Page:The Doctrines of the New Church Briefly Explained.djvu/196

190 The same illumined author further says, that in the other world these spiritual spheres sometimes manifest themselves as odors—offensive or fragrant, according to the nature of the sphere; "for odors correspond to spheres." The sphere of those who have acted the part of hypocrites so habitually that they have contracted a hypocritical nature, "when changed into an odor, is like the stench of vomit," this being the correspondence of such a sphere. And the sphere of those who have lived in hatred, revenge and cruelty, "when changed into an odor, has the stench of a putrid carcass." While "such as have been immersed in sordid avarice, give forth a stench like that of mice." But when the spheres of saintly souls—such as have lived in charity and faith—"are perceived as odors, they are most delightful; the odors are sweet and delicious like those of flowers and spices of divers kinds, with an indefinite variety." (A. C. 1514, 1519.)

Now, let this doctrine concerning spiritual spheres be cordially accepted, and it is plain that its practical tendency and legitimate effect upon the receiver must be most salutary. It shows the parent and guardian and teacher and all who have the shaping of other minds, that it is not so much what they seem or say or do, as what they are—not what they are outwardly but what they are inwardly—not so much their oral instruction,