"RESCUE THE PERISHING!"

By

John Roberts(2014)

This is the title of an old-familiar Calvinist Hymn, popular with the members of the Salvation Army. William Booth, founder of this active Movement, which has grown to be an influential member of the Christian Family, was keenly interested in the “Cure of Souls.” His life-work was devoted to the raising of the awareness of ordinary folk, to the danger of falling into “wicked ways” and, thus, exposing oneself to the risk of missing-out on “Salvation”. This might be loosely interpreted as the opportunity of joining the ranks of the “Elect” and, thus, ultimately gaining admission to Paradise, on the conclusion of the Earthly life.

Of course, there were other factors involved in the Calvinist view of the Cosmos, with the idea that, on the death of the body, one sleeps in the grave until the indeterminate “Day of Judgement”, when The Saviour, (Jesus Christ) will, it is predicted, return to the physical world, in order to judge the souls of all men, in order to determine which will be considered to be members of the group of the “Elect” and, therefore, eligible for admission to Heaven. With this end in view, Booth and his followers would visit the “lower orders” of Society, preaching of the dangers of Hell-fire, with a view to persuading “Sinners” to repent and reform their conduct. This course was successful in re-moulding the lives of thousands of individuals during his life and subsequently throughout the 20th Century. Whatever may be the merits of this work of “Rescue of Souls”, one has to applaud the devotion of Booth and his “Soldiers” in catering to the needs of the poor and under-privileged in the Protestant European Society of the 19th Century. So far as they understood the Spiritual basis of the Universe, they were, no doubt, instrumental in influencing the lives of thousands of men and women, who might, otherwise, have degenerated into a very sad condition, indeed. The importance of Booth's work lay in his recognition of the fact that men will degenerate, if they are not influenced for good, rather than for bad. Emmanuel Swedenborg stated that, “There are two doors to every man; one is the door that leads to Heaven, the other is the door that leads to Hell.”

Paul, the Apostle, says, “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good!” (Romans Ch12, v21).

There is a great deal of wisdom contained in the letters of Paul the Apostle: particularly when he is talking about the “Spirit”. In fact, his writings repeat, over and over again, the fact of the essential spirituality of mankind. The body is the “Temple of God’s Spirit and that Temple you are!” (1Corinth. Ch 3, v 16). Now if this is so, then Man is a spiritual animal and imbued with a “spark” of the Divine. This is a testimony to the fact that all men and women are immortal and cannot die. We also know that we are endowed with the gift of free-will, whereby we, ourselves, choose the manner of our lives. Our habits over a lifetime, mould the form of a person’s character, for good or evil, according to the choices we make, relative to our conduct towards our fellow men and women.

Spiritualists also engage in "Rescue work", but in respect of Spirit-people, who are in confused or darkened conditions on entering the life of the Spirit. This is not so widely practised in these days but there are, evidently a number of websites dealing with this subject. The Spiritualist Movement, during the 40’s and 50’s, when I was a youth, saw much active work of “Rescue”, if not precisely as envisaged by William Booth. “Rescue Circles” are held for the express purpose of assisting “Earth-Bound Spirits” to understand their new situation and to seek ways of bringing them out of their confusion and darkness, into a comprehension of the fact of their transition from the Physical world, into the underlying “World of Spirit. The Spiritualist Movement, generally, needs to reconsider its position. There are many thousands,( probably Millions ) of Spirit-People who are in distressed and darkened conditions; who are unaware of the fact that they have passed through the “Veil of Death” and who still endeavour to continue the life of the “Flesh”, which they may have left many years ( of our time), previously. These Spirit-people are in need of urgent assistance.

After having been the recipient of morning visits from my own Guides and helpers for two years from late 2009, I became increasingly aware that my visitors were almost exclusively people who needed help.

Each morning, after breakfast, I sit for an hour or so, during which I, usually, feel the presence of Spirit visitors. This is often, but not always the case. Some of my visiting friends are, probably, of Asian origin and this is not surprising, when one considers the number of Asians who have “died” during the 2nd World War and also in other natural and man-made disasters. I experience the distress which they feel, when in confused or darkened conditions and this is very evident to me. I have felt the joy and exhilaration, which they demonstrate, on coming into a more enlightened awareness of their true condition. I might add here, that if I am distracted by material factors, I cannot link-up with my Spirit friends in this manner, as I need to have a tranquil mind. This aspect of the work of the Spiritualist Movement is of such importance as to not only represent a work of service to distressed Spirits but, if valid in any respect, has a great bearing on the whole question of survival after Death and upon the very nature of Mankind, as possessing the gift of the continuance of life in the Spirit, following the discarding of the flesh. “Eternal Life” is the promise of the Divine Intelligence to all men and women, regardless of Race or Religious Belief. No distinction is to be drawn between any of “God's” children, in this respect. Indeed, Nature itself demonstrates the fact of the power of the Creator, in all the infinite variety of life-forms visible to us and so ably demonstrated in our modern visual media. I am increasingly aware of the irrelevance of “Religious belief”, as I sense that many of my visitors are of varied confessional faiths. This is not to suggest that a sincere religious belief might not be a help, rather than, a hindrance in the development of character.

I wish to point-out that when my “visitations” commenced, about September 2009, I had done nothing to promote this type of “Communion” with my Spirit-friends. This was quite spontaneous. However, I have been a Spiritualist for over 60 years and have some insight into the “nature” of the Spirit-world. Increasing internal harmony also prepared me for my ensuing experiences.

The foregoing remarks may strike many people as “crazy” but, nevertheless, I am convinced of the validity of my own experiences. If there is the remotest possibility that such “rescue” activity is taking place in our world and the Spirit world at the same instant, then this is evidence of the fact that Matter and Spirit are, indeed, one and the same. The age-old beliefs of the Churches as to the separation of Heaven, Hell and Earth are seen to be fallacious. The very idea of the nature of the “Creator”, as some sort of superman, sitting on a Heavenly Throne, is seen to be childish. All the tales of judgement and condemnation are seen to be purely speculative. In fact, we cannot begin to comprehend the Divine Mind, which is so distant from us, as to be far too remote for us to get our minds around. It is possible for us to comprehend “God” as “Divine Love and Compassion” and this idea has been conveyed to me on several occasions during my life, in the “Dream State.” More than this I cannot say. I do not believe in any form of Divine Judgment, as the gift of “free will” to mankind, demands that we must be free to create the manner of our lives and morals, in accordance with our individual ideas. There are a few pointers: “Be not overcome of Evil but overcome Evil with Good”. (Romans Ch 12, v 21). In fact, in making the effort to lead a life of service to others: in the fulfilment of our social and family obligations, we are making progress in regard to our own personal evolution. This is what the Nazarene meant, when he gave us the “Call to Perfection” in the “Sermon on the Mount”: “Be ye, therefore, perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect!”(Matthew Chs 5 to 7). On the other hand, we are free to turn ourselves into “devils”, should we choose to do so.

What saddens me greatly, when I look at the confusion existing in our world, in spite of the rapid progress made in the Scientific and Mathematical fields, in recent years, is the failure of our “clever” people to deduce the obvious “existence” of a Supreme Intelligence, as the basis for our Universe. It seems that we need to be too clever: to be determined to resolve the problems of the origin of the Universe, in a purely logical way. Naturally, the laws of Mathematics and Physics demand the attention of our brilliant Scientists, as to the resolution of questions dealing-with the origin of things. It seems to me, as a layman in these matters, that in spite of the progress made in understanding the way in which the Universe has expanded from the original event that projected the physical environment into its slow, progressive, development; there must always be an unanswered factor. In the present instance: what was the source of the laws which prompted the original “big-bang”. Granted that there was some such development, “X” Billions of years ago, at what point are Physicists going to be able to explain the question of the source of the relevant laws? Is it not a valid proposition to suggest that there is, evidently, a Supreme Intelligence underlying the physical environment. Nothing is self-creating and, the fact is, that the self-evident abundance of “life” in all its mysterious forms, culminating, it would appear, in Man, himself, is an indication of a superior intelligence at work in our world and the universe surrounding it.

Scientists also die and, perhaps, as reluctantly as most of us. We are afraid of “Death”, believing as we do, that it represents the termination of all life and existence for the individual personality. I have spoken to people who were shortly to pass from this Earth and they had no idea, whatsoever, as to the continuance of life after the death of the body. These are folk, who have had the advantage of a normal “religious” upbringing. They adopt a “wait and see” attitude. “What will be, will be!” This is a consequence of the utter failure of the churches, of whatever denomination, to comprehend the truths of the “resurrection”, as being an immediate event, following the discarding of the dead body.

We are witnessing, at the present time, a wholesale abandonment of the Churches by the young people of the present generation, who, by and large, have no concept whatever of the nature of Spirit. If you speak to the average teenager, about religion, he or she will reveal little or no knowledge of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth or of Paul the Apostle. This is because their own parents, themselves, have no interest in Religion, as such. They are too busily preoccupied with the daily business of earning a living and struggling to make a way for themselves in a secular world. This demonstrates the abject failure of religious organizations to comprehend the truths enunciated by Jesus of Nazareth and the Apostle, Paul. If the Christian Community had adhered strictly to the simple principles expounded by them, relating to the Spiritual laws, and not diverted into irrelevant and fantastic doctrines; then our world would have been a much less disturbed place in the Twenty-first Century. In adopting such doctrines, the modern man is "throwing out the baby with the bath-water!" Our modern Political leaders are incapable of comprehending the simple requirement of the Nazarene to: "Love one-another!" Otherwise, they would not have been preoccupied in engaging in unnecessary and bloody warfare, as witnessed during the past one hundred years and more. The sanctity of life is observed only when it suits us to be sanctimoniously pious. Then, do we not observe our leaders, with bowed heads, welcoming back the corpses of our deceased soldiers, who have been sent out to kill total strangers, by these same politicians, on the grounds of National Expediency. It is many of these very soldiers who need the services of folk who are engaged in “Rescue Work”. Given the abject abandonment of morality in our world, it becomes increasingly important for people who have some comprehension of the Divine Truths of Spirit, to speak out. It is right that evidence of survival be given where there is a need and an opportunity of doing so. It is necessary for Spiritualists and others engaging in "New Age" Practices, to re-affirm their adherence to strictly spiritual principles. "God is Spirit and they that worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth!" (John Ch4, v 24).

We are all, indeed, free to mould our lives as it suits us to do so. A little insight into these Divine Truths will inform us that if we indulge our personal appetites fully, to the exclusion of the rights and needs, primarily, of those who are “near and dear” to us and, secondarily, of those who have some claim on us, of a valid nature, then we will reap a harvest of sorrow for ourselves, at some future time. It is all a question of “Cause and Effect”. I reject the idea of Divine Judgement: this has been around since the days of Ancient Egypt, when evil Spirits, having been judged by the God, Toth (?) were promptly consumed by a Crocodile, conveniently located for that purpose. We will all concede that this was, undoubtedly, a very nasty ending for the Wicked. However, it is vital that we should understand that failing to fulfil our responsibilities in this life will result in a regressive condition on entering the world of the Spirit. The awareness of past crimes, committed, is a terrible mill-stone around a person’s neck and is not easily removed. We are all, of course, “Human” and liable to err. We should all pray for guidance and help to avoid the major pitfalls of life, in which case, I am sure, we are assisted by Spirit guidance to maintain a straight course in life, which will result in less stress when we do, eventually, leave this sphere.

The need for people to work in the field of “Rescue” of Earth-bound Spirits is urgent. Jesus said, “The Harvest truly is great but the labourers are few!” (Luke Ch 10,v 2) It seems that there is an abundance of labourers at the present time but their motivation and direction is, so often, confused and “off the rails”. There is no money to be made in assisting “lost souls” who have passed over into Spirit but a great deal of personal satisfaction and happiness can be gleaned from the thought that one is literally bringing unhappy Spirit-People out of darkness and distress, into the light of a new life in the World of Spirit, in the companionship of their loved-ones and friends, who have gone before but have been unable, themselves, to assist in the rehabilitation of their family member or friend. Of course, William Booth was only concerned with assisting "lost souls" who were still in the body and, probably had little awareness of the existence of Spirit people who were in need of help. Heaven and Hell were understood to be separate and apart, not, essentially, differing aspects of the same place. An awareness of the fact that there are so many confused people in the Spirit side of life who desperately need enlightenment, gives us a clearer insight into the nature of Spirit. We, usually, only deal with friends and relations who have passed over and\or our guides and helpers, with whom we develop some degree of familiarity. Workers in the Spiritualist and related Movements, must understand the real need, both to maintain satisfactory spiritual standards within our own lives and also to extend ourselves in service to discarnate people, in dire need of support. I have no doubt that there are many former Salvationists, when in this life, who are kept busy in Spirit, in doing just that. My 70 years, as a Spiritualist, has fully confirmed my ideas pertaining to the nature of the Spirit-world and its proximity to this sphere. I have witnessed thousands of spirit-people who are waiting for some event to introduce them into a brighter life than that in which they seem to be locked. There is, indeed, a "Great Multitude" of souls to be assisted and brought out of darkness into light

"How hardly shall a rich-man enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" This is a simplistic way from expressing it yet, it holds good to the statement: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be, also!" (Matthew Ch 6, v21).

There is a great need for Spiritualists, who understand the principles involved, to pay more attention to the vital needs of our friends who go over, in absolute ignorance of the fact of survival. Every Spiritualist Meeting should, as matter of course, participate in this work of mercy. Those friends, who are already involved in Rescue of confused Spirits, know how rewarding this can be, although not in the way many people prefer.

Our wise man, again, may be quoted : "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you!" (Matthew Ch 6, v 33).

FINIS

25th March 2014.

Austinmer. NSW.

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