of life and its inestimable
value. But it is as difficult to describe the higher wonders of the
stellar worlds to you as to picture the glories of sunset to a blind
man, for you have experienced nothing with which to compare them.
Instead of seeing all that really is, you see but a small part."

CHAPTER IX.

DOCTOR CORTLANDT SEES HIS GRAVE.

"Is it not distasteful to you," Cortlandt asked, "to live so near these
loathsome dragons?"

"Not in the least," replied the spirit. "They affect us no more than
the smallest micro-organism, for we see both with equal clearness.
Since we are not obliged to breathe, they cannot injure us; and,
besides, they serve to illustrate the working of God's laws, and there
is beauty in everything for those that have the senses required for
perceiving it. A feature of the spiritual world is, that it does not
interfere with the natural, and the natural, except through faith, is
not aware of its presence."

"Then why," asked Cortlandt, "was it necessary for the Almighty to
bring your souls to Saturn, since there would have been no overcrowding
if you had remained on the earth?"

"That," replied the spirit, "was part of His wisdom; for the spirit,
being able at once to look back into the natural world, if in it, would
be troubled at the mistakes and tribulations of his friends. Now, as a
rule, before a spirit can return to earth, his or her relatives and
friends have also died; or, if he can return before that happens, he is
so advanced that he sees the ulterior purpose, and therefore the wisdom
of God's ways, and is not distressed thereby. Lastly, as their
expanding senses grew, it would be painful for the blessed and
condemned spirits to be together. Therefore we are brought here, where
God reveals Himself to us more and more, and the flight of the other
souls--those unhappy ones--does not cease till they reach Cassandra."

"Can the souls on Cassandra also leave it in time and roam at will?"
asked Cortlandt.

"I have seen none of them myself in my journeys to other planets; but
as the sun shines upon the just and the unjust, and there is no
exception to Nature's laws, I can reply that in time they do, and with
equal powers their incentive to roam would be greater; for we are drawn
together by common sympathy and pure, requited love, while they are
mutually repelled. Of course, some obtain a measure of freedom before
the rest, and t