PREFACE

Once again, reader, we appear before you, having passed through the opposition of Priestcraft and Ignorance unawed and unharmed, with friends around us, whose influence and sympathy have seemed doubly dear to us, while such epithets as Infidels, Impostors and Money-graspers have been hurled at us by those who will listen to nothing that their fathers did not listen to, and whose zeal for their own peculiar creeds and the multiplying of their own numbers, often overleap their professions of goodness and forgiveness.

When, three months ago we entered upon the discharge of what we knew to be our duty, we were not ignorant of the result. Our duty in the matter was plain. From the time we had decided upon publishing what we knew to be facts, to the time our last page of manuscript was finished, the authors had received stronger and stronger evidence that they were but discharging their duty in publishing to the world, not what was entirely new, but something which had often been muzzled and concealed by those who dare not tell what they had seen, felt and heard, in consequence of their fears of the hisses and laughter of skeptics. A distinguished professor of a popular and imparadising science, has remarked to a citizen of the city of Auburn: "These demonstrations are not new to me. I have heard them and believed they were produced by the spirits of my departed friends for several years, but I dare not tell others of it. If I do so, I shall be branded as a lunatic, become unpopular and lose my present influence." This individual was invited to go and investigate the demonstrations in Auburn, but declined. A prejudiced and skeptical community stood ready to ask his opinion after the investigation, and if he expressed in its favor, to throw the same epithets upon him which others have received. Other men equally as learned and distinguished, have investigated and become convinced, but dare not express their convictions in public. We have in our minds editors of newspapers, who have said in the presence of a number of persons that they believed these sounds and communications were from spirits, but when they came before the pubic in their editorial capacities, dare not say more than call these demonstrations a humbug of the nineteenth century, because such was the popular opinion of a certain portion of the uppertendom. The bowing to popular opinion and prejudice in this matter, was one of the strong reasons that prompted us to issue the first edition of three thousand copies of this work. In preparing it for the press, we were cheered on by communications and encouragement from the same kind and friendly source Which are believed to be the spirits of the departed. We were aware that our work would meet with opposition, and knew from what source that opposition would come. A very worthy and Christian clergyman, and no doubt a great admirer of that law and that religion which burned in chains a Huss and a Jerome, who did not think the same thoughts that their brothers did, and which bound a Rogers to the stake, and prompted Christian Puritans to hang Quakers and whip Baptists, remarked in the presence of several members of the Church of which he is Pastor, that the believers in this spiritualism ought to be hang. We were also aware that many of that class who had heretofore opposed every new science, would respond to the mild remark of this advocate of the principles and practice of Him who returned good for evil, and exclaimed with His dying breath, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," and raise their holy hands in horror at the truths it contained, notwithstanding such truths are sustained by the gifted and good whose followers they profess to be. We were not disappointed in our expectations. The class who think for themselves regardless of proscribing creeds and dictation from others, have, and will continue to investigate this matter.

In accordance with our promise in the first edition, we now present a second edition of six thousand copies, revised and enlarged, with proof of statements heretofore made by us. Should the public mind demand another edition, it will be forthcoming as soon as the present is exhausted. Believing as we ever have, since we first entered upon this work, that "Truth is mighty and will prevail," we shall continue from time to time to publish such facts Concerning this matter as may come before us, regardless of the cry, " Thu do it to make money."

Auburn, March, 1850.