Age and infirmity came to me as it comes to many, and the hour of my departure from earth life drew near. For a time I had lain apparently unconscious, though really I was fully alive to all that was transpiring about me, and gradually, yet with a certain suddenness, I experienced a most peculiar sensation. I felt as though I were ascending what seemed to be a rift between walls of adamant. Darkness so profound I never before had experienced and, in some perplexity, I reached out my hands and groped blindly, hoping to touch something that might indicate my whereabouts; but in vain. The sensation of being between two walls continued and I felt myself ascending, ever ascending. I do not recall that I experienced a sense of alarm, but in an indolent fashion I queried as to what the peculiar sensation might mean. Certainly, I did not associate it with the change called death. Suddenly, as we now come into the sunlight, I emerged into a soft radiance, indescribably, gloriously beautiful, and in great surprise I looked about me, seeing nothing but the soft radiance which wrapped me about as with a garment. Great as was my surprise, I at once began to wonder where I was and as to what had occurred to me. Was I dreaming? Was I delirious? No, I was fully awake and in possession of all my senses. Yet something unusual had occurred. Surely I had not died. No, that could not be, for here, I said, is my body, and I am as alive as a man can be. Perceiving that I could move about through the bewildering, unaccountable radiance, I began to investigate my surroundings which, imperceptibly, had assumed an air of strangeness. Imagine, if you can, my amazement when, after a little, I found myself standing near my old, worn body over which friends were tenderly bending, closing its wide open, dim eyes, smoothing its scant locks, and otherwise preparing it for its last resting place.
As spellbound I gazed upon the pitiful scene, I felt, rather than saw, some one near me. Turning, I, in great surprise beheld a company of radiant beings, who called to me in joyous tones: Alexander! Alexander! We have come to meet and greet you; come with us, come away from this Sorrowful Star[1] to our glorious spirit realms.
In a moment I recognized dear, long-lost friends of my youth. In a moment I was in the embraces of my parents, no longer aged, but glowing with life, with love, with the beauty of immortals. There were my nearest and dearest ones, each vieing with the others in joyous congratulations upon my having been freed from Earth life. All, all with loving embraces and tenderest speech, drew me away from my mortal home to the realms of immortals, the realms which know neither death or hopeless partings.
Has this reminiscence wearied you? No? Then I shall not regret having related it. You, and all mortals, must pass through the change called death. When this change shall come to you the memory of this recital may aid you in your ascent from the physical to the spiritual plane of being.
De L'Ester—Dear friend, you are silent. Nay, you need not tell me why. I read your thoughts, as you might read an open book. True, the change called death must come to you, as it must come to all mortals, yet dread it not, for so frail is the tie between your real self and your physical body that almost ere your physical eyes shall be closed as in sleep, your spirit eyes will open to undreamed of glories.
Now make your adieux, for we must not hold you with us longer. George, I shall accompany you and this somewhat wearied comrade to her home, where approaching night is already enfolding her physical body with darkening shadows.
Across space with the speed of thought we have journeyed. And now commending you to the care of angelic guardians, whose watchful love ever protects you. Au revoir.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Spirit name for Earth, "The Sorrowful Star."