Human life

Introduction

The author puts this work before the world because he believes that a great poem, of a former generation, calls for a truer presentation of its subject, and that the rhythmical style of that poem is most appropriate for this purpose.

Conscious that the good fortune of gaining a more favorable standpoint, in the clearer light of our day, has revealed to himself the truth in fuller measure and freer from distortions, he has attempted the task. His chief purpose is to present the order of human history — to show the formative laws in their relation to our race, and how they unfold humanity into true life and happiness.

He has credited the historic narration, with its expressed reflections, to the author of that poem in the Open Light of Angel Life, from a sense of justice to that brother, confident that the earnest lofty genius which in early manhood and theologic mists could see and express so much of truth would with mature age have worked its way into the light before reaching angel life; and

INTRODUCTION. VI

that there, if aware of it, he will appreciate the acknowledgment that his genius was related to undistorted truth.

If this aspiring Muse lacks poetic grace, or if its adventure into the vast and well-nigh untrodden poetic region of actual life and its natural law is imperfect, it may perhaps serve as one of the pioneer attempts, and may prompt others, more able, to more successful efforts. If the author succeeds in this, and in helping to remove the "moralistic" errors which enslave thought and obstruct the development of true morals, his success will be equal to his ambition. And the consciousness of such success will be abundant compensation for his labor.

OR,

"THE COURSE OF TIME" AS SEEN IN THE OPEN LIGHT.

Book I. Analysis Of Book I

Invocation is made to the Eternal Spirit of Truth, and the subject of the Poem is stated.

Long after our earth's "evils" are over, when noon-time of Manhood's Day had nearly arrived, a spirit from the planet Venus, leaving the body, before starting for the spirit-home, comes to visit our earth. On subsequently arriving in the angel-land he describes the scenes which he had witnessed here, and desires an explanation of the ways of providence, which seemed unequal and unjust, in creating this world perfect and happy, and his a scene of discord, suffering, and premature death. The angels who first meet him take him to those who dwelt on our earth when it was yet in its youthful state, who tell him his world will become like ours; that ours has passed through scenes similar to his own, which are inevitable to the immature state of all worlds. They then introduce him to one of their company, a bard-philosopher, who dwelt on our earth in its later youthful stage; who then, tho' in the mists of its superstition, strove mightily to discern the Divine Law, and wrote a great poetic history of the ways of providence as seen dimly and much distorted ; and who now, answering the young angel's wish to hear our earth's history, and to show him the order of progressive development, they say, will sing " The Course of Time" as seen in the Open Light.

They then retire to one of tlie celestial bowers, where the bard prepares to commence the song, while the newly-arrived angel, his attendants, and others interested, wait to hear.

OR,

"THE COURSE OF TIME" AS SEEN IN THE

OPEN LIGHT.

BOOK I. — manhood's DAY,

"Eternal Spirit! God of truth! to whom All things seem as they are;" whose presence fills The boundless universe, inspiring all Receptive souls, as fully in our day As in the olden time, "inspire my song;" Make strong my eyes to bear the flood of light Which Nature with tradition's fogs dispersed Pours all around: that, with undazzled view, I may behold the Principles Divine — Infallible and Universal Laws — And their outworking methods and results, Developing the world of human kind — The race — from infancy to manhood's stage; From instinct's narrow and less-erring ways. Through youthful blunders in its wider field. To harmony and happiness at last.

Thus may I truly sing of Human Life — "The Course of Time," our planet's great career. Not like the gentle brother whose sublime And earnest truthful soul, once while befogged In dark distorting mystic creeds, essayed,

10 HUMAN LTFE.

Tho' Struggling hard with drooping, fainting hopes,

To find in dim tradition's waning light

Full revelations of thy will divine,

And to portray thy dealings with mankind;

And thus, despite some natural rays that there

At times would reach him through the breaking

gloom, Inspiring utterances of beauty rare, And thrilling, warming truths, must give the world A pictured ** fiend," almighty, as its God; Who doeth all to glorify himself; Who hath but vengeance for each wayward child; And partial favor, wholly undeserved, By special act of his Almighty Will Bestowed, as sovereign grace and providence ! But, in great Nature's open gospel rays, As I behold, enable me to show, As in the light that brother would reveal. To all my fellows, yearning for the sight, A God of love and wisdom, making all Apparent "evil" prove a real good: A real God, well worthy of the name. Whose grace is loving favor for each child; Whose justice is true kindness, not revenge; Whose "punishments" are only transient pains — Kind monitors — to aid in teaching man How happiness, with regularity And certainty, may be by all secured; A real providence, of perfect law. Divine and natural, serving every need. Promoting every human being's weal !

The long-expected day had come — the day Of final peace and harmony and joy; —

The day that souls inspired had ever seen

(In their ideal visions) was to dawn;

The day so oft imperfectly described

By prophets of all ages, climes, and lands,

With many designations, meaning all

The same — the " scientific commonwealth,"

"Millennium," "the heavenly kingdom here,"

In common phrase, "the good time yet to come."

Debasing ignorance was found no more;

Old Superstition, with his mystic chains.

Had vanished in the genial morning rays;

And his attending imp, old Bigotry,

Was buried, and upon his tomb inscribed: —

"No resurrection for this useless form;

Its fragmentary spirit-germ has now

United with its counterparts, and thus

Become a true, all-sided godly zeal —

A zeal for God that understands his laws,

By natural order working in all things.

And works with him for all his children's good."

All wars had ceased; all selfish strifes were o'er;

All traces of their early woes removed;

Within the happy present, now, the sting

Of sorrow^ful regrets, they once had caused,

Had ceased to pain: for, in the open light,

All r.aw these were but blunders, which alone

Could well have taught the laws of harmony,

And made men all acquainted, each with self.

And with his fellows, and the God of all.

And now the countless years had rolled away Since that bright day had dawned; its noon drew

near.

Displaying all its well-unfolded scenes,

1^ HUMAN Lit*fi.

When on a hill-top of the spirit-land A group of youthful angels stood, to watch, And welcome new arrivals from the earths. They had but just assumed the honored place. That fellows in their turn might ramble o'er The fields of light, and learn from other groups The heavenly lessons they had just been taught. (For, seeing universal laws, my muse Perceives that human nature there and here Is one in all its natural life and ways; And knowing thus, speaks of the life above.) And now, mid all-infolding wondrous scenes Of beauty indescribable, with free Explaining-converse from the older bands. Assembled 'neath the shady bowers that grace The bright celestial hills and plains, and views Their wisdom gave of Nature's faithful work, And grand success, in bringing final good. Eternal good, from every transient ill, Their growing love fraternal fired anew With earnest zeal to aid all hungering souls Who sought the truths that thus had blessed themselves: So with an earnest gaze they cast their eyes Throughout encircling space, in eager search For newborn angels leaving earthly spheres. And on their way to their celestial home.

At length, from far away, they saw approach With rapid flight a stranger spirit-form; And much they marveled to behold such speed From angel first arriving from an earth. He came from this our planet, and most strange, On near approach, his looks and manner seemed:

BOOfc 1. 13

His full-fledged wings some years of angel-life Revealed; their hues, tho' bright, were earthly still; His air was that of one whose spirit-powers Had long been used in angel-life but not In angel-converse; while his visage showed Profoundest wonder, study most intense, As if some mighty problem, yet unsolved. Possessed his thoughts and taxed his inmost powers. Yet on he came, and straightway to their band He bent his course, and lighted. Then they gave Their greeting hands, and words of warming cheer: " Thrice welcome, brother, to the angel-land ! To all the joys it gives; to its pure skies. Its hills and plains, with choice celestial fruit And richest verdure clad; its living streams, Which clear as crystals flow, from which all souls May drink, and suffer ne'er with thirst again; Its lovely bowers, where birds of beauteous forms. With plumes of light of all celestial hues. In joyous songs make melody for all; Where sons and daughters of our God, in love And wisdom well matured, teach younger ones Great lessons of his works and ways and laws ! Come, brother ! we will show thee scenes of bliss. Of which no earth-bound spirit e'er conceived ! Come with us, join the waiting angel-bands. And hear their songs of welcome fill the skies ! Come, see, and get acquainted with thy home ! But first, pray tell us what perplexing thoughts Commingle with the joy that marks thy brow; — Why, with the soul-illuminating faith And hope which there we see enshrined, do still Some shades of doubt appear, as if some slight Distrust of all-controlling Justice yet

Disturbs, e'en in the bright celestial realms!

And other things we fain would understand

Of much, unusual, we perceive in thee:

With telescopic vision we beheld

Thy coming, far away; and wondered much

To see with such rapidity, and strength

And steadiness of flight, one newly freed

From fleshly vestments wend his upward way.

And thine appearance, speech, and manners all

Denote some little age of angel-life:

Thy wings are fully fledged; their hues, tho' brig^ I

As morn, are earthly, not celestial hues;

Are of the planet whence we saw thee come —

Like those we oft have seen from thence arrive. -

And yet unlike them thou art otherwise,

But more like those we've somtimes seen but u >t

In spirit-greeting met, who come from that

Just next to it and nearer to the sun."

"Thanks, angel-brothers, for your kindly wov js Of welcome!" now the new-arrived began; "Your wisdom, well matured, hath rightly judj ^A Of my appearance, ways, and mental state: While heavenly joy my inmost soul expands, A moral problem, hard to solve, my powers O'ertaxes, causing much perplexity. My yearning soul, tho' hungering for the scenes Celestial which ye would conduct me through, Would tarry, would postpone inviting joys. To tell my tale, and from your wisdom hear Explained the ways of Providence Divine, Which quite unequal, scarcely just, appear."

" Speak, brother, then," they said; "We'll gladly hear !

BOOK I. 15

Perhaps we may afford the needed light To drive the chilling shadow from thy soul, For tho' we, each and all, are very young In angel-life, yet many lessons grand Of Providence Divine, dispelling doubt, Removing dark distrust, have we received From those in heavenly wisdom more matured."

"Yea," said the stranger; "Ye have well discerned My strange condition — years of angel-life 1 have enjoyed; but not in angel-spheres. Nor much have I of angel-converse known. Mid earthly scenes my time has all been passed; But oh ! of such an earth I more would know ! Ye well have said that, save my plumage-hues, I am unlike the planet's children whence Ye saw me come with steady rapid flight. The smaller planet nearer to the sun Was my terrestrial home. 'Twas mid its scenes My earthly life began. 'Twas there, through pain, Through frequent sickness, which well-nigh destroyed My feeble body ere 'twas well matured, I grew to manhood. Then, with riper years, Perceiving partially the laws of life. And using care, lived to a goodly age, While many stronger bodies broke and died. I struggled hard with every form of wrong; In boyish days my impulses, tho' wild, Held sway. In later years the higher loves. By reason led, maintained the chief control: Tho' selfish feelings, goaded ever on To struggles for existence, sometimes turned In temporary coldness from my kind, .

Yet, ever, love fraternal conquered soon. Thus, through a life by many reckoned long, But yet too short for great results, I wrought In earnest labors for my fellows' good. I worked with zeal, that never wholly flagged, To learn the Laws Divine, and make them serve To soothe my fellows' woes; to cure their ills, And bring them health of body and of mind: To bring from discords, harmony; from cold Distrust, true confidence; from hatreds, love; From war, true peace; from sordid strife for gain And worldly power and pomp and vain display. An earnest rivalry, unselfish, grand, To help promote the real good of all.

I wrought with partial faith in good to come; But struggled hard with darkening, chilling doubts. Mid clouds and storms and sad discouragements, With hopes benumbed, and eye of faith bedimmed. And by my fellow-men a dreamer deemed; Till my much-worn, exhausted, vital powers Broke down. Then with a struggle, feeble, brief, I cast aside the tattered fleshly robes, As vestments which no more could serve my needs. And then some hours I lingered to behold My fellows, who with sneers or cold neglect The living worker treated, gathering now In mournful fondness round my useless dust. And wasting on it kindly sympathy, Which while it held the soul would have conferred New vitalizing power, prolonged its days, Made all its burdens lighter, soothed its pains, And added vigor to perform its work. Then, after vainly striving to afford

BOOK I. 17

To them the knowledge that I with them stood,

I bade my earthly home a kind adieu,

And started for these higher heavenly realms.

But now a curiosity extreme, O'ermastering my wish for spirit scenes. Impelled me first to visit that bright orb From whence ye saw me come. I long had seen It as a brilliant star, the largest one By far of all that sparkled in our skies. In childhood-days I wished for it to place Among my toys. In manhood's riper years I viewed it with an interest profound. The telescope, beginning to be used, Displayed it full an hundred times enlarged; And showed the smaller one, attending it. Around it moved; and showed us other orbs. Of smaller size or more remote from us. Like it, revolving round the sun; while all Appeared as if they must be worlds. And this. Especially, seemed very like my own. And oft, with weary heart, at twilight hour, In saddened, drooping, much-discouraged mood, I sat and watched that orb, and deeply mused, And wondered much, and with intensest wish Desired to know if human beings there Were also living, wasting thus their days In struggling 'gainst each other's happiness. And now, arising on my angel-wings, I started on my course that world to see. I saw my planet small and smaller grow, And that enlarge before my wondering eyes. At first, with feeble wings advancing, much My world's attraction did my flight prolong,

But every moment less and less it grew, Till almost imperceptible it seemed; And then I felt another taking hold, And drawing with a force as gentle, sweet, And strong as first awakening youthful love When gravitating to its nature's mate. And as I journeyed on its power increased, E'en as true love complete, mature, conjoined By God's great law in real marriage, grows More strong and all-controlling, as, with years, The spirits, ripening, shed their earthy vails. And show the inner beauty less obscured.

And now, assisted thus, I rapidly And easily proceeded toward that world, And reached its all-inviting atmosphere Just ere the setting sun had passed from sight. Then, with astonishment profound, I paused. And gazed in wonder on the scenes below. But oh, how shall I tell what there I saw ! The air, for crystal clearness, far surpassed All my imagination e'er conceived Of that surrounding any angel-sphere. A hundred fleecy clouds, with edges all To shining shreds by gentle breezes torn, Like angel robes befringed with living light Just laid aside, appeared through all the sky. And others like great piles of crystals stood In curious array. And others still, Of deeper shades or neutral tints, displayed Most gorgeous linings, rivaling the hues Of frosted silver, and of burnished gold. All borrowed from the sunlight's lingering rays. And here and there the gathered masses closed,

BOOK I. 19

And poured forth gentle life-refreshing showers; While circling round them, glowing, I beheld Such rainbows as I ne'er before had seen.

I gazed in rapture till the twilight came. And, passing, introduced the evening shades; And then, descending through the lower clouds, I quaffed a mingled, fragrant, rich perfume. As if from countless gardens filled with flowers* And heard unnumbered strains of melody, From far and near around me, fill the air Like human voices mingled with the sounds Of instruments, and yet, so sweet the tones, It seemed as if a thousand angel-bands In concert there were striking all their lyres And singing ^ongs of love composed in heaven.

And while I listened to these music tones, I saw from its horizon slowly rise That world's attending planet. This, I learned Before I left their world, they called the moon. Its surface, broad appearing as the sun. And brilliantly reflecting forth its beams. Threw over all a flood of silver light, In which I dimly saw the happy bands Of human beings singing songs of joy, And with their beauteous bodies dancing time. Some in the open fields were gathered; some In great majestic amphitheaters; Some sailing on the rivers, lakes, and bays; Some on house-tops, some in fragrant bowers, Which all the open fields and gardens graced. But now, ere far the moon had risen, these bands Dispersed, and to their couches all retired;

And only birds of evening silence broke.

In deep amazement then I mused, and thought

That this, indeed, must be a world of bliss.

And then so earnestly I wished to see In fullest daylight all its lovely scenes, That rapidly I started on my way To meet the morning's dawn. I quickly passed O'er many lands and lakes, and o'er a sea Immense, on which a thousand sails appeared, With sprightly movements, gliding pleasantly In all directions toward their destined ports. And soon the morning came. I paused awhile, To see the many broken fleecy clouds With sunbeams now bedeck themselves again; And then descending through them, as the light Increased, I gazed upon the world below. Oh^ brightest aiigels of the highest heavens, Ye who have longest dwelt among the scenes Celestial^ scale the skies! explore anew The fields of light! ascend the ^ jnount of God' Till inspirations all your powers expand! Then, " with a coal from highest altar touched,'* Lend me your tongues ! that I may well describe The love and beauty which I there beheld! — A thousand garden cities met my eye, As far as sight could pierce; or, rather, I Should say, it seemed like one great city, which Was bordered on an hundred bays, and formed Of groups of bower-encircled buildings, streets, iVnd parks, and cultivated fields with groves Of forest trees between, all interspersed With lakes and rivers, fed with streams as pure As light, from crystal fountains flowing forth

BOOK I. 21

To seas that bright as purest silver shone. The air was filled with fragrance from the flowers; And on their velvet leaves, and on the grass, And vines, and trees, and herbs of every kind, The nestling dew-drops, in the sunlight, shed Such luster that the earth seemed all aglow With teeming diamond brilliants sparkling there.

The buildings all are large, not towering high Above a true proportion, as if those Who built them thought their earth begrudged them

room.

The architecture is most beautiful; Not gaudy, for display, nor loaded down With decorations that deform or mar; Not built in strange and inconvenient shapes. But well adapted to intended use; And simple, ornamented with the forms Of symbols fresh from Nature's pure designs, That best the builders' purposes reveal. Piazzas, balconies, outlooking towers, Observatories, house-top promenades, And all that heart can wnsh or mind conceive Of home-life pleasures, are provided for. Abundant vines, and orchards, gardens, bowers. And lawns with shady walks, are all around; And teeming luscious fruit, and blooming flowers. With sweet perfumes, and all the lovely hues Commingling in their blended lights and shades. And public halls and amphitheaters. With great pavilion roofs to shade within And shed the rain and shelter from the dews* And studios and factories, where works Of beauty and of use are made; and stores

And markets, all of grandest size and form,

Abundant and accessible are there;

Not packed in crowded streets, but standing all

In roomy places 'neath the genial shades.

And all have windows beautiful and large,

To ventilate and freely light afford,

And all appliances to beautify

And pleasent make the daily business scenes.

And all the rivers, streams, and narrow straits

With many bridges tastefully are spanned.

And all the streets have spacious walks with trees

On either side, whose branches, spreading forth

O'er walks and streets, where birds may sit and sing

Their joyous songs to every passer-by

And massive ships, of forms most beautiful. Like floating palaces, upon the bays. Or on the open sea, returning home Or bound for foreign shore, with perfect ease And steady motion, with, or 'gainst the winds, Or in the calm, sped like the flitting clouds, As readily without as with their sails. And gliding o'er the bays and smaller lakes. And winding rivers, many smaller craft, As if for pleasure sailing, moved about. And mighty trains of chariots, with speed Of wind, passed to and fro through all the lands. And wafted through the air on every side, More swiftly still, were many vehicles Both large and small, and of delightful forms.

And in these vehicles for earth and air fiOOK 1. 23

And water, everywhere, and all around

Emerging from the mansions, I beheld

Such human beings as, in brightest dreams,

I ne'er imagined on an earth could dwell.

I saw them male and female, every age,

From little children to the ripe in years.

And all were fresh and healthy, bright and fair;

And all their faces beamed with love and hope

And joy. And all their perfect forms were clad

In garments exquisite in taste, but plain

And simple, suitable for freest use;

And which their fine proportions well displayed.

And as their eyes in salutations met.

Their brilliant features rivaled sunlit clouds.

Some seemed as starting from, and some appeared Returning to their homes; some were, with calm Unclouded features, bidding travelers Adieu; and others hastening to meet Returning friends with cheery welcomings.

And all, as in the early morn they came Out into their inspiring atmosphere, I saw with waking vigor quaff the sweet Perfume of herbs and flowers, then look around Upon the blooming earth and gorgeous skies In joyous reverential mood, as if A worshipful devotion moved their souls; Then listen to the thrilling notes with which A thousand birds, with sweetest voices, filled The fragrant air; then, in enraptured strains. Themselves break forth and sing their songs of joy. And then I saw them all, both old and young, To playful sports awhile devote themselves;

Then pause for all to break their nightly fast,

And spend, in conversation-charms an hour.

Then for another hour they visited

The fragrant bowers and gardens, there to teach

And learn of loving Nature's works and ways;

Then for another, all bestowed their aid,

Co-operating in kind Nature's work.

And then the artists and the artizans

Began their handiwork, while some looked on

And learned, and practiced, others carried goods

Or passengers, or gathered from the stores

The articles for use, prepared the food,

Or served in other ways the common weal.

And all have time to visit and to learn Some measure of the others' works and ways: For e'en the sailors, as I since have learned, Do alternate, and thus each one has time Abundant to enjoy the scenes described.

And thus I saw them work till noon, and then In social union dine; and then again In lively converse, cheering music's charms, And childhood's sports, in teaching, and in all The social harmonies, indulge for hours; And then go forth to visit other bands, To interchange sweet converse, or to hear The learned sages speak of Nature's laws. And thus employed they passed their time till eve, Then supped and spent another social hour; Then gathered in the amphitheaters And halls, in covered or in open bowers, Or wheresoe'er their inclinations called, To see dramatic scenes; and then to play

BOOK T. 25

Upon their instruments of sweetest tones, And dance the time, and sing the songs of joy Which on my first arrival charmed my ear.

The ground seemed much too holy for my feet; And yet with curiosity profound, Too great to conquer, I descended; then For seven days and evenings saw the same Delightful life-scenes acted by my side.

Invisible to them I found myself, As to my fellows in my native world. I passed within, without, and all around Their mansions, pausing not till many score Of every kind of buildings were observed; And all the chariots and vehicles For use upon the earth or in the air; And all the vessels for the lakes or seas. And much of all their ways of life, and their Condition, I, in part at least, discerned.

Amazed beyond degree, I wondered much. And very earnestly desired to see If all that world presented scenes like this; So mounting upward on my strengthening wings, I traversed all its surface, east and west. From poles to the equator, through each land, And over every sea, and all its parts, x\nd every clime, in every season saw; And everywhere I found them all the same.

I found no swamps nor marshes anywhere, Nor any wilderness nor desert waste, But everywhere, on every mountain-side,

And on their highest peaks, and in the vales, Beside the rivers, lakes, and bays, and seas, In every nook and corner, fragrant flowers. Or grass, or grain, or trees, or genial herbs, In most luxuriant abundance grew.

I found all climates steady, regular: No foul contagion lurks within the air; No tempests e'er disturb; no drouths nor floods E'er parch the soil nor spread destruction wide; No changing suddenly from heat to cold. And cold to heat; not e'en in polar realms. Nor regions tropical, in winter's winds Nor summer's sun is either so intense But that they can be comfortably borne. With bodies so complete, and vital powers So vigorous, and balanced well, and well Sustained by active spirit-energies, Is every one throughout that wondrous world, That highest summer heats but serve to warm And quicken all their life and loves anew, And winter's cold but to invigorate. And freshly stimulate their every power. And even infants face the winds and snows, In playful sport, with benefit, for hours.

No crowded cities anywhere are seen, With buildings huddled, shutting out the air And light from those who dwell or ^york within; But every land throughout that wondrous world Has cities such as that I first beheld. Whose buildings all in roomy places stand; Indeed one mighty city all appears Composed of many thousand smaller ones,

BOOK

With parks between, and bays and mighty seas Encircled in its outstretched loving arms. And all the buildings, for whate'er designed, Are cheerful, roomy, light, and beautiful; And all abundantly supplied, within. Without, and all around, with pictured scenes And sculptured works of art; appropriate To represent, suggest, in every way To call attention to the structure's use; Yet, ne'ertheless inspiring all the soul With love of all the beautiful and grand.

And all one language speak, melodious, Harmonious as sweetest music notes In perfect time arranged. And every land With every other perfect converse holds.

And no conflicting interests estrange Congenial souls; but all, with one accord, In kind co-operation work. And each Deposits all productions unconsumed Within a storehouse for the good of all, And takes from it whate'er his need demands: All property not yet for use required Is common; all capacity is held As loving Nature's gift to all; all think They owe it culture while it owes them work. Thus all the human powers at public cost Are educated, and for all are used. And each has confidence in each; all feel That every human soul, whate'er its tastes. Desires, and ways may be, deserves respect. Hence none are questioned as to what they do. Of work or anything; nor yet about

How much or what they use; for all believe Each one entitled to supply each need; And of his needs himself to be the judge. And fully all agree that of no one Is needed more of work than his own sense Of want of healthy exercise requires.