Page:The astral world, higher occult powers; (IA astralworldhighe00tiff).pdf/182

 that they had to make many examinations after entering the Spiritual world, to satisfy themselves that they had left the body. That is, their sensations, thoughts, feelings, loves, and affections underwent so slight a change, they did not recognize any change in passing to the Spiritual sphere.

If that individual Spirit changes his character there, it must evidently be by some law operating upon character. We know perfectly well that if you were to bring an individual into New York who has been given to a certain kind of pleasure, unless he can find the same channel of pleasure here, he would feel miserable. Let any one of you get in the habit of going night after night to the theater, and you will by-and-by acquire such a habit that you will be perfectly wretched unless you can go there. You make resolutions to break up the habit; but often break your resolutions, and will feel miserable until some other love takes the place of your love for theatrical amusements. The poor drunkard often, in the midst of his dissipation, resolves to put away his cup; but when again he comes in the presence of the bottles and decanters, his mouth begins to feel thus and so, and he can not help drinking. The habit is so fixed upon him that he can not break it up, unless something can implant a stronger love within him.

As is our condition in this world, so is our state in the Spiritual world. How often does an individual feel that there would be no source of enjoyment for him in the Spiritual world if he could not find certain pleasures there. The beef-eater will continue to have a desire for beef, unless some other gratification can