From "More Spirit Teachings", Part 1:
"I have been wishing for some time to give you information concerning Angels' Ministry ; how it is controlled ; the way in which information is conveyed to you. Write! I find it very difficult to speak slowly. If you forget, I will impress the medium afterwards.
"I, myself, Imperator Servus Dei, am the chief of a band of forty-nine spirits, the presiding and controlling spirit, under whose guidance and direction the others work.
"I
am come from the seventh sphere to work out the will of the Almighty ; and,
when my work is complete, I shall return to those spheres of bliss from which
none return again to earth. But this will not be till the medium's work on
earth is finished, and his mission on earth exchanged for a wider one in the
spheres.
"Under me is my deputy and lieutenant, Rector, whose business it is to superintend in my absence, and especially to control the band of physical manifesting spirits.
"Associated with him is a third high spirit, who is the inspiring spirit, Doctor, the Teacher. He guides the medium's thoughts, influences his words, directs his pen. Under his general superintendence there are the spirits of wisdom and knowledge, to be hereafter described.
"Next come the guardians whose are it is to ward off and modify the baneful influences of earth, to drive away the hurtful, temper the painful, to shed around an influence. The inward yielding to evil can alone destroy their power. Yet again, there are two guardians whose care it is to ward off the evil influences of the spheres, the allurement of the lower spirits who would draw the medium from his allotted work and divert him from his sacred mission. These four guardians are my personal attendants, and these complete the first circle of seven, the whole band being divided into seven circles of seven spirits; each circle composed of one presiding spirit with six ministers.
"The first circle is composed entirely of guardians and inspiring spirits-spirits whose mission is general and concerned with the supervision of the whole band.
"The next circle of seven spirits is devoted to the care of love-spirits of love. Religion, love to God; charity, love to man; gentleness, tenderness, pity, mercy, friendship, affection; all these are in their charge.
"They minister to the affections, inspire feelings of gentleness and mercy; love to God, the Universal Father; love to man, the common brother; tenderness for all who grieve; pity for all who suffer; desire to benefit and help all.
"Next comes a circle-one presiding, with six spirit ministers-of wisdom. Under their care is intuition, perception, reflection, impression, reasoning and the like. They preside over the intuitive faculties and the deductions made from observable facts. They inspire the medium with the spirit of wisdom and drive away influences fallacious and misguiding. They plant intuitive wisdom.
"Next in order is a circle which presides over knowledge-of men, of things, of life, whose charge is caution and comparison, of causality and eventuality, and the like. They guide the medium's steps through the tortuous paths of earth-life, and lead him to practical knowledge, complement to the intuitive wisdom, of what is beneficial and profitable. To these kindred groups, wisdom and knowledge-which are under the general supervision of Doctor, the inspiring Teacher-succeed:
"A circle who preside over art, science, literature, culture, refinement, poetry, paintings, music, language. They inspire the thought with that which is noble and intellectual, and lead to words of refinement and sublimity. They incline to that which is beautiful, artistic, refined and cultured; which gives the poetic touches to the character and elevates and ennobles it.
"Next comes a circle of seven who have charge of mirth, wit, humour, geniality and joyous conversation. These give the lighter touches to the character, the sparkling, bright side, which is attractive in social intercourse, which enlivens the word spoken or written with flashes of wit, and relieves the somber dullness of daily toil. They are spirits attractive and genial, kindly and lovable.
"Last of all come the spirits who have charge of the physical manifestations, which it is thought right at present to associate with the higher message. This circle is composed principally of spirits on their probation under the guardianship of Rector, lieutenant of the band. It is his care to teach them and to allow them, by association with the medium and his circle, to advance from a lower to a higher sphere. These are spirits who from divers causes are earthbound, and who, by the manifestations which they are permitted to work out, are purifying and elevating themselves.
"So you see the band divides itself into seven groups, each with its peculiar charge. Spirits of love, of wisdom and knowledge; spirits refined and noble; spirits bright and genial, who shed a ray of that light which is not of your earth on the drudgery of existence in a lower sphere; spirits whose privilege it is to progress from an inferior grade to one higher and nobler through association with you, to whom such manifestations as they furnish are yet necessary.
"In all these various circles there are spirits who are progressing, who are giving experience and enlightenment, who are living the medium's life, and mounting upward as he mounts; learning as they teach, and soaring as they raise him to their sphere.
"It is a labour of love, this guardianship of ours, a labour which brings its own reward, and blesses us, even as we bestow blessings upon the medium and, through him, upon mankind.
"May the Almighty Father bless you."
"I have left this earth a very long time, and only returned to impress this medium. It is my mission. Very few spirits can return to earth from those distant spheres, but God has sent me for a special work."
"The ladder between Heaven and earth has always been, but man's unbelief cut him off from the ministry of angels."
"Are you the servant of God among servants?"
"Yes, and it is accounted no light matter among us to be His servant, and appointed to do His work. I am the servant of God sent to minister to this medium. After my ministry with him is over, I go whence I can never again personally return to earth. I shall only be able to influence through other spirits. You must each ask God to guide you. If you trust to yourselves you will fall, fall, fall." (This was said in a solemn, impressive voice.) "God never yet left a man who cried to Him for light and guidance-never, never, never."
A new revelation.
From "Spirit Teachings", Section 1:
"Special
efforts are being made now to spread a knowledge of progressive truth: efforts
by the messengers of God, which are resisted, now as ever, by the hosts of
the adversaries. The history of the world has been the story of the struggle
between the evil and the good; between God and goodness on the one side, and
ignorance, vice, and evil--spiritual, mental, and corporeal--on the other
side. At certain times, of which this is one, extraordinary efforts are made.
The army of the messengers of God is massed in greater force: men are influenced:
knowledge is spread: and the end draws nigh. Fear for the deserters, the half-hearted,
the temporisers, the merely curious. Fear for them: but fear not for the cause
of God's truth.
".... In all parts are springing up centres from which truth of God is being poured into longing hearts, and permeating thinking minds. There must be many to whom the gospel given of old is satisfying yet, and who are not receptive of further truth. With these we meddle not. But many there are who have learned what the past can teach, and who are thirsting for further knowledge. To these it is given in such measure as the Most High sees fit. And from them it flows to others, and the glorious tidings spread until the day comes when we shall be called on to proclaim them from the mountain top! and lo! God's hidden ones shall start up from the lowly places of the earth to bear witness to that which they have seen and known: and the little rills that man has heeded not shall coalesce, and the river of God's truth, omnipotent in its energy, shall flood the earth, and sweep away in its resistless course the ignorance and unbelief and folly and sin which now dismay and perplex you."
This New Revelation of which you speak: is it contrary to the Old? Many are exercised on that point.
"Revelation is from God: and that which He has revealed at one time cannot contradict that which He has revealed at another, seeing that each is, in its kind, a revealing of truth, but of truth revealed in proportion to man's necessities, and in accordance with his capacities. That which seems contradictory is not in the Word of God, but in the mind of man. Man was not content with the simple message. He has adulterated it with his glosses, overlaid it with his deductions and speculations. And so, as years go by, it comes to pass that what came from God is in no sense what it was. It has become contradictory, impure, and earthy. When a further revelation comes, instead of fitting it reasonably, it becomes necessary to clear away much of the superstition that has been built on the old foundations; and the work of destruction must precede the work of addition. The revelations are not contradictory; but it is necessary to destroy man's rubbish before God's truth can be revealed. Man must judge according to the light of reason that is in him. That is the ultimate standard, and the progressive soul will receive what the ignorant or prejudiced will reject. God's truth is forced on none. So for a time, during the previous processes, this must be a special revelation to a special people. It has ever been so. Did Moses obtain universal acceptance even amongst his own people? Did any of the seers? Did Jesus even? Did Paul? Did any reformer in any age, amongst any people? He offers, and they who are prepared receive the message. The ignorant and unfit reject it. It must be so; and the dissensions and differences which you deplore are but for the sifting of the false from the true. They spring from unworthy causes, and are impelled by malignant spirits. You must expect annoyance, too, from the banded powers of evil. But cast your eyes beyond the present. Look to the far future, and be of good courage."
From "Spirit Teachings", Section 2:
"Friend, when others seek from you as to the usefulness of our message, and the benefit which it can confer on those to whom the Father sends it, tell them that it is a Gospel which will reveal a God of tenderness and pity and love, instead of a fabled creation of harshness, cruelty, and passion. Tell them that it will lead them to know of Intelligences whose whole life is one of love and mercy and pity and helpful aid to man, combined with adoration of the Supreme. Tell them that it will lead man to see his own folly, to unlearn his fancied theories, to learn how to cultivate his intelligence that it may progress, to use his opportunities that they may profit him, to serve his fellow-men, so that when they and he meet in the hereafter, they may not be able to reproach him that he has been, so far as he could, a clog and an injury to them. Tell them that such is our glorious mission; and if they sneer, as the ignorant will, and boast of their fancied knowledge, turn to the progressive souls who will receive the teaching of wisdom: speak to them the message of Divine truth that shall regenerate and elevate the world: and for the blind ones, pray that when their eyes are opened, they may not despair at the sight which they shall see."
Summary.
From "Spirit Teachings", Section 8:
(This is the entire chapter, omitting the medium's notes.)
"Religion, the spirit's healthful life, has two aspects--the one pointing to God, the other to man. What says the spirit-creed of God?
"In place of an angry, jealous tyrant it reveals a loving Father who is not loving in name alone, but in very deed and truth; into whose dealings naught but love can enter; who is just and good and full of affection to the lowest of His creatures.
"It does not recognise any need of propitiation towards this God. It rejects as false any notion of this Divine Being vindictively punishing a transgressor, or requiring a vicarious sacrifice for sin. Still less does it teach that this omnipotent Being is enthroned in a heaven where His pleasure consists in the homage of the elect, and in the view of the tortures of the lost, who are for ever excluded in quenchless misery from light and hope.
"No such anthropomorphism finds any place in our creed. God, as we know Him in the operation of His laws, is perfect, pure, loving, and holy, incapable of cruelty, tyranny, and other such human vices: viewing error with sorrow as knowing that sin contains its own sting, but eager to alleviate the smart by any means consistent with the immutable moral laws to which all alike are subject. God, the centre of light and love! God, operating in strict accordance with those laws which are a necessity of orderly existence! God, the grand object of our adoration, never of our dread!
"We know of Him as you cannot know, as you cannot even picture in imagination: yet none has seen Him: nor are we content with the metaphysical sophistries with which prying curiosity and over-subtle speculation have obscured the primary conception of God amongst men. We pry not. The first conception with you even is grander, nobler, more sublime. We wait for higher knowledge. You must wait too.
"On relations between God and His creatures we speak at large. Yet here, too, we clear off many of the minute points of human invention which have been from age to age accumulated round and over the central truths. We know nothing of election of a favoured few. The elect are they who work out for themselves a salvation according to the laws which regulate their being.
"We know nothing of the potency of blind faith or credulity. We know, indeed, the value of a trustful, receptive spirit, free from the littleness of perpetual suspicion. Such is God-like, and draws down angel guidance. But we abjure and denounce that most destructive doctrine that faith, belief, assent to dogmatic statements, have power to erase the traces of transgression; that an earth lifetime of vice and sloth and sin can we wiped away, and the spirit stand purified by a blind acceptance of a belief, of an idea, of a fancy, of a creed. Such teaching has debased more souls than anything else to which we can point.
"Nor do we teach that there is a special and potent efficacy in any one belief to the exclusion of others. We do not believe that truth is the perquisite of any creed. In all there is a germ of truth; in all an accretion of error. We know, as you know not, the circumstances which decide to what special form of faith a mortal shall give his adherence, and we value it accordingly. We know exalted intelligences who stand high in spirit life, who were enabled to progress in spite of the creed which they professed on earth. We value only the earnest seeking after truth which may distinguish the professors of creeds the most widely dissimilar. We care not for the minute discussions which men delight in. We shrink from those curious pryings into mysteries transcending knowledge which characterise your theologies. The theology of the spirit is simple and confined to knowledge. We value at nothing mere speculation. We care not for sectarianism, save that we know it to be a mischievous provoker of rancour, and spite, and malice, and ill-will.
"We deal with religion as it affects us and you in simpler sort. Man--an immortal spirit, so we believe,--placed in earth-life as a school of training, has simple duties to perform, and in performing them is prepared for more advanced and progressive work. He is governed by immutable laws, which, if he transgresses them, work for him misery and loss; which, also, if respected, secure for him advancement and satisfaction.
"He is the recipient of guidance from spirits who have trod the path before him, and who are commissioned to guide him if he will avail himself of their guidance. He has within him a standard of right which will direct him to the truth, if he will allow himself to be guided to keep it and protect it from injury. If he refuse these helps, he falls into transgression and deterioration. He is thrown back and finds misery in place of joy. His sins punish themselves. Of his duties he knows by the instinct of his spirit as well as by the teaching of his guardians. The performance of those duties brings progress and happiness. The spirit grows and gains newer and fuller views of that which makes for perfect, satisfying joy and peace.
"This mortal existence is but a fragment of life. Its deeds and their results remain when the body is dead. The ramifications of willful sin have to be followed out, and its results remedied in sorrow and shame.
The consequences of deeds of good are similarly permanent, and precede the pure soul and draw around it influences which welcome and aid it in the spheres.
"Life, we teach you, is one and indivisible. One in its progressive development; and one in the effect on all alike of the eternal and immutable laws by which it is regulated. None are excused as favourites; none are punished mercilessly for error which they were unable to avoid. Eternal justice is the correlative of eternal love. Mercy is no divine attribute. It is needless; for mercy involves remission of a penalty inflicted, and no such remission can be made save where the results have been purged away. Pity is Godlike. Mercy is human.
"We know naught of that sensational piety which is wholly wrapped up in contemplation, to neglect duty. We know that God is not so glorified. We preach the religion of work, of prayer, of adoration. We tell you of your duty to God, to your brother, and to yourself--soul and body alike. We leave to foolish men, groping blindly in the dark, their curious quibbles about theological figments. We deal with the practical life; and our creed may be briefly written:--
"On
the one hand, we have to avoid the fatal error that seeks to reduce God
to a Force; and, on the other, to guard against the anthropomorphic delusion
which pictures a humanity with man's failings and necessitates and insatiable
craving for power. In early days man framed a god for himself, a human tyrant,
yea, worse than man can be. God is really an informing, energising Spirit.
He supplies the light and love that give beauty to all around you. The Divine
Life is brought home to you in the life of Christ. God is not a force, nor
the impersonal entity you call Nature.
Or,
is it the God who commanded His faithful friend to sacrifice to Him the
only child of his love as an acceptable offering? Or is it the God who reigned
over Israel as an earthly monarch, and whose care was feigned to be devoted
to the enunciation of sanitary laws, or to the construction of a tabernacle,
who went forth with the armies of Israel to battle, and issued bloodthirsty
laws and regulations for the extirpation of innocent and unoffending peoples?
Or is it, perchance, the God who enabled His servant Joshua to arrest the
course of the universe and to paralyse the solar system, in order that the
Israelites might revel a few hours more in gore and carnage? Or is it rather
with the God who feigned to be so angry with His chosen people because they
wished for a visible monarch, that He visited upon them an elaborate revenge
extending over many hundred of years? Or with which of the Gods of the prophets
are we at variance? with Isaiah's God, or with Ezekiel's? or with the lugubrious
Deity that Jeremiah's morbid mind imagined? or with David's Divinity--half
father, half tyrant, cruel and yielding by turns, always inconsistent and
irrational? or with Joel's? or with John's? or with Paul's Calvinistic conception,
imagined and painted with horrid phantasies of predestination, and hell,
and election, and a dreamy, listless heaven? Are we at variance with Paul,
or John, or Jesus? 
idleness,
cheaply gained by cries for pity, or by fancied faith; none of these, but
the consciousness of duty done, of progress made, and of capacity for progress
increased; of love to God and man fostered, and the jewel of truth and honesty
preserved. This is the spirit's reward, and it must be gained before it
can be enjoyed. It comes as the rest after toil, as the food to the hungry,
as the draught to the parched, as the pulsation of delight when the wanderer
sights his home. But it is only the toil-worn, the travel-stained, the hungry,
the parched traveller who can enter into the full zest. And it is not with
us the reward of indolent, sensuous content. It is the gratification which
has been earned, and which is but an additional spur to future progress.
"The
religion which we teach is one of acts and habits, not of words and fitful
faith. We teach religion of body and religion of soul; a religion pure,
progressive, and true; one that aims at no finality, but leads its votary
higher and higher through the ages, until the dross of earth is purged away,
the spiritual nature is refined and sublimated, and the perfected spirit--perfected
through suffering and toil and experience--is presented in glorified purity
before the very footstool of its God. 
