by Stan Mason
Fortunately for Charles, the vicar lived in a small cottage fairly close to the church so he was able to call on the man the following morning. The clergyman, a person of slight physique with a shiny bald pate, wore light-framed spectacles perched delicately on his nose and dressed in a long black cassock. The two men had never met before and the minister, after answering the door, humbly bade him to enter. He took him to a small room where the walls were roughly covered with stucco and an oak-beamed ceiling which was featured at a very low height.
‘This cottage was built in the seventeenth century,’ he informed the visitor. ‘It’s very quaint and I enjoy living here. The building used to lie within the perimeter of the church but, many years ago, someone decided to fence off the cemetery and, by the Grace of God, it fell outside the boundary. Do please take a seat. I hope you don’t mind... I’m just finishing off the sermon for next Sunday. The Holy Bible has so much to offer it’s difficult to know which part to preach about. After all there are only fifty-two Sundays in a year. More importantly, the message must be sharp, interesting and stimulating. We don’t want anyone nodding off during the service, do we?’
Charles smiled weakly, nodding his agreement as the minister seated himself in a chair in front of a table and picked up a pen, looking down at the paper in front of him. He made some strang vocal noises and waved an arm as though he was composing music during the next few minutes, before putting the final touches to the text. It was only then that he sat up to offer his full attention to his visitor. ‘Come!’ he invited. ‘Let’s go out into the fresh morning air and fill our lungs with God’s goodness.’
They left the cottage to experience the rawness of the stark winter weather as a north-easterly breeze swept fiercely across the churchyard. The two men strolled along the perimeter of the church with the intention of veering off to a nearby park if the discussion continued at length.
‘You asked to see me about a very important matter,’ began the minister solemnly. ‘Forgive me, but I don’t recall ever seeing you at any of our services on Sundays.’
‘No,’ admitted Roach. ‘My wife and I never seemed to find the time to fulfil the religious side of our lives after we married. Like so many others we kept leaving it for later and never got round to it. I’m sure we would have do so eventually. I mean God will still be there, won’t he. But she was killed by a hit-and-run driver, so it’s too late for her.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that, my son,’ responded the clergyman sympathetically. ‘It’s sad to learn of someone taken from us in the flower of their youth. Tell me, with God’s assistance, how am I able to help you?’
The banker paused for a few moments before speaking. ‘I’m rather embarrassed that my absence from the church for so long has lef my religious life wanting. I’m interested to learn the views of the church on reincarnation. I need to know more about the after-life... about God... about Judgement Day.’
The vicar stopped in his tracks to stare at the face of the other man. He presumed the question had been raised to determine what was happening to the spirit of the man’s late wife. ‘Well,’ he began hesitantly. ‘Thos questions in essence are simple enough although it may be difficult to answer them comprehensively. But how can such answers possibly help you?’
‘I’ll be frank. Since Jennifer’s death, she’s been to visit me. I’ve seen her in our bedroom and she’s communicated with me in different ways. Mostly, I hear her voice explaining to me what’s happening to her after passing across the bridge.’
The priest’s head shot up so that his spectacles almost fell of the edge of his nose. ‘Bridge?’ he asked with a puzzled expression on his face. ‘What bridge?’
‘I’ll explain all that to you shortly.’
‘Well’ continued the clergyman uncomfortably. ‘A lot depends on what you’re searching for.’
‘I’m looking for the truth... and perhaps a little more than that . It’s a fact-finding mission to compare what Jennifer’s telling me with what the church believes to be true.’
The vicar pouted his lips thoughtfully and the stared at Roach’s face more closely over the upper rims of his spectacles. ‘It’s an enormously wide subject. As Alexander Pope wrote: “A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring”’
‘I understand what you’re saying, vicar. At the end of all this there may be a few things you don’t know yourself. Maybe I can tell you. But first, I want to know the official line to the questions I asked.’
‘The official line,’ repeated the priest, trying to make a reasonable and logical assessment of the banker. The man was a total stranger to him and he seemed either peculiarly mystic or completely insane. The minister could not be certain which one at this stage. ‘Let’s start at the beginning,’ he said calmly. ‘Reincarnation. On that the church has established its view clearly. Christianity categorically denies that reincarnation exists. If it’s any comfort to you, Judaism and Islam agree on that matter. They both deny reincarnation. Furthermore, the belief expresses that human-beings possess an external soul and all three religions teach that the soul inhabits only one body. After that, it exists for eternity in the spirit world... hopefully in Heaven. There’s a slight change in the Catholic creed. They believe that the soul spends some time in Purgatory before moving on. That’s the only difference. However if one applies to the religions of the East, they consider that reincarnation is not only logical and practical but the only interpretation of human existence. I presume you’re of the Christian faith otherwise you would not have come to me. Therefore the subject of reincarnation is academic. It does not apply. Each person is a unique individual with a soul which will never be used to inhabit the body of another person. Does that answer your question?’
‘It answers the question from your point of view. I haven’t been informed of any other answer at this time. So there’s no wy I can help you at present.’
There was a long silence before the priest spoke again. ‘What do you mean by that?’ he asked. How can you help me?’ The vicar was convinced by now that the other man was off his head. Charles refused to offer an explanation which concerned the clergyman even more. However, he continued the conversation for fear of repercussion if he failed to do so. He started to walk on again considering the other questions. ‘You asked about the after-life. As far as the church is concerned, that’s a very difficult question. One might ask if there is a Heaven. The New testament is very positive on that point. Our real selves survive the decay of our bodies and has to submit to judgement to reap the rewards. But no one knows the details of life in that realm. Almost certainly it lies beyond the description of any language or form on our planet. It’s possible for us to see only one life at a time. But the Holy Bible does say that Heaven is a sphere of growth, work and great happiness. It also states that in Heaven thee is no evil , no sorrow and no pain. There are also references to Hell in the good book. In fact they’re included in the teachings of Christ himself. Some passages describe it as a place of fire and torment, although we mustn’t consider the flame in terms of being literal. To be in Hell means out of the presence of God. I think you might wish to pause for thought there to ask me supplementary questions.’
‘There’s not much point,’ rattled Charles, a little disappointed in the clergyman’s response. ‘You’re actually telling me that as a minister of God you really don’t know. ‘You claim that the Holy Bible doesn’t say and that everyone’s in the dark on the subject. If I was like that in my job I’d soon be fired!’
‘Of course we’re less aware of what’s ahead of us, and rightly so,’ claimed the vicar firmly. ‘There are very good reasons why the wonder of Heaven shouldn’t she shown to us. Let me explain. If we could see the marvel of it, we would lose all taste for life on earth. It would lose its attraction and people would find themselves under enormous temptation to end it all here in order to make their way th
ere. We’re very fortunate that there’s a veil which divides us. In that way, we can see only one life at a time.’
‘With due respect,’ laughed the banker, ‘that’s a cop-out!’
‘A cop-out? I don’t understand.’
‘I don’t suppose you do. It’s an American expression meaning an excuse which lets a person off the hook however outrageous or unacceptable that excuse may be.’
The clergyman appeared affronted. ‘My son,’ he went on. ‘We’re not talking about a pound of lard or a box of matches. We’re discussing the Holy Bible! We take our references mainly from the good book as well as the wisdom of our elders in the church who interpret the great work.’
‘I don’ suppose for one moment that the elders say anything different to what you’ve told me. What would you say if I revealed to you that Jennifer, my late wife, is telling me all about your Heaven and Hell each night when I’m asleep. What would you say to that?’
The vicar expressed himself truthfully. ‘I really don’t know how to answer that. May I ask what she’s alleged to be saying or do you intend to keep that a secret?’
‘It’s no big secret. I think Jennifer would want me to tell others, especially a minister from a church.’ He released all the details that his late wife had told him and stared at the clergyman afterwards to witness his reaction.
The vicar simply stared at him blankly. He was now quite convinced that the man was completely insane and he believed that the only way to rescue the situation was to agree with everything he was told. Craftily, he changed direction at a steady pace to return to the vicarage so that he could bid farewell to the visitor and escape behind the stout wooden door of the cottage to relative safety.
‘I’d like to hear your views on Judgement Day,’ continued Charles relentlessly, without recognising the fear he had instilled in the other man. ‘Especially as it’s my late wife who’s going to be judged. She hasn’t quite reached that point yet in our communication.’
The minister tried to maintain a level tone in his voice in the reply. He had been taught in his student days that sometimes it might be necessary to think hard and fast on one’s feet. In his opinion, this was one such occasion. ‘We’re being tested throughout our lives,’ he went on as calmly as he could. ‘A kind of probationary period, you might say. The judgement to which we’re subjected is a mortal one. In life, we continually mould our character, shaping it to goodness, because when the body dies we all go to the place where spiritual values are supreme. Then we’re judged as to what we did and what we became. Evil is often attractive to us, especially in some moods, influences or circumstances. But God is there to help us if we reach out to him and ash for help. If so, then God will forgive the sins of the past and bring us to judgement humble and unafraid. Do you understand what I’m getting at?’
Charles sighed beginning to realise that the vicar was directing him back to the vicarage. ‘You could well be right,’ he responded bleakly. ‘Jennifer intimated she was going to see someone of a higher authority soon. Perhaps that will be the Court of her judgement. But what kind of judgement can they give her? If there’s no Hell she can’t be relegated there. And if she’s held to have been a paragon in her short life, what happens to her then?’
‘God’s house has many mansions. He will know what to do. It’s not for me to make assumptions. As I mentioned before, we need to have the veil to separate us.’
‘I recall being taught about resurrection of the body at Sunday school but I can’t remember a thing about it now. Perhaps you’d give me your views on that, please.’
The priest spied his cottage in the near distance, making his way steadily towards it. He prayed to God silently to speed up the process as quickly as possible. I really related to the survival of the personality,’ he replied in earnest. ‘Christians don’t believe that individuality ends at death. You are you, I am me, death will not alter that. No one on earth has any knowledge of personality apart from form, Our minds are so weak that if there is no form we cannot conceive it. Neither one of us could imagine anything without form. Christianity believes that personalities survive in a form which is recognisable in some way... related to the body that was part of them on earth. It believes that the surviving form will become a transformation of the earthly body and identifiable as such. As we need a body in this life to express our personality, we need a form for the same purpose in the next world. The body of Christ when resurrected, was recognised and known by all who loved him. As such, we will know all those we have loved when we meet them on the other side of death.’ By that time they had almost reached the cottage, much to the relief of the clergyman. ‘Now that I’ve answered your questions,’ he said finally, ‘there’s some advice I’d like to give you. The death of a loved one leaves an enormous gap in a person’s life. It’s a void which cannot be filled quickly or easily. The most important thing to remember is that you can’t simply continue where you left off at the time of death of your loved one. It’s not only necessary but essential for you to change your life. I stress the word essential. There are three specific areas you ought to consider. The first is your wok. It may well be that a change of work, or a move to a different location, is highly advisable. It creates change. Second is leisure. There were probably many things you did with your wife when she was alive but you ought to think about becoming involved with a great deal of leisure activity, perhaps one in particular that you’ve always wanted to do but never got round to. The third relates to love. God’s work is all about love. I know these are early days while you’re still in mourning, but I want you to think carefully about the advice I offer. It’s important for you to realise that there are many women in this world capable of loving you and I’m sure you could reciprocate that love. Don’t deny yourself a life of happiness shared with someone else. I know, and God knows, your wife would want you to experience the greatest joy and happiness possible for you with a loving partner.’
The banker nodded his appreciation. ‘Thank you, vicar,’ he returned quietly as they stopped walking. ‘But you haven’t told me yet about God.’
The clergyman’s face assumed a brief smile as he looked deeply into the eyes of his visitor. ‘I think you’ll be more expert at telling me about God,’ he uttered solemnly, ‘especially as your late wife is communicating with you.. Don’t you think?’
‘Maybe you’re right. But how sceptical will you be when I tell you?’
‘I’ll keep an open mind,’ replied the vicar calmly, ‘providing it’s not a cop-out.’
Charles laughed loudly and knocked the other man playfully on the shoulder as the clergyman held out his hand. The banker shook it firmly, nodded, and then went off to his car. The vicar stared at his departing figure with a solemn expression on his face. His visitor was clearly distraught by grief which was having a severe effect on his sanity. The man truly believed that he was hearing the voice of his late wife tuned in to the affairs taking place in Heaven. There was little anyone could do for a person when he suffered from a traumatic state of mind. Such afflictions were within the province of the medical profession... not of the church. No doubt the man would return to normality in time. However there was a silver lining from the meeting. He had offered considerable advice to the man to bring him back to reality and enjoy his future life. In addition, he had conceived sufficient ideas from the discussion for at least three future sermons in which the emphasis would be on God calling out to those in grief, and outlining the warmth and love in Heaven for those destined to share it.
After the conversation with the minister, Charles was totally confused. He was receiving information from his late wife which conflicted directly with the doctrines and tenets of Western religions but which closely conformed with those in the Far East. How could religions counter each other in such fundamental and important issues? Christianity followed the belief that individuality continued after death and was transformed into
a spirit. Eastern religions believed that individuality continued after death whereby a body was lost in Nirvana or outer space in ‘the ocean of being’ to be reincarnated. The matter of good or evil didn’t raise its head effectively as an important issue because God was willing to forgive all sins from the past. The clergyman suggested that people were judged on moral during their lifetime. But what happened to them if they were good or bad? No one seemed to know except to suggest that they went to Hell if bad, although no one believed Hell to be a furnace with souls being burned for eternity in the roaring flames. What was one to believe? Who was one to believe? Maybe Jennifer would clarify a number of thins when she next communicated with him. Then, instead of him being sceptical of the vicar, the clergyman could become suspicious of his religious information. No doubt the man must have though him to be strange when he had told him he could communicate with the dead. But the truth was the truth and no one could deny it.
He reached his car and decided to return to work. His colleagues at the bank would be wondering what had happened to him. Then he changed his mind. When visiting his psychiatrist, there was something mentioned which now filtered through to his mind. “Worst still is the anger towards the person who killed her. Sometime this over-rides grief”. He had never thought to track down the person who had killed his wife. Subsequently, he made a number of telephone calls and then drove about a mile away to further his cause.
‘Welcome to the Falcon Detective Agency,’ greeted a tall wiry man in a dark grey suit. ‘I’m Roger Melford. Take a seat. You rang to say you want to use our service.’
