Page:The New View of Hell.djvu/194

 associates, or the passing out of one spiritual society and the entering into another.

And now comes the momentous question: Is there any way of ascertaining the character of our invisible associates? Is there any test whereby we may know with certainty whether our spirits consort with angels or devils?—whether we inhale from day to day the balmy air of heaven, or the noxious and soul-disordering exhalations of hell?

Most undoubtedly. There is a universal law that governs all associations in the spiritual world—those in hell as well as those in heaven. It is the law of spiritual affinity which has been repeatedly spoken of in the foregoing pages. This law forever impels spirits to seek the companionship of those most like themselves. Under its operation, therefore, kindred spirits are drawn together and held together in the same society. Those in a similar kind and degree of good, or in a similar kind and degree of evil, have an affinity for each other. They love to be together. Their sphere is mutually agreeable. Therefore they gravitate toward each other by force of mutual attraction.

And it is this same law which determines the character of our invisible companions. Through its operation, spirits are attracted to us who are similar in character to ourselves. The prevailing tenor of our thoughts and affections—the nature of the love that rules in our hearts—the kind of motives from which we generally act—