| By Rebecca Springer Originally titled "Intra Muros" Published 1922 |
Within the
Gates Similarities Between Earth & Paradise "Why not?" asked my brother. "What strange ideas we mortals have of the pleasures and duties of the blessed life! We seem to think that the death of the body means an entire change to the soul. But that is not the case by any means. We bring to this life the same tastes, the same desires, the same knowledge we had before death. What would be the use of our ofttimes long lives, given to the pursuit of certain worthy and legitimate knowledge, if at death it counts for nothing and we begin this life on a wholly different line of thought and study? No, no, would that all would understand, as I said before, that we are building for eternity during our earthly life. The purer the thought, the nobler the ambitions, the loftier the aspirations, the higher the rank we take among the hosts of Heaven. The more earnestly we follow the studies and duties in the life of probation, the better fitted we shall be to carry them forward, on and on to completion and perfection here." "But the books, who writes them? Are any of them books we knew and loved below?" "Undoubtedly, many of them; all indeed that in any way helped to elevate the human mind or immortal soul. Then many of the rarest minds in the Earth life, upon entering this higher life, gain such elevated and extended views of the subjects that have been their lifelong studies, that exploring them with zest, they write out for the benefit of those less gifted, the higher, stronger views they themselves acquired, thus remaining leaders and teachers in this rarer life, as they were while yet in the world. "It is not to be expected that the great souls of those who have recently joined our ranks, and who uplifted so many lives while on Earth, should lay aside their pens. When they have learned their lessons well, they will write them out for the benefit of those less gifted, who must follow. Leaders there always must be, in this divine life, as in the former life, leaders and teachers in many varied lines of thought. But all this knowledge will come to you simply and naturally as you grow into this new life." After a short rest in this lovely room among the books, my brother took me through all the remaining rooms of the house, each perfect and beautiful in its own way, and each distinctly and imperishably photographed upon my memory. Of only one other will I speak at this time. As he drew aside the gauzy draperies, lined with the most delicate shade of amber, which hung before the columned doorway of a lovely room on the second floor of the house, he said, "Your own special place for rest and study." The entire second story of the house indoors, instead of being made of grey marble as was the first floor, was finished with inlaid wood of fine satiny texture and rare polish; and the room we now entered was exquisite both in design and finish. It was oblong in shape, with a large bowed window at one end, similar to those in the library, a portion of which was directly below this room. Within this window on one side stood a writing desk of solid ivory, with silver furnishings. And opposite was a case of well filled bookshelves of the same material. Among the books, I found afterward, were many of my favorite authors. Rich rugs of silver grey in color lay scattered over the floor, and all the hangings in the room were of the same delicate hue and texture as those at the entrance. The framework of the furniture was of ivory, the upholstering of the chairs of silver grey cloth, with the finish of the finest satin; and the pillows and covering of the dainty couch were of the same. Several graceful vases were filled with roses. |
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