LIBMRY OF CONGRESS. |k^ - mw¥'i Ifo - 1 t UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f NATURE'S LAWS IN HUMAN LIFE: AN EXPOSITION OF SPIRITUALISM; EMBRACING THE VARIOUS OPINIONS OF EXTREMISTS, PRO AND CON y BY THE AUTHOK OF '-VITAL MAGNETIC CURE. 5^: ^m. .-\^'^ BOSTON: " / WILLIAM WHITE AND COMPANY. 158 Washington Street. NEW YORK AGENTS : THE AMEIJCAN NEWS COMPANY, 119 Nassau Street. 1872. y Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872 BY WILLIAM WHITE & Co. * In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. DEDICATED TO ALL SEEKERS OF TRUTH IN HUMAN LIFE FORCES. CONTENTS, njTTRODUCTIOIsr" - 9 PART I. TESTIMOlsrY AGAmST SPIRITUALISM 20 General assertions 21 Tractby Professor Austin Phelps D. D 22 Opinions of Wiiliam T. D wight D.D 29 ■ Elder Knapp 34 Comments of the Boston Traveller and Boston Herald . 50 Statements of Dr. W. A. Hammond 52 Church opposition .... - 53 Father Hecker 54 J. D. Fulton D. D., Rev. Mr. Morgan, P. T. Bamum . 55 Scientific men and organized institutions 56 PABT II. CONSERVATISM . . • 57 OpinionofRev. H. W. Beecher 58 .. Theodore Tilton ........ 62 .. W. H. H. Murray 63 PART III. TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF SPIRITUALISM .... 65 The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures Mediumship of Mrs. J. H. Conant 69 Invocation 70 VI. CONTENTS. TESTIMONY IN FAVOR OF SPIRITUALISM continued . 65 The Seance 71 Communication from Rev. Ezra S. Gannett D. D. . . . 72 William Wesselhoefft M. D. . . . 74 Reliability of Spirit Communications .77 Psychic Force , . . 82 OUR EXPERIENCE .86 MEDIUMSHIP 109 Additional facts— Rev. Dr. Phelps sen 114 Spirit Likenesses 150 Spiritualism at Methodist Camp Meetings 153 PRESENTIMENT— DREAMING— PROPHECY . . . .157 Detection of Crime , 167 Verification of Dreams 170 SPIRITUALISM IN COURT 176 WHAT GOOD HAS SPIRITUALISM DONE? . . . . .194 Medical cases — Injury of the knee-joint 195 A lady who had been pronounced hopeless, restored . 197 Insanity 198 Rheumatism and Cancer— Hon. Neal Dow ...... 200 Injury from a fall 203' Alleged cupidity of healers . . . 204 DUPLEX CHARACTER OF OPPOSING TESTIMONY 207 Elder Knapp— Letter from California Rev. J. D. Fulton D. D . 212 Dr. W. A. Hammond 213 Ely, Von Vleck, Barnum, Thomas L. Harris and others 214 Rev. G. H. Hepworth . . . . 218 SEANCES— CONDITIONS AND RULES ....... 219 MISCELLANEOUS FACTS IN SPIRITUAL EXPERI- ENCE 228 Professor J. H. Von Fichte 240 The Double . 241 President Lincoln The Darwinian theory 243 The doctrine of Re-incarnation 244 Obsession 247 The Dread Future • 251 The co-relation of spiritual and psychological phenomena254 Planchette and Gates Ajar , 256 Organization 257 CONTENTS. VU €IVIL AND SOCIAL RIGHTS 260 Equal Eights and Woman Suflfrage Free Love • . 262 Marriage 269 Divorce 274 Communism 277 PART IV. RELIGIOUS ASPECTS AND RELATIONS OF SPIRIT- UALISM 283 Comments on Religious Organizations Spiritualism in the Bible 299 CONCLUSION 307 IN HUMAN LIFE. INTEODUCTION. The literature of Spiritualism, comprising the histo- ry of its phenomena, and^the enunciation of doctrines which have received either the unqualified and cred- ulous assent of believers, or called forth the criti- cism of opposers, remonstrant, argumentative, captious or cynical, has already become very voluminous. Lec- ture after lecture, uttered either in the normal condi- tion, or as claimed by the speaker, delivered through the inspirational influx from a higher source of intelligence, the human organism being employed as the medium of communication with the outer world, has been reported and published. Treatises, from the modest pamphlet to the more pretentious book of large proportions, have so rapidly appeared, that as to quantity the supply has become almost oppressive. Yet no one has thus far been presented to the world, having the precise scope, which it is the purpose of the present underta- king to comprise. Much that has found its way to the 10 nature's laws reading public has been highly objectionable to many minds, upon whose pre-conceived ideas, derived from educational bias, the subject matter has made revolu- tionary encroachments ; to others it has been curious and startling ; and again by others, it has been accepted as a new revelation, having the weight of undeniable authority. In proportion to its real or supposed impor- tance, has it thus met with unlimited praise, indifference, or violent denunciation. While we cannot regard practical issues with indifference, but must, in common with all observers of passing events, form some sort of opinion upon topics which, in the march of progress, agitate the public mind ; we do not presume to make our convictions the test of any one's orthodoxy, but yield to all full freedom in exercising the right of pri- vate judgment. Unquestionably the truest method of securing a right appreciation of the merits or demerits of any subject, is to place it before the investigator, in all its various as- pects, rather than to present a partial view drawn from the prejudiced representations of interested partisans. To this end we have collated the respective opinions openly expressed in advocacy or repudiation of the main tenets, giving the facts alleged to be the basis of support to these opposite opinions, and the practical consequences to which, it is claimed, they severally lead. This contrast gives aniple facility for compari- son, and leaves no one who will bestow upon it a candid investigation, in ignorance of the real bearing of the whole subject. Following this order of narrative, we append a IN HUIVIAN LIFE. 11 statement of the facts derived from our own observa- tion and experience, with such reflections as seem to form a legitimate deduction. These are sufficient to enable the reader to answer categorically, in his own mind, the question whether there is truth at the foun- dation of the claims set forth in reference to Spiritual- ism. But were we to rest merely with the collation and comparison of the basic facts and inferences, much that is of philosophical interest and of practical value would be left out of consideration. We therefore proceed to the discussion of a variety of topics which necessarily depend upon either the affirmative or negative answer to the main question. K it is conceded that the phenomena themselves have actually occurred, as represented now by innumerable witnesses, there must be a significance in them. Either the world has been imposed upon by a stupen- dous fraud, or a wide-spread delusion on the one hand ; or involving as it must, if true, the future destiny and welfare of the human family on the other, its impor- tance is unquestionably paramount to that of all other moral forces. With the diffusion of intelligence, the public mind becomes emancipated from the thraldom of dogmatic authority. But freedom from such restraint must be authorized only by substantial knowledge, patiently acquired, and well grounded. Liberty must not degen- erate into license. In treating the subject adversely, there has been a strong tendency, as will be seen from the passages ci- 12 ted, to depart from the strict controversial line, indul- ging in sweeping charges against the personal character of its adherents. The morality of mediums and advo- cates has been impeached, their motives impugned, and the most sordid and charlatanic disposition attributed to them. x4.nd occasionally the critic who has assumed an antagonistic attitude, has descended to vituperation and ribaldry. Not all however, are thus uncourteously inclined. Among disbelievers there are those who see in .its prog- ress, as viewed from their stand-point, nothing but de- structive radicalism, sapping the foundation of revealed religion. Not imputing to the inquirers into the mean- ing of the phenomena, intentional sin, they nevertheless conscientiously regard the search as the indulgence of an unholy curiosity. Such a pursuit they consider not merely frivolous and unprofitable, but quote from their sacred records passages which according to the interpre- tation which they put upon them, expressly forbid it; consequently that their eternal salvation is jeopardized thereby. With such conscientious convictions, as the result of the application of their theological education, it becomes their religious duty to warn their fellow be- ings against the continuance of unwarrantable investiga- tion into the nature of prohibited phenomena. Not disputing the manifestations, of many of which they have themselves been eye-witnesses, and failing to find a satisfactory solution in any of the numerous explana- tions heretofore offered by skeptical observers, they at- tribute them at last to satanic agency, and hence the tocsin of alarm which they have vigorously sounded. IN HUMAN LIFE. 13 warning their people who were attracted to the inves- tigation, to flee from the impending divine wrath. Many religious teachers there are who, notwithstanding the rigidity of the same method of culture through which they have passed, are liberal minded. They do not interdict such a line of investigation, as unwarrantable in persons religiously disposed, but are willing to ac- knowledge with the poet that truth should be accepted wherever found, "on Christian or on heathen ground." Recognizing certain facts, established by unimpeachable testimony, they endeavor manfully to dispose of them by referring them to the operation of some previously known law, but which is now expending its force in a new direction. It has been customary to refer every thing which was not understood, to electricity, which evades responsibility, and gets rid of the trouble of seeking for a cause of new phenomena. This still continues to be accepted by many as a sufficient Expla- nation, yet the most delicate electrometer has failed to detect any variation in the electrical conditions of the surrounding atmosphere. It will at this day scarcely be credited that certain physicians in BuiFalo, N. Y., at an early period in the history of the modern manifestations, gravely asserted that the sounds known as raps, heard to be made on tables or other articles of furniture, or solid substances of various kinds were caused by the snapping of the medium's toe-joints. So far as that wild explanation was concerned, it was easily to be tested by any one of common sense. But little progress had then been made in the curious facts developed. If up to that time, 14 there had been nothing seen or heard beyond mere phys- ical phenomena, apparently destitute of meaning, any person of ordinary acuteness was capable of ascertaining whether the sounds were or could be produced by throwing the toes out of joint, and in again, a circum- stance familiar to every one. There was however, no resemblance between the sounds which can be thus pro- duced, and those which were heard during the sittings of mediums. The latter sounds will be readily recog- nized by the thousands who have heard them, if we de- cribe one of them of a medium degree of power, to be midway between the sharp concussion heard on the emis- sion of a spark from an ordinary magneto-electrical machine, of moderate intensity, and that caused by striking the knuckles upon the table. It conveys an im- pression, as if proceeding from the interior of the wood. Toe-snapping causes no such sound. As regards the fact, ^ was soon settled beyond controversy, and surely those who had ventured upon such a ridiculous hypoth- esis, must now be heartily ashamed of their hasty wis- dom. But we will not anticipate. Mental phenomena following immediately upon the physical, the explanation began to tax the ingenuity of philosophers and scientists. Facts known to the inves- tigator exclusively, were given in response to specific inquiries, and then spontaneously without the putting of leading questions. But the facts belonging to this particular class being already known to him, the sug- gestion was at once made, and in all fairness, that they were educed by the reflection of one mind upon another. Science would have accepted this as a final explanation m HUMAN LIFE. 15 had the limit of development been reached. Bat how would it apply to the elimination of new facts, not pre- viously known to either the medium or the inquirer? A source of intelligence must exist somewhere in such cases, and it puzzled the brain of the philosopher to find it in any field of inquiry wliich he had hitherto ex- plored. We trust sufficient light will be tlirown upon it in the following pages, to relieve any new inquirer, who has not had opportunity, or inclination to agitate the subject in his own mind, from the embarrassment which beset the earlier seekers. Going a step still farther, what shall be said of pro- phetic communications? We have supposed in refer- ence to the class of facts last named, that they, or some of them were known to some one, although not to either of the parties immediately concerned in the inquiry, nor within the possibility of verification at the time, but wliich were subsequently ascertained to be true by indisputable evidence. If reflex cerebral action failed to account for these, how much more difficult is it to explain a forthcoming fact, still unknown in our mun- dane sphere? But again, we must not anticipate. Besides those occupying the middle ground of com- parative indifierence — friendly neutrality or who ex- ercise a spirit of toleration in reference to all that may have grown out of the development of the phenomena, there are the unvdse extremists among believers, who not only surrender their own reason in the extravagance of unquestioning faith, but propagate dogmas which are fanatical in theory, and ^carry out in* daily jiractice, the premature conclusions of an unbridled fiincy. Repu- 16 nature's laws diating the authority of what they term old theology, they submit to the new and unknown authority received through their medium, setting aside the injunction of John in the Christian scriptures, and endorsed by the best reasoners to " believe not every spirit, but try the spirits." They repose unlimited confidence in the va- lidity of the statements given to them in that way. In some instances, they have by their practices, shocked the moral sense of the community in which they live, or have temporarily sojourned, so as to bring disrepute upon the cause they were professing to advocate ; thus putting themselves on a level with the degenerate por- tion of their opponents in and out of churches, who have strayed from the path of rectitude ; instead of showing to the world a purer practice resulting from a more elevated philosophy, and revelation of truth. A f^u•ther class to be included in the public expo- nents, are the imposters, who pretend to believe wheth- er they do or not, in the facts of Spiritualism. The reader is supposed to be sufficiently intelligent to super- cede the necessity of any exposition on our part, of the character, and lack of moral worth of such people. So numerous are the adventurers in this world, in the present state of society, that there has never yet ap- peared a genuine production without its counterfeiters, more or less numerous. The best organizations — soci- eties both secular and religious, of the highest preten- tions, furnish sufficient examples of this, to make the honest man blush for the human race. Such are time-servers, who .always espouse the popu- lar side. Their vacillating opinions and varying con- IN HUMAN LIFE. 17 duct destroy the value of their testimony on either side of* any cause. If an umpire should put them in the scale in weighing the testimony for and against, they should be classed with the opponents of the cause they profess to advocate, (for it is with them that they real- ly fraternize) or they should be thrown out of the esti- mate altogether. Every good cause suffers by wolves in sheep's clothing. In his false dress, the wolf is much more dangerous to the flock than the open raider, whose ferocity is undisguised. Among the evidence in favor of Spiritualism, we have selected passages from the published discourses of Normal, Trance, and Inspirational Speakers, which of course, are expected to embody the best representative opinions on the affirmative side. Although the spread of Spiritualism has been very rapid, and large accessions are constantly being made to the ranks of its adherents, it is still on trial in the minds of vast numbers of earnest seekers after truth, and it behooves each one to bring to its study a determination to conduct the research in an unprejudiced manner, so as to ascertain the exact truth. It is con- trary to the spirit of the age to ignore facts, lest they should be found to interfere with previous misconcep- tions ; or to refuse to institute a candid, honest in- quiry into the existence and meaning of phenomena alleged to be new, because they are irreconcilable with a favorite theory. The manly course to pursue is to use the God-like reason with which we are endowed, and which is given us that we may be enabled to search after truth successfully, and ascertain for our- 18 nature's laws selves the laws of Universal Nature, wherever that search may lead us and whatever may be the result. There are not wanting instances of men in high so- cial, political and professional positions who began such an investigation into the alleged facts and phi- losophy of Spiritualism, with the expectation of being able to expose its groundlessness ; but who were imbued with a spirit of candor, who had before them a scientif- ic and a moral purpose, and considered the public just as much entitled to the results of their investigation in case of failure, as in the successful realization of their expectations. The fact of immortality is admitted to be of the high- est importance, and if there is a future life, we must learn about it sooner or later ; and there must be a decided advantage on the part of those who place themselves in a condition of receptivity, so as to learn as much of the revelations concerning it, while passing through the or- dinary earth experience as possible. He who neglects his opportunities in this respect, sustains the greater loss. Our earthly life at the longest is but short, and a continued existence in a future state of being, must necessarily be designed for higher development, giving opportunity for increased happiness. To attain this our Kfe here must be regulated in accordance with moral and spiritual laws ; discharging its duties with fidelity, assuming its responsibilities with cheerful patience, and endeavoring by all appropriate means to place ourselves in a condition of due preparation for the enjoyment of the privileges of the higher life. This is a practical consideration in which all are equally interested, and IN HUMAN LIFE. 19 is obviously of sufficient moment to justify us in in- viting the reader to an earnest examination of its claims upon his attention. A subject which so profoundly concerns human destiny cannot be passed by with indif- ference. As means to an end, there are also in this life numerous practical questions of a moral and social na- ture, which should enter into the consideration of all systems of moral philosophy and of religion, whose teachings, carried out in daily life, stamp an indelible impress on character and conduct. Spiritualism profes- ses to comprise within its work whatever has to do with the welfare of the human famUy. The measures thus comprehended will be discussed'in their proper order. 20 nature's laws P_ART I. TESTIMONY AGAINST SPIEITUALISM. " The dead know not any thing." E ccl. ix, 5. ''If a man die, shall he live ap^ain?" Job xiv, 14. " What positive proof have we of immortality?" Before quoting the statements of fact, and the ad- verse opinions which have been deduced from them on the one side, and gone forth as the well pronounced judgment of responsible critics, whose names are appen- ded to their animadversions, we shall enumerate a list of assertions which have passed from one to another, without the responsibility of authorship, until they have become common property. The less thoughtful, and the least reasoning portion of a community acquire their opin- ions by appropriating common gossip, and perverted statements as the basis, avoiding the trouble of experi- ment, reading, inquiry or reason. They reach conclu- sions by a short cut; and though their process of reasoning is superficial, they become enthusiastic and zealous partisans, the side which they espouse depending IN HUMAN LIFE. 21 altogether upon accidental surrounding circumstances. How far the assertions enumerated are amenable to the foregoing criticism, can only be judged of by the reader, after he shall have weighed the evidence on both sides. We desire only that pre-conceived opinions, and the prejudices resulting from mis-statements, after hearing one side of the question brought up for consid- eration be laid aside, and that the same candor be ex- ercised in forming the judgement, which would be brought to the discussion of any other question. GENERAL ASSERTIONS. Spiritualists are a low set of people. They are immoral. They have no respect for the sabbath. They are licentious. They drink intoxicating drinks ; chew and smoke to- bacco. The female mediums are no better than prostitutes. Speaking mediums often after giving a lecture, go off and get drunk. Mediums and the believers in Spiritualism delight in making inharmony in the marriage relation, and try to break up families. They have no respect for good society, and are unfit associates for decent people. Those embracing the doctrines soon become demor- alized, inattentive to business, losing their property, and finally bring up in the Insane Asylum. 22 nature's laws We thought well of such and such persons, until they became Spiritualists. We can trust them upon all subjects but one, and that is Spiritualism. He is going crazy since he has become a Spiritualist. No sensible, thinking person believes in the doctrines. Those who do are in their second childhood. Spiritualism has never taken any but persons of weak brains. They ignore the Bible as authority, and Jesus as God. They have no respect for our minister, or the laws of the country. They should not be allowed to utter their sacriligeous doctrines before the public ; the authorities should ar- rest them ; there should be a law to stop their proceed- ings. Spiritualism is nothing but electricity and magnetism. Spiritualism is all of the devil. It is frequently asked "What good has Spiritualism done?" If true, we are safe, but if not where are you? If it is true, what of it? PASSAGES FROM A TRACT ON SPIRITUALISM, BY PROFESSOR AUSTIN PHELPS D. D., OF ANDOVER. Spiritualism is not science. It has never yet as- sumed the order, the self-consistency, or the dignity of a science. Open its authorities, and what do you find m HUMAN LIFE. 23 which has built up astronomy, chemistry, geology, or even the more mobile science of political economy? In comparison with these, Spiritualism plunges us head- long into "chaos and old night." Specially, its laws of evidence are not those which science is wont to honor in other things. Take the question of the personal identity of "spirits," for example. How can you answer it? Who is wise enough in the laws of spiritual being to tell us what is logical evidence of spiritual identity ? How do I know the resources of chicanery in other spheres of existence ? I have tolerable means of protection against the trick- ery of this world ; but, when it comes to the possible trickery of the "seven spheres," woe is me ! Nothing but downright miracle can settle this elementary ques- tion of identity. Yet it is amazing that multitudes of inquirers, quick- witted in other things, ignore this whole question of spiritual identity, in testing the Revelation of the Seance. Men not used to the melting mood break down in tears at the assurance that a departed mother, wife, child, is addressing them in the harangue of a medium ; but, when pressed for the proof of identity, they point to things vrhich they would laugh at if used as evidence of fact in the sale of a horse. They would not buy so much as a jack-knife on such evidence. So we say to the Spiritualists, "With all due respect to your intuitions, we would like to have Lord Bacon and the rest subpoenaed, and put into the witness-box. Your craft is not a science till it can stand a trial by 24 nature's laws jury." The most scholarly of American defenders of Spiritualism is evidently staggered by this questioning of identity. Is it like God to set going the machinery of the su- pernatural world, for the sake of recovering a lost ear- ring ? Is it like God to send " spirits from the vasty deep," as in the case of one of the afflicted, to discourse upon pumpkin-pies ? Excuse us, gentlemen. Whatever else this may be, it is not religion. It hoots at our grand Biblical theology. It degrades our beautiful Christian ideal of heaven. It bedraggles our most sacred hopes of im- mortality. Spiritualism is not good morals. Good men and women are among its believers, no doubt. Afflicted ones seek in it communion with their sainted doad, with no thought of wrong. Restless inquirers search it for some wiser adjustment of nature to the supernat- ural than they have found elsewhere, with no profane curiosity. Christian believers, of pure lives and Bibli- cal faith, think they can accept a fragment of it here and there, in an electic fashion, without damage to their holier experience. But after all, and to these exceptional believers it should be said in sad faithfulness, the drifting of this modern theurgy is to loose morals. More than all ebe, they breathe a deadly antipathy to the Christian theory of the relations of the sexes. Where else do denunciations of the servitude of mar- riage find so congenial a home as in a spiritualistic li- brary? Where else such loose theories of divorce? m HUMAN LIFE. 25 Where else so much nonsense about "affinities," "spirit- ual unions," " twin-spirits," and the like? Spiritualism, taken as a whole, is not good sense. Not that the admission of a certain modicum of fact in its alleged phenomena is unreasonable. It is not good sense to receive the rhapsodies and in- coherences of clairvoyants as a substitute or a supple- ment of the Christian Scriptures. It is not good sense to interrogate a modern witch of Endor, to get some- thing better than Paul's testimony to the immortality of the soul. It is not good sense to ask or answer the ir- reverent question whether Jesus Christ was anything more than a spiritualistic medium, and whether his mir- acles were like the table-tippings. Ignorant men may believe it till they know better. Silly women may be led captive by it till they are wiser. Sick nerves may dance to such music till their possessors get more protoxide of iron into their blood. But solid, sober, sensible men and women, whose fathers and mothers were of healthy stock, and who have inherited a right to large, well-balanced brains, "looking before and after," have no proper place in that assemblage. At this point, candor requires some concessions to Spiritualists on the part of their opponents. We must concede to them a certain basis of phenom- omenal facts. Precisely how much must be yielded may not yet be certain ; but fair criticism will grant something. Bad and foolish as the modern necrom- ancy is, it is not an unmitigated humbug.. Bees do not 26 nature's laws swarm vipon nothing. Neither do believers plunge in crowds into an absolute vacuum. As little reason have we to cavil at the character of a certain portion of the testimony by which the tough- est facts of Spiritualism are supported. Some of that testimony, so far as it respects the sanity, the culture, the integrity, and the opportunities of the witnesses, would convict a murderer in any court in Christendom, outside of New-York City. It is too late also to set down the spiritualistic phe- nomena as only a re-vamping of old, or an invention of new, feats of jugglery. Their advocates are not to be censured, if they decline to argue with a man who comes to them, as from the detective police, with the logic of invisible wires, and of sleight-of-hand, and of leaden plummets concealed under crinolines. We might have been excusable for such innocence twenty five years ago ; but it will not do now. Signor Blitz, who probably knows as much as most men of the ca- pacities of jugglery, has been heard to say, that nothing on record in the history of his professsion could account for -that class of facts on which Spiritualism chiefly builds. Robert Houdin also, who claims to be the inventor of most of the tricks performed by the fra- ternity of modern jugglers, has declared his inabil- ity to equal or to account for the so-called spiritual occurences which he has witnessed. Similar testimony is borne by M. Hamilton, a Parisian expert in legerde- main, and by M. Ehys, a maker of the conjuring imple- ments used by Iloudin, IN HUMAN LIFE. 27 Moreover, the theories of scientists thus far announced cannot fairly be held to cover all the facts of the case. Electricity, magnetism, odic force, nervous disease, un- conscious cerebration — do not any or all of them ex- haust the demands of candid science in explanation of the phenomena? After all these deductions, Spiritualism is apparently right in claiming that a residuum of fact remains, which goes straight to the point of proving the presence and activity of extra human intelligence. For one, I must concede this, at least, as a plausible hypothesis. What are the facts of our faith on this doctrine ? On the same testimony on which we hold other Scrip- tural facts, we hold these : that a malign being exists in the universe, who is distinct in his personality ; that he is at the head of a vast organization of subordinate kindred spirits ; that they have a limited, yet immense, spiritual power ; that they are especially malignant towards the person and doctrine of Jesus Christ ; that they have peculiar affinities with the most grovelling of human vices ; that to a certain extent the elements and laws of nature are subject to their use ; that they have access to the abodes and hearts of men. Have we not, then, in the " devil and his angels," of whom the Scriptures forewarn us, the " sufficient cause" which philosophy requires for all that there is in Spiritualism which science cannot otherwise explain? Are we, on the one hand, asked to imagine unknown and unknowable laws of mind and of matter? Whjit for? Are we on the other hand, required to muddle 2S nature's laws ourselves with extra-biblical conjectures of the organi- zation of Hades? But it is claimed that Spiritualism is not devilish in its moral spirit. Not only do some good men and wo- men believe it, which is nothing to the purpose, but some inspiring truths, it is said are affirmed by it. "If evil angels come, why not good angels?" We answer they do. "Are they not all ministering spirits ?" But not after this table-tipping, lyin^:, swearing fashion. The evidence of the evil in the phenomena is supera- bundant : the evidence of good is no more than a device of temptation must have. Do you suppose that Satan would aim at anything less than this, if he should set about creating a wide-spread delusion for the capture of souls ? The devil and his subordinates may do a great many silly things, but they are not fools. He will never concoct, nor they execute, a system of temptation which is all falsehood or all vice or all nonsense. He will never organize a set of agencies which shall show them- selves up at the outset as pure malignants. That would tempt nobody, and would make him the laughing-stock of the universe. He knows better than to paint himself with horns and hoofs. Spiritualism, then we claim, on the hypothesis, that, so far as it claims religious authority, it is of Satanic origin, is cunningly adapted to its end. Senseless as it seems to sedate and Christian logic, it is very crafty as a compound of temptations. When the late President Day, of Yale College, first IN HUMAN LIFE. 35i^ had his attention called to Spiritualism, a quarter of a century ago, said he, "Either nothing is in it, or the devil is in it." No candid man, who knows its history during these twenty five years, will now affirm the first wing of the president's alternative. The second is as philosophical as it is Scriptural. Dr. Gulick, late of the Hawaiian Islands, says that American Spiritualism has no marvels which equal those of the Hawaiian Paganism, testified to by eye-wit- nesses of them not long ago living, and used by the Pa- gan priesthood as miracles in support of the national reliorion. OPINIONS OF REV. W. T. DWIGHT D. D. The following paragraphs are extracted from a ser- mon preached against Spiritualism by W. T. D wight D. D. of Portland, Me. The distinguished position of this divine, as an expounder of Orthodoxy, enables him to wield a powerful influence, not only over the minds of his own parishioners and among the people of his own denomination, but among many others whose religious predilections accord with orthodox views, for it is said that he stands as the representative of three quarters of all the Congregationalists, Baptists, Methodists and Episcopalians in tlie State. For convenience, several sentences iiot in immediate succession, but having a kindred sentiment are included in one of the paragraphs. They set forth in strong terms the belief that any leaning towards Spiritualism 6k) nature's laws is condemned in the Bible, from which necessarily fol- lows its condemnation by the church. " God has purposely confined the knowledge of these things to Himself. This is the reason why they are se- cret, or why they have not been revealed : 'they belong to Him,' and not to men, not to creatures. * * * It is alike irreligious and fruitless on our part to seek to know them ;" " He keeps us in ignorance : He keeps absolutely secret with Himself what He intends to do, and most of what He is constantly doing." "It is not only the prerogative, but the choice of God, to hide Himself, or to withhold from His creatures, in many respects, the knowledge of His nature and His operations." " We are also in utter ignorance of futurity, and of what is now taking place in any other quarter of the universe, or in any other world. It has been also, as we see, with perfect certainty, God's intention to keep ourselves and our whole race [including, of course, Swe- edenborg] in this very state of ignorance — an ignorance inevitable and absolute, so long as we live on the earth. "God's spiritual essence. His self-existence, His eter- nity. His omnipotence and ominscience, and His infinite moral perfections ; — these are not only subjects, but they involve facts and realities, directly concerning Him- self, which we are as incapable of knowing as is the in- sect ; the archangel can as little comprehend them. They are all secrets of God." " Among these secret things are to be included the purposes of God." "Aside from the word of God, lie knows not that the IN HIBIAN LIFE. 31 internal fires, which have been ever raging within the earth, may not burst forth ere to-morrow's sun, and consume our race and all the vestiges of humanity.'' "The future, and by this term is included the persons and the events belonging to all coming time, is also se- cret with God." "The state of the Invisible World is absolutely se- cret with God." — "The World of Spirits, and I include here Heaven and Hell, their respective localities — so far as they have locality, the actual condition of depart- ed persons individually, and all intercommunication with such persons and v^^ith the dead universally ; — all this, excepting the few and general revelations which are contained in the Scriptures, is entirely hidden from men." — " God has determined that we should possess just so much knowledge of the World of Spirits as can be acquired from His own announcements by inspired prophets and apostles and the- saviour ; and He has also determined that we should possess no other knowledge. The fact that He has revealed to us, in the Bible, what we thus actually know respecting the invisible world and its inhabitants, is in itself decisive evidence that He has purposed we should know nothing additional. What we have there revealed to us, He has disclosed to us for our profit : what He has not there revealed. He has withheld for the same reason." — "We know that God, as the Infinite Ruler who has given the Bible to men, and Christ, as the crowned Mediator who now rules directly in the World of Spirits, will permit no such knowledge to be communicated from any other 32 natuke's laws "The light of the Gospel was introduced into Iberia, a province of Asia (now called Georgia) , in the fol- lowino; manner : a certain woman was carried into that country as a captive, during the reign of Constantine ; and by the grandeur of her miracles, and the remarka- ble sanctity of her life and manners, she made such an impression upon the king and queen, that they aban- doned their false gods, embraced the faith of the Gos- pel, and sent to Constantinople for proper persons to give them and their people a more satisfactory and com- plete knowledge of the Christian religion." '* I am willing to grant, that many events have been rashly deemed miraculous which were the result of the ordinary laws of nature ; and also, that pious frauds were sometimes used for the purpose of giving new de- grees of weight and dignity to the Christian cause. But I cannot, on the other hand, assent to the opinions of those who maintain that in this century, miracles had entirely ceased ; and that at this period, the Christian Church was not favored with any extraordinary or super- natural mark of a Divine power engaged in its cause." - "Descriptions of the unseen world and of the state of the departed [by spiritual mediums], have been stolen * * * from Emanuel Swedenborg, when describing his seven spheres or heavens, or from others ; or if original are just fit to fill tlie pages of a fourth-rate novel." "They [the secret things of God] are secret, be- cause He [God] has not revealed them to men; and because it is His purpose not to reveal them while the Christian dispensation is continued." '^Literal verity when affirming, that in all the pub- IN HUMAN LIFE. 33 lished volumes of these pretended revelations, there is not one original and valuable thought." "If the Bible and the God of the Bible are not both a lie, Spiritualism, in all its claims to supernatural com- munications, is the most contemptible, the most mis- chievous, and one of the most v^^icked, among existing delusions." "Neither good angels, for they would utterly loathe the whole matter; nor bad angels, for God will not permit them thus directly to act in the affairs of men ; nor departed saints, for they are at rest and in trans- port with their Savior; nor lost spirits, for they are in prison ; are active here." "It professes to hold direct and constant intercourse with the invisible world, or with the region of departed spirits. Christians who have died in the Lord, and re- putable men of the world — together with murderers, drunkards, and harlots, who have not died in the Lord, can at almost any time be brought into immediate com- munication with any persons who desire it. Primitive martyrs and Christ's apostles may be thus summoned. Ancient prophets and patriarchs may be thus summoned^ etc. We are assured that at spiritual meetings, which are now held in certain regions in Europe, — whether such blasphemies are yet practised in our own country, we know not, — the Lord Jesus Christ is thus summoned and catechised ; and he communicates the desired infor- mation." Animal magnetism is described by Dr. D. as follows : "An influence or element in some respects resem- bling electricity and natural magnetism, and in others 34 * nature's laws independent of both : an influence or element partly physical, and partly pertaining to the human body, in which in different persons it exists in very unequal de- grees." "There shall ^not be found among jou any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer or a consultor with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord." " They who did this [sought unto the spirits of the dead] were, by God's own appointment, as the Penta- teuch informs us, to be capitally punished as traitors to God, the theocratic sovereign of the nation. That pun- ishment indeed ceased, and properly, with the final overthrow of idolatry among the Jewish people." "It is not hyperbole, but literal verity, when he af- firms that its spirit [the spirit of Spiritualism] is anti- Christian and heathenish." OPINIONS OF ELDER JACOB KNAPP THE BAPTIST REVI- VALIST. On Friday evening, March 10th, Jacob Knapp, from Illinois — the celebrated Baptist revivalist, whose lan- guage is so potent to stir up the emotions of fear in the breasts of women and children, and whose ideas on all things seemed warped by his doctrine — held forth on the above subject in Tremont Temple, Boston, to a large audience, composed of many of the " faithful," and a considerable sprinkling of free-thinkers and Spiritual- IN HUMAN LIFE. 35 ists, who were attracted to see what kind of treatment their belief was to receive at the hands of this wielder of the "Jerusahim blade," as the printed sheets of songs distributed among the audience denominated him. Elder Knapp was then introduced. He showed that the hand of time had dealt kindly with him. He ap- peared, a thick set, strongly knitted frame, a firm- drawn face, crowned and edged with silvery gray hair and beard, and a very magnetic power seemed to gleam in his eye as he walked the platform and gazed abroad over the con ore oration. The Elder assured his hearers that " Our Jesus " was not represented by that infidel ideal which was so gen- erally held up by the free-thinkers. The devil could not walk off with Jesus under his arm ; but as for the Unitarian Jesus, the devil could take him off his feet pretty quick. The speaker instanced, among other pa-ssages in the Bible, to prove the presence of the dev- il in heaven — that is, that he was not yet excluded — those referring to the false prophets — or the lying spir- it in the mouth of Ahab's prophets, which led that king to his destruction — and declared that the spirit who then offered his services to God to go down to earth and be that lying spirit, was the devil. The case was also mentioned occurring in the Book of Job, where it was recorded that "there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord." The lecturer therefore declared that thou2:h the resi- dence of the devil is on our earth, yet he has some ac- 36 nature's laws cess to heaven and the presence of the angels of God. To trace the conflict between the seed of the flesh and the spirit in the history of the race was very easy. And so they v^ent up and up in their labors to raise a pathway to the skies, till God came down in wrath and confused their language so that they could no long- er build, and they were scattered over the globe. Just so the Elder said the Unitarians want to get up to heaven without Jesus Christ, but they will meet with a similar fate. The same conflict was to be seen in the family of Abraham, wherein one child Ishmael, was born after the flesh, and was the servant of the devil, and the other, Isaac, was born of the spirit, and God recognized him as the seed of the v/oman. When they were but mere lads, the child of the flesh persecuted the child of the spirit. But why, asked the Elder, should the whole world rise against all the higii priests of the living God ? Be- cause they belong to the devil, and by his command they seek to slay the prophets. Why should John the Baptist be cut ofi from the world as he was, and only be allowed to preach for a brief time ? He bore malice toward no one — he was working that men should pre- pare a way for the coming Lord of Life ; but the seed of the serpent had a deadly enmity against the seed of the woman, and the followers of evil determined to put him out of the world. And when Jesus himself appeared, they hated him and hastened to nail him on the cross — to their minds it was not good to have such a fellow on the earth. And who, at the present dny, was so IN HUMAN LIFE. 37 much hated by the servant of the devil as Jesus Christ? Here w^as a case in point, to the mind of the Elder ; the true prophet foretold the destruction of the king, vy^hile the false prophets — inspired by the devil of course — sought to lure the man on, and therefore gave pleas- ant words to his ear. The Elder declared that God never asks us to believe w^ithout evidence, and referred to the signs of supernatural povrer given by Moses be- fore Pharaoh. Here the magicians and diviners of Egypt — the Spiritualists of those days — vv^ere able with their "enchantments" to imitate the miracles of Moses, till they reached the changing of the dust to insects. This they were unable to do, and they said unto Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." In all their previous ef- forts, filled with the evil spirit, they had endeavored to destroy the faith of the people in Moses, who was the servant of God, and the seed of the woman. We are told by Jesus, said the Elder, that in the last days " there shall arise f Jse Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, in so much that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect;" that is, men who were calculated to deceive — and many women also — should come filled with false teachings, being the instruments of the devil in his ef- forts to overturn the truth of God ; and many souls should by them be led blind captives to his will, till he plunges them into the bottomless pit, there to howl and agonize for an eternity of woe. The Elder said that as, in our rebellion, the rebels tried to get all the States and all the men they could to join their ranks, BO the devil is constantly looking up recruits for his 38 nature's laws great rebellious army, that is marshalled against the Lord God under the black banner of hell ! This devil, according to the Elder, has many ways of working out his pleasure among the people. No one scheme will answer for a long time. Bald Atheism had had its day, and was powerless for harm ; and Deism, Parkerism, Unitarianism, Universalism, and, worst of all Spiritualism — a universal conglomeration of all the others^ — have been instituted to do the devil's work in turning souls from the Lord Jesus. They say that there are four millions of Spiritualists in the United States this very day, and many of the Universalists and Unita- rians, and all the rest of God's enemies, who are fight- ing against the heavenly watch ward of "Union," and under the ensign of the devil, are drifting towards Spir- itualism. The Elder desired it understood, however, that, while he acknowledged that there is a great deal of jugglery, mesmerism, deception and perfect fraud in the manifes- tations of the spirit mediums, there are yet those things existing among Spiritualists that cannot be accounted for except by the exertion of a superhuman diabolical power. No mesmerism can make a table rise up without hands; there is some power there. It is the power of the devil. I want you to see the devil's ob- ject. He knows that there is a strong desire on the part of humanity to know something more about that future that God does not reveal. We all know that we are very anxious to learn what they are doing who have passed beyond our sight. Oh, how I felt about my son who fell on the field of battle ! All I have in this IN HUMAN LIFE. 39 world — I thought— I would give if I could see him and have ^ve minutes conversation with him. So 1 felt till I hushed myself, and went back to the Word of God, and thought that there he had given us all we ought to know. And there are many men who are try- ing to get a knowledge of the future. The speaker re- ferred to many men who were " thinking men but not Christians," who wanted to know about the future, and instanced the case of Dr. Greely and a friend, who once entered into an agreement that they would hang each other — the subject to be suspended as long as possible ere death should supervene, and then to be cut dovni and restored. Dr. Greely was hanged first, and almost died ; but when he was brought to consciousness he had nothing to tell — he had not been able to penetrate the mysteries of God. The Elder recited the case of the [to him] dead Lazarus, who, after lying four days in the tomb, did not bring anything back with him when Christ, by a miracle, restored him to his sisters and friends. When God completed his revelation, he said, "It is finished ; the world has all the light it will ever have ; no new revelation will ever be given to the human fam- ily." This revelation was sufiicient. Man didn't vmderstand a millionth part of it ; and yet some dissatis- fied ones were seeking to know more, and were for that purpose calling in the aid of the devil, in direct con- tempt to the revealed will of God. The devil knows just what men want when they seek to penetrate God's mysteries. If he wants to lead a man to hell he tells him what he desires, the man believes, and goes his 40 nature's laws way to the eternal fire. The Elder said the Spiritual- ists point triumphantly to the intelligence manifested and the information given at their circles — but where did it come from? The devil, of course. Depend up- on it, it is he that brings you the intelligence. Y"ou go into a room where all who are assembled are per- fect strangers to you, and you ask the medium whether you have children — if any are dead — how many years ago they died, and where, perhaps desire their names — and you are answered correctly in every particular. JSTow, where does this knowledge of your family affairs come from ? Why, the devil knows where and when and how they died; he keeps a record, and sometimes, when you ask a question and he is n't ready to answer, he asks for time — he has got to go and bring an answer from some other devil. I have had to wait for hours some- times for a reply. You will remark that the devil denies occasionally the inspiration of certain portions of the Bible ; he won't deny it all at once, and again he tries to sweep it away, and will say "It is out of date ; it is designed for a darker age ; but you are to expect many revelations from truthful sources to supply its place." If the per- son to be approached is Orthodox, he will tell him that it is n't an eternal hell into which the wicked are plunged, but that by-and-by they come out of it ; and the next thing — when he thinks the man will bear it — he tells him there is n't any hell at all ! Then he will destroy his belief in the Bible, and leave him, without compass or chart, beating about upon the waves of a shoreless eea, till he dashes upon the rocks and goes down into IN HUMAN LIFE. 41 the deeps of everlasting misery ! So you see, [said the speaker,] that the devil is all the time deceiving men and women, and making them believe they are communica- ting with their friends whom they have lost, or with the spirits of persons who on earth bore good reputations for knowledge or morality. Again he arrests their at- tention by performing many remarkable things, many of which I have witnessed — far more than I ever saw in print. If you don't believe my statements you can write to Mr. Hook, of Stockton, Cal., or to Dr. Grat- tan ; they will tell the same story, and endorse cheer- fully all I say : Some three years ago I started for California, but before I had arrived, or before it was known that I was coming there, in the family of Mr. Hook occurred many strange things. His wife was a Baptist ; Hook was an unbelieving man, though well known in the community, being a member of the City Council ; and Yates, his neighbor, was the clerk of the Court ; but still both were irreligious men. And while I was on my way to California, there appeared a strange being in Mr. Hook's house. The Elder said they had no family but by adoption, and one of the children, a little girl, used to complain of a hideous figure she saw, who threw water on her and her companion when they retired to bed. The bed being moved did not mend the matter. * The chamber being searched revealed no pos- sible chance for the ingress or egress of a human being undiscovered, yet the individual still appeared, throwing water — and dirty water at that. Sometimes the slats were removed from their trundle-bed during the night, and they would be let down upon the floor. By-and- 42 nature's laws ^^ by the apparition began to talk to them. The girl was the medium ; she could see him ; she was an honest girl — didn't know anything about Spiritualism, or about the Elders coming. She would describe correct- ly the spirits, or beings, she saw around people in the house, so that they would be recognized as representa- tives of those who had been known on earth by the par- ties. To the question of why the rest could not see these things as well as the girl, the speaker replied that all persons were not alike. Balaam could not see the angel in his path, but the unthinking ass perceived him ; so the devil may be seen by one person and not by another. Following the appearance of the speaking phase came a curiosity on the part of Messrs. Hook and Yates, with their families to know something regarding its powers of conversation, so they met and questioned of the presence — whom the Elder considered to be the devil — whether Elder Knapp was coming, and the ans- wer was, "Yes he has sailed, and is now on his way." They asked if there would be a revival of religion in the neighborhood on his arrival, and were told there would be, and that ^Ir. Hook and Mr. Yates would be converted. The Elder thought it did not require any great amount of prescience to perceive the source of the replies. "Of course the devil keeps his eye on me ; and he knew when I left New York, and he also knew that there would be a revival on my arrival in California, and that these two women — who were praying women — would plead strongly for the conversion of their ungodly- hus- bands ; he could make such assertions without the least m HUMAN LIFE. 43 risk." Mr. Hook asked him if there was a hell, and was affirmatively answered. The questioner, who did not believe in hell, was quite "taken aback." These conversations and singular manifestations occurred for some three weeks previous to the Elder's coming to the house, and the families witnessing did not mention any- thing of the matter among the people outside. They were perfectly at a loss to know what to make of the sights and sounds, as they did not believe in Spirit- ualism. The Elder arriving, questioned the parties, and was shown the discoloration made by the water that had dripped from where it had been thrown by the mysteri- ous agent, and also some still remaining upon the win- dow-glass of the room where the child medium had lately slept. They asked the apparition his name, and he answered, "Elijah Greenfield." That was the name of Mrs. Hook's first husband, and he pretended to be the same, but contradicted himself in several of his statements ; and when reminded of it, he replied by asking them, with a laugh, if they supposed he was bound always to speak the truth ? The Elder was of opinion that the people in question ought to have known enough about the devil to know that he is the father of lies. Then " Elijah " began to throw things about ; then " he " took the girl's pillow and threw it into another room, dashed the spittoons about so rapidly that the family could not stop them ; and they did not know whence the power proceeded which hurled them around the room : " he " took two China vases and broke them, 44 nature's laws and two statuettes that cost Mr. Hook twenty five dol- lars, shared the same fate, being dashed to pieces in a corner of the room. As fast as these things were bro- ken up, the family would take the pieces and put them out of the house, keeping the matter a secret for the three weeks above stated. Finally, one day, a young man — afterwards a minister preaching in California — was sit- ting at the table, who knew nothing of the matter in the house, when his coffee-cup was taken .up and thrown over his head without any visible agency : after which, the tureen dishes — one with meat, and the other with potatoes — were thrown after it. The startled family explained the matter as best they could. But by-and-by the mysterious being begun to get tired of throwing water, and threw fire ! This did not burn, according to the Elder's description, but only sparkled and produced a redness on the medium's arms and hands ; so he thought it might have been phospho- rus, or something of a kindred nature. [Laughter.] "You need not laugh over that," said the Elder ; "it is a solemn fact — one to be prayed over — when you re- flect what a masterful power of evil is at large in your midst." If the devil could slay the servants and cattle of Job, and afflict him with such sufferings could he not break a few dishes or destroy a little furniture ? asked the speaker. "If God lets out his chain he can do more." The Elder said at present th^ power of the devil was stayed, for beyond the breaking of the furni- ture the demon had no power — at least according to his experience. The demon, however, tried to accomplish evil for the little girl by advising her to leave her kind IN HUMAN LIFE. 45 friends and go to another place which he recommended, and failing, tried to frighten her by telling her he would kill her. He said to her, "If I can throw water and fire, can I not take your life?" Her mother, in this emergency, told her to call on Jesus, and the devil im- mediatiely retreated. "The devil can't stand Jesus," said the -Plder, triumphantly ; "I can go and pray the devil out of any medium, or out of any circle. He will fly ; but Christ is stronger than the strong man armed. Christ has the power to take away the capabil- ity of the devil to do these things." One of the most powerful revivals of religion occur- ring in modern times, we are assured by the Elder, followed his preaching in that vicinity, and the singu- lar manifestations appeared to be all over — indeed, all parties concerned were congratulating themselves to that effect, when the devil again appeared ; notwith- standing nightly prayer meetings were held in the house, and other holy disinfectants were put in use, the devil showed his presence unto the praying band by hurlino^ a bisr book that was on the table across the room. The devil taking — as is mentioned above — the cognomen of her first husband — according to the Elder — told Mrs. Hook he would drive her out of the house — which was quite consistent with his character on earth, he having tried to kill her just before his own death, also having threatened to haunt her as long as she lived. The Elder said he supposed Greenfield had got the devil to go back to trouble his wife, and the task must have been eminently pleasant to him, espe- cially to persecute a wife who had done so much for a brutal husband. 40 nature's laws The Elder said he always knew Spiritualism was of the devil, because he saw Universalists, Unitarians and Atheists, and all bad men flocking to its standard. During the last of his experiences in California, while sitting in a room with Mrs. Hook and the young girl above referred to, a spittoon was thrown at him from the next room through the open door, striking^ear him and breaking into many pieces. No one was in that room, nor could there possibly have been any one. with- out his being able to discover him. It certainly was the devil himself, invisible to his sight. Similar oc- currences of remarkable things had taken place at least once in about every hundred years of the world's his- tory, from the days of the apostles till now ; and these last exhibitions of demoniacal power in our day were only a proof of the devil's determination to take advan- tage of the universally rebellious spirit of the age against God. The speaker lamented the sad decay into which the Unitarian sect had fallen, as to their manners, at least. Why, thirty years ago they were quite respectable. They would never have descended to hire a miserable stool-pigeon like Hatch to stand at the doors of a church and peddle infidel tracts to deceive the people going in, who would take them, supposing them to be evangelical. "Hatch is a child of hell, and he knows it." In the old days they were very honorable to him, and never accused him of using bad English. They then said that Knapp believed just as all the Orthodox ministers did, and that they had just as soon be sent to hell in plain language, as to be "bowed and scraped" IN HUMAN LIFE. 47 into it by softer speech and more graceful gestures. But now Unitarians were going out among the infidels and denying the Lord that bought them, and striving to undermine the whole Christian scheme of salvation, being among the chief apostles of his Satanic Majesty. Now just look, said the Elder, at the Spiritualists, and the tendency of their system. The Bible says : '^By their fruits ye shall know them. " We know that Wesley was knowing to these things, and could not account for them, except they were done by the devil. The Elder declared that there were just as many devils in the world to-day as there ever were. He said that the Spiritualists never had done a good thing. The Wesley girls, who nicknamed him, could never get the devil to do anything in the house that was useful, even to brushing a room out, although he played numerous antics there. Now mark, said Knapp, how many there are who have been driven absolutely mad — have be- come inmates of a lunatic asylum, under the influence of Spiritualism. Hundreds and thousands, from the shores of the Atlantic to the shores of the Oregon. See how they look, exclaimed the Elder, who have given their time and thought to these things — lank, long-haired, wild-looldng, careless and slovenly in their appearance, for the devil is uncleanly in his habits, and when he threw water at Hook's house it was dirty water. You will see them going on from worse to worse, the dupes of Satan. You can see by their very looks that they are but mere walking temples for devils. The Elder said all the old witches in the days of Saul were but emissaries of the devil, and were doing his 48 natuke's laws work. He called attention to the many families which he asserted had been broken up by Spiritualism, which never failed to introduce " Free-Loveism " wherever it went. Those who had paid more attention to the sub- ject than he had, had informed him that ninety-nine one-hundredths of all the women believing in Spiritu- alism were common strumpets. "I wouldn't have one of them in my house any sooner than I would have the Old Fellow himself!" He then proceeded to retail the following pathetic story, saying that in Battle Creek, 'Michigan, some years since, a lecturer on Spiritualism came along, and he became acquainted with a widow lady, and he wanted to make her a medium, pretending she would be a good one ; so they concluded to go around the country to give lectures and hold their meetings with Satan ; and he expected to make it a good speculation, because people are such miserable goslings that they will pay out their one, five, or ten dollars, for the service of the devil without a word of complaint. She had three children, and since they had decided to travel, these were in the way — they must be got rid of. So they poisoned them, and they died. And thus these three children were cut down in their young days, and died under the influence of Spiritualism. These persons were lying in prison when I went to California, because the State of Michigan don't make use of the gallows. The Elder said the drift of the Spiritualist lecturers was to deride and ridicule or defy the Bible and its teachings. He had heard one of these speakers in Cal- ifornia say that if a man did not deny Jesus Christ, he IN HUMAN LIFE. 49 had no true fellowship with Spiritualists. Their • speeches about Jesus were enough to make a Chris- tian's blood run cold, and it was awful to think of their unrestrained blasphemy, and of what was to come in consequence. Again, Elder Knapp in his discourse in Tremont Temple complained bitterly of the opposition which his revival movement was receiving from what he terms " the uncircumcised and ungodly infidels," Unitarians and Spiritualists in Boston. They were possessed, he said, by a legion of devils, 40,000 strong, and were led on by the infamous tract distributor to do battle against "the Lord's anointed." They found all man- ner of fault with him for his plainness of speech and fidelity to the truth ; but he had no doubt that if the Lord Jesus Christ was to come to Boston and preach three weeks, they would think and say that he (Knapp) was "quite a decent man compared with him." They had not even that outward respect for an ambassador of Jesus which many unconverted persons had. He re- membered well that before he was converted he had a great reverence for a minister of the gospel as such ; remembered sleeping with one once, when a young man, and he had such a feeling of awe and reverence for the holy man that " it seemed as if God was there in bed with him." But these men were so depraved as to have not only no such feeling, but the opposite one, of bitter hatred and supreme contempt for those who preached the gospel with fidelity. The Elder was par- ticularly severe upon the Spiritualists. Possessed with licentious devils, the Spiritualist women, he said, were 50 nature's laws leaving their families to shift for themselves and getting up houses of ill-fame all round the city. He had said the other day that 99 per cent, of the women Spiritual- ists were no better than strumpets. He now said that they were, without exception " old, rotten, dirty, stink- ing hags," and were running after Hatch and every other vile and unprincipled fellow who would consort with them. FKOM THE BOSTON TRAVELLER. The Traveller says " The National Convention of Spir- itualists, at its session in Troy last week, besides choos- ing the Woodhull woman president, afflicted the world with some of the most absurd and wicked trash ever vented. One mfm defended profanity, boasting of his ability to swear in twenty languages, and claiming a "God-given-right to damn anything and everybody" he pleased. Another declared it was as natural for him to swear as for some people to pray, and it did just as much good. But even this was not the worst. Oth- ers indulged in declarations which would shame Athe- ists, and one woman declared unblushingly in favor of abolishing the institution of marriage and substituting therefor that of "natural affinities. " A suggestion that the association should appoint regular officers whose duty it should be to solemnize spiritual unions between " affinities " in this world was received with general fa- vor. No wonder the Woodhull found fit companions and satellites here. IN HUMAN LIFE. 51 FROM THE BOSTON HERALD. A writer in the Boston Herald says "And I was once as blind as Denton and his comrades, but the loving Jesus had compassion on me, and called me to Him- self by a direct revelation on the Christmas eve, 1835. Since that memorable night I have known and under- stood that Jesus is the Lord and Savior. I dare to declare that I am his eye-witness, for I have both seen His lovely face and form and heard His sweet voice, and further that the generally prevailing and promul- gated doctrine that there can be no revelations, inspira- tions and other spiritual manifestations now-a-days is entirely false ; that whatever was in old times can be also to-day, but under the same conditions and by the same laws ; that the modern Spiritualism which claims, and also has indeed the above mentioned spiritual man- ifestations is of entirely different kind from the divine spirituality of the ancient saints, and of Jesus the King of the saints, as much as mud is different from clear water, it being condemned by the divine law and by the holy Scriptures as idolatry and rebellion, as a Satanic system. William Denton, in concert with all Spiritualists, as- serts that Jesus was a clairvoyant and healing medium, and there are now as many good and righteous medi- ums "as Jesus ever dared to be." This is all false. These mediums are not worthy to wear the shoes of 52 nature's laws Jesus, for they are of Satanic order, consulters with fa- miliar spirits and idolaters, whereas Jesus was and is divine, filled and influenced by the Holy Spirit. These mediums find their equals in the woman called the Witch of Endor, in Simon Magus, called the sorcerer, and in the magicians, necromancers, enchanters, divin- ers and soothsayers, but not in the prophets, and Jesus whom they revile wickedly. STATEMENTS OF DE. W. A. HAMMOND. The real and fraudulent phenomena of what is called spiritualism are of such a character as to make a pro- found impression upon the credulous and the ignorant. * * * Such persons have probably from a very early age believed in the materiality of spirits, and having very little knowledge of the forces inherent in their own bodies, have no difiiculty in ascribing occurrences, which do not accord with their experience, to the agency of disembodied individuals whom they imagine to be cir- culating through the world. In this respect they re- semble those savages who regard the burning-lens, the mirror and other things which produce unfamiliar effects, as being animated by deities. Their minds are decided- ly fetish-worshipping in character, and are scarcely, in this respect, of a more elevated type than that of the Conffo neo;ro who endows the rocks and trees with higher mental attributes than he claims for himself I He has "witnessed many spiritualistic performances, and has never seen a single one which could not be ac- IN HUMAN LIFE. 53 counted for by the operation of some one or more of the causes specified. No medium has ever yet been lifted into the air by spirits, no one has ever read unknown writing through a closed envelope, no one has ever lifted tables or chairs but by material agencies, no one has ever been tied or untied by spirits, no one has ever heard the knocks of a spirit, and no one has ever spoken through the power of a spirit other than his own." The "causes specified" in the above remarks are dis- eased nerves, indigestion, hysteria, etc., and the writer, in his book against Spiritualism, advises the use of pro- toxide of iron, and other medicinal preparations, to dis- pel the delusion. CHURCH OPPOSITION. The progress of Spiritualism has taken such a wide range, and numbered among its adherents so many re- cruits from the various religious organizations, that the official authorities of a number of sects, either on their own account, or by instigation of zealous members among the laity, have felt conscientiously bound to take cognizance of what they considered a dangerous en- croachment of heresy. Within a very few years such a case occurred in Laconia, N. H. Two ladies of the Congregational Church, yielding to what they declared to be the evidence of their senses, and a mental convic- tion arising from what they considered an irrepressible power acting upon their minds, came in conflict with the authoritative opinions of their rulers. The minister 54 nature's laws and certain of their fellow-members visited tliem, and informed them that their supposed evidence of spiritual- ism was a delusion, at the same time threatening them with expulsion from the church, if they continued to advocate the new doctrine, or to entertain the belief in the truth of the phenomena. Their crime consisted in the fact that music was heard in their presence, as if produced by instruments, while no such instruments were visible. The ladies having, as they aver, had no agency in evoking the harmonious sounds, and there- fore being unwilling so summarily to yield their consci- entious convictions, were accordingly expelled. Other denominations have taken similar action in re- lation to members who felt themselves irresistibly at- tracted to the subject. FATHER HECKER'S CAUTION. Some years ago Father Hecker, editor of the Catho- lic World, and one of the distinguished divines of the Roman Catholic Church in America, lectured against Spiritualism, which he termed a delusion. In one of his lectures, delivered in Chicago, he said that the path Spiritualists were treading, was a dangerous one, and that his audience should avoid it as they would a snake in the grass. The Roman Church claims to have spiritual commu- nications in isolated instances, as a gift to the favored, but she interdicts the practice of mediumship. IN HUMAN LIFE. 55 This large division of the Chrstian Church is not alone in her opposition. The Protestant Church as we have already shown, by reference to the remarkable bitterndss of spirit in- dulged by prominent representatives of several sects, when speaking of the subject, exceeds the opposition of the Romish priests. The Swedenborgians with few exceptions, condemn it, assuming that the founder of their sect is the only medium of special inspiration in modern times. In what is called the liberal portion of the Protestant Church in America, the discussion of the subject is treat- ed with gentlemanly courtesy, yet several instances have occurred in which not only doubt has been expressed, but its pretensions have been treated with sarcasm. Besides these, the expounders of Hebrew Theology, and the Liberalists, called by their enemies, by way of opprobium. Infidel have been to a great extent, arrayed against it. The positions of these several controversialists will be further considered in subsequent pages. The Rev. Justin D. Fulton D.D., the Rev. Mr. Morgan, and the celebrated showman, P. T. Barnum may all be placed in the category of out-spoken oppo- nents, not only of Spiritualism, but of spiritualists. The Baptist divine is scarcely less censorious than his confrere, Elder Knapp ; and has spoken of believers in the strange phenomena in terms of malediction, even more severe if possible than his celebrated denunciation of the character and life-work of the late Charles Dick- 56 nature's laws ens, which so sorely afflicted the vast multitudes of ad- mirers of the latter's genius and of the humane tendency of his writings. He quotes passages from the Bible, the interpretation of which, he claims, proves that the spiritual phenomena are the works of the devil ; and asserts that there is no good thing in it. The spiritualists complain that Mr. Barnum spares no occasion to traduce them and their cause. Mr. Morgan, in a discourse delivered in the Music Hall, Boston, made grave charges of fraudulent prac- tises, against certain travelling healers, which however, have been as stoutly denied. These persons have denounced the practice of seeking spiritual knowledge in the way pursued by spiritualists, as dangerous, and a curse to society, which should be arrested. Scientific men have generally ign.ored the claims of Spiritualism. This has been a source of complaint among its defenders. It has been attacked and de- nounced both by certain scientists individually, and by some in their collective, organized capacity. The ac- tion of the authorities of Harvard College, for example, in expelling a student of the Divinity School for ex- hibiting mediumistic powers, is not forgotten. Eecent events furnish examples of a decided tendency in the other direction, as will be seen in the sequel. IN HUMAN LIFE. 57 PA.RT II. CONSERVATISM. There is a class of public speakers and writers who have not expressed themselves with boldness upon eith- er side of the main question discussed in these pages. Unwilling to array themselves with some, at least of the opponents who have acquired prominence by their undisguised expressions of opposition nor to commit themselves against it, in the language of Mr. Knapp and persons of similar character ; yet having a disposition to inquire into the significance of the phenomena, they have spoken and written as nearly definite as the signs of the times seemed, according to their own conscientious scruples, to require of them. They occupy an interme- diate position, owing allegiance to neither. They admit the occurrence of spiritual phenomena, but apparently have not attached much importance to them. They cannot consider the manifestations diabol- ical in character, at least they have refrained from ex- 58 nature's laws pressing themselves to that effect. What they intend precisely to be understood to mean, it is not proper here in a simple marshalling of the expressed opinions of the opposing parties, to state. The reader must draw the inference. The definite yea or nay wanting, we class them as conservatives, desirous of leaving the existing condition of things undisturbed. Among such we include the following. Some such persons, desiring at all times to subserve the interests of truth, accordmg to the inpetus given by new occurrences express them- selves in a more outspoken manner at one time than another ; but do not seem to be fully convinced in their own minds so as to take a definite position on either side. EEV. H. W. BEECHER. The following abstract of a discourse by Mr. Beech- er embraces the proper method of reasoning to arrive at or depart from Spiritualism. If his hearers pursue an independent course of inquiry, it leaves the teacher irresponsible for their conclusions. Sunday, Nov. 26th, Mr. Beecher's morning discourse was on "Science and Theology." His text, was taken from Tim. iii : 13-17. The end, he said, is more val- uable than the means ; the house is more valuable than are the tools by which the house is built. The Bible itsqlf is valueless ; but so far as it accomplishes good, IN HUMAN LIFE. 59 it is of transcendent value. The adoration of the church and of the Bible are both idolatrous ; but if I am obliged to choose between a book — a record — and a living church made up of living men interpreting God's prov- idence, I should say, Give me the church by all means. In the past, the Bible has not been free from contro- versy and assault ; but the actual experience of the hearts of men has overthrown skeptics in our day. The assaults are stronger, better aimed, more vital, and more in alliance with scientific inquiry, armed with an acuteness never brought to bear before ; but the pre- ponderance of evidence still remains with the Bible. Nevertheless, the campaign is going to another Water- loo. The ground, to some, seems to be falling away from the word of God. The undermining of science seems to them likely to destroy its foundation. But the all important instrument for this destruction is lacking. Within the sphere of science comes the origin of man, the facts of mental and of moral philosophy, the mys- teries of moral and spiritual intuition : but it does not hold within its arms the one great element of moral conscientiousness. The atmosphere of doubt acts in many ways ; but that it is acting powerfully and pre- cipitously, few can doubt. Be as little conversant with the terms, the world or humanity, who does not know that over religion there hangs to-day an amount of doubt and uneasiness which may not be computed ? While the question, "Is there a God?" — the question which has been the great controversy of ages — is thundering round about us, they that believe in it, instead of forti- fying themselves against a common enemy, are virtual- 60 ly knocking down their own bulwarks by disputes about the meanest elements of theological geometry. A state of doubt is as fatal in its practical consequence as a state of unbelief. Both paralyze. If you attempt by the Bible to establish a perfect scheme of moral phi- losophy out of intellectual reason you will fail. It is not sufficient for that. The word of God draws the line between duty on the one side and wrong on the other — between lust and virtue, ambition and right. A jnan might as well go to Webster's Dictionary to find out how Mozart's Requiem sounds, as to endeavor to find advice as to the petty governments of a church in the elucidation of abounding mystery in the Bible. Al- though my whole life has been spent in the study of the Scriptures, I am not competent to investigate them ; but I am able to know what is best for the true man- hood, to know that love everywhere is better than ha- tred — and so are you. The Bible fashions character. The devotees who seeing the mischief of doubt, refuse to doubt anything, and, not content with denying them- selves, though they deny to everybody else, they say : " You have got to take the Bible literally ; you must read it just as it is." What nonsense I Such a pro- ceeding may be safe to men who were not in danger any way, but for those who don't want to be led by the nose, it is dangerous. You make skeptics of such men — set their pride against belief. The Bible is full of facts, and they must give way. It is said, " In six days God created the earth." The rocks told a different story ; they say it took thousands of years. Theologians grew wrathy and gave the lie to Nature. But to-day the IN HUMAN LEFE. 61 rocks have proved their story, and we know that a day is a season. We take these days for gigantic periods, and geology and theology agree. The rocks have not changed, but the interpretation of Genesis has. I don't say to young men, "leave science alone;" but I say "Don't hurry." I say, "Don't read, but study." The spiritual force of the Bible gains in every generation. So I say to scientists, "Study up the knowledge of man, his adaptability to social life. Join hands with the Phi- losopher, the Mesmerist,, the Spiritualist and License Demonstration Hei'self to every Nation." No one knows anything about the Bible until it is to him the same as is a medicine book in actual sickness. The med- icating power of the Bible is therefore its life. A statement having obtained some degree of publici- ty to the effect that Mr. B. had expressed his belief in Spiritualism in one of his discourses, he took occasion to deny it in the following card : "In my discourse of Sunday night I did not discuss * Spiritualism ' as that term is now understood, but Scriptural teaching respecting the Divine spirit. Mod- ern ^Spiritualism' was barely alluded to, but without affirmation or denial. If the report shall be interpreted as an expression of my views on the modern doctrine of Spiritualism, I am unwilling to be responsible for its statements. I look with profound interest upon all wise efforts to educe scientific truth from that extraordi- nary class of phenomena which has become so common in our day, and to which at length, in England at least, the attention of men of the highest scientific attainments 62 nature's laws has been seriously turned. But I have never yet been convinced that these remarkable modern phenomena originated from the interposition of spirits outside of the human body." OPINION OF ME. THEODORE TILTON. The following letter from the above named gentle- man indicates his opinion at the time of its publication. The well known liberality of his course, entitles him to the credit of sincerity and earnestness of purpose, upon whichever side of a controversy circumstances influenced his mind to range itself. "My Friend — I thank you for asking me to attend your convention. Many labors keep me at my office- desk. The phenomena of Spiritualism have interested me greatly. But I have had bad luck with mediums. Sooner or later, nearly all of them (in sitting with me,) have exhibited traces of imposters and cheats. Thus I have known a medium who, after the manifestation of genuine marvels such as would impress and satisfy the most skeptical inquirer, has condescended to the petty trickery of producing raps with his hand, and of mov- ing a table with his foot. There is so much that is genuine, cheering and magnificent in the better and higher phenomena of Spiritualism, that my blood grows hot with indignation at the insincerity of mediums who will use the most sacred of facts as the warp and woof of the meanest of deceits. You ask me to send a sen- m HUMAN LIFE. 63 timent, I would like to send it in the form of a scourge to drive out the profaners of the temple. I hope you will pass a resolution whipping the rogues who steal the livery of Spiritualism to serve their devilish selves therewith. By as much as I love truth, by so much do I hate fraud. My experience with Spiritualism teaches me that, as it is ordinarily seen in the performance of mediums, it is about one-half truth and the other half humbug. I am yours frankly, — " It is said that his views have become more favorable since the publication of the above letter, but no public announcement of the fact has yet come before us. The candor and out-spoken sincerity of Mr. T's criticism is highly commendable. EEV. W. H. H. MUKEAY. The Eev. Mr. Murray, pastor of the Park-street Church, Boston, Mass., said in a sermon from which the following is an extract : "To me the spirit-world is tangible. It is not peo- pled with ghosts and spectres, shadows and outlines of being, but with persons and forms palpable to the appre- hension. Its multitudes are veritable, its society natu- ral, its language audible, its companionships real, its loves distinct, its activities energetic, its life intelligent, its glory discernible ; its union is not that of sameness, but of variety brought into moral harmony by the great law of love, like notes, which, in themselves distinct 64 nature's laws and different, make, when combined, sweet music. Death will not level and annul those countless differen- ces of mind and heart which make us individual here. Heaven, in all the mode and manner of expression, will abound with personality. There will be choice and preference and degrees of affinity there. Each intellect will keep its natural bliss, each heart its elections. Groups there will be, and circles : faces known and un- known will pass us ; acquaintances will thrive on inter- course, and love deepen with knowledge ; and the great, underlying laws of mind and heart prevail and dominate as they do here, save in this — that in sin, and all the repellence and antagonism that it breeds, will be un- known, and holiness supply in perfect measure the op- portunity and bond of brotherhood." IN HUMAN LITE. 65 PA.KT III, TESTIMONY IN FAVOE OF SPIEITUALISM. In the Christian Scriptures, John enjoins his brethren against blind credulity in language that has been often quoted, though it is questionable whether the advice has been heeded, even by those vrho refer to it as au- thoritive teaching. He says "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits, vy^hether they be of God ; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." And in like manner, Paul in his letter to the Thessa- lonians advises them to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." If this advice were followed, the investigator bringing to the task the exercise of the great boon which has been vouchsafed to mankind, the blessed power of rea- son, there would be little of delusion or crime in the world. Paul was a hero among the Christians, and his words are treasured up by the followers of the Nazarene in im- 66 nature's laws plicit faith, and his teachings obeyed as of undeniable authority. Entitled to the same weight comes the following language in his first letter to the Corinthians, in which he enumerates a variety of spiritual gifts. "The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the spir- it the word of wisdom ; to another, the word of knowl- edge by the same spirit ; to another faith by the same spirit ; to another, the gifts of healing by the same spir- it ; to another, the working of miracles ; to another, prophecy ; to another, discerning of spirits ; to anoth- er, divers kinds of tongues ; to another, the interpreta- tion of tongues ;" and then at the close of the chapter he calls upon all Christians to "covet earnestly the best gifts." In the Hebrew Scriptures we find allusion to some of these things in the language of prophecy uttered by Joel. "And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy ; your old men shall dream dreams ; your young men shall see visions ; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." Having collated examples of opinions publicly ex- pressed in opposition to Spiritualism, embracing all grades of intensity from the severest down to compara- tive or absolute indifference, it is now proper to present the testimony on the favorable side. By pursuing this course impartially, the reader will be enabled to com- IN HUMAN LIFE. 67 pare the weight of fact and argument as they are pre- sented with greater or less force to his mental compre- hension, and reach independent conclusions. The sum of testimony in either case, it is of course impossible to embrace within the limits of any book of reasonable magnitude. Enough of the unfriendly quality has been quoted to illustrate the animus of the various writers and speakers. But if it has been difficult to compress within a moderate compass what has been said in the way of animadversion, sarcastic criticism, stolid incred- ulity, condemnation, vilification, and priestly anathema, it is still less practicable to present at one view even an epitome of what has been given to the world in the way of simple narration, supported by calm reasoning, in a truly religious frame of mind on the other side, much less what has been written and spoken in terms of extravagant laudation. It is sufficient for our pres- ent purpose to give a modicum of each. The number of Spiritualists in the United States alone has increased during a period of but little over twenty-two years from a mere handful of startled and curious investigators, to a number variously esti- mated from six hundred and sixty thousand, to eleven millions. The lesser estimate, it is stated, is for want of the necessary data much below the reality, while the larger possibly exceeds it. It is however, unquestion- ably very large ; running into the millions. Among such a vast number, embracing men and women of cul- ture and scientific attainments, many of them of thought- ful minds having, to say the least, an average degree of mental strength, it is to be expected that the testimony 68 nature's laws now to be offered in behalf of the truth of spiritual phe- nomena, selected from a voluminous quantity, should be definite and positive in character. In the earlier period of its progress in this country, several periodicals conducted by writers of ability ap- peared, and entered earnestly upon its advocacy, shar- ing the fate of most pioneers in almost all fields of adventure and active enterprise. After a time they were suspended, but to be immediately succeeded by others which nm^tured the seed thus sown by brave hands, and brought it onward to fructification. The permanent literature, from small beginnings com- prehended in a transient newspaper account of singular physical phenomena, extending to the graver pamphlet, and thence to the more permanent book devoted to what are known as the higher manifestations, and the discus- sion of the philosophy of the subject, has been alluded to in our Introduction. A portion of the testimony in this division of our plan of arrangement will consist of that which relates to physical phenomena ; but what is of more importance is involved in the question of the reliability of Commu- nications claiming to be received from persons inhabit- ing the spirit-world. This was for a longtime a delicate and embarrassing one. In the family and neighborly meeting of groups of private friends, the character of the communications received , after being tested by appro- priate means were alleged to be truthful, and highly satisfactory to the parties immediately concerned. But in these the public generally had no part. All were learners, and no one at first could take the responsibili- IN HUMAN LIFE. 69 ty of deciding upon rules which would bring out the best method of conducting meetings for the desired pur- pose. Individual mediums had their capacities gradu- ally developed, until they were recognized by believers to be reliable, and thus the meaning of the phenomena, the communication of specific facts , and the philosophy of the subject came to be more extensively known. THE MEDnJMSHIP OF MES. J. H. CONANT. At length the proprietors of the Banner of Lights the oldest of the periodical publications, devoted to the facts and philosophy of Spiritualism, established on a permanent basis, inaugurated an exceedingly liberal. plan for the benefit of the public generally, namely, the open- ing of an elegant room conveniently furnished, for hold- ing Free Public Circles ; employing a lady of refinement, and of remarkable mediumistic powers, as their medium of communication between the spirit-world and such of the inhabitants of our world as chose to avail them- selves of the opportunity of attending the tri-weekly sessions ; the only conditions required, being the pres- ervation of quiet, order and neatness. The following standing announcement is placed at the head of the Message Department, in their regular issue. " Each Message in this Department of the Banner of Light we claim was spoken by the Spirit whose name it bears through the instrumentality of Mrs. J. H. Co- nant, while in an abnormal condition called the trance. These Messages indicate that spirits carry with them 70 natuee's laws the characteristics of their earth-life to that beyond — whether for good or evil. But those who leave the earth-sphere in an undeveloped state, eventually pro- gress into a higher condition. We ask the reader to receive no doctrine put forth by spirits in these columns that does not comport with his or her reason. All express as much truth as they perceive — no more." Each meeting is opened by an invocation, of which the following is an example, indicating the temper of mind which governs the conductors. INYOCATIOJ^. Holy, holy art thou, oh Great Spirit, whether thou art Brahma or Jehovah ; whether thou dost reveal thyself to us through children, or through the more splendid intellect of maturer age ; whether we behold thy foot- prints upon the mountains, or read thy record in the flowers, in the fruits, in the grains and precious stones ; forever thou art holy, holy, holy. And we, thy chil- dren, the living and the dead, do this hour join hands and worship thee, bringing thee the fruits of our expe- rience, reverently laying them upon the altar of time, asking thy blessing to fall upon them. Give us, oh Great Spirit, the power to understand ourselves, the wisdom to read thy mighty, thy precious volume of Na- ture aright ; and when the hour of our triumph shall come, and we are upon the mountain-top of wisdom, of IN HUMAN LIFE. 71 experience, and shall look down smilingupon all below, then cast thou thy mantle of love, perfect love upon us, and let it be decorated with humility, giving unto it a double lustre in the spiritual kingdom. THE SEANCE. Visitors are deeply impressed with the evident sincer- ity which pervades all parties concerned in the trans- mission of the messages, the intrinsic character and quality of which differ from each other in the widest de- gree ; presenting in their individual features almost as many characteristic phases as there are disembodied minds communicating. Many contain nothing of immediate importance to the listeners, but are of a personal nature, giving the best possible opportunity, however, of testing their truthfulness to any one who v^ill take the trouble to trace the correspondence between the statements giv- en, and the knowledge of facts in the possession of per- sons to whom they are addressed. They are simple and familiar in style or profoundly scientific, reflecting positive or negative character, and sometunes imparting new knowledge both present and prophetic. Their versatility excludes the presumption that they are the spontaneous utterances of the lady who is the channel of communication ; for this would require an extent of education, and a degi'ee of training in personation that no mortal in human liistory has ever yet attained. In proof of this, we quote the following remarks of a Chi- cago gentleman, which corroborate the uniform im- 72 nature's laws pression made upon the minds of all observers. De- scribing spiritual matters in Boston, he writes : "I was much interested in attending the Banner of Light Free Circle. If Mrs. Conant is not under the influence of spirits, then she must be the most remark- able woman that ever lived. For a pale, feeble woman to answer so many profound and intricate questions and personate so many characters all of her own personal skill, must at once stamp her as the greatest actor and most versatile thinker of the age." We select two of the communications for the purpose of illustration ; the first is from the Rev. Dr. Gannett, a well known Unitarian Minister, whose earthly life was suddenly terminated by the terrible Railroad disas- ter which occurred at Revere, near Boston in the au- tumn of 1871, while on his way to fill a ministerial engagement, the time appointed being the following Sunday. COMMUNICATION FEOM EEV. EZRA GANNETT D. D. By the kindness of your President, I have been invi- ted to take part in your services this afternoon ; but I do so with the full consciousness that I am unworthy, because when in the body, living as I did under the bla- zing sunlight of modern Spiritualism, I rejected it, and crucified this Savior of modern times again and again. Therefore, I am unworthy to become a recipient of this great blessing ; but I believe I am here by the will of m HUMAN LIFE. 73 God, by the grace of that Infinite Presence that cares for us all — that notes the falling sparrow, and numbers all the years of our existence. I was once told by one of my parishioners, who was a believer in modern Spir- itualism, that he should yet live to see the day when I would acknowledge myself in the wrong. He is on earth. I do acknowledge I was wrong, and, like a lit- tle child, I am willing to be led in the right way ; for now I fully understand that, except I become as a little child, I cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. My friends are mourning over my sudden departure ; but I have to say to them that my death was a merciful one. I suffered nothing ; I took my exit from the body of flesh probably instantaneouslv ; at least, I feave no recollection of anything but a sudden blow here, [on the forehead,] and then I found myself viewing the wreck of matter, and wondering into what state I had been ushered. I believe now, more than ever, in the goodness of an all- wise God — a Supreme Power that guides us through all the ways of life, and finally saves us, and admits us into that heaven of perfect happiness which every soul seeks to obtain. I feel, since entering upon this new life, deeply impressed with the necessity for great re- forms upon the earth. I feel that the earth is ripe for change, and that the angels are ready to record great events which are to transpire : and one of these great events is the passing away of mythical religions, and the establishment of the glorious spiritual religion over all the earth. Did not Jesus, or the Spirit of Truth through him, declare that such a time as that should 74 come, in the history of the earth? I so interpret the words, but when here I did not so understand them. I believed that he referred to the millennium — to the time when the soul should be redeemed from error, and should live in a perfectly happy state upon earth. My friends say I have been removed from the sphere of my labors. It is not so. I have only been transla- ted higher, that I may do better — that I may be a more faithful laborer in the vineyard of my Father. I have seen, hitherto, as through a glass, darkly. Now, standing as I do in the world of causes, and communi- cating with the world of matter, I can look forward hopefully — I can work with a will ; and I praise my God that he has dealt so mercifully with me. Rev» Ezra S. Gannett. Sept. 7. The second communication is from Dr. Wesselhoeft, a physician formerly engaged in extensive practice in Boston, and is said by those who knew him intimately, to be characteristic of him during his earth-life. COMMUNICATION FROM DR. WM. WESSELH(ErT. I had ample evidence, before making the change of worlds, that a great many of these people who believe in modern Spiritualism were disposed to make this mod- ern Spiritualism a very ridiculous thing ; and I have had greater evidence, since death, that this is a fact — that the majority of those who believe in modern Spirit- ualism do it more harm than good, for they call upon the inhabitants of the other world to come back and IN HUIVIAN LIFE. 75 answer the most nonsensical questions that could possi- bly be propounded ; and I am here to answer one, to- day, which is to me a very foolish one. A lady who claims to have been a patient of mine, and who claims, that her daughter, now in the spirit-world, was also one of my patients some seventeen years ago, wishes me to come back, and, for her satisfaction and the satisfaction of her friends, to make a statement concerning the dis- ease with which her daughter died, diagnosing every particular point, so that there may be no mistake, so that she may know, herself, that I am speaking — that her old physician gives the message to which his name is attached, or expected to be. Now, to begin with, I don't know the lady, and never did. My memory is good — just as good in this life as it was in the earth- life ; and if such a lady was ever a patient of mine, it was under a different name. I don'X know her by that name and never did. Probably she expects I shall be attracted to her because she has called me, and I shall know what her name was, and shall give it to her, thereby doubling the test. I have something better to do now. Although her request may be a very laudable one to her, to me it is a very foolish one. I would recommend to her that she should employ some good wise spirit to give her a few lessons as to what her duty is to the spirit-world as well as to herself. I was a plain-spoken man in the earthly life ; I am just the same now. If she do n't like it, I've no apology to make. She ought to make one to me. The name the lady gives me is Mrs. Agnes Chesterfield. I do n't know her ; and if I did, I would probably refuse to 76 nature's laws give her what she asks, for the reason that I would not be very Hkelj to remember all the points of the case she demands me to work up, for I had more than one pa- tient at the time. I could hardly be expected to write out a critical case from my memory ; and the lady, if I understand her, demands something very clear and ac- curate, or nothing at all. Now then, my lady, go to school ; go to some good spirits, to teach you. No matter if they are as cross as I am ; they'll do you good. Dr. William Wesselhoeft. Oct. 23. It will be observed that the name of the communicator is placed at the end of each message, notwithstand- ing its having been already prefixed as the usual head- ing ; a seemingly unnecessary repetition. Our purpose, however, has been to quote the message verbatim, and in the precise order in which it was spoken through the medium. The date is also appended for convenient reference, in the case of new inquirers. From two to six of the messages, as the case may be, are delivered at each sitting. In addition to this, and immediately after the invocation, questions which have been propounded by persons at a distance are read by the Chairman, and immediately answered by the pre- siding spirit. An opportunity is then given to the au- dience to ask such questions as they desire, which are also answered instanter. This privilege all persons are earnestly invited to avail themselves of,, without hesitation. IN HUMAN LIFE. 77 EELIABILITY OF SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS. In reference to this question which is mooted by all novices, it is only necessary to remark, that it simply re- quires the application of common sense, and the ordina- ry rules of evidence. Communications are made either orally or in writing. When by the former method, the tone and manner of the medium affords an indication of its genuineness. The faculty of imitation is in many cases a natural endowment ; to acquire it artistically necessitates great application and perseverance. Even then, there must be an original from which to copy, in order to meet with success, in an attempt to counterfeit. Trance mediums are either conscious or unconscious, while in that condition— in the beo^umins^ of the mani- festations it appeared to be generally the latter ; and they are thrown into it with very varying degrees of facility. The displacement of the person's individuality for the time being, is attended with some degree of spasmodic muscular action, occasionally violent, with a sigh or an ejaculation. In the incipient stage of development, there is much more of this than subsequently, and more or less retention of consciousness. Indeed in proportion to the difficulty of suspending that consciousness, will be the incompleteness of the trance condition. If it be re- tained in the earlier experience of the medium, the thoughts of the conmmnicating spirit can not be trans- 78 nature's laws mitted with distinctness. Such is the testimony of me- diums, as regards the sensations which they experience ; and the result is a matter of observation, coming within the cognizance of all intelligent investigators. The mixed character of mediumship, in certain cases owing to incomplete development, accounts for^he un- satisfactory and sometimes contradictory nature of com- munications received. The individuality of the medium is mingled with the communication. If therefore, there is any want of veracity on his or her part, the matter of the communication will be to some extent supplement- ed, or interpolated by something foreign to its purpose. This is liable to occur in written as well as in spoken messages. Complete control having been established, the suc- ceeding entrancement is effected without disturbance of muscular action, and moreover without suspension of consciousness. Indeed it is believed that the greater portion of the best mediums now remain conscious. These remarks are made on the supposition that the investigator and the person through- whom information is sought, are enth-e strangers to each other, neither knowing any thing of the other's honesty of purpose. Hence the same rules of e\ddence are to be adopted which govern an examination into the truthfulness of testimony on any other subject. Fitness for mediumship, or adaptability is a peculiar organic condition involving qualities which are yet to us occult; at least the peculiarities of temperament which were supposed to constitute susceptibility based upon what was known of mesmerism, do not apply. m HITMAN LIFE. 79 In respect to veracity, there are pure and noble souls whose testimony would at all times be regarded unim- peachable. There are others less scrupulous. Herein mediums do not differ from other persons. In the true value of moral traits of character, they are neither bet- ter nor worse than the Christians of om' day. So far as the benignant influence of the teachings of the doc- trines concerninsr a future life are concerned we should expect them to show better fruit, but this affects them as individuals and not as mediums. In ordinary mat- ters of business this does not concern the inquirer. If he fi.nds it necessary to transmit a message by telegraph to a distant point, he does not 'stop to inquire what the sockl position of the operator is, to what church he be- longs, or with what political party he affiliates. It is enough for liim to know that the person intrusted with that duty is capable, prompt and efficient, that the lino of communication is perfect and the apparatus in work- ing order. The question of fidelity comes in, and that is inferentially settled by the interested parties employ- ing liis services. The intrinsic character of the message or communi- cation must therefore speak for itself. If it contains a specific fact which is known only to the person addressed, it relieves the medium from suspicion of fraud. Yet to a third party it is still liable to the objection tliat it is only a reflection of the mind of the seeker, who in this case is supposed to be present. But if the thought was not present in his mind. at the time, and the statement comes to him as a startling reminder, it cannot be ex- plained in that way. And again if he is hun(h'eds or 80 nature's laws thousands of miles away, what shall be said of the re- flex theory ? It has happened again and again, that the recipient of the verbal communication has solemnly averred that the circumstances related to him were not occupying his mind at the time, nor had they been thought of, for perhaps a long time previous. If a space of miles in extent separates the parties in the body, that is the mediiun and the person at a distant point, who knows the fact stated, the knowledge must be imparted to those persons present in the body with the medium, by means inexplicable by the electrical, the reflex or any other theory suggested by the objector. These ingenious though often far-fetched explanations, if they could satisfy the demands of a reasoning mind, in reference to the classes of cases just mentioned, are still at fault in another. We refer to cases where the statements made embrace facts entirely new and pre- viously unknown to any one in the body, present or ab- sent. The objection, or explanation which presumes that the medium is necessarily a pretender, is not only un- generous, but unjust. True ladies and true gentlemen who accept this calling in good faith, often against their will and in spite of their personal opposition to it, are not chargeable with the false pretensions of counterfeitors, nor the uncertain character of mixed communications coming through partially developed mediums who re- sort to the use of their imperfect gift as a trade for mercenary ends. They have patiently borne the doubts and sneers of the ignorant and presumptuous for the purpose of affording the fullest opportunity to inquiring IN HmiAN LIFE. 81 minds to test for themselves tlie truthfulness of their messages. When a dear departed friend, or a near relative makes an effort to be identified, and to give a friendly or affec- tionate greeting, it is not complimentary nor is it kind, without an attempt to ascertain its genuineness by reason- able tests, to charge the medium with imposition, and a false personation. But when after its truthfulness is acknowledged, because it is no longer possible to ignore it, and the communication purports to come from a lov- ing mother, what word shall be employed to characterize the assertion that it is the work of the devil? How must that mother feel to be called a devil ? How would she in earth-life feel, if after sending an affectionate letter by the mail, or a message of kind greeting, by telegraph, with precious pearls of advice, the recipient should say it came from the devil? When information is sent by letter from one person to another, there are means of identification as to its au- thorship, which are fully satisfactory to the person ad- dressed. Modes of expression are characteristic as well as the chirography. It has often occurred, when mes- sages have been received from the spirit- world, the per- son addressed has at once exclaimed "That's just like him." When a circumstance has been related to anoth- er who was not present when the message was received, on hearing the phrases repeated, even before the name was announced, the exclamation came spontaneously, "Why, that's from so-and-so, its exactly his manner and language." A verbal messao-e from one to another in our mun- 82 - nature's laws dane sphere, may be accurately conveyed, but this de- pends upon the accuracy of the messenger. We know that scarcely any two persons narrate the same event alike. The difference in memory and the relative facil- ity in the use of language will modify the statement. Its spirit will be occasionally communicated without abatement of intensity, or variation in accuracy of detail. But this is seldom the case. Hence a communication from a human being disembodied to one still in the form must necessarily, except when given through one of the best mediums, lose something of its intensity at least. The reliability must then be determined by the employ- ment of ordinary rules of evidence, and submitted to common sense and reason. PSYCHIC FORCE. The array of testimony against Spiritualism in Part I. from prominent divines, aided by an occasional oppo- nent who has attacked it from what he considered a scientific stand point, and scattering newspaper com- ments, has consisted mainly of negation ; such and such things did not occur as represented by persons vntnessing them. What could not be denied, others have attempt- ed to explain. It was still negation, as far as it related to any definite source from which the alleged phenome- na originated, excepting the devil recognized by Mr. Ejiapp and others of like belief. ^We do not propose to enumerate the prominent be- lievers as is sometimes done with reference to those who m HUMAN LIFE. 83 deny, as it is not a mere array of names on the two sides respectively, that would settle the question. Oth- erwise we might classify a list of Scientists, Professors in Colleges, Judges of Courts, Members of Congress, distinguished Literateurs, Philanthropists, Ministers, officers at the head of the nation, and men in high po- sition in Councils of State, as believers. But no truth can be disposed of by vote. We prefer to present the statements of facts wliich have occurred," and to mention the parties who witnessed them, and are personally responsible for the statements. Truth or falsehood in such cases is easily ascer- tained. The arrangement of this kind of evidence will include the development of mediumship in its various phases, such as the more elementary or simple manifestations, better known as physical phenomena, and also the high- er phases, exhibiting mental and moral characteristics. As the former give proof of physical power beyond that which has been taught us under the laws of mechanics, the latter announce facts which have been proved true, of a character which could originate only in a mental force, by whatever name it may be called. The nearest approach to fairness in investigation is the course of experiment and inquiry which has been instituted by Professor Crookes and others in England. They are not, like their predecessors, so stubborn as to deny flatly that what are called spiritual manifestations ever occurred, until stupid denial would render them ridiculous ; nor continually to evade by suggesting that they proceed from something else than their real cause. 84 nature's laws We need not fear the result when men of mind are disposed to acknowledge a fact, and honestly to ascer- tain if they can, its relation to any branch of science. These gentlemen have proposed for the new agency, the name of Psychic Force. The following remarks quo- ted, scarcely gives them the credit they deserve, in set- ting out upon an independent investigation. '^ The attempt of a few distinguished scientists to drive a stake in the realms of soul-life, for experimenters to tie to when called upon to explain mysterious phenomena, seems to be stoutly resisted by the old fogy conserva- tives ; while the untenable ground on which they at- tempt to stand while they drive the stake, makes it probable that they will have to give it up. It is not probable that Prof. Crookes and his compeers will be able to gain admission into the list of forces for their new article of soul-force while they attempt to explain the laws by which it is controlled as wholly mundane. They can quite easily prove the existence of some subtile force if the phenomena are admitted, but they cannot prove that it is controlled by any earthly human will ; and hence the ridicule attached to those who attempt to prove its existence by laws that do not control it. It is not now probable that the point will be gained in sci- ence of establishing even the existence of a psychic force, because the advocates do not go far enough, and plant themselves on spiritual life as the power that controls it and the source from which it emanates. It is a shame- ful attempt to bring the spiritual forces into subjection to the human will, and bind them by mundane agencies, to the old wheel-ruts of physical science. The simple IN HUMAN LIFE. 85 truth is, spirits are among us, doing many things as they will, and not as we will them, and a large part of the phenomena are utterly ignored by both church and science ; but a few have been witnessed, and cannot be explained by the church without attributing them to a devil, nor by scientists by earthly agencies ; and hence an attempt to bring in a new force, and, to avoid a con- flict with the church, to report it subject to only earthly control, and to disconnect it with anything of a spiritu- al origin. But the church is evidently alarmed by even the name, which trenches on forbidden ground, where science has not yet been allowed to set her unholy foot. "The position at first assumed by the investigators — and that which the great world of skeptics so greedily seized upon — is capitally sketched by a correspondent, Carl Harter. Wouter Van Twiller — surnamed "the doubter" — he says, gained a great reputation for know- ledge and incapability of being imposed uj>on, by a solemn, mysterious shake of the head and a muttered *I have my doubts about the matter,' whenever a new question was propounded. So with scientists, who have smoked and doubted for all these years, and have gained a great repute among men by their reticence. He says the various hypotheses of ^sleight-of-hand,' Hmmbug,' 'psychology^— self or otherwise — have vanished before the tests of truth ; now the spirit-phenomena are de- clared to be the result of soul power or mind power : *but whether that soul or mind is in a mortal body or not will perhaps be determined within the present cen- tury.' 86 natuee's laws " Wonderful psychic power ! a table is suspended in mid-air ; an accordion is played ; a pencil writes in- telligent sentences ; and all without contact with mortal hands, and under circumstances which make machinery impossible ; and the question arises, What is the cause? *Why,' says the common mind, Hhe making of music, the writing of an intelligent sentence, are things that can only be done by a human being ; there is no other power that can do these things, and, since the hand of flesh did not prevail in this case, it must have been done by a human being without a hand of flesh — a spirit.' * Not so,' says science ; ^ be silent when wisdom speaks ; this medium thought write, and the pencil wrote.' " OUR EXPERIENCE. It is not uncommon now to see articles and extended narratives entitled "How I became a Spiritualist." The Catholic, the Methodist, the Presbyterian, he whom his christian neighbors reproachfully stigmatizes as Infidel, and persons of other shades of sectarian bias have all answered it. The title page will perhaps have excited curiosity to know what particular event or ar- gument it was which shaped our opinion. We never had any particular belief in regard to a future life until the facts of spiritualism gave us an in- sight into its philosophy. ' Our earliest evangelical religious instruction was re- ceived from the pulpit of the Congregational Church. IN HUMAN LIFE. 87 Yet we could not feel that interest in the teachings nor perceive the truth in them which others expressed. We then attended the ministration of the Universalist church. In that denomination we saw much that we liked, but no proof of immortality, nor anjrthing that made the subject clear to our mind. After this w^e list- ened to the preaching and read the writings of Theodore Parker. What we then learned seemed to be a step in advance. While listening to these discourses, the re- markable occurrences at Rochester took place, and soon after similar events in Boston. At first we were strongly opposed to acknowledge them as true, believ- ing, after having attended several seances, that the whole subject was a disgrace, and that its pretensions would soon explode. Indeed our opposition was so intense that no manifestations would take place in our presence, and we have been requested to leave the room occupied by the mediums for the purpose. Still we could not remain away. We attended a lecture on the subject, but could not understand what the speak:er was trying to, prove. After stopping a few minutes, away we went. We still felt a desire to attend subsequent meetings, and sa followed up the investigation for some time, yet feeling ashamed to be seen in the room or going there. It seemed below the dignity of man. At length our spirit mother, who when in earth-life was a member of the Comj-reGrational Church, came with an unmistakable test of her identity. Her first words were "My son, God moves in a mysterious way his works to perform." She gave her religious views, the manner of her death, and many particulars calculated to con- 88 nature's LAWS vince one that spiritualism had in it much more than we had been inclined to believe, and that it was worthy of further investio;ation. Then the thouo^ht was suii- gested that it was simply mind reading, but soon some- thing beyond that was given — statements of the truth of which we were not then informed, and were compelled to inquire into. One circumstance settled the question in our mind forever, and satisfied us that the invisibles can and do tell us that which we have never previously known. It was a personal test. After being thus convinced, we related our experi- ence thus far to our friends, who almost without excep- tion, were incredulous, and rejected the claims of the revelations to credence. They thought we were getting fanatical, perhaps a little insane, on that subject. An acquaintance was solicited to converse with us about it, and persuade us to drop it, for the reason that it would be injurious or perhaps ruinous to our mind ; and if not that, our business would suffer from being known as a believer. He was not acquainted with its facts, and asked but a few questions in relation to it, soon real- izing that he was not competent to reason upon it, and must first inform himself before he could point out faults in others. The business we had engaged in was not in harmony with the views of usefulness which we adopted on be- coming a believer in Spiritualism, and our interest in it having increased, we zealously pursued our inquiries, travelling extensively in order to visit mediums in vari- ous sections of the "country , spending time and money in order to ascertain the truth concerning the alleged IN HUMAN LIFE. 89 manifestations. During ourjourneyings we heard most of the public speakers, and had sittings with most of the noted mediums, and have learned from reliable sources the character of the manifestations witnessed in the presence of others. For ten years we resisted the influ- ence at work on our mind, feeling unwilling to work in harmony with the authors of the scenes transpiring around us. At length it proved irresistible ; a gradual development had been going on, until it seemed beyond doubt that a new calling had been opened for us. We yielded to the impulse, and for several years past, have exercised the gift of healing. Our case in some respects was similar to that of Paul, particularly in regard to the strenousness of our opposition and determination to resist the power which was evidently put in operation to subdue our will by the force of truth. Since we became convinced of that truth, many of our relatives and acquaintances including some of those who were so solicitous for our welfare, have themselves given in their adhesion to the same cause, from the evi- dence presented to their minds, and are enjoying the benefits derived from a study of its philosophy. So that now we are not looked upon as so much out of the way, in our conversion to it. When our mother came in spirit, many questions which suggested themselves, were asked, among which was this. "Is it right for me to attend Mr. Parker's meetings ? " The answer was " Follow the dictates of your own conscience. It matters not where you attend church, if you but live right." She went on to say that in the land of the immortal spirit there are no forms, 90 nature's laws creeds, or religious ceremonies ; but persons are attract- ed to their own — those of like conditions of develop- ment, intellectually, morallyand spiritually, on entering the spirit-world. It seemed clear to us that the grada- tion was something like that which is made in school. The scholar is not asked what he believes when under- going an examination, but what he knows, and accord- ing to his knowledge he is directed to take his position. When the hindrances of a material body are thrown .off, the disenthralled spiritual being does not enter a sphere in which he cannot be harmonized. If attracted higher he must by progression be fitted to enter the new and more elevated plane. It can be compared to our pres- ent material life, whenever the question of comparative merit is considered. Each will be placed in his own order. This seemed to be the view of the spirit, al- though not expressed exactly in the same words. Her views then given have been corroborated by the results of our subsequent investigation, and experience in spirit intercourse. One of the unsatisfactory dogmas in our early reli- gious instruction was that of a great Judgment Day, after the manner of our Assize proceedings, the differ- ence consisting in the extent of the trial, the one being universal, the vast majority of the multitudes assembled being culprits, while the other is small, puny, and by comparison, insignificant. Now the uniform assurance that there is no such day especially set aside to judge the spirits, but on the contrary that all days are judg- ment days, gives us clearer light. So also of the doctrine of resurrection of the natural body, and other m HU3IAN LIFE. 91 peculiar Orthodox teachings included in the same cat- egory. Now it seems reasonable to our mind that when all spirits who return to us with tidings of their new abode agree in a statement of fact touching any one point, upon which they must necessarily have better informa- tion than we on the earth plane, and in reference to which almost as many different opinions have been ex- pressed without knowledge, as there are persons enter- taining them, it should be received as conclusive. And so we are no longer dependent upon the teachings of Theological Schools . established to furnish instruction in regard to what is true or false in relation to the spir- itual world, and what is right or wrong as a matter of belief. Spiritualism has provided for us a philosophy which is natural, based upon truth and which affords satisfaction to the reasoning mind. We were often annoyed by charges against particular individuals, who were known as believers, in regard to theu- conduct in private life, accompanied with the as- sertion "we do not want anything to do with it, if the life of such a person is an ex:ample of the fruit of such a belief." Allusion has already been made to this point. To such, we have said that they need not wal- low in the mire because others do. Accordins^ to the teachings of the new philosophy each individual is held responsible for personal conduct. No one's wicked deeds can be transferred to another, and compensated for by a vicarious atonement. Every one may go into as high a sphere as his aspiration leads. He has the choice of action as a free agent, to the extent that al- 92 nature's laws lows him to degrade himself to lower moral and social levels than that which he has attained, if he has no as- piration for the highest good. But there is no escaping the consequence. Infringement of law of whatever kind, is followed by the penalty attached to it. God's moral laws are fixed and invariable as the movements of the planetary bodies. The benefits to be derived from a study of these laws are open to all mankind, w^ithout distinction of race, color, or nationality. No religious sect can alone catch the inspiration and selfishly appropriate it. There is therefore no ground for bigotry or intolerance, neither is there any warrant for the assumption of authority. As we have said, our experience with mediums has been extensive. There are but few lecturers whom we have not heard, and but few public physical, trance, semi-trance, test, writing, singing, drawing, healing or clairvoyant mediums, in this country, whom we have not either visited, or whose several degrees and varie- ties of power or gifts we have not seen exercised. Such opportunities, obtained at considerable expense and sometimes inconvenience, have accumulated a large aggregate of results from observation ; which of course if made availablis, afford reliable data upon which to form correct opinions. We have observed that there is a greater degree of freedom among spiritualists than among their oppo- nents. Having no fixed creed which all are required to subscribe to, as indisputable authority, they are free to adopt such views as the evidence before them seems to warrant, according to their understanding of its IN HUMAN LIFE. 93 claims. Consequently no two necessarily see alike in all points. Each forms an opinion from his own stand- point. As one ascends the hill of progression with more rapid strides than another and reaches a more ele- vated point, he has a more comprehensive view, and takes in a wider range of observation. There is as much difference therefore between two persons occupying different positions in the scale of progression or eleva- tion, as there is between high culture and partial knowledge, acquired in ordinary mundane experience in other directions. There is but one essential point upon which we have found believers in spiritualism to agree, namely, that human beings who once inhabited the earth sphere and have left for the abode of spirits can, when conditions are favorable, return to earth and hold communion with their relatives and friends. Upon other subjects they differ, and no particular belief is regarded as a test of orthodoxy or heterodoxy, or ground of fellowship. We have observed among the converts to the spirit- ualistic faith a strong tendency to creduhty. It would appear that one extreme follows another ; those who were obstinate in their conservatism, after yielding their assent to the evidence before them becoming enthusias- tic, and willing to receive everything that came from spirits. This results in disappointment. It is no doubt to be attributed to the effect of previous religious education. They were taught to believe many things concerninor the future life which their recent investio-a- tions satisfied them were not founded in truth, and they 94 nature's laws. were compelled to change their opinions. They find that the human spirit after completing its earth-life enters the spirit spheres with the same traits of character that distinguished it before. The change does not produce an instantaneous revolution in character, although there immediately begins a change of opinions, and the cor- rection of errors previously fixed in the mind by false teaching. But their education is" gradual and their ut- terances upon all subjects cannot be accepted as orac- ular. They can see better now than before. Secrets are revealed realizing the prophetic declaration "and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be pro- claimed upon the housetops." This is an important practical fact, for who, fully conscious of it would be willing to be discovered in a wrong deed, when a valued friend is an eye-witness of it. It has a restraining eiFect upon wrong doing. That spirits do thus see passing events here we think will be abundantly proven in these pages. We consider spiritualism the rejected stone that is to become the head of the corner, and that the Universal Church will be built thereon. It is the broad religion of mankind, which is finally to unite all. It encour- ages all to perseverance in well-doing. Its philosophy prevents the comparatively unfortunate from giving way to a feeling of disappointment and dissatisfaction with the sphere of life allotted to them, for all have it in their power to improve their spiritual condition. Notwithstanding our experience has been costly, we have never regretted the time and expense incurred, nor m HUJVIAN LIFE. 95 would we part with it. It has been a source of mental satisfaction, settling beyond doubt questions of the most vital importance. By giving it to the world, the course of investigation pursued by others can be greatly facili- tated. It is not necessary for all to go through the same experience for themselves in order to satisfy their minds with regard to the same facts. It has too often been insisted on by skeptics that they must see for them- selves every thing that has occurred before they will yield an assent to the facts that have transpired. But no one need enter the channels of vice and pursue a vic- ious career, in order to be satisfied that vice exists. We must accept under proper restrictions, the testimo- ny of others. Otherwise the amount of knowledge in the world would be very limited, the longest life-time affording opportunity to accumulate but a small portion of what is seen, heard and felt in the aggregate. Hence the actual experience of any one individual would furnish but a trifling contribution to the sum of human knowledge. All progress would cease if each was a world in himself, independent of aid from his fellow be- ings. In the course of our observation, we have noticed a disposition on the part of some to seek aid from spirits in the prosecution of schemes of pecuniary speculation. Now what would be thought of the sagacity of a person who should stop to inquire of every one, even of his intimate business friends, what he should do in a partic- ular case. Before this can be done with propriety it must first be considered that the person from whom ad- vice is sought, is of superior judgment. Spirits who 96 have passed beyond the veil, are not necessarily more competent to judge of such matters than he who asks the questions. Then there are those on that side, who still have unworthy designs, and the credulous inquirer may be misled, by sacrificing his own individuality, and trusting implicitly to the dictation of another. If a sensitive, excitable person is under their control, he may be led into various excesses, so that they are not always to be trusted, even if they are known at times to influence a good deed. For the same reason what are called good psychologi- cal subjects are not always to be relied on. There are spirits in the form that are able to control mediums far beyond that which is exercised over them by their spir- it guides. Caution is therefore as necessary in receiving authoritative instruction from one as from the othet. We do not believe that spirits in the higher life, who have outgrown the material conditions of earth come back to dabble with dollars and cents to any great ex- tent. They often give evidence to the contrary. Their work is to elevate mankind by teaching grand and no- ble truths, inculcating correct principles, and aiding the recipient of their influence, in the preparation for a higher life, its uses, duties and felicities. It is not to be inferred that friendly spirits do not sometimes give information and impressions with respect to matters pertaining to temporal welfare. We have known instances where persons had received fine tests from their spirit friends, after which, taking advantage of their opportunity, they questioned those friends upon schemes of money making, and have received answers IN HUMAN LIFE. 97 which wofully deceived them. From what we have seen, we do not doubt that the motive of more than half the seekers of information into spiritual things is to make money out of it, or to ascertain whether they are to bury their partner in married Hfe, having in such ca- ses, an eye on some other person, in case the prophecy is favorable to their desire. Is it a wonder that the life path of such is obstructed ? We have known church members to consult the spir- its for the purpose of inquiring where they can find sto- len property, where to get a wife or a husband, what prospect there is for them to make money, or to be cured of disease. But this curiosity, morbid and grovelling as it is, is no worse than that which prevailed in Bible times. The spirit of Samuel was called up to give information con- cerning the future, and there are other examples of per- sons seeking familiar spirits for a similar purpose in those days. Jesus told the woman at the well how many husbands she had. Many have lost property in consequence of resorting to this method with the hope of adding to it. Indeed fortunes have been both made and lost by it, showing that if it is a matter of judgment, there is no advantage gained over the wisdom of this world. Questions asked both in public and private seances, are sometimes re- fused answers, and the reason very properly assigned is that the information denied would not promote the real welfare of the interrogator, or the cause of justice. When the purpose of the question is good, it is not al- ways that the desired information can be obtained. If 98 nature's laws half the interest was taken in ascertaining the true rela- tions of the future life that is manifested in seekinof to promote selfish and unworthy objects, there would be much more good done. What is life but one continued existence, giving opportunity for reaching higher and higher good, inspiration meeting the aspiring soul with encouragement and reward. Among what we have seen of this subject are some of the attempts made to expose it. This has sometimes been attempted by knaves who have been disappointed in accomplishing an unworthy purpose by exposing it, taking first one side and then the other. Occasionally a good physical medium has added his own feats to the genuine phenomena in order still more to excite the marvellousness of his audience. More than one such might be cited as pursuing this vacillating course re- gardless of honest principle, for the purpose of making money. A recent example occurred in New York. The somewhat notorious B. F. Hatch after losing the opportunity of longer appropriating the earnings of his young wife's remarkable mediumistic powers, in conse- quence of her obtaining a divorce, came out with an ex- position first by the publication of a hostile book, then by lectures and cabinet peformances. The effort made in Cooper Institute according to the pablished accounts, was a ludicrous farce, failing to satisfy even such an audience as could be induced to listen to it. The pro- gramme could not be carried out, but the impatient spectators were dissatisfied, vociferating "Hatch it out." Not long since we were induced to go to the Boston Music Hall one sundav evenins^, to listen to a reverend IN HUMAN LIFE. 99 Divine, who had announced an exposition of various humbugs, inckiding Spiritualism and Quack Doctors. Some of the Boston merchants had, as v^e learned, paid for the use of the Hall, in order that their clerks might be taught a lesson of vy^isdom. We wanted to learn it too, but there was a preliminary fact to be learned, namely, that the gospel was not then and there to be had "without money and without price," a charge of ten cents being made at the door, for the privilege of witnessing the religious gymnastics which followed. We remarked that it was a polite way of making mon- ey. It must have turned out well for the exposer, as an audience of three thousand persons had collected. A net worldly profit was doubtless advantageous in en- abling the " Minister " to point his moral with additional sharpness. His fantastic gestures made a display equal to that of a puppet show. His exposition of spiritualism consisted in part of the reading of a communication purporting to have come from the spirit of a little child, who had passed to the fair land too soon to have acquired much of this world's knowledge or wisdom. Hence its language was simple, which the exposer made the butt of ridicule. His igno- rance of the law of communication between the world of mortals and that of spirits was apparent to all who had given the subject any degree of attention, in expect- ing an innocent little child, ignorant in a great measure of this world's lore, to converse in the strains of wisdom and self-importance of a learned divine. Doubtless if it had done so, he would have taken the other tack, perhaps exclaiming with ministerial contempt, "That 100 nature's laws child needn't put on the airs of a preacher ! " He left out of consideration the fact that if a child could com- municate its wishes, a strong person of positive power, with well developed intellect, and cultured could also. In that portion of the moral lesson devoted to quack doctors, he attacked an imaginary healer, stating that one of them took from this city fifty thousand dollars as the fruits of duping the public, and that the "Doc- tor" had told a friend of his that he had had six mag- netic batteries attached to his person ; that his patients thought they were receiving his magnetism, when in fact they w^ere receiving it from the batteries. Is this a sample of clerical Avisdom and truth ? Is it a speci- men of the divine exposer's attainments in chemistry, or is it clerical alchemy ? Before the pious merchants try to do God service again in this line, they should in- quire of some novice whether magnetic batteries can be made, by a special miracle to operate in that way. But what of the truth of the story ? We had seen it published three years before in some of the western pa- pers, as having occurred in one of the cities in Ohio. We venture to say that if a reward of a thousand dol- lars were offered for the discovery of the Doctor, or the friend, they could not be found. The minister acknowledged that all the personal ex- perience he had had in spiritualism was an attendance at a single seance, for which he paid a dollar. We have seen what a margin he made on his investment. At the seance itself he doubtless got paid in his own coin. It is a fair question whether the "spoils " of that mor- IN HUMAN LITE. 101 al performance had not better have been given to relieve some of the poor of the city, than to put it into the preacher's divine pocket for crying " humbug " and the performance of a series of pseudo-religious gymnastics, the moral of which consists in teaching young men to believe a lie. We have witnessed the exercise of the new faculties — or apparently new — known as gifts, on many occa- sions. These have already been enumerated. The gift of healing is of great importance, and is now very ex- tensively in use. It is undoubtedly the fact that the possession of this power has in many instances been greatly exaggerated. There is a strong motive on the part of selfish deceivers to assume the possession of it as a means of emolument. It is easier for such by lofty pretentions to accumulate money in a short time than by pursuing their legitimate avocations. It is a fruitful field to operate in. And the more marvellous the real effect produced by its exercise, the more ex- tensively will imitators push forward their audacious pretensions. That there is reality in it, however, is a fact too well established by reliable testimony to be denied. Cases are related elsewhere in illustration. We have refrained from giving the names of healers, lest it may be thought that our purpose is to advertize the interests of any one or a few to the exclusion of others, equally useful and meritorious. Instances might be cited, if necessary, where it had been exer- cised independently of the will of the medium, and where the medium was unwilling to accept remunera- tion for the time employed in dispensing benefits. In 102 nature's laws private life also, cases are known where this benefit has been imparted to the sick in a marked degree. The gift of clairvoyance, or the ability to see spirit- ual beings is now so common that it is scarcely neces- sary to cite it as one of the faculties recognized as gifts. It is very questionable whether any one can be found where the subject has been brought to public attention, who has not known of some person in the circle of his acquaintance, who has given evidence of the possession of it. The proof to another^s mind is circumstantial ; but the circumstances are in themselves convincing to the most incredulously disposed. The sex, the person- al appearance, dress, position, manners, voice, modes of expression, peculiarities in detail, not known nor to be anticipated or guessed at by strangers, when given by a medium on meeting a stranger for the first time, together with special means used by the spirits for the very purpose of recognition , to the surprise of the rela- tive or friend who obtains the interview through the medium, are all means more or less positive, of identi- fication. The shrewdest and most skilful, by observ- ing the evidences of nationality may guess at a name, and by the evidences of occupation, by temperament, physiognomy and other physical signs make a case here and there, which is, so to speak, a good counterfeit ; but in no case can a specific fact, or a special personal peculiarity be imitated. Speaking in unknown tongues, by which of course is understood, languages unknown to the medium or to most of the persons listening to the remarks or dis- course, is now quite common. Cases have been pub- IN HUMAN LIFE. 103 lished several years ago, illustrating this gift in unedu- cated persons, who could not possibly imitate connected sentences, nor express ideas in a language foreign to them, which they had never studied. An Irish domes- tic in New York, while in a trance condition was made to converse in modern Greek, with a Greek gentleman present, the only one who could understand and inter- pret that language. Drawing, singing, and the performance of instru- mental music through spirit power have been of frequent occurrence, the mediums knowing either nothing at all of those accomplishments, or so little as to excite as- tonishment by the marvellous skill displayed. Of physical mediumship we have seen much, but as this will be found in other portions of this compilation, we need not consume much time here in the narration. The moving of material objects without contact in the presence of mediums of this class, musical instruments being played upon without the touch of human fingers, the person recognized as the medium merely holding the instrument, as a guitar for example, by its extrem- ity are instances of this kind. The production of like- nesses is a remarkable circumstance. We have not personally been present during the evolution of spirit- photographs, but the fact is attested by numerous wit- nesses. The impressional and inspirational influence is man- ifest in so many ways, that it is almost without limita- tion. Opinion and belief are modified and corrected by it. The inventor, the public speaker, the singer, the physician, the writer, the moralist, are all more or less 104 nature's laws inspired, and their efforts rendered successful according to the degree of their unfoldment and receptivity. We have been gratified to knovr that all doubters are not revilers. Skeptics are generally such, because they are not w^ell informed. The obstinate opposer often makes absurd objections, unworthy of notice. The honest doubter sometimes asks, "If spirit friends come to others why can't my friends come to me ? " We re- ply that it requires not only the desire of the spirit friend, which we may suppose generally to exist, but appropriate conditions. If you wish to send a message by telegraph, you must go to the operator v^ith it. It may be asked why does not the sender deliver his own message? It is simply impossible, unless he goes to the distant city where his friend or correspondent is. While the two remain apart, he must avail himself of the intermediate means of communication. It takes time for the operator to learn how to transmit the mes- sage with facility and accuracy. How can we expect our spirit friends to be able to control the subtle forces so as to communicate with us without adequate prepa- ration ? The medium then is employed as an instrument for the conveyance of the message. In many cases a spirit child seems to be chosen as a messenger by the com- municating spirit, the child holding possession of the medium. We have thought that the purpose of this was to show the value of artlessness and truthfulness. A greater moral effect is produced thereby, for an adult will bear reproof from a pure child which is the person- ification of innocence, which they would resent if ad- IN HUMAN LIFE. lOo ministered in positive terms bj an equal. The words uttered audibly by the medium when thus controlled are simple, and the manner artless. Familiar names are given to, and adopted by these children, as "Spark- ling Water," "Spring Flower," and "Violet." The influence is persuasive rather than dicta,torial. It is less exhausting than a more positive power to the me- dium, who is thereby saved from a severe struggle. Such persons are also revived and soothed after the ex- haustino: effect of a lecture delivered under control. The same mollifying and recuperative influence contin- ues to be exercised by the spirit child who remains in these particulars child-like, by a progressive growth in wisdom. This same blessed influence is employed as a beneficent power behind that of the spirit who has im- mediate control. If spirits can present themselves in a variety of shapes, and represent diflerent degrees of material growth to their friends ; if they can, as it were, present themselves for identification in the same dress worn by them in earth-life, and exhibit well known acts or pe- culiarities of character, is it not possible that they can manifest themselves in any other form which they may desire ? Nor it is to be supposed that they really take on the material form, after having thrown it ofl" by the change called death. In relation to the expectation of seekers after spirit- ual knowledge in visiting mediums we may remark that it is necessary to submit their request in good faith. Spirits in celestial life have not lost their acuteness of perception ; rather than that, it has been increased ; 106 nature's laws hence they know the purpose of the inquirer as well or better than he does himself, for he may be so foolish as to deceive himself. Neither have they sacrificed self- respect. If a person, in conscious self-importance, and with a disposition to raillery, alleges that he wants to communicate with his grandmother, and wants her to give her name, he will very likely be rebuked by the answer that it is "Sam Patch." They are entitled to as much civility and respectful treatment as would be required on entering the house of a person here on a matter of business, and especially where the party entering is to be the recipient of bene- fit. The spirit seeing, and to some extent, anticipating our needs, whether they pertain to material afiairs, physical health, or spiritual welfare, will meet us with a cordial, friendly disposition. They should not be urgently importuned, nor a desire amounting to a de- mand indulged. If the interview reveals the fact that the spirit is not cognizant of our need, advice would not be reliable nor valuable, though in such a case it is not probable that it would be offered. Many mediums imagine themselves to be controlled by spirits who in earth-life had acquired high degrees of distinction ; and who have voluntarily assumed the office of guides to them. It is a display of vanity on their part, although they may have been led to believe that that relation has been assumed, by a statement of a spirit at some time previous, getting control. An ec- centric, mischievous, jocular person, of marked humor- ous talent, may carry with him this peculiar trait, and play upon the credulity of a medium, without intend- IN hu:man life. 107 ing serious or permanent mischief. Another may be less scrupulous. Sensible persons gain wisdom by experience, and al- though they may have been led to believe that they were the chosen instruments of great orators and sages, they discover the deception and abandon the claim, preserv- ing their own individuality. Mediums who are readily susceptible to psychological control, to preserve their usefulness and avoid danger, should refrain from contact with positive persons, whose character is not known. The old adage which affirms that " a person is known by the company he keeps " holds good to this day. Those who can preserve their ov/n independence and do not yield to the power of others, may safely move among a variety of persons promis- cously, and may do good by precept and example. It is the mission of good spirits visiting us from the sum- mer land, to elevate those occupying a lower plane than themselves, and in this they should be emulated by spir- its dwelling in the physical form. Sensitives who wil- lingly associate with drunkards, gamblers, or licentious persons, are liable to become contaminated by the evil influence which belongs to such company, which drags them down below their own level of morality. We have seen innocent persons led by the attraction of strong psychological power of spirits both in and out of the form ; and one is as dangerous as the other. The power thus named if employed by a person of good moral principle, will be beneficial, physically and mor- ally, but if put to base uses, much misery will fol- low. 108 natuee's laws Mercenary conduct on the part of mediums is stated elsewhere, but a word or two more may not be out of place, as one of the items of personal observation. We have known them, while being paid for their ser- vices, to take advantage of the confidence reposed in them, by resorting to tricks of various kinds to compass selfish ends. . Some succeed so thoroughly in ingratia- ting themselves in the minds of their patrons, as to be regarded in the light of little deities. Their newly made friends could not be persuaded that the medium while under spiril; iniluence was capable of a dishonest act. Their conduct received but little aid, if any, from spir- its of any sort. Nervous persons, of great impressibility once yielding their confidence in this way, throwing prudence aside, forget that mediums are human, and subject to human failures. We know instances where mediums have been guilty of deception, falsifying, and cheating their visitors. Al- though charity covers a multitude of sins, it is unjust, and a mistaken liberality to cover up a mean act in a way that will encourage its repetition. We should re- gard it a trifling injury to be robbed of our money in comparison'to the pretence of giving us something from the spirit-world, w^hich originated in the machination of the medium, the spirit who is alleged to have given it, not even being present. We have more than one in our mind to whom this criticism is applicable ; and if any one feels the application, knowing his own pecca- dilloes, let him appropriate it, and reform the errors of his ways. Many mediums claim that they are taken full posses- IN HUMAN LIFE. 109 sion of by the spirit, and are when thus controlled, en- tirely unconscious. This is true of some, and a por- tion remain so until the controlling power is withdrawn ; but generally they soon become conscious, although still prompted by the spirit, who dictates the utterances. There are other points in our experience which will be mentioned in their appropriate connection. MEDIUMSHIP. Mediumship is one of the most curious and interest- ing phases of human experience. The subject has re- cently been so fully treated by Mr. Thomas R. Hazard in a series of articles written for the Banner of Light, and re-published in pamphlet form, that we might omit its consideration, but for the fact that this volume may go into the hands of persons whom the pamphlet might not reach. We desire moreover to present an outline of the main subject, as nearly complete as practicable. We therefore avail ourselves of a few paragraphs, re- ferring the reader to the pamphlet, which will repay a perusal, for a more connected and thorough presenta- tion of Mr. H's views. The exercise of mediumistic power is not a matter of choice. The peculiar faculty or gift comes unsought. In some of its forms it is very much desh^ed by many who do not possess it, and cannot acquire it by any ef- fort of the will, particularly that of clairvoyance. It is sometimes manifested suddenly, but more generally is a 110 nature's laws process of regular, gradual development. This may be aided to some extent by observing and complying with the requisite conditions. The chief of these is the ap- plication of appropriate magnetism adapted to the par- ticular phj^sical constitution of the person seeking to acquire it. Such persons sometimes ask if it is best for them to make use of such means. We are of opinion that it is not, a gradual growth being more satisfactory and practicable than forced development. The latter may be compared to the forcing process resorted to for the purpose of accelerating the growth of plants. They reach maturity more rapidly, but do not acquire strength to resist the power of the wind, as the Oak does, which grows slowly, but acquires by a sure process, vigor and sturdiness to resist the violence of the storm. Injury is done by inharmonious influences brought to bear by unsuitable combinations of diiferent qualities of magnetism. Caution in this respect is therefore to be observed. Nor is it wise to indulge an anxious desire for development. Time will bring about the requisite con- ditions, so that it is not necessary to abandon a legiti- mate business, for the purpose of carrying on the prac- tice of mediumship in any form, as some do, imagining on receiving the first decided impulse, that they are called to the work. Such premature movements Only result in failure, as well as pecuniary loss by the wast- ing of time. The impulse, however, may be too strong for resist- ance, and the subject of it may with propriety yield obedience to it, if it has been proved, upon being prop- erly tested, to be of a benignant character. IN HUMAN LIFE. Ill Some go through severe discipline in the process of development. If they are compelled to change their occupation, and devote their time to their new calling, it is of course reasonable that they should be sustained in the work. There is the greatest inequality in this respect. Some of the best are but poorly compensated. Others as soon as they begin to be appreciated take ad- vantage of their opportunity, and charge extravagantly fur services rendered. Operating upon a limited scale among neighbors and friends, and particularly the poor among them, their ordinary avocation not being inter- fered with, they may use their gift gratuitously. When it is engaged in as a duty, requiring their whole time to be devoted to it, no reasonable person can object to a fair compensation being paid. This can be regulated on an equitable basis, being governed somewhat by circumstances, among which will be the relative pecuniary ability of the party receiving the ser- vice, the wealthy not however being compelled to pay extravagantly, and out of proportion to the value of the service merely because of their good fortune. When the latter feel it a duty to pay liberally, and derive pleasure therefrom, it enables the medium to render the same service to the poor who need it, without di- rect reward. Thus both giver and receiver are alike blessed. Some are so unselfish as to be unjust to them- selves in this respect. Excellent healers, although themselves needy, will sometimes unwisely decline com- pensation altogether. Spirits from the higher spheres who have outgrown material propensities, have no desire to encourage the 112 nature's laws accumulation of wealth, and therefore do not influence mediums to that end. Knowing that its use is to clothe and nourish the body, they rather, when that is accom- plished, favor the distribution of surplus means where it is needed, and discourage hoarding. This they have been known to do in a marked manner. The following remarks by Mr. Hazard set forth the trials of mediums. "How often do superficial or ignorant investigators go to mediums with a lie in their hearts, expecting, at the same time, to get truth in return — a thing as utterly impossible as that the eye of the astronomer shotdd pen- etrate the heavens on demand of a thick-skulled man, at the very moment that he is pressing his body against the lens of the telescope. ' "Contrast the treatment our mediums receive, and the estimation in which they are held, even by many of their friends, with that which is extended to the clergy of all the popular creedal denominations ! Wherever these go, they receive greetings in the markets and public places. They enjoy the chief seats at our feasts, and the highest in our synagogues and churches. Every one bows low when they meet them, and calls them rabbis and reverends, doctors and fathers ; and when they enter our houses, they become the observed of all observers ; and when they go abroad, conductors of railway cars and captains of steamboats hasten to give them the best seats and berths they have at their dispo- sal, free of charge ; and wherever they pray, be it in the pulpit of the church, the cabin of the ship, or at the corner of the street, all bow the head and knee in re- IN HUMAN LIFE. 113 spectful reverence, even though the prayer should be as one of those that Jesus said used to be offered in his day, merely to be heard of men. But how when we meet the poor mediums in the market, whither they may have wended their way to purchase, mayhap, a morsel of cheap food for their day's sustenance ? Who of their kid- gloved acquaintance greets them then ? Who invite them to their feasts ? Who respectfully salutes them as minis- ters of the angels ? Who opens to them the doors of their houses, except on sufferance, or to 'give a seance?' What captain of a steamboat or conductor of a railroad car approaches them, except to demand their ticket, and see that it is paid in full ? They partake of none of the courtesies and privileges that are so lavishly bestowed on the clergy of the popular churches, and in fact are, literally speaking, often as poor and as much despised as was that Elder Brother of their order who used to pour out his anguished soul in the lonely garden of Gethsemane, or give it sorrowing utterance in the pa- thetic lament : 'The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests ; but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.' " The forms of mediumship, as heretofore intimated, are numerous, embracing a great variety of remarkable physical manifestations, as well as astonishing mental phenomena, to each of which we shall allow reasonable space in items to be quoted. The mediums for physical manifestations have been subjected to great annoyance and suspicion. This is partly chargeable to a most illiberal prejudice in the minds of the ignorant, and partly to the mingling of 114 nature's laws fraudulent tricks with truthful demonstrations. Hon- est mediums, innocent of the slightest attempt at decep- tion have been falsely accused from the time the first raps were heard, to the appearance of hands formed by spirits. That hands have not only been seen, but have been tangible, we have abundant evidence ; yet the me- diums have been charged with using their own hands and feet to produce the effect which witnesses have de- scribed, and that by spiritualists themselves, who would have been almost willing to make oath that the hands and feet which touched them were those of human flesh, the latter having shoes upon them, and that they were like the shoes of the medium ; nor could we convince them to the contrary. This was a painful position for any well-meaning person to be placed in — two friends present, both considered honorable, and both spiritual- ists, taking opposite grounds, in reference to an alleged facf . What can be the explanation ? The conclusion we have reached is that the spirit uses the emanations from the medium for the moment, containing the chem- ical forces, from the hands and feet, forming temporari- ly, producing or projecting, as the terms have been used respectively, hands and feet which for the instant were palpable and visible. This is of course, conjectural and may be accepted by the reader, unless he has anoth- er hypothesis more satisfactory to his own mind. Spir- it hands thus formed are used for touching, handling, and playing upon instruments. If the medium was not present, the spirits would have none of these subtle, vital elements to operate with. The force of liorht, in the case of mediums of ordina- IN HUMAN LIFE. 115 ry power, disperses those elements, and destroys the manifestations. In one or two of the more recent cases where the mediums have become more highly developed this obstacle has less force. In dark circles, when the instruments were sailing over our heads, sometimes on one side of the moon, and at other times on the oppo- site side, not admitting of the slightest opportunity for deception, when a light was suddenly created by a fric- tion match, the instrument would as suddenly drop at whatever point it might be arrested. This proves the necessity of conditions being observed, as much so as the use of light for the production of photographic pic- tures of objects copied. If the law by which these things are done is not understood, the critic should not condemn the conditions which seem to be necessary for carrying on the process. "If Daniel Webster speaks as tersely and powerfully as he did when he stood in the United States Senate Chamber, he must communicate his ideas to a medium of equal powerful brain structure as he possessed, to have them * syllabled' with equal force and effect, and perhaps the audience who is listening should be as ca- pable of appreciating the full force of the words as were his fellow senators to give the medium even then full inspiration. As it is, spirits cannot get control of many such brain structures as Webster possessed, and there- fore have to impress their ideas on inferior organisms, that are often only able to give them forth indistinctly embodied amidst a mass of their own redundant verbi- age and platitudes. In the good time coming when * Spiritualism' becomes more popular, the defect may 116 nature's laws possibly be in a degree remedied, unless, as has almost always hitherto been the case, these more talented me- diums turn traitors to the higher intelligences, and be- come of the order of ^rogues (denounced by him of the Golden Age) , who steal the livery of Spiritualism to serve their devilish selves therewith,' not only in the pulpit, but on the rostrums or wherever else such daws and popinjays can strut and show themselves decked in their stolen mediumistic plumes. *'As there are exceptions to all general rules in mun- dane affairs, so there appear to be in spiritual ; and I know of many instances wherein persons of certain pe- culiarities of organization find it very difficult to obtain the necessary conditions for spirit communion, at the same time that they are not at all either personally or spiritually offensive to disembodied spirits. "The longer I live the more clearly I see that the maxim of Jesus, concerning little children, affords the only safe rule by which investigators of the phenomena that occur through spirit-mediums, can arrive at satis- factory results. Next to pharisaical spiritual pride, the pride of intellect, and that which too often attaches to superficial or mere mechanical learning, offer the most impenetrable barriers to the acquisition of spiritual knowledge, especially if they be coupled with contempt- uous feelings toward the medium, and, above all, with spiteful suspicions of their honesty. In the early stages of my investigations, I confess that I was very much addicted to suspicions of this kind , and so long as I in- dulged in them I obtained but little satisfaction. My constant desire was to obtain tests, which I somehow IN HUMAN LIFE. 117 fancied I liad a right to demand, like the Pharisees of old, rather than thankfully receive, in the spirit of the little child, as a free gift. Whilst in this state of mind I seldom received much that w^as satisfactory. "There are but few, probably, who have a proper con- ception of the extreme sensitiveness of a medium's mind, and how easy it is to be psychologized by mundane in- fluences when it is in a condition sufficiently negative to admit of spirit-control. When in that state a medi- um's mind may be likened to a double-faced looking- glass — the one side reflecting from the spiritual to the mundane, and the other from the mundane to the spir- itual sphere ; the same psychological laws prevailing in both alike. "That spirit-manifestations (especially physical) are greatly influenced by the state or quality of the atmos- phere, there can be no doubt. I know of excellent me- diums in whose presence no phenomena ever occur when the weather indicates rain. And yet, when it was bright and clear, I have known, through some of these, the most powerful manifestations to occur that I ever witnessed." "It would seem that, in the production of certain kinds of phenomena, the presence of light has a corresponding eflect to that of the will, and darkness to that of its ab- sence — the one being positive and the other negative. Thus, at a spirit-seance, in the absence of any exertion of mundane will-power, the medium's mind may be taken full possession of by the 'powers of the air,' and communicate freely of things belonging not to earth ; but let a powerful will force be thrown upon the in- 118 nature's laws strument's mind, from one or more of the circle, and the character of the manifestations may instantly change , or cease altogether, just as they do upon the introduc- tion of light at a dark circle." The identification of spirits by name is often sought by investigators with but little satisfaction. It may be accounted for in two ways, viz : spirits attach no im- portance to names as sources of authority, but admon- ish us that a communication should be estimated according to its intrinsic merits, rather than because it was given by a particular person. Again it seems probable that when they are born into the spirit-life they receive a spirit name, as a child does after being born into this world, and are no longer known by the latter. Hence, except for recognition, the name known in connection with their mundane history is no longer used. Spirits recognize otJier spirits by interior percep- tion, so that in communicating with beings on earth, they dispense with mere forms. The probabilities of deception as to name is considerable, hence personal identity in respect to form, habits in earth-life, specific opinions, and in fact all that goes to make up individu- ality is far better for recognition with them. The mem- ory of names fades with us here, so that a traveller who has been absent for some years, on returning readily recognizes persons with whom they have not been partic- ularly acquainted, and sometimes even others, by physi- cal appearances but fails to remember names. Is it not probable that having no longer any use for their earth- ly name, but laying it aside,, w^hen called for at a IN HUMAN LIFE. 119 circle without any particular need, they may hesitate to give it. Sympathy will keep the memory active as to substantial realities. The question has often been asked whether the spirit of the medium leaves the body while in a trance state. It is a matter of observation that scarcely any two me- diums are affected alike, when under control, in all par- ticulars. Some are psychologically impressed, the me- dium's spirit being acted upon as a mesmeric subject. In other cases the spirit takes complete control of the body of the medium, his or her spirit being at liberty to roam or to remain quiet by their side. The link bind- ing the two cannot be entirely broken, for that would constitute the change called death. A few marked cases of certain varieties of medium- ship may here be cited to illustrate the intensity of power and skill employed by the invisible intelligences in these particular directions. Of the writino' mediums Mr. J. Y. Mansfield has o become widely known. Formerly a successful mer- chant in Boston, he was compelled by those higher powers to adopt the practice of answering sealed letters as a regular business. Retiring from his previous oc- cupation, in obedience to the impulse given him, he has been engaged in his new calling ever since, now a period of fifteen years, and with the most successfal and satisfactory results. Thousands of persons have re- ceived answers to letters, and had their letters returned therewith, unopened. Mr. M. writes in many lan- guages, although he never acquired the knowledge of any but his vernacular. The letters sent to him to be 120 nature's laws answered have been doubly enveloped, pasted, tied, sewed, sealed with wax, and their contents concealed in a variety of other ways so that each writer was perfectly satisfied that it was impossible for them to be read un- less by destroying the carefully guarded covering. We once took a sealed letter to Mr. M. , containing some fifteen questions, written by an insane person for- merly an inmate of the McLean Asylum. As soon as he took hold of the letter, he said he should think the devils had got hold of him. The influence affected him as the lady who wrote it was affected. Every question was answered to the satisfaction of all who knew the circumstances. We have several times tested his pow- ers with great satisfaction. Mr. R. W. Flint is another writing medium who has a similar gift which we have found to be equally valu- able and reliable. He too was compelled to leave his former occupation to engage exclusively in this. Of spirit artists, Mr. William P. Anderson is a not- able example. While entranced, he has executed some of the finest drawins^s that can be imas^ined. For some of them which were considered exquisitely finished he received several thousand dollars. Taken from his oc- cupation in a cabinet-makers shop, he was irresistibly led to the adoption of portrait drawing as a business. Mr. Starr, Mr. Milleson, and others were brought out in the same way. Mrs. Blair was controlled in such a manner as to execute the drawing of flowers and wreaths while her eyes 'were bandaged by several thicknesses of cloth, so effectually excluding the light as to remove doubt from the most skeptical minds on that point. IN HUMAN LIFE. 121 While thus bandaged she would, in the presence of Jai^ge audiences in ten minutes time produce a beautiful picture, often emblematical, so that the party for whom it was drawn would recognize its purpose and meaning. Mrs. Hazelton, who was entirely uncultivated in this accomplishment, had the gift bestowed upon her, so that within the last few years she has executed symbol- ical drawings so skilfully as to astonish the most dis- tinguished artists. No one not witnessing these per- formances can form any correct idea of the beauty of design and skill in execution displayed in this way. One of the most remarkable phases of physical medi- umship is the elevation and removal of the bodies of mediums from one part of the room to another, or out of one room into another ; and even to greater distan- ces. Jennie and Annie Lord at their seances have been taken up in their chairs bodily, and placed upon the ta- ble without physical contact. Hundreds in various parts of the country can testify to this statement. Har- ry Gordon and some others have been taken up in the same way and carried across the room. Truthful citi- zens of the highest respectability have testified to these facts. Dr. Willis, N. Frank White, Mrs. Coan, Miss Sug- den and Mrs. Hayden are mediums of this class. We have satin the presence of all of them, both in private circles and public meetings. The spirits would respond to the remarks of speakers on these occasions by raps as loud as if a good sized nail were being driven by sharp blows of a hammer, and heard by all, under circum- stances where deception was impossible. 122 nature's laws There are thousands of private mediums scattered all over the v\^orld, vv^ho never make any public exhibition of the wonderful manifestations made through them, but who are constantly giving their friends most convincing evidence of the truth of spiritual phenomena. Many more are influenced in a peculiar manner, who do not know the cause of their peculiar feelings, nor the mean- ing. Their condition is often , mistaken for sickness, and they are plied with drugs with the expectation of affording relief from what is supposed to be physical disease. The physician called to treat the case not un- derstanding the meaning of the singular phenomena that he witnesses resorts to some preparation of Opium or Chloral, which retards the development of the medium, by disturbing the harmony of the forces. Persons un- dergoing this change are sometimes considered insane and sent to an Asylum, while there is no diseased ac- tion to treat. The necessity of harmonious conditions has been men- tioned in connection with manifestations in general. It is particularly to be observed when visiting a medium for the purpose of getting either a written or a verbal communication from personal friends. Harmony must prevail between the seeker and the medium. Mediums are not always successful. One may fail to obtain any thing in a particular case, and another succeed, when both are reliable, the failure in the one case not de- pending upon any fault in the medium, any more than success in the other is a proof of superior merit. A good deal of excitement was exhibited for some months in reference to spirit-photographs. Mr. Mum- IN HUMAN LIFE. 123 ler, the principal artist in this line having been subject- ed to a prosecution on a charge of fraud, which resulted however in his acquittal. It is a matter which cannot as readily be disposed of as those which involve only the sense of sight, touch or hearing. Professional art- ists or persons having accurate chemical knowledge are necessary to aid in the settlement of the question wheth- er the pictures which appear on the plates are genuine, and not the result of a process within the power of any photographer to reproduce. Yet if there is an absolute likeness produced, and no work of art in any style h:is been previously executed, from which to copy, the likeness being readily recognized by any calm observ- er, not excited by anxious hope, to the verge of imagi- nation, it ought to be considered satisfactory proof. The weiofht of evidence is now in favor of the ffenu- ineness of these productions. Moses A. Dow Esq. has given an account of his experience with Mr. Mum- ler, which afforded him satisfactory proof. Similar tes- timony has been given by Judge Edmonds and others of credibility, but not over credulous. On the doubtful side artists say there is great op- portunity for deception. After all it is a question of recognition, and every person of common sense ought to know the likeness of a familiar face. Various questions have been discussed through speak- ers and writers in reference to the character and the subject matter of communications, which we quote in a somewhat desultory manner. Concerning the phenomena of Spiritualism detailed in the Christian Scriptures it has been remarked : 124 "The more I have investigated the phenomena of * modern Spiritualism,' and the wonderful complex character of spirit mediumship, the more clearly I have been enabled to comprehend how exactly its character and phenomena correspond to those which occurred through the ministrations of Jesus of Nazareth and his mediumistic disciples. With a little modification or explanation of the terms used in the New Testament, they are parallel." The following questions were propounded to the in- telligence conducting one of the seances, "How is it that returning spirits are so much given to prophesying future events ? Is this knowledo;e of facts and events that are to be an absolute knowledge ? Are there laws governing the succession of circumstances which are in- evitably sure in their working, and are there spirits who can read them correctly? If so, how comes so much false prophecy ? " The answer was given in these words : The old adage that "Coming events cast their shad- ows before, " contains a very great truth. It means this : that all the conditions incident to this material life have first what would be termed a spectral existence in the other life, or, in other words, beyond your sight or knowledge. As your own Emerson says : "Truth is always in the air, and those who are the most suscep- tible to it get it first." These spectral conditions are always in your midst, and spirits have no difficulty in seeing them, defining them, and tracing them to their ultimates here with you. The reasons why so many mistakes are made are to the reasoning mind very obvi- IN HUMAN LIFE. 125 ous : First — the channels arc all more or less imperfect through which they prophesy ; second — the conditions which surround the channels are all more or less imper- fect, and surely these two circumstances are enough to render unreliable almost every prophecy that is made unto you. The following illustrates the injudicious tendency of incorrect teachings, and certain mental disturbances. Q. — Do you not think that a great many mediums have done a great deal of harm among certain classes ? A. — I certainly do, inasmuch as they are unfortu- nately organized, so that they attract to themselves a class of spiritual teachers who are poorly adapted to give spiritual truth. And again, there are others who throw themselves upon this great rushing tide of spiritual in- flux before they are half-fledged as mediums, and, there- fore, harm ensues. Q. — Do you think any more are made insane through the means of Spiritualism than by old Theolo- gy? A. — Statistical records show that the number of in- sane persons who have been made insane by modern Spiritualism are far in the minority when compared with those who have been made insane by popular Christian- ity. We do not know how these notes will compare when Spiritualism is eighteen hundred and seventy one years old. Q. — I should judge by the question answered previ- ously, that you do not deny that Spiritualism is injuri- ous to mankind ? 126 nature's laws A. — Everything — I care not whether the thing be good, very good, or bad, very bad, or ranging between the two — is, to some, a positive evil. Modern Spirit- ualism proposes to bring more of goodness than evil to humanity. Thus far it has done this, as its record, spir- itual and mortal, will show. Q. — Can truth, under any circumstances be injuri- ous? A. — Yes it can ; because the injurious things, or evil things, of this life are measured by the senses of this life. Therefore, measuring truth by the senses of the mortal life, there are conditions under which it had bet- ter be withheld ; for if it is expressed it will do harm. The following passages are quoted from discourses given through a noted trance-speaker. The question is asked : " Why are the communica- tions of the spirits so vague, and conveyed in so mys- terious a manner as to leave doubts, on the mind, of their being genuine ?" First, if modern spiritualism be true, and if there is a principle by which those in the spirit-world can communicate with persons on the earth, it is controlled by a fixed and positive law ; that law is as certain when applied correctly, and as uncertain when applied incorrectly, as is telegraphic communication be- tween New York and Washington. If a man along any portion of the route cat the wire, your telegraphic message will stop at that point ; or, if there is any fault in the operator, your message will be sent incorrectly. It is the same in communications between this and the spirit world. There are lines of thought and feeling ; IN HUMAN LIFE. 127 minds, and tables, and chairs, are but the wires which they use to convey their thoughts. You are at one end of that telegraphic chain, your spirit-friend at the other. If there is no intervening influence, the message will be conveyed ; if, in any way, the line of communication is disturbed, the message will be incorrectly given. You call it a lie, and give up Spiritualism. But there are sufficient communications that do come correct, to prove, to any candid mind, that this spiritual communication is an absolute science ; and no man of reason or judg- ment, if there were, in a hundred cases, one that was correct, or one out of every ten, would pretend to say that the other nine proved that it was not a science. It is the natural order of a new science to make mistakes ; this is true of the infancy of all sciences. But if, in the tenth time of trying, you succeed, it demonstrates the principle, and ten thousand failures cannot disprove it. And if nine out of every ten mediums give you false communications, and the tenth one gives you a correct one, that proves the principle. If nine out of every ten spirits lie to you, that only proves that those passing from the earth retain something of their earthly char- acter. "Your father, mother, husband, or wife, or child, may be close beside you , their souls almost throbbing with your own. Yet there is no chain, no medium, no telegraph there. The doors of your external senses shut them out. They may knock at the doors of your mind ; you do not receive them. You cry ^Humbug ! psychology ! mesmerism !' Your friend remains in si- lence. Again, your spirit-friend may even endeavor to 128 nature's laws communicate with your mind, without using any such outward means, in a beautiful thought or feeHng. But the physical form may be an obstruction to the correct transmission of the communication, in the present im- perfect state of the science. " Out of all the spirits that are accused of lying, prob- ably not one in a hundred does so intentionally. Ev- erything is called a lie which does not precisely, in all its points bear the criticism of those who investigate it. What we call a lie is that which is given with the inten- tion of deceiving. Something given in ignorance is not really a lie. For instance, a man may state, in all sincerity, that the moon is green. Now, probably there is something which causes that man to see the moon in that color. You all say that he is mistaken, you call it a lie, a falsity, a deception ; it is real to him. J^ow, spirits, employing mediums whose brain is not wholly under their control, are liable to tell you that white things are green, that something occurred which you know did not ; but that does not prove that it is not a spirit ; it does not even prove that it is not your spirit- friend who professes to communicate ; it only proves that they have not perfect control of the medium. "The time is not far distant, when raps, tippings, writings, and even trance-speaking, or any extraordin- ary manifestations, will all pass away, and man in the external image of his own divinity will see, and hear, and feel the presence of the angel-world all around him, and your own souls shall not require your external vis- ion, or external feeling, or any of the external senses, to prove to you that spirits and angels are really here. IN HUMAN LIFE. 129 * They shall come to you in the stilly night, with soft and pleasant voices. They shall sing to you the songs of perfect love and peace ; and no man will have a doubt. This is our prophecy. How is it to be done ? By a gradual and almost imperceptible growth into a more spiritual condition ; and, as it is reaching its cul- minating point, the time may not be as far distant as most people may imagine. Spirituality is far more rapidly growing upon the inhabitants of earth than in any former period of man's history. The slow steps of a world, forever slow in acknowledging the truth, shall accomplish more in the next fifty years than it has done in the last thousand. Yet it will be slow, for it must come step by step, like the wheels of some majestic chariot ; the more majestic and grand, the more slow and solemn shall be its approach. It shall not come to you at once, with an overwhelming power, like the day of pentecost, or like the mighty avalanche which at once buries all opposing obstacles; but softly, gently, grad- ually, like the approach of a genial summer after a dreary winter, when day by day the buds and blossoms put forth, and ere long you reap the fruition of the golden harvest ; or, like the quiet repose of slumber, when you sleep you shall not know how you came to sleep. " We do not suppose that there is any material or external science which can demonstrate modern Spir- itualism. Chemistry and geology fail. Mesmerism, psychology, -and clairvoyance, are in themselves so mysterious, that we cannot use them for the explanation of another mystery. Ask any man who pretends to be- 130 nature's laws lieve in mesmerism, who is a professor of that science, if he can demonstrate to you what it is. He can not do it ; nor can psychology or clairvoyance be explained. They all pertain to mind ; they are of those mysterious things which belong to the science of mind ; and no system of mental philosophy can explain it to you. Mental philosophers treat of the facts when they should explain the principles. Those who treat of a man's life, treat simply of what he did, how much he ate and drank, and what he said, and never of what he thought. No biographer can tell you what the man thought — the thought of Washington, or Napoleon, or Webster, or any great statesman or warrior that has lived. No one knows what they thought ; you only record their ac- tions, their deeds, their external, physical manifesta- tions, which many times are as much at variance with the real thoughts of the person as is night with the lio'ht of mornin^:. "Spirits can not communicate to you positively, and beyond the power of contradiction. There is no such thing as having anything beyond the power of contra- diction, and especially if that thing be a new one, and unsanctified by church and state ; if the whole world is warring against it, especially if it interferes with reli- gious creeds and prejudices, something which shall de- stroy old institutions. You know that mankind have great affection for old institutions ; it is natural to us all. We all revere aged men, not so much for what they are — though they may be great even in their sec- ond childhood — but we remember what they were : they are still kind, still gentle, and will presently pass away. IN HUJVIAN LIFE. 131 It is a reverence for past greatness and for feebleness. Now, this is so with institutions. Men nourish and cherish them as long as they can, until at last they are obliged to give them up. There may be no positive standard of thought or demonstration, by which any and every person may ascertain if Spiritualism is true. The. writings of Andrew Jackson Davis, Professor Hare, and Judge Edmonds, being among the most prominent spiritual works, are said to be standard woiks among spiritualists. They are not so. Spiritualism has no standard works. Davis, Edmonds, and Hare, relate their own experience. But no two spiritualists can pos- sibly have precisely the same experience ; it is as varied as is their existence. Your spiritual communications are not like Professor Hare's ; your friend, through whom you have received the demonstration, may not be like his. Consequently, you may not possibly demon- strate it as he has done. You can only investigate Spir- itualism in your own way, and arrive at such conclu- sions as your own reason and judgment shall dictate, and solve that which is mysterious, only by a gradual and successive chain of thought, just as any scientific principles are reasoned out, just as any propositions in mathematics, in chemistry, in geology, are demonstra- ted ; it must be done by a slow process of education, of investigation, of intuition, embodied in an expression of external forms." From another writer we quote these passages : "The ruje, given in scripture, for trying the mediums for prophecy, is to look to the accomplishment of the 132 nature's laws prophecies, and not to the age or country in which the seers live. *When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously:' (Deut. xviii. 22.) Swedenborg saw in vision and accurately fore- told the precise day of his own decease ; also the very hour of the decease of Olof Olofsohn : and the happen- ing of many other interesting events. These have passed into history. Judged by the rule of the Scrip- tures, Swedenborg was a true seer. By this, the speak- er does not mean to assert, that he could foresee all events, nor that he was free from mistakes. He would neither be willing to assert nor to admit that, in relation to any of the prophets, whose writings are recorded in the Old Testament, He can ascribe omniscience to none but God." "In our own time, the death of the late Czar Nicholas, was foreseen and foretold in this country three months before the event. The late war in the Crimea, was foreseen and foretold in this country eighteen months before its commencement. 'When the Arctic was de- stroyed, her disaster was communicated to four differ- ent persons, who were unknown to each other, and that, at the same instant it occurred, and long before the news reached the shore.' The cases of true prophecy in this country, within the last eight years, that are v/ell authenticated, are quite numerous. Judging by the standard of Jewish and Christian Scriptures in the light of history, there have been true prophets and seers in the different aires and countries of the world, to whom IN HUMAN LIFE. 133 some thino^s of the future have been made known : and we have them among us still. "This is precisely what we ought to expect. The Di- vine law is not changed. The mode of Divine commu- nication is not altered. Paul, writing to his Corinthian brethren, while giving rules for the perpetual guidance of Christians, says : * Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.' "We are informed that a Dutch Ambassador told the King of Siam, that in his country, in cold weather, the water was so hard that it would bear an elephant, if he were there. The king replied, * Hitherto I have be- believed the strange things you have told me, because I looked upon you as a sober, fair man ; but now I am sure you lie.' "The fact transcended his philosophy. In like manner when the wonderful things of the Scriptures were pre- sented to the mind of David Hume, they transcended his philosophy, and so he rejected them as fabulous. He did not stop to consider, that there might be other laws of nature with which he was unacquainted, and so he rejected the evidence of th-e facts. Under like cir- cumstances weak and superstitious minds at once arrive at the conclusion, that the laws of God are reversed ; that the events are supernatural — miraculous. But the true Spiritualist or Christian philosopher will receive the facts, if the evidence be amply sufficient to prove them. He is aware how little he knows of the Divine laws. If he knows of no laws by which such phenomena can be produced, he will not infer that the universe has got out of order, that the laws of God are 134 nature's laws reversed, nor that the facts occur contrary to those laws. He will reasonably suppose that there may be, and probably are, other laws, with which he is un- acquainted, and patiently wait till he discovers them. " The present age of Spiritualism is nothing less than a full return to the ancient faith of the Church, and a complete revival of the doctrines of Christianity. There have been mediums for spiritual intercourse in all, or nearly all, the ages of our race. During the gross ma- terialism and infidelity of past ages, mediums without the pale of the church were persecuted and hung. And, in the fierceness of their rage, the infidels of the seventeenth century, under the assumed garb of Chris- tianity, persecuted unto death by false accusation, many who were not mediums at all. Among the ancients, aside from the mediums mentioned in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures, Socrates stands most prominent. He asserted, that for many years he was accompanied by a demon, guardian spirit, or angel, who, whenever he was tempted to do anything wrong cautioned him against it. "On the 13th of August, 1800, in the State of Maine, a spirit went in company with Mrs. Butler and forty seven other persons about half a mile. Rev. Abraham Cummings, who was uncle to the late Dr. Asa Cum- mings, wrote a history of the appearence of this spirit, and published it in 1826. He took and printed the testimony of thirty one witnesses, who had seen or con- versed with the spirit in the year 1800. Mr. Cummings, in his narrative, says : ^ With all these witnesses I am intimately acquainted. 1 took these testimonies from IN HUMAN LIFE. 135 their lips, for the most part, separately.' After giving the testimony, Mr. Cummings says: *The above witnesses are exhibited not for the want of more (for more than a hundred liave seen the spectre, or have heard her words,) but because repetition is tedious.' The testimony, part or all of it, was taken in the year 1800. One witness, Dorcas Johnson, speaking of the manifestation on the 13th of August, says : * There I heard and saw the spectre. Her voice was distinct from any other, and her music the most delightful that I ever heard. When she walked with us she moved without stepping. And when we arrived at the house, by di- rection of the spectre, given to my brother, James Springer, and by him to the company in our hearing, we opened to the right and left, so that the spectre and Mrs. Butler passed together 'between our ranks. Then she vanished from my view, and I saw her no more.' The testimony of others is equally explicit. Of the distinguished Sweedish seer, concerning whom we shall further remark in treating of various religious organizations, he says ; "Among modern mediums the most prominent of all stands Emanuel Swedenborg. He stands prominent on account of his eminence and high position as a man of learning and science ; also because he was in contact or daily intercourse with the spiritual world for twenty eight years, and also on account of the mass and value of the spiritual communications which he committed to writing, amounting to about thirty printed volumes. But very few have yet received the doctrines taught by or through him, or even read his works. The world 136 ' natuke's laws was so steeped in materialism and infidelity that his doc- trines have been generally rejected without examination. By self-sufficient and dogmatical persons, he has been denounced as an insane man. "To say nothing of other countries, in this country alone at the present time, the mediums cannot number less than one hundred thousand. Among the believers are included Judges, Senators, Orators, Clergymen, Poets, Mathematicians, Chemists, and Philosophers. All these are denounced as insane by the whole hosts of infidels. Why should we be supprised at this? When Paul gave an account of the spiritual manifestations that he witnessed on his way to Damascus, to Festus and Agrippa, Festus charged him with insanity. "There is no doubt that murderers, drunkards and harlots may become mediums for evil spirits, as readily as moral men and Christians can become mediums for good spirits. Every man, whether in the material or spiritual world, is naturally attracted to the society of others who are like him. * * David was a polygamist, an adulterer, and a murderer. Solomon was a sensual- ist, an adulterer, and a polygamist. Does any one deny that they were mediums for spiritual intercourse ? Mary Magdalene has been by many supposed to have been a harlot. She was a medium for spiritual communica- tions. Seven evil spirits took possession of her and made themselves manifest by communications. Why should not evil spirits, or the spirits of evil men do the same thing now ? The same writer after enumerating many of the phe- nomena already cited, says that spirits " can and do, IN HUMAN LIFE. 137 with or without the hands of the medium prick off mu- sic unknown to all in the family, and that whether the medium is a musician or not ; that they open the spir- itual hearing of suitable mediums, and utter spiritual words, and make them audible to such mediums, which words cannot be heard by others, though present ; that they produce the odic or spiritual light, and make it manifest to all present ; that they intervene for the cure of diseases, and in rare instances produce the human voice. "The performers, who do these things, claim to be the spirits of deceased persons. They identify themselves in the most unmistakable manner, by exhibiting their spiritual forms to seeing mediums (sometimes many mediums seeing the same spiritual form at the same time;) by writing their own handwriting; by relating facts in their history long since forgotten by all present, and other facts that none present ever knew ; by reci- tals of poetry, which they were accustomed to repeat, when living in the material body, and sometimes by taking possession of the medium, and exhibiting in pan- tomime the motions and habits of body, to which they were accustomed while living here ; and sometimes the motions and habits of persons that were insane ; and sometimes speaking through the organs of the medium in a voice to imitate their own natural voice before death. To most of these facts we have millions of liv- ing witnesses. We have seen and observed them our- selves. To use the words of Jesus, *We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen ; and ye receive not our witness.' (John iii. 11.) 138 natuke's laws "Religious teachers ought to know, that practical psychology or mesmerism is the actual communion be- tween two spirits, while both are in the body, that ordi- nary experiments in mesmerism require two parties, a subject or medium and an operator ; that the operator establishes the spiritual communication by means of his will ; and that, consequently, if liis soul and spirit sur- vive the process of death, no good reason can be assigned why the operator in mesmerism should not retain all his mesmeric power, and even find it increased, by throwing off his external body. This is what we find to be the fact ; and this is the way, in which the phe- nomena of spiritualism are produced. "But no operator in mesmerism, while in the mate- rial body, has been able to produce any of the higher phenomena of spiritualism. The operator in mesmer- ism, is able to throw his subject or medium into a trance ; to control him in most cases at will ; to deceive his senses ; to present to him imaginary pictures, and induce him to receive them as real. But, so far as we can learn, no operator in ordinary mesmerism, from the beginning of the world, has ever been able to produce a real rap without contact ; to move a table without con- tact ; to induce the medium to speak or write in any lan- guage which was alike unknown to the medium and the operator ; or to conceal present material objects from the vision of all others present, while the subject or medium is permitted to see them. These and many others of the phenomena of Spiritualism are a higher branch of the art, which the operator in Mesmerism, cannot pro- duce by the power of his will, until after he passes into the spiritual world." IN HUMAN LIFE. 139 "The operator in mesmerism, when he is freed from his external body, and becomes a free spirit, if he can find a medium through whose organization he can free- ly work, and upon which he can act as a lever by his mesmeric or will power, can produce the raps, move the table, and take up the pen and write in the same manner as the speaker can, by the power of his will through his own organism. He can write through the hand of the medium or without it, in any laxiguage which he understands in the same manner he formerly could through his own bodily organs. He can enter into the medium, and expresss himself and speak in any language which he understands, provided he has perfect control of his subject, in the same manner as the speaker can through his own organs. In order to obtain spiritual manifestations, it is never necessary to have any mesmeric operator present. When such op- erators, with a strong will, are present, they have power in some degree to counteract the will of a spiritual op- erator. But the finest spiritual manifestations are ob- tained, when only one, two, or three are present, and when all present are mediums. "But if all the spiritual manifestations of the present day are produced by mesmeric operation in the body, then no doubt all those recorded in the Scriptures were produced in the same way ; for they appear to be en- tirely sunilar. If piano fortes are now taken up from the floor by ordinary mesmerism, and without contact, then the walls of Jericho were pulled down by the same means. If writing without the medium's hand is now produced by human magnetism, or ordinary mesmerism. 140 nature's laws then the writing in Belshazzar's palace was produced in the same manner. If spiritual hands are all now pro- duced by ordinary mesmerism , then the hand seen by Belshazzar was produced in the same way. If the ward of the lock is thrown back, and the bolted door opened by ordinary mesmerism in this age, then Peter was brought out of prison by the same means. "If the spiritual mediums, in all cases, now see the spiritual forms of their deceased friends by ordinary magnetism, then all the manifestations of the forms of Jesus to his disciples were produced in the same man- ner. If spiritual mediums in all cases hear spiritual sounds by ordinary mesmerism in these days, then the disciples lieard the voice of Jesus after his death in the same way. Then we have no reliable evidence that Jesus ever rose out of the dead. And so I might say of all the spiritual manifestations recorded in the scrip- tures. Then is our faith in vain, and Christianity a fable. "Mesmerism is only one branch of the infinite system of spiritualism. Mesmerism is only confined to that in- tercourse which may be established between two human spirits, while both still reside in their human bodies. Spiritualism regards all that intercourse which exists or may be established between any two spirits in the Uni- verse, whether they are both human spirits or not, whether they are both equally elevated, or whether one is the Deity, and the other one of the lowest spirits that have been organized by his power. Spiritualism ex- plains the origin of the doctrine of the transmigration of souls ; it shows the mode in which nearly every system IN HUMAN LIFE. 141 of idolatry was introduced into the world ; it is a key to unlock all the dark volumes of ancient history and mythology, and furnishes a scientific basis for all true relio:ion. ADDITIONAL FACTS. On page 113 and subsequently, mention has been made of some remarkable examples of various phases of physical mediumship. It was thought sufficient to sat- isfy the average of inquirers, if we should devote that amount of space to this particular department of mani- festations. Inasmuch however, as names have been mentioned in connection with that phase of mediumship, it may appear invidious if other names, equally promi- nent, should be omitted, especially as the facts devel- oped through them have excited considerable interest in the public mind, and are referred to as an almost indis- pensable portion of the evidence which has been brought to the attention of the public. We therefore here pre- sent some additional items. The astonishing manifestations through Mr. Home have gained a world-wide fame. According to the pos- itive testimony of prominent literary persons in Eng- land, only a few months ago, he was removed bodily through the window of a room in which the party were assembled, into the outer air, and thence into the win- dow of another room, at a distance of seventy feet from the ground. 142 nature's laws Elongation of the body by several inches is a wonder- ful circumstance vouched for by many witnesses. And not less remarkable, the drawing of hot coals from the fire by the hand, unprotected by interposing material, without the ordinary effect of burning. The manifestations through the Misses Fox arc equally celebrated, having been long known throughout the extent of America as the pioneers of the extensive and more modern spiritual movement. Commenc- ing with the simple form of raps or " knockings " as they were called, the members of the family were seri- ously annoyed with the noisy demonstrations going on in their house independently of their will pov/cr, and in spite of it. The manifestations went on through vari- ous gradations to some of the higher forms of develop- ment. Spirits have shown themselves visibly for years past in their presence. While sitting with one of them, now Mrs. Underhiil, a lady seated in a chair was taken up in our presence without visible contact some distance from the floor, and in the light. William Fitzgibbon, a lecturer on od force and psy- chology, about six years ago engaged the services of the various physical mediums who from time to time went to Brooklyn N. Y. ; among whom were Miss Jennie Lord, the Eddy family, and Mrs. Ferris. These were all at his residence at one time. The manifestations were so powerful that Mr. F., v/ho had given offence to the spirits, was obliged to seek the protection of the company in the room. He was a man of positive will, and if he could not have his demand complied with, would swear at them. The result was they became an- IN HUMAN LIFE. 143 gry, which was manifested to such an extent that it was feared they would damage the house. They broke loose the chandelier as he was passing under it, and struck him on the head with such force as to cut a large gash. He became so much alarmed that he dared not get into the cabinet which was used for the exhibition of their power. At one time while he was in the cabinet they took off his boots and struck him repeatedly and se- verely with them on the head. Others who got into the cabinet at the time were not treated roughly, showing discrimination in the treatment of friends and enemies, and sufficient self-respect to protect themselves against abuse. A company of persons about ten in number, residing in New York, hearing of the powerful demon- strations which had been made, went to the house and remained until past midnight. By agreement the me- diums were sent into the uppermost story of the house, and the company commenced an examination of the en- tire premises, taking the cellar first, and ascending flight by flight to the top. They fastened the windows in each apartment first, then locked the doors and took the keys with them. Each one had a lighted taper. On reaching the upper part of the house they extinguished their lights and were in total darkness. No sooner was this done than there came the sound of slamming doors, the opening and shutting of which could be heard by all. Lights were again procured and the doors exam- ined. All were found fastened as when they had left them. The lights were again extinguished, and imme- diately a loud concussion was heard like the firing of a cannon, which shook the house. Lights were again 144 natuke's laws struck, and all the doors found fast as before. There was no possibility of deception. The manifestations produced through the brothers Davenport, and through Mr. William Fay who travels with them, are genuine and of an astounding character. Strange occurrences took place through the person of Mr. Dyer in the south east part of Philadelphia, at the residence of his son-in-law. Mr. D. was an aged man, and was taken care of by an unmarried daughter. About twenty years before his exit from this world he was holding a conversation with his brother upon bible questions, both being of the Methodist persuasion. The gifts were spoken of, and Mr. D. said he desired to have the gift of seeing in retrospect the lives of those who came into his presence. His desire was gratified, and he became obliged to tell persons of their faults, when he met them. This continued so persistently that it became offensive to him, and he at length said, "I remember the very time and place when I made that re- quest. Now I have got more than I desired, and wish the gift could be removed from me." At that hour he was taken sick, and thenceforeward was unable to work. His body become distorted, the spine assuming a curve like the letter S, from which he never recovered. Subsequently he said "I am satisfied that if I had not found fault with the gift, and it had remained with me, I should never have suiiered as I have for fifteen years." A few years before his departure to spirit life bells were rung in the house without hands, similar to the occur- rences at Dr. Phelps' residence. The servants while it their domestic work were disturbed. When making IN HUMAN LIFE. 145 bread, the tray would be pulled out of their hands, and food in the cellar would be placed in each corner. The ffirls ":ot frig^htened and left. A bell hanjxer was em- ployed to replace the broken wires. The family were alarmed and sent for the son-in-law, who was travelling in the West on business, to return. The damage done to the property amounted to three hundred dollars. One morning the old gentleman called his daughter to him, and said that they should not be troubled any more, as he had prayed all night, and a voice had come to him saying that from that time the disturbances would cease. They did cease. Mr. D. felt confident that these disturbances were caused by unruly spii-its. The gift of psychometry came back to him at one time. Once a young minis - ister called upon him, feeling it his duty to converse with him about his renunciation of methodistic doctrines. The minister requested permission to pray, which was assented to. After rising from his knees, tlie old gentleman took his visitor by the hand, saying "I have a little advice to give you. You have a secret vice, which, if you do not refrain from will be the means of seriously injuring your health." The young man blushed, and left, and although invited, never called up- on the venerable brother a2:ain. The wonderful manifestations which occurred at the house of Rev. Dr. Phelps at Stratford, Conn., some years ago, created considerable excitement in the pub- lic mind, which was embarrassing and annoying to the reverend gentleman and his family. One fact is ob- servable m the history of the manifestations there ; the 146 nature's laws doctor was never, so far as we are aware, charged with imposture in connection with them. Doubtless he felt, in common with those who have had to be the victims of suspicion, the disagreeable position in which he was placed, in consequence of that general suspicion. He challenged the strictest investigation, even to the extent of offering his house and all that it contained, to any one who could detect a natural cause for the disturban- ces. He thus wrote in relation to them, "I have seen things in motion more than a thousand times, and in most cases when no visible power existed by which the motion could be produced. There have been broken from my windows seventy one panes of glass, more than thirty of which I have seen break with my own eyes. I have seen objects such as brushes, tumblers, candle- sticks, snuffers, etc., which but a few minutes before I knew to be at rest, fly against the glass and dash it to pieces, when it was utterly impossible from the direc- tion in which they moved, that any visible power should have caused the motion. As to the reality of these facts, they can be proved by testimony a hundred fold greater than is ordinarily required in our Courts of Jus- tice, in cases of life and death." Dr. P's property was destroyed to the amount of thousands of dollars by the violence of these physical demonstrations. Vast num- bers of persons from Bridgeport and adjoining towns visited the scene, and became eye-witness of the repeti- tion of the strange occurrences. It must be remembered that the religious denomina- tional duties of Dr. P. led him in a direction entirely opposite to the encouragement of such things, or their IN HUMAN LIFE. 147 acceptance, or even the acknowledgment of their truth when they cannot be prevented. Yet with these facts occurring in this family is it not remarkable that the son, now a Professor in the Theological Seminary at Andover should make an open attack upon Spiritualism, attributing all its manifestations, as have been seen in the first division of this book, to Satanic agency? Its lessons have, however, not been altogether lost, inas- nmch as their effect is seen in the spiritualistic tone of "Gates Ajar" and ''Hedged In," books from the pen of the Professor's accomplished and spiritually minded daughter. More recently, the events at the house of the Cashier of the Fitchburg Bank were of a startling character, among which was the moving of large soap stone slabs, without physicpJ contact, an account of which was pub- lished in the Atlantic Monthly for August 1868. Per- sons of scientific acquirements were called in to witness them, and the contributor of the article very candidly urged upon persons of such pretensions, to give the sub- ject an investigation. Dr. Henry Slade of New York, and Peter West are also mediums through whom remarkable phenomena have been developed, as great numbers can testify. A slate is written upon without the physical contact of human hands. We have sat in the light with some ten other persons, when the slate has been held up by the medium above his head, with a small piece of pencil upon it, so short that it could not be grasped by a man's fingers, and verses and communications would be writ- ten all over the slate, there being no possible opportu- 148 - nature's laws nity of deception. This has also been done upon and under the table. The hand writing was sometimes so delicate as to be far beyond the chirographic skill of the mediums. The facts concerning the cabinet manifestations of the Eddy family, concerning the mediumship of Mr. Reed, the physical occurrences through Mrs. Ferris, aud those which have been seen in the presence of the Bangs fam- ily, Mrs. Maud Lord, Mrs. Cutter and the Walker family, are indeed marvellous, but we should occupy too much space to enumerate them in detail. A spirit hand has taken our memorandum book and watch from our pocket — \ye say spirit hand, because it was impossible at the time, and in the place where it occurred for it to have been accomplished by the hand of any person in the flesh. The touch was different from the tangible feel of fleshly hands. Before concluding this account of the varied physical manifestations, it is in a measure necessary to mention the astounding events which have occurred at Moravia in the state of N. Y. Many visitors were attracted there at the beginning, and others have followed, from an anxious desire to know the facts for themselves, down to the present time. Among these are parties well known in literary and scientific circles. We sub- join a statement from Mr. William White of Boston. The most candid statement written by an unbeliever is the report of a correspondent of the N. Y. Sun, to which reference may be made. Mr. Bigelow of Boston recognized Mr. Tufts, his father-in-law. Mrs. H. F. M. Brown and many others m HUMAN LIFE. > 149 recognized their friends, who gave them the most sat- isfactory tests. The mode of manifestation being given in the passa- ges quoted from Mr. White, we need not anticipate it. These phenomena have been promised, and there can be no doubt that more of the same evidence will be given, realizing the long cherished hope of anxious friends. Mr. White of the Banner, writes " At one seance, a small hand patted Dr. Storer upon the knee, and a voice, in a low whisper, called, 'Father, father,' and gave the full name of his little son, who has been in spirit-life fourteen years. A voice, evidently that of a man, sa- luted us as 'Bro. White,' in a loud whisper — the value of both these incidents being enhanced by the fact that our names had been carefully kept from the knowledge of the medium. "In the second part of the seance, the lamp being lit and the medium shut into the cabinet, faces appeared at the square aperture in the partition, and in two instan- ces out of the fifteen or twenty which we saw, we were both simultaneously impressed with the resemblance of faces to those of persons whom we knew. One was of dark complexion, full beard and mustache, and certain- ly looked like Charles H. Crowell, late associated with us in this office. He did not speak, but made several efforts to present his features at difierent angles, and when asked if we were correct in our recognition, bowed an affirmative. The other was a venerable countenance, presenting hairof the whiteness of wool, the white beard trimmed short, and the features sufficiently distinct in color and outline to suggest the honored name and 150 nature's laws presence of the truly revered John Pierpont. He, too, responded in the affirmative, when his name w^as sug- gested, but it seemed impossible for him to remain long enough at the aperture to make the recognition positive and beyond doubt. Our anxiety to accomplish this, seeming to thwart the conditions, Mr. Keeler suggested that something lively should be played on the piano — perhaps some dancing tune — when a voice, appearing to proceed from the dimly-seen form within the cabinet, and apparently about a foot from the window, uttered a remonstrance in low but firm and distinct tones : ' No, my friends, those tunes will call around you spirits of a lower class. This is a serious subject.' Hands were frequently seen, in two instances holding out well formed flowers. Quite a lengthy talk was addressed to us, purporting to come from Dr. Baker, formerly of Owas- co, who is a frequent participator in these circles. He it was who, through the trumpet, stated that he could promise us, from positive knowledge, that manifes- tations similar to the present would become general all over the world." A few further facts concerning spirit likenesses are subjoined : "Some months ago, jMr. J. E. Warner, a photo- grapher, of Fall River, was called by some parties who lived in Cherry street to take some pictures of a deceased child. The latter was placed in a chair, and over it was arranged an arch of roses, with one sprig hanging down from the centre. As w^e are informed by one who declared himself an eye-witness, several pictures m HUMAN LIFE. 151 were taken ; and in the sixth, partly obscuring the pen- dant sprig, appeared, clearly defined, the face of the child's mother, who has been dead several years. The statement comes with the assurance that there was no chicanery in the matter ; and it is said the case, well authenticated, has created considerable local excite- ment." George S. Shaw says ; "Last Sunday I was called out to take a picture of a deceased child. I made five pictures, and in the fifth appeared the shape of a face just above the child's head. There was a wreath of ro- ses and leaves over the child's head, and the face seemed to be looking out from the leaves down at the child. It has created considerable excitement here. The child's mother died last winter, and people that were acquain- ted with her say that it is her face." The Orleans American, printed in Albion, N. Y., publishes the following statement in its issue of June 22: 1871. "I had a daughter born in England, and died there in 1844, at the age of fifteen, and Mr. Milleson, of New York, now stopping at South Barre, New York, a spirit-artist for the departed, has drawn a life-like pic- ture of said daughter, and presented it to me without my knowing it was to be done, and without any knowledge on his part that I ever had such a daughter. I am sure it is a true likeness of my child. Hannah Cot well." The beautiful crayon drawing of the Spirit Bride executed in the highest style of art, ornamenting the wall in the rear of the platform in the Banner Free Circle Room is worthy of mention. It was drawn by 152 nature's laws Mr. E. Howard Doane, while under perfect control of the spirits, and would do honor to the pencil of the most famous. If it is true that photographic likenesses can be pro- jected upon a metallic or glass plate, is there any diffi- culty in believing that Jesus was able to show himself to Mary Madgalene and some of his disciples ? Jesus doubtless understood the law involved in the transfiguration, and the danger attending it, when as in John XX. 17, he appeared to Mary and said " Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father ; but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." This indicates that he did not claim for himself what the Christian theologians claim for him. Its probable effect upon the medium is explained by the extreme sensitiveness which is often observed when under^ control. Plealth and life itself is sometimes endangered by sudden interruptions, in so apparently unimportant a circumstance as another person entering the room at such a time. The precipitation of instru- ments when floating about in the atmosphere on a light being suddenly kindled, as already mentioned, is anoth- er example of the folly of destroying suitable condi- tions. Last autumn manifestations were reported to have occurred in Plymouth Church through the mediumship of one of the lady reporters. — " one of two or three la- dies who sit at a table in front of the platform at Mr. Beecher's church, and take notes of his sermons for the IN HUMAN LIFE. 153 Monday morning papers. For several Sundays past the influence has accompanied her to the church, and has manifested itself by shaking the table, slightly tip- ping it, confusing the 'copy,' and, altogether, giving the lady who reports for the New York Herald and the other fair reporters spasms of fright, lest the manifesta- tions should become palpable to the congregation." SPmiTUALISM AT THE METHODIST CAMP MEETINGS. The folio win 2: facts were communicated to the Ban- ner concerning the Hamilton Camp Meeting from a gentleman who was an eye witness of what he related. "Among those attending on the day of his visit, it was the lot of our friend to encounter several who, though church members, were also chosen instruments for the exhibition of spirit power. One lady who had a cottage on the ground, and whose husband had re- cently passed on, said to him that last year her husband was with her in the form, and that she knew he was with her in spirit at this camp meeting, for he demon- strated his presence to her the first night she came there. She had told her minister of the fact. "Another lady to whom he was introduced, said, *you have two spirits near you,' and proceeded to give their names correctly, thus proving the identity of those gone before who were present. He also saw a well de- fined case of spirit healing. The harmony among those present was deep and abiding. All had met for one purpose — the saving ( ?) of souls ; no other issue was 154 nature's laws to be discussed — no opposition allowed — therefore the facilities for spirit control among those susceptible, were excellent. But one speaker for each service was al- lowed, all the rest being occupied in forming a circle — whereunto all were called to assemble — around the speaker's stand. Here sinners were exhorted to come forward for their own sakes, or those desiring prayers for others in whom they were interested, and all was done to create passivity and readiness to receive — con- ditions which the Spiritualist understands to be so nec- essary for successful manifestations or for healing pur- poses. To the mind of the visitor it was rather amus- ing to hear the frantic pleadings of those officiating for sinners to come forward, when at the same time it was stated : * We are all miserable sinners.' As for the re- sults of these Methodist circles, one case copied from the Boston Herald's report of the meeting on the day when our informant attended, will give a good idea : "'At the prayer-meeting immediately following one of the sermons on Wednesday, Aug. 23d, there was a peculiar manifestation, formerly of more frequent oc- currence than of late years. A man, while kneeling at the altar, was held for over an hour in a trance, appar- ently cognizant of all that was going on around him, but utterly incapable of movement. To many it was a convincing proof that God was present in power, while others regarded it with feelings of curiosity and misbe- lief. Whatever was the nature of the 'trance,' the man caused considerable excitement for a while, a large crowd pressing around to get a glimpse of the subject.' "If this 'trance' indeed showed the presence of God m HUMAN LIFE. 155 or the ^Holy Ghost,' it v/as strange that so much fear about the matter should have existed, and such profuse efforts have been put forth to ^rub out' the good they have done by all their prayers and exhortations — severe and continued chafing of his person having been made use of before the man returned to a normal condition. Our informant is of the opinion that any spiritual healer could have brought the man oat of the trance in less than ^Ye minutes. He has known of several cases of insanity which were caused by such strong psychologi- cal influence as this being thrown upon a subject, and no one being near who janderstood how to throw it off. Many cases which would have proved fatal to the mind of the sufferer, have been cured by the exercise of power sufficient to break the spell, by some person acquainted with the law of conditions. Detriment from the use of this power arises chiefly from ignorance of the laws governing it. Spiritualists in their treatment of this power, ascribe it to the laws of Nature, and not to any favorable conditions arisins^ from their ^conversion' to or acceptance of any particular religious faith. The exhibitions of its existence are in no wise dependent upon the moral character of the person influenced. "Not long since, an old gentleman, we are informed, was * converted' in the town of Hampton, N. H., and was very anxious that a neighbor of his should also ex- perience religion. While praying for the above object in a 'circle' as above described, he suddenly sprang over four seats, and seizing his unrepentant friend, commenced pounding him vigorously, accompanying his fiafrellations with exclamations like the followino: : 156 nature's laws *You old sinner, you ought to have been converted years ago.' His victim was released from his grasp, and he sent to the insane asylum, where he died, a rav- ing maniac, in eight days, and the revival was broken up." In continuance of this subject we would refer to the files of the Troy (N. Y.) Daily Whig, for July wherein is contained an account under the caption of '' The jM"a- tional Camp Meeting at Round Lake," the sub-heads of which are : " Wonderful Experiences " — " People Going to Another World"— "What They See There" —"How They Are Eeceived"-^"Trances"—" Visions," etc. The whole article, (two columns long) which was written in a liberal spirit of criticism, abounds in such statements as these : "The ground all day has resounded with songs and shouts and vigorous lamentations. People fall over at the meetings, and are stilled by a trance influence for hours. At the services Sunday evening. Miss Laura Seward, of New York City, was overcome, and fell into a trance and remained in that condition until morning. Hardly had she recovered, when she was up again seized with the influence and fell back upon the floor. A large crowd of people gathered about the tent to view the statuesque form of the unconscious lady * * * Up- on coming to consciousness a second time, she related a wonderful experience. "Of course, as all messages coming through a medi- um are (like light) colored by the channel through which they flow, so the revelations of the Methodist brethren and sisters are clothed in the garb of scriptural m HUMAN LIFE. 157 language and imagery — or ignorance, as the case may be — even to the assertion of one good brother that the streets that are slippery with gold, the harps that are of the unalloyed metal, and the gowns that are of the costliest fabrics will not be for the ones who indulge in croquet. "A few Spiritualist media, who understand the pow- ers of control so lavishly put forth at these camps, would have no trouble — if they were allowed — in showing to the partially developed subjects of the Methodist pray- ing circles, that the power which wrought in Jesus and his disciples in the dusty highways of Palestine, lives and works to-day, for the enfranchisment and elevation of the whole human race." PRESENTIMENT— DREAMING— PROPHECY. We do not propose to treat of the topics in this sub- division in a philosophical way, but to classify under it a series of facts bearing upon the general subjects, and to content ourselves with the narration ; simply inter- spersing such comments as may suggest themselves. PRESENTIMENT. " This word — which Webster defines as ' an anteced- ent impression or conviction of something unpleasant or distressing' — is beginning to figure largely in the press of to-day. Hardly can a paper be taken up, no 158 nature's laws matter from what section of the country it may emanate , which does not give in its columns 'local' or 'miscella- neous' articles headed like the following:: 'Stran^re presentiment' 'singular fulfilment of a presentiment/ etc., etc. Though in past years these 'shadows' have been sometimes 'cast before' upon the minds of those receptive enough to detect them, yet it has been re- served for the civilizing influences of the present age to offer to the spirit-world the faculty of impressibility in a fuller and broader sense than before. It is indeed doubtful if among the victims of any recent accident of any magnitude, there has not been some individual strongly impressed with a sense of his impending doom. At least such seems the case, judging from the number- less paragraphed assurances of the fact which we per- ceive soon after duly vouched for by ' one of our most respectable citizens.' " Not long since, the Boston Herald published an account of the death at his post of James Percival, brakeman on the Maine Central train which went through a broken bridge. A week previous he said to one of the employes on the train that 'they would not run to- gether much longer, ' and even specified the nature of the accident whereby he should meet his death ; which forecasting, subsequent events proved correct. " An Eastern exchange alluding to a recent accident at a neighboring saw-mill — in Damariscotta — whereby one of the operatives lost his life, says that a sister of his, employed in a cotton-mill at Augusta, on the day previous became strongly impressed with the certainty that her brother was about to meet a violent death, and IN HUMAN LIFE. ^^ 159 was so affected that she left the factory and continued in an ahnost distracted state of mind throughout the night. The next day a messenger drove up to bring the tidings of his death. The young lady saw him approach- ing, and recognizing him as one of her neighbors in Damariscotta, anticipated his sad message by exclaim- ing 'He is dead.' " Still another instance comes to our knowledge in the case of Frank St Clair, a carpenter by trade — now lying a cripple at the Naval Hospital, Chelsea. This person, a native of Boston, enlisted in the navy during February last, was attached to the receiving ship, and from her drafted as fireman on board U. S. steamer ' Worcester,' bound to France with provisions for the suffering people. As soon as he heard that he was to go on that ship, he was strongly impressed that some- thing disastrous was about to happen to her, and he made every effort to obtain his discharge, or at least become attached to some other vessel. Not succeedins:, he was obliged to put to sea, and while passing Deer Island, he is represented as having told a fellow-fire- man that something would certainly happen to them, and he would gladly leave the ship and go on shore among the convicts, so deep was his despondency. A few days afterward the bursting of a boiler on board killed several persons, and badly scalded others, among them Mr. St. Clair, who was so severely injured that it is doubtful if he ever regains the use of his hands. "The mass of mankind will in time learn the impor- tance of heeding these impressions, indices as they are upon the barometer of the spiritual being, of the com- 160 ing cyclone of disaster. Till then, the lesson must be repeated over and over again." A Philadelphia paper vouches for the truth of the follovs^ing story : A few months ago a gentleman died, leaving a con- siderable fortune to be shared among his heirs. Dur- ing life the deceased had been on the most intmiate terms with a friend, w^hose interest in him and his fam- ily was not of such a character as to be severed by the hand of death. It had been the general understanding for several years that this friend had been designated in the will of the deceased as his executor. The subject had frequently been broached between them, and inva- riably the deceased had asserted that he had made a will, disposing of his property in a way in which he de- sired it to be distributed, and that his friend had been named in the document as his executor. When, however, a search was made for the will, no traces of it could be found. Every nook and corner of the house into which such document would be likely to creep, was peered into with the same unsuccessful re- sult. In this state of the case, by the general desire of the relatives of the deceased, his friend took out letters of administration, and proceeded to wind up the affairs of the estate in the way provided for by the law in cases where persons die intestate. The house in which the deceased had lived was repaired, and put in such order as to render the widow and her children comfortable, and other important measures were taken by the admin- istrator at his discretion. IN HUIMAN LIFE. 161 Meanwhile, the search for the missing will contin- ued, under the belief that it would yet be found, since the deceased had so frequently declared that he had pre- pared such a document. The administrator, engrossed with the cares of the estate, naturally devoted much thought to it during his unemployed moments, the sub- ject of the missing will, on such occasions, always com- ing uppermost m his mind. One night, not long since, it engaged his sleeping as well as his waking hours. The semblance of his dead friend entered his bed cham- ber, and accosted him in the familiar tones. "You are spending a great deal of money on my house," exclaimed the spectre. "Yes, but not more than I would on my own house under similar circumstances," was the response ; the dreamer actually rising up in bed at sight of his spec- tral visitor. " You are spending a great deal more of my money than I ever did for such a purpose," continued the spec- tre, with a touch of rebuke in his ghostly voice. "Not more than the case demands," was the rejoinder. "You are a dead man now, and have nothing to do with the business. It's my affair, and I shall do as I think proper." The dreamer, as well as the visitor, was getting slightly warmed as the dispute progressed. "I am come to tell you that you have not thoroughly searched for my will," rejoined the spectre. "In it you will find just what I wish done with my money." "Your will!" laughed the dreamer. "We have searched high and low for it, and it can't be found. 162 nature's laws Why did you hide it away if you wished us to follow its instructions ? " "Look you!" cried the spectre, slipping up to the bedside and resting his ghostly form upon the covering ; "your search for the will has been very careless. In the fourth story back room of my house you will find an old bureau. Have you looked into it?" "No," responded the dreamer; "I have seen no such bureau." "In the top drawer of this old bureau," continued the spectre, "there is a package of old letters. Open the bundle ; the will is in the middle of it." With that the spectre bent forward, as if to touch the dreamer, who sprang in terror from the bed, and was awakened by the shock, to find himself standing in the middle of the room. On the following day the administrator related his vision to the members of his family, and again at his place of business he ran over the occurrence, but gave it no serious thouo^ht for a moment. In the eveninor he called upon the widow on a matter of business, and after that was transacted, related to her his singular dream of the preceding night. "I had forgotten all about it," said the widow ; "but there is an old bureau in the lumber room up in the garret. But my husband would not have placed any- thing of value there for safe-keeping." This ended the conversation, and the administrator journeyed homeward. He had just thrown himself in his easy chair before the fire, in slippers and dressing gown, when there came a violent pulling at the door IN HUMAN LIFE. 163 bell. In another moment the widow was ushered into the parlor. She was laboring under considerable ex- citement, and held a folded paper in her hand. "Here is the missing wdll !" she exclaimed, thrusting the lonjT-soui2:ht document into the hands of her aston- ished friend. " Where did you find it ? " he inquired. "Just where my husband told you he had placed it, in your dream last night. I ran up stairs as soon as you left the house, and I found the package of old let- ters in the top drawer of the bureau, and there was the will, right in the middle of it ! " Such is the singular vision and its strict fulfilment. We have told " a plain, unvarnished tale," without es- sential omissions, and without any fanciful embellish- ments, the only thing to be added is the fact that the administrator knew nothing of the existence of this old bureau until the widow recalled to mind that there was such an article of furniture in the house ; and that he was the first time made aware that there was in the house a bundle of old letters which he had not examined, when the missing will was placed in his hands. We clip the following important statement from the Wakefield (Mass.) Banner of Oct. 28th, 1871 : Mr. Editor — Permit me to lay before your readers a true statement of ^ the dream or presentiment, or what- ever it was,' that warned us of the fire which occurred at the Eaton place. About three o'clock that morning I was awakened by my spirit friends, as I often am. I 164 nature's laws arose, lighted my lamp, walked about my room and went back to bed. I was wide awake. I put out the lamp. A voice spoke to me and said, 'Mark now an entirely new influence that comes to you.' Soon I saw, or rath- er experienced a vision. I was in the midst of a fire, in Ti^hich one man seemed to be prominent. All the accompaniments were there — the noise, confusion, smoke, etc. When I came to a normal state, I at once distinctly recognized the vision as given by my spirit friends, but thought it was to show me their power in displaying the scenes at Chicago. I lay there thinking about it when I heard the word 'futile' spoken. I did not then know its purport ; but soon another vision opened before me. I caught the words 'famine' and 'shelter,' and knew that an effort was being made to impress me with the condition of the people of Chicago. This vision faded away without producing any of the eifects of a reality. The voice spoke again : 'This vis- ion fails to you; it is the only way we can teach you.' After awhile I fell partly asleep, and was awakened by an unpleasant dream. Immediately they spoke to me and said, ' Get right out of bed and don't light the lamp.' I started to obey, and felt a strong impulse to go down stairs in the dark. A second thought, and I lighted the lamp and lay there wondering, and a little vexed that my spirit friends should allow me to be so disturbed. In about ten minutes, I heard a cracking noise like pine wood burning. I spoke to my husband, and he found, on going down stairs, the closet in flames. This account illustrates some of the means that our loved ones on the other shore use, to show us their con- IN HUMAN LIFE. 16,5 tant love and care. [This communication written with such evident candor and particularity of detail is signed Sarah K. Hart.] Scribner's Monthly for Nov. 1871 contains a thrilling account of terrible suffering endured by Mr. Truman C. Evarts, the contributor of the article, while on an explor- ing expedition to the source of the Yellowstone River in August previous. After wandering in the wild passes of the Rocky Mountains, for thirty seven days he was finally rescued by a spirit guide, and returned to civili- zation in a half- starved condition. The following par- agraphs are extracted from the publication above named. " While I was thus considering whether to remain and search for a passage" [z.e., over the Madison range of mountains, into the valley beyond, where he hoped to find settlers,] "or return to the Yellowstone, I ex- perienced one of those strange hallucinations which many of my friends have misnamed insanity, but which to me was Providence. An old clerical frieud, for whose character and counsel I had always cherished a peculiar regard, in some unaccountable manner seemed to be standing before me, charged with advice which would relieve my perplexity. I seemed to hear him say, as if in a voice and with the manner of author- 'Go back immediately, as rapidly as your strength will permit. There is no food here, and the idea of your scaling these rocks is madness.' * Doctor,' I rejoined, 'the distance is too great. I cannot live to travel it.' 166 nature's laws ' Say not so. Your life depends upon the effort. Return at once. Start now, lest your resolution falter. Travel as far and as fast as possible — it is your only chance.' 'Doctor, I am rejoiced to meet you in this hour of distress, but doubt the wisdom of your council. lam within seventy miles of Virginia. Just over these rocks, a few miles away, I shall find friends. My shoes are nearly worn out, my clothes are in tatters, and my strength is almost overcome. As a last trial, it seems to me I can but attempt to scale this mountain or perish in the effort, if God so wills.' ' Don't think of it. Your power of endurance will carry you through. I will accompany you. Put your trust in heaven. Help yourself, and God will help you.' Overcome by these and other persuasions, and de- lighted with the idea of having a travelling companion, I plodded my way over the route I had come. * * * When I resumed my journey the next day the sun was just rising. Whenever I was disposed, as was often the case, to question the wisdom of the change of routes, my old friend appeared to be near with words of en- couragement, but his reticence on other subjects both surprised and annoyed me." At last, becoming completely worn out with fa- tigue and hunger, the conviction that death was near took possession of his mind. He continues : "Once only the thought flashed across my mind that I should be saved, and I seemed to hear a whispered command to 'Struggle on.' Groping along the side 11^ HUINIAN LIFE. 167 of a hill, I became suddenly sensible of a sharp reflec- tion, as of burnished steel. Looking up through half- eyes, two rough but kindly faces met my gaze." These were two mountaineers who had been sent out to search for the lost man, and he was rescued at last, at the very extreme of exhaustion. DETECTION OF CBIME. The cases last narrated illustrate firm impressions made upon the mind both in presentiment and dreams. It is sometimes difficult to distino^uish the one from the other. The following facts were developed through clairvoyance, and are derived from the same agency, al- though differing in its modus operandi from the others. Some twelve years ago a young man left the town of H — , Vt., for the West, with the intention of makin^ it his home. After selecting a farm he returned East for the funds necessary for its purchase — some fourteen hundred dollars. On his way back he made use of the railroad cars and stage coaches as far as public convey- ance would carry him, and then was obliged to take private conveyance, or travel on foot to the location se- k-'^ted. He promised to write to his brother, who was left at home, as soon as he arrived, but that relative not hearing from him at the expiration of three weeks, became anxious as to his safety, and yielding to the de- sires of some of the friends, visited a person in the town who possessed the gift of "clear seeing, "to consult with her as to the fate of his missiirj: brother. This 168 nature's laws lady, who was a member of the Methodist church and did not believe in Spiritualism, notwithstanding her mediumship, became unconsciously entranced, and while in that state described the road as far as the cars and coach went, and then pictured the absent brother's tak- ing passage in a wagon with three other persons, and the nature of the route, which was somewhat aside from the regular roads through a piece of woods. She said they killed him about the centre of the two mile journey through these woods, and threw his body between two fallen hemlock trees, and that a lock of his hair was now frozen into the ice where the body lay over one night. She said next day his body was thrown into a pond near by. The remaining brother was so well satisfied in his mind as to th^ truth of something very serious having happened, that he "determined to make the journey of some twelve hundred miles to ascertain the full nature of what had taken place. On arriving, he found every- thing as had been described. At the end of the public conveyance he hired a man to take him to the spot, and to his astonishment found the lock of his brother's hair as before mentioned. Having secured it, he went to look for the pond, and found its bottom to be covered with deep mud, in which it was impossible to reach the body. So perfect, however, was the description given him by the clairvoyant of the parties who wrought the deed, that he recognized the men as soon as he saw them. On his complaint they were arrested, and one of their number turning State's evidence, they were convicted, and sentenced to State Prison for life for IN HU3IAN LIFE. 169 the crime. One of the men has since died ; the other still remains in prison. The brother of the murdered man, the lady and many- others acquainted with the facts, are still living witnes- ses to the truth of clairvoyance, in which they firmly believe. I am acquainted with the lady. Gaining a knowledge of these facts some time since, 1 thought they should be made public, as additional proofs with which to convince the minds of the skeptical. Here was a revelation made by a person who did not believe in Spiritualism, to parties mostly Methodists. Another case almost as wonderful as the above oc- curred nearly at the same time : A robbery was commit- ted in a small village in the vicinity, and it was thought advisable to send for this medium and see if she could not detect the thief. She obeyed the summons, and was placed in a room in the hotel whither by common consent all the people came and passed before her, each taking her hand, that she might find the guilty one ; and at last one person, w^ho had always stood well in the estimation of the community, was accused by her as he was passing. She said : "You took the goods." He tried to ridicule the assertion, but she, under a pow- erful influence, seized hold of him and told him if he did not own the theft, she would detain him till he did. He finally confessed, and the goods were restored. Several other cases of a like nature have occurred in her experience. Clairvoyance is revealing the thoughts of many hearts, and murderers, robbers and hypocrites tremble at its revelation. 170 nature's laws VERIFICATION OF DREAMS. Accounts of fore-warning by impressions made on the mind in dreams abound in tradition, and are not unfrequently recorded as matters of veritable history. Jacob, according to Jewish history, was thus fore- warned, and had his dreams realized. Pharaoh dreamed of circumstances which he could not understand, and Joseph was called upon to act as interpreter. These are familiar to every reader of the Hebrew scriptures. But startling events occurring in our own times, come to us with equal, or even greater force, because well authenticated, the proof of their fulfilment being easily accessible ; in some cases by reference to living witnesses. Unpublished cases are familiar to thousands who have heard the narration of circumstances from persons who have been themselves the recipients of the fore-warning^ and have been witnesses to the succeeding events which constituted the corresponding fulfilment. A few cases are subjoined : The springing of a leak and the loss of Schooner Sa- chem of this port, occasioned by her sinking on Georges, Sept. 8th, was attended by a singular oircumstance, which we hereby publish, assuring our readers that it is correct in every particular, and will be fully substanti- ated by the master of the vessel, Capt. J. Wenzell, from whose log book we gleaned the particulars : The vessel left Brown's Bank on the 7th of Septem- ber at 9 P. M. for Georges, with a fresh N. W. breeze, IN HUMAN LIFE. 171 At midnight, the steward, John Nelson, arose from his berth, and going aft where the skipper was, remarked in an agitated voice, his whole appearance indicating great fear : "Skipper, we are soon to have a severe gale of wind, or something else of a dangerous nature is going to overtake the vessel, and we had better make land if we can, or at least keep clear of Georges, so as not to have it so rough when the danger comes." Capt. Wenzell asked him what made him think so, as everything was clear at the time, and there was no apprehensions of trouble or danger. Nelson replied, "I have been dreaming, and twice before I have had the same kinds of dreams ^yhen at sea, and both times have had narrow chances of beino* saved. The first time we were run into the day follow- ing the dream, and left in a sinking condition. With great efforts in bailing and pumping we reached the coast of Norway. The other time we experienced a terrible gale, had our sails blown away, and the vessel, half full of water, ran before it under bare poles, until we met the northeast trade winds, when we patched her up and made out to get her into Havana." He then told the purport of the dreams, which were of females dressed in white, either standing in the rain, or near a waterfall, or attempting to cross a brook. The figures in each dream were the same, but the surround- ings somewhat diiferent. The steward was a reliable man, and was so much in earnest that the captain, although seeing no signs of a gale of wind, and not inclined to be superstitious, con- 172 nature's laws eluded it best to be on his guard, and charged the man forward to keep a strict watch. The wind was now increasing, with a heavy sea ris- ing, and at about half past one A. M. the vessel was about five miles from Georges banks. She was hove to under a close reefed foresail, and they were furling the. balance reef, when a white light was observed to - lee- ward, supposed to be on board a .fisherman lying at an- chor. Suddenly one of the crew sang out from the forecastle, "The vessel is filling with water !" Telling him not to alarm the men, the Captain went down and found six inches of water on the floor. The pumps were immediately manned, and bailing with buckets commenced, after which the Captain went sounding around in the hold to find the leak, but the vessel was rolling so hard, and the water made so much noise among the barrels and in the ice-house, that it was im- possible to hear anything else. It was thought that the leak was under the port bow, and the vessel was wore round and hove to on the other tack, in hopes to bring the leak out of the water. The steward was told to get some provisions and see that the boat was ready to launch at a moment's notice. It was now blowing a strong breeze from the northward, with a heavy sea. They spoke schooner Pescador and told them their con- dition. With all their pumping and bailing they could not gain on the leak, and the crew were determined not to remain on board another night. The tide swept them down to leeward of the Pescador, and efforts were made to speak her again, but they could not reach her. Their movements w^ere seen on board the Pescador, and IN HUMAN LIFE. 173 upon asking them to send their boat to take them off, they did so at once. When they left the Sachem the water was eio-hteen inches above the forecastle floor. At two P. M. she rolled over on her side, raised her- self once, then plunged under head foremost, the master and crew feeling thankful to God tliat they had escaped and were safely landed on board the good schooner Pescador. These are the facts, and our readers can account for the dreams and the disasters in any manner that best pleases them. We publish the statement, because w^e consider it somewhat remarkable that the dreams should be the harbingers of disaster on three occasions. — Cape Ann Register. " During the past month Samuel Gorden of Tufton- boro, N. H., missed a fine large colt, 2 years old, which was found in a deep valley in the pasture, dead. Mr. G. supposed he died from some natural cause. But that night his wife dreamed that the colt was shot, that she saw the individual raise the rifle and fire the fatal shot. Her husband put no confidence in the dream, but to satisfy the importunity of his wife he called some of the neighbors to his assistance and made an exam- ination and found it even as the wife said. The ball entered just below the eye, passed through the head and down the windpipe, lodging in the lungs." A story went the rounds of the papers some time ago under the head of "The value of a dream," which 174 NATURE^S LAWS as published in the Hartford Times of a recent date, runs as follows : " One of our most prominent and wealthy citizens had purchased a sightly piece of land outside the city, but within the town limits, and the purchaser was troubled somewhat because he had been told that he could not get water, owing to the elevated postition of his land, without digging further Chinaward than any one would be likely to undertake. As we said, this troubled him. He wanted a well on his place, and, although a man of great energy — one who never allowed any obstacle, no matter how great, to turn him from his path — he hesi- tated lono[ before undertakino^ his task. The thought of excavatino^ for a well throuo^h half a mile, more or less, of solid rock was enough to deter the stoutest heart. At this juncture, before he had resolved upon anything definite, he dreamed that he had set a gang of men to digging for a well on a certain (to his mind) well-defined spot, and that after digging a few feet, be- , ore the rock was reached, water flowed in abundance. The gentleman, though not a bit superstitious, and hold- ing dreams as lightly as anybody, was more impressed with his sleeping vision than he would have cared to acknowledge. At first he would have scouted the idea of treating the subject seriously enough to put a spade into the earth at the spot indicated in his dream ; but, do what he would, he could not dismiss the dream from his mind, and finally resolved to test it, but without any real belief that his dream would be verified. He set his men to work, and, strange to relate, after digging fifteen feet, water abundantly flowed, and thus the dream IN HUaiAN LIFE. 175 fully came to pass. We have seen the well with our own eyes, and the dreamer, who is a gentleman of un- doubted veracity, assures us that our story is true." It is well known that the Wesley family were for a considerable time visited by unseen intelligences, who made known their presence by well marked physical manifestations. One of them was also a dreamer, and the following story is prefaced by the narrator thus : We would advise those who are sorely troubled and vexed in spirit, lest perad venture they have not found the true Church, to read the following vision of the cel- ebrated Wesley, who at the time was seriously troubled in regard to the disposition of the various sects, and the chances of each in reference to future happiness and punishment. A dream, one night transported him in its uncertain wandering to the gates of hell. "Are tliere any Roman Catholics here?" asked Wesley, thoughtfully. "Yes." " Any Presbyterians ? " "Yes" again was the rejoinder. "Any Baptists?" "Yes" "Any Methodists?" by the way of a clincher, asked the pious Wesley, "Yes," to his great indignation was an- swered. In the mystic ways of dreams, by a sudden transi- tion he stood before the gates of heaven. Improving his opjportunity he again inquired ; "Are there any Ro- man Catholics here?" "No," was the reply, "Any Presbyterians?" "No." "Any Baptists?" "No, Sir." ^'Any Methodists?" "No." "Well then, he asked, lost in wonder, "who are they inside?" "Christians," was the jubilant answer. 176 nature's laws SPIRITUALISM IN COURT. In the summer of 1868 a Spiritualist Camp Meeting was held in the immediate vicinity of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Feitel were among the attendants thereof. Thev returned to Boston by a horse railroad car on Sunday, when a serious accident occurred. In the catastrophe Mrs. F. was injured, and it was supposed, for life. A claim for damages having been set up and refused by the company owning the road, suit was entered for the recovery of the amount claimed. The following ex- tracts from the report of the trial will be read with in- terest by all who have any regard for freedom of opin- ion in religious matters. Able counsel was engaged by the respective parties in controversy, viz : Mr. Somerby for the plaintiffs, and Mr. Sweetser for the defendants. The main ques- tion involved was whether a meeting of Spiritualists held on Sunday could be considered a religious meet- ing: • if not it was an infrinoement of the law. The argument was entered upon by the lawyers for the plaintiffs striving to establish their case, and the lawyers for the horse railroad company claiming that Mrs. Feitel and husband were travelling — contrary to the statutes in such cases made and provided — on Sun- day ; that they had been attending a place of public amusement, and that she was injured on her return, and so were not within the law, and could not recover dam- ages. The defence also endeavored to prove that Mrs. IN HUxMAN LIFE. 177 Feitel had a tendency to paralysis, and had had one shock (or more) of it previous to the accident. On the morning in question the first witness sworn was Charles Ci Dudley, who was summoned by the de- fence to prove the advertisement in the Banner of Light, of the camp meeting; cross-examined, he proved to be a strong witness for the j^laintiffs, as he was on the car, and testified that, while going at the rate of some six miles an hour, the car suddenly stopped as if it had struck a stone wall, and then fell, (the forward end) he thought, some eighteen inches, throwing the passen- gers in aheap together. Himself and wife were stran- gers to all in the car. Witness Charles A. Whitmore was then sworn for the defence to prove the character of Laura V. Ellis's manifestations — which were advertised in the Banner of Light as a part of the camp meeting services. His tes- timony was received after some objections on the part of the plaintiffs' counsel. The witness testified to the various phenomena which generally occur at her sean- ces, and which are too well known to our readers to need explanation here. He could not tell who untied her, but no one was with her in the cabinet. Cross-ex- amined, he thought that the order preserved at the tent was good — that the people, about fifty in number, were quiet and very respectable. Being asked if he thought the manifestations in the tent might be looked upon as a religious ceremony, he replied that Mr Ellis said he gave the broadest liberty in accounting for the phenom- ena — persons might decide for themselves how they were done. Witness said there was nothins: done dif- 178 nature's laws ferently in the tent than if it were a religious ceremony, which Mr. and Miss Ellis and some of the audience conscientiously believed in. Just as any denomination — Protestant or Catholic — might hold its meetings after a peculiar form so he thought the exercises in the tent passed off. To offset the testimony of several medical gentlemen for the plaintiff — who had said, to their minds, the ac- cident was sufficient to have j^roduced the paralysis claimed — Drs. Alton Ellis, of Boston, and Gilman Kimball, of Lowell, both of whom had given much at- tention to the subject of paralysis, were introduced by the defence, and testified in the main that the shock of the accident — in their several opinions — was not suffi- cient, of itself, to produce the result claimed — the incu- rable paralyzation of the lady's lower limbs. To them there must be something else in the history of the case to bring about so serious a result. Dr. H. B. Storer was then called, and after some preliminary interrogatories were put, the examination proceeded as follov/s : Somerby — Do you believe these things as a matter of conscience ? Storer — ^Yes, sir. Somerby — You being chairman, was there anything done at the meeting except such as might have occurred in any religious assemblage ? Storer — No, sir. Somerby — It has Jbeen said by some witnesses that there was praying and singing and hallooing after this manner. IN HUMAN LIFE. 179 Storer — There was not quite so much shouting as is generally heard at camp meetings. Our meetings were very orderly and still. Sweetser — How could you call the " spirits " to or- der? Storer — By disturbing the conditions, and thus pre- ventins: further manifestations. . Sweetser — What do you mean ? How could you dis- turb the conditions ? Storer — By expressing dissent at the proceedings and by requesting them to stop. I should appeal to them just as to a person in the body. John Wetherbee, a prominent Spiritualist, was then summoned to give what facts he might know concerning the religious character of the meeting. In answer to opening interrogatories he gave his name, and said his business was that of a broker. Somerby — Were yj3u present at the afternoon servi- ces held at this Spiritualist camp meeting in 1868 ? Wetherbee — I was. Somerby — You will tell the jury if there was any disturbance there. Wetherbee — There was not. Somerby — State, as far as you know, whether or not the physical manifestations spoken of, by Miss Ellis, were parts of the religious exercises. Wetherbee — It is a part of my belief. Sweetser. — You say, according to your belief, the exercises were of a devotional character. What do you mean? Wetherbee — I believe in Spiritualism — in whose in- 180 nature's laws terests the meetings were held — in spirits, and, conse- quently, in Laura Ellis. Sweetser — You say you believe in Miss Ellis. What do you mean by that ? Wetherbee — She gets into a cabinet, and is tied or untied by an unseen power — some power outside of her- self — and that power I call spirits — disembodied hu- man beings. Sweetser — So they can take a ring from her finger and put it on her nose ! Wetherbee — Yes. Somerby — You call that power "the spirits" ? Wetherbee — Yes, sir. Somerby — Do you believe in God. Wetherbee — Yes, sir ; and worship him, I hope. Counsel for the defence considered the followino* a o point in argument. Spiritualism was a something not very well defined as yet, and lie thought but a few believed in it. There didn't seem to be anything about it that was real. To believe that men have conversed with spirits he thought was foolish, and the matter purporting to come from these spirits is the sheerest nonsense in the world. He referred facetiously to the tying, untying and ring feats of Miss Ellis. Nobody could understand it — he could not see any use in it. He thought there were many among the Spiritualists who disbelieved in God, the Bible, or in anything. He believed we should "sup- port religion in some form, and not the class which has the Banner of Light for an exponent." IN HUMAN LIFE. 181 G. A. Somerby tlien took up his argument for the plaintiffs, from which we -give the extracts below. Af- ter referring to the claim in the case for damages sus- tained, and his conviction that the learned gentleman Avho had just addresssed them for the defence had not met the points he had raised for the plaintiffs, said : "It is certainly plain to my mind that this woman was clearly within the law : that she was doing that which she had a right to be doing upon the Sabbath day in Massachusetts ; that she had a right to be upon the cars that day for the purpose ; that she did all that she could to take care of herself ; that the company were negligent, and by that negligence she is permanently injured. I wish to discuss this case carefully, and it becomes necessary for me to consider whether or no this woman had a right to be there on that day. Let us see. For the first time in my experience, I have occasion to discuss a man's religion — a woman's religious opinion. I have got to look and see what she believes. * * * * When I talk about a man's religious opinion, I talk about something that is free as air. The great and crowning feature which distinguishes Massachusetts from the old countries is, that here a man may have any re- ligious opinion, and no man may sneer at it. There is no law by which we can try the belief of any individu- al. Every man's religion in Massachusetts is respected, and no court, no man or collection of men has a right to hold it up to ridicule. Any other doctrine would dwarf a man's religious faculties, and tear down precise- ly what all the creeds are seeking to uphold. If a man and woman believe in God as the Supreme Being ; if 182 nature's laws they go further, and believe that God is a revelator, and that these spiritual manifestations are permitted by him, or are according to his will, I pretend to say — as a debater, not as a theologian — that they believe in just what the others do ; the only difference is in degree. Why, is not the bottom of all beliefs a faith in the im- mortality of the human soul? Is it not that a man be- lieves he shall live hereafter, and shall see his father and mother and children, wife and friends forever? Do you not all believe this [addressing the jury,] however widely your creeds may differ? All denominations are teaching this underlying truth, whatever else may be contained in their tenets ; and yet this Spiritualist de- nomination has been held up to be sneered at because its followers go further than the others. Reference has been made by the learned gentleman on the other side to the vagueness and mystery attending the spiritualistic manifestations ; but are there not things just as mysterious in the teachings of the other sects? Who can, for instance, describe the process attending the transubstantiation ? It is not a matter of demon- stration, but a matter of belief of any religious denom- ination — and what a multitude we have ! — from the strongest to the weakest — the Catholic, the Orthodox, the Swedenborgian , the Shakers or the Spiritualists — all are entitled to respect, all are alike in Massachusetts, because the words of the constitution are that a man's religious belief shall be protected. No man has a right to sneer about what he does not understand. Suppose I was pleading for the Catholic religion to-day — who should explain all about its cere- IN HUMAN LIFE. 183 monies? Should I, or any one else, say it is not true because I cannot describe all its mysteries ? I must be governed by the fact — Do they, its professed followers, believe it? Do they act as if they do? Suppose I take the Sweden borgian — a doctrine harder to under- stand, even, than the Spiritualist. Its followers believe in it, as a matter of conscience, and cherish a belief in departed spirits, as do the Spiritualists. Go into a Swedenborgian family, and see the empty chair kept in its place, in remembrance of him or her whose bodily presence shall fill it no more ! I cite these examples and make these remarks as explanatory that any man has a right to stand on and by his religious belief. Who shall judge when a man is honest and when he is not ? Who is endowed with that power which shall en- able him to tell, when a man swears that he believes, that he swears falsely ? Yv^ho shall condemn or ridicule that which is not to be explained ? There is not a blade of grass that waves upon the bosom of the earth, not a revolution of our planet around the sun, not a ray of light that illuminates the otherwise darkened air, the mystery of whose being or occurrence can be explained. What is the power which carries about these bodies of ours? No man can tell. All Christians together be- lieve in the immortality of the soul. They believe that soul exists. The body falls away — the spirit remains ; and is it a strange thing to believe that that soul which thinks and reasons and feels can communicate with earthly clay? Why, gentlemen, I venture to say — I don't care what your religious tenets — that I do not think there is a man of vou who did not believe, when 184 his mother or his children left him, that they were near him in spirit ; that there is not one of you who is not often impressed to do this thing or to avoid that, and cannot tell how or why. I stand here to defend no religious doctrine, but to show that these parties, as Spiritualists, believe in their religion — are conscientious in it ; that their doctrine, by examination, is found to be kindred to other religious systems, though wider in degree ; and that they have a right to believe in it. Suppose all this had taken place in a church. Suppose she had attended a service such as is agreeed to upon all hands — heard singing, by a choir, of devotional hymns, listened to prayers and preaching, and then, returning home, had met with this injury. But the meeting she did attend, and from which she was returning, was devotional ; its whole as- pect was such. Is there any line of discrimination to be drawn in free Massachusetts against her any more than against a Swedenborgian, an Orthodox, a Metho- dist, or a Roman Catholic ? No ! — because it was with her a matter of conscience, and she was then and there worshipping God according to the dictates of that con- science. Men have no right to arraign her. If it be a matter of conscience, I claim she had a right so to do — a right to worship God as she chose to believe * * If the parties then and there assembled — right or wrong — believed that these manifestations came from spirits, they and she had a right to say by their pres- ence, " We believe in the immortality of the soul ; we believe in this communion of friends who have left us. We may be wrong, but we believe ! " They may not m HUMAN LIFE. 185 be able to demonstrate it fully ; but are the other Chris- tian denominations better off ? Suppose you ask a man to define the Trinity. Multitudes of good men have affected to believe it, but how shall it be described? And yet all who desire have a right to believe therein. If these people believed, that is all that is required. It is not a question as to how absurd or otherwise any re- ligious system may be to an unbeliever — its integrity is guaranteed by the constitution. A Quaker, in his gray garb, entering a Roman Catholic church, may think its elaborate services mere form , without a heai-t in them ; and a Catholic beholding the Shakers as they dance on Sunday around the room, each sex separated, might consider the exhibition immeasurably profane or inde- scribably ludicrous. But the question in both cases is, Do they — the worshippers — believe in what they are doing ? They disturb nobody. Therefore I say, with- out standing out for Spiritualism or any other religious system, but as an American citizen standing upon the law and the constitution, that, if a man believes in Spir- itualism, I care not what the form, he has a right to be defended." The advocate then proceeded to speak of the claims of his clients to be believers in Spirituahsm as a matter of conscience, and desired to know if anything in evi- dence had transpired to show that they had not told the truth. On the Sunday in question, Mrs. Feitel at- tended the Spiritualist Sabbath school in Charlestown — in which, previous to her confinement, she was a teacher — and then visited Boston with her husband (who was a practical chemist, engaged in making vin- 186 nature's laws egar), to see that matters at his store were all right which was necessary, as much loss of material might occur if the processes did not go on properly. They then went together to the camp meeting grounds in Maiden. After attending the general exercises there, they went directly back to Maiden, waited for a chance in the ci*rs, and, finding it, started for home. The lady had started for and had attended the camp meeting just as she would have done the regular meeting of her soci- ety, or just as any man would have gone to his church. She attended — so she claimed — the camp meeting for purposes of worship ; and when the services were over, she took the best way to get home which offered itself. Was she not to be defended in this, her just rights in the matter ? In proof that camp or field meetings for religious purposes were recognized as proper to be held by the laws of Massachusetts, Mr. Somerby read from Sec. 22, Chap. 16th, of the General Statutes. It was evident, to his mind, that Mrs. Feitel, when she attended this legalized order of meetings, was just as much within the protection of the law as if she had gone out of her house to the hall where she generally attended. As re^^arded what had been said in ridicule of the spiritual belief, it must be remembered that Spir- itualism was a new matter ; and, like all new move- ments, many things would be done at the first of it which would not be done at the last of it. The ques- tion for the jury was, to consider the motives of the plaintiffs in attending the meeting, and whether if, on the 5th of September, 1868, Mrs. Feitel, in going to a place where her regular society and many Spiritualists IN HUMAN LIFE. 187 of other towns had gone, did anything worse than if she had attended a Methodist camp meeting. Mr. Somerby thought the statement that liquor was sold on the ground, contrary to the rules of the com- mittee, ought not to prejudice the mind of any gentle- man against the meeting, and especially not against the lady, who attended it in good faith. What was there, he asked, in this woman's going to that meeting and re- turning, that you would not have done if you had be- lieved just as she did ? He could not sympathize with w^hat had been said about the announcement that, at a certain time, spiritual manifestations would be given by Miss Ellis. I don't laugh at such things because I don't believe them. I have no right to do it. Mr. John Wetherbee, a stock broker, and a man well known in financial circles, had said, "I believe these things as a matter of religion ; " and so had Dr. Storer, who was a man of intelligence. Who should challenge their con- scientious belief? Could any one tell him why religious services just as orderly and decorous as in a temple could not occur under the green leaves and amid the waving grasses of a cool retreat in summer? He could see no force in the attempted defence set up by the rail- road corporation, that they were running illegally on that day, and that therefore the plaintiffs were also in the wrong. The defence had not succeeded in estab- lishing that the plaintiffs went for wrong purposes, or that they did not go to the meeting as a matter of con- science ; and he could not see where his clients failed to comply with the provisions of the Sunday law, which said : 188 nature's laws "Whoever travels on the Lord's Day, except from necessity or charity, shall be punished by fine not ex- ceeding ten dollars for each offence." I cannot see any word here about going to church. I claim that the constitution, as it stands in Massachu- setts, is beyond all lav\^ ; the law proceeds and flows from it. Judge Wells — How far do you say that a man may travel to church on Sunday? Somerby — As far as he desires to. I know of no yardstick by which to measure the distance. I know of no law by which a man must go to any particular town to meeting, any more than to any particular church. If there was no church of his persuasion in the town where he resided — what then ? Suppose we go back to the original Puritan times : suppose a Cath- olic wished to attend church, and there was none ex- cept by going to Worcester, for instance ; is there any anything in the law of Massachusetts to prevent his rid- ing there, and driving back the same day, if he could? These matters of conscience existed before the Consti- tution was framed, and are recognized by it. They do not depend upon law at all, but are fundamental. The Legislature could not pass any law contrary to the pro- visions of the Constitution. Hear the declarations of the Massachusetts Bill of Eights : 1. All men are born free and equal, and have cer- tain natural, essential and inalienable rights ; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and de- fending their lives and liberties ; that of acquiring, pos- IN HUMAN LIFE. 189 sessing and protecting property ; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness. 2. It is the right, as well as the duty of all men in society publicly and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the Universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested or restrained in his personal liberty or estate, for worship- ing God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience ; or for his religious pro- fessions or sentiments ; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship." And article third of the same instrument has been amended so as to read as follows : "As the happiness of a people, and the good order and the preservation of civil government, essentially de- pend upon piety, religion and morality ; and as those cannot be generally diffused through a community but by the institution of the public worship of God, and of public instruction in piety, religion and morality : Therefore * * * the people of this Commonwealth have a right to invest their Legislature with power to author- ize and require, and the Legislature shall from time to time authorize and require the several towns, parishes, precincts and other bodies politic or religious societies, to make suitable provision at their own expense for the institution of the public worship of God. ******** And every denomination of Christians, demeaning themselves peaceably, and as good subjects of the Com- monwealth, shall be equally under the protection of the 190 law ; and no subordination of any one sect or denomi- nation to another shall ever be established by law." I claim, from this, that it is fundamental that a man's worshipping God as he pleases, does not depend upon legislation, but as long as a man keeps himself inside the Constitution — no matter what his religious tenets — and does not disturb others, so long he is within the protection of the law. At the conclusion of the arguments of respective counsel for the parties in controversy, the Judge gave a very lucid charge to the jury, of which the following is a synopsis. The plaintiff claimed that she was travelling to and from a religious meeting, and according to her religious belief. The matter depended upon the character of the meeting to which she was going. The statute reads : "Whoever keeps open his shop, warehouse or work- house, or does any manner of labor, business or work, except work of necessity and charity, or is present at any dancing or public diversion, show or entertainment, or takes part in any sport, game or play, on the Lord's Day, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dol- lars for every offence." If therefore, the meeting in Maiden was of this char- acter — a show, public diversion, entertainment or play — then travel to it would be illegal. It is true, said the Judge, that religious worship and religious belief are not defined by the constitution, and no man is limi- ted at all in his religious belief, nor in his right to wor- ship according to his own belief: and no one can say, IN HUMAN LIFE. 191 because he dislikes or disbelieves in the manner of exhib- iting this belief, or the form of any particular religious worship, that it does not come within the constitution- al riofhts of another who does believe it to follow it. But, in order tliat it shall have this character of relig- ious worship, it must be shown that the parties regard it to be a religious matter. There is one feature of the meeting to which I ought perhaps to call your attention : In the advertisement published beforehand was a notice of Laura Y. Ellis, and at the meeting itself it was announced that she would exhibit certain manifestations in a tent close by, admission to which was twenty five cents. And you have here heard the character of those manifestations. I think the facts are such that I can instruct you that that exhibition in that tent, for the purpose of gain — to which there was a charge of twenty five cents for admis- sion — was a show ; and that all persons attending it, or knowing to it, could be punished according to the stat- ure. And if she [Mrs. Feitel] went out to attend that show, then her purpose was not a legal one. If upon the whole evidence, you are satisfied that it was a show or entertainment, and not for religious worship, then it was a meeting by an attendance on which she was not entitled to recover. The case was then given to the jury, who, after due deliberation, returned a verdict of $5,000 [the original claim being $15,000] damages in favor of Albert J. and Mrs. Feitel. The interest in this case centers in the fact that by a 192 nature's laws judicial decision, a liberal construction is given to the Statute of Massachusetts, concerning the right of every man and woman to conduct or attend religious worship, on Sunday, according to the dictates of their own con- science ; and the fact is also settled that under the Con- stitution, spiritualists can enjoy the liberty of holding their meetings on that day, equally with their orthodox neighbors. We insert here also an account of another case of Spiritualism in Court, in which the question of the le- gal responsibility of mediumistic healers for alleged mal-practice in that capacity was in dispute. "On Friday June 23d, in the Superior Civil Court for Plymouth County, Mass., held at Plymouth, the case of Luther T. Phillips vs. William Chandler came up. This was an action brought by the plaintiff to re- cover for injuries received from an unskilful surgical operation performed by the defendant. The defendant is a well-known Spiritualist doctor residing in Kingston, and it was contended by the defence that he can neither read nor write, and is entirely ignorant of medicine, that he never pretended to have skill of himself, and that his patrons well knew that his treatment was wholly dependent upon abnormal influences while in a trance condition, and that there was no responsibility beyond the actino^ in o^ood faith to obtain the abnormal influence. The court (Judge Reed) ruled that where a party holds himself out as a Spiritualist doctor, he is only held to use the ordinary reasonable means to procure the attendance of spirits at the time and place of the IN HUMAN LIFE. 193 treatment — or that if the party so holding himself out to treat disease takes the ordinary means in use with such person to induce the attendance of spirits, he is not liable for want of skill while so treating his patients. The case was submitted to the jury upon the question whether the defendant treated the plaintiff while in the condition he contracted to be in, and if not, whether the plaintiff suffered injury from that treatment, and to what extent. They rendered a verdict for the defendant." The particulars of the case are not given , but the term surgical is doubtless used in a technical sense, for strong as the faith of any one may be in the power exercised through what is here called a Spiritualist doctor, it is not probable that the patient would risk the use of in- struments in his hands. There are adventurers travel- ling about, presumptuous enough to boast of surgical skill employed when under control, ready to perform difficult operations, but their pretensions are heralded in the most audacious style of unprincipled charlatans. They have brought disgrace upon the cause of Spiritu- alism, wherever they have travelled. There must be good evidence of acquired knowledge and manual dexterity, to command the implicit confi- dence of the patient, at any time, before he can safely place trust in the surgeon ; and the injunction against surrendering reason to blind faith, certainly applies in cases where the knife is pretentiously seized by ignorant hands, to the imminent danger of life and limb. The intelligent surgeon may, however, be aided by spirit power. 194 nature's laws WHAT GOOD HAS SPIRITUALISM DONE? This question is often asked by those who are skepti- cal as to the truth of spiritual phenomena, as well as by those who no longer deny, but who nevertheless doubt the practical value of the revelations. The first answer suggested, is that it gives the most satisfactory proof of the immortality of the human soul, which can be derived from no other source. But there are other practical results more directly cognizable by the senses, many of which have been heretofore adverted to. Among these, and by no means the least important is the cure of disease. The gift of healing, it is contended by this doubting class was vouchsafed only to certain favored ones who lived in the apostolic times, since which it has ceased to exist. The following cases are cited to show that it exists among us at the present day. QASES ILLUSTRATING THE CURE OF DISEASE BY SPIRIT POWER. The first case is related by a young lady who was herself the recipient ofthe healing power, after suffering seriously from the effects of an injury of one of her limbs, inflicted through the carelessness of a companion, producing what seemed to result at length in permanent inability to use the limb, and in its progress involving IN HUMAN LITE. 195 the spine. We have omitted some unimportant details, otherwise giving the language of the writer. INJiniY OF THE LEFT KNEE-JOINT. Some six years ago, while attending school in Low- ell, Mass., I fell down stairs through the carelessness of a schoolmate, injuring myself considerably. Since then I have been troubled at times with my spine and left knee. About a year since my general health failed me also. I began to suiFer again with the pain in my spine, which grew worse and worse until it was almost unendurable. I received treatment from one of the best physicians in Boston Highlands (as I then resided in Boston,) but was not benefitted. He then advised me to go away from the salt water. I immediately went to Danville, New Hampshire, w^here I had the advice of other phy- sicians. They all agreed in saying it must be moved. In the course of a few weeks my left knee became very painful, and swelled a great deal, but the pain in my back was somewhat relieved. In a very -short time af- ter leaving Boston I was unable to walk without the help of a crutch. For the last seven months I have suffered intensely, being obliged to recline a great part of the time. [She then had recourse to a prominent healer, who said "I am going to cure you," and after five minutes manipulation, she was able to walk. She continues the narrative ;] I went back to the reception room, and in a few min- utes saw one of my skeptical friends coming in. I 196 nature's laws walked across the room to meet him, saying. "What do you think of it ?" He was so much surprised to see me walking that for several seconds he made no reply. At last he said : "Well, well, I do not know what to think of it ! You do not walk much as you did yester- day ! " An old gentleman (who by the way was an Episcopal clergyman,) who had not seen less than eigh- ty winters came tremblingly to the door, and in a broken voice said, "Who did this? who performed this cure?" addressing the Doctor. "God did it." "Yes, I know he did, as he does everything that is good. But who was the instrument ?" "I was the instrument, " replied the Doctor. "But by what power do you claim to do these things?" "By the same power that Christ did — by the power of God." "But do you not think that borders a little on blasphemy?" said the old gentle- man, who had advanced further and further into the room, until at last he sank into a chair. "No," said the Doctor, "for Christ said, ^The works that I do ye shall do also, and greater, because I go to the Father : and these are the signs which do follow them that be- lieve ; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.' I am a practical Christian ; the churches — they are all idolatrous. Did you ever hear of a minis- ter laying his hand on any of his sick parishioners and healing them ? I heal the sick in the same manner as Jesus did, and I am not afraid or ashamed to own it." "But Jesus was the son of God?" "I claim to be the son of God. We are all sons of God," replied the doc- tor. "Didn't you ever think you was the son of God?" "No." "Well, it is time you did, with your head al- * IN HUMAN LIFE. ' 197 ready covered with grey hairs." "Jesus and the apos- tles healed without coming in contact with the sick, " said the old gentleman. "So do I sometimes." "Well, here, cure this limb, " at the same time holding his limb out toward the doctor, who was sitting at the opposite side of the room. "I can't." " You are honest. Why not?" "Because of your unbelief. Jesus and the apostles could not do many wonderful works in a cer- tain city, because of the unbelief of the people." A LADY RESTORED AFTER BEING PRONOUNCED BY HER PHYSICIAN HOPELESS. A correspondent communicates the following : "Some fourteen years ago, Mrs. Conant was giving sittings at the National House, Boston. I was then stopping at the New England House. A sea captain was boarding there wdth his wife. She was taken very sick ; her doctor had no hopes^of her recovery, and her sister was summoned from New York City to see her before the change called death took place. She was a Baptist in belief; therefore the divine from Tremont Temple (Kalloch) was called to pray with her. Meeting the captain, and hearing how dangerously ill his wife was, I broached the subject of Spiritualism to him gently, (he being a stranger) and advised him to call on Mrs. Conant — who was controlled by Dr. Kit- redge — and see if he could not give some assistance to the sick one. He said he did not know anything about such things, but was willing to try anything, as he had no hopes of her recovering. I told him I would go 11)8 nature's laws ' with him to see her. We met her, and I asked if she could examine a patient at a distance. She replied that she did not know what could be done, but she would give a seance and see. She then passed into a trance, when Dr. Kittredge came, and I asked him if he would go to the ISTew England House and examine a patient, not stating who it was, or what the troable. The doctor asked the number of the room. The cap- tain gave it. All was silent for five minutes, when the doctor spoke and stated who he found in the room, and just the condition of the patient, and said that the at- tending doctor did not understand the case, and that if he (the captain) would go to her room and make passes over her head and rub her, he thought she could be saved from the change. The captain followed the ad- vice of the spirit. Dr. Kittredge, and in a few weeks' time his wife was sitting by his side at the dinner-table with myself opposite, and I know I did not 'see through a glass darkly,' but 'face to face.'" INSANITY. A case came under our personal observation about twelve years ago. One of our well-to-do, influential Boston merchants, who had previously become convinced of the truth of Spiritualism, called upon a medium, through whom his brother-in-law and his mother mani- fested their presence, describing the condition of his sister who was then an inmate of the McLean Asylum, in Somerville, and whose mental disease, as stated by IN HUMAN LIFE. 199 the Superintendent, had a suicidal tendency in as dan- gerous a degree as any patient then under his charge. These spirit relatives begged that she should be taken out of the institution, and placed under magnetic treat- ment, aided by spirit influence, promising benefit if not a cure from that course. The gentleman having so much confidence in this promise, and aware that the medium had no knowledge of the case, except that derived through the spirit friends, followed the advice given. He first made arrangements for the medium to accompany him as a friend, on a vis- it to his sister. Then he was again importuned in the same way to remove her to a temporary boarding place where the desired means of relief could be employed. Having acceded to the urgent solicitation, the patient was met by several mediums, and from thence removed to a more permanent place where a number of mediums resided, and the proposed remedial influence tested. The result was restoration to soundness of mind, which has continued to this day. For six years past the lady has had charge of her daughter's twin children. It may be stated that the cause of the insanity in this case was religious excitement, the patient entertaining the idea that she had committed "the unpardonable sin." It is alluded to in Mr. R. D. Owen's late work — The Debatable Land, p. 523. There was a gradual improvment in both the bodily and mental condition, from the time she was subjected to the change of treatment. The patient enjoyed the spirit control, and often asked the 'spirits to come and converse with her through the medium. 200 nature's laws RHEUMATISM AND CANCER. Hon. Neal Dow in an article entitled "What is it?" communicated to the Congregatioiialist of Jan'y 25 1872 — a weekly religious newspaper published in the interest of the denomination known by that name, relates a conversation held between a friend of his and a mag- netizer, whom he designates Dr. Blank, concerning two cures effected by the vital magnetic process. He quotes the celebrated passage from Shakspeare, "There are more things in Heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy," closing his paper with a repetition of the opening question, and adding "Can the doctors tell ? " The first case was one of Cancer and the second one of Sciatica, a severe form of E-heumatism. We give the substance, reversing the order by inserting first a letter under date of Oct. 1869, addressed to the mag- netizer, by the friend alluded to, on whose person the cure was performed. Mr. D's estimate of liis friend is given in the first two paragraphs of his article, which we copy from the Congregationalist. "A few weeks ago, being in an eastern city, I called on an old and valued friend living there, and in course of our talk, I asked him about his wife, who had been cured of cancer, and wished to know all about it from him, as I had heard the story many times from other parties, and so he proceeded to tell me. I may premise that my friend is a most intelligent man, not at all given to new things because they are IN HUMAN LIFE. 201 new, nor lightly esteeming old things because they are old ; there is not among my circle of friends a man of sounder sense, or better judgment, or more reliable ; nor one whose advice would be more eagerly sought by his friends in circumstances to need counsel. Well, my friend proceeded in his story which concerned matters transpiring two or three years ago. The letter alluded to is in these words : Dear Sir, — I send you a few words of cheer, on account of the remarkable cure you have effected in me. May God bless you always, wherever you may be. About the first of June, I was prostrated with Rheu- matism, and after suffering terribly for more than tliree months without obtaining any permanent relief, I saw your advertisement in the Portland Daily Press, and without any faith in your mode of treatment myself, was induced by my wife to call on you as a last resort. I was on two crutches, and could not walk a step without them. I had not slept any the previous night, and was in intense pain in my right leg. ' After one treatment by you of about twenty minutes the pain left me entirely and has never returned. I threw my crutches away and have not been on them since. I write this to you, without any solicitation on your part, in order that you may be encouraged to continue to exercise the mysterious power of healing the sick. Hoping your patients may have as much reason to re- joice in your great success as I have. Yours truly. 202 nature's laws The particulars of the other case were published in the Banner of Light over a year ago. The patient who was afflicted with the cancer was the wife of the writer of the preceding letter. The facts are stated as follows : Dr. Blank informs us that a few months ago, a lady called on him in a sorrowful state of mind, informing him that a professor of one of our medical institutions as well as her family physician, had informed her that she had a cancer which would prove fatal, if not removed before the expiration of two weeks. On her way from the professor to the doctor she had consulted with a clairvoyant physician, who declared that the knife must not be used, but that the trouble could be cured without such harsh means. The doctor gave her a magnetic treatment, and then went with her to some persons who made cancer a speciality, and their opinion was that the disease could be cured. This en- couraged her to risk the "new mode" of treatment, but, in obedience to the prejudices of her friends who were not acquainted with, but much opposed to the magnetic process, she declined risking so dangerous a case with any one save a regular physician. The next day after Dr. Blank's treatment he met her, and she reported her case improving, and also said that she knew of an ex- perienced physician who possessed the power, and liad made a cure for a friend of hers, and that she had deci- ded to place herself under his . care on her friends ac- count. She was under this doctor's treatment by the laying on of hands for a month, and was cured. She IX HUMAN LIFE. 203 visited the Professor who had advised the use of the knife, and he was very much surprised at the result. Dr. Blank says he desired the facts known, as the lady is not a Spiritualist, but, with her husband is an active church member, and reliable. INJURY FROM A FALL. Hon. G. W. Woodman, in Army and Navy Hall, Portland, on Sunday, Nov. 19th, gave an account of the wonderful restoration by aid of the spirits, of Mr. N. M. Woodman of that city, who was very badly injured by falling twenty-three feet through the scuttles of his store. A synopsis of his statement appeared the next day in the Portland papers, and the Boston Jour- nal's correspondent furnished that paper with a brief account. The full particulars of this case appeared in the Ban- ner of Light, June 3d 1871, furnished by J. B. Hall Esq., of that city. The parties are all highly respec- table, and have many friends in Boston, where, as well as in Portland, much interest is felt, as the case is one of unquestionable spirit power. In the "Vital Magnetic Cure" we have explained the gift of healing more at length, together with the law of electric, magnetic, and spirit-forces affecting human life, and their application in the cure of disease ; and in Evans' " Mental Cure " the psychological method of treatment is clearly and intelligently stated, which supercedes the necessity of dwelling upon those topics here. 204 nature's laws According to our observation the practice of using opiates for the relief of patients suffering from severe pain, has been increasing of late, which seems to us en- tirely wrong in many cases. Persons becoming accus- tomed to such medicines require more and more in quantity to produce the same effect. As it loses its effect the system becomes deadened by its use. We remem- ber well being called to see a patient who had used Morphine to excess, and we had been in the room but a few minutes when we felt drowsy by taking on the condition of the patient. Does not common sense and reason show that such conditions work against Nature? On the other hand does not magnetism assist Nature to harmonize and vitalize, and thereby eradicate disease? We doubt the propriety of such excessive use of opiates in cases of sickness, and it seems to us that the most essential thing thought of by regular practitioners is to relieve, not remove the cause of the disease. When magnetism is better understood, lefes of opiates will be used. Before closino^ the evidence derived from the exercise of the healing power, it is proper in this connection to insert an answer to a question relative to THE ALLEGED CUPIDITY OF HEALERS. We have already alluded to the charge, but as this opinion was sought from a higher intelligence, we quote it from the Banner. "We find healing mediums making fifteen and twenty dollars per day. Is this not an abuse of the power which IN HUMAN LIFE. 205 they receive from the spirit-knd? The prices charged for a few minutes' time place this heavenly blessing be- yond the reach of the poor. "Ans.— You have a saying amongst you that con- tarns much wisdom. It is this : " The love of money is the root of evil." These media, being susceptible to the mfluence from the higher life, are also susceptible to the conditions of this life ; and when once they become mediums used publicly and privately by the world at large, their needs are largely increased. As all their strength, all their life physical is used up by another —what you may be pleased to call a divine calling— thay have no possible chance of obtaining that which meets the necessities of this life in any other way than by set- ting a price upon their mediumship. So I shall not presume to condemn them ; for, in all human probabil- ity were I a mortal, anch should I stand as they stand, I should do as they do, because they are held in the inex- orable clutch of a power outside of themselves, and be- cause most of them are thrown under influences belong- ing to this life that have a tendency to lead them down- ward mstead of upward— have a tendency to develop all the lower conditions of their natures— the'love of money the love of power, of place, of fame, of all that this world holds great and good. But while you Spiritual- ists complam because this condition of things exists be- cause of high prices charged by your media, you should not forget that you have sometliing of a duty to perform toward them. It seems to me to be this : by your good deeds, by your prayers, by your sympathy, to lead them out of this condition, and to assist them to a more 206 NATURE^S LAWS spiritual one. Instruct them to obtain their livelihood from the rich, and not from the poor. That is God's justice. I know it is not man justice, but it is Divine justice, and ever should be exercised by mortal media. Most of them are not so thoroughly developed that their guardian spirits can instruct them in these things as they would wish to. They make attempts in that direction, but they are but attempts, for the medium's spirit immediately meets them with opposition ; the question is settled at once — they are obliged to retire. There are exceptions ; there are some who are willing to receive advice from their guardian spirits — who are willing to abide by it ; but they are the fortunate class of media. Let it be your duty, oh Spiritualists, to ele- vate your media, to sustain them by your sympathy, your prayers, and just, good lives ; and by-and-by they will rise out of this low, material condition, where their guardian angels can control them, and deal justly with the public through them. IN HUMAN LIFE. 207 THE DUPLEX CHAKACTER OF OPPOSING TESTIMONY. . In estimating the moral value of the testimony given for or against any cause, it is but just and fair that their antecedents, the consistency or inconsistency of their testimony, the spirit in which they utter it, should all be considered. This is the practice among intelligent jurors in common affairs. No one who is honest, and upright, although mistaken, need fear to have his evi- dence fairly weighed in the balance of justice. It is well to criticise some of the testimony which has been quoted against Spiritualism, in order to ascertain how far such testimony militates against the claim that it has its foundation in truth. Some of them may be quoted against themselves. No one has vociferated more fiercely in terms of denunciation than Mr. Knapp, yet he has acknowledged the truth of the phenomena^ not however with candor, as will be seen by the facts given in the California letter subjoined. The moral impression he has made upon the community may be inferred from remarks which we extract from a Boston newspaper. "The Elder is evidentlv o^ettinc^ mad, and unless he is soothed and conciliated may yet be drawn into the use of language which will be unbecoming in "a man of God" and inconsistent for a professed follower of "the meek and lowly Jesus," who taught that we should " bless 208 natuee's laws those who curse us," and "do good to those who de- spitefully use us and persecute us." The following from a correspondent of the Banner, contains a more reliable statement of the physical man- ifestations occurring in presence of the reviler. LETTEK FEOM CALIFOENIA. I have been reading Elder Knapp's statement to a Boston audience of his experience with what he calls the devil's demonstrations at the house of Thomas Hook, at Stockton, Cal. Without any desire to contradict the Elder, or to say that he has mis-stated or omitted any important fact concerning the affair, I will, briefly as possible, relate what was stated to me by Mr. Hook in person. I have known Mr. Hook for about sixteen years, and Mrs. Hook when she was Mrs. Greenfield. I also had some acquaintance with Mr. Greenfield in his life-time. A short time after these demonstrations had ceased, I met Mr. Hook in the city of Stockton, and, by his solicitation, I went to his residence to hear his story of the affair and to see the result of the demonstrations. He showed me a box of broken dishes, vases and spit- toons, that he said had been dashed from shelves, tables, etc. , and broken as I saw them. After the water sprink- ling on the bed of the child had ceased, the little girl (medium, an adopted daughter of the family) saw two men in her room, and described them so accurately that Mrs. Hook at once recoo^nized her former husband, Mr. IN HUMAN LIFE. 209 Greenfield, and Mr. Hook a deceased uncle, neither of whom had the child ever seen in their life-time. Each of them gave his name, which confirmed them in the belief that the girl really saw what she pretended to see. Mr. Hook was then sheriff of San Joaquin County, and Mr. Gates spoken of by the Elder was clerk of the county. On being questioned, these spirits stated to these gentlemen that an indictment for the crime of murder against a prominent man of the county would be stolen unless it was removed from the files of the clerk's office. It was so removed ; and in a few eve- nings after, the office was broken into, and the entire files of indictments were rumaged and scattered over the office. So much for the Elder's devil. Several other things were done concerning that affixir, but not worth relating here. When the Elder arrived, he was invited to the house of Mrs. Hook, who was a member of the Baptist Church. The Elder proclaimed, with a confident air, that it was the devil making the disturbance, and he could lay him by prayer ; but before the Elder had fair- ly got up steam, things began to fly about the house, and kept up such a clatter that the Elder soon weak- ened ; and, just as he was on the eve of winding up, a spittoon started (without hands) from an adjoining room, and landed on the floor close to the Elder, and flew into several pieces. This was too much for the El- der. He cut short the "Amen," and left the house in hot haste. So much for the Elder's success in laying the devil. Many strange things happened at the house of these 210 nature's laws parties that I cannot relate. I may mention one or two singular occurrences : one was the carrying by unseen hands, in open daylight, a large, heavy platter of beef from the well-house into the front yard, a distance of twenty paces, and then dropping it. At another time — and I think Elder Knapp was present — when the ta- ble was being set with dishes, knives and forks, the plates commenced to slide along on the table and hop up on each other, the cups and saucers followed suit, until all the dishes were closely piled on the centre of the table. The corners of thb tablecloth were then gath- ered up, as if by the human hand, and brought togeth- er, and the whole carried out of the house on the veranda and dropped. Mr. Greenfield, the deceased husband of Mrs. Hook, was for a good many years a Baptist preacher ; but, from some cause, he became dissatisfied or disgusted with the profession, and retired from the pulpit. Mrs. Hook related to me the conduct of the reputed spirit of Mr. Greenfield, who, it appears, was the principal ac- tor in smashing things about the house, and who was a man of violent temper, and what occurred during these demonstrations was exactly characteristic of him when in anger. These exhibitions of temper were common while he was a preacher of the gospel. This is one of Elder Knapp's devils. What a compliment to his de- ceased brother ! I do not know that I violate the confidence of Mrs. H. by stating these last-mentioned facts, as she freely and voluntarily made the statement here related. Nor would I slander the deceased ; but, on the contrary, I IN aUMAN LIFE. 211 will state that he was much respected in Stockton, and was understood to be a good moral man, and at one time a Justice of the Peace. I state the facts as related to me by one who knew him best, to show how silly is the devilish conjecture of the Elder. If he really did turn devil at death, the Elder will find him a congenial companion when he gets over the river ; for who so loves to roll the word "devil" under his tongue, as a sweet morsel, as this same Elder ? — who so familiar with the "devilish" doings of the "devil" as Elder Knapp? Did he ever speak in public ten minutes without refer- ring in some way to his old companion and wayfaring traveller? He says "the devil had an eye on him, and knew he was coming to California." Certainly ; and didn't the Elder send him ahead as a missionary to open the way for his " hell-fire " and "devil's" doctrine? — and didn't the Elder make use of this story in his own way, all over the State, to scare children, women and soft- headed men ? There can be no doubt of the intimacy of the Elder and the "old deceiver," since they go hand in hand ; and in part consideration of the old fellow's services, he makes him more powerful than the Almigh- ty, and tickles his vanity by making his hearers believe that he is omnipotent and omnipresent, and can influ- ence man where God and the powers of heaven have no earthly show. R. B. H. A confusion of names having made an erroneous im- pression on the minds of persons abroad, in regard to the identity of Mr. Hatch, who was the victim of scur- rilous abuse from the " Elder," we here make the expla- 212 nature's laws nation. The person spoken of in the scandalous lecture delivered in Tremont Temple during the revival melee, is not the Hatch vs^ho was once an advocate of Spiritual- ism, and who figured in the farcical proceedings in Cooper Institute ; but a respectable Unitarian Minister doing city missionary work, who courageously stood at the door distributing religious tracts to counteract the effect of the peculiar religious teaching which formed the substance of the lecture, and similar harangues. The abusive language and slanderous charges brought out a defence from a number of Spiritualists who had been blessed with the "gifts" and their friends, who ad- dressed letters of reproof to the evil-tongued revivalist, calling his attention to the libellous character of the falsehoods, for which he could be held amenable. But he probably thought that discretion was the better part of valor, and has retired to the security .of his farm, where he can enjoy the pecuniary profit of his vulgarity. So also is it with Mr. Fulton. The bitterness of his hostility against the cause and its adherents over-reaches its mark, destroying his influence, when addressing can- did persons who fail to see the application of his evil re- proaches. They attribute it to bigotry, and are led to inquire for themselves, rather than driven away from an investiojation. He has a sister in the spirit- world, who recently sent him the following message, at one of the Banner of Light Circles : "I am here to request a favor of ray brother, Eev. Justin D. Fulton, preaching. in Tremont Temple in your city. It is this ; that he will give the people his IN HUMAN LIFE. 213 views concerning the twelfth chapter of First Corinth- ians. J know he has no faith in the return of the spirit, but I also know he will have, for there are hidden springs in his being, which, when they gush forth, will bear him on to spiritual knowledge whether he will or no. I shall not be weary though he repulses me again and again. If I feel that it is my duty under God to return, I shall do so, trusting the consequences with that God who watches over me, and watches over him. I am Clara Fulton Pope." What of Dr. Hammond, who has written a book against Spiritualism, denying the facts which his fellow- opponents have been compelled to acknowledge. A se- vere but just criticism upon the demerits of the book by the pen of a competent reviewer was published some months ago. A flat denial of these facts is as absurd now as it would be to tell every man and woman he should meet that they had totally lost the senses of sight and hearing. It will be remembered that this same Dr. Hammond during the late civil war, through the influence of some well meaning citizens, who are now ashamed of their recommendation, received the appointment of Surgeon General of the U. S. Taking advantage of his official position to accomplish selfish ends, he was aiTcsted and brought before a Court-martial on chars^es involvins: reputation for truth, honesty and fair dealing. The tri- al lasted nearly four months, and* resulted in peremptory dismissal from office, and irretrievable disgrace. It 214 nature's laws pained the heart of our late good President to be com- pelled to issue the following official order. "The record, proceedings, findings and sentence of the Court in the foregoing case are approved, and it is ordered that Brigadier General William A. Hammond, Surgeon general of the U. S. Army, be dismissed from the service, and be forever disqualified from holding any office of honor or trust under the government of the United States." A. Lincoln. August 18, 1864. This erudite gentleman is represented as saying that the movement of tables and chairs is against the force of gravity, and due to hallucination, legerdemain, and fraud. Commenting upon this, one of the ablest writers exclaims "Oh, science ! science ! do let us retain some little confidence in common sense, which has long been teaching that whenever we moved our chairs and table with our physical hands, we did it 'against the force of gravity.' It seems, then, if common sense be right and Dr. Hammond right, that every time we ever sat down to our dinner table, our chair was moved up to it by either hallucination, legerdemain or actual fraud. Though we are three score and eight, we are not yet so old as to discard truths and facts because they are new to us." Some of the opponents who have exhibited themselves as exposers have two faces, either of which they turn to the gaze of the public as caprice suits them, or rather as their improvised audiences arc willing to pay for. IN HUMAN LIFE. . 215 Among such are Bly, Von Vleck, H. Melville Fay, and similar double dealers. Having mediumistic powers, they are at one time holding seances, at another getting up a show, and denouncing mediuuiship as imposture, apparently oblivious to the fact that both classes of lis- teners can readily detect the iraposters. Bly Vras controlled by the spirit of his uncle, a noted blind phrenologist, to examine phrenological character- istics, and did it in a perfectly satisfactory manner. But as the old gentleman was one of the earlier and honest Spiritualists, he must have felt ashamed of the tricky side of his protege. Barnum, the notorious expositor and practitioner of humbugs consorted with Von Vleck to make a show of Spiritualism at his museum. One of the latest of these feats was performed in a Methodist meeting by a person who had been an advo- cate of Spiritualism for years and had given tests of spirit identity before associations of Spiritualists, then turning Methodist took the same method of proving that what she had previously done was felse ; yet though this new departure was stimulated by the cheap charge of fifteen cents a head, there were but few hearers. Catch-penny traps are not always profitable to the ven- dor, even if he includes his principles in the sale. Thomas L. Harris has pursued an erratic course, up- on which we find the following criticism published : "A friend who has recently visited this eccentric genius at his community home near Buffalo did not form a more favorable opinion of him and his present enterj^rize than we did of his Mount;;in Cove movement, many years 216 nature's laws ago, which went up soon for want of funds and faith, both of which are abundant in his present experiment. The rich vein of poetry which formerly ran through him to enrich the early spiritual papers is entirely ex- hausted, or is perverted into a sewer for the waste wa- ters of Christian bigotry, of which he seems now to have a remarkable share. The stream of eloquence too, that in the early days of Spiritualism, thrilled so many hearts, has turned into a channel little better or more profitable to the race than that of any bigoted secta- rian. We are sorry for Bro. Harris, but not for his earthly period, as the wealth he has secured will enable him to procure earthly comforts ; but the richer treas- ures of the other life, which he has lost by his course, will cause him many years of regret and sorrow. He seems to have been too weak a vessel to contain the new wine, or else he had not got all the old theology out before the spirits poui*ed in the new, but retained enough to spoil the pure Spiritual Philosophy, causing it to sour in his brain. We thought him a little crazy in the Mountain Cove movement, but as he partially recovered from that, we had hopes of his entire recov- ery ; but he could not bear the flattery and praise which his inspiration and eloquence drew around him, and he soon began to suspect himself to be an " especial mes- senger of the Lord, " superior to his fellow-men. For all useful purposes to the race, Bro. Harris seems entirely lost, having crawled into a community shell, where he deals out the orders of Christ to the family, and supposes, or makes them believe, he is the medium of direct communication with that part of the m hujvian life. 217 Godhead which on earth was, and is, the Christ. It would seem, at this day, that no sane man or woman could fall in such blind superstition as that of Bro. Har- ris and John Noyes of Oneida, and several others, more or less distinguished ; but we are still more surprised at any families who possessed wealth, and the means of education which it brings, who should be so deluded as to follow after such fanaticisms. Yet this is the history of the race. Thei-e have ever been some to fall into every new scheme of salvation and redemption, and wealth is not always security against ignorance and de- lusion. Elsewhere we have mentioned Eev H. W. Beecher in connection with this subject. Although Mr. B. does not openly advocate Spiritu- alism, he recognizes the value of the services of clair- voyant healers, and is not ashamed to employ them in his family, nor to recommend the vital magnetic force as a healing power to his friends. It is a current re- port that in his societj^ there are many avowed believers, and that responses are given to his teachings by raps and other demonstrations. In conducting a funeral service recently, Mr. B. urged the mourners to rejoice in the accomplished vic- tory of the departed ; to thank God for what work he had done so well, for its great results and for the no- ble, manly, sweet Christian demonstrations of a useful life, and not to think of him hereafter as one reposing beneath the grass and the flowers, but rather listening for a voice from the angel, as they looked at the grave, saying to them ''He is not here, he is risen." 218 nature's laws Eev. G. H. Hep worth is strongly medlumistic, and perhaps is not fully accountable' for all his acts and words. His mother enjoyed spirit-communication with his father for many years previous to her exit from earth- life, and Mr. H. has often been heard to express his be- lief that his father did really communicate with his idolized mother. The last time we saw her, she was playing the piano, and at the same time improvising a communication to us. She kept up spiritual circles, and her friends enjoyed spiritual communication through h*er organization as well as through others : and after her departure, Mr. H. kept the rooms open for that pur- pose in remembrance of her. It is very questionable whether he will enjoy with equal satisfaction the fruits of his late summersault. In a funeral sermon, after Mr. Hep worth had cited ca- ses of mediumship in the Scriptures, the case of Joan of Arc, Socrates, Luther, Swedenborg and Indian med- icine men, he remarked, "I have been greatly interested in the new sect or denomination that has come into existence in the last few years. Its members call them- selves Spiritualists. Fifteen years ago they were laughed at, now who laughs at them? Then, few had ever heard of such a system of doctrines, now they num- ber their converts by the millions, and these converts belong to all classes of society, from the poorest to the richest and most learned. They have thirty journals devoted to the propagation of their faith. They have a library of five hundred volumes advocating their secta- rianism. "The moment your eye glances over these figures, you IN HUMAN LIFE. 219 ask, why is this? The answer is plain ; first because the doctrine of communion has put off its oppressive robes of selfishness and personal aggrandizement, and put on the white garments of good news to the world ; and second, because nothing is more evident to my mind than that the world longs to believe and needs to believe something of the sort ; it is essential to our religious well-being. "The very minute that terrible desolation enters a house and robs the family of a loved member, leaving as a memento of the past only the vacant chair, the holiest part of our human nature looks up to Heaven with a dim vague expectation, with a belief that has never ta- ken a definite shape, perhaps that though we cannot see them, the^ do see and know us." SEANCES— CONDITIONS, AND RULES FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT. The word seayice, borrowed from the French, means simply a sitting or session. It has in a great measure superceded the more homely word circle. In visiting a place where a circle is to be held, the inquirer, it is supposed, has a definite object in view, whatever that may be. Whether he w^ill' be successful or not, depends partly upon the motive which prompts him,' and partly upon circumstances not altogether with- in his power to control. Both are involved in condi- tions necessary to success, and these conditions are now 220 nature's laws 80 well understood from long experience and observa- tion, that specific rules have been deduced for the gov- ernment of the sitters. In the first place it is essential that harmony should prevail among all the persons in the company, and a willingness to receive whatever may be given in the way of manifestations, each one being willing to yield in a state of passivity, for the time being to any influence which may be attempted to be exercised over them by the invisible power. The manifestations may be either physical or mental ; it is seldom that both kinds occur at the same time. Where a variety of well developed mediums are pres- ent, this may occur. If the seeker is about to visit a place where the physical only are knowiJto occur, and is at the same time opposed to them, he should re- main away, as his presence would disturb the harmony, thereby destroying the conditions, and probably entirely prevent thereby the expected result. The medium who is susceptible to the control of a spirit who has passed beyond the veil, is in the same degree con- trollable by the psychological power of a positive will, exercised by a spirit yet in human form ; so that noth- ing can be expected beyond what emanates from the controlling mind. It is unwise therefore to encourage skeptics to attend a circle when their will is more posi- tive than the spirit mind which usually controls that circle. Candor, fairness, and a passive state of will on the part of such investigators are pre-requisites. It is of less consequence, when the controlling power of the spirit is known to be positive, and almost indomitable. IN HUMAN LIFE. 221 This is the case with many of those who produce the physical manifestations. He who has reached a fore-gone conclusion on any subject, is not in a proper state of mind to investigate. The truth is not in him, neither does he desire it. The Scripture enjoins seekers^ after truth in the words "seek and ye shall find ; knock and it shall be opened unto you." Determined opposition is at once perceived by the sen- sitive medium, although not a word may have been said. Persons carry with them the record of their life indelibly impressed, and the medium is enabled to see their interior condition. Facts of whatever nature, so- cial or moral, political or commercial, are reflected as if in a mirror. Those who have enjoyed the smiles of fortune, and lived in ease and comfort, as well as those who have had to struggle for bread in the battle of life, have brought before them their personal history and experience, which startles their inner consciousness just as was experienced by the Jewish woman at the well, quoted in another place. Secret doings are brought to light. It is not surprising that the dishonest merchant, the falsifier, and the evil doer in any sphere of life should become alarmed at the display of such a panorama be- fore him. Discretion is used as to the revelation of the facts shown to the medium. If they affect his moral status, they are shown to him as an affectionate parent would chide and guide to happier conditions, his erring child ; otherwise they are as confidential as in ordinary intercourse in private life. A case of this kind came under our observation about three years ago. A young man who was a stranger in this section of country visit- 222 nature's laws ed a ladj who had this remarkable power well devel- oped. She was engaged with a room full of company and could not immediately give him a sitting, but was impelled to tell him in presence of her other visitors that he had been associating with an ill-disposed companion, describing the young man thus designated, his habits, and the manner he had employed to entice her visitor to places which were unsuited to his unfoldment, and to fit him for a higher plane of life. She added " There is a lady who is in the form, that you have neglected — you have not done right in the case." The visitor ac- knowledged the truth of the statement, confessing that the young man alluded to had done as was described, and that he had neglected to write to his mother for two years. We heard the entire conversation, and was struck with the candid acknowledgement of the visitor. So also have we known many persons who had been living a degraded and miserable life saved by a similar inter- position of either father or mother, brother or sister. For those who are not familiar with spirit manifesta- tions, a few practical rules are necessary to be ob- served. 1. The seeker should first go alone, and sit with the medmm in the same way as if asking counsel of a phy- sician or a lawyer. By this means the medium avoids commingling the magnetic spheres, as would be the case, if a third person were present. Friends often wish to accompany the inquirer to gratify curiosity, harmless in itself, but acting as a disturbing element under such circumstances, and preventing clear communications. The same applies to the healing process, as may be seen IN HIBIAN LIFE. 223 by reference to the pages of "Vital Magnetic Cure." 2. Sit in a passive condition, waiting patiently for whatever the spirit sees fit to communicate, which will be given as the need may be, whether of a material or spiritual nature, and not necessarily as the inquirer may desire. 3. The medium should take no thought of what may be said, or consider whether it will please or displease, but speak as the impulse is given, provided he or she is suf- ficiently developed to feel confidence in the gifts that have been bestowed. Many feel a lack of this confi- dence, and allow themselves to fall into an anxious state of mind, lest they should fail to give satisfaction to their patrons. This should be avoided by all, whatever the phase of mediumship — speaking, writing, healing, or giving tests in any way. Let the gifts be exercised nat- urally, without restraint. Many go to consult mediums for the material benefit they can derive. It is not wise to run to them for advice upon every trivial thing, for upon most of earthly affairs we know sufficiently well of ourselves, and can gain no additional light by seeking in that way. We lose our own identity by so doing, and diminish our influence and usefulness. Would infor- mation be asked of persons in earth-life, upon all points which we refer to those in spirit-life ? We think not^ and it is not to be supposed that those who have gone to a higher sphere can be interested in minor afiairs, which we can just as well settle for ourselves. Some seek advice solely for the purpose of accumulating wealth. The better spirits decline such advice, as not being conductive to the highest enjoyment of this life. 224 nature's laws They know that hoarding is a propensity very diffi- cult to out-grow, after leaving the body. The plans of such are, therefore, generally thwarted, and after a few lessons they gain wisdom, and begin to look upon Spir- itualism more for the good they can do through its teach- ings, than to gratify selfishness. 4. How to form a circle. Let as many investigators who are harmonious and likely to attract similar influ- ences, as it is desired to bring together, be seated at a convenient distance from each other, joining hands. It is generally better to place positive and negative per- sons alternately. Sometimes the sexes are thus seated —a male and a female alternately, but there are many positive females, and negative males. If a person in the circle has been developed in such a manner as to be able to analyze the chemical forces of the various persons in the company, they can by that means be arranged so as to secure the best manifestations. After sitting quietly for a short time, some susceptible person may suggest a change of position, to facilitate the object. This being done, and all quiet as before, the magnetic forces will be harmonized : then the hands should be separated. The influence will be concentrated on the medium. If a developed medium be present, the spirit will ar- range the seating of the compnay ; but if the object of the session is development, the rules given should be fol- lowed. We have long since ceased to sit in circles. They are useful in attracting power to a sensitive ; but a few friends whose magnetism is adapted to each other, or even one magnetizer with suitable adaptation being pres- IN HmiAN LIFE. 225 ent will do as much for a partially developed medium as can be gained by sitting in a circle for some length of time. Our best mediums never could or would sit in promiscous circles, but were developed in a quietj way alone, or with a few special friends present, or through a severe sickness. One thus developed is more independent than those developed by circles, furthermore the latter require for a long time the sustaining power of the circle, in order to accomplish much. Most mediumistic persons who are frail and delicate are cured of disease and developed by magnetic treat- ment. It is not advisable to push forward the devel- oping process by such means more rapidly than they grow interiorly. It is better that development should take place first interiorly, then exteriorly ; for thereby there is a protection against influences that are injurious to many negative mediums. No two are affected alike, consequently no rule can be invariable to bring about a good development spirit- ually. But we can say to the mediumistic live right, and aspire to the society of good angels, and they will surely unfold you in their own good time. The promiscous circle among Spiritualists has been superceded by the parlor seance, where not much re- gard is paid to the arrangement of the persons convened. There is generally present, a well developed medium who can enter a room full of company promiscously as- sembled, if necessary, and exercise the gift of speaking or any other phase without embarassment. Those who desire tests, employ a medium for tliat purpose ; if teaching is wanted, one is selected who has been devel- 226 nature's laws opedvon that plane, and so of physical manifestations of whatever kin(J. If the spirits see a medium whose fac- ulties they desire to exercise, they will make it known ; then the person indicated must meet them with a wil- lingness to be controlled, by remaining passive, before harmony can be established, and the effort rendered suc- cessful. Physical phenomena convince those who are materi- alistic, and exacting in reference to tangible proofs. With the progressed, they have had their day, but that day for the masses is not yet over. They have been of immense service as the harbins^er of truth in the form of mental manifestations. Many materialists have been convinced thereby of the existence of an invisible, but intelligent power, and of the immortality of man. The truth and s^ood resultins: has not however been unmixed, because of the palming off of imitations with the exhibition of genuine phenomena. In some cases the medium has not been to blame. Some spirits after going out from the earthly form liave been the occasion of charges of deception against innocent mediums. If 'they can do a good act, they have the power to do its opposite, as when they exercised the faculty of will while they were inhabitants of earth. If investigators would take this fact into consideration, they would not fear spirits after, more than they had done before their change from one sphere to the other. A word more to mediums. If they will live accord- ing to the teachings of spirits from the higher spheres, they will soon become of themselves a power to control spirits on a lower plane than themselves ; and there is IN HUMAN LIFE. 227 no need to fear injury from those of higher planes. It is only those who have not yet grown up to the level of our condition of life that can tempt us into downward paths. Those who are superior to us in wisdom and goodness will rejoice to meet our aspirations, elevating us to the joys of a higher and purer life. There is a peculiar phase of mediumship to which no allusion has been made, and which has proved a stum- blino: block to beofinners. Mediums often see and de- cribe spirits still living in the earthly form, giving their names, and the particular circumstances occurring at the time of the clairvoyant view, personifying them so that they can be recognized, although many miles away. "What a story they tell me," says the skeptic, "they give me the name of a friend still living. It is a delusion !" A medium is controlled for some years, it may be, receiving advice and information, and at last finds that the alleged spirit is still in the earth form. This presents a question difficult to solve. The only explanation which occurs to us is that a spirit has as- sumed the name of the friend, as is done in earth-life, where a person falsely represents another, deceiving as it were, "the very elect." This is done sometimes, ap- parently, without their being conscious of it. A curious phenomenon seen at both public and private circles is worthy of record, although already known to Spiritualists, viz : the sudden appearance of the name of a spirit in raised letters on the arm of the medium. This has been done repeatedly in the persons of Charles Foster, Mrs. Friend, and Mr. Colchester ; thus identi- fying a departed friend of some one present. In one 228 nature's laws instance, in the case of Mr. F. a pistol was marked on the arm in addition, and it proved that it was by a pis- tol shot that the communicating spirit was transferred from material to spirit-life. We have had sittings with all three, and received the same proof, twice after writ- ing names on paper and rolling into pellets ; once with- out writing, and in no case where the soirit was known to the medium. MISCELLANEOUS FACTS IN SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE. Many facts occur in the lives of individuals which are of general interest, and should extend beyond the limited sphere in which they originate. A few items of a mis- cellaneous character, belonging to Spiritualistic experi- ence, but which cannot be conveniently classified, are here collated. As we come into our world without our knowledge or consent, welcome or unwelcome, and have duties im- posed upon us as soon as w^e arrive at an age of respon- sibility, it behooves us to learn all we can of the laws which govern life's phenomena, while on our earthly pilgrimage. We often hear persons who are called Christians say " there are many things we do not under- stand, and God, for a wise purpose has withheld the knowledge of them from us ; and the seeming myster- ies will at the last day be solved." But it affords no consolation to a thinkinsr beinsf to sit down, without at IN HIBIAN LIFE. 529 least trying to understand all that concerns him. Spir- itualism, if true, is part of the decree of life, which must be accepted, as is the fact of the sun, moon and stars, and the effects of electric, magnetic and spiritual for- ces. We have quoted the discovery of crime through a me- dium. A case in point occurred in Boston. A young man, belonging to the Baptist church whose pastor is one of the bitterest opposers of Spiritualism was in the employ of a member of another evangelical church. A person with mediumistic power, but not a professional medium, called at the office of the employer, and although not seeing the young man said " You have a young man at work for you who has an old head on young shoulders," describing him so accurately that he was easily distin- guished from others in the establishment, and advised his being watched. In a short time he was caught stealing forty dollars. The employer sent for his min- ister who came with a deacon, and advised that the cul- prit be kept, or he would go to hell. "Perhaps you will change your opinion by talking with him " said the employer. They took the young man into an upper chamber, and asked him to kneel down and pray, but he refused. They then came down and told the employ- er that he had already gone to hell, and they thought nothing more could be done for him. He had also ap- propriated to his own use money belonging to the Sun- day school connected with the church. We were present when the spirit through the medium gave the caution. We believe the money was subsequently returned, and through this check on his dishonest practices, he was 230 saved from a dishonorable course in earth-life, and un- happy experience in the future. Spiritualists are by their enemies charged with law- lessness. We would not shield a wrong-doer from the consequences of evil deeds. It would be useless to at- tempt it, for the transgressor of law cannot evade its penalty under any circumstances. Neither would we recriminate, but there are facts enough to show that religious pretensions are not proof of virtue and hones- ty. Jesus said that none were perfect — "no, not one." We knew a methodist minister who had preached for years, and afterwards entered into mercantile business. Almost his first act was to prepare for failure by trans- ferring his property, and the end soon came. There was clear evidence of dishonesty, yet some who had been swindled joined with others to aid him in contending by law with those who had been fortunate enough to see through the operations of the reverend merchant, and se- cured the payment of their claims. Another reverend of the Baptist persuasion was em- ployed during the week in an office where money was received, and sums were missed. The proprietor sus- pecting him of appropriating the funds to his own use, took proper measures and caught him. The case was not prosecuted, but submitted to the arbitration of three persons, one a minister, another a merchant, both gone to tlie spirit-world, and ourself. The decision was that the money should be refunded, and the embezzler leave the city, and try to be "converted." At the trial he presented numerous letters written "by the love of Je- sus" &c. Some years afterwards we heard him preach IN HUMAN LIFE. 231 in New York on "Christ and him crucified." We thought if he could only save men from stealing, we would not put a stone in his way, and left him undis- turbed. It happens sometimes that persons receive a statement through one medium, which afterwards appears to be corroborated through another. But this is not always proof. We have known some to be attended by a spir- it or a band of spirits, who on coming in presence of a sensitive, would get a mere repetition of what had been said before. It is the same statement whether true or false, from the same controlling power, and not one a corroboration of the other. The question is sometimes asked why some good, re- liable mediums are always poor, while others no more sincere or reliable are liberally rewarded. The follow- ing answer to such a question asked by a person styling himself an earnest seeker after truth, from one of the higher intelligences gives an explanation. A. — This earnest seeker after truth is as ignorant of the true philosophy of Spiritualism — of spiritual mani- festations — as are the majority of these seekers, wheth- er earnest, honest, or otherwise. They can't seem to rid themselves of the idea that the spirit-world is inhab- ited only by the pure and the good, when the fact is, it is inhabited by all classes of intelligence. The evil, the undeveloped spirit has just as much power, and, under many circumstances, more power to return than has the just, the well-developed spirit. It should be understood that there is a law of chemi- cal forces underlying all physical life, and acting through 232 nature's laws physical life. Jesus understood this when he said that the poor should lose even that thej had, but the rich should continue to gain riches. Now, it is a well un- derstood scientific fact with us, that thej who are able to attract to themselves the riches of this world have the attracting chemical power in their own physical com- position, and they will be rich, in spire of all adverse circumstances. The poor have not this attracting pow- er, and they will be poor, in spite of all fortunate cir- cumstances. The old adage, "Like attracts like, " is divinely and humanly true. Those persons who are poor, who are poorly supplied with the comforts of this world, if they attract any spirits to them, it is likely to be a class that correspond with them in physical condi- tion, such as are unable to lead them into w^ealth. There are various degrees of this chemical force, this power of attracting wealth. Some persons possess it in a great degree. Your countryman, George Pea- body, possessed it to a very large extent. He could gain wealth almost with the turning of his hand. Oth- ers possess it to a less extent. Each one gains wealth according to the attractive power that exists within his own physical composition. This is a scientific fact, recognized in our life, which, by-and-by, the scientists of earth wdll take up and prove. Until then, it must remain as a mere assertion on our part. This "earnest seeker after truth " tells us that he has a belief in an all- wise and good God. A belief in a good and perfect God inspires faith in the manifestations of God in every thing by which we are surrounded, in the inner or the outer life. If God takes note of and cares for the fall- IN HUMAN LIFE. 233 ing sparrow, to my mind, he will not forget to care for his poor as well as his rich. Jesus said to some of his friends, "The poor you will have with you always" — a sublime prophecy of the condition of Nature. There will always be poor ; not that the earth does not furnish enough for all, but that the all- wise Spirit of Life, in organizing and making up these physical constitutions, has made them all to differ. The differences so exist- ing, in some lead to poverty, in others lead to wealth; but the certainty of happiness at some condition of being the soul always understands. It is not the inner life that makes complaint against its Maker, but it is the outer life — the part that has been educated in the igno- rance and folly of this life ; while in the soul-life of every individual there is trust in God. The radicalism of some of our speaking mediums is occasionally objected to, even by reformers. But we think it is good in its order, as the pioneer work. The heavy plough which tears up sods and roots is necessary to break up new ground for improved culture ; then the seed can be sown for a better growth, and thus is prep- tation made for progress onward in this life, and its con- tinuance in the next. In this work each should do his part : nor can every hindrance be at once removed ; for all change and permanent growth is gradual. Some advise the entire rooting out of tares while the wheat is growing ; but there is danger of both being destroyed to- gether. The developed should assist the undeveloped to a higher and better condition of life, and when the sift- ing comes, there will be less of chaff to separate. The 234 natuiie's laws barrier of exclusiveness is not needed. Truth and ris^ht will at last prevail. Philanthrophic mediums would be glad to be in a condition to give seances free. Some are so sensitive that when money is mentioned as a compensation, they shrink from it, and were it not that their necessities compel them to receive it, they would work for the cause with much more force and efficiency. If they could be furnished with good dwellings and supported as teachers of Theology are, so as to be free from pecuniary trou- ble, the communications would be clearer and unmixed with individualisms. Those with whom wealth is not the first object, will doubtless enjoy a higher reward in spirit-life. It would be but just that a reasonable per centage of sitters should be allowed by the prosperous mediums an* opportunity to receive communications from spirit friends free, as is the practice among physicians. Unfortunate persons, even of liberal culture, who are destitute of pe- cuniary means, are deterred from seeking a message, for want of the two dollar fee. Doubtless the record of individual earth life will be taken as the standard of merit or demerit m the future life, and that will determine each one's place in the order of progression. Every act is daguerreotyped, and may be read with as much ease by the developed spirit, as if in a printed book, and sometimes this can be done by spirits in the earth form. If this be true, oh Hypocrite I what is your position ? There is some intrinsic goodness in human nature, hence although bigotry stalks abroad, it is not every IN HUMAN LIFE. 235 minister who is intolerant. We once heard a methodist minister in a western city say, affer receiving magnetic treatment, that it would pay his society to employ a magnetizer to magnetize him, as they would get better sermons thereby. He called on the magnetizer the fol- lowing day, and the subject of Spiritualism being men- tioned, a lady present remarked that she had become convinced that her daughter then in the spirit world, could, when conditions were favorable, come back and communicate with her. She was a member of an evan- gelical church, and had some fear of endangering her standino^ therein. The lansruaore and sentiments of the communications were of such a high spiritual tone that the minister became quite interested, remarking ''If that is Spiritualism let me have more of it, and if the church to which you belong objects to your remaining, for be- lieving in such teachings, you can find a home in my church." Great numbers are precisely in this embarras- sing position. Prejudice is so strong that they are afraid to express their convictions freely. Still, liberty of conscience is gaining ground. Min- isters called evangelical, sometimes preach as good spir- itual discourses as we have heard from those who are the open advocates of Spiritualism. We have heard one of them say " We pity the soul that joins the church under religious excitement, as in revival meetings," and another when giving an invitation to partake of the *' Lord's supper" remark that it was for those who felt the need of it, but as for himself, he considered it only a means to an end, and had outgrown it as a com- mand. 236 nature's laws Others are leading their congregations out of empty forms into substance, and they embrace the spiritualistic faith as rapidly as they are prepared to receive it. These teachers think that by giving them food adapted to their wants, they are accomplishing a greater work than if they preached the whole truth. Each must be his own judge of such matters. There is more proneness to error in believing too much than too little. True Spiritualists as a general fact, do not care so much for money as for truth. Jesus taught simplicity in dress, diet, and all external, worldly things. He knew that money was good only for the supply of the necessary means of support. Did he ever receive mon- ey for magnetic treatment ? He worked for nothing except what he had gained in spirit. He of course was supported in his mission free of expense. His precept was "As ye have freely received, freely give." But it is not the part of wisdom to follow literally the advice that we should take no thought for the morrow. Mediums are not passed over Railroads free or at half- fare, as are all grades of clergymen. They must pay hotel bills and other unavoidable expenses ; hence if they have no fixed salary, and give their time to the service, they must take fees, or give up the work. Modest and unassuming ones have suffered by neglecting to require reasonable compensation. What can a spir- it from the land where material needs are no longer felt, accomplish through a medium whose nervous system is harrassed by anxiety to obtain means wherewith to pay high rent, and indispensable food and raiment? Relig- ious teachers, placed over churches have generally been IN HUMAN LIFE. 237 cared for, In these respects, and are at ease, which ena- bles them to follow any line of thought untrammelled. The wealthy Spiritualists have it in their power to do good by enabling mediums in needy circumstances to employ their gifts with much greater efficiency, by build- ing hospitals for the sick in mind and soul , and asylums for other sufferers, as well as in other practical ways. If they could be aroused to active benevolence, using their surplus means for such noble ends, they would not lose their reward. In regard to the grade of spirits which are attracted to investigators, we are satisfied that it depends very much upon themselves. If they have good aspirations they will attract to them spirits of an elevated order, and will progress to higher, happier and holier conditions. If they cater to the grosser and undeveloped spirits, al- lowing their organization to be used for base purposes, they will be degraded to a lower level, and are in dan- ger of sinking, by perverse habits, to the depths of in- famy. The law governing these things need not be mistaken, for it is uniform in its application and inva- riable. There has been an indisposition on the part of scien- tific men to engage in the discussion of Spiritualism. This is due in part probably to the materialistic tenden- cies of some branches of Natural Science. Learning was for a long time under the exclusive control of the church, aud even now there is a strong disposition on the part of theologians to control the institutions of learning, and the methods of culture. One extreme be- 238 nature's laws gets another, and when it comes to a choice between bowing to the authority of the church in matters of sci- ence, or rejecting her dictum altogether, the liberal-mind- ed investigator discards her claijus. Something is to be attributed to the misappropriation of terms, and the dis- position to under-value attainments in science, on the part of many Spiritualists. Extravagance of assump- tion and the dragging in of side issues have driven away some who would have willingly inquired further, ^ut religious bigotry has had more to do with it than any thing else. It has however been admitted within the domain of science, and good, able and honest men have risked their reputation and pecuniary means in its investigation, and after arriving at favorable conclusions, by engaging in its advocacy. When a person who has been distinguished in any way, speaks a strong word against Spiritualism, it is quoted by the stand-stills in triumph. They do not stop to consider the motive that has prompted it, so as to es- timate fairly its value, which might result in its being worth nothing. At best it could but show that people differ ; as we might quote on the other side such names as Judge Edmonds, the jurist and advocate, Robert Dale Owen, the philosopher, statesman and diplomatist. Gov. Talmadge, Dr. John Piermont, the sage, poet and di- vine, Epes Sargent, Prof. Mapes, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William and Mary Howitt, Baron Von Reichenbach, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall, Anna Cora Mo watt, with a vast host of others, quite as distin- guished. IN HUMAN LIFE. 239 Added to these names, we now have that of Yon Fichte, the German philosopher, son of the celebrated author, and the compeer of Kant. The following copy of his letter is worth preserving. My Dear Sir : Accept my warmest thanks for Hare's work, which, had you not sent it to me, would proba- bly have escaped my notice. I made myself acquainted with its contents without delay, and can state the follow- ing as being my present impression in relation thereto. As to its revelations concerning the world beyond, they seem to me to be of the highest importance, because they not only, at least for the most part harmonize with those which have been given by other spiritual seers, but because they are intrinsically reasonable, God- worthy and truly cheering. I myself have the greater reason to think therii valuable, as they essentially agree with the principles of my own psychological investiga- tion, which is entirely independent of them. I refer to that which is really essential and decisive, laying aside a great deal that is unessential in these "revelations," (such as the demonstration of the existence of spiritual spheres which are said to surround our planet, &c.) which may, I fear, furnish abundant material for doubt and ridicule to those who are unfavorably disposed. As to my present position with regard to "Spiritual- ism," I had an opportunity last year of becoming ac- quainted with its phenomena and testing them repeat- edly. This was through my personal acquaintance with Baron Guldenstubbe and his sister, who spent the win- ter of 1869-1870 at Stuttgardt, and who honored me with their full confidence. I have come to the couclu- 240 nature's laws sion that it is absolutely impossible to account for these phenomena, save by assuming the action of a superhu- man influence ; but that deception, credulous acceptance of worthless things, false interpretation of incidental mat- ter — in a word, subjective admixtures are not wanting ; on the contrary, that they often play a principal' part, which obscures the value of the whole thing. In short, there is a great deal of chaff, and but little genuine grain in the thing, so that I have often become weary of at- tending such experiments, or of causing them to be made, although two excellent mediums were at my disposal af- ter the departure of Guldenstubbe. I feel, however, deeply interested in the cause, for I am by no means unaware of its high importance, both in a religious and social point of view. I shall therefore be grateful to you if you will continue your communications, and I assure you and your worthy friend, Counselor Aksa- kow, of my most grateful appreciation of the indefati- gable zeal with which you so perse veringly devote your powers to that cause. Yours, with high respect, J. H. VON FiCHTE. To Mr. Gregor Constantin W^itti^, Breslau, [Concerning the spheres above mentioned, the fol- lowing extract from a communication may be regarded as a comment.] The spirit-world is not in the form of a belt, but of a sphere ; a spiritual planet in all respects, save spiritual- ity, like your own. And yet you have the spirit- world amongst you — spirits who have never left the earth. IN HmiAN LIFE. 241 Millions of them are your guests daily. They live here ; they have their dwellings here ; their attractions are here ; this is to them their spirit-world, and the first sphere which every spirit occupies for a longer or short- er time after death. As a further indication of progress, it may not be amiss to state that interesting accounts have been given by three of the lecturers on Spiritualism within the last year, of its spread in England, France, Italy, and some parts of Asia, accompanied with names of prominent persons who have ascertained the truth of its revelations for themselves. THE DOUBLE. The "Double" is a curious spiritual phenomenon which has recently attracted renewed attention. It consists of the apparent presence of a person at a particular spot, when it is known that that person was in another place at the same moment of time. According to the testi- mony of patients who have undergone magnetic treat- ment, it is not an uncommon occurrence for them to see their magnetizer, although many miles away, as distinct- ly as if he was present bodily. At the same time they feel the effect of magnetization as perceptibly as if they were touched by him. This tjikes place more readily when the chain of sympathy is connected by a letter, or any material substance. There is an account of cases of this kind in the Banner of Light of Jany. 20. 1872. 242 natuke's laws When two persons are in rapport, the electric, magnet- ic or spiritual forces operate, and conditions being favor- able, spirits still in earth-life, can visit others and produce effects as plainly as if they were tangible, and in the same way as they are produced by disembodied spirits. This has come within our own experience. There may be truth in the vulgar adage that " the devil is always near when he is spoken of." The spiritualis- tic presence of any one, in the body or out, may so im- press the mind of some one concerned, as if present in the body, and clairvoyance affords confirmation. An interesting fact is related concerning this phe- nomenon, in the personal experience of the late Presi- dent Lincoln. Previous to the assassination, happening to look in a mirror, he saw not only the reflection of liis own person, but a second object precisely similar. It struck him as ominous of some impending evil ; yet he had no fear, and although a spiritualist, and having re- marked at the time that he should not live to serve out his term of office ; and notwithstanding his being fore- warned by letters from mediums who had seen in pro- phetic vision some such terrible catastrophe, he took no precautionary measures for his own safety. While alluding to Mr. L., we may further remark that he frequently held circles at the presidential man- sion. Among the facts which occurred during his in- vestigation was a remarkable test given him in New York. Visiting one of the test mediums, the spirit of a friend who had been sick in Illinois was announced. He said it could not be his friend, as he had but recently left him improving. On reaching his hotel, however, IN HUMAN LIFE. 243 he received a telegram announcing the person's decease corresponding with the time of the manifestation. Mr. Anderson, the spirit-artist, was employed by Mr. L. to draw or paint a picture. The artist was Impelled to make a drawing of an Urn, tipped over on its side, which he said was all he could get, nor did he under- stand its meaning. It was construed to be a symbol of mourning. The great conflagration at Chicago was prophesied by several mediums, some of whom were arrested on a charge of fortune-telling, and made to suffer persecu- tion, because it was given them to foresee that which was so fearfully verified. Louis Napoleon is said to have been similarly fore- warned, and protected himself by the use of a bullet-proof breast-plate, which proved eifectual when attacked. Queen Victoria is a constant recipient of consolation from the spirit- world, through a medium in her house- hold . Her excellent husband , the justly esteemed Prince Albert who communicates with her, was an earnest in- quirer and a believer when here. THE DARWINIAN THEORY. Since the Mosaic account of creation has proved un- satisfactory to reason and common sense, the theory propounded by Darwin as to the origin of species has aroused a lively interest in thinking minds. It is a difficult subject, and requires more study than the ma- jority of people can give to it. Indeed all such abstruse 244 nature's laws themes will probably remain unsettled until the finite mind can grasp the infinite. We are, however, much in- debted to scientific students for the steps of progress which have been taken. History teaches us nothing be- yond the fact that man in shape and intelligence was al- ways very much as he is now, and what existed farther back is only conjecture. It is interesting and instructive to speculate about it, and sometimes the active thought of a single human intellect makes an obscure subject plain. We can with some degree of profit be witnesses of the controversy going on between active and cultivated minds, capable of discussing it. The question whether the egg or the chick, the seed or the plant was the first in order of existence may sometime be solved, and so whether such a 3hange can be effected by culture in the course of time, as to constitute new species. With the highest culture thus far, distinct lines re- main. The sour crab may become a fine apple, but a turnip remains specific. Hybrids go no further than the first step. A horse cannot become a man, but it is not impossible that the first bifurcation of the primitive vertebrate may, by progressive development in one of the two branches, carried to its ultimate, produce a change no less wonderful in the origination of species. EE-INCAENATION . Another theory, still more curious has been advocated by Allan Kardec and others, somewhat to the dismay of the mass of Spiritualists, viz : that embraced in the IN HUMAN LIFE. 245 doctrine of re-incarnation. They teach that a spirit as an individual does not complete its term of life with what is ordinarily understood in physical birth, death, and entrance on spirit-life ; but that after a time, which may extend to thousands of years, it re-enters a body in embryo, living another ordinary term of human life in the body of the new infant through all the stages of growth to adult life, and perhaps old age, in a man- ner akin to the transfer of the soul from inferior animals to human beings according to the ancient doctrine of metempsychosis. Believers in the teachings of Spiritualism do not doubt that scjme spirits are attracted to mortals in the infantile stage of life, becoming their guardians and continuino^ to act as such throu^^h earth-life. But this is simply control by another distinct and separate spir- it, and not permanent possession of the new organiza- tion. Spirits, whether recently disembodied or those who have left the earth hundreds of years ago, as Jesus, Socrates, Demosthenes and many others come and com- municate with individuals through suitable mediums ; but if they are thus controlling independently, they can- not at the same time be living another individual earthly life. There is a temporary incarnation of a spirit in taking possession of a body, and through it living out its incomplete life, being attracted to that body through peculiar chemical forces, gratifying its appetites, enjoy- ing its pleasures and suffering disappointments : the person being conscious of such possession, and to some extent sympathising with that control by virtue of the similarity of chcinical forces, feeling and acting in some 246 nature's laws measure like the controlling spirit. It is what is called obsession or possession, be it good or bad. But imagine an exquisite musician, finely organized and cultivated, with intensely delicate touch, returning to earth, taking on infantile conditions again, being trained for and living a hard, practical, unartistic life during his second incarnation, completing it, passing on and returning again, seeking another embodiment in in- fantile conditions — not finding circumstances favorable, roams about, and so comes back three or four times in as many or fewer generations. The imagination may cause a person to personate anything. We knew a man w^ho thought he vv^as the embodiment of Jesus, yet was a frequenter of bar-rooms, and a smoker and chewer of tobacco, habits which we could not think Jesus indulged in while on earth, nor that he would be attracted to any one who gave way to their indulgence. An elderly woman imagined herself to be the old "harlot" of the Bible, and conducted as that character might be supposed to act on earth. She believed that the representation of prophecy and its fulfilment was to be made through her, and that she must therefore act as she did. She had lived a respectable life, and hence was to be pitied and ought to have been cared for in some good psychopathic institution such as has been pro- posed by Prof. Mead. Such cases bear evidence of an unbalanced state of mind, and should be treated as such. If spirits come to do harm, they should be taught bet- ter, and treated as if they were yet in earth-form ; and the person approached by such a spirit, with temptation to evil, should summon courage to resist, saying "Get IN HUMAN LIFE. 247 thee behind me, and lead me not into wrong-doing." We can account for the peculiarities of many positive women and negative men, by their susceptibility to pos- itive or negative spirits, who are attracted to them, some doubtless going back to ante-natal conditions through psychological power. The doctrine of re-incarnation deprives us of our in- dividuality, making us mere fragments, never complete, and destroys the hope of the future as effectually as if we were to lose our faith in immortality. OBSESSION. This subject has been treated of in "Vital Magnetic Cure." It is only necessary now to cite a few cases in illustration, and to add a word or two in support of the fact that obsession is a verity. There seems to be oc- casion for this, inasmuch as in a recent work it has been denied. The difficulty in conceiving of such a condition as ob- session arises from the idea of a special devil which en- tered into all the theological systems, now one after another passing away. The conduct of the person so afflicted was demoniac, as described in the New Testa- ment, and as is often seen in cases occurring in our own time. But it is a simple matter after all. Obsession, or as it is otherwise expressed, possession, is simply spirit control of a particular kind, and more persistently con- tinued than control in general. Control is possession 248 nature's laws for the time being, and in this sense all mediumship is possession more or less complete. Its synonym (obses- sion) is more particularly associated with the demoniac idea, and therefore offensive : obsession then differs from other cases of control in quality and duration. A bad or undeveloped spirit holds the unfortunate person by a firm grasp, makes him conduct himself like one violent- ly insane, and is indisposed to give up to the control. In the biography of J. M. Peebles, there is an inter- esting account of a case and its cure ; and similar cases may be found in Mrs. Hardinge-Britten's Book. The following occurred under our own observation. A man of considerable susceptibilitj to spirit-influence became a healing medium, but w^as unwilling to admit that Spiritualism had any thing to do with it. He wished to remain in the church to which he belonged, thinking that he could use the spiritual forces at the same time. Not long after he ran into the '^affinity" channel, and was soon unbalanced. He resolved to go west, the sec- ond wife trying, but ineffectually, to dissuade him from it. She accompanied him to South Framingham, re- turning by next train, and leaving him to pursue his journey. Arriving in Brooklyn, his conduct was so strange as to attract public attention, an account of which was given in the papers. He wanted to hire the Police Station House for healing purposes, telling the officers that he had performed so many cures in Boston that the doctors were after him, and the New York doctors were working with them to kill him ; and that if he could get possession of the Station, he would send for Mr. Beech- er and several other prominent persons, which would IN HUMAN LIFE. 249 enable him to get up conditions to overpower the physi- cians. At his own earnest request, they took him to Court to see the Judge, who being occupied, he had to wait his opportunity. In a few minutes he ran down the street towards New York, where he was taken charge of and sent to an insane asylum. It seems to us that in his attempt to ride two horses, as the expression is, he was thrown. What he needed was magnetism to equal- ize the internal forces, and quiet him, which his wife succeeded in doing as soon as she arrived, taking him to Boston, where he was restored to his usual health. We knew a lady who resided in Irving Place, New York, in affluent circumstances. She was of positive temperament. Becoming convinced of the truth of spir- it communion, she visited a lady medium to whom she gave pecuniary aid, although strongly opposed by her husband. After his decease, trouble arose in the settle- ment of his affairs. She was his second wife, and had a legal interest in the property. An influence operating on her partially developed condition prompted her to commit acts of extravagance and indelicacy, disrobing herself at her window, and in other ways acting in a manner entirely opposite to her natural character. Spir- itualistic friends who had her in charge never doubted her being acted upon by undeveloped spirits. She was always positive, and resisted magnetic treatment, seem- ing herself to know the law which governs, it mak- ing it necessary for a very powerful influence to be exerted to subdue her positive will. Her relatives and supposed friends placed her in an insane asylum in Mas- sachusetts, where she probably is to-day. We believe 250 nature's laws such cases can be cured by adapted magnetism. Was she to blame ? Jesus did not ask his patients why they were in such conditions as he found them, but used his strong psychological power to cure them. The spirit or spirits departed instantly. It is useless to use harsh treatment, and worse than useless to cry "humbug," for the unfriendly spirit cannot be exorcised by such means. When the affliction comes home to any one, by his rel- ative or friend being thus attacked, which all are liable to, he regards the case very diiFerently. The case must be dealt with in moderation, not ignoring the presence of the controlling spirits nor provoking wrath, but rea- soning, appealing for the right, and using the counter- acting power within reach. Jesus recognized obsession, as we have seen. The cases he treated resembled insanity. The resemblance, occurring in connection with public interest awakened concerning Spiritualism, has given rise to the statement that the latter causes insanity. But is there any one thing, good or bad which when carried to excess, will not cause it? Various causes have been enumerated, which produce it, as disappointed love, domestic trouble, religious excitement, intemperance, and many others. We are informed by a recognized expert, who has made the subject a life study, that religious excitement stands second in the list of causes. The mind already disor- dered may be agitated by Spiritualism, when the com- munity generally are interested in it, as it may by any other subject, but in such cases it is not a cause, but an incident. The main question, after obsession has been proved to exist, is how to effect a cure. IN HUMAN LIFE. 251 THE DEE AD FUTURE. The following is a synopsis of a funeral address, ex- tracted from the Louisville Courier-Journal : Philosophically speaking, there is no death — only change onward and upward forever. It is evidently im- possible to find absolute rest in the universe. Motion is everywhere ; and change, by methods inverse and di- verse, is a fixed law, ever evolving the more ethereal- ized forms of life. Leaves are now falling from the ma- ple, the oak and the elm ; friends are falling — all of your eyes have wept and hearts ached ere the present occasion. How true that man, the earthly man, "dieth and wasteth away." Winter dies in northern latitudes that spring may carpet the earth in grasses and grains ; and man the im- mortal of man — that is, spirit — disenthralled from the physical organization, may traverse space and pass on in its path of destiny toward perfection. Being knows no destruction. Annihilation is a mean- ingless term. The conservation of forces demonstrates this position. It is physically impossible for something to become nothing — all that was is, and eternally will be. Death, so called, is no enemy, but, natural and beautiful,- it must precede immortal life, as must the acorn the oak, or the bud the opening flower. Stars that fade from our skies fade to illumine other portions of the sidereal heavens, and friends — our cherished 252 natuke's laws friends that pass on through the valley of shadows, go to people the love-lands of immortality. They take with them consciousness, reason, memory, and their souls' holiest affections. Pure love is immortal. This true — our dear departed loving us still — they delight to project their thoughts earthward ; delight to impress us with the increasing beauties of their progressive exist- ence ; delight in becoming to us what the facts of the nineteenth century demonstrate, the actuality of min- istering spirits. Churchmen joining hands with deists and atheists in denying present insph^ations, revelations and communi- cations from the spirit-world, generally entertain erro- neous conceptions of death, speaking of it as a "tyrant," as "the king of terrors," and picturing it as a grim, bony skeleton , with scythe mercilessly mowing down hu- manity. And then, to intensify the horror, they will join in the Christian hymn, beginning with the words "Hark ! from the tombs a doleful sound, &c." Such hymns, with the accompanying theological dog- mas — the resurrection of the body, the day of judgment and future endless hell torments — are the pitiable rem- nants of an imported paganism. The preaching of these and other unreasonable chimerical doctrines is filling the country with a scoffing infidelity. To Spiritualists death is birth — the second birth into a higher state of existence. The body returns to earth, to reappear again only in grasses, flowers and forests. As well ask the oak to return to its acorn, the winged bird to return to the nest and re-inhabit the shell, as to ask an immortalized spirit to return to some gloomy IX HUMAN LIFE. 253 graveyard and take on the dead, material body. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ;" Paul further said, "We sow not the body which shall be." The body which shall be is the "spiritual body," and es- sential spirit is the life, the conscious intelligence of this spiritual body connecting mortals with immortals, and angels with God, who alone hath underived immortality. All the popular religions of the day rest upon tradi- tions. Spiritualism alone rests upon the basic founda- tion of present, tangible facts. It is the living witness of the future existence. Considered historically, it unites the past and present. Referring to the Bibles of all nations — and especially the Old and New Testa- ments — we see that immortalized beings held conscious communion with mortals for some four thousand years. The following incident affords a beautiful illustration of spiritual re-union. "I was greatly pleased," says Dr. Thomson "with an incident a mother gave me the other day. A child lay dying. Feeling unusual sensations, she said, ^ Mamma, what is the matter with me?' Mother. — ^My child, you are dying.' Child. — ^Well mamma, what is dying?' Mother. — ^To you, dear it is going to heaven.' Child.— 'Where is heaven?' Mother. — 'It is where God is, and the angels, and the good men made perfect.' Child. — 'But, mamma, I am not acquainted with any of those, and do not like to go alone ; won't you go with me?' 254 NATURE^S LAWS Mother. — 'O, Mary, I cannot. God has called you only; not me, now.' Turning to the father, she asked the same question. Then piteously to each of her brothers and sisters, she repeated the same interrogatory, and received the same response. She then fell into a gentle slumber, from which she awoke in a transport of joy, saying : 'You need not go with me ; I can go alone. I have been there, and grandmamma is there, and grandpapa is there, and Aunt Martha.'" THE CO-EELATION OF SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA. Magnetism, mesmerism, psychology and spiritualism sometimes get confounded. With the exception of the first, we consider them the same, with this exception : spiritualism deals with disembodied spirits, mesmerism and psychology with spirits either in or out of the body. We may liken magnetism and electricity to the ocean ; spiritualism, mesmerism and psychology as vessels sail- ing upon it. Both are essential to each other v^^hen sailing is to be done, but differ in quality and use. Spirits use magnetism and electricity as the vessel does water: as the captain directs the sailing, so the spirits control the minds of mdividuals. Many persons possess this power ; some have exhib- ited it in public, of whom Sunderland, Grimes, Cutter, Stearns and Cadwell may be named. The object of most has been to amuse rather than instruct the public ; IX HUMAN LIFE. 255 and this they do by showing in a humorous manner, the control, more or less complete, which they have over the will and other mental faculties. This mode is not with- out its uses, though it would be better to consider at the same time, its relations to mental philosophy. Nearly all persons are familiar with the remarkable phenomena shown at one or other of these exhibitions. Mesmerists are undoubtedly assisted by invisible spir- its. They effect temporarily a complete subjugation of the will of the "subject," and are able to control the more susceptible ones at subsequent times with great facility ; making them act as automatons reflecting the will of the operator. Jt is a power that may be used for good or evil pur- poses — good in the hands of well disposed persons, evil if employed by the unprincipled and selfish. It exists in some in a remarkable degree. An example is found in St. Louis in the person of a man of eccentric habits. Many persons coming into his presence are immediately brought completely under his will, acting precisely as he desires. He lives a singular life ; does not wash his person, comb his hair or sweep his rooms. It is said that he occupies one of two rooms alternately ; remain- ing six months in one, then removing to the other, and returning in six months to the first, without cleansing either. Some of the most positive mediums on visiting him have been compelled to kneel at his feet. He does not claim to be a Spiritualist. The power thus displayed through this uncouth character is, however, the same. Each person attracts spirits of a peculiar kind, as a gen- eral rule, adapted to his own magnetism, wants or de- 256 nature's laws sires. He may be elevated by holy aspirations, or sink below the level of pure morality to a state of almost hopeless degradation. With himself rests the moral re- sponsibility. Congenital deformity is often the result of ante-natal impressions made upon the nervous system of the moth- er, who receives a shock from the sudden presentation of a revolting spectacle before her, influencing the de- velopment of the embryo. In the case of extremely sensitive, mediumistic women, it may be classed among psychological phenomena. The planchette excited the marvellousness of great numbers for a time, and is still an object of curiosity among those who have not paid attention to the facts of Spiritualism. It is simply an indicator of mediumship, enabling the spirit to move the muscles of the arm for writing, with greater facility than the arm itself unsup- ported, and hence manifestations can be produced with less controlling power than is ordinarily required. As to the truthfulness of the communications, they are pre- cisely the same as those produced by other modes of con- trol. This, and the publication of such books as " Gates ajar" and "Hedged in," are steps of progress towards Spiritualism, directing the mind to its higher truths and philosophy. IN HUMAN LIFE. 257 ORGANIZATION. Spiritualists have generally lacked cohesiveness ; con- sequently they have never been able to unite, with a concentration of energy upon practical plans of reform. Coming out from all sorts of religious organizations, where they had been constantly trammelled by creeds, and restricted in the expression of opinion and freedom of action, their emancipation from the thraldom sp.d re- straint of authority has had a tendency to set some afloat on the sea of life without anchor. Others who have embraced the faith were always free, and their habits of independence have in a measure disqualified them for co- operation. Numerous attempts have been made at diiferent times to effect an organization, both local and general, which have thus far been unsuccessful. They have gone through the ordinary formalities necessary to assume an orderly shape, declaring principle, adopting a preamble and resolutions, and not the least important, appointing offi- cers ; have moved on zealously in their way, but their active existence has lasted for a short time only. For some reason or other, the interest felt in the movement has abated, no useful purpose has been accomplished, and their constitution, declaration or whatever formed the bond of union has become a dead letter. We have long been convinced that it is impracticable to attempt to unite upon any compact plan, such as those which bind to- 258 NATTJT.E'S LAWS gether, and render so formidable for oppression, some of the religious organizations. A movement of this kind does not seem to be any part of the mission of Spir- itualism ; but its plan is to operate by natural methods, without sudden convulsions, its principles and gospel being made to penetrate the minds and hearts of the en- tire human family, in and out of specific organizations, silently but effectually, as the leaven is gradually infused through the mass. A legal organization for receiving and dispensing be- quests according to the will of the giver, to collect and disburse funds for charitable and educational pur- poses, IS necessary and proper. An agreement is had among all the Spiritualists in the nation upon the one grand fact of spirit communion ; but beyond this, it has been the general understanding, that they should agree to disagree. Upon questions of general politics, they must neces- sarily differ. Through sectional prejudice, they were found to differ upon points of national policy, even when the life of the nation was in danger. Upon other issues, such as woman suffrage, the social question (so called,) labor reform and like topics, they cannot altogether agree. Each party may be as sincere as the other ; and recognizing the right of individual opinion, each must pay proper respect to the candid opinions of the other, and thus their respective methods of reform may be divergent, though the expectation may be that they will all reach the same result. In practical works of humanity, it is desirable that there should be decided unanimity and hearty co-oper- IN HUMAN LIFE. 259 ation ; but here there is also diversity of opinion as to details. Where an oro-anization has been entered into for the re- form of a public evil, irrespective of creed, Spiritualists may co-operate with such organization without bringing it into spiritualistic movements as a side issue. Some organizations called spiritualistic have not fair- ly represented either the cause or its believers and ad- vocates. Thus at the late national convention, so little was said about Spiritualism, and so much upon other subjects, that a stranger reading one part of the pro- ceedings would have supposed it to be a body of persons convened for the purpose of holding a discussion in the interests of woman suffrage ; and reading another would have thought it a medical convention, little dreaming that the beautiful philosophy of Spiritualism was the os- tensible attraction which had brought the speakers to- gether. We are of opinion that if conventions were discon- tinued, and the money expended upon them, devoted to the publication and distribution of liberal tracts, broad- cast over the land, much more good would be done. Schemes to gratify personal ambition should not be tol- erated among Spiritualists who endeavor zealously to discourage and defeat it among others. A united effort in proper directions would tend more rapidly to establish Spiritualism as the Universal Religion of the whole hu- man family. 260 nature's laws CIVIL AND SOCIAL EIGHTS. EQUAi;, RIGHTS AND WOMAN SUFFRAGE. There are several practical questions involving human rights, which ought not to be passed over, inasmuch as Spiritualism teaches practical duties, and its whole ten- dency is to the amelioration of the condition of the hu- man race. It denies the right of any one to exercise absolute authority over another, but that equality of rights is inherent, and therefore should be maintained. Equality of rights embraces the exercise of suffrage by woman as well as man. One of the main arguments adduced against allowing women the exercise of the elective franchise has been based upon the opposition of Paul to woman's indepen- dence. But the signs of the times indicate a liberalizing influence at work even in the churches in this direction. In the columns of the " Congregationalist " of Jany 25, 1871, a letter appeared in favor of this movement, from a lady, whose object was to show that the harsh expressions of Paul applied only to the ignorant women of his time. This explanation if accepted by the follow- ers of Paul, will remove an obstacle that has been for- midable, because the prejudice has been so extensively rooted. Women in the churches will by this change IN HUMAN LIFE. 2G1 feel free to accept any position, and act in any capacity for which their talents and acquirements have rendered them capable. Where they have had a fair opportunity, their capa- bility to fill places of trust and responsibility has been proved. Certain occupations are better suited to the female sex, while others are to males ; but no exact line can be drawn. Fragility of constitution in men, and robustness in women, make exceptions to the rule, as it applies to manual labor. Statesmanship has not been regarded as a function of women, at least by ambitious politicians, yet many of them are in every way fitted for such a sphere. Certain branches of mercantile and mechanical business can be carried on by women, though generally they are men's work. But the whole subject is now so familiar to the public mind, that we need not occupy space by repeating the arguments that have been brought forward in a discussion that has been exhaus- tive. Equality of rights is a principle of justice, and should be accorded to all without opposition, irrespective of sex, color or race. "Taxation without representation " was complained o/in revolutionary times, and is equally un- just to-day. Equal privileges as a principle, is defended in the Constitution, but by a want of consistency, limit- ed in its application. Qualification in the exercise of the elective franchise has not been required in any reasonable manner. A property qualification disfranchises every person who has been unfortunate, however capable or patriotic, while every successful knave, albeit an ignoramus or a traitor, 262 nature's laws is guaranteed the right. If any test at all is adopted, it should be that of intelligence, with reasonable length of residence, in the case of foreigners to give fair opportu- nity for them to appreciate questions affecting the gen- eral welfare. There is no safe-guard against corruption in politics, but moral training. This is now sadly needed to re- trieve the disgrace into which recent terrible revelations in New- York, and elsewhere have precipitated us. Let spiritualists set the example. FREE LOVE. This has proved to be a painfully alarming topic, and has brought more reproach upon Spiritualism than any other subject that has been agitated. Spiritualists have been charged with encouraging unbridled license, and teaching it as a right. But it is proper to state in the outset, that whatever meaning may be attached to the expression "Free Love," or whatever perversion of good morals may result from its use or mis-use. Spiritual- ism is not responsible therefor. It has no more connec- tion with Spiritual Philosophy than with Protestantism or E-oman Catholicism, but has sprung up independent- ly of them all. The charge alluded to, whether true or false, has been extensively made, and has impeded the progress of Spiritualism among the lovers of a pure morality. That it has been practised in its most revolting aspect, by persons known as spiritualists is doubtless true, as has IN HUMAN LIFE. 263 also been the case among others who have made no pre- tension to the name. Not only this, but there are per- sons ranked as Spiritualists who pretend to teach the art of love ; others in cities who so far disregard common decency as to advertise nostrums called love powders, makins: the nefarious traffic a source of o^ain. With the morally corrupt, it is an individual affair : and their culpability is not to be excused or palliated because of belief in Spiritualism, real or pretended, or of good standing in church membership. This is not the occasion for a dissertation on Love, nor Freedom. Both in their highest sense are admirable terms. Love is of all the affections, the most elevated, the purest and the best. Freedom is one of the most precious of human rights. By a subtle dexterity they may be combined, making the curious phrase Free Love, with more than their original meaning, though the com- bination is claimed to retain only the pure qualities of both. Whether Love is a sentiment, quality or affec- tion which it is possible to bind, we need not now stop to consider. The Free Love which has been thrust upon Spiritual- ists as a precept is not new, and its practice is by no means new in the world. Some years ago a couple went to a western city to propagate the doctrine among the Spiritualists, with a good deal of pretentiousness. It was accepted by some unsuspicious, well-meaning people, but finding that they could not be allowed the leadership in the movements of Spiritualists, the mis- sionaries left and at length went over to the Catholic Church. In their short peregrination however, they did 264 nature's laws not fail to sow seed from which bitter fruit was reaped, emphatically to the "disgrace " as a recent writer ex- presses it, of the cause, to which It had adhered as a parisitic growth. When a peculiar doctrine is preached to a new audi- ence, it is not unreasonable for the listeners to inquire who preaches it ; for there is sound sense in the old ad- age that "a man is known by the company he keeps." We heard a strong advocate of the doctrine, who was formerly a methodist, say that he believed in it to the fullest extent. He claimed to be a leader, is a married man, and it is also well known that he spends but half of his time with his family, and the remainder with his free-love affinities. Being well versed in Bible histo- ry, he brings up the practice of King Solomon and Da- vid, as^examples worthy of imitation. A person living in New Jersey, but whose base of operations is in New York, who is a firm believer in free-love on the passional order, with but little of the spiritual has great seductive power. His method of charming is as wily as that of the serpent, and his suc- cess in carrying out his doctrine so marked that it has been necessary to expose his machinations in the public prints, that the unsophisticated might escape. He boasts of his subtle power. His manner is cool, collected, business-like, and as gentlemanly as if he had been brought up in the best society. His first step is to sup- ply the material wants of each new victim, if in need, and after gaining confidence, the ultimate object is easi- ly accomplished. He then disappears. In one histance we knew of the sad results of a cunningly devised IN HUMAN LIFE, 265 scheme, carried out with as much zeal and apparent sincerity as any true lover could have used in the pros- ecution of an honorable suit, but too late for retribu- tive justice to be secured. So shrewdly was his scheme managed, that it disarmed suspicion, until the bird had flown, and sadness came over the victim. Another case may be cited. A music teacher left his wife and two children in the State of New York, in company with a lady of some degree of culture, who had been led to adopt the theory of affinity, and went to the west. After a time he left her for another field of adventure. She followed him. They retraced their steps together as far as the middle station of their wan- derings. A child was born, and both abandoned for a new affinity, viz : the sister of the second choice. At first it was avowed that the acquaintance was only of the Platonic kind — love in freedom — between two intellect- ual friends ; but of course the intimacy increased and intensified, and a child was born ; the first choice (wife) and the second (affinity) being left to shift for them- selves. A second, third and fourth child was born of No. 3. All died. In the meantime, the fr6e-lover wrote to the discarded ones, asking them to come and live with him. This being indignantly refused, No. 3. was final- ly deserted, and went to live in the family of a noted free-lover as a house servant, with all hope of true do- mestic life blasted. These are examples of the practice of individuals who were advocates of free-love. One of them, our inform- ant in the case cited states, openly contended for the right of all to follow their instincts, and taught the pu- 266 nature's laws rity of instinct in the love relation. His practice is all the comment that his theory requires. Many persons quote passages from the Old Testament, showing the customs which prevailed in the patriarchal age, in justification of their own deeds. But if this is to be the guide, the absolute requirements of the Jewish law, with its pains and penalties is equally binding, and obedience to it should be exacted from them. In the New Testament, much is said concerning love, the term being used in the sense of charity, and connect- ed with Godliness. Love to God is enjoined, and Paul exhorts his brethren to love one another, and to let brotherly love continue. Love to the neighbor is com- manded as a duty. But nowhere is the "free" variety spoken of except in terms of condemnation. The quality of love depends upon its object, and with reasoning and morally responsible beings, upon the mo- tive which awakens, modifies or chastens it. In refine- ment and degree it will also correspond with the character of the person cherishing it, from the base, passional, un- restrained animal instinct, to that pure, virtuous attach- ment, under the control of the intellect and the higher moral sentiments. We have the parental, divided into paternal and maternal, the fraternal, the filial, the love of friends, or friendship, the sensual, selfish or passional, the conjugal, mistaken sometimes for sensual, the love of country or patriotism, the feeling of humanity, or philanthrophy, or love and sympathy for our fellow-be- ings. But it is difficult to find a logical connection between love in its holiest sense, and freedom, when freedom is made to mean that we may do as we please. IN HUMAN LIFE. 267 Pure, unselfish love must in its very nature be free and spontaneous. If otherwise, it would cease to exist. Human nature, notwithstanding its intrinsic goodness, is mingled with imperfection ; and to follow instinct is to abandon the controlling power of intellect and mor- als. Restraint for the limitation of criminal profligacy, (for it cannot be entirely prevented,) by the embodiment of that controlling power in human law, is necessary for the protection of the weak. If all men and women were angels so pure as to be a law unto themselves, there would be no need of restriction in the love relations nor any other. All human laws would cease to be necessa- ry, and would come to an end. Who are so angelic as to bo fit for our teachers in such a matter ? Are they the modest, unselfish, self-denying, cliaritable sort of peo- ple? The loose manner in which some of the would-be lead- ers treat the subject, reminds us of the drifting of a rud- derless vessel at sea, without Captain or Pilot. Take away the marriage code, and the opprobrium which has attached to prostitution goes with it. A writer who appreciates the dangerous tendency of the indiscriminate teaching of this fascinating freedom very properly remarks in a late letter to the R. P. Journal, "I do not believe that anything deserving the name of r^ love ever did, or ever can dictate a marriage, that will be legitimate only for a night. We will have an idea what can, and what does, dictate numerous such mar- riages, but I cannot attend upon its new baptism, nor consent to this unchristening." Within the aura which surrounds each individual, 268 nature's laws doubtless the subtle attractive power exists. Any one possessing this power in a marked degree, coming in presence of the opposite sex, will wield a perceptible in- fluence, and the other be the subject of that influence. The negative will to a greater or less extent, be con- trolled hy, and for the time being live in the sphere of the positive, sometimes being spell-bound. The effect may be called psychological, magnetic, spiritual, or as some say elective affinity. It is governed by a law as are other psychic phenomena. The power varies in quality with the individual, and as we have already seen, is potent for good or ill, according to the moral and physical status of its possessor. Like fire, water or electricity, if properly managed, in safe and skilful hands, it will produce good effects. One person will be a willing subject, another cannot resist. We have known persons who could not separate themselves from the sphere of the fascination, until a powerful magnetizer was employed to break the spell, by changing the chem- ical forces. • The changeling may have as many affinities as he desires, but these are not lasting ; they are not conjugal. In time, and the period is generally short, the power diminishes, the attraction ceases, and new subjects are sought. There are, without-doubt, true soul affinities which are lasting ; if there were none, the true union of souls, and the domestic happiness resulting w^ould be banished from hearth and home. IN IIU^IAN LIFE. 269 MARRIAGE. It is scarcely possible for a line of demarcation to be drawn between the practical bearings of free-love, just considered, and those of marriage. The same questions apply to both. Some however relate to marriage, which have not been included in the other ; but we continue the discussion very much as if all were in common. With the immense experience in the marriage relation, which has been accumulated in the world, it would seem as if no question could have been better settled ; yet from the widely divergent opinions to which utterance has been given, based upon the most contradictory tes- timony, it appears on the other hand, to be one of the most unsettled. The false aspect in which the subject must necessari- ly be viewed by parties outside, renders them incompe- tent to judge of it. Such persons give their opinions, however, with all the assurance of veterans. The hap- pily and unhappily married, the divorced, the abscond- ing, the neglectful, the pure-minded, the sufferers, and even young unmarried women have their advice to give. And this is to be had free, and also for a good fee. The result of all is that marriage can be made the happiest or the most miserable social condition. It is no new lesson ; all young persons, in any degree observant, on the verge of maturity, have learned so much. And so they have hope and precaution about equally bal- anced. 270 nature's laws Nature demands the union of the sexes to cany out her economy, and so the wise and the foolish are ready to make the venture. Marriage is consummated from a variety of motives, in as many different cases ; from the purest, holiest, and most unselfish, to the meanest. Some are brought about under psychological or magnetic influence, with which conjugal love has nothing to do. This perishes with the decadence of the charm. One party circumvents the other, practising fraud up- on an unsuspecting nature. Among the rich, and in high life, it is notunfrequently a direct bargain and sale of virtue, wdth as little scruple as can be found in the lowest depths of prostitution. Hence comes the heart- burnings and breakings when the fraud becomes appar- ent, and the base motive is stripped of its falsity, and laid bare in all its hideousness. When the motive on the part of both is true and hon- orable, disappointment is liable to follow, from an exag- geration of the beatific expectations. The man thinks he has secured an angel, which insures a blissful life in the future. The maiden has selected or accepted the choicest of nature's noblemen. Contact with the asper- ities of life dims the bright prospect, and the less thoughtful and considerate will be tempted to criminate the innocent life partner, and thus bickerings begin. This subject was so ably treated in a recent discourse by Rev. John Weiss, that it ought to be in every one's hands. Marriage for a home is but a modified commercial transaction ; those of expendency, convenience, or posi- IN HUMAN LIFE. 271 tion have less excuse, but have no claim to the sanction of heavenly blessing. If one or other has a prospect of a rich inheritance, and a well developed physique, the prize is eagerly sought. Parents sometimes become mercenary, and urge mar- riage upon their children because of its eligibility, al- though there may be a total want of adaptation between the parties. AVhere there is a preponderance of one sex in numbers, persons contract marriage more has- tily than if the sexes were nearly equal. Girls- some- times accept the first offer, lest they should lose the opportunity. When the marriage is fruitful, the children form a bond of union, which keeps the parties together, even when serious misunderstandings occur. It cannot be expected that any two persons will be able to see all things alike. Difference of temperament, social train- ing, and religious education, will cause them to look from different standpoints. But where there is a dis- position to harmonize, it will prevent bickerings. If such an anomaly could be found as two persons being in all things alike, they would be fossilized and unable to progress, presenting a tedious monotony. Variety gives beauty, as in the varied hues of flowers in a bou- quet. It has been a question whether the sexual relation would continue in the future life. We have heard a person say that he anticipated more then than it was possible to enjoy in this life, in this respect, but to us it indicated his unspiritual character. It is said that in heaven they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. 272 nature's laws Spirits may affect those in the earth-form psychological- ly, by continuing on the earth plane. But it is well known that in this life, the more spiritually minded a person is, the less active are the animal instincts. From this and the fact that the physiological function is no longer needed, it is reasonable to conclude that the de- sire ceases. We are never taught that children are born in spirit life. With reference to the continuance of marriage in the future- life, we regard it as a unity of spirit, which will remain perhaps forever, or until outgrown by progres- sion. Spiritual beings are not perfect. The ties which bind them on earth, cease with earth life. In spirit life, all are free to select congenial elements and conditions. It has been asserted that the exercise of the sexual function is a necessity beyond the propagation of the species, and that we should learn from animals how to improve the race. Over-indulgence is detrimental to health ; indeed thousands are constantly being pre- maturely destroyed by it. Abstemiousness is not in- compatible with health, as we see in the life of domestic animals. Improvement by selection in the propagation of domestic animals is by direction of the mind of man. Physiology teaches the laws which should be observed to secure the highest physical development, and to pre- vent the transmission of diseased and imperfect qualities. Not only is the highest health thus attainable, but in the same ratio, the best moral culture. The spontaneous attachment which is awakened, may orio:inate with the female as well as the male. But its expression by the woman has been very unreasonably m HUMAN LIFE. 273 objected to on the ground of indelicacy. When the im- pulse is sincere, and guided by an honorable motive, and the fortunate object of such aiFection is an honorable man, worthy of it, we can see no impropriety in her making a proposal of marriage. It will require no more courage on her part than it often does in the case of men. She is intuitive in her nature, and thereby ena- bled to select a partner in every proper way adapted to her spiritual needs. • Intuitive perception, psychometry and the opening of spiritual sight, are valuable aids in detecting deception, and w^ant of adaptation, the practical use of which will be perceived in the selection of partners whose condi- tions are congenial. In the "Vital Magnetic Cure" this subject is treated of in its psychological and magnetic phases. The practice of polygamy destroys the equality of the sexes, and affects the rights of unmarried males, who must of necessity remain in celibacy, by the dispropor- tion of women remaining unmarried. If man has a right to a plurality of wives, woman has an equal right to a plurality of husbands. There are a few questions which, in summing up, each individual may answer. 1. Is not a monogamic marriage the most natural, the happiest, and hence the most desirable condition of aocial and domestic life? 2. Would parents like their children, of either sex to indulge in promiscuity, before or after marriage, as 274 nature's laws some of the bold Free-love advocates teach and practise, v\^ith no law for protection or interference ? 3. Is there no need of human law to control those who are not developed to such a condition as to be able to control themselves? 4. Why try to reform prostitutes if freedom of the love passion will develop a higher order of morality? 5. Is it not a fact that nearly all of those who advo- cate the abolition of marriage lav^s are persons who have been unfortunate in the selection of partners, resulting in domestic unhappiness ; and does not the primary cause exist in the individual, rather than in the opera- tion of law ? 6. Is not the value of judgment in such persons di- minished in the premises, rather than rendered reliable as to what constitutes true sexual union ? 7. Do not the mistakes which have occurred show the necessity of a more general diffusion of physiological knowledge, as a means of prevention of future mistakes? 8 Are not self-knowledge and the culture of the high- er faculties of the soul indispensable to a correct under- standing of the marriage relations ? DIVORCE. The great prevalence of inharmony in married life has agitated the public mind to a serious extent, and the only remedy for the evil which the majority of minds have considered efficient is divorce. There is a fearful IN HUMAN LIFE. 275 responsibility in resorting to such a radical measure. To justify it, there should be positive proof that the cause is utterly hopeless of compromise and cure. Incompatibility of temper discovered after marriage, is a cause of a vast amount of domestic unhappiness, whether depending upon difference of temperament, or habitually yielding to outbursts of passion ; but if the unfortunate possessor of it is not absolutely insane, and there is a disposition to do right, we question its incu- rability. A mutual eiFort to bear and forbear will grad- ually mould and adapt to each other, dispositions which at first may seem to be incompatible. Depravity must be very great, which would compel a separation, espec- ially where there are children, until every reasonable effort to repair the mischief has been exhausted. The worst causes of domestic unhappiness are not those enumerated in divorce laws, for the silent sufferer keeps the knowledge of them hidden in his or her sor- rowing heart. There are flagrant offenses sufficiently grave, which cannot be kept from public observation, and which if not repented of, and restitution made, de- serve divorce. After having tried in vain to restore harmony, and it is evident that the mis-mated pair cannot endure each other's society, come the terms of separation. It is bet- ter then that the settlement of affairs should be submitted to arbitration, rather than that private disagreements should be brought into Court, and made public, to the scandal of both parties. If this again fails through ob- stinacy on either side, the final and unavoidable necessi- ty of resorting to a legal tribunal must be had. But to 276 whatever tribunal the adjudication is submitted, it should be composed in part of women, as suggested by Mr. Weiss. The justice of this suggestion will be apparent to every well-meaning person. Where woman's inter- ests are concerned, either as asrorressor or asforrieved, the sympathy, the appreciation of equality of right, and even-handed justice, can be secured only by her being represented, and in part adjudged by her own sex. In framing a divorce law, its terms should not only afford relief to cases which now need its provisions, but it should be prospective in its operation, so as to prevent some of the marriages which would be entered into by unscrupulous adventurers. For example a proper cause of divorce being proved, the property which has been held by the one party, which constituted the attraction in the eyes of the other, should revert to the original owner, after suitable provision has been made for child- ren. But if the possessor of wealth also has the posi- tive power, using the attraction to bring about a mar- riage of convenience, and afterwards chooses practically to annul it, from a capricious fancy, the partner thus chosen should be fairly compensated by a division of the property. Laws have embraced various causes as sufficient ground of divorce, such as wilful neglect and abandon- ment for a certain length of time, habitual intoxication and brutal treatment, infidelity to the conjugal relation, and some have held incompatibility of temper to be suf- ficient, while in one State, the law has been so accom- modating to the dissatisfied as to allow divorce for any cause satisfactory to the judge. This last opens the door IN HUMAN LIFE. 277 for corruption, and unfortunately we have too much ev- idence that judges, selected from among educated men, for supposed impartiality, are not invulnerable when approached by interested, scheming politicians with a consideration. The division of property accumulated by the joint in- dustry of the contending parties should be in accordance with the principles of justice, based upon the evidence which may be adduced. In regard to the subsequent care of children, a decis- ion would be in some cases difficult. It would depend upon the evidence, which of the parties should be in- trusted with so responsible a duty. COMMUNISM. Community of property has been advocated by some as a doctrine of spiritualism, and hence needs a passing notice. As an abstract theory, it is a very agreeable source of consolation to the unfortunate who have failed, notwithstanding the most faithful industry and honesty, to accumulate a fair proportion of this world's goods. As a fundamental principle in the great Fourier move- ment, which enlisted the sympathy of many benevolent men, a quarter of a century ago, it was full of humani- ty, and intended to be a fair and just practical measure. It seemed as if the millenium was approaching, when the hard workers in both physical and mental fields of labor, would be allowed an equal share of the fruits of 278 nature's laws their industry, instead of much the larger share being appropriated by mere capitalists and drones. The prin- ciple of association, recommended itself to all by the promised fruits, in the form of privileges and enjoy- ments, which could not by any possibility under the isolated and selfish system, be obtained by the masses. But notwithstanding the co-operation of intellect and philanthropy with practical thought and active indus- try, the experiment failed at last. It has been effectually carried out among the Sha- kers, and by some other societies, whose bond of union embraced some particular religious creed. These have become entirely independent of the world in respect to property, and enjoy all physical comforts, with freedom from that worst of all sources of anxiety, pecuniary em- barrassment. So long as the competitive system obtains, which in business affairs is too much like every man's hand being lifted against his neighbor, it is practically impossible to secure equality of compensation for equal services. In the present state of the world's activity in business competition, if a division were made to day, the equilib- rium would scarcely last till to-morrow, so unequal is production and consumption. Hence it is regarded by practical minds as Utopian. It is unquestionably impracticable to-day, but when selfishness shall be su- perceded by the mutual helpfulness of a universal broth- hood, the obstacle will be removed. The argument against an attempt to equalize the dis- tribution of property is that it would be injurious to the interests of the human family by taking away ambition. IN HUMAN LIFE. 279 responsibility, and aspiration, making life a monotony; and if all persons in the earth sphere had wealth, and the resulting ease, comfort, and pleasure, there would be no progress ; while as it now is, the world makes progress, notwithstanding all opposing obstacles. A bed of ease, and relief from the struggle to obtain the means for material support is pleasant to contem- plate, but in such a life there is no impetus to exertion for active usefulness. Many of those now wealthy have acquired it through long continued struggle with adver- sity ; while many who were born in affluence know not the value of money, and have become spendthrifts and profligates. Successful, enterprising merchants are not necessarily dishonest or unjust. Their energetic activity is needed in the world. It is true that rapid accumulation by ap- propriating the proceeds of others' labor is too common, and there are too many questionable ways for sudden en- richment. We know persons who do not own a dol- lar's worth of property, who have no skill to accumulate, and who scarcely know where to get the next meal, yet have been benefactors of mankind. Of such are inven- tors, who scarcely ever receive any reward for their contributions to the worlds' convenience and comfort, but pave the way for great profit for others. Such al- so are the martyrs in most benevolent undertakings. It is a blessed hope that looks forward to a juster life in the spirit-world where dollars have no further use, and at last worth will make the man. We find the following paragraph in point ; "After all is said, I still believe that whatever is, is essential, and 280 nature's laws in the end an even balance will be struck between all men — no one to have any advantage of the other, but the experience of one is relatively the experience of all. The millionaire must be a pauper some day, and vice versa. At all events I do not see the necessity of troub- ling ourselves about this apparent inequality, as we can- not make the rich divide with the poor, and we all know that an equal division of property is impossible, and even if possible, there would be no equality unless there was a division every hour. To-day some men are richer in log-cabins than others in palaces, and would not exchange places. Millions might make some men happy, but would make others miserable. Diogenes in his tub was gratified and satisfied, and the only thing the wealthy and willing prince could do for him, was to "stand out of my sunlight," to use his own words, for the philosopher would not accept of any other favor when offered him. He was superior to all material ac- cumulations and conveniences, sublimely satisfied to simply exist, and after all he was the millioniare, and possessed that which.money cannot buy, supreme con- tentment, and a philosophy to comprehend the true val- ue of all earthly possessions. There is something radically wrong in the operation of methods of accumulation, as compared with ordinary industry. Enormous salaries operate unjustly, inasmuch as no person, however well trained in any one line of service or usefulness, can give to the world more than the service of one person. Stock-gambling sometimes yields large sums with IN HUMAN LIFE. 281 nothing more employed than an unenviable talent, but instead of its being an advantage to the world, some one or more individuals are direct losers by the transac- tion. The accumulation of millions in the hands of one per- son, diminishes the number of property owners, impov- erishes the industrious toilers, and concentrates power in to the hands of the few, who can use it for the building up of aristocracy, and the restriction of the common liber- ty, when so disposed. But we cannot treat this subject at sufficient length to show all its bearings. Individual right to property, in whatever way it may have been obtained, so that it is held in accordance with the forms of law, is guaranteed by all governments. How to equalize it is a difficult problem to solve, and requires the clearest heads, and the noblest, unselfish hearts. Certainly it is not the right way to arouse the jealousy of a badly educated, although ill-paid multitude, by revolutionary harangues, to the subversion of good order. The co-operation of active industry perseveringly carried on, will gradually and quietly overcome the evil. To prevent the accumulation of enormous fortunes in the hands of the few, who thereby absorb the proceeds of the labor of the many, a sliding scale of taxation with an increasing ratio in proportion to the amount of the income is a just measure, the poor of course being ex- empt. An income tax, it is true, is complained of by those who receive large incomes, because the desire of accumulation becomes morbidly active, when the best energies of the soul are directed to plans for that pur- ^82 nature's laws pose ; even when a liberal exemption is made, sufficient for reasonable needs. The poor, as human beings are entitled to more of the comforts of life, and more edu- cational advantages than they get. And if the precepts of justice are instilled into the minds of the more fortu- nate, by plans of education which train the moral facul- ties as well as the intellect, mutual rights will be secured, selfishness will be overcome, and all can work together harmoniously for the common good. IN HUMAN LIFE. 283 P^HT IV^. RELIGIOUS ASPECTS AND RELATIONS OF SPIRITUALISM. COMMENTS ON RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. The religious aspects of Spiritualism, in view of the great commotion caused in the religious world by its teachings, the upturning, indeed, of dogmatic theology by the light of its revelations, merits some consideration at our hands, before the task which we have undertaken can be completed. A short critical sketch of the more prominent denominations, more particularly as regards their relations to Spiritualism, and their treatment of the subject and its believers, will therefore be in place. This must, of course, be but -a partial sketch, for it would be a literary feat to even enumerate the vast va- riety of sects now existing in the world, and an almost endless task to point out their distinctive peculiarities, great and small. It is a remarkable fact that teachers of religion, oc- cupying pulpits, from which they can say what they 284 natuee's laws please, without the inconvenience of their utterances be- ing questioned or controverted on the spot, and but little danger of criticism from their hearers subsequently, should object to a truth stated in their own teachings, because additional proof of it is given in some other way. Now it has not been an uncommon thing for preachers to declare that departed friends, come from their heav- enly home, and hover about us, affording us consola- tion in trouble, and impress the hearts and minds of the kindred whom they have left behind, with evidence in their continued love and sympathy. Have they been sincere in this, meaning just what they said ; or have they been hypocritic?J ? Have they merely indulged in flights of fancy, when speaking of a sacred subject, and thus trifled with the sorrows of the bereaved sufferers of their audience ? If their words were not mere sounds, and they believed there was a reality in the presence of a loving friend in spiritual form, so near to individuals, directly within their personal sphere, as to enable them to feel an affectionate response to their longings, why do they fly off in a tangent when they are told that what they have said is true, for here is the proof by circum- stances which have tested it. But they say, '^this proof that you bring us in the shape of a kindly greeting from a beloved one, is a de- ception. It is not your dear relative, but the devil in disguise who has been assuming the character of anoth- er for the purpose of beguiling you." To such the answer may be given " Then it must have been the devil you spoke of in the pulpit, when you uttered tender words of comfort, and you must have been executing IN HUMAN LIFE. 285 the devil's commission when you represented that those dear spirits were hovering about the bereaved on earth, to relieve the burden of their sorrowing hearts. Between the Jewish religion, which had its origin many centuries ago, and the Christian religion founded by Jesus and Paul, there is a wide difference, as regards the Deity. The former believe in one God, who is es- sentially their God, and they his favored people, in con- tra-distinction to neighboring nations. Many Israelites in modern times have become liberalized, so that they can fraternize with the Free Religionists. They con- sistently retain the seventh day as the sabbath. Jesus did not claim to be God, but his followers in the latter days claimed for him God-like rank and power. There is a wide distinction between the Roman Cath- olic branch of the Christian church and the numerous sub-divisions of the Protestant branch. All believe Jesus to be God — part of a triune God, as they term it — co-equal with the Father, if such an idea can be con- ceived of by the mind. They shroud it in mystery, but require human beings with reasoning powers, to believe it without understandinof it. This belief,- t02:etlier with belief in the further dogmas of a personal devil, the great adversary of God and man, a local Heaven with streets paved with gold, shut in by gates, a throne whereon the three Gods, three in one, and one in three sit, surrounded by saints with harps in their hands, singing psalms perpetually ; a local Hell where the vast majority of God's children are to burn and suffer in tor- ments forever, are doctrines common to most of them. "What !" exclaims one, "our Father, the Jehovah of 285 nature's laws the Universe, the Infinite God sacrifice his Son to ap- pease his own wrath and vengeance — it is a reproach to the character of Deity, and a libel on common sense. Shame should crimson the cheek of all those who pro- fess to believe in a God of love and mercy, and then attribute such an action to him ! " Total depravity is a concomitant doctrine. It is nec- essary that a nature depraved beyond description should be proved, in order to justify the necessity of peopling a place of indescribable and endless torment. It requires a blind and unreasoning faith to accept such a doctrine, but if there is a human being on the face of the earth who believes absolutely that a beneficent father could originate such a system of rewards and punishments, and the fear of endless torture in a burning hell will be the means of his refraininsr from evil and doino* a soli- tary good deed, let him hug his idol, until he can learn to do rio^ht for the sake of ric^ht. This slavish fear is unquestionably losing its hold upon the rninds of think- ing men and women. This mental slavery reminds us of a circumstance w^hich occurred in New Jersey some years ago. Travelling with one of the pioneers in Spir- itualism, we came in sight of a dark stone church with a square belfry. Said he ''that is a prison." We thought it a church. "No" he added, "a prison for the soul." It looked doleful, and its dismal aspect has haunted us almost ever since. The progress of free thought has effected an improvement both in the external architec- ture of such buildino-s, and the inner arrano^ements. The boxes like sheep pens have been replaced by open pews or slips, with a more friendly look, although it is IN HUMAN LIFE. • 287 taken advantage of to note the prevailing fashions, and gossip about the appearance of strangers. The Catholics, in addition to these, attach a divine character to the mother of Jesus, in the doctrine of im- maculate conception ; and claim supreme authority over the church militant, which, as their name imports is uni- versal — a curious universality with a local prefix. They anathematize every one who is not in the bosom of their church, and teach that eternal perdition is the doom of all who choose to remain outside of its pale. The conflict of church authority with persons ex- ercising the healing power independently of it, is some- times exhibited in an arbitrary manner. In July 1868 the sexton of a church in Saratoga, while digging a grave for the interment of a person who died of sunstroke was himself sun-struck, and removed to his house in a cold and unconscious state. The priest, as is customary, and two physicians were sent for. A magnetizer passing in the meantime was called in. By his manipulations the man beijan to revive. Reaction was so strons^ that it required two men to hold him. The priest and physi- cians arriving, the magnetizer left. Croton oil was ap- plied to irritate the surface. In a few weeks he was restored, but we think it might have been done in as many hours. Three years afterwards the magnetizer called again, and although friends were invited in to see the person who had done so much towards her liusband's restoration, the wife ignored the "power," as her religion strictly forbade its use. In reply to the statement that her husband's life had been preserved, she said God cured him first, and the physicians afterwards. 288 The various Christian sects have their foundation laid virtually in spiritualistic facts. In the Catholic church what is the supposed protection of a patron saint, and the interposition of saints with the supreme ruler of the Universe but an acknowledgement of communication between them and the suppliants here? All the Protestant sects acknowledge all that Spirit- ualists contend for, as regards ancient times. They differ so far as denying their continuance down to the present day, but in their pulpit declarations above re- ferred to, they are essentially the same. They deny and affirm as the essential truth , or the support of a formal dogma may require them to do. The Swedenborgians are theoretically the most spir- itual of all denominations, but like other sects who claim to have the pure gospel, they think they alone have true spiritual revelations, and that all others teach a false spiritualism. The founder of their sect was a seer, and received communications from the spirit-world. He taught the personality of God, in human form, and claimed to have seen and talked with the Lord. He had some eccentricities, and his followers are exceeding- ly illiberal toward believers in the modern spiritual phenomena, exhibiting in this way inconsistency and in- tolerance. They set a plate on the table for the depar- ted friend, in recognition of the spiritual presence, yet they will not allow that friend to communicate w4th them through a medium, lest they should entertain a deceiv- er. Some go so far as to compare spiritual communi- cations to the diffusion of poison. Furthermore, while they term the exercise of gifts by m HUMAN LIFE. 289 others the work of the devil, they are willing to call up- on such for their healing power in time of affliction. Some in all denominations are equally inconsistent. We have found this people well-to-do, and genial, but inactive as far as entering a protest against, or adopting measures to reform the errors of the day. As regards the success of such movements, the denomina- tion might be blotted out and no loss felt. It is comfort- able to slide along easily in this world, but no advance would be made, if we had none but fair-weather christ- ians. What is called the Protestant Episcopal church, the State religion in England, is a modified Catholicism. Its ritual is beautifully framed, but a dead formalism. To hear the humble and penitent responses intoned by grandiloquent persons in the highest style of fashion is a solemn farce. Yet there are sincere and good people who follow the routine because their fathers did. The Quakers or "Friends," both Orthodox and Hick- site, are a spiritual people, who go on the even tenor of their way, speaking and acting as the spirit moves them. . They are humane and generally tolerant. Many have fully accepted the truths of the modern revela- tions. The Shakers are more decidedly mediumistic, and have had communications even before they became general. Ann Lee, their great leader and founder, is regarded with as much veneration as Jesus is by Christians. They are pure-minded, self-denying and honest. We think they lose much in discarding the beautiful in art, and if their idea of celibacy was carried out, tlie world would 290 nature's laws before another century, become depopulated. It is their conscientious conviction, however, that self-denial in this respect is essential to holiness- of life. The Second Adventists are now of two sorts, one tak- ing the seventh, and the other the first day as the es- pecially holy day. Originating with the preaching of Miller, they believe in the destruction of the world at an early day, and their literal ascension to heaven. Dif- ferent days have been set for this event, but the world has continued to turn upon its axis. They are general- ly bitter opponents of Spiritualism, attributing its phe- nomena to the devil, though one of the sub-divisions has its medium, through whom spiritual manifestations are received. She has been regarded as a prophetess among them, and has written a great quantity of manuscript. They claim that the cure of diseases has followed prayer. A case of cancer was undertaken which proved obstinate, but by renewed devotion it disappeared. Her husband is the Elder. The ceremonies simply placed her in a state of receptivity, so that healing power could be ex- erted through her. The faith of the Adventists is mixed with a little worldly wisdom. Some of them in Miller's time sold their property and took good care to get the money for it before their balloons were inflated for the trip to heav- en. Recently an enthusiastic member published a small pamphlet explaining Daniel's vision, which is sold at ten cents a copy. He took the precaution to get a copy right, thus having an eye to business. We do not know whether or not he anticipates inter-mundane bene- fits from it. IN HUMAN LIFE. 291 About twenty years ago a farmer near Bost;pn got ready to go up higher in Miller's company, and had vis- ions, seeing from one to seven angels at a time. One day he stood in the road looking upwards, his feet re- maining in one position, but his face turning with the sun, a woman w^ho expected a remarkable revelation through him, standing by and wiping his eyes all day. He saw a spot, about ten feet square, with four corners, as John saw in Kevelations with angels standing at the four " corners " of the earth. They are patient waiters, or they might be tempted to think that the Lord, as of old, had put a lying spirit in- to the mouths of the prophets. The Methodists were originally mediumistic, and more enthusiastic in their devotions than now. Fashion has crept in among them, so that but few retain the primi- tive character of the sect. Although they preach love to God, inflammatory appeals, based on the fear of an endless hell, are still made at their camp meetings. These spasmodic gatherings, where the psychological power of bold, enthusiastic and fanatical declaimers is exercised over persons susceptible to magnetic attraction, chiefly females, are sometimes serious in their conse- quences, by the havoc they make in unbalancing the mind, temporarily or permanently. The subjects are readily brought under the control of boisterous spirits, who cause them to commit extravagances of which, in their sober moments, they are heartily ashamed. Not long since, a young woman in Khode Island, after a high pressure conversion, entered the pulpit, and seizing the minister by the nape of the neck, called him very 292 . nature's laws hard names. Since then she has been quite insane. We have already quoted the fact that religious excite- ment is the second in degree among the most prolific exciting causes of insanity. Jealousy has been manifested among the various de- nominations on such occasions. The projectors and managers, as a matter of course, expect to reap the ben-- efit for their own particular denomination. But conver- ted sinners must have the liberty to go where they will, and so there must be a division of spoils, no one denom- ination appropriating the benefit. We witnessed a conversion. A young lady brought up as a Universalist, who had always lived a good life, attended a revival meeting, and "found Jesus." She was excited ; life was full of delight ; for four days she talked about it incessantly. Friends became surfeited with the new manifestation. She was sent to Boston to enjoy it with friends of like persuasion ; but she was no more contented than among sinners. She was told that the devil was trying to overpower her ; she must give up to Jesus. Her wailings becoming intolerable, a magnetizer was called in, and with the magnetic in- fluence of one visit, she was tranquilized, the psycholog- ical power broken, and she was restored to her former condition. She married and is now happily situated. The Unitarians, Free Religionists and Universalists, in common with Spiritualists, believe in the final salva- tion of the whole human family, without reference to creeds. They do not in all cases fraternize with each other. We regard the system of the first as Spiritual- ism with the spirit left out. The conservative portion IN HUMAN LIFE. 293 « seem to be sfettinof fossilized. Some Unitarians and Universalists call their denominations "twin sisters." Many Free Religionists are also Spiritualists : those who are not, treat others with liberality and courtesy.' The Universalists seem to be retrograding. If they would more freely co-operate with Spiritualists in re- formatory and progressive measures, their usefulness would be much increased. The Congregationalists, on the other liand, are get- ting liberalized. Some of their ministers preach Spir- itualism, using the inspirational power given them, to the general acceptance of their people. Those among them who set aside creeds and dogmas, and speak "as the spirit giveth utterance " are infusing among the masses the germs of an improved life and character. Some who are recipients of spirit power get perplexed with the antagonism of their previous sectarian predi- lections. There is no remedy for them but to accept the light of natural truth in all its fulness. The Eev. Dr. Hall of this denomination has taken the alarm, and published in a recent number of the N. Y. Ledger, a one-sided article, cautioning persons against the dangerous tendency of investigation of the subject. Like many others, he admits the phenomena, which he classes with Mesmerism and Magnetism, quoting the first report of the French Commission in 1784, but in a spirit of unfairness omits to mention the second, contain- ing the results of five years' experiment and inquiry, published in 1826. He cautions his readers against as- sociating such phenomena with the world of spirits ; but' why this caution, if spirits do not or cannot communi- 294 cate ? He sees harm in explaining the scripture cases of the cure of disease by natural law, rather than by mi- raculous power. Of the peculiarities of the Mormons, none is of partic- ular consequence but polygamy. This is a selfish, de- basing institution, entirely in opposition to equality of right, and spiritual order ; and destructive of happiness to most of the female victims. Yet they quote the practice of the Bible heroes, such as Solomon and Da- vid. Their argument is good — if the latter were right, the former must be also : but no one need quote the de- basing, lecherous practices of the wise king, nor the man after God's own heart as precedents for decency in domestic life. Indian worship is spiritual. They worship the "great spirit ;" many of the manifestations witnessed among the civilized occur among them. They have intuitive perceptions of truth, and believe in a future life, as in- dicated in their burial ceremonies and in other ways. If they had been humanely and honestly treated by the cul- tured white race, less brutality would have come to light, and greater spiritual progress would have been made for the benefit of both. In every country village, there are from two to four different societies, each employing a minister to preach the same doctrines, as far as relates to what are called essentials. They differ upon non-essentials, such as baptism, close communion, free grace, and many really minor distinctions. But when we hear a Baptist preach *upon the institution, one would think there is no possi- bility of salvation without it. Each sect has its building IN HUMAN LIFE. 295 called a church or meeting house, costing a sum of mon- ey to erect and keep in order. Now if the extra pecu- liarities were trimmed down to what each one considers the absolute essentials, would it not be a great economy to let one person preach for all, giving a better compen- sation than is now paid to each in detail, and appropri- ate the surplus, now utterly wasted, for the relief of the poor and other works of charity, and mental improve- ment. Spiritualism, in the sense of sectarianism, is not a re- ligion, yet it is one practically. Its adherents claim it to be the religion of -the divine humanity. It has no general organization, with a specific bond of union, be- cause, by common consent, every individual is allowed independence of opinion. Being classed by sectarians as a sect, we may allude to it in connection with the foregoing items. Nearly all the points of interest have been already stated in previous pages. It has no creed, nor is its teaching dogmatical ; neith- er is it on the other hand negative. It has definite char- acteristics. It rejects the fearful theories of old theology ; but teaches man's responsibility for every act and word. If a law is transgressed, the penalty of its infringement is inevitable. There is no such thing as compromise. It rejects the idea of vicarious atonement, as a theory which makes man cowardly and unjust, and represents God as vindictive and cruel, destroying faith in his wis- dom and fatherhood. Its platform is world-wide ; its philosophy compre- hends faith in the infinite plans of the Divine ruler, the redemption of all human beings from sin and sorrow 296 nature's laws and the progressive development of all towards perfec- tion. It furnishes a key wherewith to unlock the doors which have closed the chambers of mystery. What has been enveloped in uncertainty is now positive, and what was hidden is now brought to light. Human life here with its imperfect adjustment of rewards and punishments has been to many, an enigma. Now we can see that it is an imperfect development, which another sphere of ex- istence will complete. Immortality has never been satisfactorily settled in the minds of students of the Natural Sciences. Gradual development was seen in all the kingdoms of Nature, but the spiritual was unseen. Theologians taught that hope, or at all events desire, afforded proof. It may be admitted that this innate longing was presumptive proof. The scriptures teach that only a certain class attain to im- mortality, and not that it is the inheritance of all. But now we have the proof which from being audible, has be- come visible and tangible, so that instead of saying "I hope" we may with all assurance say "I know." Its progress is steadily onward. Whatever hindrance it has met with, has been more from treacherous enemies within than from foes without. Opposition, because of the innovation which has been made upon the prerogatives of privileged orders or indi- viduals, is precisely the same as all new and valuable dis- coveries have met. Their evangelists have had to suffer ignominy and ostracism ; as, history show^s in a marked degree with reference to Astronomy. Incredulity beat back progress in the applications of Steam and Electric- IX niraiAN LIFE. 297 ity ; and thus the conservative opposition has dealt with all who have been instrumental in opening the way to a knowledge of the life beyond the tomb ; even to the ex- tent of pronouncing them insane, as the enemies of Je- sus did eighteen centuries ago. There is a point of difference, concerning the use of arbitrary power, which should not be passed over. It has not unfrequently been declared from the pulpit, that when affliction of a particular kind has befallen a fam- ily, as in the loss of one who was especially beloved for amiable, virtuous and other excellent qualities, it is a punishment inflicted by God upon the survivors. A passage is quoted containing a self-contradiction, to the effect that the Lord chastens those whom he loves. A beautiful little child w^ho has been doatingly beloved by its mother, is suddenly removed. God punishes the mother, it is said, for idolizing the child. If the mortal life is destroyed outright, the child itself, entering its heavenly abode, has no physical suffering ; but some go farther and say that sickness and suffering is brought upon the child, although not to a fatal issue, in order to punish the mother. To a spiritualist, this is nothing less than diabolical. With reference to prayer it is not held that the sup- plications of any individual are answered by the inter- position of what is called a special providence. There is no change in the operation of any natural law ; for all such laws are immutable. God was the same yes- terday as he is to-day, and will so remain forever. Everything is in its order, and nothing can be changed by a special plea. The act of prayer is, however, one 298 nature's laws of aspiration ; and the frame of mind in which the pe- titioner must be, is a condition of receptivity, and is good for the soul. If it were possible to get answers to all prayers, it could only be when the being implored was like a vacillating pendulum, now having one purpose, and again another, directly opposite. Nor could some of them be allowed without inhumanity — indeed posi- tive wickedness. Prayer to merit an answer should be consistent with divine law. This part of the subject may be summed up in the following eloquent passage, which the reader may have heard from the lips of one of our best speakers : " Spiritualism is a religion — the religion of the divine humanity ; it comes to prove how beautiful and holy should be our affections, and not how groveling and licentious ; it comes to show the stern, strict rtde of morality — a law of right more absolute and potential than any that has yet been eliminated ; it comes to show that the glory of our intellectual achievements is noth- ing, so long as we stand baffled by the very power by which we investigate our own mind. "This is the religion which Spiritualism has come to teach us, and as long as we can thus interpret it, I do believe it has come to us, in this day, as our savior. It has come to save us from the darkness of atheism and the grossness of materialism ; to teach us to make every hour an hour of worship, and every act of our lives an act of prayer ; to prove to us the presence of minister- ing ano-els, and the existence, nearness and care of a better world, to prove to us the divinity that is within us, and to give us a conclusive assurance that though IN HUMAN LIFE. 299 clouds may rise, and stormy oceans roll, there is an ev- er-living and deathless tablet within us, upon which the law of life and eternity is inscribed ; there is an al- tar upon which the fires of inspiration shall never be quenched — and that is in our own spirits, instructed by the spirits that have gone on before — the full revelation of which will preach to us the religion of the divine humanity." SPIRITUALISM m THE BIBLE. There is no book extant, which contains more satis- factory proof of Spiritualistic phenomena than the Bible. The events therein recorded were given from time to time, in a gradual manner, extending over a period of more than four thousand years. One revelation is said to have been given to Adam, and one to Noah : Abra- ham, Isaac and Jacob ; Samuel, David and others also received them. Those of each age, received that which belonged to them and their time, and nothing more ; and so it has continued down to the present time. The most remarkable medium of whom we have any historical account is Jesus, whose whole life was charac- terized by spiritual manifestations. Before - he was begotten, his mother was foretold of his birth. An an- gel or spirit, informed Joseph concerning him. Soon after his birth, angels announced his advent to some shepherds. While he was an infant, a spirit gave warn- ing to Joseph, to flee with him into Egypt, in order to escape Herod's wrath. After the death of Herod, an 300 nature's laws angel came to Joseph and stated that he could return in safety. After his baptism there came a voice from heav- en, (a spirit) saying, ''this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased ; " angels came and ministered unto him. Moses and Elias came and held intercourse with him. Who are they but human spirits? An angel came to him in the garden to strengthen him, shortly before his arrest, as Luke informs us. Matthew says he taught the doctrine of special providence, by the interposition of angels ; declared that guardian spirits were assigned to little children, also that he could pray to the Father, and that he would presently give him more than twelve legions of angels. At his physical death his spirit rose out^of his dead material bodj? , and he manifested himself by form and voice. He made frequent manifestations of himself to his disciples, and Paul declares "that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once." He showed him- self to Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary. He showed himself alive to the apostles after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The Pharisees said of Jesus "This fellow doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons." Jesus was not only surrounded and as- sisted by angels in the peformance of his wonderful works ; but he asserted that he was a medium for God the Father, and that the Father communicated through him directly. "The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of myself, but the Father that doeth the works." IN HUMAN LIFE. 301 Jesus also had physical manifestations. At one time it is stated that he walked upon the waters and did not sink. The Bible also gives an account of an axe float- ing upon the water. In Exodus we read "I send an angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and bring thee into the place which I have prepared." In Numbers, "The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and much people of Israel died;" then the Lord said to Moses "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole ; and it shall come to pass that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it shall live ;" which was fulfilled. In the same book we are told that an ans^el would have slain Balaam, if his ass had not saved him by speaking. If a humble animal like this was selected as the mouth-piece of the Lord, can a human being in modern times be degraded, when controlled by a higher power to speak? Balaam prophesied the happiness of Israel, and con- cerning the star of Jacob. Again, "Moses spake unto the Lord, saying, ^Let the Lord, the God of all flesh set a man over the cono'res^ation.'" * * "Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him." An angel rebuked the people at Bochim (Judges ch. ii.) In I. Samuel, it is stated that Saul put away those who had familiar spir- its, and wizards out of the land, and then plead with the woman to call up the spirits, promising when detected by the clear vision of the medium, not to harm her, if she would yield to the influence of the spirits. After calling up the spirit of Samuel, he consulted him on his future prospects. Saul was satisfied of the truth of 302 nature's laws Spiritualism in his day, as he recognized Samuel at once by the description of the seeing medium. In other portions of the Old Testament there are nu- merous indications of spirit influence. Solomon has two visions ; Jehu prophesies against Baasha ; Ahab is seduced by false prophets and is slain ; Isaiah has a vis- ion, and the birth of the future child Jesus, was sup- posed to be foretold ; an angel slays the Assyrians ; Sennacherib's destruction is prophesied ; Jeremiah also prophesied evils, the utter ruin of the Jews, and a hard seige ; the restoration of the scattered flock ; the seven- ty years' captivity ; he prophesied against Edom etc. Hananiah prophesied falsely ; one of the prophets was imprisoned for so doing. Exekiel (ch. ii.) says "Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me." What is this but mediumship ? A famine was foretold ; visions were seen, women exercised their gifts as proph- etesses; Ezekiel spoke in prophecy against Jerusalem. In the same book sio^hino: is mentioned as an emotion of the prophet, and in a symbolical way. The sigh is one of the most common physical circumstances in the expe- riences of mediums now, when taking on another's con- dition. Nebuchadnezzar forgot his dream : it was re- vealed to Daniel, with the interpretation. Daniel's vis- ion was interpreted by Gabriel. So now mediums have visions which other mediums interpret. Daniel was comforted by an angel, as are modern mediums. Amos, a herdsman, was told to go and prophesy unto the people of Israel ; Micah spoke of false prophets ; an angel sent to measure Jerusalem foretold its flourishing IN HUMAN LIFE. 303 condition ; at one tinae it was purged of unclean spirits. The Apocrypha is filled with prophecy, and other spiritual manifestations. We read "For the good an- gel will keep him company, and his journey will be prosperous, and he shall return safe," and similar pas- sages. After a communication had been given, it con- tinues "Then she made an end of weeping," thus exhibiting confidence in the spirit, whose communication had moved the hearer to tears. He tells them that he was an angel, and was seen no more. In the New Testament, we have much more proof that spirits held converse with earth's inhabitants. The an- gel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightening, and his raiment white as snow, and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men ; and the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye : for I know that ye seek Jesus that was crucified. He is not here : for he is risen, as he said ; Come see the place where the Lord lay ; and go quickly and tell hig disciples that he is ris- en from the dead. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy ; and did run to bring his disciples word." And as they went to tell the disciples, behold Jesus met them, saying. All hail ! and they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Some doubted that spirits could return after the change called death. Jesus had great inner perception and clear sight. By his psychometric power he could read the lives of per- sons as clearly as if from a book, and divine their mo- 304 tives. When eating the passover he said "Verily I say unto you, one of you that eateth with me shall betray me." They began to be sorrowful. (See Matt. ch. xxvi.) He told the woman at the well, facts concerning her social relations. On his reminding her that she had 'several husbands, she went away and reported that he was God. Spiritual clairvoyants and psychometrists state to their visitors not only the number of their wives, but point out their associates, and reveal what they had supposed to be the secrets of their lives. Jesus "walked not after theilesh but after the spirit," and religious teachers exhort us to take him as our ex- emplar, yet in these days, if any one speaks of walking after, or according to the spirit, they call it by an un- holy name, and caution their parishioners against it. Paul saw that his brethren did not fully appreciate spiritual gifts. He spoke to them as " unto carnal," and not spiritual persons. He considered them as babes, which had to be fed with milk and not with meat. He speaks also of being absent in the body, but present in spirit. It seems therefore that he was a believer in the appearance of the "double." It is stated that "the spirits of the prophets, are sub- ject to the prophets." In another place it is asked "Are ye so foolish, having begun in the spirit, are ye now made perfect in the flesh ? " Falling back into the do- minion of the passions was a fault among the christians, as it has been the fault of ministers and mediums in mod- ern times. The following passages contain good precepts : *Tf we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit ; " IN HUMAN LIFE. 305 "Despise not prophesying;" "quench not the spirit;" "Prove all things, hold fast that which is good." Paul prophesies that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrine of devils ; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their con- science seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats. He says "neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given by prophe- cy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Paul's belief underwent a change while on earth, which clearly shows that his knowledge was not perfect, and when partially initiated into the spiritual philosophy, he could realize his imperfection, and so go on towards a perfect state of knowledge and wisdom. Peter admonishes his hearers of the gifts and promi- ses, and foretells the destruction of false teachers. He says, "try the spirits by the Catholic faith." Jude fore- tells the punishment of certain false teachers. John was commanded to write to the angels of the church. He has a vision, wherein the four angels are loosed. St. John, called the divine, is said to have seen in vision, angels of different grades of knowledge. In one place he says "And I John saw these things, and heard them, and when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel, which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me. See thou do it not, for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book : worship god. And he saith unto me. Seal not the saying of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand." Afterwards he says "Neither add too nor 306 nature's laws diminish from the prophecy." Here is an apparent contradiction. The passages may be compared with I. Kings ch. xxii. v. 21,22. The angel did not make the vision clear, hence much contention, misunderstand- ing, and opposing argument has been caused among many who regard the Bible as an infallible book, to be accepted as authority for all generations and ages. In a part of this vision, four angels are described as standing on the four "corners" of the earth, making its form square. The angel who showed John the scenes of the vision handed him a book, saying "Take it and eat it up ; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey." Modern medi- ums have sometimes been ridiculed for their enigmatical visions, but it would be difficult to find anything more fantastic than this, and other strange figurative passa- ges with which the vision abounds. We have not fully quoted the passages in reference to gifts, as these have been already embraced in the pages of "Vital Magnetic Cure." IN HUMAN LIFE. f^Ol CONCLUSION. We have endeavored to place in consecutive order, the facts which have been developed in reference to Spir- itualism, and the various arguments which have been adduced, first against its claims to the merit of a truth- ful natural revelation, and secondly, those in its support, leaving the reader to compare them, and deduce his conclusions in all fairness. The unwise conduct and conversation of neither set of controversialists have been concealed, but openly stated, so that the subject itself might stand upon its own merits, unaffected by the in- dividualism of its advocates or opponents. It was found necessary to abridge certain portions in order to keep within the limits assigned for the book. The scriptural portion is submitted, for the same rea- son, almost without comment, though there are passa- ges which need amplification. The reader having before him both sides, can study 308 nature's laws the facts, the phenomena and the philosophy of the sub- ject, and by exercising his reason in the premises, arrive at a just conclusion, independently of all authority. Whatever v^ill stand the test of fair criticism may be al- lowed to stand, and be placed among the annals of sci- entific and religious truth. Whatever fails to pass this ordeal should be discarded as dross. '•Let truth and falsehood grapple; whoever knew truth to be put to the worse m a free and open encounter." VITAL MAGNETIC CURE. AN EXPOSITION OF VITAL MAGNETISM ; A.ND ITS APPLICATION TO THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISEASE. BY A MAGNETIC PHYSICIAN. A more useful book for the student or family cannot well be found. It is selling well, and gives satisfaction. It is a work that will not lose its interest in an age. — Banner of Light. There can be no doubt of the general and eager interest everywhere manifest in the infant science of vital magnetism. No skepticism op- poses the facts slowly brought forward concerning it. Gratifying as the book is in both manner and matter, its glimpses and hints do scarcely more than whet the spirit of inquiry to know more. — Woman's Journal. I am much pleased with it; consider it a very useful book, and one that the public need. — Mrs. Caroline Cobb. This book deals with a subject that will grow strongly in fa- vor when rightly presented, — since the tendency is to the disuse of medicines, so far as can be, in the treatment of disease. — So. Boston Inquirer. This is an interesting book, and contains useful hints in regard to health a nd sickness, so far as they refer to human beings and hmnan agencies. — Boston Investigator. It contains much valuable information for the general reader. — Am. Spiritualist. Its high moral tone must be an additional recommendation of the work. That the human magnetic force, when properly un- derstood and applied, is a powerful curative agent ; especially in all nervous complaints, is now too well established to be denled- and the writer of Vital Magnetic Cure, by an array of facts in his experience and that of others, has greatly helped to strengthen if not to settle the fact of its utility, both for the pre- servation of health and the removal of disease. — David Plumb. A very valuable work, entitled as above, which deserves to be widely read, if not for the stand t aken by the author in favor of a somewhat questionable remedial agent certainly, however, for the many suggestions lie throws out respecting the preservation of health. The time will come when it will be better known, and we therefore commend just such books as the one now spoken of. because they will at least familiarize people with that thing which will some day be better understood.— Milford Journal. I have read during the last ten years nearly everything pub- lished on the application of Magnetism to the cure of disease, and I deem this work an important addition to the literature of the subject, and of great practical value to every one who would learn how to successfully use this most efficient sanative agency. W. F. Evans M. D. Author of Mental Cure. First edition exhausted in a few weaks. For sale by BY Wm. WHITE & Co. Price $1 50. Postage 20c. THE MENTAL CURE. ILLUSTRATING THE INFLUENCE OF THE MIND ON THE BODY, BOTH IN HEALTH AND DISEASE, AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL METHOD OF TREATMENT. By rev. W. F. EVANS. ^ This book has created a lively interest, not only among spiritualists, but in the minds of members of the medical profession, and among persons of various reli- gious denominations. It is an able treatise, and should be in the library of every thinking person, sick or well. It has received the enconiums of able critics. A re- viewer in the Banner of Light says : "For originality of thought and treatment, for a cer- tain intrepid directness which is the chief merit of a treatise of this character, and for a plain practicalness that commends its broad and profound truths, together with its more acute and intricate speculations, to the general readers, we think this volume will take its place at once among the remarkable productions of the day, and vindicate its reputation by the marked revolution it will set on foot in reference to common life and think- " Along with this discussion, he sets forth the mode of reo^ulatinor the intellectual and affectional nature of the invalid, under any system of medical treatment." This is one of the best books we have on our shelves. — E. P. Journal. Table of contents annexed. About 1500 copies of first edition sold. A second edition to be issued soon. 364 pp. For sale by Wm. White & Co. Publishers, 158 Washington St. Boston. N". Y. Agents, The American News Company, 119 Nassau St. Price $1.50. Postage 20c. COISTTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE RELATION OF THE HUMAN MIND TO GOD. Importance of a Knowledge of God. — The Central Life. — Ubiquity of it, — The whole Idea of God included in Love and Wisdom. — He is the Primal Cause. — The Divine Unity. — Tri-personality impossible. — Man a Divine In- carnation. — God in Christ. — Humanization of Deity. — All men Sons of God. — Teaching of the Oriental Philoso- phy. — Evolution of the Divine Element. — Jesus intro- duced a Higher Type of Humanity. — The AUness of God. — His Personality and what is meant by it. — His Omni- presence. — Where to find Him. — Madam Guyon. — The two Aspects of Human Nature. — Medical Science Super- ficial. — The Root of our Maladies 19 CHAPTER II. THE MIND IMMATERIAL, BUT SUBSTANTIAL. What is meant by Immaterial Substance. — What by Matter. — The Properties of Matter are reducible to the Idea of Force. — Mind the Exhibition of a higher Force. — All Force is Spiritual. — It Originates in God. — Love and Wisdom the First Substance and Force. — Immortality. — The Ground of it. — Life a Persistent Force. — Its recep- tive Forms Evanescent. — The Brotherhood of Man. — Universal Fatherhood of God. — Moral Influence of such an Idea 27 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. ON THE FORM OF THE MIND. Mind not a mathematical Point nor a Monad. — The Relation of Substance and Form, — Perfection of Form belongs only to the Realm of Spirit. — The Soul the inner Manhood.— Humanity of Angels. — Disembodied Souls in the Human Form. — Proved by its being a Necessity of Thought. — • Formlessness and Nonentity equivalent. — The Spirit an Organization. — Omnipresence of it in the Body. — Pla- tonic Idea of it. — Pythagorean Conception of it. . 34 CHAPTER IV. THE DIVISION OF THE MIND INTO TWO DEPART- MENTS. The two primary Faculties. — The Love. — The Intellect. — ^ All Love and Truth Divine. — Why they appear our own. — The Divine Nucleus of our Being. — Twofold Division of the Mind. — The Will and Love identical. — Motive Power and the Love. — The self- determining Power. — The only Life. — What is it to will a thing? — Practical Value of the Doctrine 39 CHAPTER V, THE RELATION OF THE INTELLECT TO THE LOVE. Derivation of the Intellect from the Love. — Importance of this Truth in Philosophy. — Swedenborg. — G. H. Lewes. — Love the Center of our Being. — The Will and Under- standing are like Substance and Form. — Relation of Thought to Affection, — Reaction of the Intellect upon thb Love. — Correlative Spiritual Forces. — Freedom is Har- mony. — Spiritual Health and Disease. — Relation of our Mental and Physical States. — Importance of regulating CONTENTS. VU the Loves. — Solifidianism based on a wrong Conception of our Mental Nature 45 CHAPTER VI. THE DOCTRINE OF DEGREES. Three distinct Planes of Mental Being. — Difference between this and the Common Trichotomous Division of the Mind. — Each Degree a distinct Mental Nature. — The Outermost Range. — The Senses. — Animality. — The Psychical man. — The Spiritual. — Consciousness. — Second Degree. — The Rational Mind. — Emancipation of the Intellect from the Dominion of the Senses. — Somnambulism. — Clairvoyance. — Cognition of Spiritual Things. — Progress an Evolution. — Education an Educing of what is within. — The Phe- nomena of the inmost Degree. — Perception or Intuition. — All truth self-evident to it. — The Divine Internal. — The Conjunction of the Divine and Human. ... 50 CHAPTER VII. THE SPIRITUAL BODY— ITS NATURE AND USE. The mind the real Selfhood. — Intermediate Essences. — The Spiritual Body a Mediating Principle. — The Proof of its Existence. — Testimony of Paul. — Of Swedenborg. — Nei- ther insisted upon. — Objection answered. — Shown to be the Seat of Sensation. — It is the prior seat of all Patholog- ical States of the external Organism. — Testimony of Clair- voyance. — Of Consciousness. — The Mental Phenomena following Amputations. — Explanation of them. — Proof of Immortality from this Source. — A Succession of Organ- ized Forms in Man. — The Osseous System. — The Muscu« lar. — The Venous and Arterial. — The Cerebro-Nervous. — Being is real and vital as it becomes Interior. . 58 X COiNTENTS. CHAPTER Xir. THE HEART AND LUNGS, AND THEIR RELATION TO THE LOVE AND' INTELLECT. Two Universals of the Mind. — Answering Organs of the Body. — The Extension of the Heart into the System. — The Veins and Arteries. — The Heart corresponds to the Affectional Nature. — Proof. — Influence of our Emotional States upon its Action. — And upon Secretion and Nutri- tion. — Subtle Element of the Blood. — The Diffusion of the Pulmonary Substance. — The Lungs derived from the Heart. — They. Answer to the Intellect. — Effect of the States of Thought upon Respiration. — Relation of Respi- ration to Voluntary Motion. — To the Sensibility of the Nerves. — Influence of Anaesthetic Agents. — How the Mind can increase or diminish vital Action. — Sympathetic Movement of the Heart and Lungs. — How to regulate the Action of the Heart. — How to change our Emotions. — Influence of our Mental States upon the vital Functions. — True Method of Study in Natural Science. — The New Age. — Immanence of the Spiritual World. . . , 109 CHAPTER XIII. CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STOMACH AND THE MIND. The Office of the Stomach. — The Digestive Process. — What answers to it in the Mental Economy ? — Therapeutic In- fluence of new Ideas. — Mental Medicine. — Two Stomachs. — Dual Nature of Memory. — Common Forms of Speech Recognizing the Relation of the Stomach to the Memory. — Mental and Bodily Growth. — Mental Vigor necessary to Digestion. — Perpetual Spiritual Adolescence. — What is Old Age? — How to be always Young. — Diseases which are attended with a Loss of the Power of Attention and Memory. 120 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XIV. THE REFLEX INFLUENCE OF THE STOMACH UPON THE MIND. Sensitiveness of the Epigastric Nerves. — Seeress of Prevorst. — Reading with the Pit of the Stomach. — The interior Es- sence of things. — Their Influence. — Psychometry. — Ef- fect of Medicines held in the Hand. — Philosophy of Amu- lets. — Action of the hidden Properties of things upon the Reticular Membranes of the Stomach. — -Effect of Food upon the Mind. — The Philosophy of Dieting. — Mental Stimulus necessary to Digestion. — The Condition of the Stomach and our Feelings. — Action and Reaction. — The Law of Sympathy between us and those in the Interior Realms. — Effect of happy Frames of Mind upon the Epi- gastric Nerves. — Mental States attending Various Condi- tions of the Stomach. — Hunger and its Mental Effects. — The States of the Stomach and Crime. — Hygienic Value of Cheerfulness and other Affectional States. . . . 132 CHAPTER XV. EXCRETIONS OF THE BODY AND THE MIND, AND THEIR RELATION. The Excreting Organs and their Use. — Their irregular Action a fruitful Source of Disease. — Influence of the Mind upon them. — The Lower Intestine and the Brain. — Influence of certain Mental States upon it. — Diseases of the Rectum and their Mental Cause. — How Cured. — Office of the Liver. — Chemical Nature of the Bile. — Sym- pathy between the Liver and Kidneys. — Connection of the Liver with the Brain. — Correspondence with the Mind. — Influence of Conscience upon the Hepatic Func- tions. — State of the Mind in Duodenitis. — The Cure. — XU CONTENTS. Melancholy and the Liver. — Elimination of the efiete Products of the Mind. — Mental Influence upon the Renal Functions. — Diabetes. — The Connection of the Kidneys with the Brain. — Causality. — Excretory Action of the Intellect. — Renewal of the Spirit. — Perpetual Progress. ..... 144 CHAPTER XVI. THE SKIN. ITS CONNECTION WITH THE INTER- NAL ORGANS, AND CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE MIND. Structure and Functions of the Skin. — Amount Secreted by it daily. — The Period in which the Body is renewed. — The Chemical Laboratory of the System. — Unrecognized Sources of Nutrition. — How prolonged Abstinence has been sustained. — Efi'ect of Medicines applied to the Skin. — Psychological Remedies. — Cellular Tissue. — Mucous and Serous Membranes. — The Physiological Condition in a Common Cold. — The Action of the Mind upon the Skin. — A Psychological Sweat. — Effect of Sleep. — State of the Mind underlying Consumption. — Control over the Action of the Skin by the Magnetizer. — Mind the only Causal Agent. — The Ablutions of the Jewish and Mohammedan Laws. — Spiritual Effects of Bathing 161 CHAPTER XVII. THE SENSES. THEIR CORRESPONDENCE, AND INDEPENDENT OR SPIRITUAL ACTION. Sensation a Spiritual Phenomenon. — Vision without the ex- ternal Eye. — Somnambulism. — Independent Clairvoy- ance. — The Relation of the Eye to the Intellect. — Sym- pathy of the Eye with other Organs. — The Spiritual Eye can discern Material Things. — The Sense of Hearing. — CONTENTS. Xlii The Mental Act underlj-ing the Sensation of Sound. — Dif- ferent Forms of Deafness. — How to Treat them. — The Connection of Voluntary Hearing with the Organ of Cau- tiousness. — The seat of Otalgia. — Clairaudience or Spir- itual Hearing. — The Sense of Touch. — Its general Diffu- sion. — Its Kelation to the Love. — Communication of life by the Hand. — The sense of Smell. — Its Spiritual Action. — Taste. — Its Use. — The Spiritual Senses. — How they are opened. — Diseased Conditions in which th« Inner Senses are emancipated 176 CHAPTER XVIII. THE MYSTERY OF LIFE EXPLAINED. Theories Concerning the Nature of Life. — Not the Result of Organization. — The Mosaic Theory. — Electro- Biology. — The Nervous Fluid. — Definition of Life by Bichat. — Cole- ridge. — Schelling. — D« Blainville. — Comte. — Herbert Spencer. — Swedenborg. — Its inmost Degree is Love. — Organic and Inorganic Forces. — Life a Force. — Correla- tion and Equivalence of Mental Forces. — Influence of the Emotive Life upon the Intellect. — Relation of Vital Force and Animal Heat. — Health is Equilibrium. — Disease an Inharmony. — Source of Animal Heat. — Heat a Form of Motion. — The Vital Movements. — The Heat of the Sun the Living Force of Nature. — God's Love an all-pervad- ing Life. — The External lives from the Internal. — Effect of Sensation upon the Body. — Influence of the Emotions and Affections upon the organic Functions. — Secretion. — Muscular Contractility, — The Sexual Instinct. — Its Influ- ence upon the Involuntary Physiological Processes. Importance of Regulating the Affections. — Impartation of Life. — Disease and Selfishness. — The Divine Order of Human Existence 198 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIX. MENTAL METAMORPHOSIS; OR HOW TO INDUCE UPON OURSELVES ANY DESIRABLE MENTAL STATE. Belatiou of Mental Disturbance to Disease. — Therapeutic Spiritual Forces. — Our Emotions involuntary. — Self-Con- version. T- A General Law stated.^ Relation of Form to Internal Character. — The Lesson taught us by the Stage. — Expression of our Inward States by the Face. — How to effect a Change in our Feelings. — Hygienic Value of the Law. — -Inspiration and Respiration. — Soul and Breath. — Peculiar Sensation attending Psychological Inflaence. — Nearness of the Inner Realm. — How to be Inspired.^ Breathing of the Soul. — The Respiration peculiar to all de pressing Mental States. — How to relieve ourselves of them. — Usefulness of the Swedish Movements. . . 222 CHAPTER XX. THE COMMUNICATION OF LIFE AND OF SANA- TIVE MENTAL INFLUENCE. The Primal Source of Life. — Man imparts life to all below him. — Vital Force Communicable. — How Jesus gave his Life a Ransom for Many. — His cures not Miraculous in the Theologi<;al Sense. — The royal Touch for Scrofula. — Sanative Influence of the Hand. — Knowledge is Power. — Mental Conditions necessary to a Cure. — Faith a Spiritual Force. — Its Therapeutic Influence. — The Cure of a Par- alytic by Davy with a Thermometer. — Effect of Fear. — Case of Hydropobia caused by it. — Experiment with foui Russian Criminals. — The Rose-water Cure. — Vital Force and animal Heat correlative. — How Heat is generated and transmitted.— Therapeutic Influence of Friction. — Compression. — Percussion. — Motion. — Adaptation of the CONTENTS. XV Hand as an Instrument for Communicating Life. — Effi- ciency of the Duplicated Movements accounted for. — How to Induce upon a Patient the proper State of Mind. — Po- larity of our Feelings. — Inverted Action of the Cerebral Organs. — Eestoration of the Equilibrium. — Mental Vi- bration. — How Jesus healed the Sick. — Health is Conta- gious. — Spiritual Inoculation. — Mental Leaven. . 237 CHAPTER XXI. THE MIND NOT LIMITED BY SPACE IN THE TKANSMISSION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SANATIVE INFLUENCES. Freedom of the Mind from Spatial Eestraint. — Spiritual Presence. — Mental Locomotion. — Physiological influence of Psychological Impressions. — Transmission of Mental Force. — The Model Man and Great Physician. — • His Free- dom from Material Limitations. — The Interior State in- tensely Positive. — The Prayer-Cure. — The Laws govern- ing it. — Love the Healing Power. — The Mind to be first Healed. — The Mystery of the Cures wrought by Jesua explained. — How to Convert Souls without a Miracle. — Nature of the Mental Sphere. — Healing at a Distance. — The Laws by which it is Effected. — Directions given in regard to it. — Communication of abnormal States by Sympathy. — Practical Value of the Law. . . . 259 CHAPTER XXII. APPETITES, INTUITIONS AND IMPRESSIONS, AND THEIR USE. Essential Spirituality of Man. — The Vis Medieatrix Nalurce is a Mental Force. — The Fetal Growth. — Incubation. — The Nature and Office of the Appetites. — Their Pre- scriptions. — Illustrations. — Nutriment for the Mind. -^ XVI CONTENTS. Spiritual Starvation. — Gibeonitish Crusts. — Voices with- out a Sound. — Spiritual Impressions. — A deep and calm Revealing. — A Law of the Spiritual Life. — The Com- munion of Saints. — Education of our Intuitions. — The Inner Language. — The Cogitatio Loquens. — Intuitional Prescriptions. — Mental Telegraphing. — Madam Guyon and her Confessor. — Development of our hidden Powers. . . . , 278 CHAPTER XXIII. THE SANATIVE POWER OF WORDS. The Words we utter embody our Mental Force. — They are the Index of Character. — How our Mental States affect our Words. — Their Permanence in the Memory. — Their lasting Influence. — Fact given by Coleridge. — Dr. Rush. — The Power of Written Words. — Books have Life. — ■ Effect^, of it upon the Pyschometer. — Prescriptions of Frederica Hauffe. — Psychical Remedies. — The Creative Utterances of Jesus. — Frederic Von Schlegel's Philosophy of the Communicated Word. — Therapeutic Force of Kind Words.— Testimony of Baglivi 296 CHAPTER XXIV. THE RELATION OF MENTAL FORCE TO PHYSIC- AL STRENGTH AND HOW TO CURE GENERAL DEBILITY. The Amount of Force generated in the System. — Whence Produced. — The Abnormal State called General Debility. — What is Strength? — Case cited to show its Mental Origin. — The Mental Faculties that influence the Will- Force. — Their Importance. — The Cerebral Organ of Muscular Motion. — The Relation of respiration to Mus- cular Force.— What is Swooning ? — The Force of the Bod- ily Movement proportioned to the Mental Energy. — The CONTENTS. XVll Effect of Respiration upon the Vital Processes. — Nervous- ness a Mental State. — Its cure. — Relaxation of the Ab- dominal Muscles. — Misplacement of the Internal Organs. — Depressing Mental States the Cause. — How to get rid of the Supporter and Body Brace. — Relation of the Mind to Diseases of Diminished Vitality. — Dr. Combe. . 309 OHAPTEK XXV. SLEEP AS A MENTAL STATE, ITS HYGIENIC VALUE, AND HOW TO INDUCE IT. Bleep Defined. — Its Influence upon the involuntary Physio- logical Processes. — Nutrition. — Circulation. — The Ex- creting Organs. — Its Remedial Value. — The Obstacles to it. — Cold Feet. — Tea and Coffee. — The Law that Governs in inducing it upon Ourselves. — Position of the Eye. — Its Effect upon the Cerebrum. — The Respiration in Sleep. — In the Magnetic Trance. — The moral Influ- ence of Sleep. — The Order in which the Senses lose their Susceptibility to Impression. — Practical Directions based upon this Law 325 CHAPTER XXVI. THE WILL-CURE, ACTIVE AND PASSIVE. f • ■ Connection of the Organs with the Mind. — How to affect their Functional Action. — The Will-Force and the Stom- ach and Intestinal Canal. — Cause of Coldness and Weak- ness. — The Cure. — The Passive Will-Cure, — A General Law of Health Stated. — Voluntary Movements Fatiguing, — The Involuntary Actions not so. — How to take up thy bed and walk. — How to walk a hundred miles a day. — The Interior State. — Its healthful Influences. — Passive Knowledge. — Influx of better Emotional States. — The Spirit with which to approach the Inner World. — Im- portance of our Relations to it 335 XVlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. . THE INFLUENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD UPON MENTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE. A Self-Evident Truth. — The Law of Sympathy. — How Jesus bore Men's Sicknesses. — Obsession. — Its Influence in causing Disease. — How cured. — Experiences of Swedenborg. — What is a Demon ? — Psychological Laws stated. — Scriptural Statements respecting destroying Angels. — They could save Life as well. — The Medium through which Mind acts upon Matter. — Ponderable Bodies moved by Spiritual Forces. — The Release of Peter. —Paul and Silas. — The Rolling away of the Stone at the Entrance of the Sepulcher. — The Availability of such unseen Forces. — Their Useful Employment. — The Plates of Copper and Zinc. — Positive and Negative Mental Forces. — Angelic Influence in the Cure of disordered Spiritual States. — The Nature of Goodness. — The Angelic Ministry. — Vital Connection with the other World. — Nearness of the unseen Realm. — Longfellow. . . 347 Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 412 620 6