1063. But from the description of the spirits in that place it can be evident who are in that province and what they are like, namely, that they are devoid of compassion, wanting without any conscience to destroy the human race, to kill and plunder, not caring whether those who resist them are men, or boys, women, or little children. Thus they are those who mercilessly long to destroy and devastate the human race and everything belonging to it, and have a vicious disposition, as do many soldiers and their commanders. They were the kind of spirits who, on being let loose, as they had been in the body-not during the battle, but after the battle, when plundering the cities and villages, and whatever lay in their path-would be aroused to such fury that they would rush most eagerly to the massacre of everyone, and could not be held back. Meanwhile, I spoke with spirits about what people are like when left to themselves and are permitted to live without law. They are much more fierce than the worst animals, which do not rush in this way to slaughtering their own species. (It is a different matter when they are defending themselves against their enemies, and when wild animals exert ferocity on other animals left to them as food. It should not be considered as anything but justified defense when they are attacked by those who are like enemies, and when they slay animals fit for eating.) Heavenly beings also observed this and were horrified that the human race of this earth was like this, for if they had not had this view of it, it would have seemed unbelievable to them. And I discussed with them the question how such souls can ever be brought into heaven, where love, compassion and peace reigns. Would they not still harbor the same intent of wiping out everyone, if the freedom were just given them and they were driven by love of self and the world? Then I added that such people are only happy at heart, and feel proud, when they see armies of corpses scattered about, to the number of many thousands, and hear their moanings of misery, and see streams of blood throughout the battlefield, themselves and their swords spattered with human blood. Then they are elated, thinking themselves heroes, yes, and then they also sing "Te Deum laudamus!"* And yet they call themselves Christians. 1748, 28 February. * "We praise Thee, Oh God!"