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What does the spirit of a man do when it leaves
the physical body for all eternity
May 29, 1916
I am here, St. John, Apostle of Jesus.
I come tonight to tell you a vital truth, which I know you will be
interested in. What does the spirit of man do when it leaves the
physical body for all eternity?
Many spirits, I know, have written you about this matter and some of
them have described their personal experiences, yet in all the
information that you have received there are some facts that have not
been referred to, and I will in a brief way describe them.
When the spirit leaves the body, there is a breaking of the “silver
cord”, as it is called, and thereby all connection between the spirit
and the body is severed for eternity, and never again can that spirit
enter that body. Neither can any other spirit.
Once the silver cord is severed, no power known to the spirit world or
among spirits of the highest spheres can again resuscitate that body and
cause the manifestation of life. Hence, in the miracles mentioned in the
Bible, where it is said that the dead were brought to life, it must be
understood that this tie between the soul and the body was never
broken.
In those ancient days, as now,
there were persons who had the appearance of being
dead, and, so far as human knowledge was concerned,
were dead, but who were really in a state of what
may be called suspended animation. With no signs
of life appearing to the consciousness of men, death
was thought to have taken place. Yet, in none of
the cases where the supposed dead were raised to
life had the mortal really died. As Lazarus has already
told you, when Jesus commanded him to come forth
he had not died, and so of all the other supposed
dead who were called to life.
Once this tie has been severed, there are certain chemical laws
affecting the physical body and certain spiritual laws affecting the
soul that render it absolutely impossible for the spirit to enter that
body again. As you have been informed, mortals, spirits, and angels are
governed by laws that have no exceptions and never vary in their
workings. So I say that when once the spirit and body separate, it is
for all eternity, and the spirit then becomes of itself, a thing apart,
controlled entirely and exclusively by the laws governing the spirit
body.
With the spirit’s entry into the spirit world comes the soul, enclosed
in its spirit body. The spirit body has not, of itself, the power to
determine its own location or destiny as regards a place, for the law of
attraction that operates in this particular operates upon the soul, and
the condition of the soul determines its location. As the spirit body is
the covering of the soul, it must go where this law of attraction
decrees the soul shall abide.
While the mind and the mental faculties and the senses are seated in the soul they are manifested by
the spirit body, yet the law that I speak of does not operate upon
these faculties, as is apparent to every spirit who knows from
observation as well as from experience. The combined power of all these
faculties cannot move a spirit body one step in the way of progress
unless such faculties have in their influence acted upon the soul and
caused its condition to change; in the mere mental or moral advancement
this can be done. So, I repeat, the condition of the soul determines its
locality as well as the appearance of its spirit body. The law of
attraction is so exact that, in its operations, there is no opportunity
for chance to interpose and place the soul in a location that does not
belong to it by reason of the operation of this law.
When the spirit enters the spirit world, it must go to and occupy the
place that is determined by its soul’s condition. In many cases, loving
friends may visit the new spirit in its place of existence and offer
consolation, help, encouragement, and instruction. But in some cases
this cannot be, for as the soul is then laid bare to itself, all its
deformities, sins, and evil qualities come before it and throw a wall
around it, as it were, that prevents the good friends and loved ones
from appearing to it. Here again, the great law of attraction comes into
operation, for while these more elevated friends cannot come to that
soul, other spirits of like souls and qualities may become its
associates and render such assistance as the blind can lead the blind.
What I wish to say here is that, notwithstanding what some
spiritualistic teachers have said, the soul has its location as well as
its condition. The condition that I have described is the destiny of
some souls shortly after becoming spirits. It is a deplorable one,
making you think that such souls are deserted by the loving influences
of God’s ministering spirits and left all alone in the dreary places of
their habitations. Such is not the case, for while they are deprived of
the presence of the higher spirits, the influences of love and
compassion are flowing from these spirits and at sometime will be felt
by the lonely ones. As these influences are felt, the poor souls
commence to have an awakening that gradually causes the wall of their
seclusion to disappear until, at some time, the higher spirits find that
they can manifest their presence to these unfortunate ones.
Besides this, most spirits have a work to do, even though it may appear
insignificant. Among these spirits of similar conditions some are a
little more progressed than others, and by reason of a law that causes
the more progressed to help the lesser, the latter are frequently helped
from their low estate.
Now, what I have written applies in a sense to the spirits who are
wicked and vile and without any soul development in the way of goodness.
A similar principle enters into the conditions of all the spirits,
although the higher the plane a spirit is in, the greater the opportunities
they have for receiving help and progressing even further. Of these
latter spirits, the operation of the mental thoughts and moral qualities
upon the condition and progress of the soul, I will write you later.
I have written enough for tonight, and, leaving you with my love and
blessings, I will say goodnight.
Your brother in Christ,
John
The spirits who have only a little development of soul
can help those who have even less development than themselves
November 23, 1915
I am here, St. John.
I want to tell you tonight about what spirits have to do in order for
them to get out of their darkness and suffering and progress to a
happier condition.
When these spirits of evil or a sinful life first come into the spirit
world, they enter what is called the “first sphere”, which is nearest
the earth. They are received by spirit friends, who may have been with
them at the time of their passing, and are, to a certain extent,
comforted and made familiar with their new surroundings. This may last
for a shorter or longer time according to the spirit’s capability of
understanding his changed condition from mortal to spirit. After this
condition of consciousness is assumed by the spirit, these friends leave
him, and a guiding spirit, whose duty it is to perform the task, shows
or conducts him to the place that he is fitted to occupy by
the workings of the law of compensation.
In this place he is surrounded by and must associate with spirits of a
similar condition of development as his own until some change comes that
fits him for a higher plane. This change may come in a short time, or it
may require longer to bring it about. This depends upon the realization
by the spirit as to what his condition is, and the fact that there is the
possibility of progressing. Of himself he cannot bring about this
change, for the law that fixes his place or condition does not cease to
operate until there is called into operation another law that permits
and helps the change. The only way that this changed condition can be
brought about is by the influences of other spirits of a more
enlightened and higher position than that of the spirit whose position I
have spoken of. These influences come from spirits who have the natural
love, and they may not necessarily be of a high order of
development of either intellect or soul.
However, they must be in such condition that they know and are able to
tell the lower spirit of the possibility of progress and the way in
which it can be made. Many spirits that are themselves in a dark
condition and position can help others who are in a darker condition.
Just as on earth a student of a lower class in school may not be able to
teach all that is taught or may be learned in that school, yet he can
teach those in a lower class than his own things that he has learned
progressing in his own class.
Almost all spirits have a work to do, and these spirits of little
development are engaged in teaching those of lesser development the way
to get in the same condition as those who teach are in. Of course, these
latter cannot teach anything that belongs to a higher condition than the
one in which they are. In such cases, the progress is very slow for many
reasons. It sometimes takes centuries for a spirit to progress from a
very low plane to a higher one.
It is important for all mankind to know for the reason that you and
others may learn what the true soul development means and how
effectively spirits possessing this soul development may help all other
spirits, good or bad. Aside from this, you may suppose that the spirits
who hear you talk at the seances, where all kinds and conditions of
spirits congregate, and promise to help both mortals and spirits, may
not be able to do so because some are in a dark and low condition
themselves. Yet, all spirits may help other spirits to some extent that
are in a lower condition, and sometimes in the beginning of their
progression, more satisfactorily than can the higher spirits.
These dark spirits who try to help the even darker spirits are more in
harmony with them, and the darker spirits will listen to them with
interest and belief that they can help them. But this is a help that
does not work in such a way as to cause the spirits who are helped to
lose their desires and recollections very rapidly and progress into the
higher planes is not without great suffering. I thought I would write this
to you, for the reason that you might not in your investigations and
teachings of the spirit life give due importance to the possibility of
one dark spirit helping another.
All the phases of mediumship, when honestly conducted, have their proper
places and work in God’s plan of redemption. None of them must be
considered as useless or without special design. Of course, the above
mentioned phase of assistance to spirits is of the lowest form and is
merely preliminary to the great work that the higher spirits do in
carrying out the great plan of redemption. The important work is that of
the spirits who know what the divine love of God is and what fits
spirits and mortals for the enjoyment of the great happiness, which they
can obtain in the celestial spheres and in the soul spheres to a lesser
extent.
When a dark spirit learns of this great love and he strives to obtain it
and earnestly prays for the help of the holy spirit, which is God’s
messenger of love, that spirit will progress much more rapidly. Its
sufferings and darkness will leave it sooner and greater happiness will
come to it. Still, I say, the work of these lower spirits that I have
spoken, is a great work and must not be underestimated. So remember
what I have written and give due credit to this work.
I will not write more, but I will with all my love and blessings say
goodnight.
Your brother in Christ,
St. John
How prayers are answered for material things
April 25, 1917
I am here, St. John.
I want to say that God answers prayers for material things by the
work and operation of angels and spirits, and in that work they are
subject to limitations of success. God does not exercise any arbitrary
power to answer prayers, but when they are sincerely offered, God works
through his messengers in answering them and not by mere fiat. The angels are always
watching and working, and when the opportunity comes, they use their
influence in the best possible way to bring about the ends desired.
As you know, man has free will, and that determines very largely the
actions of men, and such actions are never arbitrarily controlled by any
divine power. If the prayers of men as to material things can be
responded to by the workings of the spirits and angels, they are. Yet
such response depends upon the will of men, and, if not exercised
properly, then it is not received by mortals, except as the spirits may
be able to influence that will and cause men to act in compliance with
that influence. This is always used for the purpose of bringing about
the response to prayers that are, in their nature, proper and worthy
to be answered.
I doubt if any of those petitions were ever answered in the arbitrary
way that is related in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 1:17). God never
answers prayer in that manner, and the petitions of the old prophets had
no more influence to bring about the answers to the same in the manner
indicated than have the prayers of the sincere and earnest man of these
days. God was the same then as now and worked through the spirits then
as now, except that now there are angels of the soul development. God
does not answer prayers for material things except in a manner in
consonance with the laws controlling the free will and actions of men,
as they may be operated upon and influenced by the work of spirits.
I want to say that we can at times understand what will happen in the
near future and, having such knowledge, can tell mortals what may be
expected or rather what will occur, and this we sometimes do. In your
case (Padgett), we of the higher spheres, as well as many of the spirit
spheres, know what your petitions have been in reference to these
material matters. We have been working to bring about a realization of
the same on your part not only because of your petitions, but because
they are so necessary to the performance and completion of our work. We
have been using our influence to the utmost to accomplish this end. But,
as I say, we are limited, and we have not the power to cause the
happening of any event by our mere willing the same, even though we are
doing the work of God. This may seem surprising as well as disappointing
to you, but it is a fact, and it is a great truth that God helps those
who help themselves.
You must not lose sight of the fact that while men must do those things
themselves that bring about changes or happenings or phenomena in
material things, yet we can influence but not absolutely control their
desires, intentions, and their wills that put into operation or effect
these intentions. No, these things, as to their immediate
manifestations, are subject to the wills of men.
God never by a mere act of the moment or physical character places
into the hands of any man riches or prosperity. These things must be
wrought and brought about by man, and in doing this man can and is
wonderfully influenced by the workings of the spirits.
I say to you, pray not only for the spiritual things that God bestows
through the holy spirit but also for the material things that are
bestowed through the angels and spirits. The proper prayer will be
answered sooner or later, and your prayers will be answered even though
to you the response may seem a long time delayed. With my love and
blessings, I will say goodnight.
Your brother in Christ,
John
Importance that man must search and find the truth
May 12, 1916
I am here, John.
I desire to write tonight, and if you think it is not too late, we will
do so. I want to tell you that when a man gets to know the truths of
God, he will become a very happy and wise man, for these truths have in
them those principles that create happiness and wisdom.
I know that men believe many things on account of their being ancient or
having the authority of their forefathers or some great saint or writer
who lived many centuries ago, but such a basis for truth, while worthy
of consideration and examination, does not of itself, because of being
old, afford any certainty that what is thus accepted contains the truth.
Truth is a thing very old and has existed for many thousands of
centuries before the times in which these “ancient writers”, as you call
them, lived, and, in fact, those days of the writers, in comparison to
what had gone before, are as yesterdays. Therefore, you will see that
because the declarations of these writers are what you consider very
ancient, they should not be perceived as having authority.
Truths of those days and of the long ages prior thereto and of the
present time are all the same, as truth never changes or assumes new
forms no matter what the conditions of men may be as to their
intellectual or spiritual development. Truths may be revealed today and
are being constantly revealed as time progresses. They should be
accepted with as much credence and satisfaction as any truths that were
ever disclosed in ancient days. Men are just as susceptible now to the
reception of these truths in their spiritual natures or perceptions as
they were in the times of Abraham or Moses or at any time since.
The mind of man was given to him to be exercised in the way of
investigation and search, and never was it contemplated in his creation
that the time would come when he should accept anything as the ultimate
of truth and cease his inquiries. Truths are so many, great and deep,
that thus far, in the mortal universe, man has acquired only a
smattering of these truths, and to rest supinely in this acquirement
under the belief that there is nothing more in existence that man may
know violates and subverts the very object of his creation; what I have
said applies to spiritual truths as well as to material ones.
The churches, I know, declare and try to enforce the declaration that it
is not possible to discover or have revealed to men the essential
principles of spiritual truths to a greater extent than has already been
declared in the Bible and by the churches interpretation of the same. It
is therefore contrary to God’s will that men should seek further for any
additional truths and that men should accept, without question, the
sayings of the Bible and the dogmas and creeds of the churches that
their claim is founded upon, and which they declare are the true
principles of spiritual truths. For many years, this has been the demand
of the churches, and the members thereof have acquiesced, without
question or doubt. This has been one of the great causes why men have
not progressed more, not only in their spiritual nature but also in what
may be called their natural qualities. They have remained satisfied, and
what was believed centuries ago is believed today. I recite this to show
the necessity for men to seek and criticize and accept or reject as the
results of the search may demand.
In recent years, though, men have made greater progress, and the
individual has come to the front, and the old accepted fabrications of
truths have been assaulted and shaken and denuded of their falsities to
a considerable degree, and so it should be. Men must seek and criticize
and accept or reject as their own conscience and reasoning powers
dictate, and therein will be freedom of the mind as well as of the will.
The soul, also, has been smothered in these dogmatic beliefs, and as a
consequence its development has been slow. The knowledge of things
spiritual has not come to men as it should have done, and it is
necessary to teach them their destiny and the truths that should control
their lives on earth and that will control their progress in the spirit
world.
As you are tired, I will postpone the balance of my discourse. I think
it best when you feel tired to discontinue the writing instead of
attempting to force yourself into receiving it.
So I will not write more.
Believe that I am your brother in Christ,
John
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