ly Polytheistic, believing in many gods, and, as I have said,
approached nearer the idea of the form of government as existing in the
spirit world, for it is a Republic of Gods.

It is a law of the universe that all vast bodies must be divided and
subdivided into smaller ones. Every system is a constellation and every
constellation is a congeries.

In accordance with this law, the universal world of _spirit_ is broken
up, is divided and subdivided.

In these divisions and subdivisions forms of government ensue, differing
slightly one from another, according to the progressive development of
the people; and an unlimited monarchy is not known in the spirit world.

There are some clinging to their old habits, associations, and education,
who would fain raise the representatives of royalty on earth to the same
positions in the spirit world when they become residents there. But the
effort, when made, cannot be sustained. The one-man power is incompatible
with spiritual laws and spiritual justice.

In a world where the external trappings are torn away and the internal
nature of man is exposed to observation, the prerogatives of earthly
kings have but little power.

The republican form of government is destined to overthrow all the
monarchies of earth. As the world progresses and knowledge becomes
universal, individuals will be able to govern themselves.

It has been only through ignorance and superstition, and the limited
knowledge of the masses, that the kings and emperors of earth have been
enabled to sway their jewelled sceptres over the necks of the people. But
their reign is drawing to a close; their glories have culminated; and the
day is rapidly approaching when earth will be governed even as the
heavens above are governed. As in the world of nature, "the same chance
happens alike to all," and every child in time may become a man and every
infant a father, and the experience of one becomes the experience of all,
so in the government of the spirit world, every man can rise and become
for a space of time the patriarchal dictator of a republic.

The prevailing form of our republic differs from that of the American
republic in many particulars. Our term of office is of shorter duration
than with you. Our directors while in office make friendly excursions to
other republics. Matters of state with us are not so weighty or
complicated as with you, nor are encroachments and reprisals so common.
We are not compelled to