There are no Orphans in the Spirit Realm:
Mothers whose babes are in the Earth life help to care for those “little waifs” thrust out of human existence—and for spirit children that pine for Mother love.
Children whose parents are in Earth life are taught to aid and comfort those in the home as well as those who have no home. Especially cared for are the little “waifs” who were not welcome in the Earth-forms—even those who have not seen the light of earthly day—not always from among the poor of earth were they driven, especially those abandoned by the unfortunate or misguided mothers. These and all are “mothered” by the spirits whose hearts are filled with mother love. And here it is well to note that not all who are earthly parents are real fathers and mothers, and many who are childless—work night and day in the “asylums” on earth to save some neglected, forsaken, child. These are real parents.
What greater “punishment” could there be than when the human mother has turned away from the sacred gift of motherhood, she meets, on entering spirit life, her own neglected babe who welcomes her there? “Coals of fire!”
It is not always to visit scenes of sorrow and want that the spirit children are led to the earth: Houses, schools, playgrounds, “Lyceums,” where the little ones of earth are taught, places of entertainment and amusement where they play, and sing, and grow; there also are the playmates of the spirit-home mingling with them and endeavoring to impress them with thoughts and deeds of loving kindness with things of beauty.
Returning to the Realm of Spirit Children one finds such respite from care, such constant sources of happiness, such fashioning of forms of beauty. Oh, that all could know! Knowledge of all this has reached but few on Earth; yet more and more will human minds be pervaded by the methods of the Skies.
Those who have given new methods of “Education” to the people of Earth have been inspired somewhat by these Teachers in spirit states. Froebel, whose “Kindergarden” system was intended for “children” of all ages; A. J. Davis, whose “Progressive Lyceum” system was not intended exclusively for Sunday training of children but in its inception was a reproduction of the “teaching” in spirit states (as far as his mind and inspiration could reproduce such beautiful methods.) Even if one could give in human language the form of teaching (or methods) of the spirit states, the law of adaptation prevailing in the higher realms might not always be available in human life.
How beautiful to know that growth—and the best opportunity for the highest unfoldment with most loving teachers and Guardians surround the darlings who have passed from the households of Earth.
Here then, O human parents, O sisters and brothers, you who miss the bodily presence of the one who occupied the “vacant chair,” you who feel the pervading sense of the absence of the loved children: here they are; bringing to your very homes and hearts, could you but realize it, the love, the knowledge, the wisdom, the beauty of the skies.