But even after the understanding has seen and acknowledged the truth of this principle, it is extremely difficult for minds like ours, which have not yet openly looked forth upon the scenes of the eternal world, fully to realize that the objects, with which we shall there be surrounded, will be in every respect as real and substantial, in their form and appearance, as those which we now behold. It may be safely presumed that as a general fact, this difficulty can be only partially removed, so long as we remain in the natural world. But I must be permitted again to suggest that the best way of removing the difficulty, so far as such removal is possible, is to familiarize the mind with descriptions of those spiritual scenes, as given by one, who during the last thirty years of his life, was permitted, in the providence of the Lord, to enjoy free and open intercouse with the inhabitants of the spiritual world. That his spiritual sight was opened, as he asserts, and that he really saw and heard the things which he describes, will be very evident to any one who faithfully examines his works. For it will be clearly seen, that the things described have a necessary and philosophical correspondence, with the affections and thoughts of spiritual beings. So that even if it could be supposed possible, that his visions were imaginary, it would still be certain that other spiritual scenes and objects must exist, precisely similar to those described. There will also be found a certain air of truthfulness in all his descriptions of the spiritual world, as well as in all his other writings, which will produce a strong conviction, that he at least believed that he saw and heard the things which he describes. So strong is this evidence of his honesty, that this fact is seldom called in question, even by those who have not paid sufficient attention to his doctrines to see and acknowledge their truth. The only plausible way, therefore, of discrediting his testimony, in regard to the nature of the spiritual world, has been to presume that he was insane on that one point. But here surely is a strange and
