FOREWORD JULIET S. GOODENOW
DURING the closing months of 1912 and during January, 1913, the writer, while in Boston, sent out the first note of inquiry to the Authorconcerning the human personality. Theimmediate response is given in thisforeword, together with the only other communication received while in Boston. The next correspondence came in California in 1915 when the Author urged the beginning of this notable work. During the year 1916 the work was necessarilydelayed, to be resumed in New York City in January, 1917. These letters are presented to the publishersverbatim, together with the original manuscript.
Some time prior to my winter in Boston, I had determined to give up inspirationalwriting as I had at times obtained that which proved to be error.
A dear one said: "Call some one of avisiting scientificmind. Do you think of one in the higher sphere?" I recalled a book I had readsome ten or fifteen yearsbefore by Mr. Myers, entitled: "The Survival of Bodily Death."
I remember that the work was analytical and that theauthor had been called from earth.
Suddenly his name came to my mind. This is all that Iknew concerning Mr. Myers. With pen in hand, my sister by my side, I called with myinner voice: "Mr. Myers!"The reply came instantly, as follows:
INTRODUCTION BY THE WRITER
FIRST LETTER RECEIVED IN BOSTON IN 1912
I am he. It does not take long for a spirit to travel. The first faint allusion to a spirit isheard. The time is advancing when the world shall know more about the world immortal. It is just that it should know.Why you have kept in the background,I cannot imagine, unless you are under Divine command. Undoubtedly youare. You seem to understand why, and surelyit is not for me to say you should give up your knowledge. But I am interested that the world should know that open communicationmay be had with this side at any time, andunder conditions strictly normal.
Can you not arrange to write a suitablemagazine article on the subject, allowing me to dictate? Your memory has beensomewhat injured by the many duties forcing the gray matter of the brain out ofthe channels of thought into those of action. But you have cells enough to enable you to assimilate a greatamount of knowledge. You ask if it will bepossible to fill these cells with knowledge after the survival of bodilydeath. Surely you do not expect to leave these cells of yours behind when youcome here! They will expand many times, andconcepts will envelope them and introduce a stimulus that will causeyour memory to become fixed and natural to your abilitya compensation
which is truly appreciated by myself. The main ambition of my heartis to enlighten the world on this one pointthat bona fide communicationwith the UnseenUniverse is absolute proof of immortality. I am sure of this; but to convince the worldrequires indubitable proof,which you are able to furnish.
Sincerelyyours in the interests of Science.
Frederic W. H. Myers
Boston, Mass., January, 1913.
I am most happy to supply any informationyou may desire and Isincerely wish you would avail yourself of anyknowledge I may have, and you know, from my standpoint, I may vouchsafeknowledge as substantially true andauthentic without the display of the least egotism. There are many reasons why one could be misunderstood fromthis source of knowledge. First, the mindis complexhow much so, very few people ordinarily comprehend. There are as many strata of mind as there are sands in the sea or stars in thesky; some of these strata areattuned to lower orders of being and vibrate to thoughts of those withinthe range of the subconscious mind attuned to receive such vibrations. Thatthis substrata could exist in the same personality seems improbable, but it is true. The higher order of being brings the substrata to higher levels andthe lower strata are finally brought beyond the reach of minds out ofharmony with the Higher Mind. When at last the personality becomes disenthralled from the lower creation of being, there is less aptitude ofdeception. True, the mind may wander,or thought may not maintain itsequilibrium. Mind is like a bird on the wing: it may soar into theheights and
partake of the glory of thegods, or it may descend into the verydepths and drink abysmal myrrh. So it is that a medium of expression cannotalways be maintained.
I recognize in you a power for good and for untold happiness. Let me come often for the sake of the humanitiesthat are submerged and for the sake of the extensionof God's Kingdom.
FREDERIC W. H. MYERS.
CONTENTS
Part I Written in California in 1915; First Two Letters,1912-13.
Part II Written in New York, 1917, January, February,March.
INTRODUCTION
Ocean park , California ,
January, 1915.
TO THE majority of readers, I am aware that an introduction of thisnature must be exceedingly difficult to read and somewhat dry. However, it seems quite necessary in a work of this kind where the writeror dictator is in the dark, or in away invisible to the inquirer;people will naturally inquire into the nature of this correspondence so readilygiven before the world is quite ready to accept it as genuine, or asauthentic.
It is the history of all progress. Growth must needs be silent until perfection is attained;before the perfect fruit or flower is ripe. Thus we have been advancing in science. The last few years have brought much tolight in science and invention; manysecrets of nature are rapidlyunfolding. The wireless telegraph is analogous to telepathyfor telepathy is the sole process used in the conveyance of these letters from the Here ofLife, from the Transcendent to the Vale of Tears. Very few people today repudiate the science of telepathy.The world is rapidly advancing. When this idea is