LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, ?S t04<\ %p — ®mn%¥ 1*- • sheif..ttii5 Wa UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 1 Wayside Jottings. Essays, Sketches, Poems and Songs, GATHERED FROM THE Highways, By-ways # Hedges of Life, BY MATTIE E. HULL. 'Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel." DES MOINES: MOSES HULL AND COMPANY. 188b. COPYKIGHT By MOSES HULL & CO. 1888. IOWA PRINTING COMPANY, STEEEOTYPEKS. TO Mr MOTHER, WHO BORE ME, AND PROM WHOSE LOVE-LIFE MY SOUL WAS MOULDED ; TO THE COMPANION WHO CAME IN MY RIPER YEARS, AND ' WHOSE LOVE AND DEVOTION HAS BEEN IN PART MY INSPIRATION ; TO THE MANY, WHO, THROUGH GOOD AND EVIL REPORT, HAVE PROVED LOYAL TO FRIENDSHIP, AND TO THE SFIRIT FRIENDS WHO HAVE HELD WATCH AND GUARD OVER ME, IS THIS VOLUME LOVINGLY DEDICATED. MY BOOK. My book; at last I give it to the world; Full well I know its im perfections all, But ev'ry page is of my love inspired. Perhaps some of its simple rhymes may build A hope and joy within a saddered heart, Or flash a gleam across the dismal way, Where tired feet wander over burning sands. My Jottings are but thoughts on common things Gathered at intervals on life's highway. In many places my wand'ring feet have trod; I've climbed the mountains and I've walked the vale, Basked in the sunshine, groped neath shadows dim ; Have feasted in the halls of wealth and pride, And broken bread within the humblest cot; Have laughed with those who quaffed the cup of joy, And shed my tears with sorrow's stricken ones; From every scene I've borne some tender thought And garnered it at will, so now it finds A place within my book. There have been times — they were delightful hours — viii My Book. When my companion and myself have turned Away from men, from books and household cares, To listen to the spirit's inner voice. And I have striven e'er to clothe the thought That we have gathered on the sunbright shores In garb most fitting for the outer world. But 1 have failed, for neither tongue nor pen Can speak or write, the language of the soul. Many a page was once a sweet baptism, That came amid the toil of some dark dav; And if within them there should prove to be One sentence that inspires a nobler thought, Or plants a hope in the despairing soul Or kindles one emotion of sweet love, Then glad I'll be my little book was born. I do not claim my little book contains The gems and jewels, heaven has given to me; I only give to earth the weak refrain Of music, that my inmost being holds; Poems there are upon each page of Life, Translated truly they can never be. To thee, O world, I give my little book, Nor do I offer it with trembling hand; My friends, I trust, will faithfully commend, Not what I did, but what I strove to do. Mattie E. Hull. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION, By Moses Hull xn The Spirit Land 19 The Rise, Progress and Mission of Spiritualism . . 21 My Weaving 35 Is the Prohibitory Measure a Reformatory One ? . 37 Solitude 40 A Medium's Happiest Hour 41 Fireside Musings 42 A Question 47 The Blues 49 Nature's Temple 52 Women in Government 54 Give Me One View of the Beautiful City 59 In Memoriam 60 New Year's Eve. — Reveries 61 Go Forth 64 The Promise 65 Convictions 66 Wait '. 68 This "Land of Shadows" 69 '•The Glorious Fourth" 71 After the Storm 73 A Beautiful Thought 74 Across the Way 76 To My Mother 78 The End 80 Birthday Meditations 82 A Beautiful Angel Comes to Me 85 Liberty, Equality, Fraternity 87 Love Missives 90 My Blessings 92 Boston's Revival 94 Inscribed to a Young Girl 97 Love S< >ngs 99 Desolation 102 The New Kingdom 104 Contents. It was only one Word 107 Stray Thoughts 108 "Go into the Highways and Hedges." 110 Nothing to Do 112 By and Bye 214 Inscribed to My Mother 115 Grammar Lessons 117 Moody and Fallen Women 119 Who Cares? 123 A Prayer 124 Spiritualism 126 Portrait 134 His Shadow 135 The Old and the New 137 Family Meeting 139 Male and Female Prisons 144 At the Play 119 Questioning 151 Ourselves 152 I Am Watching O'er You, Mother 155 Spiritualists and Mediums 157 A Home Call 161 Give Us Light 162 My Box of Treasures 169 Science vs. Christianity 173 October 183 Sorrow 184 Plain Truths 185 Gloaming Fancies 188 If I Should Die 190 Thoughtlessness 191 Labor and Wait 192 Sculpturing '194 In the Past 195 We Heard The Angels 197 Down by the Sea 199 Death's Stream Bridged 201 Shout the Glorious Tidings 202 The Beautiful Land 203 Beautiful Shore 204 Invocation 205 Spirit Lights 206 Shall I Know Mine Own? 207 INTRODUCTION. There are two things which, for sixteen years, Mrs. Hull has persistently urged that I must do; one is, I must write the introduction to her book. My slowness in promising this, and my dilatoriness in undertaking the task may have been one of the chief causes of several years' delay in its publication. The second demand is that when she and her physical body part company, I must assist in form- ing the magnetic stair-way on which she is to as- cend to "that better country," by making the last remarks ever made in the presence of her mortal remains. The former of these requests I am now attempting to gratify; the latter, I hope will be de- layed long enough for her to lead many to the higher life, while yet in the world of flesh and blood. This oft repeated request I record here in order to save explanations on that occasion, should it come. The only ground on which I have any expectation of dodging the fulfillment of this request is that I m-ay XII Introduction. xiii "have finished my course" on earth before she readies the end of her journey. This book is peculiar, and written under peculiar circumstances. The author is a born medium. She seldom knows when she is going to write, or what will be written. Before she had ever heard of me- diumship, she had what was called "the gift of mak- ing poetry." "When a little girl, in school, she could almost at auy time sit down and write a poetic composition; other girls, her seniors in age and in studies, would help her get her lessons as part pay for her writing their compositions. At the early age of thirteen, she began to sit in private circles in a neighbor's house; at the second sitting, she was thrown into an unconscious trance, and talked to the people. This was kept up at in- tervals for nearly a year, when her father, Mr. Henry E. Browne, was induced to take her into the public as a phenomenon, and let people judge for themselves as to what this power was, and whence it came. The Rev. Mr. O'Daniels, a Unitarian minister, of Athol, Mass., urged Mr. Browne to bring his "little girl" to his church, and he would announce her and take charge of the meeting. He had re- cently buried his wife, and other members of his family, and was anxious to know what had become of them. "When the time came for the meeting, xiv Introduction. the church was crowded with interested listeners and curiosity seekers. The reverend gentleman, af- ter cautioning the little girl several times not to be frightened, and assuring her that nothing would harm her, opened the meeting by reading a hymn for the choir to sing, and prayer. By the time he was throno-h Mattie was in an unconscious trance, and never awoke until after the audience had been dismissed. Although she had been assisted to get upon a box which had been placed in the pulpit for her to stand on, so that her head would come np above the desk, in front of her, and had spoken an hour, she could not realize that she had been out of her seat. Reporters took down every word that had passed through the child's lips. Reading that and other discourses spoken by herself when in an un- conscious trance made Mattie a Spiritualist. At this time Mattie's school education w r as not finished; in the academy, after this, Spiritualism proved both an advantage and a disadvantage to her; for while her invisible teachers assisted her in getting all her lessons, the young ladies of the school, Mount Caesar Seminary, as well as others, were almost constantly pleading with her to be en- tranced u just this one time." For seven years after Mattie left school she lec- tured as an unconscious trance medium. After that Introduction. xv she gradually developed into consciousness, and from that into the inspirational phase, which she still has, to as great an extent as ever. Indeed, I may say that lately, a newer, better, and fresher inspiration comes to her than ever before. She seems not to de- pend on persons coming to her from the spirit side of life, but reaches out into the realm of the spir- itual, at will. Her own spirit seems to mala' ex- cursions into the world of spirituality, and to pe- ruse the books, and gather for herself the wisdom therein contained. She is firmly convinced that a higher and more satisfactory phase of Spiritualism is awaiting those, who, instead of sitting down and asking and waiting for spirits to conic, will move forward and take what is awaiting them. 1 first met Mattie some eighteen years ago, since which time we have become somewhat intimate; and probably I know as much of the origin of the various essays and poems in this book as any one except herself can know. It is to give this that I am now writing. In 1872 we became companions, as we believe — as we know — under the direction of the angel world, and in accordance with our own feelings, to remain companions during the time of their and our spir- its' bidding; whether that should be for a day or for a thousand years. The ceremony which ratified our union was unique; we consulted neither the law nor XVI Introduction. the gospel of man; yet when tested in the New Jer- sey courts, our worst enemies found it impossible to break the legality of the tie. The powers which at that time brought us together, as yet give no indica- tion that our work for and with each other is ended. u These were the times that tried men's souls." Through the deep waters of persecution and pov- erty we have walked together the sixteen years dur- ing which these essays and poems have been writ- ten. Indeed, many of them were born out of the darkest and deepest waters of adversity. It would take a book much larger than this to hold the his- tory of some of them. Once upon a time, we went to a ]\ T ew England village to hold a discussion; the opponent proved to be not able for the work he had undertaken. As the churches had boasted very loudly in advance, as to how Spiritualism was to be "used up," they were terribly chagrined and wrathy over their de- feat. This culminated in a series of persecutions ending in an attempt on my life, which came near being successful. I was knocked down with a brick and supposed to be wounded beyond the possibility of recovery. In the midst of this darkness and tur- moil, when we were without "purse or scrip," and with few friends, lighting, almost single handed and alone, several thousand foes in and out of the church, Mattie looked up, and stopped, for we were walking Introduction. xvn at the time, and said: "A voice says: "There is light ahead.'" I said: '"Yes, if light is anywhere it is surely ahead ; it is not here." She immediately began to repeat: "When the way seems dark and drear, And hours are filled with sorrow." The words and music both came at the same time. The music we have not been able to print. Music is one of her special gifts; she frequently sits down at the organ and takes subjects from the audience and composes both words and music as fast as she can sing. Many of the poems herein contained, were given in audiences, on subjects selected for her. On such occasions I have never known her to fail ; Sometimes she repeats the poem as she hears it spoken ; at other times she delivers it as she is impressed. The jottings have been written at intervals, "as the spirit gave utterance." Not a moment's prep- aration was ever made for an article. When the spirit has said to her, "write," she has obeyed. On the cars, in meetings, at the wash-tub, or wherever she has chanced to be at the time the "fit" has taken her to write, she has written. This may partly ac- count for the variety of subjects introduced, and the diversity in the mode of treatment. Mrs. Hull grows more and more into the idea that there is nothing supernatural in Spiritualism — 2 xviii Introduction. that even here and now we are all spirits, as much as we ever will be; and that the true province of Spiritualism is not so much to call spirits from "the vasty deep," and interview them, as it is to teach us to circumnavigate and get acquainted with our own spiritual existence. To this end she is now devoting; much of her time. "Know thyself," is now her daily text; she is try- ing to make the remainder of her life expound its mysteries. She has seemed in a hurry to get this book before the world, partly for the good it may do, and partly because she has regarded it as, in a cer- tain sense, her "last will and testament." Now, she and I unitedly launch this little volume, hoping it may cheer the downcast ; bind up the brok- en-hearted; comfort the mourner and beguile many a weary hour of the wayworn traveler. To this end, this book goes out, with our magnetism, our pray- ers and our blessings. Moses Hull. Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1888. THE SPIRIT LAND. Of the spirit land all gleaming, Mortals here are faintly dreaming Nearer nearer is it seeming, As we tread life's mazes o'er; And the heart grows still and tender, All the soul is filled with wonder As our eyes behold the splendor, When the angels ope the door. Tossed upon Time's surging ocean, When its waves were all commotion, Oft we prayed in blind devotion, That our God from Heaven's store, Might commission some sweet angel, To come down — our soul's evangel Lifting from our hearts the shadow, That seemed deepening, Evermore. Faith was blind! our tears were falling Deaf — we did not hear the calling Of sweet voices 'mid the rolling Of the breakers and the roar; 19 20 The Spirit Zand. Lov'd ones all around us dying, Stranded wrecks, life's vessels, lying, Constantly our souls were crying, Give me back mine own once more! When it seemed that all was given, That our lives had vainly striven For one answering voice from Heaven, And we sank heart-sick and sore; Hovered loving ones around us, Mid grief's bitterest waves they crown 'd us With a magic word they bound us, To their soul-world, Evermore. Oh, the spirit land so near us, With its love and smiles to cheer us, Ever lifting up the shadows That so blinded us before; May its angels — those who love us, Seek in their own way to prove us, Only keeping just above us, With "hope's watchword, Evermore." THE KISE, PROGRESS AND MISSION OF SPIRITUALISM. Thirty-nine years ago we received the first tangible evidence of man's existence beyond the grave as presented by what is called Modern Spir- itualism. The first manifestation on the phenome- nal line was a rap. It came unheralded and un- sought; no pulpit endorsed it; not a press could explain it. The instrumentalities through which the strange phenomenon was produced were two lit- tle girls not yet in their teens. Their parents were humble persons — church members. Not long after these peculiar vibrations had attracted the attention of a few persons outside the family, it was ascertained that the power behind them was an intelligent one, that it could not only produce sounds, but see and hear. The claim was made that the manifestations were from a departed human spirit; that the raps were spirit raps. No sooner was this intelligence given to the world than committees were appointed to investigate by what means departed human spirits 21 22 The Rise, Progress and produced these sounds. They were not long in forming their conclusions; and, being very wise men, they declared that the rapping was not caused by spirits at all, but by the toe-joints of little Margaret and Katie Fox. It occurred to some sensible people that with all the toe-joints in the world, some one else ought to do as much as these little girls. Furthermore, suppose the girls had the power of cracking their toe-joints, as reported by the committee, how were they able to communicate names, dates and events? How did they know that a certain peddlar was killed and deposited in a cellar? Indeed, the little girls had very knowing toes, for such intelligence was given, and in the cellar designated, the remains of a human body were found. The report of the investigating committee was unsatisfactory and a second one was appointed. The second committee came out with a report that I might embody in two resolutions: 1. Resolved, That the first committee was mis- taken. 2. Resolved, That the rappings are not occa- sioned by the toe-joints, but by the knee-joints. The general opinion came to be, that the second committee was as badly deluded as the first had been. Converts were being rapidly made to the Spiritualistic theory; mediums were developed in a Mission of Spirtiualism. 23 great many places, and for a long time the only mode of communication with our spirit friends was through the rappings. But how thankful were the denizens of earth for this privilege. As the clouds lifted from one soul after another, as the scales fell now and then from a pair of eyes, how we learned to appreciate the blessed light that came in the philosophy of Spiritualism. After the world had apparently settled down in a state of apathy on the subject, it was startled by another manifestation. A table moved without any visible agency. By and by other ponderous substances were moved in the same way. Of course, this gave rise to new discussions; self-ap- pointed committees flocked to the rooms where these wonderful manifestations were obtained. The phenomena was attributed to various causes. Some called the power an unknown psychic power, others electricity, and others od-force; while among the strictly orthodox people. Spiritualism was gen- erally set down as the work of the devil. Some of our opponents at the present time con- tend that the physical manifestations are produced by electricity, but we find that it is as difficult for them to define electricity as it is to define spirit. Electricity is a powerful agent; it not only carries messages from state to state, but its strong arm pulsates under the sea. A message sent to the old 24 The Rise, Progress and world receives a response in a single hour through the rnediumship of the cable, buried under the waves of the ocean. But mark you, there must be an operator at each end of the wire. How was the table made to weigh a certain number of pounds per request? How was it that any article of fur- niture in the room, without an intelligence back of the power moving it, could be made to change its position so many inches to the north, south, east or west? These questions, together with the manifesta- tions, interested a new class of minds on behalf of Spiritualism; mediums became numerous; circles were formed in nearly every community; many a home was baptized with the sweet ministry of an- gels; crude may have been the means employed in the early days of Spiritualism by the dear departed, but how many stones were rolled away from gloomy sepulchres; how many prison walls were scaled; how many bolts and bars of prejudice and opposition were broken, as the dear departed one after another bridged the silent river and returned to love and bless the stricken friends. After awhile the Dial was introduced which was a machine arranged similar to the dial of a clock, with letters instead of figures and hands upon its face. In the center there was an index finger made of steel which was operated upon by the spiritual Mission of Spiritualism. 25 and magnetic forces of the circle. The communi- cations were obtained much more rapidly through the dial than by either rapping or tipping. This method of communication with the spirit-world was thought at onetime to be almost a perfect one. No one had anticipated the psychometrical devel- opment and intuitive unfoldment that crowns our glorious philosophy at the present time. As fast as mortals were ready to receive, the spirit friends revealed new truths and handed down spiritual gifts. On one occasion, while a few faithful investigators were seated around a table, a lady was seized with a peculiar sensation in the hand and arm. In a few moments it was com- pletely paralyzed. At first, every person in the circle was frightened, but the message came through the table, "It is all right." In a few mo- ments the lady commenced in a mechanical way to move her hand. Some one suggested that she be given a pencil; no sooner was it placed in her hand than she attempted to write; after numer- ous attempts, a few words were imperfectly writ- ten, but a name appeared which proved to be the signature of a dear, departed friend of a mem- ber of the circle. From that time on, communica- tion after communication was given to persons in earth life, purporting to come from those on the o^her bide, of whom the medium had no knowledge. 26 The Rise Progress and Thousands of diagnoses and as many medical pre- scriptions for the sick have been given through mechanical writing mediums. This phase of spir- itual mediumship came to be more common than those heretofore developed. By this time the world was intensely agitated over these strange phenom- ena. The minister who thought he had met every fact up to this time, with Bible argument, went again to his study and searched the Scriptures in the vain endeavor to find some new explanation. The chemist, who was egotistical enough to think he had solved the problems of rapping and table- tipping, resorted to his laboratory to make new ex- periments. No sooner had the opponents come out with a new theory than the phase of entrancement was developed. Personally, I have had, what seems to me, a re- markable mediumistic experience. 1 will not go in- to detail here. Suffice it to say, I was converted to a knowledge of Spiritualism through my own en- trancements — by the reading of discourses given through my organism when I was in what seemed to me an unconscious condition. I commenced my public work in Spiritualism when thirteen years of age. During my first year's experience, many of my addresses were phonographically reported — I stud- ied them after they were sent me by the reporters; these brought about my conversion. Mission of Spiritualism. 27 I cannot take the time in this essay to enumer- ate the many phases of mediumship that have been developed within a quarter of a century. Proba- bly no phase.has ever engendered so much dissen- sion as that of materialization. Psychometry is being developed rapidly among a certain class of mediums. This will undoubtedly prove one of the most useful among the many phases. In its de- velopment, lo! the hidden shall be revealed; the masks shall fall from our lives, and we shall be known as we are. Independent slate-writing is always satisfactory to an honest skeptic. The an- swering of sealed letters has done much to enlighten the world on these wonderful powers. The spirit communications received through the telegraph, while the instrument is secured in a box, is one of the latest developments in mediumship and is con- vincing;. No belief has ever made the progress that Spir- itualism has in the same length of time. When we consider the thousands of homes that have been blessed by the loving ministrations of our philos- ophy; the souls that have been made to rejoice; the burdens that have been lifted; the paths that have been brightened, we must conclude that Spir- itualism came to the world with a grand mission. When we consider the quality of many of the con- verts our cause has enlisted, we ought to feel that 28 The Iiise, Progress and we have a guarantee of future usefulness and suc- cess. The opponents of Spiritualism have fre- quently affirmed that the majority of men and wo- men who become interested in our philosophy are persons of weak mental calibre. It may not be out of place to incorporate an extract from a carefully selected paper, written for and used at the anni- versary celebration, held in Ottumwa, Iowa, March 31st, 1886, by Dr. Perry Engle, of Newton, Iowa. In answer to the question, "Who are Spiritualists?" he says: Among eminent statesmen and tmilanthropists who were or are Spiritualists, we find Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Gerrett Smith, Parker Pillsbury, Geo. Thompson, Lord Brougham, Garibaldi, Victor Hugo, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, Benjamin F. Wade, Henry Wilson, Joshua R. Giddings, old Robert Owen, Robert Dale Owen, Salmon P. Chase, N. P. Banks, Geo. W. Julian, Senator Howard, of Mich., Senator Harris, of Louisi- ana and Senator Stanford, of California. Among the crowned heads and nobles, we find the late Emperor Alexander, of Russia, Emperor Louis Napolean, M. Thiers, ex-President of France, Queen Victoria, Baron Von Tchick, of Austria, Von Der Bink, of Holstein. Among the eminent jurists, we find Judge John W. Edmunds, of the New York Supreme Court, Judge Lawrence and Judge Ladd. Among the scientists, we find Alfred Russell Wal- lace, the naturalist, Cromwell F. Varley, the electri- cian, Hermann Goldsmith, the astronomer, William Crookes, the great chemist, Prof. F. Zollner, of Leipsic, author of "Transcendental Physics", Von Esenbeck, President of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Germnny, Alexander Von Humboldt, Dr. Hoeflle, the encyclope- dist, Prof. Worthen, State Geologist, 111., Prof. Plu- mierian, Professor of Astronomy, Cambridge, Eng., Mission of Spiritualism. 29 Dr. J. L. Robertson, editor of the Journal of Medical Science, Eng. ; Prof. Scheilbner, the world renowned teacher of mathematics in the University of Leipsic. Are these men weak-minded, superstitious or bad ?" Among the noted physicians we find the following: Dr. J. M. Gully, England; Dr. Julius Franenstadt, Germany; Dr. Geo. Sexton, London; Dr. G. W. Lang- don, Baden, Germany. Among the distinguished literary and artistic celeb- rities we find Gerald Massey, Wm. and Mary Howitt, English poets; Jules Verne, the great French author; Robert Chambers, of Chamber's Magazine; Grace Greenwood; H. Kiddle, for many years Superintend- ent of the public schools of New York City; Rev. Dr. Eliakin Phelps; Bayard Taylor; Mr. Plympton, editor of the Cincinnati Commercial; Mr. Story, late editor of the Chicago Times; Don Piatt, editor of the "Wash- ington Capital; Dr. Kane, the Arctic explorer, hus- band of Margaret Fox, the first medium. We might with propriety claim John Wesley, the founder of Methodism; Swedenborg, the philosopher a. id seer, and Jesus Christ, the teacher and healer. Should Spiritualism and the world be ashamed of such a galaxy of bright intellects'? Have we not giv- en enough to show "who are Spiritualists?" The writings of the Lest American and English poets teem with the inspiration that characterizes Spiritualism. The leading ideas are woven in hymn and song. Our beloved Longfellow wrote: "When the hours of day are numbered And the voices of the night, Wake the holy soul that slumbered To a holy calm delight; Then the forms of the departed Enter at the open door; The beloved ones, the true-hearted, Come to visit me once more." He also wrote that "All houses wherein men have lived and died are haunted houses." Whit- 30 The Rise, Progress and tier and Tennyson have written most beautifully the spiritualistic sentiments in their verses. Spiritualism has captured many a pulpit. It found its way in our Nation's trying hour to the Executive Mansion. It has spoken to the Queen on her throne, while to millions of earth's sorrow- ing ones it has carried the consolation that no other religion ever possessed. On, on, its great tidal wave sweeps, bearing on its crested billows the re- flection of heaven, bright with the sunny smiles and starry eyes of our loved ones. Swing back, sweet spirits, the shadowy curtain, That veils this world from the great beyond; Show us the land across the dim waters, Where all the loved we call dead are gone. ' They may often speak yet we do riot hear them, Amid the harshness and the din; They may bend so near, yet we cannot see them "When eyes with burning tears are dim. Come to us, and whisper a tender message, While our souls utter a silent prayer, Aid us to know, O, spirit guardians, Your love may seek us everywhere. Concerning the mission of Spiritualism, we are fast learning that it means something more than to demonstrate immortality. Of course, the fun- damental idea is that spirits can communicate with mortals. Spiritualism has come to make the Mission of Spiritualism. 31 world better; to lead humanity to a purer life; to teach the science of reform; to introduce a revolu- tion in the religious, political and social world. It teaches us that there is no positive evil, and none totally depraved; that the best people on earth un- der bad conditions will do bad things: that the worst people on earth under good conditions may do good things. Spiritualism takes hold of the subtle forces of life. It speaks to the inner man or woman, reveal- ing hitherto hidden laws. Under its administra- © tion we are learning that evil passions and wicked thoughts may wield a potent influence though never outwardly expressed. Sensitives suffer from psy- chological impressions, and there is not a day but that some poor soul is stricken down by rankling, contending influences from positive spirits in the body. People frequently get sick and cannot tell why; they suffer mental depressions, endure soul agonies and wearisome heart-aches, without divining © ' © the true cause. We are often thrown into morbid, inharmonious conditions, by coming in contact with antagonizing influences, no matter how silent © © they may be. We say it is wrong to kill ; yes, and the time is coming when we will learn it is dan- © gerous to think kill. The individual would be called a criminal who would drop a grain of poi- son in the glass of water he offered me to quench 32 The Rise, Progress and my thirst, and, from a spiritual standpoint, the one who poisons my mental or soul atmosphere is as guilty of wrong. Insanity and death are frequently the result of soul poisoning. I would impress my Christian friends with the idea that to be a Spiritualist in its grandest sense, requires all the courage and strength of the human soul. We believe in no scheme of salvation. Every man, woman and child must take the consequences of his or her own acts. We claim that every per- son's morality must be guaged by a test of their own honor, virtue and integrity. We # believe that a fountain of inspiration is somewhere in the depths of every human soul. Do you ask what kind of a religion Spiritualism develops for humanity? I an- swer: It will be based upon the necessities of the hour. Do not imao-ine that any sect, party, clique or ring can lay a track over which the car of progress is to run. No evangelical shrine can mortgage its free spirit. Its territory is an eminent domain and it will cleave the way in spite of organizations, par- ties and institutions which stand in the way of the development of the race. Our opponents claim that Spiritualism desecrates homes and has no reo-ard for the sacredness of the o affections. Spiritualism never severed one chain that was forged in love. It never desecrated one Mission of Spiritualism. 33 family altar where the fires of spiritual love were burning. I know of hundreds of homes that are brighter and happier to-day because of the minis- trations of Spiritualism. There is no more precious relation on earth than that of true marriage. None so desecrating, so terrible as the false or inharmo- ious conjugal relation. True marriage means re spect, equality and abiding, trusting love. In true marriage there is no dependence, but inter-depend- ence. In homes where such marriages obtain, the spirit of love finds pastime in toil, and delight in serving. Spiritualism rightly interpreted can dese- crate no spot on earth, dishonor no love and crush out no impulse of goodness. It teaches men and women how to live; It crowns man with a noble fatherhood and woman with a sweeter, purer mother- hood. It unfolds the law of generation and one part of its sublime mission shall be to teach the world how to beget, gestate and rear a better race of beings. Spiritualism must elevate humanity because it is a living inspiration. The poorest teachers we have are those who go before the world in the name of religion with diplomas from theological institu- tions to preach to the people. They are compelled to go through a certain routine of study, which con- sumes from four to seven years. They have no time to acquaint themselves with vital issues. They 34 Mission of Sviritualism. are so far from humanity they cannot hear its great heart beat, nor can they keep abreast of its solid columns which are marching onward to a better civilization. The world is pressing forward. It requires broad men and women — sun-crowned, and inspired with the genius of the living hour, to an- swer the needs of the people. "Out of the way ye priests, nor fling Your dark cold shadows on us longer." The intelligence that comprehends the demands of the times, calls for a church as broad as the world; a creed as universal as man, and a belief in the eternal progress of every human soul. Noth- ing short of this can accomplish the mission of Spiritualism. MY WEAVING. I was weary of weaving on Time's old loom; I had threaded my shuttle in cloud and gloom; 1 looked at my web, it was so incomplete, That I felt to throw it in dust at my feet. The grey threads grew darker, each bright hue had flown, The warp was tear-moistened, and still I wove on. The grating grew harsh with the flight of each hour, The work was entangled; lower and lower I bent o'er my weaving and still could not see The shadings and hues that were given to me. Till, discouraged, I paused, and sleep o'er me came, And in dreams I heard some one calling my name. My shuttle I dropped, and my work left alone; The voice was enchanting, I followed its tone. I watched the light that illumined the way, For the clouds had all lifted, and night turned to day. "How lovely !" I cried ; through a gate-way I pressed, Intent on new beauties — a heaven and rest. 35 36 My Weaving. An angel drew near with the tenderest of eyes, Her w T ords were of pity, her glance, of surprise. "Oh, why are you here?" she said, sadly and sweet, "Your hands bear no token of weaving complete, Your tears have covered your loom with rust, And your shuttle now idle, is buried in dust." "Alas! but my threads are so tangled," I cried, "Your eyes are but blinded," the angel replied; "The grey warp is needed — you do not yet see How T beautifully woven the contrasts can be; Return to your shuttle, in faith persevere, The web, so imperfect, must be finished there." Ah! how could I murmur? rebuhings were just; I returned to my labor with patience and trust; I burnished mv shuttle, untangled my skein, The old mill's harsh grating grew softer again; I checked my repinings as time sped away, And at last I found more of the golden than grey. I awoke — the tread-wheel moved on just the same, But I found precious truth in one hour's short dream. IS THE PKOHIBITOKY MEASUKE A REFORMATORY ONE? There are many reasons why I am not in sym- pathy with the measures adopted by the prohibi- tionists; one of which is, I have no faith in legis- lative cures. Many good people believe that the order and decorum of well-regulated communities are due to legislative enactments — that men and women are kept virtuous by law, — some of my most intimate friends are strongly in favor of pro- hibition, and bitterly oppose my sentiments on this subject. These friends are exemplary persons. I venture to say they do not gamble, indulge in pro- fanity, or get drunk, but I give them so much credit, I attribute their virtues to a sense of honor, rather than to any restraint in consequence of civil law. Vices are never put down by legal prohibition, and a so-called virtue, that needs the protection of the law, is not worthy of the name. Nothing de- velops the moral faculties and is calculated to call out goodness in an individual, like responsibility. 87 38 Is the Prohibitory Measure Turn to any department in life, and you will find this to be true. With all my soul, do I believe the prohibitory law to be a barrier in the temperance movement. Whenever we resort to the strong arm of the law to control the appetite, we are engaged in a legal, not a moral, revolution. Some one has said: "The constable is pushed forward, and the divine weapons laid aside." I am no statistician, but I am informed that sta- tistics show that prohibition in Iowa has not been a success. The same is true of Maine and Kansas. The cause of temperance has steadily gone back- ward when taken out of the hands of the reformer and put into the hands of the law officer. Suppos- ing the law had done all it proposed to do, what would have been the boast of Iowa to-day? Is the drunkard reformed simply by being deprived, by the law, of his beverage? From a physiological standpoint, if from no other, people should abstain from alcoholic drinks. Cer- tain scientists have investigated the mattter, and illustrated the effects of fermented and distilled liquors upon the stomach. If it is a sin to drink in a saloon, is it not as much so to partake in a church, at a communion table? Government never has presumed to dictate what we shall eat, except to see that our meat is not tainted or our food so adulterated as to fill the country with a Reformatory One? 39 contagion, yet thousands die annually, in conse- quence of vicious eatiDg. Others become victims to numerous ills. I admit all the evils that spring from intemper- ance. My public life has made me familiar with much of its misery, and I deplore it as much as any prohibitionist can, still I am confident that leg- islation will never bring the desired result. Many argue that nine-tenths of the poverty in the land is the result of intemperance. It occurs to me, that very much of the intemperance that curses the world is the result of poverty. There are no people in the world more deluded than those who believe the mil- lennium can be brought about by voting down the liquor traffic. Inasmuch as the effort has proved so much of a failure, why not turn the mind to a scien- tific study of the temperance question, and in place of employing detectives and constables to do our work, secure teachers and skillful doctors of soul and body to bring about the desired reformation. Again, I say, in the interest of temperance, I am opposed to the prohibitory movement. SOLITUDE. Away from the sound of the city's din, Away from the haunts of care and sin; Away from the tread of human feet, And jostle and jam of the noisy street, I seek a quiet, sequestered spot, Where men and women wander not. It seemed that a spirit called to me From the beautiful shade of the oaken tree. The sky is golden with sunset beam, It kisses and laughs in the placid stream; The grass lies a sheeny web at my feet, Dotted with blossoms of clover sweet; The soft wind kisses the leaf and flower, The birdlings fly homeward this witching hour. The greenwood trees form an arch above, They whisper sweet messages — all of love. The zephyr that fans my brow and cheek, Dear old-time memories doth repeat. My soul sends forth a rapturous song That is echoed back by an unseen throng. 40 A Medium's Happiest Hour. 41 O, the communing; of one sweet hour "With Nature and self; what wondrous power Touches our life, we forget our pain And send back response to every strain, For the better thoughts in our hearts are stirred By the song and sermon our spirits heard. A MEDIUM'S HAPPIEST HOUR. When we lead some sorrowing mortal Upward toward the heavenly portal 'Till uplifted is the shadow From the soul forevermore; When we bring the loved to meet you, And can messages repeat you, Filled with all their love and meaning, This, The Medium's Happiest Hour. FIKESIDE MUSINGS. I do not forget, while I sit by a comfortable fire, that hundreds, aye, thousands of my sex are hunt- ing employment, and that as many more, who have work, are grinding up bone and sinew, in order to fatten rich corporations. The bright dreams and worthy aspirations of many a young man and wo- man are smothered in the struggle for bread and butter. Wives and mothers wonder why it is, they are compelled to toil from morning until night, with no respite, denied many of the comforts of life, say- ing nothing of the luxuries, while just across the way, another woman, who never does an hour's work, has her horses, carriages and servants, with every opportunity for entertainment and amuse- ment. Yes, these poor women wonder why it is, that with the united efforts of themselves, and sober, industrious husbands, they can earn barely enough to clothe and feed their children, while they are in school, why they are compelled to count their last pennies every month to make out the rent on cheer- less, inconvenient houses, while some of their ac- 42 Fireside Musings. 43 quaintances, who started in life with no better pros- pects, are living in palatial residences ; but in all their wondering and thinking, many of them have not grown to the idea, that bad legislation on financial matters have brought about the two extremes — wealth and poverty. They have not learned that if there were no very poor people in the country, there would be none very rich. I am sorry to say, many among the suffering, struggling and complaining, are strenuously opposed to the woman suffrage move- ment, and when asked to unite their forces with the workers in the cause, answer: "I've all the rights I want!" Of course, all of these reforms must be brought about through enlightenment. O, speed the time when woman, the world over, will realize that life should hold as much for her as though she were a man ! "When every road to art, science and philosophy will be as readily opened to her as to her brothers; when she will consider that there are other oDJects to live for than that of finding a husband in whom she may merge her individuality. Not that I would detract one particle from the sweetness and happiness in complete companion- ship, or the enjoyment found in a harmonious home, but there are many women who never ought to be- come wives and mothers, nor have the charge of a home, and never would, were it not for a support. We are living in a world of changes; when I was 44 Fireside Musings. young — don't think I am very old now — I used to hear it said, "no girl should consider her education finished, until she had learned house-keeping, dress- making, laundry work and cooking, aye, and how to make men's clothing as well." JSTow, supposing these things were all that a woman could learn, there might be a little sense in such a statement. I can remember when girls knew nothing about clerking, telegraphing, law, medicine, and scores of avocations by which they are earning their living at the present time. The various trades and profes- sions are opened to the girls to-day, yet, many hold to the idea, that in connection with any one of these, the young lady should learn to keep house, and make her own clothing. Why should so much more be expected of our girls than of our boys ? When a boy is put to a trade, or profession, as a general thing, he is expected to devote his time and energies to the most perfect acquirement of the same. He is not supposed to divide his time between a dozen, or more vocations, thus becoming a "jack at all trades and good at none." True, various labor-saving ma- chines which have been introduced into the home, may help the girls out eomewhat, but when one's forces have been expended in cne way, they cannot be used in another. After a person has become thor- oughly exhausted, physically, there is little hope of accomplishing much, mentally. Besides, a time is Fireside Musings. 45 coming when nearly every kind of work in the do- mestic department will be reduced to a science; I believe the time is not far distant, when professional, scientific cooks will be in demand, and paid a good salary. Laundry work is already reduced to an art ; the woman who can earn seventy-five cents a day, had better patronize a first-class laundry man, or woman, than use up her energies, and crowd her time in attempting to do so much extra labor. Not that any kind of labor is degrading; the idea is, that women and girls among the poorer classes, es- pecially, have failed to do their best in their legiti- mate work, in undertaking to do so many things. When girl accountants, telegraph operators and teachers, receive the same pay as their brothers, they will not feel compelled to sit up nights to do their own sewing, or to sacrifice an hour's sleep each morning;, in order to wash and iron their own clothes. A healthy looking working-girl, especially in the large towns, is the exception, and not the rule. Extra hours of hard work will break the constitu- tion, and the extra work has to be done that they may present a decent appearance on the street and in society. Why should we expect so much from girls? We never did from boys. There are girls who are naturally domestic in their disposition; who love home life and home work, whose sweetest aspirations are for a home of 46 Fireside Musings. their own to love and care for. Happy are they, if they are so circumstanced in life, that their train- ing may come under careful, maternal hands. The true home is to become the rock on which our na- tion is to be founded; intelligent wives and moth- ers are to become our country's guardian angels, but woman's genius, talent and power must seek their domain, and, as the field for woman's work broadens, as she weds herself to the arts and sci- ences, co-operative homes will be instituted, thereby departmentizing domestic labor, and granting the wife and mother time for the exercise of her vari- ous mental gifts. Woman, rise, in all thy grandeur, Give thy genius to the world; Let no slavish fears enchain thee, Thy pure thoughts must help to mould Laws and customs for the people; To thy nobler self be true; Do not waste the hours in dreaming, There is work for thee to do. A'QUESTION. I've heard the song of the "Beautiful 'Hills," That rise on the farther shore, Where the weary rest from torturino- ills And languish 'neath care no more. But the beautiful song breaks not the chain That binds the million of slaves, Who never find rest of hand, or brain, 'Till they drop in pauper graves. They say, "A Beautiful Home Over There," Is built by a Stream of Light, Where flowers of beauty perfume the air, And never falls shade or blight; But I know down here there are homeless ones, Whom the world counts little worth, That would blossom as rare and lovely souls, In a "Home, Sweet Home," on earth. I doubt not there comes a "Sweet Bye and Bye," I dream of the "Sometime Isle," But each day I hear earth's oppressed ones cry, And I question all the while; 47 48 A Question. O, how can we cheer the desolate way That leads to the "Sun-bright Sea?" Or help carry burdens of the To-Day, En route for "The Land To Be?" Hills may be bright on the "Evergreen Shore," And the Homes most sweet above; But many rough paths must be travelled here, Ere the "sylvan glades" we rove. 'Tis the hill of the Now, we seek to climb, It is rugged, steep and high; How can we make blessed the Present Time, To make "Sweet" the "Bye and Bye?" THE BLUES. Somehow, everybody gets a touch of the blues when the prematurely cold and stormy days come, and when they are over, why, everybody seems to be transformed. To-day, old Sol is laughing out- right, and doing his very best to cheer up the places made so desolate by Jack Frost. I had thought the birds had become tired of the cold and storm and deserted us, but this morning I heard a wee songster call from his shelter in the evergreens. T felt so sorry for the poor, little fel- low, for I supposed he was left to sing his song alone; again he called, and soon I heard a response from a neighboring tree, and in a moment the song- sters perched themselves in the sunshine and war- bled one of the sweetest bird duets I ever heard. It was a simple circumstance, yet it did much for me. It awakened a response in my being, and my spirit that was so hampered with care, and toil-worn, for- got its burdens, and from its depths welled a new song. How true it is, that we are prone to judge the. 4 49 5.0 The Blues. future by the present. When the storms of life are upon us, we forget that "There is Light Ahead," and the songs become silenced in our hearts. How often, when the chill of disappointment has swept over ns, we grow bitter toward the world and feel to take no part in its mirth, music and joy. as I looked at the dear, little birds this morning, perched upon a leafless branch, and singing as joyously as they ever did amid the foliage in June, I thought, let this be a lesson for me. I am nearing; the au- tumn of my life; should I sing less? Why, because the spring and summer of our sweet lives are ended, should we remain silent, when the sun shines as warm as ever, and the moonlight falls as tenderly over the valley and river, as when we were young? The world is just as beautiful, dear reader, as when you and I were rearing our air castles, and painting in our picture galleries, the images of our youth. Do you say you still have enthusiasm, hope, joyf ill- ness and exuberance of spirit, but the friends who move in the realm with you cannot appreciate those elements in one in whom life is taking on the sere and yellow leaf? Never mind; sing on just the same, and call out from the very joyfulness of your being. Some one will respond to you along life's way; some happy soul will learn better how to ex- press itself because of the songs you give forth, and though your days are shortening and life's winter The Blues. 51 close at hand, the sunset will be brighter, the twi- light less dreary, because of your soul's sweet songs. O, don't allow yourself to feel' old because your grandchildren play about your knee. Let not your white hairs be marks of decay, but rather let them surround your brow as a crown of glory. No, no, if you are as Nature designed, you are ripening, not dying. No grove there is upon earth's varied chart But what may hold some little bird to cheer it; So let Hope sing within the human heart And ne'er so sad, but that the soul may hear it. NATUEE'S TEMPLE. "We have gathered in the temple, whose roof, the arching sky, Spreads over dale and forest, its deep, bine canopy; Where the nodding grasses tremble, as the Great Spirit breathes Its silent invocations through the overhanging leaves. Here we list to sweetest music; the choicest notes combine To stir the soul to worship at this majestic shrine; The thrilling tones are wafted upon the tiniest breeze ; From Nature's wond'rous organ, God sweeps the magic keys. Here, from this grand old Temple, no costly spires arise, No altar, or no trappings to mock uplifted eyes, ~No studied prayers, or sermons are read from musty books. Our texts are written on the trees, and heard in babbling brooks. 52 Nature's Temple. 53 Here we feel the glorious presence of precious lib- erty; The bending heavens proclaim it reaching on from land to sea; Our souls thrill with emotions beyond our feeble speech, For the spirit hath a language the tongue can never reach. Let us gather up the sunbeams that crown these golden hours, And drink the rarest sweetness from the silent, up- turned flowers; Let us breathe into our spirits the "music in the air," Until with one accord, we feel 'tis good to worship here. WOMEN IN GOVERNMENT. I have a correspondent who is very much afraid I will "mix up in politics." He says: "I under- stand you have signified your willingness to talk on governmental affairs." Now, suppose I have, or have not, why does my correspondent put so much stress on the words, "mix up in politics?" — he un- derscores them — would I sink so much in his esti- mation as a woman, if I felt inspired to say a word on the issues, over which he and the great army of brothers are contending? He would not allow a woman to vote; would he prohibit her from talk- ing? Then he must compel her to stop thinking. I never have intimated that I desired to identify myself with politics, but I do say I want the priv- ilege of expressing myself on matters of govern- ment, the same as on religion, or any one of the reforms. Why not? Is there anything so terribly bad about politics? If so, who put it there? My over-anxious correspondent says, the time has not come when woman should be granted the ballot, that when it does, the rulers of the nation will en- 54 Women in Government. 55 clow her with that right. Isn't that comforting? How does he know the time has not come? How does he know the "rulers" will endow woman with the right of suffrage? How can any set of people "endow" human beings with an "inalienable fight" when, according to the Declaration of Independ- ence, such right was "endowed" by the Creator? How widely our people have departed from that document. When government enrolls woman on its list of citizenship, and admits her into all civil councils on the same basis that it admits man, then we shall have a cosmopolitan congress, and it will be the grandest achievement of any age. My correspondent inquires, "What good will be derived from woman suffrage?" Allow me to ask, what benefit has come to man through suffrage? When woman is armed with citizenship, she will stand as man's equal in point of law. She will receive better wages — aye, her remuneration will be the same as that of man, if she performs the same amount of labor and does it as well. With better wages she will become self-supporting, and self- supporting, she will not be compelled to barter her womanhood and sacrifice her honor and purity as she does to-day in and out of marriage. It is a stubborn fact that eight-tenths of the vice and crime that shatter society to-day, the reports of Avhich, crowd the secular press throughout the coun- 56 Women in Government. try, are caused by poverty. Intemperance blackens our streets, denies homes, makes wrecks of men and women, and in searching out the cause of the in- crease of this terrible vice, we are compelled to ad- mit that much of it is due to broken fortunes, blighted prospects and ruined hopes. Much of the so-called social evil, can be traced directly or indi- rectly to the financial world, and when one com- mences to consider, where is the limit? Has wo- man no interest in these matters — the glorious mothers and wives of the republic? Yes; and it is in woman's power to purify the ballot-box, the bar and the jury. She can enforce more justice in leg- islation; then, not until then, will a crown of glory rest .upon Columbia. Then will the Goddess of Lib- erty be an actualized reality. At present, the bird of freedom has but one wino-- how can he soar aloft and sing his songs of liberty to the people? I am aware the good revolution is begun. New wine cannot be put into old bottles. The bottles will burst and the wine be lost. "With legislative oppression on one hand and church intolerance on the other, there is a lust for monopoly, not only in the political, but in the church realm! She — the church — sways the social sceptre; she has become the shrine of fashion; she commands the worship of the rich; are not these evidences that she is no longer a moral or spiritual guide? The prodigal Women in Government. 57 sons and daughters are scorned from her doors; the poor are seldom welcomed to the popular church; reformers are traduced in the name of Christianity; angels have returned and she would not receive them. The church is partisan, sectional and rebel- lious to the soul of freedom. Most Spiritualists are as radical as the writer on these points, but some of them are fearful a discus- sion of these issues will injure their cause. I glory in Spiritualism, because I believe in its indestruc- tibility. We can each express our opinions, cher- ish our ideas, do ever so well, or the reverse, the truth will live. Why is it any more unworthy to stand before an audience and demand political freedom than relig- ious freedom? Spiritualism has made it possible for woman to stand where she does to-day in the chui'ch, at the bar, in medicine and other hitherto forbidden places; so, in the evolution of things, she will continue to progress and work her way on to those heights where she may exult in political in- dependence. As a Spiritualist, I believe this republic must be elevated into an inspirational life. That is, we, as a people, must learn there are higher laws than those printed in statute books. What can we say of politics, but that it is a "chess-board for gam- blers?' 1 The religions of the world aro as a "sound- 58 Women m Government. ing brass and a tinkling cjmbal." Disorder, con- tention and strife are apparent on every hand. If man's wisdom has not been adequate, is it not time that we pause and ask, "What have our arisen friends for us?" may they not, with their superior experiences become our oracles? Must the Ship of State go down amid the storms, a wrecked thing forever? Are we true to our highest light, we, who believe that the great and good of all ages live, and are interested in what pertains to the world of hu- manity, when we claim that our government and all matters pertaining to it, should be ignored, and woman, especially, remain silent on all of these questions? I believe our sin is unpardonable, if we refuse to utter what the spirit saith to us. One thing must be borne in mind, we must not attempt to manage the inspiration as it comes to us. The under-currents cannot be controlled. Every human construction will fall before the larger life that bears us on. Growth and out -growth is everywhere. The struggle for justice, the war for freedom, bereavements, sacrifices, and all hu- man endeavor for better conditions, are rich experi- ences, leading into diviner paths, forming new men- tal and spiritual illustrations, and spring up, fresh springs of inspiration. GIYE ME ONE YIEW OF THE GOLDEN" CITY. Swing open the gates to the Beautiful World, O, guardian ones, we pray; That through the mists our dimmed eyes may gaze 'Till we catch a glimpse of the sun's bright rays, From the city just over the way. 'Tis a beautiful land over there, we're told, Where the flowers ne'er mildew, or blight, Where incense sweetens the softest air, And the music of love is everywhere, And falls no shadow or night. Fain would we look on the beautiful aisles, That lead to that wonderful home, Our darlings left us one dreary day, The boatman silently bore them away, And our hearts with anguish were torn. O, for a glimpse of that Beautiful World, Our fathers and mothers are there; Our darling babes, we loved them so, With their beautiful curls o'er their foreheads of snow, They have climbed the golden stair. 59 60 In Memoriam. When the days are drear and the nights are long, And our hearts heavy burdens bear, How light would our crosses of sorrow become, What sunshine would flood the dreariest room, Could we catch one glimpse of the Beautiful Home, The city ;just over there. IK MEMORIAM. Gone from this world to the Beautiful Shore, Earth's weary march forever is o'er; The Angel's sweet call echoed over the tide, He folded his tent for the other side, Aud silently passed through the open gate, Where lovingly, watchingly, he Mali wait. To welcome the dear ones, as, one by one, They too, strike their tents when life's battle is done. NEW YEAE'S EVE REYEEIES. The old year is nearly gone; soon the hands upon the dial-plate will denote the advent of the new. As I sit alone, casting a retrospect over the past twelve months, questions arise in my mind concern- ing the efforts and the result of the past year. In- tellectually and spiritually has it been a profitable one? Am I better prepared to solve life's prob- lems and meet its changes than one year ago? Am I better able to understand the needs of humanity? Do I know myself better, than when, twelve months since, I stood in the gate-way of the new year, and saw the old, close behind me? The result of the past year's struggles and efforts can only be judged by the deeds of the present. As I shall turn over, one by one, the leaflets of the days as they come and go, may I leave better inscriptions than ever before, and not be ashamed of the pictures left upon the pages. How many of us during the old year have stood under the shadows, and wept the physical out-go- ing of some departed friend. Dear ones, who, one 61 62 New Yearns Eve Reveries. year since, sent me loving greetings through the mediumship of their own hands, are to-night, on the spirit side of life, and were I, this moment, clair- voyant, I know I would see them, for I sense their presence. I cannot tell how loving ones can reach me From that fair land; The spirit hath its own unwritten language I understand. During the past year, many of our noble workers have passed beyond the gates; how T would love, as I sit here, waiting to close the old volume and open the new, to get some message from them. Have they been able from the watch-towers over there, to get any signal concerning our glorious cause? Can they see farther than we? Are they able to gather harmony out of all the apparent dis- cord that surrounds us? Would that you and I, dear reader, might become clairvoyant, thus being capable of understanding the condition of the earn- est, faithful souls that one year since, were strug- gling as you and I now are for the upbuilding of a better humanity. The coming year! what lies behind its mysteri- ous curtain for me? I would not, if I could, have it lifted to-night, for many of us would falter if we knew the mountains we must climb, the chasms we must bridge, the heart-aches we must endure. New Yearns Eve Reveries. 63 When the time comes for us to meet them, some- how the power of endurance comes with it, and we live through it all, better for the experiences. When we are left to our own resources with how much more energy we ply life's oar and develop within ourselves a power that we had never imag- ined lay within our possibilities. The most of us smile more frequently than we shed tears. Life may seem ever so dark, we see more sun than shade, then let us hope on, work on. Good-bye, old year. All there is of good I will endeavor to transfer into the new one, and be careful that the mistakes and blots that blemish the old book find no duplicate in the new. What- ever is sealed for the coming time will be the best. o Sometimes I may exult on the mountain -tops, at others walk silently in the valleys, but I will strive to remember that I am never alone — that unseen ones are always about me, striving to assist, when I make conditions, in the great work of life. "Ring out the old, ring in the new Ring, happy bells, across the snow The year is going, let him go. ^; ;■; c I , - ". ! •!• *x* *t» •!» "Ring out false pride in place and blood, The cruel slander and the spite; Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good." GO FORTH. [Dedicated to New Thought.] Go forth! and may thy gracious errand be Fraught with good gifts for dear humanity. Unloose the bonds of slavery and wrong; Make souls too large for envy, hate or scorn; Encourage goodness, teach to do and dare, Nerve brains to act and human hearts to bear. Go forth ! not with dogmatic iron sway, Through reason, teach mankind the better way; Speak as thou wilt of golden years to be To paint in dreams a bright futurity; But ne'er forget that millions bending low Beneath life's burdens, ask for blessings now. Go forth! this cruel world hath need of thee. Bid tumults cease ; spread light from sea to sea. Through faith we stumble, lacking sight we fall While "Ignorance makes cowards of us all." Hope's syren voice a song uncertain sings And Genius tries to soar with fettered wings. 64 • The Promise: 65 Go forth! if Heaven commissioned thou wouldst be, Before no tyrant bend the slavish knee; Baptize the world with deeper, sweeter love; A beacon light in life's dark highway prove; True to the calling of the present hour, Go forth, ISTew Thought, and Truth shall give thee power. THE PKOMISE. world of soul ! unseen tho' thou mayst be, Save to the inner sense, thou art reality; The shades will lift, grey morning will appear, 1 feel the night is passing, dawn is near; The stream that bears us safely on will glide In spite of calm or widely adverse tide. I know at last unto our inner sense, Comes home the lesson sweet, of recompense; I wait, I watch, aye, how my spirit thrills To catch one glimpse of the Eternal Hills. 5 CONVICTIONS. I am convinced, aside from all physical phenom- ena, of the existence of spirit. True, I do not en- dorse all that comes in the name of Spiritualism, neither do I bow in homage or yield my judgment to any spirit out of the flesh more than I would to one in the flesh, unless I am convinced of the su- perior wisdom and judgment of that spirit. I be- lieve that I am in the spirit world now as much as I ever will be; I realize that I am a spirit, looking out through physical eyes, listening through phys- ical ears. I know there is an infinitesimal world, of which we know nothing, save through the vision aided by the microscope. 1 know there is a world of sound of which we know nothing except through the microphone. I also know that there is a realm of which we can know nothing save through the spiritual senses. Is it egotistical in me to say I see, independent of mortal vision, and hear, inde- pendent of the delicate instrument Nature gave me 66 Convictions. 67 as a medium for sound? There are times when I hear octave on octave of rich, rare sounds; they thrill my soul, and produce the most exalted men- tal and spiritual conditions. In such moments I rise above all discords. The whole universe seems set to harmony; its sounds blend in one perfect mel- ody, until the soul of the Great Artist is felt in the sweeping diapason of a majestic anthem, Heaven, Earth and Air are chanting. Sometimes there comes to me, under every seeming inharmony, a perfect rytlim; under every groan of human agony a minor strain, touching and sad. yet true and ten- der. This unwritten music has tempered my life, sweetened hours that would have been bitter; has en- abled me to sing my best songs, say my truest words an