ceeds the living energies of truth divine. All are united by this great law, in purest, most vital, and most sacred sympathy; and hence are in harmony with superior realms.

Each individual is a spiritual reflector. They partake of food immortal, drink of living waters, are indestructible, and therefore not liable to physical decomposition. They are immortal!

Their social relations have no just comparison on earth. Each is an epitome of all, and the whole but the enlargement of the characteristics of one. In feelings and concert of action, they are as one heart and voice; the harmonious sense of one great soul-of holy affections.

Vol

Far above is an orb in appearance like a sun, whose descending glory illumines this. umes of light therefrom, in cloud-like forms move gently in the serene atmosphere, and the effulgence dissipates whatever is of less degree, or purifying, exalts it to superior planes.

"How perfect are the ways of God! How just and right! Whoe'er rebels, ne'er knoweth what is lost, or seeth in God's works the Maker as he is."

CHAPTER III.

THE INFERIOR ORB.

THUS spake my guide, and lo, the scene changes, and we descend to an orb of inferior cast, one somewhat resembling; but more refineč than Earth.

Upon the purified orb, there was no evidence of important changes save that of increasing perfections. Upon this, are fallen timbers, broken soil, gathering harvests and beasts of burden. The streams and fountains do not manifest that order which marked the former. The water-courses are more irregular, and abrupt. The beauty of the plains is broken by marshes, and the hills and mountains, (for there are mountains,) by rocky fragments and bold projections. Here the animal races are not as harmonious, and there is less melody in the notes of the feathered songsters. The architecture is less perfect by far than that upon the purified orb. The inhabitants, though comparing in some degree, are inferior to those in the transparent realms. There is not that music in their speech, unity in their movements, nor openness of thought and action; yet compared to our race they are almost infinitely superior. They are industrious,

yet their labor is not forced; but is the result of intuition. The exercise does not seem prompted so much by necessity, as the inspiration of delight. If theirs may be denominated labor, it is only the use of their faculties in the sphere of their greatest pleasure. Nature appears spontaneous in her productions, unaided by the hand of art; and their delightful employment seems equally natural and prolific of good. Hence the movements of nature and the habits and inclinations of the inhabitants blend harmoniously, and without interruption result in unitary productions.

There are no signs of death either with ani mals or men, but undisturbed they progress. There are not only the youthful, but also many that evince a life of ages.

Within enclosures of a very peculiar character, there is a fruit-bearing tree, having no likeness in the land; and the fruit differs as much from that of the land, as the tree from other fruit-bearing trees.

There are officers appointed to admit those only whose age qualifies them, and, also, to superintend the selection of fruit, which in maturity must harmonize with that of the participant. The fruit resembles the Banana. Its pulp is very white and pure, and the seeds correspond somewhat to those of the Muskmelon. These

the partakers preserve, and at stated periods dissolve them with the juices of a fruit common to the plains, and drink the compound. None returns short of seven years from the time they first entered the enclosure, and this they continue until seven such septennial periods shall have passed, when they return no more whence they came; but leaving the natural enclosure, pass into an arched passage, or corridor, on the opposite side from which they entered. This pass is formed of arching trees and interwoven flowering vines, which complete the enclosed archway. The fragrance within is exceedingly exhilerating; and when inhaled infuses itself throughout the system. The construction of this passage is such that no eye from without can witness what passes within.

There is also a kind of air-curtain formed of more condensed atmosphere, which separates the passage into many apartments. Hence, though many are passing, each appears alone. Within each of these, is an attendant, who furnishes the pilgrim with a change of garments. On the right, and also enclosed, are pools of water, in which they purify themselves; and leaving their old apparel, pass to the next apartment, clad in raiment adapted to their advanced state. Thus they pass seven times seven of these purifying processes. Each seventh division is supplied

with fruit which grows upon the enclosing vines, and of this they partake. Its effects are not only refreshing, but chemically transform the system. From the forty-ninth, and closing purification, they enter a vast pavilion, around whose walls are magnificent galleries arising tier above tier to an immense height. The occupants are much like those upon the purified orb.

The crown of the cupola has an extensive aperture, over which rests a bright cloud. From this descends the water of life, whose principle pervades the arena and permeates all within.

He who attends me remarks: "Such was the globe on which the inhabitants of the transparent orb once existed. The tree bearing fruit, of which they partook in the enclosure, was, what was known, on that globe, as the tree of life. To the possession of which the inhabitants aspired; and were careful to observe all things preparatory to a fitness for the enjoyment of its inestimable benefits."