"In The World Celestial"

1901 Bland, T[homas] A[ugustus], M.D. (b. 1830). “In The World Celestial”. New York: Alliance Publishing Co./Chicago, IL: Plymouth Publishing Co., with and introduction by Rev. H. W. Thomas, D.D., President of The Worlds Liberal Congress of Religions. 2^nd ed. Chicago, IL: T.A. Bland, 1902, with and introduction by Rev. H. W. Thomas, D.D., President of The Worlds Liberal Congress of Religions. 3^rd ed. Chicago, IL: T.A. Bland & Co., 1904. DLC, MoU-St

Eutopia set in heaven. The stage of Heaven where the novel takes place is preparatory for higher heavens, but those who move on sometimes come back to visit. The city was founded by Zoroaster, was once led by Jesus, and is now led by a legislative council elected by all adults for a five year term. While non-Caucasians participate as equals in the world congress from their different nations, “they are not in any way the peers of those of the Caucasians” (74). Entertainment is mostly lectures by illustrious people of the past. The author says that he is telling the story as told to him by a friend and that it is a true story. The first edition includes a frontispiece depicting the young woman at the center of the story. See also the author’s The People’s Party Shot and Shell. Chicago, IL: Charles H. Kerr, 1892. Vol. 4 of the Library of Progress.