly in the downward road that led to sorrow and death. This form of mine, though not this form, yet that in which I used to live, was worn with grief, corrupt, and dying with disease. But now, all hail to that name Immanuel! through Him redeemed, I wear the habiliments of light and exist in immortal youth. This song I chant, 'O, death, where is thy sting? and grave, thy victory now? Worthy is the Lamb who offered Himself to redeem! Worthy -- O give Him adoration, ye countless hosts, ye innumerable throng! Worship and adore Him, all intelligences! yea let universes adore. Adore Him, for He is worthy to receive anthems of universal praise!'"
And while uttering this psalm, the peopled expanse uniting, lifted on high an immeasurable volume of notes divine. Then appeared a company of children, who hand in hand, moved around, and their infant voices chanted: "Praise Him, for lo! while on earth He said, Suffer infants and babes to come to Me and forbid them not; yea, suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto Me."
The scene expanded and I saw that from the
center, and around which the multitudes were congregated, arose a pyramid whose column
was composed of pearls and most precious stones, set with crosses of spiritualized
diamond, upon which were engraven the names of those
who had suffered for their love of truth,
and who not counting their lives dear had endured persecution even unto death.
Upon this column stood three spirits, in the attitude of meekness and adoration holding in their hand and above them a Cross from which floated a banner ever unfurling. "These," said my guide, "are select; one Patriarch, one Prophet, and one Apostle. They represent the triune circle of commissioned saints who shall attend the reappearing of the Son of Man, and shall go forth in the day appointed, gathering together the elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."
The volumes the spirits held in their hands unfold the order of creation, the redemption of man, and the principles which govern the obedient, world without end.
The Third Paradise Plain
oon we drew near that which
at first appeared like a city built in the midst of a floral plain. There appeared
stately edifices and streets lined with trees whose foliage cast a lovely shade.
In the branches birds of all colors appeared; and although all were singing with
different notes, all mingled in one full and perfect harmony. Many corresponded to
these on earth, and yet were as superior to them as the Paradise itself was superior
to the mortal earth.
As we advanced, the beauty and harmony increased, and new scenes appeared, the architecture
of the edifices, the sculptures in the open air, the foundations that sparkled in
the light, the trees that waved their extended branches, the flowers and flowering
vines becoming more majestic, interwoven and beautiful. There were also many avenues,
each of which slightly ascending led to a common center toward which we pursued our
way.
As we advanced, I perceived before me a vast and complicated structure, whose outer
walls and towers appeared formed of marble, that was in appearance delicate as snow.
This served as the foundation of a vast canopy like a dome, though far too extended
to be expressed by the earthly architectural meaning of that term. We drew near the
building, and I perceived that the dome was suspended over the vast circular space. "This,"
said my guide, "is the place where all infants of every race from thy globe
are gathered for the instruction and support of their infant natures.
"Thou didst discover edifices on either side as
we moved along the avenues. Each of these corresponds to what mortals call a nursery
for the young. These infants are first conducted there and nourished beneath the
smile of their guardian angels.
"Each edifice, though somewhat varying, is a miniature of this vast central
temple of instructive manifestation, and each edifice, or nursery, is a home for
the infant spirits who enter there, until they attain to higher degrees, and enter
the Paradise of more advanced youthful existence for degrees of instruction adapted
to a more intellectual condition.
"Over each of these mansions, or edifices, are appointed seven maternal guardian
angels.
"Thou seest, Marietta, that no two edifices are perfectly alike in interior
beauty, external form or decoration, but that all harmoniously combine; and also
that each guardian angel is different in the radiative light and individuality of
the face and form. This thou art permitted to know.
"Whenever an infant dies on earth, the guardian angel who bears up the spirit
to the Lord of Peace, perceives its interior type of mind, and according to its type
it is classed with others of like order of intelligence; and as the skillful gardener
on earth in one floral division trains the various species of the lily, and in another
compartment roses, and in another camelias or the honeysuckles; so here angelic wisdom
classifies the infant spirits, and according to their variety of artistic, scientific,
and social tendencies, assigneth each to a home best adapted to the unfolding of
its interior germs of life, into intellectual, artistic, or industrial harmony.
.
(1) Over
each edifice preside seven guardian angels, each angel being of that type of mind
which agrees with his associates, as one note harmonizes with the associate tones
and seminotes of the harmonic scale.
(2) Each
of these seven guardians is the superior of a subordinate octave of more youthful
spirits, who perform duties assigned to them, according to their type of being, in
the harmonic system of paradisaical instruction; and
(3) each
of these presides over a separate class of infant beings.
"Seven of these edifices compose one great family: that is, each is a separate
place of instruction, bosomed in its own separate gardens and enclosures as one of
seven of associate variety, and of like degree. Seven of these in their turn form
the subordinate divisions of one more composite and magnificent palatial temple,
whose center pavilion is adapted to instruction in more exalted degrees of paradisaical
truth.
"The center palace of each ward is thus a magnificent temple of instruction,
encircled in artistic splendors and floral harmonies, corresponding to its degree,
and this is surrounded by seven lesser pavilions of architectural beauty, encircled
by corresponding adornments adapted to their subordinate but exalted conditions;
and each of these last is also the center of a lesser octave of edifices, also adorned
with stately forms of blooming and sculptures perfection. In these last the infants
dwell, and are led forth each day, or each successive period corresponding thereto,
to the superior palaces, and to the center pavilion for the edification of their
unfolding natures."
Thus in each of these temples of instruction
where infants are first received there are seven superior guardian angels who preside
over all. Under each of these are seven other angels, each in charge of a class of
infants. Accordingly, there are forty-nine classes of infants in each of these temples,
or edifices.
These great temples of instruction are each in separate, park-like surroundings of
wonderful beauty. They differ one from another, and are of three different degrees.
There is...
.
(1) the
great central temple, then
(2) immediately
under its direction are seven other temples of the second rank, and
(3) under
each of these there are seven temples of third rank, making in all forty-nine of
this rank.
In each ward, therefore, there are fifty-four [WStS editor: fifty-seven: typo?] temples located on either side of beautiful avenues, each palace in its own surroundings and separated from others by spacious lawns and Eden-like conditions. These fifty-four [WStS editor: fifty-seven: typo?] temples and their adjoining parks constitute but one of the one hundred and forty-four ward which, in all, make up the whole of the infant Paradise.
The Interior of an Infant
Nursery in Paradise
o my already astonished
spirit, there appeared visible the interior of one of these nurseries, supremely
light with the glory thereof, and adorned with artistic beauty correspondent to the
majestic appearance of the paradise for infants. The interior that was opened before
me was that of a temple gloriously adorned. In circular tiers, one rising above another,
were niches, or segments of circles, as wrought in gold and overshadowed with a seraph.
In each reposed an infant spirit. Before each one was an attending or guardian angel,
whose employment consists in fitting for higher life the germ formation of the spirit
for its external existence in holy usefulness (service).
As we entered, I saw that those infants, as they awoke
to still greater consciousness, and as they
beheld their angel bending over them, wore an expressive smile, and were happy.
These silken cradle-like niches, or resting places,
where each child nestled were adorned with beautiful flowers everywhere. Could you
enter those with Me you would behold in the center, held in an angel's hand, a cross
as of pure, transparent, and spiritualized gold...
There are angels appointed, who touch in softest notes, the varied instruments upon
which melody is made. This music is ever mingling with that of angelic voices of
sweet and heavenly utterance. The dome, or temple, is so constructed as to echo,
in gentle undulations, each strain, which appears to move with the life of the place.
So soft, sweet, and melodious was that music, that it served as life to give action
and strength to the spirit nerve of those who were reposing beneath the smile of
their guardians. "This", said the spirit who
had conducted me there, "is but one of
the many of these great temples, and corresponds to all in this degree.
Here -- oh! that earthly parents could realize it -- is, as it were, the birth place
of those who are not permitted to tarry in the outer form (die
in infancy) until understanding awakes within
them. From this (the palace of lowest degree) they ascend to
places prepared." (palaces of higher degrees)...
Jesus Appears in Infant
Nursery
s He spoke
guardian angels drew near,
.
and each presented Him with their Treasure.
He moved His hand above them, and goodness
like dew-drops fell therefrom, and the infants appeared to drink as from a fountain
of living water.
They were blessed. The emanation from that Being was the breath of Life.
The temple wore a new aspect. As the scene was closing, the angels who attended Him played upon stringed instruments, and sung of Redemption. He moved His gracious hand as if in approbation of what the guardian angels had done; and they all bowed and veiled their faces in the garment of glory that encompassed them. Suddenly music, like the voice of many waters
arose from every temple in the broad nursery of
the great city. And as the utterance moved forth in one swelling wave of angelic
song, that Being with those who had accompanied Him, reascended, and the angels of
this temple resumed their former movement.
In explaining this sudden city-wide outburst of praise the
angel said, "These happy beings, Marietta,
could no more refrain from that full manifestation of joy and thanksgiving than life
could cease to flow from Him who is the Author of life.
Thus it is throughout heaven, and more especially all abodes of preparation for spirits of the redeemed. Dost thou not realize that each breath of those beings around thee is but a separate volume of praise to God?"
These children having been blessed by the Lord
were promoted to the charge of another group of angels to be taken to other palaces,
or nurseries, for higher instruction. As these were promoted, a new class of infants
just from earth were admitted to take their places. And now was approaching a scene
in which I should witness the...
Reception of Infants
Coming from Earth
saw, above and around,
angels poising in the serene atmosphere,
waiting with their Treasures,
the moment to arrive for them to enter the temple.
When the former angels had given up their charge, and were preparing to receive another
class, these entered and occupied the center around the cross. At first, their movement
was irregular, but not disturbed. Then the softest and most gentle music commenced,
as if harmony had awakened from her sacred stillness, and moved in almost silent
utterance like some spirit breath from the heart of gentleness and love.
That which is nourished by each angel is a spirit whose
being is just begun, and who, by reason of nature's violated laws, has been separated
prematurely from its infant form in the external world.
This soft music thrills every fiber of the being, while the Supreme Spirit is reorganizing and giving it enlarged capacity -- fitting each organ to its fellow organ in the harmony of perfection, thus establishing tone and proper energy in the system.
here, oh! that all the world but knew it! There hung upon the
cross -- and from all I could discover, bleeding and dying -- my Lord and Redeemer!
that sight! No human heart can know its effect upon the spirits who attend in the
Infant Paradise. The crown of thorns, the nails and mangled form, the flowing blood,
the look of compassion, were so plainly manifested and combined, as to convey to the soul an idea of suffering the most intense
and excruciating.
About the cross guardian angels were congregating from every part of the city, with their infant spirits. All, as they gathered in a circular form, manifested deep humility and holy reverence. As soon as they had assumed this uniform attitude they held out the infant spirits whom they had in charge, directing their infant minds to the Cross and the Sacrifice.
- Children Brought to Christ
a sermon excerpt by
Rev. C. H. SPURGEON,
At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington
- "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them"
—Mark 10:13-16.
- How can we bring children to Jesus Christ to be blessed? We cannot do it in a corporeal sense, for Jesus is not here, "he is risen;" but we can bring our children in a true, real, and spiritual sense. We take them up in the arms of our prayer. I hope many of us, so soon as our children saw the light, if not before, presented them to God with this anxious prayer, that they might sooner die than live to disgrace their father's God. We only desired children that we might in them live over again another life of service to God; and when we looked into their young faces, we never asked wealth for them, nor fame, nor anything else, but that they might be dear unto God, and that their names might be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. We did then bring our children to Christ as far as we could do it, by presenting them before God, by earnest prayer on their behalf. And have we ceased to bring them to Christ? Nay, I hope we seldom bow the knee without praying for our children. Our daily cry is, "O, that they might live before thee!" God knows that nothing would give us more joy than to see evidence of their conversion; our souls would almost leap out of our bodies with joy, if we should but know that they were the children of the living God. Nor has this privilege been denied to us, for there are some here who can rejoice in a converted household. Truly we can say with the apostle Paul, "I have no greater joy than this, that my children walk in the truth." We continue, therefore, to bring them to Christ by daily, constant, earnest prayer on their behalf. So soon as they become of years capable of understanding the things of God, we endeavour to bring them to Christ by teaching them the truth. Hence our Sabbath-schools, hence the use of the Bible and family prayer, and catechizing at home. Any person who shall forbid us to pray for our children, will incur Christ's high displeasure; and any who shall say, "Do not teach your children; they will be converted in God's own time if it be his purpose, therefore leave them to run wild in the streets," will certainly both "sin against the child" and the Lord Jesus. We might as well say, "If that piece of ground is to grow a harvest, it will do so if it be God's good pleasure; therefore leave it, and let the weeds spring up and cover it; do not endeavour for a moment to kill the weeds, or to sow the good seed." Why, such reasoning as this would be not only cruel to our children, but grievously displeasing to Christ. Parents! I do hope you are all endeavouring to bring your children to Christ by teaching them the things of God. Let them not be strangers to the plan of salvation. Never let it be said that a child of yours reached years in which his conscience could act, and he could judge between good and evil, without knowing the doctrine of the atonement, without understanding the great substitutionary work of Christ. Set before your child life and death, hell and heaven, judgment and mercy, his own sin, and Christ's most precious blood; and as you set these before him, labour with him, persuade him, as the apostle did his congregation, with tears and weeping, to turn unto the Lord; and your prayers and supplications shall be heard so that the Spirit of God shall bring them to Jesus.
At this moment an angel descended, clothed
in bright raiment, and moved around the cross, holding in his hand his glittering
crown. Then blowing he worshiped, and his worship was silent as had been that of
all who had congregated. After this, turning to the guardian angels he said,
"Adore
Him, for He is the Redeemer of a ruined race. Yea, let all heaven adore Him."
Then as He lifted up His right hand, I saw in it a little book. In imitation all the angels in like manner raised their right hands, in each of which was also a book of like dimensions. Then appeared, as from an invisible dome, a choir of angelic beings. These had palms in their hands,
and with one voice sang praises to God and to Lamb. The first I could not understand, but they concluded saying, "Suffer children to come unto Me. Of such is the Kingdom. Out of the mouths of sucklings and babes Thou hast perfected praise. Amen, alleluia, amen!"
Then the guardian angels drew still nearer
the cross, presenting the spirits (babies) in their charge, while they were addressed
in a manner entirely beyond my comprehension; at the close of
which each
infant was touched with a stream of light.
They smiled and bowed their heads, while holding
up in their little clasped hands the image of the cross, which had been given them
by their angels. Again they were folded in the arms of their protectors; and again
the choir chanted a loud anthem which, being echoed by the surrounding spirits, filled
the city with one volume of holy melody. Then the Cross and Sacrifice disappeared,
the angels returning whence they had come, and the city was restored to its former
appearance.
"Is there no heaven without the Cross and the sacrifice?"
I enquired.
"Each scene moves around its manifestation. Each spirit reverences it with holy
awe, and each hymn of praise utters the name of the
Sacrifice,"
she replied with suppressed accents. "The Cross is ever before the vision of redeemed spirits. In every circle is seen the Cross. Every flower, every artistic production has the Cross, as by an invisible hand, inwrought throughout.
And all instruction is based on that blessed symbol of redeeming love, and it is the duty of the guardian angels to instruct the spirits of their charge, in the great truth of redemption, through Jesus, who suffered upon the cross, and for this purpose each class of spirits, as they pass from their first guardian protectors, to the care of others are in like manner congregated. And by this means the Cross and the Sacrifice are imaged and instamped within their interior sense; and hence its nature and likeness grow into higher life and more exalted being with them. All redeemed and sanctified spirits are thus made to appear.
No guile can in any way be found in them.
All angels can behold the Cross as it shines forth from the soul which has received its impress. For this cause malicious spirits or beings cannot conceal from angels or the spirits of just men made perfect, their real nature.
Where the Cross does not shine there is no pure love; and the heart whereon it is not visible, is not at peace with God."
General View of Whole
Infant Paradise
eneath me
the sublime Temple
of Instruction (the central temple),
builded of most precious materials,
and in a style of architecture which I am unable to describe, arose in the air from the center of a circular lawn of great extent, whose green surface appeared covered with the softest and richest verdure. Majestic trees in groups and at regular intervals arose, bearing a profusion of fragrant and shining clusters of flowers. Beneath their shade, and on the more open spaces, appeared minute flower beds, filled with every variety of flowers and blossoming shrubs, and vines. Fountains of living waters
also were visible, some just rising from the green
grass, and flowing through their marble channels, or through beds of golden sands
with a low and pleasant murmur; while other gushed forth in full volume to a lofty
height, and descended in glowing streams of every variety of form, and were received
in basins, some of which were like diamonds, and others like burnished silver or
whitest pearl. This lawn was encircled by a lofty but open trellis work; and at its
eastern side appeared a gateway without doors, from the center of which flowed forth
a stream of living water, supplied from the fountains within the enclosure.
I now directed my attention to the surrounding city, and perceived
that it was divided into twelve great divisions
by this river of living waters, which flowing in a spiral course, was bordered on
either side by a wide and regular avenue, in twelve great curves or circles,
proceeding from the centre to the circumference. I also perceived that twelve other streets intersected this spiral avenue, these streets
centering in the consecrated ground around the Temple, and radiating to twelve equally divided points in the outer limit of the scene.
As my vision followed the pathway of the flowing river and the stately avenues, my mind became absorbed till all sense of person or time was merged in the entrancing sight. The city was divided into one hundred and forty-four wards, or divisions, arranged in a series of advancing degrees of sublimity and beauty. From the outer limit to the center was one gently ascending and encircling pathway of ever increasing loveliness. Each degree was marked by new and more beautiful forms of tree, flower, fountain, statute, palace, and temple of adoration. Each building was of vast extent, and corresponded with all others as the perfect part of a most perfect whole.
Thus the entire city appeared one garden of flowers; one grove of umbrage; one gallery of sculptured imagery; one undulating sea of fountains; one unbroken extent of sumptious architecture
all set in a surrounding landscape of corresponding
beauty, and overarched by a sky adorned with hues of immortal light, that bathed
and encircled each and every object with an every-varying and increasing charm.
I now beheld the movements of the inhabitants, but faint is the idea that can be
given of what was moving before my sight. I can only describe it by saying that the
entire movement was melody. All the angelic multitudes appeared animated from one
inspiring love, moving in the wisdom of one orderly plan, and having in view the
unfolding of their infant charge into a condition of being which should perfectly
correspond to all that visible perfection. No angel
manifested a separate personal movement, disconnected from the universal harmony,
but all appeared to co-operate and appeared to be inspired from one Superior source.
I saw that no rivalry, emulation, or desire
of selfish glory existed in the lovely
group of infants,
but that each group, and the inhabitants of each nursery of palace, were united in holy affection to the superior, associate, and more mature societies; and that each little child was filled with holy love, and desired to become advanced in holy wisdom
and fitted to be used as an angel of light and loveliness. I saw also, that each delighted to learn from those above to communicate beautiful forms, as gifts of holy love and wisdom to those below, and to exercise the entire being in harmonic and unselfish works of love. In this it was revealed, that each child and each group of children advanced in orderly series, from temple to temple, from palace to palace, from circle to circle, and that as one group advanced it occupied the place just vacated by an older group and gave place to a more youthful family, in its former abode. Thus like the movement of Spring upon some unfallen Paradise, I saw each child, as a living blossom of immortality, unfold from beauty to beauty,
while all above was glory, and all around was loveliness, and all within was harmonious movement of unfolding love, love and knowledge of Heaven and adoration of the Savior, and inspiration of undying joy.
Having thus beheld the city in its glory, usefulness
and magnificence, my vision expanded, and beyond the extreme circle of palaces, I saw more perfectly, what I had seen before while in the
city, multitudes of angels
gathering around, in readiness to enter the other
temples at the appointed period. I saw that each class was congregating according
to the class of school to which the infants they had with them was best adapted.
These angels approached as on wings of wind, and around them, enrobing them, was
a bright cloud, which made them appear to me as if clothed with the
sun.
In their arms, as before stated, were infant spirits
whose existence appeared to depend upon their care. As they drew very near, each
would pause a moment, poising in the holy and serene atmosphere, and then inclining
in an appropriate position would rest.
This most glorious view in its delightful unfoldings was now somewhat changed, and
my guide addressed me, saying, "Marietta,
behold the order and glorious wonders of the first and most simple degree of a spiritual
Paradise. These angels thou hast seen in their employment, are ever engaged in this
delightful duty. Here, as has been taught thee, infants assemble from the world whence
we are; and from this blessed place they are conducted to other and higher schools
of instruction."
Interior View of Central Palace
he music of the infant choralists arose from their pure hearts, filling the expanse and swelling into gentle waves, which
harmoniously moved along the atmosphere above. But grandeur was added to the scene
as I beheld them formed into bands, and uniting class with class, made one throughout
-- each class being composed of equal numbers, each spirit glowing with the holy
fire of the sacred hymn.
Moving from band to band was
a female spirit, clothed
in raiment pure and white.
Upon her head was a crown set with gems,
which shone with the brightness of the sun. In her left hand she held an open volume, in her right, a sceptre.
She appeared to observe every infant, and to clearly distinguish every voice, so as to know the relation of their different qualities to each other, and thence to all.
Likewise, her every
movement was noticed by the infants who sought to imitate her, even as pupils
do their instructors in schools with men.
The parts of music
performed were manifold, yet in harmony; and
the melody was the beauty of perfection. As they sang, their spirit fingers moved over their soft
and mellow-toned harps, while all were increasingly inspired with confidence which,
adding to the melody, appeared to blend them into one great soul, whose breath was the spirit and harmony of celestial love.
Returned to Earth
Again
he time had come for my departure.
I looked around upon the scenes of that lovely city and upon its happy inhabitants.
I offered myself in thanksgiving to God
for the blessing of immortality
and, above all, for the gift of grace in Jesus,
