I AM HERE. Herod.

Let me write just a line before you close, as I am anxious to tell you of a matter that may be of importance to you in reference to the descriptions of the hells which you received last night from Swedenborg.

He says that the hells are places as well as conditions, and that they have certain appearances and surroundings as a part of them that make the sufferings of the evil spirits increase. Well, this is true. And, in addition, I wish to say that not only are these appearances and surroundings real and existing to the consciousness of the spirit, but they are also real as a fact, independent of the consciousness. If there were no spirits in these hells, these appearances and surroundings would exist just the same.

So, you see, a great many mortals whom I have heard express their opinions to the effect that hell is a mere condition of the recollections of the spirit, and nothing more, are altogether wrong in such opinions. They will find that the consolation from such opinions, if there be any, will not be found whenever they may become inhabitants of these hells.

I have passed through all of them and know whereof I write. For there is no teacher so efficient and convincing as the teacher called experience.

If I had only my recollections and remorse as the cause of my sufferings I know that they would have been much lighter and not so excruciating as they were. No, mortals will not find any consolation in such a hope, for there is no foundation for such hope. And the poor, deceived mortal who bases his ideas of hell on such a hope will be sadly disappointed. When you consider for a moment, you will see that there is nothing unreasonable in the facts that I have stated.

You and all others who believe in the happiness of the higher Spiritual Spheres, not to mention the Celestial Spheres, believe that the happiness of the spirits who inhabit these spheres is increased and made more real by the beautiful surroundings and the fruits and living water that so many spirits have described as being a part of that higher existence. Then, why is it not as reasonable to suppose that there are surroundings and appearances in the hells that will make the condition of the spirits, whose evil lives have caused them to become inhabitants of these hells, one of even more unhappiness, and create more suffering and misery? This supposition is one that no reasonable argument can prove to be incorrect.

I merely wanted to add what I have said to what Swedenborg wrote, for I know that conviction must come where statements are based upon actual experience, and where knowledge is derived from sufferings which come from the actual existence of things that are sometimes alleged not to exist.

I will not write more now, but, in closing, will say that I have long since left these hells, and am now an inhabitant of higher spheres and a follower of the blessed Master.

When on earth, I was known as Herod, the King of Judea, and the poor, miserable, mistaken man who thought that by slaying the babes of Bethlehem he would maintain his power as ruler.

So, good night, and God bless you.

HEROD.