Chapter I: Preface

When the thought of publishing this volume was first suggested to me by my spirit guides, I was led to ask, what good will it accomplish? and they replied: It will teach mortals that which it is impossible for them to obtain from any other source, but of which they are supremely desirous of being informed,—the conditions and surroundings, and the pleasures and pursuits of and influence exerted upon the denizens of earth by the inhabitants of the spirit world; it will reveal somewhat of the life their departed relatives and friends live, and to which they themselves are rapidly approaching; it will show that that life is a tangible reality, that it is, in fact, the substance, this being but the shadow,—the eternal, while this is but transitory; that while the joys they may there possess surpass all human power of conception, they are attained only by purity of thought, and a faithful performance of duty, and that every advance made in those essentials in this life places them in a correspondingly advanced state when they enter the spiritual realm. I had no desire to further question; the accomplishment of such a work seemed every way desirable; I cheerfully acceded to their wishes, and the result is here presented.

I believe that all herein given has emanated from the minds of spiritual intelligences, that even the words employed have been chosen by them as most befitting the thoughts they wished to express. They have come to me in times of quiet seclusion, when there was nothing to disturb the harmony absolutely required for the transmission of the truths they wished to convey.

M. T. SHELHAMER.

CONTENTS.

PART FIRST.

CHAPTER I.
SPIRIT VIOLET. Sympathy. Girls. Old Age. 7

CHAPTER II.
SPIRIT ECHOES. A Meeting of Missionary Spirits. A Spirit Returns to
Comfort Her Mother. Just Recognition of Returning Spirits.
Consolatory Thoughts for Bereaved Mothers. The Ministration of
Spirits. The Rain of the Summer-Land. Happiness of Spirits in
Communing with Friends on Earth. Poetry of the Spirit Spheres. My
Mother (poem). 23

CHAPTER III.
REAL LIFE IN THE SPIRIT WORLD. A Darkened Spirit Led to See the
Light. An Outcast from Earth Returns to Aid the Fallen. Unseen
Helpers at a Conflagration. Advent of a Mortal into Spirit Life. 37

CHAPTER IV.
ZENCOLLIA CITY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. A Temple of Learning. Hall of
Metaphysics. Hall of Literature. Hall of Music. Social Life in
Zencollia. Interior View of Zencollia. A Convocation of Women;
Equality of Sex. Dwellers in Zencollia. A Suburban View. My Home,
its Life and Associations. 54

CHAPTER V.
PLACES I HAVE SEEN. The People of Spring Garden City. Children’s
Lyceum. Harmonial City. A Magnificent Temple. City of Joy.
Floralia, the Valley of Flowers. The Valley of Delight. The Happy
Hunting Ground of the Indians. 72

CHAPTER VI.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE SPIRIT LAND. Trial and Triumph. A Home
for the Weary. The Condition of One Selfish on Earth. First Steps
towards Enlightenment. Enfranchisement of a Spirit. Children’s
Progressive Lyceums. Methods of Instruction in Spirit Lyceums. A
Golden-Chain Recitation. 87

CHAPTER VII.
HOW SPIRITS WORK. A Spirit Mother Relieves an Impoverished
Daughter. Parents Suddenly Bereaved. The Father’s Grief Affects
the Spirit. The Spirit Seeks to Make Her Presence Known. The
Recognition and its Results. 103

CHAPTER VIII.
AN ECHO FROM THE SUMMER-LAND. The Lesson of Self-Sacrifice. Days of
Darkness. Words of Cheer from the Spirit Land. The Mists Clearing
Away. 116

CHAPTER IX.
THE FORTUNES OF LITTLE GEORGIE. Shadows on Earthly Paths. A Spirit
Mother Leads Her Child. Visions of the Night. Dreams that
Appeared Strange. The Strange Dreams fulfilled. 126

CHAPTER X.
LUCY AIKEN’S MISSION. Unseen Helpers. A Spirit’s Efforts to Reach
Her Father. The Last Penny and the Last Appeal. The Influence of
the Spirit Begins to Show Itself. The Spirit Daughter’s Presence.
Happy Results of Spirit Efforts. Angel Visits not Few nor Far
Between. 139

CHAPTER XI.
EXPERIENCES IN SPIRIT LIFE. The Various Classes of Spirits near the
Earth. The Power and Extent of Personal Influence. Beulah, a
Spirit Missionary. Beulah’s Self-Sacrificing Beneficence.
Reformation of Spirits in the Lower Spheres. Illustrative
Instance of the Reformation of a Spirit. The Work Carried to
Completion. The Reformed Spirit Returns to Earth to Reform
Others. First Sensations upon Entering Spirit Life. The Ultimate
Reign of Peace and Happiness on Earth. 154

CHAPTER XII.
SANITARIUMS IN SPIRIT LIFE. Localities and Characteristics. Methods
of Treatment. Music as a Means of Recuperation. Restoration of
the Mentally Diseased. Improved Medical Treatment on Earth. One
of the Sanitariums of Spirit Life. Interesting Incident,—a Mother
Finds Her Child. Cultivation of Inherent Talents. 172

CHAPTER XIII.
SURROUNDINGS AND CONDITIONS OF SPIRITS. Reasons for Different Views
of Spirit Surroundings. Earthly Conditions that Retard Spiritual
Progress. Worldly Success often a Misfortune. Earthly Conditions
Continued in Spirit Life. An Illustration. External Surroundings
Produced by Mental Conditions. Materialistic Scientists in Spirit
Life. The Dawning of Spiritual Light. The Liberal-Minded
Scientist. Contrasted Causes and Effects. The Simply
Intellectual. Cheerlessness of a Want of Spirituality. Blending
of the Spiritual and Intellectual. Happiness Derivable only from
Within. The Human nature of Spirits. Right and Wrong States of
Contentment. 186

CHAPTER XIV.
OUR CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. Earthly Reforms Originate in Spirit
Life. Divisions of Spirit Mission of Labor. Woman Suffrage. The
Indians. Peace Arbitration. Heredity. An Organization of Spirits
for the Elevation of Earth’s Inhabitants. Care and Protection of
Mediums. Development of New Mediums. Our Co-operative Society;
what Constitutes Membership; its Plans, Purposes, and Influence. 214

PART SECOND.

CHAPTER XV.
INTRODUCTORY.—SPIRIT MAY. The Council of the Flowers. For the
Little Ones (poem). Who Can Tell (poem). Work (poem). To My
Sister Genevieve (poem). Grandma’s Pet (poem). Two Birdies
(poem). Evening (poem). The Awakening of the Flowers (poem). Baby
Nellie (poem). A Happy New Year (poem). Snow Drops (poem). An
Evening Song (poem). Children (poem). Snow Flakes (poem). 233

CHAPTER XVI.
A STORY FOR THE CHILDREN. 253

CHAPTER XVII.
THE CHILDREN OF THE SUMMER-LAND. 272

CHAPTER XVIII.
LITTLE BERTIE AND OTHERS. 290

CHAPTER XIX.
GOLDEN NEST AND OTHER PLACES. Heavenly Love (poem) 307

PART THIRD.

CHAPTER XX.
JOHN CRITCHLEY PRINCE. HIS EXPERIENCES IN THE SPIRIT WORLD. I Come
to Thee (poem). Heart Treasures (poem). “And He Will make it
Plain” (poem). Down by the Sea (poem). Coming Home (poem). A
Friend’s Advice (poem). The Welcome Angels Give. 326

CHAPTER XXI.
MY LIFE AND EXPERIENCES ON EARTH. 345

CHAPTER XXII.
MY LIFE AND EXPERIENCES IN THE SPIRIT WORLD. 351

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE POET’S COUNCIL. 367

CHAPTER XXIV.
A VISIT TO ROBERT BURNS. 383

CHAPTER XXV.
MY SPIRITUAL WORK. 404

LIFE AND LABOR IN THE SPIRIT WORLD.

PART FIRST.