The Portland daily press., 1883-10-27
New Publications.
BEYOND THE GATES.

These who have of late read Elizabeth Stuart
Phelps's Friends p IA Story of Avis. and .Doc
tor Fay must look for very different type of mar.
rative in her last book "Beyond The Gates as is.
indeed indicated by the title suggestive Of her earlier
work, '1he Gates Ajar" The volume is dedicated
to Miss Phelps's brother, Professor Moses Stuart
Phelps, whose recent SAD death is fresh in the
minds of this community. The opening chapter of
Beyond The Gates describes the illness of a
woman, not especially young, but of beautiful and
interesting character. and her vision of death and
entrance into heaven. Her spirit returns before
the funeral services have taken place, visits home
sees each member of the family, is present at the
burial service and then reenters heaven Here she
is at first surrounded with her favorite flowers All
nature, brooks, birds and trees, possess peculiar
attributes. There is celestial law of eravitation
which controls motion. Light or radiance is a kind
OF speech. There is a universal language though
special forms of speech are also preserved. The
body is retained though changed. There is music ;
and color. and family life Whatever is strengthen
ing and inspiring in this world below is represented
as existing in heaven only subject to the action of
spiritual laws. The senses play their parts still
and there are more of them. by which the inconcev-
able is realized.
To quote somewhat, here is a creed-"my
faith which think had grown dearer to me because
had not kept it without fight for it. 1t certainly
had become, for this reason, of greater practical
value. 1t certainly had beeaRe, for this ard cry
reason, the most valuable thing had or hoped to
have. believed in God and Immortality and in
the history of Jesus Christ respected and prac-
ticed prayer. but chiefly decided what ought to DO
next minute. loved life and lived it. neither
feared death nor thought much about it,, And of
immorta1ity-"Given: pure heart perfect health
unlimited opportunity for usefulness, infinite
chance of culture, home, friendship. love; the
elimination from practical life of anxiety and sep
aration; and the intense spiritual Stimulus of the
presence of our dear Master, through whom I've
approached the mystery of God how incredible to
anything short of experience the of happiness
The readers of IA Little Pilgrim nav be re
minded by Miss Phelpss speculation of that singular
book but the assurance is given that her work was
planned entirely and partly written before the pub
location of the other
Speculation upon future life has been carried on
from the beg inning of the world and will doubtless
continue to its end. There have always been
among religions persons, many who consider such
speculation vain and irreverent and decline to
listen to it in any form. They feel in all sincerity
that the subject is too inspiring to be preached
by men. To these Miss Phelps's present work will
be wholly distasteful. On the other hand there il
much in s'Beyond The Gates which will appeal
strongly to those who think of this life on earth as
preparation for another existence, with the con-
vcton also that nothing pure and good here can be
be out of place irreverent when pictured as ex
tended or developed in heaven Beyond The
Gates. closes with the awakening to consciousness
of the patient and her words 80, mother, have
heaven in my heart at last.''