communicated I was permitted to perceive the agitation of their minds.  It consisted of a recognition that possibly they had injured those who were displeased, of shame on that account, together with other worthy affections; and it was thus known that they were endowed with charity.  Soon after I spoke with them, and at last about the Lord.  When I called Him “Christ” I perceived a certain repugnance in them; but the reason was disclosed, namely, that they had brought this from the world, from their having learned that Christians lived worse lives than they did, and were destitute of charity.  But when I called Him simply “Lord” they were interiorly moved.  Afterwards, they were taught by the angels that the Christian doctrine beyond every other in the world prescribes love and charity, but that there are few who live in accordance with it.  There are heathen who have come to know while they lived in the world, both from interaction and report, that Christians lead bad lives, are addicted to adultery, hatred, quarreling, drunkenness, and the like, which they themselves abhor because such things are contrary to their religion.  These in the other life are more timid than others about accepting the truths of faith; but they are taught by the angels that the Christian doctrine, as well as the faith itself, teaches a very different life, but that the lives of Christians are less in accord with their doctrine than the lives of heathen.  When they recognize this they receive the truths of faith, and adore the Lord, but less readily than others.

326.  It is a common thing for heathen that have worshiped any god under an image or statue, or any graven thing to be introduced, when they come into the other life, to certain spirits in place of their gods or idols, in order that they may rid themselves of their fantasies.  When they have been with these for some days, the fantasies are put away.  Also those that have worshiped men are sometimes introduced to the men they have worshiped, or to others in their place—­as many of the Jews to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and David-but when they come to see that they are human the same as others, and that they can give them no help, they become ashamed, and are carried to their own places in accordance with their lives.  Among the heathen in heaven the Africans are most beloved, for they receive the goods and truths of heaven more readily than others.  They especially wish to be called obedient, but not faithful.  They say that as Christians possess the doctrine of faith they may be called faithful; but not they unless they accept that doctrine, or as they say, have the ability to accept it.