Page:Dealings with the dead.djvu/55

 for the former is, but the latter, like the planetary worlds, is ;—not in the sense of in the house and out of the house, but rather in the sense of in the bed and in a dream,—not exactly, but analogous. The fact is, mankind, albeit many know it not, are living upon the confines, at least, if not occasionally full residents of two or three worlds at the same time—worlds which impinge upon, and interlace each other, just as fine spirit contacts rough matter; and yet, while this fact is so, it happens likewise that in many respects these worlds are as wide apart, and distant from each other, as is Pleiades from Mazaroth, or distant sun from twinkling planet; for the reason that states, not miles, separate the denizens of either. Those whose being is in accord with the vast Harmonead, move alike upon the shores of each sphere of being, whence they can catch the echoes and foot-falls of the pilgrims on both banks. Most people are familiar with the stereotyped assertion that 'Man is a microcosm—a universe in miniature,' than which nothing can be more correct and true. The body is not the man; neither is the nerve-center of his brain that which constitutes his personality, any more than the central spiritual sun around which all material systems revolve, is the supreme God himself; for events Deity dwells within the centralia of that august luminary, so also does the very man himself hold his court within the bosom of that magic sphere which exists within his skull. In the subjoined description of the student,—(see part two of this volume) the sentient and conscious point is spoken of under the similitude and figure of a fiery globe. The likeness is imperfect in some respects, for not only 3