rary or else that they have memories which produce
something like omniscience. No human memory could possibly carry all
the exact quotations which occur in such communications as The Ear of
Dionysius.

These, roughly speaking, are the lines of the life beyond in its
simplest expression, for it is not all simple, and we catch dim
glimpses of endless circles below descending into gloom and endless
circles above, ascending into glory, all improving, all purposeful, all
intensely alive. All are agreed that no religion upon earth has any
advantage over another, but that character and refinement are
everything. At the same time, all are also in agreement that all
religions which inculcate prayer, and an upward glance rather than eyes
for ever on the level, are good. In this sense, and in no other--as a
help to spiritual life--every form may have a purpose for somebody. If
to twirl a brass cylinder forces the Thibetan to admit that there is
something higher than his mountains, and more precious than his yaks,
then to that extent it is good. We must not be censorious in such
matters.

There is one point which may be mentioned here which is at first
startling and yet must commend itself to our reason when we reflect
upon it. This is the constant assertion from the other side that the
newly passed do not know that they are dead, and that it is a long
time, sometimes a very long time, before they can be made to understand
it. All of them agree that this state of bewilderment is harmful and
retarding to the spirit, and that some knowledge of the actual truth
upon this side is the only way to make sure of not being dazed upon the
other. Finding conditions entirely different from anything for which
either scientific or religious teaching had prepared them, it is no
wonder that they look upon their new sensations as some strange dream,
and the more rigidly orthodox have been their views, the more
impossible do they find it to accept these new surroundings with all
that they imply. For this reason, as well as for many others, this new
revelation is a very needful thing for mankind. A smaller point of
practical importance is that the aged should realise that it is still
worth while to improve their minds, for though they have no time to use
their fresh knowledge in this world it will remain as part of their
mental outfit in the next.

As to the smaller details of this life beyond, it is better perhaps not
to treat them, f