THE     DIVINE     LOVE    OF    PUREST    JUSTIFICATION    (JUSTICE)

                                                                                                                       TEMPERAMENT

THERE are people who excuse many of their faults, even to themselves, as being due to their temperament!

That is wrong!

He who acts in this manner shows that he has become nothing but a slave to himself.

Man is of the ''spirit'', which remains as the highest form of all that is self - conscious, in this Subsequent Creation, thereby influencing, forming and leading all else, no matter whether he acts in full awareness of it or whether he knows nothing at all about it.

This ruling or influencing in Subsequent Creation is anchored in the very ''nature of the spirit'' in accordance with the Laws of Creation.

Through its very existence, therefore the human spirit works in Subsequent Creation in this manner, because it issues from the Spiritual Realm.

The temperament, however, cannot be attributed to the spirit, for it is only produced by the radiations of a certain species of matter when the latter is animated and completely permeated by the animistic, which moves, warms and forms all that is of matter.

This radiation emanates from the blood.

Thus it not wrong to use the popular expression concerning certain qualities which people possess: ''It runs in the blood!''

In most cases they mean that it has been ''inherited''.

And often this is the case because ''gross material'' heredity does occur, while spiritual heredity is impossible.

With that which is spiritual it is The Law of Attraction of Homogeneous Species which counts, the effects of which do ''outwardly'' resemble heredity in our life on earth, and can therefore easily be confused with it.

Temperament, however, comes from the World of Matter and may therefore be partly inherited, and it also remains closely connected with all that is matter.

Its cause lies in ''animistic'' activity.

Here again some idea of this is contained in another popular saying.

The wisdom of such expressions has always originated in the natural intuitive perception of those people of sound mind whose manner of living in Creation has remained simple and undistorted.

This popular saying speaks of light blood, hot blood, heavy blood, and blood which can be easily excited.

All these terms are applied to the temperament with the correct perception that the blood plays the major role in these matters.

In reality it is a definite radiation which develops through the type of blood composition in each case.

It first of all produces an equivalent effect in the brain, which subsequently becomes strongly perceptible in the feelings of the entire body.

In accordance with the blood composition there will therefore always be a type of temperament predominating in different people which is decisive for them.

In the ''healthy'' blood of a human being are anchored ''all'' the radiations which the blood is capable of producing and consequently ''all'' the temperaments.

I am always and only referring to the healthy physical body, for sickness brings confusion into the radiations.

As the physical body ages the blood composition changes.

Thus when the healthy blood changes through increasing age a corresponding change of temperament occurs at the same time.

Besides advancing age in the body, however, there are still other things which have an influence on the change in blood composition, such as the characteristics of the different regions and everything pertaining to them, i.e., the Climate, the radiations of the stars, the different kinds of nourishment", and many other things as well.

They all affect the temperaments directly because they are part of the World of Matter and therefore linked very closely with it.

In general one can distinguish between four basic temperaments in mankind - the sanguine, the melancholic, the choleric, and the phlegmatic - and men themselves are described accordingly.

In reality, however, there are seven temperaments and, with all the gradations, even twelve.

But the principal temperaments are four in number.

In a person with absolutely healthy blood condition they can be classified into four age periods, in each of which the blood composition changes.

First of all there is the period of childhood, resembling the sanguine temperament, the carefree life of the moment.

Then comes early manhood or womanhood, which is like the melancholic temperament of dreaming and longing.

Thereafter follow the years of man's and woman's full estate which is the choleric temperament urging them to action.

And finally comes old age, or the phlegmatic temperament of quiet reflection.

This is the normal and healthy condition in the temperate zone as distinct from the ''abnormal'' zone.

How closely all this is connected with the works in a similar way in the World of Matter you can even witness on the gross material earth in the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

In spring an impetuous awakening, in summer a dreamy development with an urge towards ripening, in autumn the full activity of the fruits, and in winter a quiet transition with all the gathered experiences to a new awakening!

Even nations and races bear very definite characteristics of common temperaments.

This may be traced back to the part of the earthly plane where they came into existence and where they live, to the consequent form of nutrition there, to their exposure to similar gross material radiations by the stars, and last but not the least to the spiritual maturity of the entire nation.

A people of the sanguine temperament are still, figuratively speaking, in their childhood, or have through some circumstances retrogressed to this stage.

The latter category not only comprises of the sunny South Sea islanders but to greater extent the Latin Peoples.

People of melancholic temperaments stand before their actual deeds.

The Germans and all Germanic people belong to this group. 

They stand at their awakening, prepared for action!

That is why the period of early manhood and womanhood is also the age of melancholic temperaments, because only as the spirit breaks through in the generative power does it find a direct connection with the species of Creation.

Thus man becomes responsible for his deeds in Creation, fully responsible for every individual thought, for every word, and for every one of his actions, because all the vibrations thereof are pressing in full power, thereby penetrating the spheres of animistic species and producing forms.

Thus forms arise in Subsequent Creation in accordance with the vibrations sent forth by man.

Consequently if a  person is unrestrained in his temperaments he thereby creates new and unhealthy forms in Creation which can never produce harmony, but which are bound to have a disturbing influence upon all that exists.

Since by virtue of his origin the human spirit stands at the highest point in Subsequent Creation, he has not only the power but also the duty to control every species different to him in Creation.

In fact he cannot do otherwise, he ''must'' dominate owing to his nature!

He must now think about this every moment!

With each individual thought, with each stirring of his soul, he creates ever new forms in this Subsequent Creation!

Try to grasp this clearly, as you are indeed responsible for it, and everything you form in the course of your existence clings to you.

What is good uplifts you, what is low must pull you down in accordance with the Law of Gravity, which takes effect irrevocably, regardless of whether you yourselves are aware of it or completely indifferent to it.

It operates and works around you in a constant weaving.

It is true that you are the starting point of all that must be formed or produced in this loom, yet you are unable to stop it even for a moment!

Just try to envisage ''this one picture'' clearly!

It must suffice to arouse you from trifling things for which you are often willing to sacrifice so much time and strength.

You must be horrified at the frivolous manner in which you have hitherto spent your life, and stand ashamed before your Creator, Who thereby bestowed such a great gift upon you.

But you have paid no attention it, you only dabbled with this enormous power to the detriment of the Subsequent Creation entrusted to you, which you can transform into a Paradise for yourselves if at last you wish to do so.

Consider!

The entire disorder which you have brought about through your ignorance of The Divine Laws is now bound to confuse and overwhelm you.

It is ''your'' fault that you do not yet know these Laws.

Since you stand in Creation it is your most sacred duty personally to concern yourselves with them.

But instead men have mocked and sneered at the messengers who were able to indicate the way which is bound to bring recognition.

Without effort, however, no prize can be won, for that is against the Law of unceasing Movement in Creation, which is a necessary factor for the maintenance and further development of everything.

Movement in the spirit ''and'' the body!

Everything which does not move, or which does not move in the right way, will be ejected, because it does nothing but disturb the swinging harmony of Creation.

It is ejected as being a diseased part which does not want to move along in rhythm.

I have already spoken to you about the necessity of continual movement as a law.

The spirit ''must'' dominate, no matter whether it wants to or not.

It cannot do otherwise!

And thus it must now also exert itself at last to dominate spiritually in ''full consciousness'', unless it wishes to bring nothing but harm.

However, it can only dominate consciously if it is familiar with and adjusts itself to all the Laws resting in Creation.

There is no alternative!

Only then does it fill the post to which it has been appointed, and which it can never alter or rearrange.

Thus the human spirit must also stand above the temperaments, it must restrain and rule them, so that harmony will be achieved first of all in its own body and then beneficially to the immediate surroundings; they will radiate and manifest in forms in the entire Subsequent Creation.

''Only that man'' who makes good use of all the four temperaments in the proper sequence and at the appropriate times stands truly firm in this Creation.

For he needs these temperaments so as to climb the steps of his earth -  life with security and certainty and to neglect nothing which is necessary for his spiritual maturing.

Temperaments which are well controlled and properly employed are like wearing good boots on the road through the material substance on earth!

Pay greater attention to them than you have done so far!

You cannot do without them, but neither must you yield to them, as then they become tyrants which torment and your surroundings also, instead of serving you.

But ''make use'' of them, for they are the best companions during your life on earth!

They are your friends  if you control them.

The child develops best when it is sanguine, therefore the composition of its blood is as such as to produce the sanguine temperament.

The blood composition changes at the time of increasing physical maturity and then brings with it the melancholic temperament.

This in turn is the best aid for the time of maturing!

It can direct the spirit towards the Light, towards purity, and loyalty, during the years when the spirit's connection with Creation is being completed, at which time it takes the active lead and gears into the entire weaving and working which is in constant movements therein.

In this way it may become the greatest helper to the human spirit in its essential being, more decisive than he is now able to imagine.

Therefore the child must be allowed the undimmed joy of the moment which is derived from the sanguine temperament and, on the other hand, the youth and maiden must be left to the healthy daydreams in which they often so indulge.

He who destroys such reveries in order to make these young people conform to the sobriety of their surroundings becomes a brigand of the spirit on its way to the Light!

Beware of this, for all the consequences will also fall upon you!

The choleric temperament in a clarified form is needed by every man of action!

I purposely say in a clarified form, for the spirit ''must'' dominate in the years of manhood and womanhood, it must ennoble and transfigure everything, it must send forth and spread light radiations throughout the entire Creation!

In old age, however, the phlegmatic temperament gradually helps to loosen the spirit more and more from its body, to re - examine past experiences of earthly - life in order to retain the lessons learned as something personal, and to prepare itself little by little in this way for the necessary step into the Ethereal World of Creation.

It is thereby made easy for such person, becoming quite a natural event which means nothing but progress, and involves no suffering in obeying the Law of this Creation.

Pay attention to the temperaments, therefore, and further them whenever  you can, but always and only at their proper time and also so long as they do not become tyrants through lack of restraint!

He who wishes to change or suppress them destroys the best help there is for the development of earthman as willed by God.

In so doing he also disturbs all healthiness, causing confusion as well as undreamt - of eccentricities, which will bring discord, envy, hatred and anger, not to mention robbery and murder.

All this because the temperaments were disregarded at the essential time by the coldly - calculating intellect, and broken when they should have been developed and observed!

The temperaments are given to you by the Will of God in the Laws of Nature, which are always tended and kept fresh for you by the elemental beings, in order to facilitate the course of your life on earth, if you live as God wills that you should.

Thank the Lord for this and joyously take up the gifts, which lie ready for you everywhere in Creation!

Exert yourselves in order to recognise them aright at last!                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                         THE   MYSTERY   OF   THE   BLOOD

THE BLOOD!

How much swings forth from this word, how rich and strong are all the impressions this word is been able to produce, and what a never - ending source of conjecture is contained in this one significant word!

And much knowledge, which has proved to be full of blessing for the bodies of earth - men, has evolved from this suppositions.

Through troublesome investigation and devoted work gifted ones, with keen observation and pure volition to render unselfish help to mankind, found many a ''path'' leading to the ''real'' purpose of blood, none of which, however, is this purpose itself.

Here are further hints on the matter, with which those who carry within them the calling will be able to build up through their knowledge of the swinging Laws of God.

They will then become ''helpers'' of mankind here on earth in the truest sense, and as a most precious reward their ways will be brightened by the grateful prayers of all those to whom their knowledge of the secrets of the blood could bring help of a nature not believed possible, and such as there has never been before.

I will immediately name  the main purpose of all human blood!

''It is meant to form the bridge for the activity of the spirit on earth'', i.e., in the World of Gross Matter!

This sounds so simple, and yet it holds the key to ''all'' knowledge about the human blood.

Hence the blood is meant to act as a bridge for the activity of the spirit, or let us say ''soul'' in this case so that readers will understand me better, for they are more familiar with the expression ''the soul''.

''The spirit forms the human blood'' so that the activity of the spirit from out of man may proceed in the proper manner.

The connection between the blood and the spirit can easily be substantiated.

It need only be realised that until the spirit has entered the developing body of a child at incarnation, which takes place at a very definite stage of development in the middle of pregnancy, causing the child's first movement; that until this stage has been reached its own blood does not begin to circulate; while at physical death, when the spirit has left the body, the blood ceases to pulsate and to exist altogether.

Therefore the blood itself is only present during the time between the entrance and departure of the spirit, when the spirit dwells in the body.

Indeed it can be noted through the lack of blood that the spirit  has finally severed its connection with the earthly body, i.e., that death has occurred.

In reality it is as follows: The human blood can form itself only when the spirit enters the body, and when the spirit leaves the body the blood can no longer exist in its actual nature.

However, we will not rest content with this knowledge, but I will go further!

The spirit or the ''soul'' contributes to the very formation of the blood, but it cannot come into outward earthly activity directly through the blood.

The difference between the two species is too great to permit this.

The soul, of which the spirit is the core, is still far too fine in its coarsest layer to be able to accomplish this, and can become outwardly active only through the ''radiation of the blood''.

The radiation of the blood is therefore in reality the actual bridge for the activity of the soul, and then only if this blood is of a very particular ''composition suitable for the soul concerned''.

In future every conscientious doctor can consciously help and intervene in these matters, as soon as he has absorbed and grasped this knowledge aright.

It is just this which will become one of the greatest and the most decisive aids can offer to the whole of humanity, for the effects in this respect are so manifold that, with the right application, the peoples are bound to blossom forth most splendidly in their volitions and in their capabilities, because they will be able to unfold all their power, which will not urge them on to destruction, but towards peace and a grateful striving for the Light.

I have often pointed to the  significance of the composition of the blood.

When the composition changes this naturally also alter the radiation, producing therewith correspondingly alternating effects upon the person concerned as well as upon his earthly environment.

In my lecture about the significance of the generative power I stated that the latter  does not set in until the body has attained a very definite maturity.

Then a drawbridge is lowered to enable the soul to sally forth into the outer world, from which it has been protected and separated up to that time.

Naturally this bridge not only permits the soul to exercise an influence on the outside, but it also permits influences form outside to obtain access to the soul  by the same route.

It is not until then that individual person becomes fully responsible right before the Divine Laws of Creation, a point which has also been given similar consideration in the earthly laws.

The lowering of the drawbridge, however, takes place most automatically, through nothing other than a transformation in the composition of the blood, which in turn is produced by the maturing of the physical body and the urging of the soul, and which then, through the change in radiation, affords the spirit the possibility to become active upon earth.

Here I naturally do not  refer to the mechanical actions and work of the physical body, but to that which actually ''leads'' in this things, to that which is willed, and which the brain and the body as implements then turn into earthly deeds.

In my lecture on temperaments, I likewise referred to the blood which, through it's various radiations, forms the basis for the temperaments, because up to a certain point the activity of the soul is bound up with the various kinds of blood radiations.

Since, however, the maturity, the state of health and age of a body contribute to the changing of the blood composition, and such a constraint might prove unjust.

This is balanced by the fact that the ''spirit'' can change this composition, which at the same time explains the secret of the saying that ''the spirit forms the body''.

But wherever a spirit too weak to accomplish this, or wherever it is hindered in its efforts by some outside influence, such as an accident or a physical ailment, there the doctor can soon help by intervening through his knowledge!

And he will be amazed at the recognition of how much depends in each case upon the right composition of the blood for earthman.

No hard and fast rule must be made in this matters, for the procedure is entirely different with every person.

So far only the coarsest differences have been found.

There are still innumerable refinements which have not yet been recognised, and which are of far - reaching importance and influence.

The establishment of the various blood groups which have now already been discovered, and which can only confirm my statement, does not yet suffice.

It is true that these discoveries are in the right direction and have already proved very beneficial in their application.

However, they remain only ''one'' of many ways and not ''the goal itself'', which is not merely restricted to physical recovery and investigation, but which is able to uplift man in every respect.

In my lecture ''Possessed'',  I point out that only the blood composition of some particular person offers  the possibility for the occurrence of spookish manifestations such as knocking, making noises, throwing of objects, etc.

During such incidents this person must always be in close proximity, as it is from his radiations that the power to manifest is drawn.

Even these things could be quickly remedied by the skilful intervention of a doctor who understands, and who helps by changing the composition of the blood, which also alters the radiation and thereby prevents such disagreeable possibilities.

It is the same  with the so - called possessed ones, of whom there are many in spite of all doubts.

The process in itself is quite simple, even if dreadfully decisive for the person concerned and also for his environment, and painful to the relatives.

The composition of the blood of these persons  has formed in such a manner that it offers the inhabiting the body only a feeble possibility, or none whatever, to manifest in full vigour towards the outer world.

However, the radiation of the blood provides the opportunity to another soul, with less good or even malicious qualities, and which is perhaps already free from its body, to interfere from outside and, what is more, to control brain and body either periodically or perpetually.

Here too a doctor can give effective relief by changing the composition of the blood, which in turn alters the radiation, thereby cutting off alien influences and granting the opportunity for the indwelling volition to unfold in it's own personal powers.

As I have already mentioned, the investigators are doing very good and beneficial work in establishing the blood groups, and it just in the application of this knowledge that their observations are bound to confirm my statements.

If a different blood group was used in the case of a blood transfusion, then the soul living in such a body would find itself prevented from fully developing it's volition, would perhaps be entirely cut off from it, because with the blood of different composition the radiation also changes and is then no longer adapted to the soul.

It cannot make full use of the different type of radiation or even none whatever!

To the outside world such a person would then appear handicapped, in his thinking and acting, because his soul can not work properly.

It can even go so far that the soul, hindered in its capacity to work, slowly severs itself from the body and leaves altogether, which is equivalent to physical death.

Doctors will recognise with how far - reaching and comprehensive is the influence of the proper blood composition in each human body in relation to the effectiveness of the soul on earth.

They will recognise which diseases and other ailments can be abolished by the right knowledge, and how hitherto existing ''secret of the blood'' is solved and thus becomes the key to joyous activity in God's wonderful Creation.

It is not through injections that ''lasting'' changes can be brought about, but in the natural way, through appropriate food and drink, which over a short period will vary with every individual person, yet always without one - sided limitations.

From these considerations it also follows that a great number of so - called ''mentally backward'' children can be fundamentally helped.

Give their souls the right bridge for the development of their powers, and you will see how they begin to blossom forth and work with joy upon this earth; for in reality there are no sick souls.

Unless that which hinders the soul, or better said the spirit, is and forcibly brought about by a disease of the brain, it will always and only be due to the insufficient or false radiation of the blood.

Indeed, all is so wonderfully arranged in the weaving of Creation that probably none of my readers will be surprised when I further explain that even the type of blood radiation of an expectant mother can become an additional decisive factor as to the kind of the spirit to be incarnated, which must follow the Law of Attraction of Homogeneous Species; for each of the different kinds of blood radiations will prepare only for the approach and entry of a type of soul  which  completely corresponds with it.

It is likewise understandable that the same species of soul must try and bring about similar blood compositions, because they can only become truly effective by a very definite kind of radiation, which again changes during the different periods of life.

He who wishes to grasp this hint with regard to birth correctly should at the same time become acquainted with my explanations in the lecture ''The mystery of birth'', because in tracing the automatic working of the Laws of Creation I must elucidate one point at one point time and the another point at another time, although everything forms an inseparable whole and no part of it can be described as something which exists independently, but only as a part which is closely linked with whole; which part in its co - operation becomes ever again visible at various places as a colored thread woven through the entire fabric in accordance with the laws.

Later on I shall elaborate more fully on all the details necessary completely to fill in the picture, which I have today given only in broad outline.

I hope that in times to come it may prove a great blessing for mankind.

A further hint is perhaps in order; It can easily be recognised that the blood cannot be solely dependent upon the body because of the difference between human blood and animal blood, which can be discerned immediately.

The basic composition of these two types of blood is so different that it must be obvious.

If the body alone would  form the blood then there would need to be of a far greater similarity.

It therefore depends on something else - in the case of the human blood it is the ''spirit''.

On the other hand the soul of the animal, which becomes active through the body, consists of a different species, and is not of the spiritual species which makes  man a human being.

Therefore the blood is also ''bound'' to be quite different!                                                                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                   DEATH 

THERE is one thing in which all men believe without exception. It is death! Everyone is convinced that it will come. It is of the few facts about which there is no dispute or ignorance. Although everybody from childhood onwards reckons with the fact that they must eventually die, yet the majority always try to ward off the thought. Many people indeed are even irritated if the subject is broached in their presence. Others again carefully avoid cemeteries and funerals, and if by chance they meet a funeral procession in the street, they seek to efface every impression as soon as possible. They are always oppressed at such moments by a secret fear that death may one day suddenly surprise them. An indefinable horror prevents them from seriously grappling with this irrefutable fact. There is hardly another event that is so inevitable and yet so constantly pushed aside in their thoughts as death; and hardly so important an event in life on earth, except for birth! It is a striking fact that man wishes to concern himself so little just with the beginning and the end of his earthly existence, whereas to all other events, even quite trivial matters, he tries to ascribe a deep significance. He examines and ponders over all the intermediate happenings much more than upon that which would enlighten on everything - the beginning and the end of his life on earth! Death and birth are so closely linked because one is the result of the other. In the first place how little serious thought is given to the act of procreation! Only in very rare cases is there anything found worthy of the dignity of a human being! Just in this matter man cheerfully places himself on a level with the animal, yet without being able to preserve its innocence. This, indeed, puts him ''below'' the animal, which acts according to the level it occupies in Creation. Man, however, can not or will not keep to the level that befits him, but descends to the lower one, and then wonders why the whole of humanity gradually deteriorates in various respects. To start with all the customs at weddings are so designed as to make marriage appear merely an earthly  affair. It even goes so far in many cases that more serious - minded people would like to turn away in disgust from the suggestive details which hint at nothing more than earthly intercourse. Wedding festivities have in many cases degenerated into absolute match - making orgies, which parents conscious of their great responsibility should strictly forbid their children to attend! However, youths and young women who do not themselves feel disgust at the customs and insinuations during such festivities, and who although responsible for their own actions still do not stay away, may already be counted as belonging to the same base level, and can thus be left out of all consideration. It appears as if even in this matter people were trying through a drunken revelry to deceive themselves over something they do not want to think about. If, then, life on earth is built up on such frivolous foundation, as has indeed already become customary, one can understand that man also tries to deceive himself about death by striving desperately not to think of it. This pushing aside all serious thoughts is closely connected with his own base attitude during the act of procreation. The indefinable fear which accompanies man  like a shadow during his whole life on earth largely originates in the fact that he is fully aware of all that is wrong in his frivolous and unworthy actions. And if he cannot get peace any other way, as a last resort he artificially and frantically clings to the delusion that either death is the end of all things, whereby he consciously acknowledges his inferiority and cowardice at possibly being called to account, or the hope that he is not much worse than others. But all these illusions do not alter the fact in the slightest degree that earthly death is approaching - coming nearer day by day, hour by hour! How pitiful it so often appears when the majority of those who so rigidly tried to deny any responsibility in a life after death begin, in their last hours, fearfully to ask the great questions, thus proving they have suddenly become confused about their own convictions! But their questioning is of little avail then, for again it is only cowardice which, shortly before the great step out of this earth - life, suddenly conjures up the possibility of a continuation of life and of being called to account therein. However anxiety, fear and cowardice can no more diminish or redeem the unconditional reaction arising from every deed than can stubbornness. Real comprehension, i.e., a true understanding, cannot be attained in this way. Prompted by fear, their intellectual cunning, which often enough proved trustworthy during their earth - life, plays a mean trick on dying people during their last hours by inducing them, out of ordinary prudence, suddenly to become outwardly pious; this at the moment when the severing of the ethereal man, who continues living, from the physical body has so far advanced that during this process of separating the intuitive life has become equal in strength to the intellect, which up till then had forcibly subjugated it. But they gain nothing from this! They will reap what they sowed through their thoughts and deeds during their life on earthy! Nothing has been improved or changed in the slightest degree! They will be irresistibly drawn into the network of the strictly operating Laws of Reciprocal Action, so as to experience in the Ethereal World all the errors they perpetrated in thought and deed as a result of wrong convictions! Such people have every reason to dread the hour when they must leave their physical bodies, which for a time offered protection against many ethereal happenings. This protection was given to them as a shield and a cover so that behind it they could have changed for the better in undisturbed peace, and even completely redeemed many a thing which would otherwise have hit them severely. It is doubly sad, yes even ten - fold so, for those who spend this time of mercy which every earth - life represents in frivolous deception, as if it were a drunken revel. Many there are who have every reason for alarm and apprehension! The case is quite different with those who have not wasted their existence on earth but who, although at a late hour yet still in time and not impelled by fear and anxiety, have set out on the road to spiritual ascent. They will take their serious seeking over with them as a staff and support in the Ethereal World. Without fear and anxiety they can venture to take the step from the Gross Material World into the Ethereal World which is inevitable for everyone, because all that is transient, such as the physical body, must sooner or later perish again! They may welcome the hour of this release, for it means definite progress for them, no matter what they have to experience in the ethereal life! Their good experiences will then bring them happiness and the evil ones will be made surprisingly easy, for their good volition will help them in this far more powerfully than they ever dreamed. The process of dying in itself is nothing but birth into the Ethereal World, similar to the process of birth into the Gross Material World. After the separation the ethereal body remains attached to the physical body for a time as if with a navel cord. The higher the soul now born into the Ethereal World has already developed itself  towards this Ethereal World during its life on earth, the looser this cord will become. The more a man's volition has chained him to this earth, i.e., to gross matter, indicating thereby a refusal to acknowledge any continuation of life in the Ethereal World, the more firmly will this volition bind him with this cord to his physical body and consequently also bind the ethereal body, which he needs as a garment for his spirit in the Ethereal World. The denser his ethereal body is the heavier it becomes according to the prevailing laws, and the darker it must appear. Such great resemblance and close relation to matter makes it very hard for the ethereal body to detach itself from the physical body, so that it happens in such cases that it must still undergo and feel the last physical pains as well as the whole process of decay. Neither does it remain insensible with cremation. After the final severance of this connecting cord, the ethereal body sinks to that level in the Ethereal World where its surroundings are of corresponding density and weight. There, in this environment of equal weight, it will find only those of similar tendencies. It is understandable that conditions there are worse than when on earth in the physical body, because in the Ethereal World all intuitive feelings express themselves in ''full'' force and without restraint. It is different with those people who during their life on earth have begun to strive for all that is noble. Because they bear within themselves a living conviction about the into the Ethereal World, the severance is much easier. The ethereal body of such a person and its connecting cord are not dense. Their texture is alien to that of the physical body, and this permits the severance to be very quickly effected. Thus during the so - called death struggle or the last muscular twitchings of the physical body, the ethereal body is already standing ''beside'' the latter, if indeed one can speak of a death struggle at the normal death of such a person. The loose and slender condition of the connecting cord prevents the ethereal being standing beside the body from feeling any pain because , being so frail and light in substance, this cord cannot transmit pain from physical body to the ethereal body. Owing to its finer nature such a strand severs the connection more quickly, setting the ethereal body completely free in a shorter space of time to soar to the region consisting of this finer and lighter substance. There it can only find kindred souls and gain peace and happiness through the increasingly high quality of the intuitive life. Such a light and less dense ethereal body naturally appears brighter and more luminous, until finally it becomes so transparent that the inner spiritual core begins to break through radiantly before it enters the spiritual sphere as a completely luminous radiant spirit. Those, however, who are present at a death bed should take warning not to break out into loud lamentations! When the grief at parting is too strongly expressed, the person in the process of detaching himself, or who is perhaps already standing beside his body in ethereal form, may hear or feel it and be emotionally disturbed by it. If then pity awakens in him, together with the wish to say a few words of consolation, this again binds him more strongly to his physical body through the desire to make himself ''understood'' by the grief - stricken mourners. He can only make himself understood on earth by the use of his brain. This effort, however, makes for a closer connection with the physical body, and indeed this is a necessary condition. The result is that not only does an ethereal body still in the process of detaching itself re - unite itself more closely to the physical body but, if it is already standing detached beside the physical body, it will be drawn back into it once more. The final result is that he will once again feel all the pains from which he had already been delivered. When the process of detachment is renewed it is much more difficult, and may even last for some days. This about the so - called prolonged death struggle, which becomes really painful and difficult for the soul wanting to depart. The blame lies with those who, through their selfish grief, have called it back from its natural course of development. Through this interruption of the normal course, be it only the weak attempt at concentrating on making itself understood, a new and forced connection has taken place. To dissolve this unnatural connection again is not so easy for one who is completely inexperienced in this matter. And, because it desired this reconnection itself, no help can be afforded. Such a connection can easily be affected as long as the physical body is not yet completely cold and the connecting strand, which often does not tear till after many weeks, is still in existence. It is unnecessary suffering for the dying man, a rudeness and want of consideration on the part of the bystanders. Therefore absolute quiet should reign in the chamber of death, a dignity and seriousness corresponding to the importance of the hour! People who cannot control themselves should be forcibly removed, even if they be the nearest relatives.

                                                                                                                                BAPTISM

If A CHILD is baptised by a clergyman who regards it as merely a duty of his office, it is absolutely meaningless, doing neither good nor harm. On the other hand, when an adult person is baptised, the strength and purity of his inner preparedness to receive will contribute to the possibility as to whether he really will receive something spiritual or not. In the case of a child, only the belief of the one who administers the baptism can serve as a means of achieving the purpose. According to the strength and purity of this belief, the child receives a certain spiritual strengthening through this act, as well as a protection against evil radiations. Baptism is an act which not every human being ordained by earthly church dignitaries can perform effectually. For this purpose a human being is needed who is connected with the Light. Only such a person is able to transmit Light! This ability, however, is not attainable through earthly studies, nor through church consecration or ordination. It has nothing whatever to do with mundane customs, but is purely a gift of the Almighty Himself. One so endowed thereby becomes a Called One! There are not many such, for this gift demands the condition that there be suitable soil within the person himself. If this condition does not exist the connection from the Light cannot be established. The Light cannot penetrate into soil which has not been loosened or into soil hostile to it, because like everything else this process is also strictly subject to the all - pervading Primordial Laws. Such a Called One, however, can really transmit spirit and power through the act of baptism, which thereby receives ''that'' value which it expresses symbolically! In spite of this it is always preferable only to baptise those persons who are fully conscious of the effect of this act and who have the ardent desire for it. Therefore, if it is to become of real value, baptism requires a certain age of maturity and the voluntary wish of the person to be baptised, as well as a Called One to do baptising. John the Baptist, who today is still regarded as a truly Called man by all the Christian churches, found his greatest adversaries just among the Scribes and Pharisees, who at that time imagined themselves to be the most highly called to judge over the matter. The people of Israel ''were'' themselves Called at that time. There is no doubt about that! In their midst the Son of God was to accomplish His Mission on earth. Accordingly the priests of that nation should also at that time have been the most highly Called Ones to baptise! But in spite of this John the Baptist had to come so that, as the only Called One, he could baptise the Son of God in His earthly vessel at the beginning of His actual Mission on earth. This happening also shows that earthly appointments to office have nothing to do with Divine Callings. And again only Called Ones can effectively fulfil commissions in the name of God, thus be commissioned by Him, as it should be in the case of baptism. The Called One, John the Baptist, who was not acknowledged by the existing high priest of the Called people, described his adversaries as a ''generation of vipers''! He denied them the right to come to him! Nor did these same high priests of the then Called people even recognise the Son of God Himself! They persecuted Him ceaselessly and worked for His earthly destruction, because He was superior to them and therefore a source of trouble. If Christ were again to come among men at the present time in a new form, He would undoubtedly meet with the same denial and animosity as He then experienced. A similar fate would befall one sent by Him. All the more so because mankind today imagine themselves to be more ''advanced''! Not only in this case of John the Baptist, but in many similar cases, it is clearly shown that consecrations by the earthly churches, and ordinations which as such are actually a part of ''church organisation'' only, can never bring a greater ability to carry out spiritual acts if the officiating person has not already been called for it. Considered in the correct way, therefore, baptism administered by church dignitaries is nothing more than a preliminary act of admission into the organisation of a religious union. It is not admission to God, but admission into the respective ''church community on earth''. The confirmation which follows later, including confirmation by a bishop, can only be regarded as a repeated acknowledgement and a further admission to the customs of these communities. The minister acts as the ''accredited servant of the church'', thus in a purely earthly sense, because the church and God are not one and the same thing!