Let me not be supposed to include in this class all
the spirits who have been of late years so busy among us mortal and
immortal Yankees. I consider that the old expression 'white, black, and
gray' fully describes the denizens of the 'interior.' In fact, all seers
insist that human creatures, in and out of the body, appear to them
white or variously shaded toward black, according to their moral status.
It is probable that the reason why the black and gray varieties have
been so almost exclusively heard from, of late, is to be found in the
fact, that it is contrary to the laws of God and nature for us to _seek_
society beyond the terrestrial plane; and that our only proper course,
in this regard, is to avoid the supernatural, as a general thing; and
when it is apparently thrust upon us, to have only so much to do with it
as is quite inevitable. When the authorities of heaven have anything to
say to a mortal, they will _force_ him to listen, if necessary--even if
they have to throw him, like Paul, from his horse.
Well, I had embarked, like Virgil, or Dante, on my perilous tour through
Hades. There was, at once, a crowding about my pathway (only a bridle
path) of ostensible, estimable deceased relatives, who, after imparting
a variety of priceless information, started off in the usual style,
magnifying mine office.
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