This work has been written with uncommon despatch. Consequent upon the issue of the “Light,” in November, 1851, I was seemingly wearied with letters on business and inquiries, in regard to matters connected with spirit developments; so that, in the brief period of four months, I have received about two hundred, which demanded reading and reply. This necessarily absorbed much of my time; especially, as very many solicited information from spirits.
Near the close of December, 1851, I began to sit for this work. I found my engagements such that I could only devote a part of each day, and this part was frequently interrupted by strangers who desired information on the subject. But the interruption did not seem to disconcert the writer. Though often breaking off in the middle of a sentence, the spirit knew exactly where to commence, even without any reading of what had been written. Notwithstanding these embarrassments, I found on the first of February, 1852, that my manuscript was nearly equal to the desired contents for a book; at which time, I entered into an arrangement with the publisher, Mr. Dewey, by which I am able to give this work a more extended circulation, and at less cost, than I otherwise could have done, which I trust will be abundantly obvious in its mechanical execution and neatness.
Concerning my condition while writing this book, I will say, that when writing, the whole subject matter was entirely in the dark to me. I would take my pen, and place myself in the attitude of writing, when all thought and care would be wholly abstracted from my mind. As my thoughts vanished, my hand would generally begin to move, and a word would be written. Then I would know what that word was. When the first word was written, my hand would be uplifted so as to leave a space between the words, and proceed as before. In this way the book was written. But when the spirit chose, I found my mind often, very often, though not always, impressed with the word which was being written. And some mediums inform me that whole sentences are impressed upon their minds at once; but with me it is a rare thing that I have more than one word at a time, and that comes, as it were, while they are writing it.
Should the reader receive the instruction and pleasure from a perusal of these pages, which I have while they were being written, the reward will be very great. I shall condemn no one if they do not read it, because, in my opinion, they will suffer sufficient loss without it. There are none who need the consolation and reform which spirits require, more than those who refuse to be instructed by them; but there are many who will, as they have done, aim their darts at both. They belong to a circle who deserve pity more than censure.
With the history and death of Thomas Paine, I know nothing, save what has been written by an invisible influence with my hand. Having been connected with the ministry for over twenty two years, I was not inclined to read his productions; and since I have become a writing Medium, I have found no leisure to read any book. In fact, my taste for reading the productions of human wisdom is all absorbed in the divine. The spirit proposes to write another volume, and when it is written, it will be published.
The Diagram will serve to explain the circles of wisdom, as enjoyed by minds in heaven. There are minds in the body who occupy the first, second, third, and fourth circle, according to this diagram. But I would inform the reader, that whatever may be the circle to which minds belong, in the rudimental or second sphere, it does not separate one from another by an impassable partition, so that one can not hold intercourse with another, though occupying different circles. As different circles in the body may converse together, so different circles in the spirit world may do the same. The circles do not represent arbitrary lines of division between spirits, but simply degrees of wisdom. That the higher circles mingle with the lower, for the purpose of making them wiser, is apparent from the whole body of this work. I consider, therefore, that circles express the degrees of wisdom and bliss which each spirit is qualified, as it is developed, to enjoy, and not as forming a line of separation among the inhabitants of heaven. The wisdom of heaven differs essentially from the wisdom of earth, in regard to the real merits of the mind, and its qualifications for enjoyment.
The style of some parts of this volume is unusual. A circle is sometimes addressed in the singular number, where it would seem to require the plural; but this departure from grammatical accuracy, may be justified on the ground, that the circle were all of one mind, or sentiment.
C. HAMMOND.
Rochester, March, 1852.