testimony: "In my early days as a medical student having seen and tried successfully some experiments in mesmerism, and lying awake one night at home, I resolved to attempt, by my will, to form a definite image in the dark room. After a little deliberation, I fixed upon the figure of a monkey, and as this would be a dark object, further pictured him with a red coat. The figure would thus be distinctive and unmistakable. And I now exerted my will to form it visibly. Before very long, the image of my mental picture gradually emerged from the darkness, and grew into a distinct object. I now tried to disperse it without effect. The thing of my own creation still stared at me, though I covered my eyes with clothes. The mind was probably fatigued by the creative process, and I became alarmed. Ultimately I fell asleep from exhaustion. cautious. In anthropological researches, no mind can be too It is a dangerous mistake (a mistake too often made in these days) to accept a diseased condition of either mind or body as propitious and promotive of genuine mediumship. Perfect bodily health is always demanded; a self-honest mentality, and a harmonious impressibility to things interior. Any state less healthy, and less attractive to good and truth, is productive of self-deceptions and innumerable perplexities. In evidence, READ THE FOLLOWING LETTER: MR. DAVIS-Dear Sir: For two years I have been impressed to pen a few lines to you, asking your opinion concerning my strange condition, spiritually. Three years ago last December, I was called from my bed by the spirit of my departed husband, and from that time to this, I have found no rest day or night. I am like Swedenborg, hearing and seeing all classes of minds, which seem to be intent on following me everywhere I go, singing, making speeches, cursing, blackguarding, fighting against developing mediums in their own families, and others fighting these from me. I sometimes feel that I shall become a raving maniac! Can you see for me any change for the better, or see any way for me to get any release? If So, will you write to me soon? I feel so distressed that I cannot describe my feelings. My health is and has been very poor for many years. I shall await an answer with some hope. I know you will excuse my poor writing, for I can hardly say that I am sane upon anything. Yours, in love of truth, E. C. W. * For this suffering lady, and for all others who suffer psychologically, argument is only an aggravation. "The evidence of their senses" (spiritual senses, possibly) is enough for them; not for a moment suspecting that every sense is liable to mis-impressions; by which the judgment (as perfectly logical as your own) is nevertheless sadly deceived. "A Psychological Institute," with just provisions for the various states of genuine mediumship, is urgently demanded for patients of this class. My answer to this letter was decidedly adverse to her fixed conviction that she was "a medium for seeing and hearing spirits." Who could by any eloquence persuade her that her spirits were involuntary and unconscious elaborations of her own subjective diseases, and long-indulged mental conflicts? For many years her bodily condition "had been poor." Yet she could give this essential fact no emphasis, no place of importance, in explaining to herself her mental sufferings. Many theoretical spiritualists, unfortunately, make no wiser discriminations. "All are mediums," is the ill-starred motto upon too many minds. As well might one say " All are poets"-" all are musicians; although it is not denied that every person may be so developed, and will be in the fulness of time. Misled by an erroneous and perplexing theory, many true-minded, yet unphilosophical, individuals encourage proceedings in others that tend to overthrow bodily harmony and mental health. Reliable counsel to all minds who have worked their subjective evil conditions outwardly into objective evil spirits, which "will not down," even at the bidding of their creator, is this: Turn your back socially and spiritually upon your past; read not another book, or newspaper, treating upon the subjects which have long occupied your thoughts; put your hand to the plow of Progression, and look not back, but drive directly and steadily forward; help yourself, and very soon the loving and good will gladly help you. Pray to the Father and Mother, and every day carry your prayer straight out into worthy deeds; do good works of benevolence every day; forget and turn from your own past speedily-press forward! forward!! METHODISTIC MADNESS CONTRASTED WITH SPIRITUALISTIC SANITY. A METHODISTIC camp-meeting is exceedingly favorable to the "development of mediums" for manifesting many varieties of bio-mental and psycho-physical phe nomena. Spiritualists know by absolute demonstration the immense power of mental sympathy. Under the right external conditions, and when one positive mind is sympathetically on precisely the same plane with a congregation of impressible men and women, then the positive person (a minister, for example) can impress with marvellous distinctness his own thoughts, sentiments, and emotions upon every negative imagination within the sphere of his personal influence. The world is under deepest obligations to Spiritualism for testing and demonstrating the reality of unchangeable magnetic and psychological laws. But no Spiritualist may expect the world's acknowledgment. It was Coleridge who said: "It seems a story, from the world of spirits, |