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Let me tell you a few things concerning the spirit world, that is the world that is below the Celestial Heavens of which John wrote.
In the several spheres, which are seven in numbers, are many planes, inhabited by spirits of many nations and races of mankind, and these various races have to a certain extent the customs and beliefs that they had when on earth. The lines of demarcation are just as strictly drawn as are those of the several nations on earth. The result of this, that many spirits who live in this exclusive manner never learn anything other than what their own leaders tell them and what their various sacred books may teach them.
The Mohammedan is a Mohammedan still, and so likewise the followers of Zoroaster, and also those of Buddha and of Confucius, and all of the various founders of religious sects.
Sometimes these spirits in their wanderings will meet spirits of other races than their own, and interchange thoughts, but very rarely do they discuss matters pertaining to their respective beliefs.
There are undoubtedly truths in the sacred writings and beliefs of all these races of spirits, and to the extent that these truths are taught and understood these spirits are benefitted. I am now speaking of spiritual truths, because as to the mere truths pertaining to the natural or material world, they all have the same opportunity to investigate and understand them. There are no race or creed or doctrinal beliefs and teachings as to these truths affecting the material, and by this I mean, material as it exists in both the spiritual and earthly worlds.
But as I say, each of these races or sects has its own ideas and doctrines of the truth, and it can progress no further than the limits of these ideas permit it to progress.
NO FOUNDER OF ANY RACE OR SECT HAS EVER TAUGHT THE NEW BIRTH, OR THE INFLOWING OF THE DIVINE LOVE IN CONTRADISTINCTION TO THAT OF THE NATURAL LOVE. AND THE TEACHING OF JESUS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT REVEAL TO MAN THE EXISTENCE OF THIS DIVINE LOVE, AND HOW TO OBTAIN IT. SO YOU SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TRUTH COMING TO MAN. I MUST SAY HERE, THAT WITHOUT THE POSSESSION OF THIS LOVE NO SPIRIT CAN ENTER THE CELESTIAL SPHERES.
THE TEACHINGS OF THE OTHER FOUNDERS WILL SHOW MEN THE WAY TO A LIFE OF HAPPINESS, AND TO WHAT THEY MAY SUPPOSE, CONTINUOUS EXISTENCE. BUT THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT DECLARE AND LEAD MEN TO A REALIZATION OF THE TRUE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL.
I have written too long already, and must stop.
Your brother in Christ,
ST. JAMES.
