bear immortal fruit; if he leaves in the grave only the swaddling clothes of his spiritual infancy, and rises from the sleep of present death to future life, in a perfect human form, and not a shapeless myth or formless essence, or insubstantial ghost, then death is a grand step in life-it solves all its enigmas, and is the fulfilment of which this life is but the prophecy. I fear many of us have gross conceptions of the resurrection of the life everlasting. Very Materialistic notions, and carnal views of diviner things. The material must ever be subservient to the spiritual. The material world is only the outbirth of the spiritual world, as matter is only the outgrowth of soul. And the material body is only the house I dwell in. It is no part of the real man; it is only the instrument of me--the tool with which I work out God's great purposes; and what we call death is only the vacating of this frail abode, which is the body, by the soul that was its tenant on life's short lease. Indeed, the words body and abode are the same, the one being but a shortened form of the other, for the body if only the abode of the soul. So death is simply the withdrawal of the inner man from his outer shell. This he casts aside, just as the butterfly does the chrysalis. He deserts it, and, by the act, steps out of this world into another. I am not at all surprised at the horror many people have of death, considering how they regard the body to the neglect of the soul. Practically, in this way, like the Sadducees of old, disbelieving in angel or spirit or eternal world, death can only be looked upon by them as annihilation rather than a simple change of state and real gate of life. Let it be understood that the spirit is the real man, and that the body profiteth nothing, and then the case is altered. Let it be known that the spirit of man is in the human form, with all the functions of a man, and that it gives shape to the body just as my hand does to a glove; that it dwells in every part of the body, and vitalizes every attribute, organ, or member, and the higher views of man and of his destiny, of life and death and eternity, will be the result. Instead of saying that man is a material being that has a spirit, let us come nearer to the truth, and say that he is a spirit that has a material body, and juster conceptions regarding mortal life and the life immortal will follow, and death will be robbed of its terrors; for the real man is no more affected by death than the visible man is affected by the wearing out of his clothes. It is not the body that lives, but the soul in the body. Matter cannot observe, reflect, remember, reason, understand, or love. It has no power of itself. Refine it. organise it, fashion it as you will, it is still passive and in itself dead. Therefore the human body cannot perform one of its functions, after the man has left it. It is the spirit that quickeneth-the flesh profiteth nothing; and when this is cast off and disencumbered from the soul, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, real living men, complete in the higher nature of immortality, we shall stand, and not as airy ghosts or phantom essences of unsubstantial nothingness. At the Transfiguration Moses and Elias appeared unto our Lord, and Peter, James, and John, and talked with them, and should not this be conclusive evidence that Moses and Elias were not mere appearances, or disembodied vapours, or holy mists, but real angelic men? In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus we read how they recognize each other, and speak concerning each other, not as if they were the popular conception of ghosts-thin clouds of impalpable ether-but living, breathing, substantial men-one indeed far too substantial, for he had a parched tongue, and withal (as a problem for you, O ye everlasting to everlasting burning creedalists for the errors of a few mortal years), though in condemnation yet had he a feeling heart, for he wished to warn his brethren lest they also should come into like torment. But, as to the body, both Dives and Lazarus were dead and buried, and, in popular phraseology, there was ar end of them. Really, however, it was only the house they lived in that had gone to decay. The tenant was still alive, and had simply changed his abode. The natural body, void of the soul, loses the special power that gives it organization, and keeps it in repair, and gives it form, and enables it to resist the common forces of nature, and so, losing this vital force (which scientists begin to call phychic force),it yields to their solvent action; the dust returns to the earth as it was, and in this seuse confirms what righteous Job declares when he says, " He that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. The corruptible goes to corruption-becomes earth, chemical salts, gas, and mingles with the elements, while the real man, escaping from the prison-house of flesh, enters upon his new career, under new conditions, and with new results; for in the beautiful language of our burial service, "The souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity." So man is sown a natural body at birth; he is raised a spiritual body at death; for, as St. Paul says, "There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body," and as there are bodies celestial and bodies terrestial, so there are substances spiritual as well as substances material. Indeed, spirit is far more real and substantial than matter, for it is eternal. It was first, and will be last, because God is pure spirit, and is the Alpha and Omega of all things. The temporal and material, therefore, are only the shadow of the eternal and spiritual, as matter is but the sediment or residuum of spirit. In answer, then, to the question of our text that says, "Man dieth and wasteth away, yea, mau giveth up the ghost and where is he?" we reply: In a world far more real and substantial than this, which is only its temporal outcome, and with a body far more perfect than this poor pitcher of earth. It is the pious opinion of many that there are as many spiritual worlds as there are material worlds-that each planet is enveloped in its corre and sponding heaven. Grand idea! That makes the immensity of God's spiritual kingdom infinite! St. Paul speaks of the third heaven, another of the seventh heaven, but these are only poor forms of speech that betray our imperfect and finite comprehension of the perfect, infinite, and incomprehensible; for numbers can never compass the creative love of omnipotent energy surging forth continually to sustain, recreate, and newcreate incessantly new suns and systems, stars, and spheres, other worlds that in course of formation trench upon the confines of limitless immensity in the profound abyss of upfathomed space-each orb a solid thought dropped from the meditation of a God. And as the Eternal's creation from Himself as pure spirit, flowing forth, concretes itself to matter, which is the Eternal mind precipitated, so carnal man, as the gross of what has been refined, the human of what is Divine, reverts to his first condition when the wheels of his being are no longer clogged with clay, and the inert clod of earth drops from his immortal soul. "The dust shall return to the earth as it was, but the spirit shall return to God who gave it." But, touching the substantial and real nature of spirit. If we look at the mere body as the real man, as so many people practically do, the change which we call death may well be terrible. There lies the form we have loved, cold, motionless, dead. The light of affection no longer beams upon us from the eye. The ear is deaf to our imploring cries. The smile of love has faded from the lips. The arm hath lost its power, the fingers their cunning; and soon the very form disappears, and mingles with the elements, and is lost. How terrible the fate if that body were the man himself! How irreparable the loss if the friend, the child, the husband, the wife, were that form! But they are not. They have gone home, and this dead thing is only the relict they have left behind as worn-out, worthless impedimenta, or a cumbrous load that would hinder their progress to the realms of light. We see them no longer now, and we bury the dead out of our sight. The body we see through tears, but not them. We never saw them. We never see one another, only the masks we wear. They have thrown off theirs; and when we have thrown off ours, then we shall see them, and they see us, "not as through a glass darkly, but then face to face, and then shall we know even as also we are known." Death, therefore, is not a mistake, nor an accident, nor a thing to recoil from, but to be welcomed, when our work is done, as grateful sleep, for the closing of the hard to-day, and the dawning of a glorious to-morrow. Life's fitful fever over, we sleep well if we sleep in Christ, and He who is "the Resurrection and the Life" awakes us. "Mortals may cry, 'A man is dead!' Angels will sing, 'A child is born."" Death is therefore an ordinary step in life, Man was never meant to live immortal here, but in the immortal hereafter; death, which is only change of existence, is a step in the right direction towards that end. Were this not so, the number of the inhabitants of this little planet must sooner or later have reached the limit of the earth's ability to support them, or capacity to contain them, and then the creation of human souls must have ceased. But can we believe for a moment, that all the human beings this little mote in the universe can sustain, would satisfy the demands of infinite love? What would the Almighty do through coming ages to all eternity? Could he contentedly rest satisfied with the endless prayers and praises from a few men and angels such as our poor earth could grow and bear? No! that would be contrary to his very nature, which is love. For love impels to action. It is a motive power. It is creative. Fill a human heart with a powerful affection, and it impels the whole man to action. He cannot rest idle. He must be energetic in the interest of his love. What, then think you, my brethren must be the effect of infinite love, guided by infinite wisdom? Why the tremendous energy of the eternal, that goes out in never-ending creative power! And if God's creative power were to cease, by the limitation of earth's capacity to support man's material wants, did not death afford scope and room for continual creation, the whole structure of society would be shaken. Many of its important elements would be wanting. There would be no infancy, no childhood, no age, no room for enterprise, no ground for enlarged hope. As it is, we are cabined, cribbed, confined by the material body; and what would be if we were doomed to bear the burden for ever? May you outlive all your friends, is a fearful curse. To die, then, in God's good time, and that is when our work is done, is our ready cheerful lot, and not our fearful fate, looked forward to in terror. The sparrow cannot fly in the summer air, and pour forth the fulness of its own delight in a song, until its organism has been effected in the shell. So neither can man enter into the full consciousness of the perfections of the spiritual world, until by Divine grace and power the proper spiritual organisation has been formed in the material body. And as the bird cannot enter into its new world until it breaks the shell and escapes from it, so neither can we rise into the spiritual world, till we have thrown off our corporeal part, and broken down the middle wall of partition that separates us from it. Death therefore is not a curse, but an orderly step in life; a blessing, and a sign of progress. Man dieth and wasteth away, says the text, but as the outer man wasteth the inner man developes. He giveth up the What seems so is transition; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the life elysian, Mors janua vitæ. Death the gate of Life. Ah, let us live that we may realise this, and the sooner being ready for the inevitable change, put these grand views to the proof. HOME CIRCLES. To the Editor.-Sir,-Mr. Heel, an engine driver, who lives in New England, Peterborough, went on a visit with his wife last summer to some friends who are Spiritualists. On their return they resolved to hold some seances at home. I have been present at two of their seances, and find they are progressing very rapidly. Last Sunday evening there were five sitters present; each one of the five put a single finger under the leaf of the table, without lifting any, when the table immediately sprang up as high as the gaselier; this was repeated three times, the gas burning brightly, and a good fire showing light at the same time. We then stood up and touched the upper surface of the table with the tips of our fingers, when the table was lifted clear off the carpet. The gas lights were turned out, but the fire showing bright. Under these conditions the table was turned round very rapidly, a movement that was new to me. After the fire burned down, and the room was in a state of semi-darkness, Mrs. Heel saw her father clairvoyantly. He unfolded a scroll and showed his daughter some poetry, which she read and copied. The poetry was of a fair quality, and contained some sound and good advice. on THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Far beyond the sun, moon, and star ? You've seen the gates ajar. 'Tis near, not far, but shaded by sin: What is it doth make that beautiful land? Is it mountain, and stream, and vale, And sunshine, and shower dealt with bounteous hand, What makes the land is told in the Word: And where Light and Love dwell 'tis always noon: And this is their law, that all must do To all as they would be done unto. GOSWELL HALL, 290, GOSWELL ROAD. W. D. On Sunday evening Mr. C. W. Pearce gave his second lecture "The Great Pyramid" as representing the spiritual man. The lecture was very interesting, and a request was made that he deliver a third lecture on Sunday, Dec. 5. On Sunday morning at 11 a.m. a gentleman who is an earnest worker will open the subject: "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof." In the evening at 7 Mr. J. K. Lewis will deliver a lecture, with poetical readings, as advertised elsewhere. W. Towns, Sec. SYDENHAM.-Mr. Burns has refused to head the debate on Spiritualism at the Lecture Hall on the 16th instant; the "Ex Medium " having been deputed to lead the opposition. He would rather select his foeman than have any one thrust on him. SPIRITUALISM, THE BIBLE, AND TABERNACLE PREACHERS. A Discourse by J. BURNS, of the Spiritual Institution, London, In reply to a Sermon entitled "THE RELIGION OF GHOSTS," by the Rev. DE Mr. Heel furnished me with notes of a singular occurrence. On Sunday evening, October 24, Mrs. Heel's father appeared to her, and held up a silver chain. He appeared again on Sunday evening, 31st October, and held up a silver chain. At one o'clock in the morning, November 4th, Mrs. Heel said to her husband "There is my father again with the chain, and he is holding up PRICE TWOPENCE. 13 copies, post free, 1s. 9d.; 100 copies, 10s., carriage extra, some poetry." This she read to Mr. Heel, and on the afternoon of the same day she received a birthday present of a silver chain, accompanied with a piece of poetry, same as she had seen and read to her husband. I enclose the poetry herewith for publication, if you can spare space :— Long may you live in joy sublime May your life as joyous be As the sunshine, bright and free -One morn Mr. Sacker, a neighbour, who was present, is a strong physical medium and a clairvoyant. Several members of his family are good mediums. He told me some remarkable experiences during the last few months. I select the following:ing after getting home he sat down to make out his way-bill (he is an engine driver), but could not get on with it. He tried to smoke, but could not manage that either. He then tried a sitting alone, when his spirit daughter came and sat on his knee, put arms around his neck, and whispered in his ear, "Dada, don't swear." I need scarcely add advice coming in this way has had the desired effect. So you see, Mr. Editor, whilst stupids are denying, and conjurers playing "fantastic tricks" our spirit friends are busy working and successfully winning their way. Respectfully, J. MCKINNEY. Peterborough, Nov. 8th, 1880. MR. T. M. BROWN will remain in the north another week, but as his movements are uncertain his letters should be addressed, Myrtle House, Howden-le-Wear, R.SO., Durham. Invitations for the southern trip should be received at once. 1,000 copies, £4, carriage extra. The Religion of Spiritualism Defined. The Transfiguration of Jesus: What it The Materialisation and Dematerialisa- True Nature of Jesus' Post-mortem Body. Modern Spiritualism, a Supplement of " Christian Prayer; to whom Addressed ? The Witch of En-dor Libelled. The Genuineness of her Mediumship Modern Spiritualism a part of the Plan Origin of Jewish Law, Religion, and The Degrading Sacrifices of the Jews; Perversion and Simulation of Spiritual The Preacher's Mince Pie-ety. Remedial Effects of Mediumship. The "Rich Man and Lazarus," a Recog- The Blood of Atonement, a Relio of Trouble. Additional copies, post free, 1 d. each per week, or 6s. 7 d. per year, THE "MEDIUM" FOR 1880 POST FREE ABROAD. One copy will be sent weekly to all parts of Europe, United States, and British North America, for 8s. 10d. To India, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and nearly all other countries, for 11s. Money Orders may now be sent from nearly every country and colony to London through the Post Office. In other cases a draft on London, or paper currency, may be remitted. All orders for copies, and communications for the Editor, should be addressed to Mr. JAMES BURNS, Office of the MEDIUM, 15, Southampton Row, Holborn, London, W.C. The MEDIUM is sold by all newsvendors, and supplied by the wholesale trade generally. Advertisements inserted in the MEDIUM at 6d. per line. A series by contract. Legacies on behalf of the Cause should be left in the name of "James Burns." SEANCES AND MEETINGS DURING THE WEEK AT THE SPIRITUAL INSTITUTION, 15, SOUTHAMPTON ROW. THURSDAY.-School of Spiritual Teachers at 8 o'clock. THE MEDIUM AND DAYBREAK. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1880. NOTES AND COMMENTS. DR. MACK, since his return to London, has been doing, as usual, good work in healing, having benefited in a special manner several cases that had defied medical treatment. He had expected to be called back to America before this time, but circumstances have taken a direction which enables him to attend to his London patients. As we have received many inquiries from various parts of the country, we may state, for the benefit of the public, that Dr. Mack's address is 37, Upper Baker-street, N.W. He has a spare room which he can place at the disposal of a patient who may desire to reside in London a few days, The secession of the Rev. Stopford Brooke, whose statements we published two weeks ago, is causing much interest in various parts of the country. The Manchester Guardian, of November 1, contains an abstract of a sermon by the Rev. Silas Farrington, evidently a Unitarian minister, who contends that Mr. Brooke disbelieves in miracles-the miraculous portion of the Bible, We did not gather this from the declaration which we published; but rather that Mr. Brooke recognised a "vast spiritual communion," of which miracles are the expression in objective manner. Mr. Farrington is quite wrong when he assumes so complacently that the consensus of modern knowledge repudiates miracles. Spiritual manifestations-the modern name for miracles-are now recognised as scientific facts, and any man who denies the manifestation of spirit, either objectively or subjectively, to the senses or the intuitions, is alike ignorant of the nature of scriptural fact and modern incident. Mr. Brooke's "Sermons are rather explicit on spiritual manifestations. DR. CROWELL had the kindness to send us a copy of his Essay in tract form, and we have placed it on our first page. It is a useful little treatise, and should be made a permanent tract. The article that follows, from the pen of lady, is a fitting pendant. MRS. Richmond had a large and most intelligent audience at Neumeyer Hall on Sunday evening, to hear her closing discourse. After answering questions the lecture was given, consisting of - First, a word of warning,- the troubles that are about to spread over civilisation, and which have commenced; secondly, a word of consolation, which must be derived from the interior or spiritual nature, as no power can shield man from physical suffering and personal inconvenience; thirdly, a word of promise,-the Comforter or New Messiah is to come and be the stay and upholder of all who can appreciate his merits. MRS. RICHMOND's Farewell Concert takes place at Neumeyer Hall to-morrow evening, as per programme on another page. The Goswell Hall Happy Evening will take place on Thursday next. The programme we also publish this week. ON account of his other engagements, Mr. Towns must discontinue his Tuesday evening sittings at the Spiritual Institution. The series has been the most prolonged and best sustained that ever has been held at the Spiritual Institution. Mr. Towns' friends may find him at his residence, 1, Albert Terrace, Barnsbury Road, N. THERE is good harmony between the prognostications of "Dr. Kenealy " and those that came from Mrs. Richmond on Sunday evening. No system is advocated by either party, but a statement made of coming events. No advocacy can either hasten or restrain the immutable decrees of Providence; all we can do as mortals is to walk on the straight path. There are evidently great changes approaching, but they cannot be much more unpleasant than present trials. IN reporting Mrs. Richmond's discourse in last issue the date was inadvertently given as October 10; it should have been printed, October 17. Next week we will give a discourse by Mrs. Richmond, delivered on Oct. 24; subject: "The Present and Future Practical and Probable Result of Spiritualism in the World." CONFERENCES are good when held in the interests of Spiritualism, bad when they are convened in the interests of Spiritualists. An organisation of Spiritualists and a spiritual organisation are vastly different. Happy he, however harassing his lot may be, who works for Spiritualism, and is spared the infliction of these political spiritualistic conferences, such as that just held at Manchester. The Spiritualists are becoming wise few but the parties who had axes to grind attended. By some misunderstanding certain parties have been led to expect that Mrs. Richmond would deliver a discourse on Sunday. She will not speak anywhere on that day. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond leave London, Euston Station, at 12 o'clock, on Monday, and sail from Liverpool on Tuesday. 66 QUEBEC HALL.---The Sunday evening meetings have proved a decided success. Last meeting was closely crowded, and from the attention to the speaker and number of questions asked afterwards it is evident all were fully interested. Mr. Iver MacDonnell is now the regular lecturer on that evening. His subject was Baptism," and after defining apostolic baptism as a ceremony which made the person baptised the recipent of the Holy Ghost by which miracles were worked, and these miracles were promised by Jesus as the sign which should follow true believers, he called on the Orthodox Churches to produce the signs, else their baptism was a delusion. The theological views of Rome, England, and Scotland were criticised at length. Nearly a dozen persons spoke in reply, chiefly approving of the ideas advanced, and on some side issues there were warm moments, but in the very best spirit. "The Lord's Supper" was announced as next Sunday's subject. THE NEW PRINTING OFFICE. During the week we have received many little acts of encouragement in our new undertaking, and the work is getting into shape. We are particularly grateful for the good nature with which our faulty work and want of punctuality have been received. "Luos," enclosing 5s., thus writes: "I am very glad to see you are doing what I thought you ought to have done long ago, print your own paper. "I wish you success in your new venture. You will no doubt have your difficulties, but your energy and perseverance will soon overcome them." The following subscriptions have been received towards this object : £ s. d. 0 0 Mr. J. Wootton W. D. "Luos" Signor Damiani 1 0 050 2 0 0 300 FREE DISTRIBUTION OF SPIRITUAL LITERATURE. Dear Mr. Burns,-Do you not think we ought to have a working fund in connection with "Woman's Work" for the free distribution of spiritual literature? If I might venture I would ask those who take an interest in our work to help us raise such a fund, and to those who send and wish for literature for distribution, to have it. Sincerely hoping this will meet with my co-workers' approval, I remain, yours respectfully, "BRENTFORD CENTRE." P.S.-I beg to enclose 2s. 6d. towards the fund which I hope will be raised. Such a free distribution work has been in operation ever since the establishment of the Spiritual Institution. Hundreds of thousands of copies of the MEDIUM and other publications have been circulated in this and other countries, and the ordinary funds of the Spiritual Institution have been drawn on to meet the expenses. During this year we have endeavoured to keep count of the periodicals and other forms of printed matter supplied, but many items have been omitted for want of time to enter them. No one is refused who applies for printed information or literature for distribution. We have also commenced to keep a separate fund for this purpose, as suggested by our Brentford correspondent. It consists chiefly of little balances in excess of accounts paid, and which we have been kindly desired to retain for the good of the Cause. Some of the contributions are special. The following is the statement of account at the present time:: PUBLICATIONS CIRCULATED GRATUITOUSLY IN 1880. INSTITUTION WEEK, 1880: ARRANGEMENTS. FROM SUNDAY, DEC. 5, TO SUNDAY, DEC. 12. The following meetings will be held at the Spiritual Institution, 15, Southampton Row, London, W.C.: On Monday evening, Dec. 6, Miss Samuel will attend a meeting of ladies interested in "Woman's Work for the Extension of Spiritual Truth," and deliver an address under the influence of her spirit-guides, after which there will be a conference. The collection will go towards the fund for the distribution of spiritual literature. On Tuesday evening, December 7, Mr. Towns will give a seance. Collection towards Institution Week fund. On Wednesday evening J. Burns, O.S.T., will give a lecture on Spiritual Polity and Mutual Aid in Spiritual Work." Collection towards Institution Week fund. On Thursday evening, December 9, the School of Spiritual Teachers will be glad to see friends present interested in educational Spiritualism. On Friday evening, Dec. 10, J. Burns, O.S.T., will give a phrenological soiree. The collection towards Institution Week fund. Other arrangements will be duly announced. Spiritualists in all parts are desired to hold Institution Week meetings, consult as to how best all Spiritualists may be associated by one spirit of wisdom and goodness, and make a small contribution from everyone towards our central work. Thus in sentiment and act many will be united, and give strength to the work. MEDIUMS AND SPIRIT-CATCHERS BEWARE! MEDIUMS BEWARE, because a handful of cynical, atheistic, hungry, or crapulous individuals, taking advantage of the prejudice against Spiritualism and Spiritualists, in order to ventilate their insignificant selves, have entered into a conspiracy to persecute the mediums. Therefore admit only those who are regularly introduced to you by respectable Spiritualists. SPIRIT-CATCHERS BEWARE! for all Spiritualists are not meek and soft, and some of them have strong nerves and muscles, and if it ever happens that I, the undersigned, chance to be present at one of these seances into which squirts are imported, I'll promise that I will wrench the squirt from the hand of the uncouth boor, whether it be butcher or mad-doctor, and, after besmearing him well from head to foot with his own pigment, I will use as much force as may be necessary to expel him from the society of honest men. And if a police case be the result, the magistrate shall hear from Spiritualists what we think of the infamous persecution organised against serious men, who, defying the opposition and ridicule of an ignorant and money-grubbing world, are serving the cause of humanity. I give my word of honour as a gentleman to keep my promise. G. DAMIANI. London, Nov. 9. REFLECTIONS ON THE ESPERANCE CASE. A large space has been occupied in several numbers of Mind and Matter with a discussion of Mrs. Esperance's case. The Editor defends her valiantly, and his language in respect to her accusers is of the most vehement description: sharper verbal missiles could not be found in any vocabulary. In allusion to one remark we would say that "Resurgam,' an entire stranger to us, was in the first instance introduced to us by Mr. Fidler, one or more of the articles being elaborated from notes supplied by that gentleman, as is stated in Mrs. Fidler's letter of evidence which we published a few weeks ago. We have always had the fullest confidence in Mr. Fidler and also Mrs. Esperance-which confidence has not been in the least shaken by recent events. In printing the letters of "Resurgam" we acted with every precaution, based upon the recommendation of Mr. Fidler, who appears to have acted in open friendship and good faith towards his new friend. The intuitions of the women, as expressed in Mrs. Fidler's letter, saw deeper than Mr. Fidler's polite desire to act in a gentlemanly manner towards an insinuating stranger. It is an error to be too easy with all who desire to rush into the front rank. "You are harsh"-" be charitable " is the cant of those who are good for nothing but to uncharitably and harshly criticise those who have to take on heavy responsibilities. There is certainly no call for vile language, yet a spade must be called a spade, and in the interests of truth, spiritual publicists must use cognisable language in dealing with the most deadly enemies that assail the Movement. We can state facts about men and their acts without censure or vindictiveness. The worst enemies of our Cause and of ourselves personally we have sincerely pitied, while for the guidance of the public we felt it to be our painful duty to make a truthful statement of their conduct. It would be better indeed, all round, if we could recognise facts SOCIAL LIFE IN ENGLAND. without blame. We are not sorry, after all, that such an episode as the Esperance case has occurred, and that we COMMUNICATION FROM DR. KENEALY, SUNDAY AFTERnoon, have been made use of to chronicle the event in its various aspects. The history of Spiritualism would not have been complete without just such a record of the methods and influences that have been at work in it. Like vice, they have only to be seen to be abhorred, and that we have brought them into the light we do not regret. SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1880. (Written through J. G. R., South London Spiritual Society 8, Bournemouth-road, Peckham, London.) LAND. Mrs. Esperance has had a time of great suffering, in which she has won the sympathies of every right-minded person. Through these sufferings and sacrifice the Cause has been served in a way that could not have been attained otherwise. Never again will Mrs. Esperance use her mediumship in the same manner, and allow herself to become the victim of so much treachery and base ingratitude, Down from the heights of Spirit vision high, and if she should not do as hitherto, then other mediums Life is mapped out before our silent gaze; should also reform their methods. Her fate is a warning We downward cast our thoughts upon the sons of men From pinnacles of rest so lofty in the spheres, to all. The instrument, "Resurgam," the "Resurrec-The soul-engaging themes that do our time employ, tionist," the " Body Snatcher" (apt name), has also suffered. Can such a man be happy? Any man hopelessly looking for an "affinity must have a "felt want," and be minus happiness. Blame him not. He has had to play his part in the drama. According to the Christian system The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. there could have been no salvation without the Cross. Shall we, then, revile the officers who acted as instruments of the nether power, which by its own triumph was vanquished? Again and again in the history of the world, and personally in the experience of every one of us, the evil principle which has held us in thrall at last inflicts its final sting; but, like the bee, it loses its weapon in the act of using it, tears out its vitals, and perishes! So all our slanderers, exposers, vilifiers, and selfish plotters, the better they succeed in their dark mission, the sooner they do for themselves. We have seen crop after crop of these spring up in our Movement from year to year. They vainly thought they would vanquish everything and everybody, and place themselves in state on the ruins, like Nero fiddling amidst the ashes of Rome. But no sooner did they begin to succeed than they perished, and, like spiders and vermin generally, were swept away with the webs and Idust which formed their home and food. MEDIUMSHIP OF NON-SPIRITUALISTS. It seems to be a singular thing that Spiritualism and the belief in ghosts should be sneered at by one half of the community, whilst the other half believe in ghosts. I often have conversations with different people on the subject of the belief in ghosts. A German friend of mine does not believe in immortality, ghosts, and the significance of dreams; but his wife has told me that when a child of hers died a few years ago, she saw a white figure flitting across the room. A short time ago an Irish woman told me she had seen a woman on her bedside, Where I live now there is a woman who declares she heard somebody coming up the stairs one evening, and thinking it was her husband, she opened the door, when she saw the spirit of the late landlord of the house. I myself, being in the yard this morning, saw a woman standing at a window which gives light to the stairs leading to the cellars. I had no sooner seen her face from the yard than I went inside and saw and heard nobody near the window. I had been clairvoyant. several times before. H. WALTER. London, Oct. 25, 1880. [It is a curious fact that certain persons will hear "noises" about a house such as footsteps, which are not heard by the other inmates, and in connection with the sounds see spirits and describe them accurately. There are also certain times, or moods of the perceiver, which favour the occurrence of these experiences. A large proportion of mankind are mediums of this kind, but on account of the general ignorance of spiritual matters, in which they themselves participate, this fountain of knowledge flows on without due appreciation.-ED. M.] A VEGETARIAN Soiree, including supper will be given at the Food of Health Restaurant, Farringdon Road, on Monday evening, Nov. 29. Chair to be taken at 7.45. Tickets, 1s. each, may be had at this office. Yourselves do much concern--an exercise of thought ! LAND! In far dim and shadowy past, The purchase money paid. As inch By inch changed hands, and new possessors strove That oft so fiercely burst and threatened to destroy They parcel out, divide-do take unto themselves, A deed of darksome guilt is done, A conscience sore peturbed-unquiet is; Base is the work that hath been done The hoardings up of kindly men And women fair and good, who in their deathly hours Who should hard suffering know, or else For learning free, the children of the poor Shame! shame! we say, that at this hour |