PREFACE

Candid Reader:
In appearing before you for the first time, in a matter so new, strange, and yet of so much importance—feeling that I have a duty to perform of no ordinary character, and being aware that the thunder-bolts of ignorance, superstition and incensed priestcraft, will be hurled at my luckless head, while the epithets of infidel impostor an l money grasper, will be used by those who listen to nothing but what their ancestors believed in, whose zeal for their own particular creeds cause them to shut their eyes to ail candid investigation.

But we are convinced that we are right, therefore we will, by the help of an ever guiding Providence, and the encouragement of numerous friends, backed by the opinions and researches of all scientific men who have given the subject a fair investigation. Seeing then, that we have the men of improvement and progress on our side, and feeling an inward consciousness of right. We, therefore, unawed by the sneers and scoffs of the would be wise, undertake the arduous task with cheerfulness—leaning, however, upon the solid, sublime and Omnipotent grandeur of everlasting truth.

We know that we will meet with opposition, and we know from whence it will come; but we care not for them, they possess the spirit that burned in chains a Jerome and a Huss, and that bound a Rodgers to the stake—that prompted Christian Puritans to hang Quakers, and whip Baptists, because they did not believe as they did. That same spirit would revive the inquision with all its horrors. This class are always ready to denounce any new discovery that will conflict with their own self-conceited and narrow contracted views. It was so when Gallileo discovered the earth's revolution on its axis, and when Harvey discovered the circulation of the blood, and when Dr. Jenner invented the present mode of vaccination. This same spirit of proscription, has been still manifested step by step down to the present day. It was opposed and sneered at the application of steam power by Fulton, and continues to scoff at the brilliant science or phrenology, that is now spreading every where with a power that cannot be successfully resisted, with a living energy that can never die.

These men have said that the believers in spiritual communications should all be hung; yet they claim to be the meek and lowly followers of him who returned good for evil, and exclaimed with him dying breath "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do; " These we do not expect to convince, nor are we aware that they would make very valuable converts if we did.

There are others in community, and this class are numerous, who believe in Spiritual Communications, but are too much afraid of popular opinion to utter their convictions, or let the world have the benefit of their researches.

But as these Divine Revelations are ushering in, a new day seem to dawn. The Manifestations are spreading in many places, and bold spirits are found every where, who are not afraid to own the truth wherever found.

Knowing that "'truth is mighty, and must prevail." We will, therefore continue to investigate this subject, in spite of the scoffs and sneers of brazen faced ignorance.