Medium—I see quite distinctly, and am not at all alarmed.
De L'Ester—Truly you are a courageous woman.
Through personal observation you will learn that the geological formations, natural divisions, atmospheric conditions and other features of Mars are very similar to corresponding features of our own Planet.
The same may be said of its fauna and flora, which will surprise you by their familiar appearance. We will remain at this altitude, and as we pass slowly onward we desire that you shall closely observe such views as may be presented. We do not at present wish to discuss them, but should they suggest to you questions which may be relevant to our purpose I shall be pleased to attempt replies.
Medium—Then may I ask which of the two Planets, Earth and Mars, first came into existence? And also I should like to know how Planets are formed.
De L'Ester—So much is involved in your questions that I cannot now afford you a comprehensive reply. So I may only say that we have been made to understand that Suns are, so to say, magnetic stations or centres of magnetic energy, and in so far as exalted spirits of highest spirit spheres can determine, in their relative positions and functions, they are eternal and unchangeable, also, they affirm that the elements, not only of Suns, but of all bodies of infinite space, are homogeneous. That periods arrive when through magnetic attraction of elemental substances Suns become surcharged and their pregnant energies exhibit inconceivable activity, casting into space the extremely attenuated elemental substances of which worlds are made.
We, as well as those Wise Ones, are aware that during incalculable lapses of time, Infinite, Intelligent Law brings order out of chaos and formless aggregations of atoms become observable bodies of incandescent matter. That cycles upon cycles elapse, during which cooling and condensation proceed, and these gaseous bodies contract to the measurable dimensions of globes. In this manner Mars, and much later Earth came into the family of our Solar System, and in the course of time about either Planet a crust was formed, encompassing their super-heated masses. Numberless cycles added unrecognized years to the ages of the infant Planets. Continuously their confined energies burst forth with tremendous force, rending the gradually thickening crust and casting into space masses of incandescent matter, some of which formed satellites of the Planets. Others, not projected with sufficient force, were drawn back within the mass of such Planet as had cast them forth. No, I do not mean to say that all satellites of Planets have their origin in this manner, and at another time I shall speak to you of this matter. Backward, as the ages flew, the surfaces of Mars and Earth were upheaved into mountain chains, anon these were engulfed within fiery abysses whose measureless energies tumultuously threatened to burst asunder the entire surfaces of the young Worlds. But time flies on tireless wings, and at last atmospheres for them become possible; not beneficent atmospheres, but such as heralded the possibilities of a later time, when dew and rain would, like blessings, fall upon the hot bosoms of the new Worlds. The lapse of time from the beginning of the formation of a Planet to a period when the crust has cooled and thickened sufficiently to have become somewhat stable, when natural forces have made it possible for, so to say, the generation of an atmosphere, is inconceivable, and quite as inconceivable is the time that must elapse ere the cooling of the atmosphere and consequent condensation and deposition of moisture shall have made life conditions possible; truly, my friend, only the Infinite Mind is equal to such a conception. Understand, please, that I am not indulging in mere speculation. In a simplified and perspicuous manner I am trying to convey to you such facts as may furnish brief replies to your questions. I wish you to learn that World building is not only a process of bygone ages, but that far off in the depths of space innumerable Worlds are now being formed, just as this Planet and Earth have been formed. As the primitive history of one corresponds with the primitive history of the other, I shall say that in the earlier ages strange conditions prevailed. Geographically the surfaces of the two Planets changed, as change the forms in the kaleidoscope. Oceans and Seas were being deposited, and from their depths Continents were upheaved, only to disappear beneath unquiet billows, leaving isolated Islands or Archipelagoes to mark their subsidence, and from the heated waters dense vapors arose enveloping the new Worlds as in winding sheets.
As it is not possible to compute the ages, much less the years, during which Mars and Earth passed through the various stages of evolvement, up to the period when either Planet became sufficiently cool and stable, the waters of a suitable temperature and atmospheric conditions favorable to a degree that life in its earliest expression became possible, necessarily I must remain silent in relation to that matter. But in this connection I may say that the formative history of one Planet is the formative history of all Planets of all systems of Worlds. First, a nebulous condition of substance, which, through natural activities or laws, gradually contracts into measurable dimensions. Secondly, a somewhat spherical, gaseous body extending in all directions into space. Thirdly, a positive, individualized, observable body in a highly incandescent state, followed by such gradual evolvement as your geologists well understand. In a fragmentary and simplified fashion I have as concisely as possible replied to your second question. As to the first, such authorities on our side of life as are known to be unquestionable, declare that the Planet Mars is incalculably older than Earth. That during the ages when our globe was almost wholly incandescent, Mars' crust was measurably solid and cooled and its earliest life expressions were teeming in its tepid waters. The interval elapsing between the earliest appearance of life on Mars and the period when it became possible for the earliest life expressions to appear on our Planet is not to be computed through years or through centuries of years, the duration of such an interval is inconceivable.
We desire that you shall understand that we do not propose that this shall be an astronomical, geological or other scientific work, but in so far as we may be able to use your organism we shall touch upon such recognized sciences as may subserve our purposes of comparing degrees of knowledge attained to, in the same direction by the peoples of two Planets, Mars and Earth.
Medium—I should like to know how the lowest life forms of a new Planet originate, where do they come from, and what are they?