gilead to battle. Not so! The truths they tell us that, are incontrovertible are the existence of unseen, intelligent, living forces which presupposes a world where those intelligences live and a body or members by which they manifest their actual existence; - just as the presence of a human being or an animal presupposes that there is a world of solid earth fitted for their life and enjoyment, or that of a fish, that there is a fluid element in which it lives, while the habits or idiosyncrasies of the animal are governed by the laws of its individual exist ence. What spirit manifestations" tell us that is incontrovertible is "that there is an unknown and invisible world, inhabited by intelligent, invisible beings, who can and do communicate with us." Whether these communications are true, and fully understood by us, or whether, from our want of knowledge of the necessary conditions required, they are imperfect, untrue, or misunderstood, are questions for future investigation. All that Spiritualists ask of the world is a fair, candid, and earnest examination of their Christian faith. All they demand of you, Gentlemen of the Seybert Commission, is that you comply with the bequest of Henry Seybert, and make a thorough and impartial investigation of Modern Spiritualism"; that you keep your wit, sneers, and sarcasm for a more fitting occasion, and that you perform the duties and execute the trust you have assumed in a manner worthy of Christian gentlemen and they will be content." But do not, I beg of you, think that your puny efforts at investigation have annihilated the cherished religious faith of twenty millions of intelligent people. The votaries of Spiritualism know what they have seen and heard that verifies their creed, as well as you know what you saw during your wonderful experience. They are as compe 66 tent to judge as you are, of physical facts. They ask no favors at your hands, but simple, even-handed justice and truth; and from the character of your "Preliminary Report" they have no doubt that it will give you pleasure to accede to their demands. In your future investigations, undoubtedly you will be liable to the frauds of petty showmen, and to become the butt or victim of practical jokers, as before. "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." See the book I recommended to you, Matt. x. 16. And I beg of you not to forget that "Great is truth, and mighty above all things." 1 vol. of same book, 1 Esdras iv. 41. Remember that the great Francis Bacon once said, "No pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage-ground of truth." And should the money bequeathed by Henry Seybert for the purpose of an impartial investigation "hold out." and your wisdom deem it worth while to continue your able and laborious researches, remember the injunction of John the evangelist: "Brethren, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world." This warning of the great disciple of course presupposes that there are genuine spirits and prophets. If there was no genuine coin in the world, there could be no false or counterfeit. Therefore, as business men, as well as great investigators, I warn you against the spurious currency now in circulation, so much of which you seem to have received as genuine in your former labors for the public good. Remember, it is not your duty to make for public inspection a collection of base-metal medals and bad pennies, but the gold and silver coin of truth and honesty. Do not let your prejudices override your judgment and consciences. There is a world of truth in the lines of Kane O'Hara, in his play of Midas: "Remember, when the judgment is weak, the prejudice is strong." And of course you may have more to contend with, for this reason, than those who have investigated before you; yet if you are only honest, the great jury of the world will be charitable toward you; knowing the divine decree, "That where but little is given but little is required in return." POSTSCRIPTUM. "But this informs me I shall never die. The stars shall fade away, and nature sink in years, Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds." ADDISON. "I am too deeply imbued with the belief that we are such stuff as dreams are made on, to be unwilling to accept a few more shadows in my sleep." Seybert Commission Report. BEFORE bidding good-by to my reader, I desire to once more call attention to the pernicious sentiment endorsed by the Seybert Commissioners, and sent broadcast over the world on its baneful mission-thoughtlessly I hope -approved of by the orthodox ministry of the country, and applauded by a number of religious publications. Compare it with the sentiment of Addison, so full of hope and consolation to dying man, and then for a moment stop and reflect. Spiritualism, which professes to demonstrate the immortality of the soul, is scoffed at, and derided from press and pulpit, while doubt and infidelity are heralded to the world with smiles and approval. "Oh, consistency, thou art indeed a jewel!" A few months ago I was seated in a railroad car at a depot in New York City, waiting for the train to start on its tireless journey. Presently two quite aged ladies entered the car and took seats opposite me, across the aisle. Soon two young ladies and a young gentleman entered, and going to the old ladies, the latter handed each of them a ticket, then stood and talked a few moments, when the warning bell rang. The young people one after another stooped and kissed them affectionately, saying, "Good-by, mother! good-by, aunt!" and turned to leave the train, when one of the old ladies, in a voice tremulous with emotion, said, "Good-by, children! I shall see you in my dreams, if we never meet again"; and as the car door closed, and the train moved on, she bowed her head on her hands, and wept and sobbed as if her heart would break. I sat looking at them for some moments, and I am almost ashamed to own it, but I was constrained to wipe a tear from my own eyes as I turned away to conceal my weakness from observation. I saw that their tickets had a number of coupons attached to them, indicating that they had a long journey before them. Then imagination commenced to tell me their story. The two old ladies resembled each other so much that I was confident they were sisters. The aged mother had come from the far West, accompanied by her sister, to visit her children in New York City. She had probably seen them for the last time on earth, unless, as she remarked, she should see them in her dreams. Then the favorite quotation of the Chairman of the Seybert Commission came into my mind, "We are such stuff As dreams are made on; and our little life "Yes! Yes!!" I thought, "poor old lady, you will only see your children again in dreams"; and I pitied her from the bottom of my heart, as I heard her sobs of anguish. The sister tried to whisper words of comfort and consolation in her unheeding ear, when, suddenly, she raised her head and a radiant smile illumined her wrinkled |