The book of Clifford, or, "The soul of my son speaketh to me"

Front matter

ill if

1 Jill

BiiS

Foreword

It is rather a problem for me to know just how to write an introduction to these pages. The book itself I found no difficulty in writing. Why this was easy for me, unpracticed in writing, the reader will see for himself. But to speaking for my own person, to tell something of what Clifford and his messages meant to me, to convey my feeling on sending these messages out into the world — that is very difficult for me. I shall do what I can, as briefly as I can.

The work explains itself, even to the name, which was given me. In one message I am told that it is Clifford's wish that half of the proceeds from the sale of the book should be given to the poor tuberculosis patients. There are several references in messages from Clifford, to the book he wished me to write. I have fulfilled Clifford's wish. I have written the book, but only as an amanuensis writes down what another dictates to her.

Perhaps the best sort of an Introduction is to tell about Clifford. He was my adopted son, but I loved him as my own. Of English birth, he came to this country when he was six years old. He had always been in poor health and his mother sent him to us believing that the free, open-air country life would bring health and strength to her son. The improvement was wonderful. Clifford x The Booh of Clifford

told us many times that the two years preceding the world war — when he gave his life freely and gladly to America — were the happiest of his life.

I shall never forget the joyous Clifford of those days. With his little boat and his faithful dog " Ikie,"— " Ikie" had been Clifford's charge since he was a puppy — Clifford spent all his time in the open, gaining health and strength by leaps and bounds. How he loved the long, sunshiny days, tramping the woods, exploring, sailing! How often have I seen him sailing along the shore with " Ikie " in the bow as pilot, the little leg-o-mutton sail set before the wind

The winters were no less enjoyable for Clifford. He loved music, played the violin very well so that the long winter evenings passed delightfully.

His companionship was the most beautiful thing that ever entered my life. He was so appreciative of everything that was done for him that it was a continual pleasure to think up little surprises for him. His delight in these surprises, no matter how insignificant they were in themselves, was so hearty, so genuine! And in all the years I knew him I do not remember him once complaining or moody or sordid. Even after he contracted a deadly disease in training camp, the disease from which he never recovered, I never heard him complain. When he went off to camp he was happy and healthy and cheerful. When he was brought back on the stretcher he was a mere skeleton, never to move from his bed again during the three months he survived. But he was still cheerful. Often he said to me: " They did all they could for me in the hospital, and every one was so kind to me!"

The Booh of Clifford xi

Dear boy, no one capable of any human feeling or sympathy, could have been otherwise.

For a long time I would not admit, even to myself, the truth about Clifford's condition. But one day I had to bear the sudden realization that the end was near. The thought of parting forever from this boy who had become so dear to me, was almost more than I could endure. Something prompted me — from what source I do not know — to speak to Clifford at once upon the question of Immortality, the return of the Spirit after the so-called death. Neither Clifford nor I were church members, though I am sure we both tried to live truthful lives. This intuition that came to me was all the more strange because neither Clifford nor I had ever mentioned the subject of Spiritualism: The subject had never impressed us in the least. I knew nothing whatever about Spiritualism. There was no thought of it in my mind when I spoke to Clifford. It was, I believe, only this that prompted me to speak : with the thought of parting, there came to me a craving to hear again the beloved voice, so I said to him, almost without thinking of the word or the thought :

" Clifford! If I should pass before you do I solemnly promise to return to you. If, however, something should happen to you, if you should go first, promise to come back, to speak to me, if only it can be done."

We exchanged the sacred vow in all sincerity and faith. And then, strange to say, the thought left my mind completely.

Nor did my mind revert to our vow in the months that followed Clifford's passing. My heart was too full of xii The Book of Clifford

grief; I thought that the wound in my heart would never heal. The beauty of life was dimmed for me and though I worked hard to occupy my mind, a great sorrow was ever with me. Clifford's death was such a needless waste of life — at least it seemed so to me at the time. .

A month after Clifford's passing I went to Boston for a short stay. As soon as I arrived, Clifford's sister E — informed me that a lady whom she had recently met and who was a Spiritualist had told her that Clifford (whom she had never seen) had come to her and asked her to request E — to come to a meeting, as he had a message for E — . E — went and the first message of the evening was for her. The message was as follows :

" Clifford sends love and begs mother to come to a Sunday talk."

This was a public meeting, all those present were strangers to E — , and yet the actual names were given.

Mrs. Bland (Clifford's mother) and I tried to decide whether we should go to the Spiritualist meeting the following Sunday or not. To be frank our notion of a Spiritualist meeting was such that we should have been ashamed to be seen attending one. After much indecision we made up our minds finally that we would go on that Sunday afternoon and go we did. It proved a beautiful and simple service and seemed directed to us in particular. The " Control " on that particular occasion was Spurgeon, the great English speaker. Every word we heard that afternoon lightened our hearts of its sorrow.

After the lecture I arranged for a private reading. When the appointed time arrived I listened attentively

The Booh of Clifford xiii

to a rather short talk in which the Medium repeated several times that Clifford was a wonderfully beautiful Spirit, that he had advanced much more rapidly than most of them and that I would very soon hear from him directly. At the time I thought that this might mean that I would think I saw a form or something of that kind. It never entered my head that I would receive messages in such number and beauty as I actually did. I never dreamt of publishing these messages until told by Clifford that it was the wish of all " the boys " that his messages should be made public.

It was just four months after Clifford had gone from me that I got a message from him. It was only a word or two but I seemed to hear them inside of my head. I took pencil and paper and wrote down what I heard with the date and the hour. After that I listened carefully. More and more words came, faster and faster, more and more beautiful. At first these messages excited me, made it impossible for me to sleep. The surprise was great and I was awed. But very soon I came to realize how natural and beautiful these communications were, so that I could relax and sleep restfully after them.

The delivery of these messages varied greatly. Sometimes I received only one word at a time, the next moment a dozen would be crowding into my mind, sometimes so rapidly that not even a shorthand expert would have been able to transcribe them. Then I would be forced to say: " Please wait until I write down what I have already received.' ' In every case this request has been granted. I am always perfectly conscious while writing. I find it easier to concentrate when I am alone and quiet.

xiv The Booh of Clifford

My schooling, I am frank to say, has been rather limited. And yet this book was written without a word of correction from start to finish. I have simply omitted passages, either of a personal nature or for the sake of avoiding too much repetition. The verses came to me without conscious thought on my part. Though I had never written a line of poetry before, I put these down as fast as I could write. It has been harder for me to write this preface — infinitely harder — than the entire volume, the inspiration for which I am trying to foreshadow to the reader.

I cannot but feel that I have been guided by a higher power. I believe devotedly in the Truth of these messages and that they are indubitable proof of the Life Eternal.

I am sending this little book forth with my most sincere wish that all who read may be comforted as I have been and learn from it the meaning of the " transition and of the beauty beyond the grave, so that they may look forward with hope and not fear, as so many unfortunately do when they begin to realize that their earthly years are drawing to a close.

L. B.

PRELUDE

It will be evident to advanced thinkers on reading this opening chapter that it is written for those who perhaps have not given the age-old subject of " Whence we came," " Why we are here " and " Where we are going " a thought, or maybe they are seeking and wondering. To them this is intended as an outline containing fundamental facts which will aid them in understanding the following chapters, and as a key to future study and investigation.

There can be only one Truth but it can be sadly lost amid words and phrases of man's making, oftentimes in all honesty; as a fragment of truth is often put forward as the whole and becomes very misleading unless the basic Truth and law is known so as to be able to recognize it.

The Truth of Being has come down through the ages and antedates all History. It has been given out by all the great Spiritual teachers in the past as best suited to the times and peoples in which they lived, always one for the numbers and the inner or higher to the few who were ready, able, and willing to study and make the necessary sacrifices to attain the knowledge, which comes from within by gradual development and when fully developed becomes the sixth and seventh senses of intuition and illumination.

xvi The Book of Clifford

We find by a comparative study of religions that in the beginning the underlying truths have been the same ; of course you will find different names in different lands for the same things but look underneath and there you will find the basic truth.

In time a religion was built up around the words of these teachers and a Priesthood gradually changed and added to the original teachings until we find them as pointing, the only way to salvation as being through themselves and their teachings which were oftentimes more for political reasons than for the good of humanity.

This was the condition when Christ sought to give again to the world the Truth.

Picture to yourself their times in contrast to ours; less than five per cent of the people could read and write and they had none of the modern inventions which are to us an every-day affair. How much easier it would have been for them to understand if they had known the laws of Electricity and vibrations; is it any wonder that everything was a miracle and the demonstration of natural laws thought impossible of duplicating although Jesus sought to impress the fact that everyone could do likewise and even greater things were possible.

His teachings were written in Hebrew and Greek and many of the words have come to us with a wrong translation.

During the first three hundred years of the Christian era the Teachings spread over the Roman Empire so that Constantine the First realizing that his Empire

The Book of Clifford xvii

was really Christian adopted Christianity as the official religion.

His Priests changed their ritual and founded the Christian Church thus much of the beautiful simplicity and brotherhood teachings were lost.

During this early period there was a sect of Christians called Gnostics who, by study and strict rules of living, were able to do many of the wonders that Jesus did and the so-called miracles were a reality.

The Bible has reached the present day with many changes so that it is often difficult to understand the meaning behind the allegory for if one looks only to the literal words the inner and higher meaning is lost.

In its broadest sense you will find the one God, the Father or creative positive principle which pervades all space and all things and the Mother or negative principle.

Man is dual; the physical and the Soul body and it is in the realization of this; that leads the way to the higher Truths.

The Soul body leaves the Physical body at so-called death and after a time the Soul in the same manner leaves its Astral body as the butterfly leaves its shell, this body slowly dies like the physical body.

Along the above lines lies the explanation of the undesirable in mediumship. These shells or discarded bodies are galvanized as it were into a semblance of life by the vital energy of the medium and those around and a shadow of the past life is manifested often quite real. This has led to endless confusion and misunderstanding and often harmful results.

But it is possible to contact the higher: one first should xviii The Booh of Clifford

not entertain any fear, and secondly should honestly, humbly and sincerely desire and ask for the highest and when they do make the contact it will come to them from within.

The Soul body receives the vibratory waves which are infinitely higher in rate than any science has been able to measure; the same as the radio receiver receives the electrical waves which are the same only of a lower rate of vibration, and one is able to sense or receive with the physical body through the Soul body.

The soul is spoken of all through the Bible as being a part of God and always in atune with God and when we contact our physical and Soul bodies then the " atone-ment " with God is a fact, this is the atonement of the Bible and when attained then does this life reach its fullness.

In reading the following pages note the gradual development that comes showing how one can gradually progress, and after finishing also observe how thoroughly our everyday life has been covered as if this was another of the many messages to humanity in its ceaseless struggles on the upward path.

ALLEN CALDON.

" When at last the dawn of Light arrives To cheer the weary mortal on his way Then shall he be blessed with sight Divine A gift to humanity from Him on high But as yet in its infancy to mortal gaze It struggles and struggles to free itself Of the fetters of mortal mind, till Freed of the shackles of earthly mold It reaches its goal through the open mind."

Part I

September 20th, Saturday, 9 p.m., 1919. (Some of the first words received.)

" Clifford is here to speak."

" How long does it take you to get here, Clifford? " " At once."

" Where were you last evening? "

" Enveloped in vapor."

" Do you have things to do? "

" Yes, Friend."

" Does everyone say ' Friend ' to all who come where you are? "

" Yes."

" What have you been doing to-day? " " Instructing infants."

" In what? "

" FroHcs."

" Do you have wings? "

" No."

" Is your form the same as when here? " " Yes."

" Where do you stay? "

" Face earth."

" What do you mean? "

" God sees Friends coming."

" Do you have beautiful flowers and fields? " " Yes."

" Is it convenient for you to come to me at any time? " " Yes."

" How did you feel when your spirit left the body? " " Great! "

" No pain? "

" No."

" What was the first thing you did when you left here? "

" Stood before God."

" What did He say to you? "

" ' Friend Clifford on his duty! ' "

October 11th, Saturday, 11 p.m.

" Father will speak." (Father of L. B.)

" Where are you, father? "

" In the Home for Guests."

" What do you mean by that? "

" Home for Guests is where Spirits get Friends to go to God with them."

" Why do they have to get Friends to go with them? "

" Friends help the Spirits to live true to themselves, teaching them to do, to have earnest thoughts of God."

" Do you see Clifford often? "

" Yes."

" Where is he now? "

" Gone to tell two spirits God wants them to trust Friend entering the home. Good Friend Clifford, getting earnest Spirits to God's house to teach earnest children how to find God."

" What do you mean by ' How to find God '? "

" Has good Friend speak to God to tell Him to welcome them home? "

" Where is my mother? "

" God's house to-night, teaching Friends to speak in gentle goodness."

" Good-night! "

October 16th, Thursday, 3.80 p.m.

" Is Clifford here to speak? "

" Yes."

" What have you been doing to-day, Clifford? "

" Getting Spirits to teach children to see God from Guest Home."

" Do you know who was with you when you left here, Clifford? "

" Yes."

" Tell me who! "

" Mother, Bernie, White." (Dr. White, attending physician.)

" Did you know just when you were going? "

" Yes, He sent for Friend Cliff at daylight."

" Are you a messenger? "

" Are you a teacher? "

" Yes."

" Can you tell me what your present body is like? "

" Yes, heftier than feathers, getting light, so Spirit in Friend Cliff can go to God."

" What do you mean? "

" Getting lighter, so Spirit can fly to God higher for Friends earnest for Truth."

" I want you, Clifford, to ask me a question to prove that you hear what I say."

" Guess how I came here? "

" I could never guess that. Will you tell me? "

" Yes, helped by Friend Guest, home in his arms. If the Spirit is weak, help is needed to get Friends home in hurry to God's house."

" Where is mother to-day? "

" God's house, teaching gentle hearts, God's Friends if they love Him."

" Do you live in a star? "

" Yes."

" Who lives in all the other stars? "

" Spirits who used to stay here on earth."

" Where is Heaven? "

" Heaven is where Love is with Spirit Friends. God's highest home in the Universe."

" What is your meaning of Universe? "

" Infinite greatness."

" Have you met Friend X — since you left here, Clifford? "

" Yes, Friend X — said he would try to speak with Friend Bernie soon."

" The Spirit trusts friend Bernie to tell the Truth. The searchers for Truth are trying to get some way to speak to Spirits who send messages to their loved ones on earth who think of them for satisfying their troubles, usually telling them to trust in God. Love is Truth, greater than gold, greater than houses, greater than strength found on earth.' '

October 23d, Thursday, 5 p.m.

" Friend Cliff is here."

" What have you been doing to-day? "

" Teaching children Truth is love, God's highest gift to His servants."

" What do you mean by ' servants ' in this case? "

" God's workers to help Spirits to reach Heaven, good Friends God trusts to tell His word to trusting Spirits."

" Can you tell me how God appears to you? "

" Yes; God is great, white, high Spirit, is Friend to all who trust Him here and on earth."

" Do you know that Dr. White was here to-day and spoke of you? Would you like to give me a message for him, Cliff? "

" Yes, Friend Cliff thinks Friend White is good honest helper to God's great feature; is good friend to have His trust. God is pleased with his help on earth."

" What do you mean by ' God's great feature '? "

" His trust is truthful to him. Friend Cliff sends his thanks to Friend White for his thoughtful message to him."

October 25th, Saturday, 3.80 p.m.

" Friend X — is here to speak."

"He is pleased that Friend Bernie says she tries to be help to God's great teaching, to urge others to believe Friends who have gone home to God, can speak to those who earnestly wish to hear from loved ones who rest with God in His Truth, telling them great wonders of their future home in Heaven. Try to be brave about it. Tell the Truth; fear not evil tongues who slander you. Trust the Truth to prevail before long."

" Where were you when you left this world? "

" Staying at the trenches to help wounded soldiers to trust God's goodness. Trying to make the passing easier; for them to have Courage, Faith would come to them for their brave sacrifice to humanity while they were here on earth."

" What happened to you? Can you tell me? "

" Yes, shell wound in right side of breast, torn to pieces in other places."

" Were you in great suffering, or unconscious? "

" Until the call came the pain was terrible to bear."

" How long before the call came? "

" Several days."

" Were any of your loved ones with you? "

" Yes, Brother E— ."

" How did you leave this world? "

" Got to Heaven in Spirit's arms, holding Spirit's hand in mine while we floated upward through space to God's home in Heaven."

" What did you do when you first arrived? "

" Stood before God."

" What did He say to you? "

" ' Friend X — . Welcome home to Heaven and the true Spirit of Love find here with God.' "

October 26th, Sunday, 3.30 p.m.

" We shall be together in this beautiful home, teaching love to little children who never had any love on earth. It is a beautiful mission to teach them God is Father to all goodness, eternal for ever and ever, Amen! "

" Just what do you mean by l Amen '? "

" Highest praise to God."

" How many little children do you teach? "

" Great vale full of them, all sizes and colors, the fruits of many lands."

" Can you tell me more? "

" Yes. God has given us free Spirits from His home to help us tell them how good children are loved in Heaven by all there. His word is truth to them, guiding them in pathways of kindness and pleasure dear to children's hearts."

" Can you tell me what the pleasures are? "

" Yes; getting flowers to make garlands; getting grapes to eat; having all the playtime that is good for them."

" What kind of grapes? I thought you did not have food; will you explain? "

" Grapes for children only, who never had things on earth to sweeten their poor little stomachs. They look like the ones on earth only more juicy. I have never tasted them so cannot tell you about that. Get rest, dear friend. Good-night! "

" Just one question more, dear. Will you ever be able to show yourself to me while I am on this earth? "

October 27th, Monday, S. 15 y.m.

" Friend Cliff is here. Tell him how you feel to-day."

" Can you explain just what you meant by saying you would be happy when I could see you in the spirit as in the flesh? Later you say you will not be able to show yourself to me while I am on this earth."

" Yes. Seeing with the mind's eye is possible, getting clarity of vision as you advance higher in God's truth. Unity of purpose will soon make the veil thin enough to perceive the Spirit who loves you truly, speeding the word of God fast to you, speaking only words you can understand and give to others."

" Can you tell me how you wijl appear to me when I see you? "

" Yes. Tall and straight, grown handsome in spirit until I am almost tall as a beautiful evergreen tree. Truth makes us expand to huge proportions and we seem to float, not fly, so easily that it is a pleasure to be larger than mortals."

" Do you see any angels with wings? "

" Are there any there called ' Angels ' ?"

" Yes, they help God to gather the Spirits for instruction about their different tasks for Him, which they love and speed to obey without question at all times."

" Do you have music there? "

" Yes."

" What kind? "

" Same as on earth only a thousand times more sweet. There are many things here such as on earth, only so beautiful that I can give no idea about them yet.

After you become more expanded by Truth you will get better sight for everything here. I long for the time to come when we will give hope to all who have true hearts. ,,

November 14th, Friday, 6 p.m.

" Friend Cliff is here."

" Tell me, Cliff dear, what you have been doing to-day? "

" Getting earnest children together for teachers, so they can tell them wonderful things and help them to understand the beauties of their eternal home; telling of great deeds of kindness which they are to perform as they advance to God's highest pinnacles of faith. There are many who need the hand of a child to guide them through these remarkable pathways of Light. The children are better fitted for guides than any other Spirits because they were pure when they first arrived, while we older ones must rest and purify before we are as light as the babes.

"It is a wonderful process, so interesting and so beautiful that I long for you to hasten your spirit vision so we can more clearly understand each other. We are getting on far better than many, because I know that you truly believe that I come to you as I promised I would when we talked it over before I took flight from earth. I was all impatience until I could get a signal to you. I tried many times without success, but never intended to give up as I knew that some way would present itself in time. We have to figure this problem out for ourselves without the assistance of other Spirits, because it all helps to strengthen our Spirits and teaches us how good God is to permit this wonderful revelation.

" I am nearly bursting with joy that I am at last able to make myself felt and understood so well. Let us give great praise and thanks to God for this great kindness. He is willing for us to tell you many things about this world, but we must have a care not to give any strange remarks which will confuse or mislead.

" I have so many things to say that I am like one of your letters, ' almost without end ' — Ha! ha! Loved them just the same, dear friend, for I know now that you were trying to help me forget the pain. I thank you now. It is the first time I have done it. The pain made me careless of my manners at times — that is all over now, and I only have happy things to fill my thoughts. I still can worry if my loved ones are unhappy, so try hard to smile, won't you, dear friend? It helps us all to advance when we hear laughter and kind words floating upward toward us. Sorrow is a stinging thorn in our mental space. It numbs us, taking away the sparkling joy we otherwise feel at all times. Every one of us are affected the same by tears, so send out the word to all who love us, to sing rather than weep, for then we will know perfect bliss.