The Life Beyond the Veil Book 5 - The Children of Heaven & The Outlands of Heaven
by Rev. George Vale Owen
1921

FROM THE PREFACE

'THE Children of Heaven' and 'The Outlands of Heaven' the two forming one narrative, are the continuation of the series of four volumes entitled 'The Life Beyond the Veil', and were received by Mr. Vale Owen from a band of spirit communicators, acting under the leadership of one who gives his name as 'Arnel'.

Arnel in a previous communication to Mr. Vale Owen stated that in earth life he was an Englishman who, in consequence of religious persecution, had to flee to Florence, and lived there in the English Colony during the early days of the Renaissance. He taught music and painting, and died in mid-life, escaping thereby the further enmity of the State of those days. In 'The Ministry of Heaven' and 'The Battalions of Heaven' (Books III. and IV.) he gave many interesting details of his experience in the course of his progress from one state, or sphere, to a higher. He described the work which he and others undertook to raise those of their fellows who had been unable to advance far above their old earthly condition and some others who had retrogressed.

Readers of his former messages will realise, as they follow the narrative of these two books, that his method of working is familiar to them, although the training of children and work in the 'Outlands' are widely different in setting the one from the other.

Book V. is concerned with the training of children for citizen-ship in the spiritual spheres. In the most intimate way, and with a wealth of detail, we are shewn how their characters and powers are developed by a course of mingled pastime and learning. As we watch this panorama of the Future State unfold, we notice how the tone of the composition becomes ever lighter and more beautiful. Through Arnel's graphic presentation of his theme we are brought directly into contact with the merriment of unspoilt childhood. Many instances are given of what one would call 'spiritual physics', and a great deal of light is thrown upon the operation of spiritual laws; for instance, laws governing Creation. This and other matters are given to us in light vein, and information of a very significant kind is presented in the simple guise of child-life.

But not all the picture is so care-free.

At the end of Book V. we find childhood and its joyous music fading into the distance, leaving Arnel and Wulfhere to brood alone on the beauty and joy they have just witnessed. Shonar is not with them; he is in the gloomy Outlands, preparing and organising the mission he has been given. There is an interval, as it were, during which creeps in a suggestion of sadness, a premonition of what is impending.

'The Outlands of Heaven ' (Book VI) contains Arnel's vivid description of how that work was carried out. It will be seen by the reader, as his account is followed, that the ministry established beyond the Veil to uplift 'adult children' of the Outlands is the same ministry, essentially, that trains and develops the innocent children of the Sphere Seven. Amongst both Arnel moves and labours, his quiet confidence and humour shedding light and happiness wherever he goes.

He gives us typical instances of the difficulties that present themselves to workers in the Outlands and must be surmounted.
For example, victims of a massacre arrive on the Other Side, dazed for the time being, and full of fear and revengeful desires. They must be awakened to their hapless condition, and yet an outbreak of panic is to be prevented; and these newcomers must also be restrained, if possible, from returning to the spiritual plane of the Earth (in the Sphere One), in order to wreak vengeance upon their enemies still in the flesh.

The band of spirit workers, led by Wulfhere and including Arnel, is strong enough to control these vindictive spirits by force of will, but the task they are set is made all the more formidable because the free-will of the newcomers is sacred and must not be overruled.

This is but one example of the kind of problem to be solved by ministering spirits in the dark Outlands. Arnel relates very minutely how this and other difficult undertakings are handled, and continues to explain how the newcomers begin their arduous climb up the hill of development and progress. We follow their slow ascent, and watch the gradual growth of their power and influence as they rise; and in the end we leave them--reluctantly, no doubt--as citizens of lighter spheres, who return constantly to the Outlands in quest of spirits held, as they were, in the trammels of material conditions.