288 APPENDIX 



" There is a great difference between the physical and 

 the ethereal body. The former is visible and tangible, 

 but the latter is invisible and intangible. The body eats 

 and drinks ; the spirit lives in faith. The body is evanes- 

 cent and destructible ; the spirit eternal. The body 

 dies ; the spirit lives. The body is conquered by the 

 spirit ; the spirit is victor. The body is opaque, clouded ; 

 the spirit transparent and clear. The body is often sick ; 

 the spirit knows no disease. The body is dark, but the 

 spirit is light, and sees into the hearts of the moun- 

 tains and the interior of the earth. The body executes 

 acts which the spirit orders. The body is the mumia ; 

 the substance of the spirit is the balsam of life. The 

 former comes from the earth, but the spirit from 

 heaven " ^ (Philosoph., iv.). 



and to drink wisdom from the eternal fountain of truth. They never 

 quarrel about opinions, because they know the truth. Theii number is 

 small. Some live in Europe, others in Africa, but they are bound together 

 by the harmony of their souls, and they are therefore as one. They are 

 joined together, although they may be thousands of miles apart from each 

 other. They understand each other, although they speak in different 

 tongues, because the language of the sages is spiritual perception. 



•* No evil-disposed person could possibly live among them, because he 

 would be recognised immediately, for he would be incapable of being illu- 

 minated by wisdom, and as a mirror covered with mire cannot reflect the 

 light, likewise such a soul cannot reflect the truth. But the more the soul of 

 man grows perfect, the nearer does it approach to God, and the more will 

 its understanding grow and its love be exalted. Thus may man enter 

 into sanctification ; he may communicate with perfect beings in the 

 spiritual kingdom, and be instructed and guided by them. He will be a 

 true child of God. All Nature will be subject to him, because he will be 

 an instrument to carry out the will of the Creator of Nature. He knows 

 the future, the thoughts and the instincts of men, because the mysteries 

 of eternity are open before him. 



"But the plans of the worldly-wise will come to nought. That which 

 took the followers of false science centuries to accomplish will be wiped 

 out by a single stroke of the finger of God, and a nobler generation will 

 come, which will worship God in spirit and in truth." 



^ There are three kinds of knowledge : — i. External knowledge, or 

 scientific opinions in regard to external things (Gal. vi. 3). This know- 

 ledge leads to error, because it concentrates all the attention upon the 

 illusory exterior of things, and keeps the mind in ignorance in regard to 

 interior truths. 2. Knowledge received by entering into the mysteries 



