- Dale R. Broadhurst's SPALDING RESEARCH PROJECT - The Library of Congress Spalding Manuscript --- Part 16 --- |
"Romance of Celes..." A Story Attributed to Solomon Spalding. pp. 387-405 (387)======================================== Section 6th Excurtion to the Sun. Those who have embraced the doctrine of the omnipotence of inert matter, will now shudder at the presumptuous intention of visiting that immense and unfathomable ocean of flame! while their shuddering proves that the very nonentity of the idea has more influence on them than the great Sun itself. But as we are beyond the precincts of such reasoners, we will fly to his glowing atmosphere, whence we shall realize the unspeakable disparity between the powers of the living God and the pretended laws and honours of dead matter -- He, who can carry a beam of light through millions and millions of miles with the velocity of lightning, and not suffer it to vary a fraction from a rectilineal course, is not a servant to dead matter. No! "He is the God of the living," "and in him is life, and the life is the light of men. And altho' the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not," yet light answers to light, and life to life through the immunity of his power. This sentiment awoke is us a fervent desire to visit, not only the Sun itself, but all those planets which bask in the beams of his benign radiance. We mounted up through the boundless ocean of ether, and before we were aware, our cars were bounding upon the surface of Mercury's atmosphere. Below us rolled Mercuy the Sceptre of the Sun, ever waving a joyful welcome to visitants from Hesperus, to the Sun: Mercury is the beloved planet, and as his disk is never visited by those who approach the Sun, we shall omit the description till we return on our way to Jupiter --- We were content to ride upon his atmosphere till a, half revolution left us on our way. It must be remembered that the Sun is perfectly white, and that all his radiating beams continue so, till the smoke and impurities of the different atmospheres impede some of the more feeble rays, and suffer only the red, orange or yellow to penetrate: Hence we sometimes have a golden, saffron, or a red sun. But we were now flying through regions of the most volatile ether which permitted his rays to (------ ) like a fountain let loose upon the infinite boundaries of chaos to arouse it from its drowsy oblivion, and in the profusion of its centuries and (chiliads), to cause thousands of other worlds to bloom, and sing, and chaunt the song of the morning stars. Our course now was rapid, measured only try the loftiest strides of the (388)========================================= imagination. Sol was ever before us, magnifying himself a thousand and a thousand fold, till his horiz;on was lost in the insignificance of our vision, and all appeared like a boundless plain. The surface of his atmosphere was covered with an electrical mist, about ten yards in depth. This was perpetually circumvolving on itself in distinct portions; surcharging and discharging the electric fluid from one portion to another, as these portions happened to be positively or negatively charged. Instead of witnessing that horrible, scorching, and all consuming fire which the children of wrath have conceived it to be, it was delightful beyond the powers of description; for in these circumvolutions of living light, a kind of playful and happy intelligence seemed sporting in its own element and proved that the glorious king of day "was a boundleas ocean of fervent love. Here we were suffered to suspend our cars and feast our delighted minds with the pleasing novelty of animated electricity. Sometimes we were involved in rolling pillars of white and glowing mist as they bounded over the translucent atmosphere below.. Sometimes we mounted over their surface as bubbles of air, or like watery meteors that impede no law of electricity. We thought to sing and chaunt the praises of that Divinity who had built the Solar temple: but the thought was accepted for the performance and we were justified when we felt that it was suffcient to behold and adore; for here the enraptured seraph burns with ceaseless praise to god, and countless millions shine. --- Here is one perpetual day! One perpetual round of immense light and glory. No star; no planet or satellite, is permitted to intrude its feeble rays into this vast expense and fountain, as well as reservoir of light: for when we were ninety five millions of miles distant his rays, in broad day light prevented their feeble efforts; How much more, must a contact with this stupendous luminary obscure all the other lights of heaven. We even rejoiced when we remembered that our existence had commenced far away: for we had brought with us a slight knowledge of the middle regions between perfect light and the dark boundaries of chaos. As there was no foreign object, no planet or fixed star upon which we could fasten our vision, we could discover nothing like a revolution (389)========================================= There was no evident motion except the circumvolutions of the electrified mist. How long we remained here, it is impossible to calculate from any dates of planetary motion or otherwise, for the motion of this electric mist is never uniform, only on the whole surface of the atmosphere together. In separate and distinct portions of this regeon the appearance is probably never twice alike. At length our thoughts turned inward upon that Divine principle or rather emanation, which constitutes us their king, knowing, sensitive and active spirits; and we forgot ourselves and were lost in the infinite beatitude of beholding in us the express image and glory of God. A voice as of many waters and mighty thunderings beneath us summoned us to descend, and immediately we thronged the golden pavements of the occult city, where the primeval and Great First Cause of all things was the light thereof. Here, as upon the surface of the glowing atmosphere above, the city appeared as if built upon a boundless plain, altho in fact it is built upon a perfect globe. Such is the infinite variety of architecture of mansions, gates and hanging gardens that; two are never found alike in the same district. The mansions are all without roofs, while the walls are mere rods of gold, so wrought into network as to allow a most beautifully figured gold and silver lace to conceal the rods: At every corner and avenue is a stately gate: These are so beautifully decorated polished and adornd with pearls and precious stones, as to give the idea of triumphal arches. In whatever portion of this orb you chance to light, you will find from the surface to the centre; streets; mansions; gardens; trees shrubs, plants, fountains, music; and every thing material and ideal; intellectual and spiritual that can contribute in the least degree, to fill up that measure of glory and happiness which finite beings require to satisfy that craving nature & empty void with which we seem to have been created. The city is all laid in squares and districts; each district contains thirty-six squares; and at the angles where four districts meet, stands a temple composed of six triumphal arches overhung with golden (fimbria) or moss fringe which hangs pendant (390)========================================= and suspends at the bottom, the most fancifully wrought and varigated little bells of platina, gold and silver. These temples have six gates one on each side opening on a deck which is the commencement of a spiral staircase which leads you down to the Inner Temple, or central chamber of the city. As we went down, we found at the extent of every twelve feet, a gate opening into other (paved) streets where the same city plot, of mansions, streets, gardens fountains &c. predominate as above. Such is the compact state of this city of many mansions, that the whole geometrical contents, from the surface to the inner temple, may strictly, be considered a globe of many cities, or a "house of many mansions" Here were countless millions walking to and fro; up and down, in every direction wherever a highway had been prepared, and among the rest our own party from Mount Caydarossora were permitted to visit the Inner Temple and bow before the great white throne and behold the face of "Him that sat upon it". This was enough -- Nothing henceforth has been added to or diminished from that Spark of Divine life, light and power which has enabled me to perform my part in that office of Messenger to all parts of his universe, so necessary for the salvation and happiness of all his intelligent beings whom he hath called forth from the dark regions of chaos by his election and Omnipotent mind. As we were Florentines and our names enrolled in the records of Jupiter, we received our passports, mounted our cars & with a mighty shout, mounted the blazing canopy of the city of God and were soon wending our way to Mercury. Here we spent several short days in preparing ourselves with proper etherial and mathematical instructions necessary on account of a vast comet which was about to intersect our path on the way to the golden planet. We wished to pass through his luminous trait as near his chaotic nucleous as possible -- for we anticipated there would be a lively time in the region of watery meteors. Mercury is a city, in most respects like the Sun He is much less luminous, and infinitely smaller. He flies around that great luminary, carrying the mansions, towers and observatories of those happy servants who are devoted to the sublime telescope of the Universe. This telescope is located in the inner temple, and is so suspended upon a universal hinge or pivot as to enable the astronomer to look through the centre of any one of the spiral stair-cases and discover every motion of planet or comet in the Solar system, and even trace out the comet's flight to its loftiest appelion. (391)==================================== The citizens of Mercury lack nothing within the limits of the universe to match them equal participants of all the blessings bestowed upon those who harp before the great white throne: and it is no mokery for them to profess to enjoy the presence of that Divinity; who, although enthroned in awful and enrapturing majesty in his own glorious orb; yet pervades immesnsity with supreme love and Omnipotence; after making those telescopic observations which we had conceived were necessary we took our departure for the golden planet. -------- S 7th ------ Section Seventh.. Excurtion to Jupiter. --------- Anticipation is the life of enterprize; and notwithstanding the mighty round of pleasures; festivities and holy-day recreations that may chance to intervene between an invitation and a walk; or between a promise and fulfflment; we seldom lose sight of the object of our wishes ----- We had long since enjoyed the promise of an excursion to a planet which I had ever looked upon as a beautiful and sunny spot far away: I had looked upon the earth as a place of transient probation; and if it had its thousands of delights, it had also its ten thousand vexations and I was easily persuaded to leave a place where I found no increasing hope and saw no glowing expectation, for the sake of that dear star which had so frequently absorbed all my thoughts and swallowed up my soul: From the date of the first Florentine promise in Detroit, to the present glorious moment; every incident of my life has forwarded the enterprize, increased my zeal and added fresh hopes to my bosom. -- The enterprize keeps rising in sublimity and promises fresh felicity; not because I expect to see any greater object, or come in contact with a mightier king than I have already seen but because I anticipate a share in that glory which resounds to the good and faithful, by becoming an efficient co-worker in the vineyard of our heavenly Father.. A boundless expense of ether was before us, and as a golden gem of immense value, hung isolated with its beckoning glories in the heavens, Jupiter must now be visited.. Our cars were again flying through space and our happy and glorified company were once more performing those splendid involutions and evolutions which serve to amuse and delight with suck an endless va;rfety of forms and transformations. ---- Sometimes we resembled two armies coming in fearful contact with banners flying as if to engage in hostile and bloody battle: sometimes in solemn and majestic procession as if attendant on a coronation; but commonly we had separate (392)==================================== parties, performing cotillions and sarabands in imitation of the Aurora Boreallis ------ The comet made its appearance in the direction where we anticipated it would; and we had but just entered the regions of watery meteors above the dividing firmament when his luminous trail enveloped our whole band.. We changed our course and pursued this mass of rocks and hills that had been thrown from its chaotic bed; for the purpose of investigating the nature of that blaze of light which seems to extend through so many millions of millions of miles. ----- But we found that instead of its having a luminous atmosphere, it had no atmosphere at all; and as to its temperature it had not heat enough evaporate those meteors and globules of water with which it came in contact.. Yet it was a source of amusement and instraction to witness the effect as it passed through with such tremendous velocity. ---- The water, whether suspended in compact globules or in concave spheres, whether large or small, were thrown in all directions, radiating from the comets track, and as it advanced the water behind continued to radiate and expand from the point whence it was thrown, and growing wider and wider, the whole takes the form of a cone, having the nucleus, or comet itself for the apex -- Here then we found a region exactly on the track of the comet without any watery meteors --- These had fanned a hollow conical tube, so dense as to reflect a little light from the sun and give the comet the fearful appearance and name of a blazing star.. We left the comet and the watery meteore to obey the impulse they had already received and went on our way -- Like all other objects the galden planet increased in apparent magnitude in perspective as we approximated toward his smiling countenance: His four moons were so nearly in a direct line with us as to appear almost in contact with each other; and while they shone with their own borrowed light they seemed to beckon us with a benign token of love; for as they had harmoniously devoted their countless revolutions to so august a planet, they seemed to say to us: "here upon this vast world of ours are infinite delights for you +-- -- Indeed we felt to count it all our own, and began to appreciate all its blessings as if already there: for our imaginations were swifter than our cars: Our thoughts had flown, and before we arrived our bosoms contained the prize. -- Larger and wider; and widening still on breath: --- Jupiter seemed struggling to out- (393)==================================== strip the Sun, till now his convex sides appeared a plain. -- And what of Jupiter? Tis hills and plains and mountains too with silvery streams.. A Land of oceans, bays and seas beside a world of forest treea A fine and tempting soil to lure the emigrant from baser climes --- A land where fruits and melons, grapes and finest wheat and honey bees Combine in all their growth luxuriant to make a garden ---- And such a garden none have seen, save with the beautious queen The queen Hesperus who rides foremost in the train of morning stars Here no vile shrub or worthless plant or fruitless tree endures The footsteps and the pruning hook of holiest culture For at the root of ev'ry worthless tree the axe is laid And long ago this garden had no herb or shrub spontaneous -- Save what a thousand years of culture renders such --- A glorious convoy met us in the upper regions of the atmosphere and hailed us in the name and authority of the Vicegerant of the Commander in Chief of the Armies of Jupiter: --- They were answered by the Prince of Florence at the head of our shining battalion in the following style --- "We are (those) who come through mighty regions of Ether; from a land far away, a land of darkness and moral drought; from a world of sin and hypocricy where the common adversary or light and happiness controls the affairs of men; and but for divine assistance we must have perished and returned again to the slumbering elements of chaos = But through Light and life and hope, we have visited Hesperus, the inner temple of the Great city; have passed the sceptre of the Sun; encountered a comet, and now salute the golden plan- et by authority from your royal Highness in the name of Florence the Prince of Florence" -- "Welcome! thrice welcome thou and thine "Welcome to the shady groves and pleasant fields of Jupiter -- "And all the warm affections of our bosoms too: We feel "As all should feel a glowing sympathy within: that warms "And animates a principle of unity and love: We'll sing "And let these new-born souls awake in sweeter climes "Come! Join your voices all: Now strike the lyre and let the "sachet note go round --- Praise! Praise! Adore! And O! "The joyful sound, Let every voice go round, till all our hearts be full After the concert, we were conducted into the Imperial Vineyard, and seated upon evergreen sofas, cushioned with the flowering velvet moss of Hesperus. In front of us was a broad open pavement of burnished gold, wrought in the beautiful figure of the star of Bethlehem. Over us (394)==================================== was spread a canopy of flowers of beaten gold, and colored to imitate the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valey and all the choice and variegated blossoms of the garden of Solomon.. A company of young and beautiful cherubs were chosen from the imperial palace to escort the Vicegerant from his saloon to the vineyard -- These were preceded by a band of twenty-four musicians, with each an instrument differing from the rest.. In the midst of the cherubs walked the Vicegerant with six hundred cherubss before and six hundred behind him -- Three hundred knights with blazing ensigns and glittering armour brought up the rear.. The music commenced with almost imperceptibly soft and warbling symphonies that seemed to float through distant regions of ether like some fond wish that whispered in a sigh: then fainting in a cadence pitiful as grief; but sobbing in a stronger tone and louder still, brought sweet response from all the band: Now louder melodies awoke the locomotive steps and the procession (moves)... A chair of state, glittering in the profusion of its gems and jewels was placed in front of our company for the reception of his august person --- The procession arrives; the Vicegerant is seated and the ceremony of drinking the juice of the grape commences -- I had never seen the first Chief Magistrate of the United States and Generalissimo of the American army; but his pourtrait had been as familiar to my mind, as my nearest neighbor, and the recent exhibition of one at Detroit had prepared me for recognizing the original at the first glance of the eye ----- And here sat Washington in all the pomp and splendour of an emperor enjoying immortal honors, for he had gained his millions --- -- -- Josephine, in a low voice, observed, "she knew that was Washington, but she had thought him of a graver and courser mould; but she presumed that the climate {meaning moral climate} and (future) prospects had a great effect upon the moveable spirit of his countenance".--- His Etherial Highness arose and received the role of enlistments from the hand of Florence, cast his eye rapidly over the contents and then called for Lady Wellington, Lady Elizabeth, Madam Spencer, and Lady Milan --- These stept forth --- "Look on the company," said he.. "Have you seen all these?" "We have"-- "Then you will will witness that these ( ) drink of the juice of the red grapes with me in those blesst and happy fields where sorrow is never known" They drank; and while the cherubs (hand- ) ed round the roseate wine to the rest of the company, their sprarkling eyes twinkled in the golden bowl, and a livelier tune with sweeter notes was never played than now danced through the merry fingers of the band.. We were all seated ae;aia, and Washington delivered the following discourse for our edification, entertainment & benefit. --- (395)==================================== "Beloved, I am not the first born among many brethern, but I am equal with him; being joint-heir in the kingdom of our heavenly Father; and as he possessed a more glorious planet than this; I shall diminish nothing of his inheritance by swaying the sceptre of righteousness over this orb as once I did over the continent of America. --- I have been faithful over a few things and am made ruler over many: -- "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof.." So also is that; infinitude of worlds which he hath created; and it is not a small thing that we are called out of chaos and permitted to behold his glorious works == For this purpose hath he given us eyes, the meeter piece of all his works and become the happy recipients of his grace, and thereby become his children indeed: heirs and joint-heirs of immortality My predecessor has gone to Fomalhaut: has visited Arcturus and Orion and when this planet is converted into a city like the Sun he will visit Jupiter as one of the mighty angels of God ---- --- Furnaces, like volcanoes are now in successful operation in the in- terior of the gold mines, fusing; metals and preparing mansions like those in the house of God--.. The smoke carries up the gross materials, which cannot be used here, and they ride upon the upper atmosphere in broad clouds which are often seen from the Earth and are there called belts -- In some future period these will be elec- trified and envelope the whole planet in one (sheet) of white light and the whole body of this planet upon which we now stand will be converted into a compact city of gold, a house of many mansions and a residence for the good and faithful -- Then will Jupiter soar away and take an independant station in that endless galaxy of the heavens, and his moons will become primary planets and at length suns in that endless round of eternity which never had a beginning --- I have met you in character at this time to bid you welcome and make you equal heirs with me in the joys which our heavenly Father hath promised to all his faithful children: --- You are all invited to visit me at my palace so often as it suits your pleasure and convenience. Forget not the library -- The first book you will read is the Sublime Philosophy of Heaven: Read this and forsake not its maxims, and wherever you go, the highway of the Lord will be open for you and the fate of Lucifer will not be your catastrophe" -----.. We were dismissed and the, evening dews began to fall, for the Sun had imperceptibly gone down over the western mansions, and although his disk did not appear so large as Jupiters smallest moon yet with four moons over our heads we felt the want of light. --- (396)==================================== S 8 ---- Section Eighth -- A Ramble ------ --- When Sol had once more illuminated the Eastern horizon, Josephine and myself commenced rambling; for we had spent the night in reading the first thirty six paragraphs in the Philosophy of Heaven; and altho our minds were refreshed and our intellects quickened; our bodies, etherialized as they were, seemed to demand the invigorating influence of exercise: We called at Washington's palace in obedience to his request; and instead of imperial garments, he wore the common white robe; while his only badge of distinction was a large carbuncle set in jet and surrounded with thirteen jewels of the most beautiful and fascinating briliancy: This constituted a part of his crown -- -- We were seated and made welcome in a style indicative of that supreme love which conquers and subdues the hardest heart makes friends of enemies, and bears away the broken heart to the bosom of the Father ---- We felt that if there remained upon the Earth a spirit to forgive sins, and restore to the bosom or the father, that which was lost; the adversary had nearly shrouded that spirit in darkness, for the enemies of all righteousness were the ruling party there: ----- Washington said they were transcient beings but for the grace of God the best of them must perish.. ---- "Yet" said he "Philander, Read the Book!. and when the four moons are all in conjunction again, give me another call; for I sent my Florence to Detroit on purpose to snatch you from the burning (flames) of avarice. Perhaps you would like to be my Florence and go on a similar [message]. Here you will have nothing to do but read and travel, and amuse yourselves And you will not be wanting in materials nor opportunity for them -- At the time I mention you will be better qualified to answer my proposition, and better prepared for the enterprize" We kissed his hand, took our leaves and went on our way rejoicing, singing and conversing. Josephine said I, , since we are in possession of the long wished for home, there will be no harm in contemplating the time when this planet will be in all respects like the sun.. Mars is a turbulent world; but Saturn with his seven moons will soon be like the Sun with seven primaries. His smoky belts are now convolving in electrical effervesence in the two great rings that appear like solid masses of rocks: The inner ring con tains the elements of the true fire which is to envelope the planet while the exterior one will pass off and dissipate upon the wide abyss of Chaos -- - "All correct" said Josephine "and by the time that Jupiter will have dissipated all but the pure gold, Earth would be a thousand times lost in chaos; had not the promise gone forth that there should be a new one" ----- We continued our ramble from street to street; from mansion to mansion till we had compared several whole districts (397)==================================== with those we had seen in the Solar city; and in general we found the difference to consist merely in the difference of color and briliancy; owing all to the want of light and electricity -- This was supplied however to a sufficient amount by electrified lamps --- as this planet was still dependant upon the sun, we had no wish to change the order of Nature for the sake of a greater luminary; for all things were prepared for us & ten thousand more: All that was wanting was more and more partakers in the predominant happiness that reigned here. ----- We could have settled down in a golden mansion and enjoyed the never ending delights of an exalted paradise, had we not been partakers of the nature of Him who redeemed us. But there were millions behind who needed the aid of ministering servants; and while there was room and servants enough, qualified for the business, why should we recline in the lap of luxury while so many are perishing for want of our services.. I told Josephine I believed that the whole universe of matter would yet be converted into mansions, gardens and vinyards for the blessed and redeemed intelligent beings whom God would yet see fit to redeem by his boundless grace: if we are called to labor as ministering angels, no doubt our enjoyment will increase as our labours enlarge. We cannot go beyond the embrace of that love which is so all powerful as to harmonize a boundless universe --- Where ever we walked we met with shining faces, flowing robes and glittering coronets, emblematical of that conquest which ever attends the good and faithful. The recollection of that glowing company which visited us upon Mt. Caydarossora, and that immense convoy which went down from Jupiter at the time, encircling the whole earth as a glorious halo of intellectual light,--, and the animated narrations of Lady Elizabeth upon the octagon, began to kindle up in our bosoms a warm desire to see, upon this delightful planet, those faces which had smiled upon us with such unspeakable joy upon another planet. We retraced our steps to the palace to inquire of the Notary What method we should have to take in order to see certaixa persons of our acquaintance whom we wished to converse with -- The door of the office was open, and as we came up, De Medicus Mont Cary, the adopted son of Washington, came forth and bid us welcome.. "Let me tell you" said he "the Florentine Heroes whom I have the honor to represent at this time, will appear this evening in front or the palace, and (there) with unusual briliancy will be celebrated, in commemoration The signal conquest over the powers of darkness in the Caverns of Bath --- You will be present, and the faces you delight to see, and the characters you delight to honor, will be present and you will be greeted personally & specially: (398)==================================== We returned to our ovn mansion {for it is lawful to claim the first we enter} and its galleries were thronged with cherubs with their golden harps singing and playing as we entered the gate "As worlds on worlds above redundant roll in heavenly harmony "And each to each (------------) respect maintains; so moved the wheels "The ancient Patriarch beheld.. A wheel within a wheel.. "A world within a world, and yet another firmament.. "Forget the broad galaxy cannot tell how many worlds there are.. "If system roll on system, all may well unite.. for why "If God sustains them all, shall not his power the harmony preserve? "So we shall sing his praise, and when ten thousand times ten thousand "Years are up, our singing is but just commenced.. Sing on! Sing on, "While here Philander and his Josephine can testify what love "And what celestial spirits wait to greet them with their smiles:: "Oh! Blest of heaven! for now you know what fearful distance "God can reach with messengers of love to grasp his dear ones "From the despoiling hands of Satan and his fierce banditti. ----- While yet they sung, a chariot of fire Came blazing through the air, and soonthe happy train were far away And in our blissful musings we oft enjoy the selfsame harmonies S 9th ---------...... Section Ninth. ------- The celebration The Sun had declined behind the western belt which had been thickening and gathering blackness for several hours; which circumstance in connection with four moons in quartile with each other, is always the signal for a grand and universal turn-out for an aerial excurtion throughout both hemispheres: And in whatever region this phenomenon happens, there they first begin and follow up the Sun till the whole population of the planet are collected in one vast company: All mount their cars and with harp in hand, soar away upon the atmosphere.. And if we had never witnessed the same company encircling the earth I presume we should never have seen it here: But being already in anticipation of something extraordinary, I told Josephine that the evening celebration would probably consummate all our wishes respecting the golden planet, and the blessed privilege of seeing those dear friends whose anxious bosoms had so frequently sympathized with ours . -- "Yes," said Josephine "and that dear Mother Lady Elizabeth, whose countenance smiles upon us with such benign radiance sets my heart to glowing with raptures every time she passes in review! Could I be conscious that my presence produced equal felicity in any bosom in the universe, it seems that my bliss, altho' perfect now (399)==================================== would be increased a thousand fold, for it seems that the glory of bestowing happiness must be infinitely more exalted than that of receiving." ---"Yes, said I, and we read in the philosophy of heaven that "God's benevolence is paramount to his power and will, and is the prime motive of all his actions,, and in this does his happiness consist,, for no wise beingcan be perfectly happy without participants" ------ at length a shout the united voices of millions, like the voice of Jehovah, burst upon the air at once, and in a moment we were on our fiery chariots sailing over the tops of the temples and witnessing the (egress) of myriads as they came bounding from the winding stairs.. It seemed as if every temple was a volcano sending forth her legions to the battle of the great day of the Lord.. Each had his golden harp and glowing lamp besides our chariots were seven times more luminous than usual == Our ascent was gradual, but our speed was like the firey meteor in order to compass half the circuit of so great a world in time to enjoy the amusements and festivities of the evening celebration ----- The way was broad.. But yet the present view of North and South; wide as it seamed,Could not contain us all; for opticks without telescopic tubes Can never compass Jupiter: And then the circling turn From pole to pole outreaches the optician's skill.. -------- But 'twas enough, our army had no bounds apparent ---For all the space before, behind, on right and left was full And like a living flaming, sapient ocean all appeared. --- The sun was totally eclypsed by Jupiter's second moon: the first had set, and the third was behind us In the east this was soon to be obscured by the dense belts of smoke over our heads.--- "See there" said Josephine." What singular phenomenon is going on there?" I looked and large beheld a beast with seven heads and ten horns and a mean of small stature leading it, exactly in the direction of the Sun: --------- "What means all this" said Josephine "I thought we had escaped the powers of darkness by coming to a world of light; yet I have no apprehensions of ill, for I suspect His Aerial Majesty, King Decoah is there playing up some of his tricks of Legerdemain--." It is even so" said De Staal for he had just come along side "It is even so; the servant in livery will not fail to amuse us this evening I'll assure you.. I have a part in this celebration too: Here! follow me"We followed, and immediately the Heroes of Bath and Caydarossora were separated from the rest and were seen rushing to the battlefield like a brave battalion of grenadiers In the cause of liberty (400)==================================== We mounted up, and as we approached, the aerial monster stood aghast for a moment vith fear and trembling: But surveying the length of his chain and the dwarf at the other end, he shook his heads and rattled his horns, then pounced upon us like a tiger upon her prey, while we brushed him with electric shocks from our chariot wheels till he roared out most lustily: His forces as yet were concealed in the thick cloud; but his (outeries) rallied thence, When a sulphurous volcano opened from the under surface of the thick vapours and legions of furies were let loose upon us: ---- These, although dressed in the most horrible and fantastical uniform(s) seemed limited in their power as well as their royal master and had no other effect upon us than to excite our merriment We moved off, taking a circuit on a swift motion for ten or fifteen miles round --- This gave the enemy a chance to reinforce, and having seen the powerful effects of fire, he ordered out his whole army artillery and ammunition, which so exhausted the magazines of the western belt that the light of the Sun, {altho' but just emerging from the eclypse} began to break through and expose the whole extent of his power We came up and renewed the attack: His cannon of eleven hundred pieces were all charged, and the beast, at the end of his chain stood with a match in his paw to fire the signal gun.. He only waited for us to come within reach of his shot+ But while we were confounding his ranks and throwing his hideous squads into confusion by such an intolerable glare of light they could not withstand, he applied the match; and whether the guns were aimed directly at us or not, we cannot tell: --- His cartridges were wrapped in course Iinnen paper and labeled thus: "The bulls of the pope to impede all false lights that do not proceed directly from our most serene and pontifical inspection".. The noise was tremendous, but before the smoke and stench were dissipated the noise was forgotten --- Each of us had secured a cartridge paper with the expression of the Pope, and again we retired fran the field to give them a chance to prepare for another assault, for "altho' it was (death) for them, it was sport for us" ----. while on our retreat we converted these papers into electrified rockets, and charged them from the wheels of our chariots: We advanced slowly and cautiously, harping the dirge of the Fallen Enemy, and eating downward we beheld the innumerable multitude enjoying the spectral warfare in great hilarity + They had formed the great involution of state and were revolving around one common centre like the revolving amphitheatre in the eliptical cavern.. The great mass of ( ------ ) in their chariots had risen (401)==================================== one above another extending and sloping back like an ampitheatre, till the last member of the great family just filled up the compliment-- They formed, as one may imagine, a vast luminous vase, and in this performance, {standing as they did, so many thousands deep at the base, and diminishing in column upward} their tactics required double ranks so that while one approached the centre the other receded; and this went on with such amazing briskness that every one became in his turn a near spectator to the aerial combat --- As soon as the seven headed monster discovered that he was a mere object of ridicule, and that there was no eye to pity him, he roared out in despair and his forces disappeared: --- He now made a desperate effort to escape, but the dwarf held him fast and let him up for our inspection De Stall asked him "what he most desired" He said that if he possessed universal empire over one planet he would be satisfied He had tried his arts of usurpation in various ways; but never succeeded so well as when he sold indulgences for crime to get money to build up his church; For the want of the genuine unction of the holy spirit, he had assumed the title of Holiness; and for many years the title, with a few pompous trappings were all he thought he ever should need; but since some one has blundered into the truth and exposed the fraud his success has been rather wavering.. DeStaal asked him "what he would try next if they would unchain him and let him go." "I will throw fire brands" said he "every where and get the protestants into such confusion that they will be glad to come back to my standard where I skhll make them believe there is power, protection and money too." DeStaal told the dwarf, that seeing this was an aerial spectre and could never be permitted to set foot upon Jupiter he might snap the chain: The dwarf sprung back upon the chain and et was instantly hurled aloft in ten thonsand pieces where it disappeared with the monster in the smoky belt-- The cloud became dense and the darkened canopy added a fresh lustre to the blazing celebration bellow. We now Formed little family groups and after receiving King Decoah, who had chained the monster, we came down in the spiral deseent. -- Tables were set in one crf the gardens ard fhe heroes of Bath and Caydarossora were fed upon the delicate fruits of that blest planet of light -- far away: After the feast,, Lady Elizabeth came and seated herself by the side of Josephine and said "she wished her darling daughter was only conscious of the infinite delight she enjoyed in her presence, especially when one felt the glowing influ- ence of her smiles:" "It seems" she addcdd "that heaven, after all is located in the human heart: for my soul is never so full as when that fountain of bliss is poured out for me in that heavenly coun- (402)==================================== countenance of yours." "Now" said Josephine "I am satisfied, This is what I sought: The delights of heaven dwell mostly in the etherlal spirit; that refined intellect which drinks deep of the fountain of pure sensibil(ity) and love, and from the purity of its nature must always escape the observation and elude the grasp of its enemies: Such joys are rich and none can so well appreciate their value as he who is redeemed from a chaos of sin" I looked up and Lord Duncan and his Lady, Gen. Towner, Esqr. Marlborough, Dr. Marlborough, Madam McPhelon and a large company of wives sons and daughters; and finally the whole group from the Florentine caverns at Bath and Caydarossora were present and on tip toe for social chitchat. Their bosoms also were glowing with the same flame of love and happiness; and none seemed delinquent in the delightful duty and pleasure of imparting to others that bliss which language is designed to communicate. Lord Duncan asked Lady Duncan"if she was cured or her partiality for England" "Yes! yes! you know I am" said she, "for how could I get here in a British packet? One ride upon a fiery chariot is worth more than the whole British empire" ---- Dr. Marlborough said he was afraid to look back upon the twin planets lest he should behold the spectre of the Lady of Barleyfields, and he was sure that such a vision would make him dizzy as ever and he should capsize his car, however well it might have been electrified. ---- The Three female knights repeated the history of their captivity in true theatrical style.. sang a song, and the celebration was ended --- S 10th Section Tenth: Visit at the Gold Mines The first e;lympse of daylight was accompanied by a halo of prismatic colors radiating frum a bow like the rainbow in the west produced by the ascending vapors and smoke from the volcanic furnaces in the gold mines, reflecting beams of the rising Sun.. --- The celebration broke up in the most perfect order and harmony and our party, led on by DeStaal repaired immediately to the mines --- It was not so distant but that we reached the scene of operations a little before sunrise + We found nothing here peculfarly different from the other districts of the great city, save only the cupolas of the furnaces which took the places of the temples that led down into the winding staircases: -- Here was a territory nearly three hundred miles square sending up smoke and vapours from many thousands of cupolas: There vapours ascended in beautiful columns of curling, twisting and expanding as they mounted the atmosphere, till they all united in one broad and dense cloud: "Here" said De Staal "is the fountain from which arise the broad belts of Jupiiter" --- Here were streets, mansions, gardens, golden walls as in other parts, and (403)==================================== there was no fear nor appreheasion of any disaster, for even these volcanos were subect to skillful masters whose business it was to superintend those powerful Galvanic batteries below which subjected every material to a smelting and refining operation.. At a little distance from these cupolas were temples and winding stairs that led us down to the crucibles and smelting kettles -- Here we witnesses tremendous operations.. In some of these furnaces, the very brine of the sea and salt from the mines were converted to smoke; while in others the primitive granite, hornblende, silex, and marble were decomposed -- Every thing finally gave way to the astonishing powers of Galvanic Electricity which was here displayed in all its glory and demonstrated the tenth of the olden apothegm that there is fire enough in the planets to consume them. ---- And how consoling it is to reflect, that even "in wrath God will remember mercy" and spare, and even renew those planets he has doomed to destruction; for John saw in prophetic vision even a new heaven and a new Earth for the first had passed away as a scroll Here interpolate Note 1st ( -------- ) {As often as a sufficient vacancy was made, golden walls and mansions, streets, gardens, temples, and staircases were erected with the precious metal obtained by these operations}: Thus was Juplter suffering a renovation and passing away as a scroll, and in its place was erecting a golden city like unto the city of the Most High: We were surprised to discover that this business instead of being laborious was most delightful employment: The great society who labour in the mines are privileged {if posslble above all others; because they have only to march from place to place, harping and singing praises to God; and occasionally moving the conductors of the batteries + We now visited the inner Chamber in the centre of the planet: -- This was a spherical cavity about one mile in diameter encased in pure gold and richly bedecked with jewels and gems, too beautiful and glorfous to admit a description; and which even the powers of the human imagination are infinitey too feeble to conceive.. The moment we entered we discovered that the direction of gravitation was reversed -- and this beautifully decorated casing at once became a pavement under our feet: Wherever we walked we seemed to be at the bottom and on the inside of a concave globe, our feet always embracing the pavement and our heads pointing to the centre -- The only piece of furniture in this inner chamber was a quadruple temple thirty cubits long and its length, breadth, and height were equal, while its construction gave it the appearance of four temples in contact. This temple consisted of wals and seats arranged in the form of an altar, or rather like an amphitheatre reversed; for the outer seats were lowest whire the others rose one above another (404)==================================== like the steps of an altar.. Above was a deck or platform upon which stood a great white throne, +++ to describe which is impossible. It is sufficient to say that its workmanship displays infinite skill and strikes the beholder's imagination with a quiatus never to be forgotton Those who are permitted to see it once, never attempt to seek out a new invention to supply its place on the presumption that a more splendid seat could be constructed Here sat enthroned the Commander in Chief of the armies of Jupiter; to all appearances a mere man; but of celestial beauty having a glowing and changing countenance which seamed to respond to every holy aspiration in the universe: He was not the Creator of the Universe but was one of his agents whom he delighted to honor --- In fact tis England's pride To crown his honored head with laurels quite immortal For not a spot has marred the name of Alfred.. -------------------- And if in due gradation, souls immortal rise 'Tis time to find him ruling in the skies And while his rule extends to subjects without blemish Now blest, and how auspicious must his reigning be -------- Here we were all seated, and for the purpose of becoming adepts in the art of translocating the intellect from ourselves to others in order to perceive the thoughts of the heart; we suffered ourselves to be thrown into a profound sleep + Here we forgot every thing; even our very existence; and for the time being knew no difference between empty space and the mountain of adament -- When we awoke from this lethargy, we found ourselves surveying the thoughts and intentions of the leading personages of Europe and America; especially those politico-ecclestical usurpers who design to obtain "all the kingdoms of the world and the "glory of them" by one act of supreme reverence to Satan When we had looked, and looked in vain in the human (heart) for an end of these things, we desired no longer to be mere spectators, but asked immediately for permission to rescue as many as possible from the grasp of the enemy. Our petition was granted and we received our verbal commissions accompanied with a charge in the following words from the throne: "Beloved, By this time you must have perceived by every evidence of the intellectual soul and the etherial spirit, "that God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth" You are exhonerated from all outward formalities.. for the Divine Presence will forever witness with your spirits that you are his children; heirs to the liberties of the saints and ministering angels: -- (405)==================================== You are commissioned like the angel of God who went before the Israelites "to keep them in the way," in whom was the name of the living God, and who bore that sacred name upon Mount Sinai, before whom the priests and seventy of the elders of Israel appeared.. Your duty will ever be distinctly manifest, being dictated by the immediate inspiration of the Holy Spirit who being every where present and and knowing all things will not fail to communicate all that knowledge you may require to execute those benevolent designs you propose --- The vicegerant will give those special directions which appertain to the western continent of that planet you intend to visit; and should he see fit to send one of your member to the Earth's Satellite to illuminate "the spirits in prison" it will be optional with Philander, who conceived such a design while on the planet of the preserved Antideluvians Our greatest enemy on those planets where he is not subdued, appears under the banners of religious politics; but there is no dificulty in distinguishing between an earthly, avaricious, sensual and devilish kingdom and the one that is not of such a world --- The one leads to chaos & anarchy, and the other to eternal light and glory "Look up" said he "and behold the glory of the annointed of the Lord whom he hath been pleased to exalt! We looked up and saw twelve shining dignitaries with unparalleled beauty and grace, and crowned with the laurels of martyrdom; the principal of whom was Lady Jane Gray. These were attended by a hundred and forty four cherubim, shining singing and harping as they passed in review three times around the outer court of the temple. ---- The appearance of Lady Jane in every respect, was calculated to inspire ones mind with the most exalted views of the human character, when nurtured by the Fostering hand of that guardian genius which was origlnally designed to elevate the standard of human greatness, and place mankind above the influence of temptation. She was of that dignified and serene model of intellect, and that spiritual sublimity which excites the envy and jealousy of baser beings and brings down the vengeance of the assassin. Unfortunate upon the Earth, but Princess Etherial among the Cherubim and Seraphim Her robe was of the most perfect whiteness, and xxx ornamented upon its borders with treble rows of orange blossoms just beginning to expand. Her head was crowned with a white diadem wreathed with laurel and having six spires tiped with carbuncle so as to resemble briliant drops of blood just ready to fall. The trail of her robe was borne upon the fingers of six cerrubs or exquisite beauty who were continually singing and smiling and receiving from her gracious countenance the reciprocal return (406)==================================== When we left the temple, Lady Jane and her retinue oonducted us once around the inner chamber, and our walk was attended with the most deligfitful music imaginable. When we were exactly opposite to the temple we looked directly overhead for in order to see it, and from this point it appeared as if suspended from the key of a great arch.. ----- When we came to the front of the temple, a door was opened through the pavement, and our chariots being in readiness we took our departure for the upper surface of Jupiter. ------ And 'twas no lonely voyage, --- For streets and gardens, temples, mansions and vocal choirs Salute our band on every side, while purlfng fountains flow And flowing greet ten thousand fountains more And in the mighty round leave not one garden dry Nor yet a mansion destitute + Such is the never ending (cha ) That when we sound the depth of Jupiter or scale the lofty heights With fiery pinions; surmounting the etherial blue, tis all the same For God who fashioned us just like himself knows what we are And how to make the universe our home, and home delightful It was so ordered that we emerged from the interior to the surface at the temple near Washington's Palace; a delilghtful incident when we remember that the gold mines are located on the opposite side of the planet; making our passage through the planet on a direct line. --- S 11th Section Eleventh The Lunar Feast ----- Time, such as happy souls forget to count, rolled on And in the twinkling of a few short months the silvery moons The satellites of Jupiter once more arose in contact most apparent And while the signal for sublime display held out, The armies of the Living God appear in bright array, and all With one accord mount up and soar away for heavenly recreation.. -- The Palace of the Vicetgerant seemed to know my walk For on their hinges even doors and shutters turn, as I approached the (dwelling) For I had come a sacred charge to take, to bear away to mortals Even what the Noble Washington would send in heartfelt love To those who seek a country blesst with all the joys of life immortal... Now, while the atmosphere is buoying up its millions, floating on, My Josephine pursues the etherial flight to join the blest Elizabeth And I am left to play a separate part where Washington directs "My son" said he, for now I sat, before his chair of state" "My Florence For such I call those heroes whom I choose to sead to that sad world Cheer up for honors of a thousand fold await your labours And on another planet must your harvest grow till quite matured.. ---- (407)==================================== "Your voice must whisper in the breeze, while list'ning consciences awake "And list'ning oft will catch the sound of inspiration. Then is your time "Let not the precious moment pass, 'tis yours, and all their thoughts are thine "Be gentle, perssive; yet, let the all-searching truth divide the spoil --- "And what is built on pomp and avarice is Satans own, for he "Vile wretch, spurs up his minions to build themselves a church -- "And what they lack in splendid dress and trappings, they now contrive "To take by virtue of their piety; and thus the poor are robbed, and thus "The chains of darkness are made ten thousand times more strong "The poor in spirit and the meek and they that mourn are jewels ---- "Snatch them as brands from the burning flames and give them holy shelter.. "In some lone cave or mountain top till they can have a convoy "Now take this roll and haste away" ----------------- I took the roll and bowd, and soon the belts of Jnpiter.. .. .. With all the smoking phantoms of the atmosphere sunk down And far beneath my feet rolled Jupiter in light effulgent.. ------- Soon I was numbered with the throng while myriads & myriads of gay battalions join the troop to fly to distant worlds To sound glad news of joy and peace and point the way to heaven.. As on we passed we formed a halo oft, sometimes a ring Encircling as it were a world, for all was pastime & amusement Altho a world of wo demands our speediest flight.. We passed the sceptre of the Sun, then Queen Hesperus, and flying on We hailed Mars and spanned the smoky rings and viwed the moons Then walked the golden streets of Saturn; But the twin planets smoking yet And burning with the rage of Lucipher demands a speedy succour. --- We now surround the Moon and young Philander with a chosen band Alights & the old mountain ov'r the vale of diamonds embraced our feet There were but twelve of us who stopped at the Moon, and as we designed to commence with the Florentine Missions here, we decided upon this mountain as the most eligible location for our rendezvous. --- After taking a critical survey of every point and crevice: every opening and avenue; we fixed upon a beautiful cavern about thirty feet above the diamond hearth for our permanent residence.. We soon commenced singing and harping the Florentine Song in the Noetic language.. ---- When we had finished the performance our ears were saluted with hundreds of voices from the Diamond hearth.. We looked; and behold! The inhabitants were holding a feast in commemoration of our former visitation --- We heard their fervent ejaculations to God for his mercies. We heard their superstitious incantations and numberless vain oblations We saw them eat their bitter herbs with tears and our souls were moved . --- (408)==================================== We kept ourselves concealed from their observation till they had afflicted themselves many hours, when they were about to sacrifice the eldest son of their Chief to propitiate the Divine favour and persuade the Divinities of heaven to bless them with another visit, for the former one had set their souls on fire for the love that pervaded the upper realms. ------ A young prince was brought forward amidst grievous lamentations and sighs, and while the women were screaming and tearing their hair from their heads; and while every thing bespoke the highest degree of grief & horror --- As the instrument of death was raised, a blast from our golden trumpets put a stop to the fatal blow; and notwithstanding their fervent petitions for our reappearance they fled like so many wild foxes, leaving their victim bound hand and foot upon the altar. We flew to his rescue, unloosed his bands and claimed him as our prisoner, knowing that from the nature of the conquest he must feel himself under infinite obligations to that power who preserves the universe and is abundantly able to save to the uttermost all who put their rust in him. --- And indeed his gratitude seemed to have no bounds, and altho' he was the only one in the vast congregation destitute of superstition, and was an unwilling sacrifice; yet he was the first, and for a long time the only convert to the Sublime Philosophy of heaven. --- We conducted him to our cave where he related all the particulars respecting the conduct of the Lunarians after our first visit to that planet.. He said, "From that time to the present, there, had been a great strife and stir among the inhabitants, Some believing and more disbelieving the report of the witnesses, till the believers claimed the honor of having been visited by Abel and his sainted friends; and accused the unbelievers of being the unregenerate descendants of Cain whose offering God refused to accept -- This was leading to such a mighty conflict that the King ordered the sacrifice of a human being that all might be satisfied whose offering would be the most acceptible: The king's orders were particularly offensive to all the unbelievers, and to exhibit their malice in the true spirit of Cain, they seized up me, the kings only son and heir and would have slain me the next moment had you not interfered.. It was their design after the sacrifice to feast and make merry in order to banish from the whole kingdom every thought of a superstitious nature: -- We were followed by hundreds of witnesses and believers whose prayers, incantations and groans you heard." "And as we are a people very subject to superstitious dread, there is not much wonder that all as one left the premises, and especially the believers in the vision as we called it, for, after the first impulse of fear was gone they would probably all have been slain! ----- This event filled the whole kingdom with consternation, while the (409)==================================== story spread even to our antipodes on the Circle islands, and was now believed by all parties. The king was exhonourated from censure andwas thought by some to have been directed by divine inspiration. --- After a long time the public' teachers were called upon to give their views upon the subject; and lest there should be a clashing of sentiments, they postponed the subject till they could hold a general conference; for it was well known that two distinct sects could not long exist in the kingdom of the Moon. The conference met at the Garden of Eden, and after a long and tedious controversy, it was agreed to adjourn to the Valley of Diamonds, and should the Divine Messengers reappear and explain the object of their missions they would abide the testimony without any further discussiosn ---- During all this time our captive was learning and making great strides in the etherial sciences; and as he was already the greatest prodigy in tbe realm, we determined to put him forward in the ministration of good tidings to the children of darkness and error; believing that as many as knew him would would reverance him as their prince at least and would be the more ready to believe him on that account.. --- At length the conference met, and all the learning and ability of the Antedeluvians were displayed in the true poetic and laconic style of Moses and the Prophets. They related the tradition of the flood, of the ark and the preaching of Noah whom the people looked upon as a mad man or a fool; but now they were ready to receive instruction from heaven; They were ready to believe in one God if he would at this time manifest himself as he did on the day they were about to sacrifice the young prince, Lamech, our captive, heard them with evident sorrow for their blindness and impatience toward them for their ingratitude for what God had already bestowed upon them; and waiting till they were about to break up the conference and depart in the most total unbelief, he stept forth. "Behold your sacrifice," said he --- "Know you not that God accepted the offering of Abel and rejected that of Cain, for which he was wroth and slew his brother?" ---- "I say, behold your offering! This very sacrifioe you offered in wrath and get God has been pleased to accept it even at your bloody hands! And now you say if God will appear to you as he did when you were about to slay your prince you will be ready to believe the witnsses -- Were not your fathers guilty of deriding and gainsaying the preaching of Noah: Yet, if God should appear to you as he did to your fathers you would all be drowned: Do you, who are witnesses yourselves dare to distrust the evidences you have already seen (410)==================================== You are the ordained teachers of the people, and should you declare to them your unbelief in evidences which they have seen, what profit can they receive from your preaching? Will they believe against the evidences of their own senses? And again let me ask, What caused this commotion of the whole world? Was it a dream, a mere vision of fancy, a phantom of the imagination; or has some one (warned) you to flee from the wrath to come? Be careful! The sacrifice of yourprince may lead to disquietudes of a political character, and where then will stand the ancient dignity of the priesthood: Sirs, the time has come when the preaching of Noah, the ancient of days shall be heard in the land, and the desolation of the flood shall awake to your shame and confusion, and the witnesses testimonies of heaven which you now strive to invalidate and impeach shall appear in full force and virtue before the whole world whom you are ready and willing to deceive and lead into still greater darkness and error. ------- You would shut out the last ray of divine light from yourselves and the world, and if possible deceive the angles of heaven; all for the sake of that fiendish domination which the professed teachers exercise over the children of men + instead of being the servants of the Most High; you determine to lord it over God's heritage and make this world your kingdom, and its beggarly elements your glory: Whereas the children of light seek a better country, a heavenly home; where pain and wo can never come: You not only sacrifice your prince, but you sacrifice all -- even a world of glory, and by some blind infatuation forfeit your own eternal peace and happiness: I wish you could declare to me your prince, the philosophy upon which your hope or happiness is built. When temporal things shall have passed away with this generation, what will be your state, If in this life only you have hops, where then will be your rest?" Their chief speaker rose up and said -- "Sir, we have great reverence for your Royal Highness and would gladly humble ourselves befor(e) you on account of the sceptre which your royal father sways over both the secular and ecclesiastical destinies of this his happy realm; but we seek a sign; we want still greater evidence that God in heaven has power over the minds and consciences of men, and that the vision which he has sent is absolutely for our future benefit and glory: For if that is not the case, we shall lose all without an equivalent, for unless we stifle the present tumult we shall now lose the priesthood at any rate: And should the story of the vision prove true, all will know it from the least to the greatest and our craft will be reduced to a song + Lamech continues: "What sign do you ask, that yell have not already seen? Do you suppose another (411)==================================== sacrifice would now be accepted from your guilty hands? Nor your smarting consciences forbid the open blasphemy; yet as modestly as you presume to ask another for sign, the act is in fact more impious than the sacrifice you made: -- You add sin to blasphemy, and there is not one amongst your proud numbers worthy the privilege of beholding that grace and condescension which you have all ready seen. Our fathers in the days of Noah were in great prosperity; and while the teachers were the greatest cutthroats in the universe, adding wealth to wealth and power to power till the "Earth was full of violence," they heeded not the signs of the times nor the prophecying of that good man whom the Lord sent to save the world: -- but rushed headlong into every species of iniquity, laden with the prayers and vain oblations of the hypocrites who go down to hell with the nations that forget God! Will not the privilege of believing in God and becoming partakers of his holy nature and thus inheriting everlasting life and the kingdom of the saints, be an equivalent for all the transitory pomp and power which you vainly suppose you possess here? By what frail tenure do you hold your own lives. -- A moment as it were and all is gone -- Had you but the least hope that you should enjoy the company of that blest vision as you call it, and are now striving to ridicule you would hasten to seek the mercy and favor of the God of the living; for the the god in whom you put your trust is not the God of the living -- but is Mammon, the power of avarice and the glory of the prince of this world" ---------- Lamech now proposed that all believers should separate themselves from the unbelievers and come out from among them: -- The request was cheerfully complied with by a small number, to whom he addressed himself as follows: "God hath seen fit in his infinite mercy to elect you, as be has chosen others from the distant planets of the universe to his own glorious purposes; as vessels of mercy, intelligent, intellectual and spiritual vehicles, to convey his word to those who sit In darknesswhich (now) he promises to make powerful unto salvation, to all who believe. The evidence of your belief will will always be present to deliver you from temptation and the powers of darkness, and in due time you will share the glory of our heavenly father in heaven and sit with him in his everlasting kingdom: -- Being second to my ather the king, I make you my priests taking the Bishopric from unbelievers and gainsayers and giving; you power over the spirits of the air, and power to convert souls by the excellency of truth without the vain pomp of wealth & power -- for these have ever had their minions in the darkest of times..-- .. -- .. The unbelievers perceiving that God had determined to show his power (412)==================================== in the temporal kingdom by changing the ancient priesthood which had always gone hand in hand with the kingdom of this world, began to look about for the means and measures to sustain as long as possible, the tottering fabric; and before they left the valley of Diamonds it was determined that their chief speaker should assume the name and office of prince Lamech and ursurp the throne of his father and claim the powers of heaven and hell, and as fast as possible to annihilate all Florentfnss and their followers. They left the mountain and pushed forward with all speed for the Circle Islands, for here upon the Garden of Eden was the Royal palace; but before they arrived, the Circle Islands and all that vast Archipelago beonging to the royal family were converted and were sending out Florentine teachers in every direction --- We received those few who choses to follow us through the trackless void to the city of many mansions; and gave them a temporary home in our beautiful cave. Their numbers are continually increasing, with a shining prospect of a complete renovation of that race who escaped the desolation of the flood The last intelligence we have from those stubborn members of the lunar Synod they had mostly committed suicide and left the field like vanqueshed Jews who prefered death by their own hands to a captivity by gentiles whom they professed to despise -- Lamech proposed to convert (the) whole mountain, which had once been the basis of a vast watery meteor, that almost depopulated the Earth and peopled the Moon; into a Florentine temple which should be a lasting fortress for the good and faithful, till the fullness of those times which are required to make this planet an everlasting mountain of holiness, and a city of many mansions --shall come in ---- The proposal was acceded to unanimously and the work is going on by day and by night amidst the shouts of praise and the melodies of the golden harps: -- Having revolutionized the Lunar kingdom and established a priesthood of the order of Melchisedec we joined the armies of Jupiter as they were again making suit to the Earth We first set foot upon the Rocky Mountains; and perceiving the great tide of emigration from the Eastern states and Europe, we sought out this cavern where you have found us, being favored by the grace of God and divine teachings: And as you are now initiated into the society of the Florentinss, you will excuse me from attempting to relate any farther what "eye hath not seen nor ear heard; neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit." 1st Cor. 2:9-10 Finis ---- an end |