sustaining able and faithful lecturers; and spreading generally through wisest methods the principles of this true and beautiful philosophy."

Mr. Peebles, the writer of the narrative which I have epitomised, is himself a man of high character, and an earnest worker in the cause. He has visited Pleasantville, and vouches for the facts. He knows Abraham James intimately, and speaks of him as a man of sterling worth; of tender sympathies; of boundless liberality; and one who seeks only to know and do the will of God through and by his angelic messengers.

The progress of this great work will be regarded by all Spiritualists with deep interest. It is the commencement of a new era in the history of Spiritualism; wealth it appears is rapidly accumulating; the recipient has but to be faithful to his solemn trust and by diffusing this wealth through agencies in different parts of the world, Abraham James may speedily make the beneficent design of his spirit-guides an assured

success.

SPIRITUALISM AT THE DIALECTICAL SOCIETY.

WITHIN the last two or three years a society bearing the above title has grown up in London, its object being (as we gather from its printed report) "the philosophical consideration of all subjects with a view to the discovery and elucidation of truth." The following remarks which also occur in the introduction to the report shew the excellent theory on which the Society is based:

The London Dialectical Society will have effected much good, if, by its means, persons are made to feel that to profess a belief on a disputed question with regard to which they refuse to examine the evidence, is an act altogether unworthy of a rational being; and that the only method of arriving at truth is by submitting one's opinions to the test of unsparing and adverse criticism. Freedom of speech and thought are, not less than personal freedom, the natural birthright of all mankind. To refrain from uttering opinions because they are unpopular, betokens a certain amount of moral cowardice, engendered by longcontinued persecution. To state fearlessly the truth, or what we believe to be the truth, even though it be held only by a few, is the act of all who consider the exercise of private judgment a right, and the extension of human knowledge a duty. But society generally has not yet reached such a stage of progress, as to allow individuals to give expression to their honest and deliberate convictions, without inflicting upon them penalties more or less severe. The effect of this is to deter men from expressing opinions, which might be corrected if erroneous, and accepted if true. In the London Dialectical Society, however, not only will no person suffer obloquy on account of any opinion he may entertain or express, but he will be encouraged to lay before his fellow-members the fullest exposition of his views. Even if this were not so, it is to be hoped that Members of the Society will possess sufficient moral courage to disregard, in the interests of Truth, that social tyranny--the weapon of Ignorance and Intolerance.

"They are slaves who will not choose
Hatred, scoffing, and abuse,

Rather than in silence shrink

From the truth they needs must think.
They are slaves who dare not be

In the right with two or three."

Let us be mindful of the fact, that throughout the whole history of the world, the voice of Authority has constantly opposed new truths; and with an earnest desire both to learn and teach, let us zealously follow the practice of Dialectics, unaffected by the praises of some, undeterred by the denunciations of others, but conscious of honesty and purity of motive, and desirous for the wisdom and happiness of Man.

On Wednesday evening, January 6th, the subject on which a paper was read, and discussion afterwards took place, was "Spiritualism." It will be seen, from the following brief account, how far some of the members were from carrying into practice the theory above quoted as the fundamental principle of the Society.

It is to be regretted that in a meeting composed to a very large extent of scientific men, none of those gentlemen of scientific repute who have embraced the doctrines of Spiritualism should have been present to speak in its defence; and we cannot but think it would have been a graceful act of courtesy on the part of the Society had they invited any of those gentlemen whose names were frequently mentioned during the discussion, e.g., Professor De Morgan, Mr. Varley, Mr. Wallace, Mr. W. Howitt, &c.

It must, however, in fairness, be said that Spiritualists could not complain on the whole of the way in which the subject was handled by this Society. The reader of the paper, Dr. Cameron, whilst fully conceding the reality of the phenomena, and repudiating the idea of trickery, confessed to the same difficulty as to the source of them to which Professor De Morgan pleads guilty in the preface to From Matter to Spirit. Dr. Caineron however, stated that he had devoted as much time as possible for the last ten years to an examination of the subject, and that he was "naughty enough" still to hold a séance on Sunday afternoon for its further elucidation. He spoke as any sensible man would speak of the absurdity of Faraday's theories of "involuntary muscular action," "unconscious cerebration, &c." and of the ridiculous requisitions he made to avoid Mr. Home's challenge; and also alluded with regret to the closeness with which Professor Tyndal followed in Faraday's steps by refusing to convince himself of the truth of the phenomena. He also dwelt on the statistics of the growth of Spiritualism in the United States in England and on the Continent. Dr. Edmunds in opening the discussion, made an allusion to a "crop of fools," for which he was promptly called to order, and then went on to confess that he also had entered on the study of Spiritualism, with considerable prejudice in favour of the "laws of nature,"

but

that is, the laws of nature as understood by himself. He had found Spiritualism run counter to these, and therefore it was all trickery and imposture, &c. Another gentleman followed in the same strain, adding that Spiritualists were generally men of no creed, were, in fact, Materialists who, in their unconscious strivings after something had lighted upon this, the last new heresy. A second was glad to notice the spread of Spiritualism, regarding it as "the last gasp" of Religionism altogether. Dr. Roberts shifted his ground in an illogical way from the truth of the phenomena to their utility, and repeated the original remark that when the spirits would warn him of the fluctuations of the money market he would believe in them. "Why did they not warn the passengers by the London," &c.? Decided Spiritualists were represented only by two speakers, whose names we failed to catch; but these did battle very fairly for their opinions, and many others declared themselves in favour of the truth of the phenomena, though they could not accept the spiritual explanation. Even Mr. Bradlaugh, while regarding spirit as only a product of the animal organization, confessed to having witnessed the facts laid claim to by Spiritualists under circumstances where delusion or imposture was impossible. Truly 'a Saul among the Prophets !'

The discussion proved so animated, and occupied so much time, that an application is to be made to the Council for its resumption on some subsequent evening. In the meantime a Committee is formed to meet and test the phenomena, and report progress at the adjourned debate.

This-although not much perhaps strikes us as a step in the right direction. It is, at all events, breaking new ground. The subject is admitted as a possibility amongst a class of men too prone to mistake their knowledge of the "laws of nature for those laws themselves, and to follow the unworthy example of a Tyndall or a Brewster, shutting their eyes to facts lest they should happen to discover something unpopular.

The Society meets on alternate Wednesdays at 32A, George Street, Hanover Square. The adjourned debate, therefore, cannot occur before the month of February, as Wednesday, January 20th, is already appropriated to the discussion of "The connection of Metaphysics with Theology." It may not be amiss, then, for those Spiritualists who feel an interest in the matter to obtain a report of the Society's proceedings from the Secretary, D. H. Dyte, Esq., at the above address; as a list of members is appended, and each member has the right of introducing a friend, whilst visitors as well as members take part in the discussion. It should also be added that ladies are admitted and invited to speak. If Mrs. Hardinge could only be pre

vailed upon to avail herself of this privilege, she would be able to enlighten and please the members on both sides of the question.

NOTES AND GLEANING S.

SPIRITUALISM IN THE METROPOLIS.

THIS winter a series of weekly conferences on subjects of interest in connection with Modern Spiritualism was commenced in London; we believe the first of the kind in this country. It was tried as an experiment, and it has been eminently successful. The attendance has been good, and the interest so considerable, that at the close of the first series of six conferences, it was resolved to carry them on without interruption through the winter season; and funds were forthwith subscribed to continue them at Lawson's Rooms, 145, Gower Street, Euston Road, on Monday evenings, at eight o'clock.

Mr. Thomas Shorter, by request, delivered the Inaugural Address, in which, after adverting to the circumstances in which the meetings had originated, he pointed out the need of these Conferences, the uses they might serve, and the spirit in which it was hoped they would be conducted.

The following subjects have engaged the attention of the Conference:-"What reliable evidence have we that Spirits commune with Man?" "What are the dangers of Spiritual Intercourse, and how may they be avoided?" "What are the best methods of obtaining Spirit-Communications?" "How may we promote Spiritualism in this Metropolis?" "Can the phenomena called Spirit-Manifestations' be accounted for on any other hypothesis than that of the agency of disembodied Spirits?" "What is Spiritualism?"

With two exceptions, the subject has each evening been opened, and at its close a resumé of the discussion has been given, by Mrs. Emma Hardinge. Miss Houghton, Mrs. Spear, Messrs. Burns, Chevalier, Cooper, Harper, Home, Jencken, Knitesmith, Shorter, Simkiss, Spear, and others, have taken part in these discussions, which have elicited many interesting experiences, and much valuable argument.

Last summer the plan of a Spiritual Institute was circulated among the friends of Spiritualism in the Metropolis and the provinces. It was proposed to obtain a central building, which should combine with a publishing house a Lecture Hall, a Children's Lyceum, a library, rooms for committee meetings and séances, and a secretary's office for inquiry, and where a

Registry of Spiritualist Societies and Circles with their times and places of meeting, and of mediums, lecturers, and persons willing to correspond with and give information to enquirers, or who would otherwise assist the promotion of Spiritualism, might be kept for reference. Difficulties which could not be surmounted have for the present prevented the realization of this plan, for which, indeed, the time, perhaps, is not yet ripe; but many of its several parts have, on a small scale, been begun to be separately carried out. Mrs. C. H. Spear is in attendance daily from 12 to 3, and on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 10, at 26, Bryanstone Street, Hyde Park, where the principal books and periodicals relating to Spiritualism are on sale, and where information relating to Spiritualism may be obtained; and if secretaries and those who can give the requisite information as to their several localities will co-operate, a Registry of the kind indicated will be compiled.

Rooms have also been taken at 2, Great Coram Street, Russell Square, to serve as a Central Home, where séances are held every Thursday evening, and where committee and other small meetings may be held.

Mr. Burns, we understand, contemplates removing as early as practicable to a more central business position: we shall then have a publishing house, and a good library of works on Spiritualism, and progressive subjects generally, where they will be easily accessible, and so supply a want which has been long felt.

At the East end of London a few Spiritualists (consisting chiefly of working men) have formed themselves into the "East London Association of Spiritualists," and at their invitation Mrs. Hardinge has delivered three lectures on Spiritualism at the Stepney Temperance Hall, Mile End Road, with the best effect. The lectures were well attended, questions were asked by the audience, and both the lectures and the answers to questions gave great satisfaction. We commend the example of this Association to Spiritualists in other parts of the Metropolis and its neighbourhood.

As an instance of the interest Spiritualism is exciting in the Metropolis-even where it might be least expected-we may mention that "Spiritualism" has been the theme chosen for discussion by, and which (as shown in the preceding article) has greatly exercised, the Dialectical Society of London during the past month.

SPIRITUALISM IN SCOTLAND.

A spirited controversy on Spiritualism has been lately going on in the North British Daily Mail, but we do not see that either