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recuperation much had been explained to him as to the conditions of life in the spirit world,
its methods, its laws, and its pleasant customs. Such revelations had filled him with
happiness, and he knew that as soon as he left the seclusion of his mother s house to venture
abroad, he could do so with a freedom that is only to be found in spirit lands, where the
inhabitants would regard him in the light in which he would wish to be regarded that of a
plain man desirous of joining with his fellow beings in their happiness and their rejoicings.
He knew that he would be treated as one of themselves. When, therefore, in company with
members of his family, he walked through these realms on the voyage of discovery that is
such a common sight among the newly arrived, he did not experience in himself or cause in
others any feelings of mental discomfort. No one referred to his earthly position, unless he
himself broached the subject, and then there was no suspicion of inquisitiveness or ignorant
curiosity.
You may think that one who had occupied so elevated a position upon the
earth-plane would engender in the minds of others here thoughts of sympathy with such a
change of relative position that had taken place. But no such feelings of sympathy are ever
wished for, nor extended, in these realms in such cases, for the very good reason that the
occasion for them never arises. We have left our earthly importance behind us, and we do
not refer to it except to show, by our own experiences, to others still incarnate, just what to
avoid. We do not revive our memories for the purpose of self-glorification, or to impress our
hearers. Indeed, they would not be in the least impressed, and we should only succeed in
making fools of ourselves We recognize the truth here, and our true worth is for all to see.
It is spiritual worth, and that alone, that counts, irrespective of what we were upon the earth-
plane. Perspectives and view-points are completely altered when one comes into the spirit
world. However mighty we were upon the earth-plane, it is spiritual worth only that takes us
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to our right place in the spirit world, and it is the deeds of our life, regardless of social
position, that at our transition will assign to us our proper abode. Position is forgotten, but
deeds and thoughts are the witnesses for or against us, and we become our own judges.
It is not difficult to see, then, that when this royal personage arrived in the
spirit world, like others of his family before him he found himself faced with no difficulties
or awkward situations. It was just the reverse, for the whole situation seemed to simplify
itself, and provided its own solution. Now, what applies in this extreme case, applies equally
to all who were famous upon the earth-plane. But how does this affect some well-known
scientist, let us say, or a musical composer, or a painter? To us, and to themselves they will
be learners, and humble learners, too, in whatever branch of science or art their earthly lives
led them. To you, still incarnate, they are famous names, and when we have occasion to refer
to them in speaking to you we use those names by which they are familiar. Here, in the spirit
world, they dislike to be referred to as masters or geniuses. Their names, however famous,
mean nothing to them personally, and they sternly repudiate anything that even remotely
approaches the hero-worship that the earth world accords them. They are just one of
ourselves, and as such they wish to be and are so treated.
In the spirit world the law of cause and effect applies equally to all people,
regardless of their former earthly status. This law is no new thing. It has always been in
existence, and so every famous name that is to be found within the chronicles of nations
comes strictly within the jurisdiction of this law. The soul who passes his earthly life in
obscurity, known only to one or two people, is subject to this same law just as much as the
soul whose name is a household word among nations. In living in these realms one is
inevitably bound, sooner or later, to encounter some person whose name is known to all
upon the earth-plane. But these famous folk have no attachment to the earth world. They
have left it behind them, and many of those who passed to here hundreds of earthly years ago
are glad to have no occasion to recall their earthly lives. Such numbers of them suffered a
violent transition that they are happy to consider their present only, and leave their past
sealed up in their memory.
The people of the earth world may think it strange to walk through these
realms and mingle with persons who lived on the earth-plane hundreds and, in some cases,
thousands of years ago. A meeting of the past, as it were, with the eternal present. But it is
not strange to us here. It may be so for the newly-arrived, but then there are many other
things that may seem strange at first. Discretion is something we soon learn to exercise,
and it is embodied in our never prying into the facts and circumstances of other people s
earthly lives. That does not mean to say that we are debarred from discussing our earthly
lives, but the initiative always comes from the person concerned. If he wishes to tell anyone
of his life on earth he will ever find a sympathetic and interested ear awaiting him.
You can see, then, that our earthly lives are very strictly our own. The
discretion that we exercise is universal among us we show it and we receive it. And
whatever our former position upon earth, we are united in these realms, spiritually,
intellectually, temperamentally, and in such human traits as our like and dislikes. We are
one; we have achieved the same state of being upon the same plane of existence. Every fresh
face that enters these realms receives the same heartfelt welcome, without reference to what
he was upon earth.
One will meet many people here, who were famous upon earth, in all sorts
of places and pursuing all sorts of occupations some of the latter a continuation of their
earthly calling, and some, perforce, entirely new. All alike are approachable without
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formalities of any kind whatever. We need no introductions to men and women whom the
earth knows as famous. Their gift are at the disposal of all, and happy, indeed, are they to
assist another who comes to them for help in any difficulties, whether it is in art or science,
or in any other form of activity. The great who have gained their greatness through the
various expression of their genius, consider themselves but the lowly units of a vast whole,
the immense organization of the spirit world. They are all striving as we are too for the
same purpose, and that is spiritual progression and development. They are grateful for any
help towards that end, and they are glad to give it wherever possible.
The riches and honors of the earth world seem very tawdry and trumpery
by comparison with the spiritual riches and honors that are ready to be won here. And those
riches and honors are within the grasp of every soul the instant he enter the spirit world.
They are his spiritual birthright, of which no one can deprive him, and it rests with himself
just how long it will be before he gains them. Earthly greatness may seem very tangible
while we are in the midst of it. Just how tangible it is can be seen as soon as our dissolution
takes place. Then we find that it is spiritual greatness that is concrete and permanent. Our
earthly prominence just melts away as we step into the spirit world, and we stand revealed
for what we are, not for what we were.
Several of the earth world s famous people have spoken to me of their
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