George—Not the slightest. Why, my sister, the immensity of time that has elapsed since Venus or any of the planets of our Solar System came into our galaxy of worlds is inconceivable, yet, compared with eternity, their birth was as of yesterday. When I said that spirits (and I do not mean all spirits) to a degree realize the meaning of eternity, I do not wish you to understand that any spirit has a conception or realization of the duration of eternity. Yes, I know how flippantly mortals, who have no conception of either, prate of God, of time and of eternity, yet that is less remarkable than the stupendous egotism inducing mortals to believe that the Infinite Spirit of an Infinite Universe became incarnated in the body of a finite human creature, that thus to the humans of one small planet (which is but one of a countless number of inhabited planets) certain benefits might be secured and yet once I regarded any other religious belief as sacrilegious. What a puerile conception of Infinity, but one on a level with the evolvement of those entertaining it, and spirits constantly enter the world of realities who must outgrow this and other mistaken conceptions and in numerous instances a long time elapses before they yield to the evidences of their experiences. But, on both the mortal and spiritual planes of life evolution goes steadily, invincibly forward, and inevitably all grow into a clearer comprehension of truth.
Gentola—As we need not hasten our, or, rather, my return to Earth, I should like you to tell me how spirits define time, space and spirit.
George—That which never had a beginning, and can never have an ending, may be denominated Eternity or infinite duration of time, and what is termed time as a separation of periods for the purpose of making definite statements, or for marking definite occurrences. Understand, I now am considering your question from a mortal, not a spirit standpoint, for, on the spirit side, we are not conscious, in the sense that mortals are conscious, of the divisions of time. As neither time or space are dimensional, they can have no real existence or recognition, so we do not assume to define that which is not. For purposes of convenience, conscious mortal mind takes cognizance of phenomena, but the subconscious self, the Ego, recognizes only realities, hence, unlike mortal mind (which is the intelligent human animal soul), bears no relation to the phenomena of so termed time and space. Thus, from a spirit view, neither time or space are definable. Neither can angel or archangel define spirit, yet all spirits progressed beyond the first, or Earth sphere, are conscious of their spirit being. We are taught by those of higher spheres, and our own experiences teach the same truth, that every progressive step affords the high reward of a clearer consciousness that all spirit entities are the expressions of the One Infinite Spirit, and are one and inseparable from their origin. Hence, is not it reasonable to assume that if all spirits in or apart from physical bodies are inseparable parts of the Infinite Spirit, vicarious atonement for sin, which is a misnomer for undevelopment, is an uncalled for proceeding.
Gentola—I rejoice to say that I have outgrown that belief, but I endured years of agony of mind while passing through the process. But, George, do the peoples of other planets entertain religious beliefs similar to those of Christians, Hindus and others of Earth's peoples?
George—None of the peoples of planets we have visited entertain a belief corresponding with the dogmas involving the incarnation and crucifixion of God. Human sacrifices are a concomitant of religious superstitions of the crude civilizations or dominant ecclesiasticisms of many planets. Animal sacrifices of a less cruel, hence of a more advanced state, offerings of grains, fruits, flowers and objects of value, of a still higher spiritual unfoldment, while devotional aspirations and a desire to benefit others, indicate a tendency toward rational views of the possible attributes of the Infinite Good.
All spiritualized humans are of necessity religious, and all adore such gods as the degrees of their evolvement fashion. Our Earth peoples have fashioned gods suited to their various immature conceptions, and for the selfish purpose of having their real or fancied wants supplied. All the divinities of all religions are the exact indicators of the spiritual status of their worshippers, and as the peoples unfold higher spirituality they will oblige their gods to keep pace with them. So will it continue to be and in some coming age Earth's peoples will have so evolved as to recognize but one God—the Infinite, All Pervading Spirit, in whom all things live, move and have their being.
Yes, truly, the Entoans in nearly all ways are more highly evolved than are our Earth peoples, and when the bonds of ecclesiasticism and superstitious beliefs, shall have been broken they will emerge from spiritual darkness into light, casting from them forever the shackles which have held them in slavery to a dreary, deadening materialism.
Gentola—If I should pass to the spirit side, would that interfere with what you all term our mission?
George—It would prolong the night of Ento's spiritual darkness. Our and other spirit Bands have been, and now are, endeavoring to prepare sensitives for this and similar missions, but as yet we can only use you for this special work. We find you fitted for it quite beyond our hopes and expectations, and now feel assured of entire success. Success that means life for death, joy for sorrow, to the present and coming generations of Ento.
Not yet, my sister, will you come to our side of life, not until your work shall be finished. We have journeyed so leisurely that night shadows are falling over your city of St. Louis. Now we will descend, and in good time, for your husband is rapping at your door. A hasty good-bye until we again come for you.