Sunsets Into Sunrises
Bishop Martin - The Progress of a Soul in the Beyond
- Chapter 9 -
FURTHER PATIENCE TEST FOR BISHOP MARTIN AND HIS GRIM HUMOR.
He looks around expectantly, but still no trace of the sheep and lambs.
2
Now he starts calling, but also in vain. After having waited a bit longer and nothing happens, he rises impatiently, takes his book, and says:
3
"Now I have really had it! Another million years must have passed, at least it seems like it, and still no change. But now I will no longer be fooled by you, my fine guide. Being an honest chap, I shall put the silly book in your Lutheran house and start on my way, wherever it may lead me. I must assume that this particular world has some sort of boundary where one will be able to say, 'Hue usque et non plus ultraV [This far and no farther!]
4
And if at such a point 111 have to spend billions of years here, at least I'll know why! Rather than play the fool here for no apparent reason! It is always easier to bear the consequences of one's own mistakes than to be pushed around by a conceited dunce. I am so angry with this Lutheran scoundrel that I might lay hands on him if I should meet him now!
5
Could there be anything more boring and tormenting than to have to wait for something that has been promised and then does not come? What a terribly long time I have been waiting here, and apparently for no reason. This story about the sheep and lambs is obviously not true.
6
If I could only meet someone of my own kind, wouldn't that be wonderful! How we could, together, abuse this wretched spirit world. It would be sheer enjoyment! But now - on my way! I shouldn't waste any more time here.
7
Now where has that unfortunate book got to? Has it taken itself home to save me the trouble? But I do find this a bit awkward; all the time it has been lying here and now, when I want to pick it up, it has vanished.
8
How terribly stupid this spirit world is set up - quite incomprehensible for the human mind. A book vanishes because of some justified criticism!
9
I suppose I'll have to ask the forgiveness of this rock for having rested my unworthy person on it for such a lengthy period, otherwise it, too, might vanish. And since I intend to march through these beautiful fields of mist and moss, with their will-o'-the-wisp lighting, I might have to ask the moss permission to tread on it!
10
Oh, this d - - - - stop, I mustn't swear! Now look, even the Lutheran house with the church has taken its leave! Only the rock is still there . . . that is, I think it is. But I'd better make sure. There you are, Mr. Rock too has taken his leave!
11
It is high time I left too. But where will I go? There isn't much choice here, so I'll walk straight ahead - follow my nose, if I've still got one after having been led by it for the second time in a million years. However, thank God I still have my nose, and so I shall follow this only guide I have here in this fine spirit world."
12
Look, he now starts to walk with the angel Peter invisibly behind him. "To walk" in the spirit world, however, means "to change one's inclination," and to the extent that this changes, also the surroundings appear to change. We shall soon see where our man is now going.