by Rebecca Springer Originally titled  "Intra Muros" Published 1922

Within the Gates    The Healing of the Penitent Son     The current of my life flowed on in the heavenly ways, until the months began to lengthen into years and my daily studies ascended higher in the scale of celestial mysteries. I never wearied of study, though much was taught and gained through the medium of observation in the journeys that I was permitted to take with my brother into different parts of the heavenly kingdom. I never lacked time for social pleasures and enjoyments, for there is no clashing of duties with inclinations, no unfilled desires, no vain striving for the unattainable in that life, as in the life of Earth. Many precious hours of intercourse were spent in my dear father's home, and sometimes on rare occasions I was permitted to accompany him to his field of labor and assist him in instructing those lately come into the new life with little or no preparation for its duties and responsibilities.         On one occasion my father said to me, "I have the most difficult problem with which to deal that I have ever yet met in this work: It is how to enlighten and help a man who suddenly plunged from an apparently honorable life into the very depths of crime. I have never been able to get him to come with me to the river, where those earthly cobwebs would be swept away from his poor brain, his excuse always being that God's mercy is so great in allowing him inside Heaven's gates at all, that he is content to remain always at its lowest scale of enjoyment and life. No argument or teaching thus far can make him alter his decision. He was led astray by infatuation for a strange woman, and killed his aged mother in order to secure her jewels for this wretched creature. He was executed for the crime, of which in the end he sincerely repented, but he left life with all the horror of the deed clinging to his soul."         "Has he seen his mother since coming here? Does she know of his arrival?"         "No. She is entirely alone in this world, and it was not thought wise to tell her of his coming until his soul was in a better condition to receive her. He was an only child and does not lack the elements of refinement, but he was completely under the control of this vile though fascinating woman. It is said that she drugged his wine and incited him to do the dreadful deed while under its influence, because of her hatred for his mother, whose influence was against her. When he came from under the influence of the wine, he was horrified at what he had done, and his infatuation turned to loathing, but, alas, too late! He would not see her during his entire incarceration."         "How long was he in prison?"         "Almost a year."         "Has he seen the Master?"         "No, he begs not to see Him. He is very repentant, and grateful to be saved from the wrath he feels was his just punishment; but though he is conscious that his sin is forgiven, he does not feel that he would ever stand in the presence of the Holy One. And here, as upon Earth, each must be ready to receive Him. His presence is never given undesired. I have not yet appealed for higher help; my ambition is to lead these weak souls upward through the strength entrusted to me. Can you suggest anything that might reach him?"         "His mother. May I bring her?"         He thought a moment reflectively, then said, "A woman's intuition. Yes, bring her." Frankness and Forgiveness in Heaven         I soon was on my way. I found the poor woman, laid the facts gently before her and awaited her decision. There was no hesitancy upon her part; in an instant she said, "My poor boy! Certainly, I will go with you at once."         We found my father waiting for us, and went immediately to the great "Home" where these "students" stayed. It was a beautiful great building in the midst of a park, with shaded walks and fountains and flowers everywhere. To one just freed from Earth, it seemed a paradise indeed; but to those of us who had tasted Heaven's rarer joys, something was wanting. We missed the lovely mansions, the children playing on the lawns, the music of the angel choir; it was tame indeed beside the pleasures we had tasted.         We found the young man seated beneath one of the flower-laden trees, intently reading a book that my father had left with him. There was a peaceful look on his face, but it was rather the look of a patient resignation than of ardent joy. His mother approached him alone; my father and I remaining in the background. After a little time he glanced up and saw his mother standing near him. A startled look came into his face, and he arose to his feet. She extended her arms toward him and cried out pathetically, "John, my dear boy, come home to me. I need you!" That was all.         With a low cry he knelt at her feet and clasped her knees, sobbing, "Mother! Mother!"         She stooped and put her tender arms about him; she drew his head gently to her breast and showered kisses on his bowed head. Oh, the warm mother love, the same in Earth and Heaven! Only the Christ love can exceed it. Here was this outraged mother, sent into eternity by the hands of him who should have shielded and sustained her, bending above her repentant son with the mother love with which her heart was overflowing shining upon him from her gentle eyes. I saw my father turn his head to conceal his emotion and I knew that my own eyes were wet.         My father had explained to the mother that the first thing to be accomplished was to get her son to the river, so we now heard her say caressingly, "Come, John, my boy, take the first step upward for your mother's sake, that in time I may have the joy of seeing you in our own home. Come, John, with mother."         She drew him gently, and to our great joy we saw him rise and go with her, and their steps led them to the river. They walked hand in hand, and as far as we could see them she seemed to be soothing and comforting him.         "Thank God!" said my father fervently. "There will be no further trouble now. When they return he will see with clearer vision." And so it proved.         After this, by divine permission, I became much of the time a co-laborer with my father, and thus enjoyed his society and his instruction much oftener than otherwise I would have done.

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