Class 
 
 Book 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 
 
ALFRED ASKIN WRIGHT 
 
SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 THE 
 UNIVERSAL RELIGION 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED A. WRIGHT 
 
 A Student of the Ocult, etc. 
 
 ALFRED A. WRIGHT 
 
 PUBLISHER 
 NEW YORK 
 
 146 Central Park West 
 

 Copyright, 1917 
 
 By 
 
 ALFRED A. WRIGHT 
 
 V 
 
 SEP II 1917 
 
 A470999 
 
 n^fr ( 
 
DEDICATED 
 
 To the memory and spiritual co-operation 
 of my Mother whose love is daily made known to 
 in many ways. 
 
IMMORTALITY 
 
 The Soul of man is immortal, 
 
 God breathed the attributes within, 
 
 Concentrate and nurture each one to grow, 
 Radiate and help your brother to win. 
 
 A. A, W. 
 
AUTHORS AFFIRMATION 
 
 I hereby, in the presence of God consecrate 
 my energies to the cause of Spiritual Science, 
 the Universal Religion. 
 
 To co-operate with the spirit forces, and 
 give to the world the truth. 
 
 I agree to be a willing instrument in their 
 hands. 
 
 I to have the best inspirational forces that 
 can be obtained, and not to be influenced by 
 any elementary forces, except to help and up- 
 lift same. 
 
 I am not to be put under control whereby 
 my senses will be asleep, having at all times 
 an even mind, with a full knowledge of all that 
 transpires around me. 
 
 I am also to be an instrument in their hands 
 
 vii 
 
for healing, with the power of God pulsating 
 through my organism, with the guides co-oper- 
 ating with me in all cases of sickness, or infirm- 
 ity, simply by the laying on of hands, or con- 
 centrating the spiritual healing forces by 
 thought, thereby effecting a cure. 
 
 The physical powers to be exhibited by the 
 spirit forces, are to come in the forms of rap- 
 pings, trumpet, table moving, and all other 
 forms of physical demonstrations, when they 
 can be used to demonstrate the spirit com- 
 munion, also automatic, inspirational and slate 
 writing. 
 
 I am clairvoyant and clairaudient, as time 
 will develop these senses or powers to be more 
 positive. 
 
 Alfred Askin Wright. 
 
 V1U 
 
SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 CONTENTS 
 PARTI 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 I Scientific Analysis . . • .11 
 
 II Trumpet, Spirit Voices and Seance . 32 
 
 III Spirit Photography . . . .40 
 
 IV Clairvoyance and Clairaudience • 42 
 V Independent Slate Writing . . 46 
 
 VI Automatic Writing . . . .49 
 
 VII Dreams, Visions and Astral Traveling 52 
 
 VIII Premonitions . . ... .63 
 
 IX Materialization and Science . . 65 
 
 X Spirit World . . . . .74 
 
 XI Healing* Obsession and Spirit Guides 79 
 
 xii psychometry, motherhood and 
 
 Conclusion 88 
 
 ix 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 DRAMA 
 
 CONTENTS 
 PART II 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Cast of Characters 101 
 
 ACT I Prof. Williams Drawing Room 
 
 Riverside Drive, New York . 102 
 
 ACT II Margaret Hibbard's Dining Room 
 
 West 58th Street, New York . 124 
 
 ACT III Same Scene as Act I 
 
 One week later . . . 141 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Alfred Askin Wright . . Frontispiece 
 
 FACIKG 
 PAGE 
 
 Spirit Photograph of Relatives and 
 
 Spirit Guide of Frank Montsko . 38 
 
 Spirit Photograph of Dr. J. R. Newton 
 and Two Spirit Guides of Frank 
 Montsko . ... .• . . 40 
 
SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 SCIENTIFIC ANALYSIS 
 
 To elevate the nations of the earth to a 
 higher plane of spiritual thought, and recog- 
 nition of a supreme spiritual power, should 
 be the aim of all branches of culture and the 
 heads of educational bureaus and colleges. 
 With this end in view : The creating of one true 
 and universal religion, or standard, for all hu- 
 man kind to strive with, one purpose to know 
 God and know thyself in a way that will satis- 
 fy any earnest soul who is trying to find the 
 
 11 
 
12 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 truth, they will enable each one to see the light, 
 pointing out the right road to soul happiness, 
 and shed more light upon the trying and rough 
 pathway of life while in this mundane world. 
 
 This will be constantly before our minds as 
 we try to set forth some truths that have been 
 handed down from generation to generation, 
 but are seemingly misunderstood. We sense 
 that now is the time when the world should real- 
 ize the vast need of harmony, and peaceful pur- 
 suits for every living mortal, for each is en- 
 titled to know what is his by birthright, as 
 every human being born into this world has 
 powers or faculties lying dormant within his 
 grasp, if he only knew how to bring them to 
 the surface. 
 
 This should be the object of all schools of 
 learning, to be the motive power which is to 
 help bring this about, and not leave it all to 
 the churches; for these latent possibilities in 
 each and every student, if properly aroused 
 and brought into action, are as much to be 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 13 
 
 sought after as any other studies in our schools. 
 
 It will be a great task, but what a mighty 
 power this old world would be, if every mortal 
 should awaken some morning and come into 
 their inheritance, by perfectly understanding 
 themselves, realizing that they have always had 
 these powers, which were hidden for the lack of 
 education. Letting in the light upon these 
 secret chambers of their inner selves, they have 
 now become another person, more powerful, 
 because they have realized they are immortal, 
 and the soul forces will have a chance to grow, 
 becoming elevated, and not be left to grovel 
 in the ignorance and superstition that has held 
 back this world of ours for so many centuries. 
 
 Every mortal has a spark of divinity in his 
 soul, that will be awakened when the proper 
 vibrations shall strike the vibratory cord of 
 sympathy that awakens in the soul a sense of 
 growth, and like the seed buried in the earth, 
 when the proper conditions are made it will 
 come to life. 
 
14 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 LILLIES OF THE VALLEY 
 
 Lillies of the Valley, 
 
 Wondrous work of God 
 So pure and very pretty 
 
 Even to the tiny pod. 
 Reared in nature's garden, 
 
 Bathed in the morning dew; 
 Life's it's dainty body 
 
 Puts on it's brightest hue, 
 Rain and sunshine both combine, 
 
 With mother earth to rear 
 Such saintly bits of beauty, 
 
 That brings Heaven, Oh, so near! 
 
 A. A. W. 
 
 What a blessing to this weary world, if such 
 an awakening came! Then the thoughts of 
 war would vanish, to give way to the hand of 
 friendship and help to our brothers across the 
 seas. We would all be doing here what the 
 saint is doing in the realms of spirit life, 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 15 
 
 trying to do his best for his fellows both in 
 spirit life, and on this sphere of ours, remem- 
 bering we are our brother's keeper just as 
 much in this life as it is expected of us to be 
 when we cross the Divide. 
 
 When a mortal body is born into this world 
 the soul of that body has attached itself at 
 time of conception. The individual soul is 
 from now on the life of and demonstrating 
 power which will build that body into any con- 
 dition that soul has awakened to. Perchance 
 that soul has cultivated a sense of spiritual at- 
 tainment, this development will then manifest 
 through the everyday life of the person. 
 
 It is possible for many souls to have had 
 several births into this world, at stated periods, 
 perhaps two thousand years separating these 
 entrances. 
 
 Some souls cannot complete what is alloted 
 them in one earthly existence. 
 
 Suppose a soul was born two thousand 
 years ago and lived a life of moderation in a 
 
16 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 general sense. At the time of transition it 
 would enter the spirit realms, abiding there and 
 progressing just the same over there as if here 
 in the body. At the end of one thousand years, 
 or any number of years, when the time is right 
 for his soul to come again to earth, power and 
 permission is given to be born again. Taking a 
 new body to manipulate over again like the one 
 he had discarded a thousand years ago, perhaps 
 he may have better opportunity for working 
 through this house of clay, than he had prev- 
 iously. His hereditary conditions may be 
 better, or the body of a finer texture and the 
 brain more perfectly attuned to his highly de- 
 veloped spiritual attainments. After all, his 
 soul always retains the same individualities, 
 but the body loses by the change and utterly 
 vanishes and goes back into chemicals or its 
 original elements. 
 
 To come back to this earth is considered in 
 the spirit life, a great privilege, and is not 
 optional with us but with God, working 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 17 
 
 through psychic laws, that work just like na- 
 ture's laws, when year after year the tree bears 
 forth fruit. In the winter time it seems to die, 
 but when spring time comes again, it comes to 
 life, speaking to all the world in a language 
 more beautiful than words can express, this 
 great truth of evolution and progress. 
 
 As the tree grows larger each year, so does 
 the soul, at each reincarnation. But it would 
 not be safe for the mind to live more lives than 
 one at a time, therefore, nature has put a cloud 
 over our past lives, and the only apparent re- 
 sults exhibited in the second or third birth is 
 the stored-up knowledge that speaks through 
 this organism in our everyday work of life. 
 
18 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 THE SOUL 
 
 The soul is a part of the Infinite God, 
 Wafted from the realms of time, 
 
 To enter this mortal body of ours 
 With aspirations of love divine; 
 
 In childhood it seeks to express 
 
 The innocence and purity of mind. 
 
 Sincerity and trust are the virtues shown, 
 Oh! Why are they left behind! 
 
 Through sorrow and trials the soul unfolds, 
 
 Like the dross from the gold is severed. 
 Each victory is a blazing brand of truth 
 That the storms of life have gathered. 
 
 Victory is his, when the soul can proclaim, 
 As the mortal body is laid to rest, 
 "Well done, good and faithful one, 
 
 You truly have done your very best." 
 
 A. A. W. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 19 
 
 The master souls who have come from time 
 to time on our planet no doubt were heri 
 number of times. 
 
 If we could understand the laws that re- 
 quire this birth time and again, perhaps we 
 would not wonder at its strangeness. Could 
 you or I in one existence, attain the height of 
 a master in bringing to the world some great 
 truths that our own souls must know and ex- 
 perience before they can impart them to others ? 
 
 If you lived in a house that you were not 
 satisfied with, you could move out; that is the 
 same with the soul. But psychic laws make 
 it only possible for the soul to vacate the body 
 when it has reached certain conditions, then it 
 can go on, unhampered by the defective body 
 that perhaps handicapped it in this life. 
 
 When I read that Christ asked the disciples, 
 whom the people thought he was, it created 
 in my mind a thought that he understood the 
 laws of reincarnation. The answers came, 
 some thought he was John the Baptist and 
 
20 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 some Elias, indicating that even at that time 
 they believed in reincarnation. 
 
 Christ said to the disciples that John the 
 Baptist was the reincarnation of Elias, as he 
 no doubt was, for his manner of living bore 
 out that statement. 
 
 It is possible for a mortal while in this 
 world to have some insight into his previous 
 existence if he is developed in the psychic laws, 
 and has the power to travel in the astral. At 
 night, when the body is asleep, is usually the 
 time he goes out. 
 
 Most mediums can remember their visits to 
 the other world when they awake. But I know 
 of one, who, while in that psychic condition 
 can be told something concerning his past life, 
 in the form of actually living over again some 
 parts of his previous lives. Proof of previous 
 existence can be seen when a young child read- 
 ily becomes a master musician or an artist. 
 He can develop much faster if he has had some 
 knowledge of art in his previous existence, as 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 21 
 
 the soul forces have cultivated the brain from 
 birth along certain lines; then, perhaps, in 
 later years the brain was overworked and the 
 soul could not function properly, as in the 
 younger days when it demonstrated freely. 
 This is seen daily in all branches of business. 
 Some readily adapt themselves to a new trade, 
 learning the lesson over again. 
 
 Is it not truly wonderful to think of our 
 soul as living for ever? After all, several lives 
 lived here take only a short time 'compared with 
 eternity. 
 
 Think what good you might do if you real- 
 ized your mistakes and learned the value of 
 personal service. What a pleasure it would be 
 to a soul to have the privilege to come again, 
 and to have the assurance before he came, that 
 all would be well, that he would be a saviour 
 to mankind. This would dawn upon the brain 
 when the time came for the soul to awaken in 
 the mind the message it wanted to convey to 
 the world. No doubt Christ, only fully real- 
 
22 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 ized in his later years, His mission. If a 
 saviour was in our midst, do you think he would 
 know just when the time for his enlightenment 
 was at hand? Many saviours have come, and 
 perhaps many more will come. They are all 
 children of God, for every one of us is a joint 
 heir with Christ, as He so taught us in the 
 wonderful life He lived while sojourning here 
 in our midst. 
 
 It is true we are not to judge one another, 
 and for us to say some souls are marked to go 
 to eternal death, seems not in accordance with 
 the facts of psychic laws, and even natural 
 laws. Can you imagine a father condemning 
 his own son to eternal torture ? Much less then 
 can you imagine God, whom we are all taught 
 is a God of love, as condemning many souls to 
 everlasting death. It is about time for some 
 of us to awaken and realize that we are living 
 in the twentieth century instead of in the past. 
 If we would know Christ better we would get 
 in touch with the spirit world ; then His divinity 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 23 
 
 will shine more into our souls and His love for 
 humanity will co-operate with our hearts. We 
 will not do the things we once did, but will feel 
 the presence of one whose life has been an in- 
 centive to us for better things and we will try 
 and follow Him, for He was a light to the 
 whole world. But, do your best here, then you 
 will be well taken care of hereafter. 
 
 What glorious times we all shall see when 
 every soul that ever lived will be at last in a 
 state of realization of his own powers ! It may 
 take millions of years, but I believe that that 
 passage of the Scriptures which reads, "Every 
 knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess" 
 means this state of everyone being saved, or 
 coming into his own birthright, as all are the 
 children of the living God. He is Lord of all, 
 He is Our Father, as Christ taught us to pray. 
 He did not mean only a few, but all children 
 in all conditions. Perhaps the saint of to-day 
 was a very wicked man in his previous exist- 
 
24 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 ence, so we must withhold judgment and try 
 and help others to better themselves. 
 
 We must believe in progression hereafter 
 for every soul, that is the law. Experience is, 
 after all, the best of instructors, all of us have 
 been through some such school of learning, and 
 we consider it a blessing after we have passed 
 that stage and are able to master certain 
 conditions. 
 
 Be lenient to all whom you may think are 
 below you, for Christ knew this condition. 
 He did not condemn Mary Magdelene, but 
 gave her His love and land words, something 
 altogether different from the system that is in 
 force nowadays amongst Christ's followers. 
 Awake and help all to realize the time is at 
 hand, when we will not be allowed to sit still 
 and let our weaker brother live in ignorance 
 of his true existence. Start with a new resolve 
 that you will be a saviour of mankind, and be 
 up and doing, for to-morrow may be too late. 
 Sometime, somewhere, every soul will realize 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 25 
 
 the truth, and the truth will set them free. 
 
 What joy it is to have the truth implanted 
 in our hearts, and to have the conscious feeling 
 that all is well, for God rules, and all souls 
 are immortal. 
 
26 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 IMMORTALITY 
 
 There is no death, 
 Why should you weep? 
 Only mortal clay that rests 
 The soul, its friends to meet. 
 
 From all eternity I was, 
 And now and ever will be, 
 Spirit and soul united, 
 Loved ones always near me. 
 
 'Tis God's own precious gift, 
 Children His are we, 
 Endowed with loving attributes, 
 Born for all eternity. 
 
 Come, friend, look upward, 
 Time for you to see 
 All nature around you speaking, 
 God's life in bird and tree. 
 
 Seek to know the truth, 
 Then satisfied you will be, 
 Joy and sunshine will be yours, 
 You shall then be free. 
 
 A. A. W. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 27 
 
 But this knowledge should not make us care- 
 less, for what a man soweth here that shall he 
 reap in the next world. If we don't progress 
 here then it only holds back our advancement 
 that much longer over there, so start here and 
 now. Have that knowledge, so you can be able 
 to go ahead with clear vision, when you go to 
 the other side. 
 
 Don't stop at being a Christian, but go 
 as high as you like. It remains with you just 
 to what height, or even to what depth, you may 
 go, for all the angels in Heaven were at some 
 time or another men like ourselves, only they 
 learned their lesson before we did. But take 
 hope friends, we may all become angels, if we 
 only take the right way, and climb daily up- 
 ward. 
 
 The disciples asked Christ if they could sit 
 with Him in Heaven, He answered, yes, if they 
 could be baptized with the same baptism he was 
 baptized with, meaning, soul unfoldment. He 
 
28 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 gave us all hope of sitting next to God, if we 
 are faithful and true. 
 
 When each soul enters the spirit world it 
 takes up the same mode of life (or has those 
 same ideas) as it had when living in the body. 
 Sometimes a soul does not realize he is dead 
 for many days, and returns to the old home 
 place like one walking in one's sleep, until he 
 is finally brought to realize the fact when some 
 friend or relative is there to tell him the truth. 
 To avoid all those unpleasant states, be good 
 here and your friends will meet you with love 
 and outstretched arms over there. 
 
 All is happiness to the good souls who try, 
 to do right, and I know much misery is in 
 store for many souls, who in this life neglect 
 to bring about an understanding with their 
 true selves. They are in a condition on the 
 spirit side, resembling or contrasting to their 
 condition here. Do you think a wicked soul 
 would find happiness in company with angels? 
 You can fully realize it is not in harmony even 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 29 
 
 with common sense to think of this, but hope 
 on, someday we will get light. 
 
 In spiritland the soul needs no food as 
 does the mortal body, but takes its nourishment 
 from the atmosphere. 
 
 The Scriptures say "we have a natural body 
 and we have a spiritual body." Most psychics 
 can help themselves when they go over to the 
 spirit side, as they are more or less living out 
 of the body when in this lif e. Thus it is only 
 natural for them to go right on where they 
 have been so many times before. If you in- 
 tended visiting some distant land, you would 
 naturally inquire about conditions before you 
 started out, well, is it not so with our future 
 life? 
 
 What there is for you to know, it is not 
 wrong to try and find out. We are told "Seek 
 and ye shall find," "Knock and it shall be 
 opened unto you" meaning, this doctrine of 
 psychic laws. 
 
 There are many cases when the spirit is seen 
 
30 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 leaving the body at the time of transition. 
 Then it is seen standing nearby, feeling grieved 
 at the distress of others, who think that this 
 is the last of the dear departed. If the spirit 
 could only make known its pleasure in arising 
 from a bed of pain to a perfect spirit body or 
 soul, free from all pains, what a comfort it 
 must be to that soul if he is able to realize the 
 exact state of affairs at the moment of going 
 over, and the wonders of the spirit homes. 
 Christ says, "There are many mansions pre- 
 pared for you." 
 
 Many a time it has been my privilege to talk 
 with the departed and hear from them of the 
 wonders and beauties of this spiritland. 
 Some of these communications were held in the 
 homes of persons who had not the courage to 
 tell their friends, only a few mortal guests 
 were assembled and we met there (without the 
 possibility of fraud or deception) to stand 
 face to face with our loved ones. Sometimes 
 they don't take the trouble to build up a body 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 31 
 
 so we can see it, but talk right out in the air 
 to us in their own voices, which we can easily 
 recognize, and so understand it is their true 
 self. 
 
 Almost every home can have its own com- 
 munications, if it wishes, and if it will observe 
 and faithfully attend to the rules set down. 
 
 You invite three or four of your friends to 
 your home at a certain time, twice a week. 
 Sit. for three-quarters of an hour, quietly, and 
 reverently ask your spirit friends to manifest 
 in some way, to let you know they are there. 
 Then you may expect to get some answer to 
 your faithful sitting, in some form or 'other. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 TRUMPET,, SPIRIT VOICES AND SEANCE 
 
 The spirits might manifest their presence in 
 the form of rappings or as voices through a 
 trumpet, whereby the spirits' voices are magni- 
 fied so you can hear them very distinctly and 
 follow the conversation. 
 
 This form of communication has proven 
 without doubt to many thousands, that contact 
 with the spirit world is an actual fact. 
 
 We heard many wonderful lectures that 
 were instructive and helpful. The medium I 
 .refer to, was in a western city, and was taken 
 under complete control by her guide. The 
 first to speak was the trumpet guide, who 
 usually opened the meeting like any ordinary 
 sacred meeting. He would announce that the 
 
 32 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 33 
 
 guides or friends had assembled and would try 
 and get through as many messages as could be 
 done in a limited time and that it was a pleasure 
 on their part to be able to be the means of hold- 
 ing converse with us. To me, this is a great 
 truth, that is not taken advantage of, for many 
 people look upon these seances with distrust 
 and are afraid of being defrauded, but that is 
 the wrong way to go to any meeting. 
 
 To go with a doubt always puts a discord 
 or inharmony in the circle. 
 
 For two years I attended a trumpet circle 
 four times a week, so, one can form an opinion 
 after having attended so long. I can truth- 
 fully say I did not detect any fraud at any 
 time, but rather received much good advice and 
 spiritual knowledge regarding the psychic 
 laws, which I am now trying to give to the 
 world. 
 
 But this method of receiving instructions 
 has not been my only source of information, 
 but also through my own organism, and I am 
 
34 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 now writing partly under the inspiration or 
 influence of my guides and helpers. 
 
 The voices from the trumpet were in the 
 spirits' natural voices and manner of delivery. 
 Even the childrens' voices could be recognized. 
 Many a pleasant hour we spent in their com- 
 pany, when we could sometimes see them walk- 
 ing or standing in the circle or seance rooms. 
 When speaking, each would take their turn in 
 giving to us his or her own message, no two 
 being alike. 
 
 Many times the children (our relatives) 
 would touch us or sit upon our knees and would 
 talk and act just as natural as in life. Some- 
 times three or four of the children would be 
 talking at once as happened upon one occasion, 
 when a lady brought to the circle a package 
 concealed under her coat. When the lights 
 were turned off, she placed it in front of her 
 on the table in the middle of the circle. Dur- 
 ing the course of the evening, we heard some 
 spirit open the paper and the joyous exclama.- 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 35 
 
 tion of four or five children, all joining in their 
 childish talk about what the contents were for, 
 when it was seen to contain a lot of small 
 pieces of different colored silk, then each child 
 was heard to say, what pieces they would like 
 to have. This was the time when they all 
 talked at once, and as we were all grown up 
 men and women at this seance it was really 
 delightful to be in the presence of these happy 
 and innocent souls who had perhaps passed 
 out of life before they could learn to talk. 
 Their progression had kept right along, and 
 the only difference was, as the law is, on this 
 point, that every mortal who passes over and 
 comes back to speak to us, that just as they 
 are instructed in the spirit schools to talk, that 
 is the way they come. 
 
 My little niece who was only six months old 
 when she passed over was always known to 
 me when she announced herself by always call- 
 ing her own name. She always called me 
 Uncle Alfrecj. It was with such a sweet and 
 
36 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 spiritual voice that it reminded me of an an- 
 gel who spake, and you can surely be convinced 
 when you hear them talking. No earthly voice 
 can justly imitate them, so tender and full of 
 love. Your very heart goes out to those dear 
 souls. I always spoke to my niece as "sweet- 
 heart" and was proud to think I had on my 
 staff of helpers such good influences. 
 
 Then the grown spirits, they often sang 
 loud enough for all to hear in the next room, 
 and playing a guitar over our head at the same 
 time, and touching each one of us to convince 
 us it was in the air. 
 
 But I have only given you a sample of what 
 I have seen or heard. 
 
 Perhaps it may be a help to you to know 
 that all seances are not ridiculed, and some of 
 the books I have read on spiritualism, seem to 
 be rather doubtful in the summing up of the 
 evidence. But I can assure you of the true 
 methods of the ones I attended. 
 
 At one seance I placed a canvas drawn 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 37 
 
 tightly between two embroidery hoops as we 
 were told perhaps some artist would draw some 
 figures upon the canvas at this circle. In the 
 course of the evening the spirit guides would 
 tell us just what progress was being made in 
 the drawing. We had no paints, nor any pen- 
 cils on the tables to draw the color from, so 
 the artist drew them from the chemical in the 
 carpet. When the seance was over, sure 
 enough, there was a head drawn in the inside 
 of the canvas, and if you held the canvas away 
 from you about a foot, you could see the head 
 of a man with collar and lapel of the coat, and 
 complete bust. We were told that it was the 
 first this artist painted in any circle, so we 
 might expect to see even better work at the 
 next attempt. The chemist in spirit life, can 
 extract out of chemicals just the same as if 
 he were on earth, for he really is half mater- 
 ialized when he comes to the circle. 
 
 After all is said, can you realize that the 
 body, which, if placed in a tank of acid, will 
 
38 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 in a few days, have disappeared into ether, so 
 going back to the chemicals from whence it 
 came. 
 
 Why cannot the spirit build up a body again 
 from the ether? 
 
 Many highly spiritualized souls often talked 
 to us, and told us many truths we could get 
 no where else. We received many blessings 
 and help, and it was good to have been there. 
 
 When any of our friends passed over it was 
 usually a week or two, sometimes less, that we 
 were able to hold a short conversation with the 
 newly arrived soul in spiritland, and the 
 stronger guides would combine their strength 
 and permit the new one to speak. Sometimes 
 the new spirit would almost be unable to re- 
 member just where they had passed out, or 
 what city. But if you were in a state where, 
 only having so recently passed into a different 
 world, is it any wonder to you that they would 
 be confused, while others who were more 
 familiar with the psychic laws could speak up 
 
Frank Montsko, medium, in center (living); Andrew 
 Montsko. his grandfather, on left; Alary Montsko, his 
 grandmother, above; "Elizabeth.*' a spirit guide on right; 
 Marie Kline, his aunt, below. The four named are spirit 
 pictures as no photographs were brought to America. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 39 
 
 clearly, almost without help the next few days 
 after passing over. One spirit guide of mine 
 whom I knew before he passed over, often came 
 and told me things that he and I knew about 
 and this was most convincing. More knowl- 
 edge can be obtained in this way than by at- 
 tending many scientific lectures, or in the 
 course of years of study. 
 
 Can any of the churches give us an absolute 
 proof of a hereafter as clearly as I have tried 
 to write it in these few instances? 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY 
 
 Spirit photography is another proof of the 
 existence of our departed friends and that 
 they come back and are seen in pictures by 
 posing in front of the camera. 
 
 The sensitized plate takes the picture, while 
 the human eye cannot detect their presence, but 
 any clairvoyant can readily see the forms of 
 spirits and there is truth in what we call 
 "ghosts." I have seen many proofs of half 
 a dozen heads in one group appearing on one 
 picture. While the picture may have been 
 taken under a tree, or out in the sunlight, there 
 the camera caught them, but the eye did not. 
 The likenesses, one could always recognize as 
 friends of the sitter for the picture. 
 
 40 
 
Frank Montsko. medium, in center (living); Indian 
 
 "White Cloud." a spirit guide, on left; Indian maid 
 
 "Turtle," a spirit guide, on right. Dr. Newton, a spiritual 
 
 healer, above. The three named are spirit pictures. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 41 
 
 I would advise anyone owning a camera to 
 examine all pictures closely as I have detected 
 spirit faces in snapshots that were not recog- 
 nized as spirit faces until pointed out, then 
 they were easily recognized as friends who had 
 gone to spiritland. 
 
 Perhaps you may be a medium, whom the 
 spirit guides can use in taking a spirit picture. 
 
 . „.i 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
 CLAIRVOYANCE AND CLAIRAUDIENCE 
 
 Clairvoyance or second sight is rather more 
 common to-day than most people realize. One 
 can see living spirits that can walk and run or 
 float just as natural as life (all except floating. 
 I hardly think that is a thing any human per- 
 son can do). 
 
 Did you ever fly away in your dreams? 
 
 That is the way you do when you become a 
 spirit, free from the body, but always bear in 
 mind that you are now a spirit, just as much 
 as you will ever be, only you will then be 
 freed from this body of yours (that's all the 
 difference). 
 
 When giving tests sometimes I can actually 
 see a spirit and can see the color of dress, and 
 
 42 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 48 
 
 tell when that spirit passed over. At other, 
 times I can describe a spirit, without actually 
 having the vision presented before me, and the 
 description is just as though I actually saw the 
 spirit. These impressions I get from my 
 guides or spirit workers, that is why I can 
 describe them so accurately. I have described 
 a scene that was actually taking place in an- 
 other part of the city, and then I went out 
 in the street and heard the boys crying aloud 
 the extra news and the next day of meeting 
 the very participants who figured in the affair ; 
 but all this through my guides giving me the 
 information. 
 
 I hope that I will never be in a position, 
 when I will have to be a witness to condemn 
 anyone, through my powers of clairvoyance. 
 
 I would rather help them than convict 
 them, but, it has been shown me many times, 
 what lives my companions have lead. 
 
 I can understand now many things when I 
 read the Scriptures (through this added knowl- 
 
U SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 edge) that heretofore I thought were miracles, 
 now I can see they were only natural laws or 
 psychic laws being carried out, by one who 
 understood how to handle them. 
 
 When Christ told the Woman at the Well, 
 that she had five husbands, he told her through 
 his developed psychic powers, and we know 
 how wonderful were his miracles, and parables ; 
 but the miracles of Moses' time (when the rods 
 were turned into snakes) were they not equally 
 as miraculous as any of later date, even to re- 
 storing to life the young son of the widow,, 
 who was stricken on the field by sunstroke; 
 this was done by one of the prophets of the 
 Old Testament. 
 
 Then the disciples could do the many won- 
 derful works that Christ did, and he said "Ye 
 shall do even greater things than I do," plain- 
 ly showing he knew the latent powers of all 
 men. 
 
 As the fishermen were chosen from the ord- 
 inary walks of life, and after three years of 
 

 THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 45 
 
 constant companionship they nearly all became 
 clairvoyant. 
 
 Clairaudience or clear hearing is another 
 phase of mediumship. This is a gift a number 
 possess and they can hear the spirits talk to 
 them just as plainly as you and I can hear one 
 another conversing, it is quite annoying some- 
 times to those who don't understand the laws^ 
 and they think they are going crazy, but usually 
 they are impressed to investigate further in the 
 psychic laws, and see if they can make better 
 use of their gifts. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 
 INDEPENDENT SLATE WRITING 
 
 Independent slate writing is another phase. 
 This is truly wonderful and most convincing 
 under positive test conditions by some 
 mediums. 
 
 I will relate one case where we had test 
 conditions, and given under strong gas light 
 where the following rules were observed: 
 
 Slates of good size were brought out and 
 thoroughly washed and dried; then all of us 
 wrote or had written our message at home and 
 brought them to the meeting. We deposited 
 them in a receptacle, and set fire to them, de- 
 stroying them without having the medium 
 touch them. Then the medium would put 
 two slates together and put a gum band around 
 
 46 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 4T 
 
 them to hold them with a clip and hang them 
 upon a wire overhead, all the time keeping 
 everything in full sight, never leaving the 
 room all evening. After he had paired all the 
 slates and hung them up, he would talk about 
 his past experience, and would shortly tell us 
 that his guide told him the writing was done; 
 this only took about ten minutes. He would 
 take down the first two slates releasing the 
 band that held them together, and on the inside 
 surface of each slate would be found a com- 
 plete message to some one of us, with our full 
 name and beautiful flowers sometimes entwin- 
 ing the written message. There was no pencil 
 between the states, so, how the spirits can do 
 this is a wonder. 
 
 Sometimes the messages would be in Ger- 
 man, Italian or any language the person hap- 
 pened to be familiar with who got the mes- 
 sage ; then the message itself was in answer to 
 what he wrote, and was signed by a spirit, 
 usually the one we asked to come in our note, 
 
48 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 but sometimes a different one, relatives or 
 a friend whom the medium did not know, nor 
 had any way of finding out. A most convinc- 
 ing test, as the handwriting was done with such 
 remarkable clearness sometimes with such pre- 
 cision that no human hand could do as well. 
 These slates could not have been prepared be- 
 fore hand. These seances were the means of 
 converting many to the cause of Spiritual 
 Science, and teaching us that our spirit friends 
 are in close touch and know all the details and 
 trials, and often help us to avoid dangers, that 
 without their help we may suffer. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 
 AUTOMATIC WRITING 
 
 Automatic writing is another phase of 
 mediumship. 
 
 This exhibition of spirit control is made 
 when the medium places a slate before him, and 
 holds the pencil in a position, that the free 
 use of the arm can be used by the spirit guides, 
 then I have seen the arm move the pencil and 
 write independently of the medium, for every 
 spirit who took control of this medium (whom 
 I am writing about) wrote through her organ- 
 ism, their own style hand writing, and most of 
 the time they used her left hand, and usually 
 wrote backwards, upside down, so a person 
 wishing to read the message had to take a look- 
 ing glass and read the message in the glass. 
 
 49 
 
50 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 If you think this is an easy thing to do just 
 try a sample for yourself. This was the means 
 of giving to me partly through my helping 
 the guide, and through writing by this medium 
 a very important invention that only took one 
 hour to accomplish, while many learned men 
 have been trying to solve it for years, but I 
 can't go into detail now, until sometime later, 
 perhaps, when I make this invention known 
 to the public. 
 
 It was all worked out scientifically and to 
 the inch. I had only to put down what was 
 given me through my mediumship and partly 
 through the hand that wrote or controlled the 
 other medium. This is a fair sample of what 
 can be done if we have a band of faithful work- 
 ers and those whom we know are always to be 
 depended upon to keep us truthfully informed. 
 
 There are a number of good examples of 
 this phase that have come to my notice. A Ger- 
 man guide would come, and in his own half- 
 broken style would write his message in the 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 51 
 
 same style as he would talk to you or I, if we 
 had met him on the street. This demonstrates 
 that they have the same characteristics over 
 there, as they had while in the body. In fact, 
 the soul is the real man and this body of ours 
 is only the instrument which the soul can speak 
 through. The soul is the seat of memory in- 
 stead of the brain, for when the soul departs 
 at transition, the thoughts of our life and all 
 our actions are stored up in the soul, while the 
 brain is of no more use than the hand. It was 
 only the instrument for the soul to express 
 through, but it is possible to have a counter- 
 part of the soul in the brain while it inhabits 
 the body, and possibly we can still say the 
 brain may retain some memory. 
 
 A defective brain cannot get through a clear 
 message of the soul, so don't condemn some 
 mortals. Their brain may be defective, and 
 the true self or soul may be much more highly 
 developed than their acts would indicate. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 
 DREAMS., VISIONS AND ASTRAL TRAVELING 
 
 Dreams to me mean much, especially when 
 I can tell a trance dream from a dream caused 
 by a disordered stomach. I can only write of 
 what I have myself experienced, then I know 
 it is correct, and I can write with a full share 
 of confidence in my work. In fact, all that I 
 have written bears my own test of truthfulness, 
 therefore I hope that my readers will pardon 
 me if I refer to myself so often ; but after all, if 
 a person writes what he knows to be facts, in- 
 stead of taking another's word for it, he can 
 prove all he writes at any time. 
 
 A vision came to me one night very clearly, 
 and I remembered every detail the next morn- 
 ing when I awoke. 
 
 52 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 53 
 
 I saw a boy, who was riding a bicycle, fall 
 under the wheels of a street car ; he was crushed 
 so badly, that I knew he could not survive this 
 accident. It impressed me so much that when 
 I reached the breakfast table I told what I 
 had seen, and asked the young man who sat 
 near me to look and see if this accident was 
 in the morning papers. 
 
 As we were in the country, the papers came 
 by train and there was no chance of my know- 
 ing of any accident, so it was just as I related. 
 
 A boy in the next town, fifteen miles dis- 
 tant, had met with an accident, and had died 
 that day. 
 
 The next night I had another vision. This 
 time I was teaching a child to clog dance. 
 
 When I got to the breakfast table the next 
 morning, a young lady who was a boarder at 
 this same cottage said to me, before I had a 
 chance to utter a word about my dream, that 
 she saw me clogging last night. 
 
 Now, can you see anything significant in 
 
54 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 two of us seeing the same thing the same night? 
 Well, she was a medium, and her powers were 
 more or less developed, so she could see what 
 the guides were showing me, at the same time. 
 
 The third day in succession I had another 
 experience. I was resting on the bed, when be- 
 fore me on the wall opposite, appeared the 
 bust of a man, who had a long, white beard. 
 This bust was in a frame, that was clearly 
 shown, but upon arising I saw the wall was 
 empty of all pictures, then I knew I had seen 
 a vision. 
 
 Half an hour later I attended a trance lec- 
 ture, given by a well-known medium, and as I 
 was sitting well up in front, I could come in 
 touch with the vibrations and aura that sur- 
 rounded the medium. He stopped his lecture 
 long enough to point to me and say a spirit 
 wanted to state that he came to me as a guide, 
 and gave his name (which I will not mention 
 here) but, as I had not met the gentleman in 
 life, I did not know what he looked like, until 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 55 
 
 a lady turned to me and said, "There is the 
 man referred to over on the wall." I looked, 
 and he was the very person I had seen in my 
 vision. A confirmation quickly realized. 
 
 Another vision: I was in a strange city, 
 hurrying along a street; it was dark, the wind 
 was blowing fiercely, but no rain had fallen. 
 As I looked ahead I saw a pillow coming out 
 of a window, if fell across the street. I went 
 and picked it up, taking it to some persons 
 who were looking out of a window, I asked 
 them to whom the pillow belonged. They re- 
 plied, "It belongs to the man on the fifth 
 floor." I threw the pillow to them, then my 
 vision was over. The next day I was impressed 
 by my guides to go to a certain lady and relate 
 to her what I saw. I did so, and she was very 
 much surprised to learn where I got the inform- 
 ation, as it was all true, and had happened 
 ten years before, while she was living in the 
 Middle West, as she remembered the cyclone 
 
56 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 that had struck the town and had blown the 
 pillow across the street as I had described. 
 
 I then asked her about the fifth floor. She 
 replied, "Where you found the pillow, there 
 was a factory, and on the fifth floor my father 
 was employed." Was that a coincidence or 
 a spirit message? 
 
 Another vision : I was taken to see a forest 
 fire extending over quite a space. The flames 
 and smoke made a very startling vision. The 
 next day I was impressed to ask a lady about 
 such an occurrence and she told me that on the 
 previous afternoon she had visited a friend and 
 they both really did see this same forest fire 
 that I had described; it was at a distance of 
 five miles away. I had had no way of finding 
 out about this strange event that actually hap- 
 pened some distance from where I was then 
 stopping. There were many such visions given 
 to me, that I know were not ordinary dreams. 
 
 Another vision was given me shortly after 
 the time of the Mexican trouble, when the raid 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 57 
 
 into the United States took place One evening 
 while attending the trumpet circle previously 
 mentioned, I told my guides that I would place 
 myself into their hands to do what they could 
 with my astral body in bringing about a recon- 
 ciliation with Mexico, as I saw much danger 
 to the welfare of our people if we really started 
 a war, so the vision I got was not shown to me 
 until two nights afterward. I was taken down 
 to Mexico; could see the Mexican cities and 
 towns and mud homes*, and was eventually 
 taken to an isolated location in the mountains. 
 There a wooden structure came into vision, we 
 entered, for I had a spirit messenger, and this 
 little soul was none other than a relative of the 
 man whom I now had the pleasure of visiting, 
 for at that time many conflicting reports 
 were current that this leader was dead, but he 
 was alive as we soon found on entering through 
 a trap door to a basement room. I will never 
 forget the startled look he gave me, as I walked 
 up to him and his quick action of defence, as 
 
58 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 he drew his knife, but I held up my hand and 
 told him to put up his knife as I only came to 
 him as a messenger, trying to do a good work 
 in the interest of humanity. He then sat 
 down, but in the meantime the little spirit who 
 conducted me, stood as if afraid at the head 
 of the stairs, while I talked with this leader. 
 He told me his name, which I will not repeat, 
 but we had quite a chat and after promising 
 to be good, I tried to win his heart over to keep 
 the peace, and asked God to help him. Per- 
 haps in his waking moments he would remem- 
 ber this visit, for since then he has not at- 
 tempted any more trouble. The messenger and 
 I came joyfully home, feeling we had done 
 some wonderful work, and I really believe 
 we did. 
 
 It was truly a mission of spiritual influ- 
 ences, so the next night I attended a seance 
 at the same place and before I said anything 
 about my astral trip, the guides told me about 
 them taking me to Mexico and asked me if I 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 59 
 
 remembered all that took place, they seemed 
 happy that they could use my astral body and 
 magnetic force, as it seems they have to come 
 in contact with the human body to get the 
 necessary strength to do these wonderful 
 things, pertaining to the other inhabitants of 
 the earth they want to reach. 
 
 Another vision was given to me about two 
 weeks afterwards. I was elated with my last 
 success so I had an understanding with my 
 guides to try to do some missionary work across 
 the waters, as the foreboding war clouds were 
 hovering over the United States regarding the 
 submarine sinkings. I waited for two nights, 
 then the guides took me on this journey over 
 the ocean. I could see the deep swells of the 
 waters, we went over European cities and at 
 last reached a railroad depot. Here I met a 
 man, who told me I was to be his special guest 
 for the time being. We took train just like 
 ordinary persons. All this was very real to 
 me. The train was sent forward, I saw some 
 
60 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 of the stations as they seemed to flash by, 
 some persons were waiting to take the train as 
 it might stop at their respective station, but 
 my guide told me we would not stop until 
 we reached the front. I rememberd no more, 
 as a cloud was put over my vision for reasons 
 best known to the guides, but at the next meet- 
 ing they told me of this visit, and that they 
 had accomplished a good work. Three days 
 afterward we had the satisfaction of reading 
 in the newspapers that we need not worry any 
 longer about the submarine terror, as an agree- 
 ment was signed that would guarantee safety 
 to American ships. Whether my visit helped 
 things along remains a fact known only to 
 the spirit world. Perhaps you or I may find 
 out some day when we reach that land of prom- 
 ise and have a better understanding with our 
 brothers. 
 
 Another vision: I was taken out and came 
 to a place where I saw two locomotives stand- 
 ing with steam up. I could see men with Ian- 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 61 
 
 terns walking about as if they had averted an 
 accident, that was the impression I got at the 
 time, so, when I attended the seance, I was told 
 by my guides that they had used me again to 
 impress the engineer of the on-rushing train 
 to slow up and stop. He got the warning in 
 time to avoid a terrible accident, as a tree had 
 fallen directly across the track. He had to be 
 put almost under control before he realized 
 that the engine must be stopped. My vibra- 
 tions, while still a mortal, were stronger than 
 the spirit guides, who were free of mortal body. 
 That is the psychic law, acting like a connect- 
 ing electric wire with a strong battery, so my 
 vibration was the connecting link needed in 
 time of great danger. 
 
 I have only recorded these few instances to 
 let the general public know how much good 
 can be done if a mortal is able to give his 
 strength and knowledge with spiritual co- 
 operation to help even the humblest of down 
 trodden human souls. 
 
62 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 Many a time I have visited the slums in my 
 astral visits and tried to touch some despondent 
 creature, who was perhaps brought up under 
 adverse circumstances, or who did not have a 
 mother's love to guide him right. 
 
 Would you not like to do this work of the 
 Master? 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 PREMONITIONS 
 
 There came a time in my life one summer, 
 when I thought of taking a trip to Germany; 
 that was about one year before the war. I 
 planned everything, gave up my position, went 
 down to the steamship office to get my berth 
 and the clerk had started to show me the loca- 
 tion of same, when the silent voice came to me 
 and said, "I should not go." The clerk asked 
 me if I had decided or not. I told him not to 
 make the ticket out as I could not go, but on 
 leaving the office I went into another office of 
 a different line and the same thing happened. 
 I left the office feeling rather blue that I was 
 not allowed to take the trip, but upon reaching 
 Trinity Church, I strolled in there, taking a 
 
 63 
 
64 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 seat. Very soon the thoughts came to me why 
 I was not permitted to go, so I followed my 
 impressions, taking a different view, making 
 new plans. I attended for the next two months 
 a school (like a Chautauqua course) where 
 the Spiritual Science was demonstrated, giving 
 to me wonderful comfort ; and starting me up- 
 on my future work, which you, my readers, are 
 gaining with me as I try to note these impres-. 
 sions and truths that we all hope will be of 
 benefit to humanity. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 MATERIALIZATION AND SCIENCE 
 
 Materialization is another phase of medium- 
 ship, which I think is perhaps the most wonder- 
 ful, having witnessed many times this mode 
 of communication with the spirit world. I re- 
 member when in my room one night as I lay 
 partly entranced, I saw coming toward me a 
 tall figure dressed all in white; only the eyes 
 were exposed. The figure was of a man. He 
 extended his hand to me, which I took and 
 felt the warmth of a natural hand. I did not 
 feel the least bit afraid,, as no words were 
 spoken on either side. Finally the figure 
 melted away, then I looked toward the window 
 in the dim light and saw the outlines of a 
 figure and was impressed it was my brother. 
 
 65 
 
66 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 Then all became normal again, and I went to 
 sleep peacefully as though nothing had oc- 
 curred. 
 
 The guides told me that they often had 
 trouble in the early part of my development 
 when they took me out, for I did not want to 
 come back, and once or twice they had to force 
 me to return to my body. 
 
 I have a dim recollection of just such an oc- 
 currence, but one gets so accustomed to such 
 visits, that after being there perhaps in other 
 incarnations one feels at home, when coming 
 in contact with former modes of living. 
 
 I have witnessed some forms of material- 
 ization that were startling; have seen spirits 
 come out of the cabinet fully dressed as they 
 were accustomed to dress when in life, one, a 
 figure of a nun, beautiful face, a full regalia 
 and a string of pearls around her neck. 
 Her face was illuminated, no face in the circle 
 was like hers, for the medium was a man. 
 I will not enumerate many instances like the 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 67 
 
 above, but if the Bible can record cases of 
 materialization long ago, why not now? Was 
 not Christ materialized when he appeared to 
 the two disciples on their journey to Emmaus, 
 also appearing to Mary at the tomb, and to 
 the twelve disciples where they met in a room, 
 when Thomas doubted it was Christ; and on 
 the mount when Christ was transfigured with 
 Moses and Elias who were talking with him. 
 
 All the incidents mentioned where I was 
 concerned, I can truthfully vouch for, so I 
 can give first-hand testimony, like the prophets 
 of old, when they recorded their visions. Per- 
 haps some of those prophets are among us to- 
 day, being reincarnated; who can tell? Don't 
 you think it is about time some great teacher 
 was due? Some one who can show us the truth 
 in all its true aspects, relating to our daily 
 mode of living and our stored-up capabilities, 
 and powers. 
 
 That will be the aim of the next great 
 
68 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 teacher, and to help the masses, the weary- 
 ones. 
 
 Spiritual Science can do this if taken up 
 properly and explained to the people, using 
 common sense in all things, that will promote 
 a world-wide religion for all to take as their 
 own as far as they become enlightened into the 
 mysteries of the science, and their own powers. 
 
 It would be worthy of any man to aspire 
 to lead. Someone will make the start, and this 
 work will be the means possibly of giving this 
 science a wider circulation. If each reader will 
 do his part and help individually, what a 
 mighty power can be given the cause, launch- 
 ing the new Spiritual Science, the Universal 
 Religion as a melting pot for all other religions. 
 It is broad enough in its scope to take in all 
 classes, all denominations, all creeds, as each 
 soul will then realize it is for the uplift of soul 
 and soul culture, thus becoming acquainted 
 with God, 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 69 
 
 Then within each one, will arise a call to the 
 banner of peace, and good will to all. 
 
 When you are visiting the country on your 
 next vacation look around and see if you can 
 contemplate God's handiwork. Sit down be- 
 side the cool running stream, notice the green 
 hills, the meadows, the cattle grazing content- 
 edly. Do you not see some great power work- 
 ing silently, with such precision, such beauty, 
 that the soul thrills when we contemplate its 
 grandeur? 
 
 How vast are the store houses of the Al- 
 mighty when seen through nature's beautiful 
 flowers, trees, skies, and the millions of other 
 worlds that we call stars. So vast that we fail 
 to grasp the greatness of the universe, when we 
 know this planet of ours is one of the smallest 
 of all the others. What power controls them? 
 What holds them in their places? 
 
 In the vastness and grandeur of this crea- 
 tion, with the mysteries slowly unveiling be- 
 fore us. Spiritual Science will dp more to 
 
70 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 unravel the mysteries than all the scientists 
 in the world, because it is a soul science and 
 cannot be handled in the same manner as the 
 scientists usually do. 
 
 SPRING TIME 
 
 How joyous is the spring time, 
 When to gentle warmth delight; 
 
 Gladdens the heart of the toiler, 
 Who works out into the night. 
 
 The morning's brightest sunshine, 
 
 Oh, what joy it gives to all, 
 To see its dancing sunbeams, 
 
 Giving life to great and small. 
 
 Bye-and-bye we see the fruits, 
 
 Springing up from its quiet berth, 
 
 When little bits of gentle life, 
 
 Mount slowly out of Mother Earth. 
 
 Where the blossoms bright and fair, 
 Radiant with beauty for all to see, 
 
 Then how sweet is nature's treat, 
 
 When it gives sweet essence to you and 
 me. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 71 
 
 What is the secret of it all, 
 Can you not fail to see? 
 It is the omniscience of our God, 
 
 Speaking through all life on land and 
 sea. 
 
 A. A. W. 
 
 How; perfect is nature in bringing to life 
 the beautiful flowers, the lily, the rose. Even 
 in a leaf, if you will stop long enough to ex- 
 amine it, you will find wonderful lines and 
 curves. 
 
 To try to duplicate nature, would be like 
 putting up an arc lamp in place of the sun, 
 which alone can give the gentle warmth, creat- 
 ing life in the seed sown, bearing its varied 
 colors and forms. 
 
 Each soul is like some plant, some yield one 
 hundredfold, some fifty. Some are like the 
 rose and some are like the cactus with thorns 
 to hurt anyone coming in contact with them. 
 Each soul can attain to any height of unfold- 
 ment and beauty, becoming radiant like the 
 
72 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 angels through progression and earnest effort.' 
 Each may bud and blossom, bearing fruit, by 
 following the laws of Spiritual Science to 
 guide us day by day as a beacon-light, that 
 points the true way, instead of following the 
 path that leads to darkness and despair. Take 
 hope, we are all God's children and will ultimo 
 ately serve God. 
 
 The Prodigal Son chose the way that took 
 him from the love and affection of home life. 
 Why do young men and boys go wrong? Is 
 it a natural desire implanted in every human 
 to abuse the body, as many do, or is it lack of 
 unfoldment? Perhaps if the soul was un- 
 folded, it might throw off the yoke of habit 
 and bondage, and not eat the husks of ignor- 
 ance, but return like the prodigal, receiving 
 the welcome which every wayward son will ex- 
 perience, when he resolves to come home. 
 
 "Be good and be happy" is a good motto for 
 everyone, it pays in the long run ? and it will 
 pay in the next world, too? 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 73 
 
 Go into your own room, lock the door and 
 ask God, your Heavenly Father, to quicken 
 the seed of knowledge and love, that it may 
 shine with the pulsation of life and blessing 
 to all who come in contact with its radiance* 
 It will be yours or mine if we only know how 
 to go about it, and here is the starting point 
 for many who may be touched by this appeal: 
 To help others to join in the uplift of every 
 soul to right living, and sympathy for the 
 down-trodden. 
 
 These are some of the percepts taught by all 
 the great masters. If we are able to grasp 
 the true meaning of life, then it- is wise to prac- 
 tice daily. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 
 SPIRIT WORLD 
 
 The laws of the spirit world are not partial 
 to any creed or dogma, nationality or color. 
 Each soul has a divine right to live his or her 
 way, but it is no fault, except one's own, if he 
 finds upon entering spirit life, that the church 
 he attended did not give him a passport into 
 the highest heavens of bliss and love. 
 
 No, dear one, you create your own heaven or 
 your own hell, no one judges you, but you 
 gravitate to where you belong, through the 
 rate of vibrations your soul has attained. Your 
 aura will be your judge. It will tell to 
 others just where you will be placed. 
 
 Any advanced spirit, coming into a circle 
 of faithful sitters, who are seeking the truth, 
 
 74 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 75 
 
 can tell by looking over each one, just how 
 many times each soul has reincarnated, and 
 progressed, so we can't hide our true selves 
 when we go over to the spirit side. All vibra- 
 tions of one order will be in their own place of 
 abode, otherwise inharmony would prevail. A 
 highly advanced soul can reach down to the 
 lower spheres but a lower or under-developed 
 soul cannot ascend to the higher spheres, until 
 he has reached that unfoldment through 
 psychic laws in course of time. But to prog- 
 ress there, one has to have a desire to do better 
 and must aspire to rise, otherwise he stays in 
 the same place until he gets thoroughly 
 aroused, and wants to come into the light. 
 Some lower places are dark and gloomy, but 
 there are no fires like the old creeds used to 
 preach about. 
 
 The conscience is the thing that troubles 
 one over there, that is where the real suffering 
 is developed. When such a soul asks for help 
 and upliftment it is heard in the higher 
 
76 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 realms, then to that soul is given a helping 
 hand and words of encouragement, to lead to 
 higher spheres. In due time they all will go 
 higher. 
 
 There are cities both large and small, with 
 rivers, lakes with fish, grass, trees, birds and 
 animals of all kinds in the animal kingdom, 
 and there are homes and schools of learning 
 over there, just like here, only more real, and 
 churches and houses of knowledge, where every 
 invention is worked out beforehand, and then 
 given to mortals, through inspiration, by 
 guides when they can find a medium or anyone 
 who will be able to correctly interpret the full 
 sense and scheme of the invention. It has been 
 tested in my own case, so I know what it is, and 
 can truthfully say that there are many new 
 things ready to be given to this world as soon as 
 we are able to receive them. Christ said, he had 
 much more to tell his disciples, but they were 
 not ready to bear them at that time, but since 
 then some things He wanted to convey, have 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 77 
 
 come to us in many ways. So live in the pres- 
 ent as much as possible, take all the lessons of 
 the past and profit by them, but expect new 
 things, and do them. The man that amounts 
 to anything to-day, is the man who can do 
 something new and not be a tool of someone 
 else. Try out your initiative powers, see if you 
 can startle the world by being able to contact 
 with the spirit forces, and learn what they have 
 to give, perhaps it will be in one way or an- 
 other, you may not recognize it at the time (but 
 will perhaps later) what assistance you or I 
 might receive from the unseen forces, who are 
 always ready to help. But the man who is 
 living on the lower plane can only expect to 
 attract lower spirit forces and they can not be 
 very elevating. For instance, a man who loves 
 drink will still crave drink for a time, after 
 he goes into the spirit life, he will even return 
 to his usual haunts, perhaps a saloon, and get 
 the essence of the liquors through others, even 
 
78 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 tempting others to drink, so he can satisfy his 
 craving. 
 
 Some such souls were shown to me in a 
 vision, some who have no mouths, and who look 
 ashen and most miserable. They would put 
 forth their hands in supplication to be helped, 
 but you see they brought it all on themselves, 
 and to purge themselves, they must learn where 
 they can get better conditions, and be brought 
 to realize that to serve one's self, will not raise 
 one very high; but self-sacrifice is the only 
 remedy for such souls to go higher. They are 
 given a work whereby they may work out their 
 own salvation in fear and trembling, as the 
 Scriptures tell us. 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 
 HEALING, OBSESSION AND SPIRIT GUIDES 
 
 The same power for healing as in the days 
 of the apostles, can be seen and realized in this 
 present day. Some remarkable cures are rec- 
 orded daily through spiritual healing, but in 
 my work as a medium, I have found that the 
 pains some people suffer, are not their own 
 pains, but are conditions thrown upon them 
 by spirits, who come in contact with the aura 
 of that person. 
 
 When I first got into the psychic work I 
 often felt the influence of my mother (who 
 went out of this life with a cancer located in 
 the spine). I usually felt the same pain that 
 she suffered, in the same place, but since I 
 have progressed and understood more fully the 
 
 79 
 
80 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 psychic laws, I was able to throw off any influ- 
 ence that might come into my aura. One can 
 build up a strong defense against being influ- 
 enced by controls who may want to take pos- 
 session. A great many cures are reported by 
 people as wonderful, when if they only knew 
 the exact cause of the supposed pains, they 
 would have known that the healer was power- 
 ful enough to send the obsessing spirit away, 
 thereby relieving the sufferer. Of course, all 
 cases are not like this, but I dare say many are, 
 so by learning how to control one's self, learn- 
 ing the laws that are plainly seen, when once 
 the soul realizes its unfoldment, then we are 
 more than fortunate and have gained a 
 victory. 
 
 One case I know of that really was a pain 
 that came from acute indigestion, was cured 
 in five minutes, by simply applying the hands 
 of the medium, one hand in front of the stom- 
 ach, and the other on the back of the patient. 
 No garments needed to be removed, but im- 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 81 
 
 mediate relief was felt, and after two years 
 no return of the pain was ever felt. Previous 
 to the cure the patient was a sufferer for over 
 a year by frequent attacks every few days. 
 At the time the cure was made, the medium was 
 under the influence of a strong healing power 
 from the spirit side. Most successful healers 
 are those who recognize the God spiritual 
 power as the only power to do this remarkable 
 work. Never give credit to one's own power 2 
 for I have been told many times by spirits 
 that as soon as a healer thinks he is the power* 
 without the aid of God's power, then the cures 
 are not realized, but spiritual realization is the 
 true spiritual healing. 
 
 What remarkable strides our medical fra- 
 ternity has given to the world, even raising 
 the dead like the prophets of old, when they 
 brought back the spirit into the body, which 
 our professional medical experts sometimes do, 
 as in cases of drowning, and many other ways. 
 
 When treating cases I have known where 
 
82 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 some mediums have been able to see the doctors 
 practice on the spirit side of life, just as they 
 would here, only they manipulate through the 
 organism of the medium. And it has been 
 seen by these same clairvoyants or healers, just 
 where the trouble with the patient was located, 
 and a true report would be given, which was 
 often verified by examinations in hospitals, etc. 
 
 A true healer can get a sense of location and 
 the trouble almost as soon as he comes into 
 vibration with his patient. Sometimes the 
 location of the pain is thrown upon the med- 
 ium, by a similar pain affecting him, but only 
 for an instant to notify him what is the cause 
 and location. I have many times been so ad- 
 vised by having been through it myself. If I 
 had not known the causes, I might have 
 thought I was the sufferer instead of the 
 patient. This should be investigated further 
 by men of science. 
 
 The asylums of the insane no doubt contain 
 many patients who are obsessed by an unde- 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 83 
 
 veloped spirit, who has taken hold of the af- 
 flicted one, impersonating someone else. It 
 would be advisable to study these cases where 
 the ailment is impersonation, then those pa- 
 tients could be separated from the others, and 
 a strong medium or healer could no doubt re- 
 move the influence from that one. 
 
 Just because they do not know these psychic 
 laws, that will not make them less liable to be 
 under their influence but rather the opposite, 
 for when you do know the laws, then you know 
 how to handle them properly. From now on^ 
 treatment of the insane will no doubt take a 
 different course. It will be the aim of this new 
 society of Spiritual Sciences to see what relief 
 can be obtained in such cases. The Bible tells 
 of Jesus casting out an obsessing spirit and 
 it was none other than an undeveloped spirit 
 who took hold of the boy and made him go 
 through those convulsions. 
 
 How many such cases would Jesus find if 
 he would visit the asylums to-day? Have our 
 
84 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 scientific men investigated insanity from this 
 new basis? This may be news to those men 
 who have never given the spiritual side of life 
 much thought in their work, except a few who 
 have of late years given absolute proof of 
 spirit communion, and it will help us all to 
 read those books, where, even the scientists can 
 say, it is the truth. 
 
 When a medium goes into a dead trance 
 some guide takes possession of his body and 
 he talks, acts and lives just like the spirit who 
 has taken possession. If the spirit was a col- 
 ored girl, then the medium will act out the 
 part of the colored girl, and talk just like the 
 girl did when in life. Perhaps the obsessing 
 spirit was in spiritland twenty years, that 
 would make no difference in her talking just 
 like a little colored girl and acting like a little 
 colored girl, instead of a larger girl, who had 
 been in spiritland twenty years. It is the law, 
 that when they come in contact with the earth's 
 vibration, the spirits assume just the same con- 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 85 
 
 ditions as they had when here on this earth, 
 even after an elapse of two thousand years 
 there is no differences except added knowledge. 
 But the little colored girl advances because she 
 is accustomed to coming to the medium, and 
 has perhaps been with her for many years, or 
 shortly after having passed over. All guides 
 gain progression by doing this spiritual work. 
 Pentecost Day in the Bible, was the day the 
 apostles were given the power of tongues. 
 They could speak different languages by some 
 spiritual guide who took possession of them on 
 that day, and it was the same law that can ob- 
 tain now if rightly used and not abused. 
 Mediumship can and will help all who are for- 
 tunate enough to be developed to a stage that 
 they are fully protected. This can only be 
 through development, and a medium need not 
 be put under control to demonstrate his 
 powers, but if he waits long enough before 
 he makes his public appearance, then he can 
 have full possession of his senses, and do better 
 
86 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 work than the medium who has to be put under 
 a trance condition to do the work in either 
 trance speaking or healing. 
 
 Who influenced the apostle Paul in his 
 ministry, was it not Jesus ? Jesus came to him 
 when he was breathing out threatenings against 
 His followers, but he changed as soon as the 
 influence of Jesus touched his vibration. Paul 
 took up the work where Jesus left off, as Jesus 
 did not have the time to complete what was 
 to be made known, but through the mediumship 
 of Paul he could continue the work, and if 
 one reads the 12th Chapter of First Corinth- 
 ians, he will find all these phases of medium- 
 ship that I have enumerated, there. 
 
 Spiritual Science was known through all 
 ages, and in the future, more will be known to 
 the general public. They will flock to the 
 colors where comfort is given to every soul and 
 satisfactory evidence produced to prove what 
 Spiritual Science teaches. 
 
 To obtain more knowledge on Spiritual 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 87 
 
 Science I would advise all to attend good lec- 
 tures on the subject, read books like "Ray- 
 mond" by Sir Oliver Lodge, and others, that 
 give an insight into spirit life. Then if each 
 one would get in touch with his spirit helpers, 
 he would be impressed how to proceed. 
 
 Would advise forming societies, then 
 churches, when properly organized, but above 
 all keep an even mind in your development. 
 Don't sit for three hours in some medium home 
 to get message from the spiritland, be your 
 own message bearer. Sit quietly in your own 
 home twice a week from half to three-quar- 
 ters of an hour, then you will get some results. 
 Go to some medium and see what phase is best 
 suited to your constitution. 
 
 Would advise weak persons to attend less 
 frequently unless there was a healer, who could 
 give them the benefit of his magnetic forces. 
 
 If we were to take Spiritual Science out of 
 the Bible we would not have much left, as it 
 relates mostly to the future life, 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 
 PSYCHOMETRY, MOTHERHOOD AND CONCLUSION 
 
 Psychometry is another phase of medium- 
 ship. Only a few can do the work, as it is 
 only known to those who have studied this 
 subject; but many could be taught to demon- 
 strate this wonderful gift. It is simply read- 
 ing articles that you pick up. A medium can 
 tell you all about the owner of the article, even 
 give you your name, though not knowing it 
 before. If many articles are placed on the 
 table, the medium usually is out of the room 
 when they are so placed. He does not know 
 to whom the articles belong when he picks 
 them up. When I am asked to read such art- 
 icles, I always want to be out of sight when 
 the articles are brought to the table. Then 
 
 88 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 89 
 
 I feel an influence like a very slight charge of 
 a battery going through my system, so I place 
 my hand over the articles and let the guides 
 pick up any articles they select. I have no 
 choice in the matter, but my hand is forced to 
 pick up the one they select. I can feel a pull- 
 ing toward the article and many times the hand 
 makes a quick motion like a flash for the art- 
 icle, for, if I were to pick it up without my 
 guide's assistance, I could do no better than 
 anyone else, and would get no results, but when 
 they pick it up, then I know they can read it. 
 The way they get the information is this: 
 The person who brought the article that the 
 spirit guide wishes to read. The relatives or 
 friends of the owner of the article are right 
 there in spirit on the scene of the seance or 
 circle, ready to tell my guide, who impresses 
 me what the friends wish to say to the one who 
 is getting the reading. That is the process, and 
 if I did not have any article, I could get a 
 message through just the same, as the same 
 
90 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 process could apply; but if I was impressed 
 to give a reading to someone in the audience, 
 others in that audience might think I had met 
 the one I was reading for or had given one or 
 two readings before to the same person. They 
 would think that it was a case of knowing all 
 I had to tell through intimate acquaintance 
 with all those I would read. That can't be said 
 if I read an article that I don't know to whom 
 it belongs, and give a complete reading before 
 I find the owner, thus you will agree, there is 
 more chance to convince skeptics in this way. I 
 have even picked up pieces of blank paper some 
 one had put up and got all correct, or I would 
 pick up a one-cent piece that was handled by 
 many, I would get results just the same, only 
 it would apply to the one who brought it up. 
 Sometimes I have felt a pain in certain parts 
 of the body when I was reading an article, then 
 I knew my healing guides wished me to tell 
 the owner just where their pain was, and was 
 always correct. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 91 
 
 One day I felt a pain in my left hand while 
 I was sitting in an auditorium listening to a 
 lecture. I asked those sitting near me if it be- 
 longed to them, they said it did not, so the next 
 day I met a young couple, who stopped me and 
 told me about an accident that happened to 
 the wife. She had a sharp instrument run in- 
 to her hand in some accidental way, and told 
 her husband about it, so they both tried to stop 
 the swelling, and the wife said at the time, "If 
 the swelling does not go down we will have to 
 see Mr. Wright about it." I'inquired of her 
 about what time this happened and it was ex- 
 actly the same time as I felt the pain, when I 
 was quite a distance away from the one who 
 suffered. Now to explain the problem, my 
 guides threw the pain upon my hand to let me 
 know someone was sending out the thought 
 that I should heal them. They caught it and 
 telegraphed it to me or were near me at the 
 time, as a medium is never left alone, for the 
 risk is too great to be left open to any strange 
 
92 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 spirit or elemental, who might try to attach 
 himself to my person or aura. Everyone is 
 guided and protected, but some more than 
 others, especially when a medium is developing. 
 
 Some mediums when giving a reading do 
 not see the spirit or hear the spirit voices, but 
 they can be impressed just what to say, and 
 this is the highest form of mediumship. It is 
 a proof of advanced mediumship to give tests 
 without manifesting any signs of control, but 
 seemingly in a perfect condition, which is the 
 way I allow my control to take me. 
 
 I speak of my own mediumship quite fre- 
 quently in writing this work, but my readers 
 will understand that if I were to take anyone 
 else's word, and tell how they feel, could I give 
 a true account as I have just done? I can prove 
 all the statements I make, because I have ex- 
 periencd them, and know their real value, which 
 should meet with every critic's approval, 
 whether he believed what I say or not. 
 
 I know of one case, where a medium would 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 93 
 
 be blindfolded, then a bundle of ballots would 
 be placed before her, most of them in sealed 
 envelopes. This medium could tell just what 
 part of the pile a certain one was located, and 
 she would reach into the pile and produce the 
 one she spoke about, and give what was written 
 both inside the envelope and the marks on the 
 outside, which were always correct. Then she 
 would proceed to pick up one after another 
 reading both envelope and the contents before 
 opening and handing to others nearby to veri- 
 fy, always with the same result. These gifts 
 of mediumship are only recorded here to help 
 all to understand the way Spiritual Science is 
 operating with all of us, and to place before 
 the public the truth about these seances, and 
 gain the confidence of all, that they may in- 
 vestigate for themselves. 
 
 Motherhood 
 
 Let me say a word to all mothers for their 
 edification and guidance. I have learned that 
 
94 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 the soul becomes attached to the child shortly 
 after conception, and thereafter it is an entity 
 or individual soul. If at any time thereafter 
 it fails in maturing a human body and passes 
 out in any unlawful or unnatural way, or 
 whether it is born naturally but does not 
 breathe life when born, these souls take the 
 form of angels in all purity, when they hold 
 communion through any mode of communica- 
 tion with the spirit world and this world of 
 ours. 
 
 If the mothers could only realize this true 
 state, they would not try to interfere with na- 
 ture's laws, and obliterate the true existence 
 of any unborn soul. This truth could be sent 
 broadcast to all, then no excuse should be taken 
 if the letter of the natural law is not sacredly 
 upheld, unless the guilty ones wish to suffer 
 the consequencs of an pvert act in the spirit 
 world. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 95 
 
 Conclusion 
 Would you love to hear your mother's voice 
 or feel her presence near? Or, the child that 
 went out of your life, come back to you and 
 whisper its name with a joy fulness that makes 
 your heart beat faster, or your wife, or one 
 whom you love dearly? She is very often by 
 your side. Or, a kind father (dear old soul) ; 
 
 how he used to read to you, when you used to 
 cuddle up in a warm spot on the hearth, and he 
 told you stories. Well, he will tell them to 
 you again. What a comfort to know we shall 
 all meet again, but we need only meet those 
 whom we love, no enforced meeting, only love 
 tends to draw us on, one to another, so don't 
 grieve, dear ones, I am now giving a message 
 to each one who reads these lines. There is not 
 a soul who has not got some of their dear ones 
 over in the spiritland. Give them your best 
 thoughts, they can feel them, and they appre- 
 ciate them, when sent with loving remem- 
 brances. 
 
96 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 I hope I have impressed some at least that 
 there is within every one's grasp this knowl- 
 edge. I hope they will be helped by the con- 
 fidence I have tried to instil in my writing. 
 The value of study and expansion, to be broad- 
 minded and tolerant, seek the company of all 
 good souls, and follow the principles Christ 
 taught. If you have to suffer persecution for 
 Truth's sake, then do so, as the martyrs have 
 done. Spiritual Science was demonstrated by 
 all the great teachers. They believed in spirit 
 communion, recognizing one supreme power, 
 God the Father, and all human kind His chil- 
 dren. 
 
 When this perfect realization comes to all, 
 then Spiritual Science the Universal Religion, 
 will be firmly established. 
 
THE UNIVERSAL RELIGION 97 
 
 THE TITANIC 
 
 Proudly and swiftly the Titanic sped on, 
 Giant racer of the deep blue seas. 
 
 Security and peace was felt by all, 
 As they lay in their berths at ease. 
 
 Suddenly a terrible blow was felt, 
 The shock sent a terrifying fear, 
 
 As each living mortal tried to escape 
 The death they felt was near. 
 
 Swiftly and surely the lifeboats were off 
 With the women and children dear, 
 
 Some were torn from the embraces of love, 
 Of the men who stood bravely by, in the 
 rear. 
 
 Each moment was heard a frightened cry 
 From a poor, weak soul awaiting doom, 
 
 But the good and true, they looked above 
 To God, whom they would meet so soon. 
 
 As I looked around my heart was thrilled 
 With emotions of grief and with pride, 
 
 I beheld an elderly couple close by 
 Who calmly said ? "Death us cannot 
 divide/' 
 
98 SPIRITUAL SCIENCE 
 
 Music was heard above that great roar, 
 Coming sweetly to my ears that night, 
 
 As each hero played the hymn so dear, 
 That gave peace to the soul in its flight. 
 
 Awaking I found I had entered new life, 
 
 Amid flowers and loved ones near, 
 They came to welcome me over the bar, 
 Saying "take comfort, dear one, don't 
 fear." 
 
 Alfred A. Wright. 
 
 the END 
 
THE MYSTIC 
 SCIENCE 
 
 DRAMA IN THREE ACTS 
 
 BY 
 
 ALFRED A. WRIGHT 
 
Copyright, 1917 
 
 By 
 
 ALFRED A. WRIGHT 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 101 
 
 CAST OF CHARACTERS 
 
 Prof. John Williams 
 Thos. Finley 
 Rev. Wm. Newton 
 Geo. Walker 
 Capt. James King 
 Jos. Cameron 
 Louis Gautner 
 Charles Latham 
 Mr. Henry Lathrop 
 Margaret Hibbard 
 
 Fiance of Prof. WilUams 
 
 Scientist 
 His guest 
 Minister 
 Retired 
 Army officer 
 Senator 
 Servant 
 Harpist 
 Opera Singer 
 
 Esther Williams 
 Jane Hibbard 
 Rose Haller 
 Sadie Adamson 
 Mme. M. Simpson 
 
 His daughter 
 Mother of Margaret 
 Automatic Writer 
 Servant of Margaret 
 Opera Singer 
 
102 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Time: Present 
 
 Place: New York 
 
 ACT I : Prof. Williams' Drawing room, 
 Riverside Drive, New York. 
 Tuesday, early in June, 10 A.M. 
 
 ACT II: Margaret Hibbard's Dining 
 room, West 58th Street, New 
 York, 7 P.M. same day. 
 
 ACT III: Same Scene as Act I. 
 
 One week later, 8P.M. 
 
 Time 
 
 Scene: 
 
 ACT I 
 
 Present, 10 A.M. on a Tuesday, 
 early in June. 
 
 Prof. Williams' drawing room on 
 Riverside Drive. Elegantly fur- 
 nished, fully equipped, also typical 
 of a man of scientific temperament 
 with piano left, writing desk on 
 left center, table with bric-a-brac, 
 large desk on right, sideways to 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 103 
 
 audience, arm-chair for Professor 
 in front of desk, the audience to 
 get side view of Professor when he 
 sits at desk. 
 
 The scene opens with Esther (his 
 daughter) a young lady about 24 
 years old of striking appearance, 
 should be a blonde type. She is 
 sitting at the writing desk, looking 
 over same letters just handed her 
 a moment before the curtain arose. 
 She has selected one of them to 
 answer immediately as it is an in- 
 vitation for herself and her father 
 to dine with Margaret Hibbard, 
 her father's fiance. While Esther 
 is writing, we turn to her father, 
 Prof. Williams who is a man about 
 fifty years old, is good look- 
 ing, good head, manly and with a 
 scientific temperament, coming in- 
 to the room immediately after 
 
104 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 curtain rises and goes to his desk, 
 sits down, draws the chair up to 
 desk, begins writing (as he has 
 been writing a book on a scientific 
 subject) . 
 
 Esther 
 (Looking up, calls softly) 
 Father! 
 
 Professor 
 (Stops writing, looks up) 
 Well, dear? 
 
 Esther 
 Margaret wants us to take dinner with her to- 
 night at 7 P.M. Shall I send her a telegram 
 to let her know, or phone her? 
 Professor 
 She is probably not at home at this hour so you 
 had better send her a telegram. Have Louis 
 call a messenger at once. 
 
 (Esther rings a bell on desk) 
 
 Louis 
 (Enters, dressed in servant's attire)' 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 105 
 
 Did you ring, mam? 
 
 Esther 
 See that this message is sent off right away; 
 ring for a messenger. 
 
 Louis 
 
 (Bows and says) 
 Yes, mam. 
 
 (Leaves room) 
 
 Esther 
 
 (Goes to desk of her father, she leans over 
 
 and asks him) 
 Father, can you imagine what Margaret will 
 do with her beautiful home when she is mar- 
 ried. Is she going to bring her mother here to 
 live with us? I have not asked you many 
 questions concerning your plans, but you 
 might tell me all, for I know I'll get along 
 with Margaret; but do you think her mother 
 would prefer to stay and keep her own home? 
 I know she will feel awfully worried not to 
 see Margaret every day, for she has been such 
 a comfort to her. 
 
106 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Professor 
 My dear, I have talked the matter over with 
 Margaret and she said she would do just as I 
 wished. So I have been thinking over the 
 matter very carefully and have about made 
 up my mind to let her mother abide in her 
 own home, while I know it will be rather lone- 
 some for her, yet I think in the end it will be 
 best, at least for the time being. 
 Esther 
 (Relieved somewhat goes and sits on the 
 arm of her father's chair and caresses him 
 fondly) 
 Dear, daddy. Do you think you will love me 
 just as much as ever, when Margaret comes? 
 For I have had a feeling lately that you will 
 not think as much of your little girl as you do 
 now, but will neglect me in trying to be at- 
 tentive to Margaret. 
 
 Professor 
 Nothing can make me think any the less of you, 
 daughter. Why should you think so? Surely 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 107 
 
 I will not love you less, under any new con- 
 ditions that may arise. 
 
 Esther 
 We have been so happy together, haven't we, 
 daddy. 
 
 Professor 
 Yes, little sweetheart. 
 
 (Brings her closer and kisser her) 
 
 Esther 
 (Then walks to the piano, picks up a pic- 
 ture of Margaret, looks at it attentively, re- 
 places it, sits down to the piano and rund. 
 over the keys, if she can play then a few 
 chords will do, she then goes to the window, 
 looks out, while her father continues writing 
 after having lit a cigar) 
 Esther 
 (Is about to leave the room, is near the 
 door when she meets a Mr. Finley who is 
 entering the room and stops her. Mr. Fin- 
 ley is a guest of Prof. Williams. He is a 
 man of 45 to 50 years, rather medium 
 
108 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 height, but a bachelor. Has been there some 
 weeks, sort of one of the family, but does 
 not attend any of the functions. 
 Why, Mr. Finley. We are going out to din- 
 ner this evening to our friend, Miss Hibbard's, 
 so you will be quite alone, why not come with 
 us. I know Margaret will be delighted to 
 have you. 
 
 Finley 
 Thank you very much. I don't thmk 111 go 
 out this evening as I wish to go over some im- 
 portant papers and specifications that will take 
 up most of the evening. 
 
 Esther 
 You will be quite comfortable to stay alone? 
 
 Finley 
 Quite, my little lady, and I want you to tell 
 Miss Hibbard to get that new type car she 
 talked to me about the last time I saw her for 
 I have looked into the matter for her and would 
 advise her to do so. 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 109 
 
 Esther 
 I'll tell her this evening, Mr. Finley. 
 
 Finley 
 Thanks. 
 
 (Esther goes out of the room) 
 (Finley slowly walks toward the desk of 
 Prof, and stops there) 
 Well, Professor are you still at the same old 
 problem or have you got any new ideas since I 
 last talked with you about that invention you 
 had in mind? 
 
 Professor 
 Oh, you mean the submarine problem? 
 
 Finley 
 (Sitting down) 
 Yes. Do you think anyone will ever get any 
 further with a satisfactory solution to get rid 
 of the undersea terror? Seems to me surely 
 there are some ways of dealing with that 
 problem. 
 
 Professor 
 Some of the brightest minds in the world 
 
110 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 have tried to solve it but as yet no real remedy 
 has been found. But that question of yours 
 has put me to thinking of a new way or plan. 
 I might try and see if it will bring results. 
 Some time ago I heard of a woman who 
 had wonderful powers which she manifested 
 in an unusual way, her method was auto- 
 matic writing. She could take a pencil 
 in her left hand and hold it in a position to 
 write upon a slate, then some force or spirit 
 power would take hold of her arm and write 
 upon the slate. She would not know what the 
 hand was writing for it usually wrote upside 
 down and backward so she had to hold a look- 
 ing glass up to the slate to read it in the glass. 
 Now if she got some clear message through 
 why couldn't I get a message through which 
 might hit upon the solution to the submarine 
 problem. It is worth while trying — suppose 
 you and I go over to see this lady some day or 
 better still have her come here. 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 111 
 
 Finley 
 We might try it and see what we can get. 
 
 Professor 
 I have often felt if I got in touch with some 
 one of that nature or development, I could then 
 get some messages through myself. You don't 
 know about my other inventions and scientific 
 studies — I have unravelled by the aid of my 
 psychic powers. I have in my own quiet way 
 studied this subject quite a great deal and 
 know there is unlimited depths or heights one 
 can delve into and learn that way, where books 
 cannot go half so far. I'll phone her right 
 away, let me see if I can remember her name. 
 Yes I have it right here. 
 
 (Taking down the receiver of phone after 
 looking up the number in the phone book) 
 Hello! Central. Give me 325 Schuyler. Hello! 
 is that Miss Haller? You will pardon me if I 
 take the liberty and state that my friend Mr. 
 Wallace, whom you no doubt will remember, 
 told me you would be pleased to show to the 
 
112 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 scientific world this wonderful power you pos- 
 sess. I'm Mr. Williams, 646 Riverside Drive. 
 Now could you come over some time soon? 
 You say you could come over right away, that's 
 so, you only live around the corner from here. 
 Yes. I'll have my daughter and a friend. We 
 four will make the party. Thank you, good- 
 bye. Well, I got a chance quicker than I 
 expected. 
 
 Finley 
 It would be rather strange if this automatic 
 writer could give you the key to your invention. 
 {Finley and Prof, are both smoking and in 
 deep thought. Finley gets up and is walk- 
 ing up and down the room. Prof, folds up 
 his manuscripts and puts them away in a 
 drawer in desk) 
 
 Professor 
 (Walks toward the door, then stands out- 
 side and is listening to a man who is play- 
 ing the harp. He then invites him in, and 
 he is seen coming into the drawing room 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 113 
 
 with Prof. Williams, who shows him to the 
 
 front of the stage) 
 Now we will have a little music before our 
 writer comes. You can play anything you 
 care to. 
 
 (Then Prof, takes a seat) 
 
 Latham 
 (Plays music on harp, one or two selections, 
 leaving harp after first or second selection 
 for an encore if necessary but at final takes 
 harp with him and leaves room. Prof, goes 
 to door with musician and hands him one 
 dollar, closes door, turns to enter) 
 
 Professor 
 (Returns to Mr. Finley) 
 I think music from the harp is wonderfully 
 pleasing to the ear — rather soul inspiring. 
 
 Finley 
 It seems to strike a sympathetic chord in my 
 nature, too . 
 
 (Door bell rings) 
 
114 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Professor 
 (Goes to the door. Miss H alter enters. 
 Neat appearing but not stylish^ a young 
 lady about 25 years. Extending her card 
 which the Prof, takes) 
 
 Professor 
 Miss Haller, come right in. 
 
 (Prof, introduces Mr. Finley, who ac- 
 knowledges the introduction) 
 Miss Haller 
 I am at liberty now to go ahead with my 
 demonstration. I have brought my slate and 
 pencil ; we can proceed at once if you are ready. 
 
 Professor 
 With pleasure. I'll call my daughter immedi- 
 ately. 
 
 (Prof, leaves room) 
 
 Finley 
 Miss Haller, when did you find out you had 
 this strange power to do this writing? 
 
 Miss Haller 
 About two years ago. I was suddenly taken 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 115 
 
 hold of by an unseen force and my hand was 
 controlled to pick up a lead pencil that was 
 lying on the table. I was forced to write upon 
 a pad of paper nearby and when the spell 
 went away I found I could not read what I 
 had written except by looking into the looking 
 glass, then the meaning was quite plain. I 
 could read it without any errors in the writ- 
 ing. 
 
 Finley 
 Remarkable! To what do you attribute this 
 power, Miss Haller? 
 
 Miss Haller 
 I know it is a spirit force that controls my 
 hand. 
 
 (Prof, and Esther enter room) 
 
 Professor 
 Miss Haller, this is my daughter. I want you 
 to have a nice visit with us to-day. 
 
 Esther 
 Seems to me I feel a strange power myself 
 and feel some remarkable work will be done. 
 
116 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Father is so interested in his research work and 
 if you can only find a solution to this problem 
 of the submarine menace you will then prove 
 to all of us your powers are a spiritual gift. 
 Why father and I are afraid to go to Europe 
 on account of the danger of being torpedoed. 
 
 Professor 
 
 We are at your service Miss Haller any time 
 you care to begin. 
 
 Miss Haller 
 I'll sit next to Mr. Williams, then your daugh- 
 ter and Mr. Finley can sit opposite. You can 
 rest your left hand on my right hand Mr. 
 Williams and we don't need to turn down any 
 of the lights for I can write in the light just as 
 well. If you will concentrate your mind on 
 the subject you want me to write or draw upon 
 the slate perhaps it may help things along, but 
 be passive and see what happens. 
 
 (Miss Haller holds pencil in a position to 
 write with her left hand then relaxes) 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 117 
 
 Professor 
 Esther, will you bring me a pad and a lead 
 pencil as I am impressed to write in conjunc- 
 tion with the psychic. 
 
 (Esther leaves the room hurriedly and en- 
 terSj gives the pad and pencil to Prof.) 
 Are conditions all right, Miss Haller? 
 
 Miss Haller 
 Yes, I feel conditions are good. 
 
 ( Then she poses her arm again in a writing 
 position with her left hand and waits for 
 the spirits to move her arm) 
 (Prof, takes up pencil and holds it in post- 
 tion similar to Miss Haller when suddenly 
 he begins to write. He is highly interested 
 in some idea, he removes his left hand from 
 Miss Halter's right and puts all his energy 
 into his work, he draws a diagram of the 
 invention he so anxiously wanted; all now 
 seems clear to him. Some wonderful power 
 has come to him through the magnetic power 
 of Miss Haller. Now his face is all aglow 
 
118 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 as his hand writes very fast, almost jumbles 
 the letters together in such haste. He looks 
 up) 
 
 Professor 
 I have it at last. 
 
 (Then looks at the psychic) 
 Miss Haller 
 (Draws a diagram) 
 
 Professor 
 Is the diagram in connection with what I have 
 drawn? 
 
 Miss Haller 
 (Hand writes) 
 Yes. 
 
 Professor 
 Are the dimensions the same as I have on my 
 sheet. 
 
 Miss Haller 
 (Hand writes) 
 Yes. 
 
 Professor 
 Shall it be three or two. 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 119 
 
 Miss Haller 
 (Hand writes) 
 Three. 
 
 Professor 
 (Comparing the two drawings and at last 
 sees the connection, thus solving the prob- 
 lem) 
 I have the complete invention and can now go 
 ahead with assurance of success, the psychic 
 is wonderful. This must be kept a secret until 
 we can get it before the proper authorities at 
 Washington who can then decide if it is to be 
 used or not. At last science can give to the 
 world something that will combat the sub- 
 marine and curb the dangerous weapon. 
 Miss Haller 
 (Relaxes and sits bach into seat, looks at 
 Prof.) 
 Did you get what you desired. 
 
 Professor 
 Yes. Even more than I ever expected to get ; 
 it's perfectly marvelous, your power seemed to 
 
120 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 contact me when I touched your hand, but I 
 get my writing in more of an inspirational way 
 than you do with your automatic writing. 
 
 Miss Haller 
 Now I must be going as I have an engagement 
 soon. 
 
 (Arising) 
 
 (Puts on her hat, shakes hands with all) 
 
 Esther 
 I would like to have you come over again soon. 
 Now you must promise me you will do so, as I 
 am very much interested myself — besides I 
 want you to write for me about my future. 
 
 Miss Haller 
 Only too glad to do so, but I'll let you know. 
 
 Finley 
 Do you often feel inclined to write as you have 
 done to-day, or draw diagrams or pictures? 
 
 Miss Haller 
 Quite often I feel the forces trying to get me 
 to write. Perhaps I should let scientific men 
 investigate some of the work I am capable of 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 121 
 
 doing, with the assistance of this spirit force 
 working through me, as many more problems 
 will have to be solved now the war has such a 
 firm grip upon the whole world. Perhaps if 
 we looked to the spirit forces for enlightenment 
 we might find a quick solution to all our serious 
 problems. 
 
 (Bids all good-bye and leaves) 
 Professor 
 I see I have a work to draft this thing in 
 shape . . . 
 
 (Taking the diagram and putting it in his 
 pocket) 
 so I'll do it right away with everything fresh 
 in my mind, and when we go to Margaret's 
 to-night for dinner, I will send for Senator 
 Cameron, who lives on the same street as Mar- 
 garet, and have him take it up with Washing- 
 ton authorities. 
 
 Professor 
 (Now moves to the desk, arranges his pa- 
 pers so he can get busy with the drawings, 
 
122 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 and bids all to leave him alone for the rest 
 of the afternoon) 
 
 Esther 
 Now, father, don't overtax your strength over 
 this invention. Do try and be ready for the 
 auto by 6 P.M., won't you, daddy? 
 
 Professor 
 Yes, I'll be ready, but call me at 5 P.M. if I 
 am not through by then. 
 
 Finley 
 (Standing up ready to go) 
 Professor, when you have your sketches made, 
 would you mind letting me see them? 
 
 Professor 
 I'm afraid I can't do that, as it would not be 
 right to let anyone know for fear of the enemy 
 getting the secret, and then they would be able 
 to combat this new invention with devices of 
 their own — so you will excuse me if I don't 
 show them. I would not even tell Esther, but 
 I will have to submit them to some one who is 
 in authority, and I think Senator Cameron will 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 123 
 
 be just the man — he can have them tried out. 
 I'll get real busy now, so, excuse me. 
 
 Finley 
 Certainly. Come along Esther. 
 (Both leave the room) 
 
 Professor 
 (Seated at his desk busy at his work draw- 
 ing diagram. The Curtain drops on this 
 scene) 
 
 End of Act I. 
 
124 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 ACT II 
 
 Scene 
 
 Margaret Hibbard's dining room 
 on West 58th Street, New York, 
 room elaborately decorated, with 
 round table with six chairs. 
 
 Time: 
 
 7 P.M. same day. 
 
 Dinner about to be served. 
 (Margaret enters — she is medium height, 
 brown hair, stylish, in full evening dress, 
 is about 30 to 35 years old. She looks 
 around to see if the table is ready, crosses 
 over to the door to the left, opens it and an- 
 nounces ee dinner is ready' to all in that 
 room. She remains standing at the door to 
 receive Jane Hibbard (Margaret's mother) , 
 tall, partly grey hair, neatly dressed, full 
 evening dress, 55 years old, stylish appear- 
 ance. She is accompanied by Prof. Williams 
 who leads her to her seat, next to Margaret 
 on the right facing the audience. Next fol- 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 125 
 
 lows Capt. King,, an army officer 1 in full 
 army uniform, about 30 years, good appear- 
 ance, manly — a friend of the family. He en- 
 ters on the arm of Esther. Geo. Walker, 
 friend of the family (a retired man of 60 to 
 65 years, stately, with full grey hair) , who 
 enters last when Margaret conducts him to 
 his seat. Margaret shows each to his or her 
 seat, then she seats herself at the head of the 
 table right hand, with profile to the audi- 
 ence) 
 
 (General discussions — order of seating as 
 follows, Margaret at right hand, her mother 
 next to her right, Walker next, Esther next 
 Capt. King, Prof. next. The circle is com- 
 plete) 
 
 (Sadie enters with soup — all guests partake 
 of soup) 
 
 Margaret 
 How perfect this day has been. Mother and 
 I have been down to our country home on Long 
 Island to see if all things are in place. You 
 
126 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 know I make these two places my abode, giv- 
 ing about half my time to each one. 
 
 Professor 
 My dear, I am so glad you can adapt your- 
 self to city life even in this summer season, for 
 I am more inclined to stay in the city than 
 living exclusively in the suburbs or country 
 estates. But you can do just as you have done 
 when we are married, for I know you and your 
 mother have been inseparable. 
 
 Jane 
 When Margaret becomes Mrs. Williams, she 
 shall go to her husband's home and be a duti- 
 ful wife in the full sense and meaning, and I 
 think it is the proper way; although she and 
 I have been so much together, it will fall heav- 
 ier on me than upon her, but I have been 
 through just such an experience myself and can 
 truthfully state facts. 
 
 Professor 
 Have you then decided to live here alone after 
 Margaret leaves? 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 127 
 
 Jane 
 Yes — Margaret and I had, an understanding 
 to-day. 
 
 Esther 
 When I get married, I want daddy to come 
 to my home often. 
 
 Jane 
 Oh, yes, I'll come often, but you know the old 
 saying about mothers-in-law, and I'll not put 
 myself in the path of anyone's happiness, for 
 I think all wives will do well to place all their 
 love on their husbands, and the husbands do 
 the same with their wives, for I know when the 
 wife is provoked she would run immediately 
 to her mother and seek consolation ; but I think 
 it is the duty of the husband to be the one to 
 smooth away all tears that may come to the 
 bride, thereby winning the affection of the one 
 he pledged to protect and cherish. 
 
 Capt. King 
 I heartily agree with Mrs. Hibbard, but as 
 much as I love my mother, I would think it best 
 
128 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 to abide by the decision of the one I select for 
 
 my wife. 
 
 (Esther looking up shyly into his face — 
 Capt. looking with tenderness in his eyes 
 toward Esther) 
 
 Professor 
 I have sent word to Senator Cameron to come 
 over after dinner. You have met him, dear. 
 (Turning to Margaret) 
 
 Margaret 
 (Looks up surprised) 
 I know him quite well. Mrs. Cameron has 
 been here quite often. I understand he's go- 
 ing to Washington in a day or two. 
 
 Professor 
 By the way, dear, I have invented some won- 
 derful method to fight the submarine success- 
 fully. While it has not been tested yet, only 
 having come to me this morning, yet I feel 
 the whole plan is just what we want. I'm go- 
 ing to ask the Senator to take the plans to 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 129 
 
 Washington, and see what can be done to give 
 them a test. 
 
 Margaret 
 How in the world did you ever get such a 
 wonderful invention? 
 
 Esther 
 Indeed, Margaret, a woman helped him. 
 (She smiles at Margaret roguishly) 
 
 Margaret 
 Well, I'll not worry about that, just so he got 
 some invention that will be worth while. 
 
 Professor 
 I had an automatic writer come to our home 
 this morning, and through her influence I was 
 able to see my way clearly to invent this de- 
 vice. She partly confirmed all the points that 
 would arise, sometimes adding detail that I was 
 not quite sure about. 
 
 Margaret 
 Why, I have heard of those psychics. They 
 must have help from an unseen force — they 
 
130 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 claim it is the departed spirit friends that help 
 them. 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 Professor, I am glad the scientists have some 
 faith in the supernatural, as they call it; but I 
 think they are only natural laws properly car- 
 ried out. 
 
 Professor 
 I am firmly convinced now that all of us have 
 such powers, but as yet we have not used them 
 to any extent. 
 
 (Dinner is over — they all arise. Jane is 
 busy seeing to have the dishes removed. 
 If the table can be lifted bodily and taken 
 out that way, it perhaps would be better, 
 but it may be too big for the doors) 
 (Prof, and Walker are seen in quiet dis- 
 cussion on this subject — they sit down and 
 smoke) 
 
 (Capt. and Esther are seen talking together 
 — she laughing at something he said) 
 (Margaret approaches Prof, with a smile) 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 131 
 
 Margaret 
 Would you gentlemen like to step out into the 
 other room while the table is cleared. 
 
 Professor 
 With pleasure, but we are coming back, as I 
 prefer this room to see the Senator. 
 
 (All leave the room on left. Prof, and Mar- 
 garet go together talking, as the servants 
 clear the table and put on an elaborate cover 
 and lamp and other bric-a-brac) 
 (Margaret comes into the room alone. Door 
 bell rings. She goes to a door back of scene 
 in another room — leaves room to answer 
 bell, Margaret enters with Senator Cam- 
 eron) 
 
 Margaret 
 It is quite a surprise to see you. How is Mrs. 
 Cameron? 
 
 Senator 
 Quite well, thanks, 
 
132 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Margaret 
 iWon't you sit down? I'll call Prof. Williams 
 ^— I believe he wants to see you. 
 
 Senator 
 Yes, I received word to come over here as he 
 had some business matter he wanted to discuss 
 with me. 
 
 Margaret 
 From what I hear it seems to be very import- 
 ant, but I'll call him. 
 
 (Excuses herself and leaves room) 
 (Prof, enters room, shakes Senator's hand) 
 
 Senator 
 
 Glad to see you. 
 
 Professor 
 
 Thanks. Senator, I want to talk to you in 
 
 regard to some invention of mine. I drew a 
 
 sketch of ft this afternoon. 
 
 (Taking some papers from inside pocket 
 — both draw their chairs to the table and 
 with faces to audience) 
 
 I want you to look them over and read wha£ 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 133 
 
 I have to say and see if you think it quite 
 plain, so you can explain to the Washington 
 authorities about my invention. 
 
 Senator 
 (Looking over letter and examining sketch 
 — appears elated — turns to Prof.) 
 By jove, Professor, you've got the right idea. I 
 know it will work, for I can see the scheme. 
 It seems simple after one has the plans before 
 him. 
 
 Professor 
 Yes, that's just the trouble — it was something 
 different from the usual technique employed, 
 that's all. 
 
 Senator 
 I can see all the good points of your inven- 
 tion, and I'll gladly see what can be done to 
 give it a good try-out. I'll be in Washington 
 day after to-morrow. 
 
 Professor 
 You will not tell anyone except the proper au- 
 thorities. That is the reason I selected you 
 
134 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 to be my messenger, as you can do more on 
 this matter than I can. 
 
 Senator 
 I believe so, too, as I may get a bill through 
 to have some civilian put on the consulting 
 board that handles those matters for the gov- 
 ernment, but I'll see you are protected and 
 your patent put through correctly. 
 
 Senator 
 (Arising as if to go) 
 
 Professor 
 Don't be in a hurry. Won't you stay and 
 visit a while? 
 
 Senator 
 Thanks, but I'll have to be going. 
 
 Professor 
 I'm trying to do my bit like all the rest in 
 these war times. We need harmony and co- 
 operation to solve these great problems thai; 
 daily come to our notice. 
 
 Senator 
 I'll do all I qan in the matter, trust me. 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 135 
 
 ( Walks to door with Prof, who opens door 
 — goes out in other room and departs) 
 
 Professor 
 Good-night and thank you. 
 
 (Closes the door — enters the room again) 
 
 (Margaret enters room and meets Prof. 
 
 Esther and Capt. enter room together. All 
 
 four walk over to the piano) 
 
 (Speaking to Margaret) 
 Suppose we leave the young folks to themselves 
 for a while, as I have some interesting news I 
 want to tell you. 
 
 Margaret 
 Come along then. 
 
 (Smiling as both leave the room) 
 
 Capt. King 
 (Smiling at Prof, and Margaret) 
 Delighted! 
 
 (Turns to Esther with a slight gesture to- 
 ward the piano) 
 Miss Williams, won't you play on the piano? 
 
136 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Esther 
 (Takes a seat on piano stools turns to piano 
 and runs over the keys for a minute or two. 
 Capt. sits down comfortably near by) 
 
 Esther 
 (Turns toward Capt. King) 
 Captain, will you sing if I play for you? 
 
 Capt. King 
 (Rises and goes toward Esther) 
 Have you any music that I can select from? 
 
 Esther 
 Yes, look these over. 
 
 (Handing him several pieces of music she 
 takes from top of piano) 
 
 Capt. King 
 (Selecting one, putting rest on piano) 
 Let's try this one. 
 
 (Naming song he will sing) 
 
 Esther 
 1 (Begins with piano part) w 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 137 
 
 Capt. King 
 (Stands near Esther, with face to audience, 
 sings) 
 
 (If successful one more song of a different 
 character as encore) 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 (Enters room, looks surprised) 
 Beg pardon, am I intruding? 
 Esther 
 (Turning around) 
 No, indeed, come join us. 
 
 (Geo. Walker takes seat near Capt) 
 Mr. Walker, were you ever in the army? 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 No, I was never connected in any of the 
 branches of the government, but have been in 
 the manufacturing business in England in my 
 younger days. 
 
 Capt. King 
 I think for a man to serve one's country, when 
 that country is at war, that should be his high- 
 est attainment. 
 
138 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Esther 
 (Smiling approvingly) 
 So do I, but if he were to be taken away to 
 fight, don't you think it would be hard for the 
 loved ones left behind? 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 There's no doubt of it, but we have all to share 
 in this war and all the burdens are divided 
 amongst us so we can be in sympathy one with 
 another. 
 
 Capt. King 
 I will go to my regiment to-morrow, as I only 
 had a four-day furlough. We expect to cross 
 to France soon to be in the fight. All the boys 
 are anxious to go and no doubt it will try their 
 metal. 
 
 (Prof, and Margaret enter room, walking 
 toward the group) 
 
 Professor 
 Daughter, get ready to leave, for the auto will 
 be here in a few moments. 
 
 (Jane enters and takes seat) 1 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 139 
 
 Esther 
 Oh, father, Captain King expects to go to the 
 front soon. I wish I were a man so I could 
 go, too. 
 
 Professor 
 Your duty is right at home, my dear, holding 
 the home ties together. If you were a nurse, 
 then I would have no hesitancy in letting you 
 go, if you so desired, for that work is as much 
 needed as the man at the gun — otherwise it is 
 a man's war and men will have to fight it out. 
 Let us hope a way may be found that will tend 
 toward peace and good will to all mankind. 
 
 Capt. King 
 Mr. Williams, may I have the honor to cor- 
 respond with your daughter, as I believe I 
 may have that pleasure with her consent. 
 
 (Looking toward Esther) 
 Professor 
 It rests solely with her, Captain King. I cer- 
 tainly will not interfere with her wishes. 
 
 (Margaret, smiling, walks over toward Cap- 
 
140 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 tain King, engages in consultation, but not 
 aloud. Esther joins Captain King and Mar- 
 garet. Geo\ Walker and Jane arise, shake 
 hands with Captain and Esther when the 
 curtain drops) 
 {Orchestra should here play "America") 
 
 Curtain 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 141 
 ACT III 
 
 Scene: 
 Time: 
 
 Same as Act I. 
 
 One week later. 
 
 Prof, and Margaret are to be mar- 
 ried at 8 P.M. with wedding sup- 
 per ready to be served. Table 
 should be set bach of stage to the 
 right, elegantly arranged with 
 flower decorations on table and 
 plants around room; desk should 
 not appear in this scene but an air 
 of elegance should prevail. 
 Scene opens with Geo. Walker and 
 Mr. Finley in full evening dress 
 standing talking to one another. 
 Rev. Newton enters, minister {garb 
 of minister) with glasses and 
 gloves and ministerial looking, per- 
 haps 50 years old. Neat black 
 
142 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 clothing with book in hand, he goes 
 to Geo. Walker and Mr. Finley. 
 All three shake hands. 
 (Geo. Walker and Mr. Finley leave room 
 after excusing themselves. Prof, and Mar- 
 garet, Esther and Geo. Walker, Mr. Fin- 
 ley and Jane follow immediately after in 
 bridal costumes enter arm in arm. She has 
 a bouquet of flowers on her bosom with bridal 
 veil upon her head — both walk toward mini- 
 ster. Both face about with Jane at side of 
 Margaret and Mr. Finley at side of Prof. 
 George Walker and Esther stand to left of 
 group — all in full dress) 
 (Here orchestra should play wedding march 
 softly and stop playing when minister turns 
 with his back to audience to marry the 
 couple; when he reaches the point where the 
 ring is to be given Mr. Finley should be the 
 one to produce it from his vest pocket en- 
 closed in a jewel box, open it and offer it to 
 the bridegroom, who takes it out of the box 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 143 
 
 and puts it on the bride's finger. It should 
 not be a long ceremony but long enough to 
 seem real. The words of the minister could 
 be heard by the audience, but some of the 
 ceremony could be left out so as not to make 
 it binding. After wedding then the usual 
 greeting and congratulations are in order. 
 All take action. Jane should be seen with a 
 tear in her eye as she kisses Margaret, as all 
 mothers feel they have lost them when they 
 get married. Esther appears normal and 
 kisses the bride and her father. After all 
 have shaken hands and talked long enough 
 on the subject of the wedding, have Mar- 
 garet now assign all to their respective places 
 at the wedding table {which should be cor- 
 nered large enough to seat 7 persons and 
 should set lengthwise) . The assigning of the 
 places should be perfectly natural not to be 
 in a stereotyped way but all to be perfectly 
 natural as possible — order of each person at 
 the table. After all are seated should be 
 
144 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Margaret at head right-hand. Profile to 
 audience, on her right should be Prof., then 
 Mr. Finley, then at opposite end of table 
 place the Rev. Newton, next him at the side 
 next to audience Esther, then George and 
 Jane. Wine should be served in small glasses 
 at each plate on the table before the curtain 
 goes up. The soup is brought in — each 
 should partake of some) 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 {Arising) 
 
 {Offers a toast, holds a small glass of wine 
 in right hand, half turns toward bride, and 
 in a clear voice for all to hear) 
 
 May love and happiness, 
 
 Abide in this home always, 
 
 Is my fervent wish. 
 
 {Then all raise their glasses and repeat in 
 unison) 
 
 All 
 
 May every home thus be blessed. 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 145 
 
 (After all have eaten and arisen from the 
 table the table then can be moved by the serv- 
 ants toward the door in right hand corner of 
 stage. I would suggest leaving table intact 
 as it was with all the decorations instead of 
 clearing off. The guests then can take seats 
 around room or remain standing talking to 
 one another. Would suggest some seat them- 
 selves, others standing in pairs and talking 
 in a jolly mood, Margaret, with veil re, 
 moved, if not already done so) 
 Professor 
 
 Suppose we all have a dance — say a minuet! 
 Esther 
 
 I think that would be real jolly. 
 (Walking toward centre of room) 
 
 Geo. Walker 
 (Turns to Esther) 
 
 Suppose we start the dance. 
 
 (He takes her as his partner, orchestra can 
 then play a minuet if not already begun at 
 the suggestion of the dance) 
 
146 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 Professor 
 (Walks toward Margaret) 
 
 Will you try this with me? 
 Margaret 
 
 Certainly ! 
 
 (Both dance together) 
 
 (Mr. Finley asks Jane to dance, she com- 
 
 plies. All dance this dance through to the 
 
 end) 
 
 (After dance ladies can be seen with fans 
 
 talking to partners or walking about room 
 
 to cool off j, some should take seats and a 
 
 general conversation should be here indulged 
 
 in) 
 
 Professor 
 
 I have a surprise for all of you. 
 
 (Announcing with a mysterious air, then 
 turns to door on left, goes out but immedi- 
 ately returns with two singers, male and fe- 
 male who are in full evening dress, having 
 just previously arrived in the next room as 
 Prof, had instructed the doorman to take 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 147 
 
 them into parlor and notify him when they 
 came. He introduces both to all the guests 
 who return introduction either shaking hands 
 or bowing graciously. Then all are to take 
 seats around room or I would suggest the 
 men (one or two) stand in rear part of stage 
 listening attentively. He leads the two sing- 
 ers to the front of the stage and after a mo- 
 ment or two talking with them announces 
 to the guests in tones loud enough for all the 
 audience to hear) 
 
 Madame Simpson will sing — 
 (Name song) 
 
 (Male singer can be seated nearby until 
 Madame has finished her song) 
 
 (Prof, takes seat. All should remain quiet 
 except ladies could be seen fanning them- 
 selves, xdth smiles of approval to one an- 
 other, but in a perfectly natural manner as 
 the occasion may require) 
 
 (After Madame sings she may give an en- 
 
148 THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 
 
 core if song is acceptable but only a short 
 one) 
 
 (Then Prof, walks toward Madame, 
 bowing and seating her nearby, then turn- 
 ing to Mr. Lathrop) 
 Mr. Lathrop, will you favor us with a selection? 
 
 Mr. Lathrop 
 (Bows, rising) 
 Certainly! With pleasure! 
 
 (At proper moment orchestra should begin 
 his song) 
 
 (Prof, previously having announced to the 
 guests title of this selection) 
 (Prof, takes seat after doing so) 
 If song is acceptable, short encore to be 
 indulged in. Then Prof, walks to both sug- 
 gesting that they sing a duet. They both 
 arise and after a moment or so indulge in 
 their selection which they have previously 
 agreed upon as final encore. This song title 
 should be announced to the guests but in 
 announcing this song and the other songs 
 
THE MYSTIC SCIENCE 149 
 
 I would suggest the Prof, anounce it to the 
 audience in such a manner that the audience 
 would hear distinctly the titles of each song 
 rendered) 
 
 (After duet all should applaud vigorously, 
 those that are seated coming forward with 
 congratulations to the singers. Enthusiasm 
 displayed by guests, here slow curtain 
 should descend) 
 
 END OF PLAY 
 
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 Treatment Date: Nov. 2004 
 
 PreservationTechnologies 
 
 A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 
 
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