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the same way； as I can explain。
〃In incalculable ages； the forward motion of the planets and
their satellites will be checked by the resistance of the ether
of space and the meteorites and solid matter they encounter。
Meteorites also overtake them； and； by striking them as it were
in the rear； propel them； but more are encountered in frontan
illustration of which you can have by walking rapidly or riding
on horseback on a rainy day； in which case more drops will strike
your chest than your back。 The same rule applies to bodies in
space； while the meteorites encountered have more effect than
those following； since in one case it is the speed of the meteor
minus that of the planet； and in the other the sum of the two
velocities。 With this checking of the forward motion； the
centrifugal force decreases； and the attraction of the central
body has more effect。 When this takes place the planet or
satellite falls slightly towards the body around which it
revolves； thereby increasing its speed till the centrifugal force
again balances the centripetal。 This would seem to make it
descend by fits and starts； but in reality the approach is nearly
constant； so that the orbits are in fact slightly spiral。 What
is true of the planets and satellites is also true of the stars
with reference to Cosmos； though many even of these have
subordinate motions in their great journey。 Though the
satellites of the moons revolve about the primaries in orbits
inclined at all kinds of angles to the planes of the ecliptics；
and even the moons vary in their paths about the planets； the
planets themselves revolve about the stars； like those of this
system about the sun； in substantially the same plane； and what
is true of the planets is even more true of the stars in their
orbits about Cosmos； so that when； after incalculable ages； they
do fall； they strike this monster sun at or near its equator； and
not falling perpendicularly； but in a line varying but slightly
from a tangent； and at terrific speed； they cause the colossus to
rotate more and more rapidly on its own axis； till it must become
greatly flattened at the poles； as the earth is slightly； and as
Jupiter and Saturn are a good deal。 Even though not all the
stars are exactly in the plane of Cosmos's equator； as you can
see they are not there are as many above as below it； so that the
general average will be there； and as all are moving in the same
direction； it is not necessary for all to strike the same line；
those striking nearer the poles； where the circles are smaller；
and where the surface is not being carried forward so fast by the
giant's rotation； will have even more effect in increasing its
speed； since it will be like attaching the driving…rods of a
locomotive near the axle instead of near the circumference； and
with enough power will produce even greater results。 As Cosmos
waxes greater from the result of these continual accretions； its
attraction for the stars will increase； until those coming from
the outer regions of its universe will move at such terrific
speed in their spiral orbits that before coming in contact they
will be almost invisible； having already absorbed all solid
matter revolving about themselves。 These accessions of moving
matter； continually received at and near its equator； will cause
Cosmos to spread out like Saturn's rings till it becomes flat；
though the balance of forces will be so perfect that it is
doubtful whether an animal or a man placed there would feel much
change。
〃But these universesor； more accurately； divisions of the
universealready planes； though the vast surfaces are not so
flat as to preclude beautiful and gently rolling slopes； are
spirit…lands； and will be inhabited only by spirits。 Then there
are great phosphorescent areas； and the colour of the surface
changes with every hour of the day； from the most brilliant
crimson to the softest shade of blue； radiant with many colours
that your eyes cannot now see。 There are also myriads of scented
streams； consisting of hundreds of different and multi…coloured
liquids； each with a perfume sweeter than the most delicate
flower； and pouring forth the most heavenly music as they go on
their way。 But be not surprised at the magnitude of the change；
for is it not written in Revelation； 'I saw a new heaven and a
new earth； for the first heaven and the first earth were passed
away'？ Nor can we be surprised at vastness； sublimity； and
beauty such as never was conceived of； for do we not find this in
His word； 'Eye hath not seen； nor ear heard； neither have entered
into the heart of man； the things which God hath prepared for
them that love Him'？ In this blissful state； those that feared
God and obeyed their consciences will live on forever； but their
rest can never become stagnation； for evolution is one of the
most constant laws； and never ceases； and they must always go
onward and upward； unspeakably blessed by the consciences they
made their rule in life； till in purity and power they shall
equal or exceed the angels of their Lord in heaven。
〃But you men of finite understanding will ask； as I myself should
have asked； How； by the law of hydrostatics； can liquids flow on
a plane？ Remember that； though these divisions are astronomical
or geometrical planes； their surfaces undulate； but the moving
cause is this： At the centre of these planes is a pole； the
analogue； we will say； of the magnetic pole on earth； that has a
more effective attraction for a gas than for a liquid。 When
liquids approach the periphery of the circle； the rapid rotation
and decreased pressure cause them to break up； whereupon the
elementary gases return to the centre in the atmosphere； if near
the surface； forming a gentle breeze。 On nearing the centre； the
cause of the separation being removed； the gases reunite to form
a liquid； and the centrifugal force again sends this on its
journey。〃
〃Is there no way；〃 asked Bearwarden； 〃by which a man may retrieve
himself； if he has lost or misused his opportunities on earth？〃
〃The way a man lays up treasures in heaven； when on earth；〃
replied the spirit； 〃is by gladly doing something for some one
else； usually in some form sacrificing self。 In hell no one can
do anything for any one else； because every one can have the
semblance of anything he wishes by merely concentrating his mind
upon it； though； when he has it； it is but a shadow and gives him
no pleasure。 Thus no one can give any one else anything he
cannot obtain himself； and if he could； since it would be no
sacrifice on his part； he would derive no great moral comfort
from it。 Neither can any one comfort any one else by putting his
acts or offences in a new light； for every one knows the whole
truth about himself and everybody else； so that nothing can be
made to appear favourably or unfavourably。 All this； however； is
supposing there is the desire to be kind； but how can spirits
that were selfish and ill…disposed on earth； where there are so
many softening influences； have good inclinations in hell； where
they loathe one another with constantly increasing strength？
〃Inasmuch as both the good and the bad continue on the lines on
which they started when on earth； we are continually drawing
nearer to God； while they are departing。 The gulf may be only
one of feeling； but that is enough。 It follows； then； that with
God as our limit； which we of course can never reach； their
limit； in the geometrical sense； must be total separation from
Him。 Though all spirits； we are told； live forever； it occurs to
me that in God's mercy there may be a gradual end； for though to
the happy souls in heaven a thousand years may seem as nothing；
existence in hell must drag along with leaden limbs； and a single
hour seem like a lifetime of regret。 Since it is dreadful to
think that such unsoothed anguish should continue forever； I have
often pondered whether it might not be that； by a form of
involution and reversal of the past law； the spirit that came to
life evolved from the； mineral； plant； and animal worlds； may
mercifully retrace its steps one by one； till finally the soul
shall penetrate the solid rock and hide itself by becoming part
of the planet。 Many people in my day believed that after death
their souls would enter stately trees； and spread abroad great
branches； dropping dead leaves over the places on which they had
stood while on earth。 This might be the last step in the awful
tragedy of the fall and involution of a human soul。 In this way；
those who had wasted the priceless opportunities given them by
God might be mercifully obliterated； for it seems as if they
would not be needed in the economy of the universe。 The Bible；
however； mentions no such end； and says unmistakably that hell
will last forever； so that in this supposition； as in many
others； the wish is probably father of the thought。〃
〃But；〃 persisted Bearwarden； 〃how about death…bed repentances？〃
〃Those；〃 replied the spirit； 〃are few and far between。 The pains
of death at the last hour leave but little room for aught but
vain regret。 A man dies suddenly； or may be unconscious some
time b