THE AUTHOR TO HIS READERS

The subject of which these letters treat has lost none of its freshness of interest, although the special phenomena which lately excited so much curiosity may no longer he viewed as strikingly novel. "Were it not that these phenomena are but a species under a genus, had not two or three differing forms of the same class of facts rapidly succeeded each other in our country, foretokening other forms yet to be developed, the inquiry as to their possible source, might seem to come too late. It is only in the lull after the storm that men are calm enough to look facts steadily in the face, and rationally to search for their cause.

The admission of the reality of the facts of the phenomena called "Spiritual Manifestations" may awaken a prejudice in the minds of one class of readers; while the apparent suggestion of a natural cause for them, may disaffect inquirers of an opposite caste. But, have we not all learned that it is the imperfection of our nature which leads us all to idolize our preconceived opinions, and which makes us deny to ourselves a fair hearing of what seems counter to, or in advance of, our already formed judgments? Will not the reader, of whatever class, grant the credit of sincerity and impartiality professed in the title " Spiritualism Tested;" and allow himself to he, for the time, the friend addressed in these familiar letters?

It may he proper here to remark, that the main part of the present work was prepared, and a small edition issued, several years since, under the title "To Daimonion, by Traverse Oldfield." Hence some may ask the reason for this change of title, and the unveiling of the author. The name "To Daimonion" has proved both a blinding and a deceiving guide to readers of these letters; those who know the history of the word, doubting whether the author uses it in the old Greek sense or not; while to most, it has had no meaning. What has no meaning, is useless; and what may mislead, is sometimes worse than useless. The period that has elapsed since its first publication, has given growing confirmations to the conclusions, and added accumulations to the facts embodied in the first twelve letters; and has suggested the "supplementary letter," under the new title. Meanwhile, the disguise of the author having proved ineffectual, is thrown off; because a mask savors of hypocrisy when it no longer conceals. The results reached in these pages, have been to the author an exceeding great reward for all the toil they have demanded, in the confirmation of his own faith, and the assurance of his own hope. It is because they have aided other minds also, that they are now a second time given to the public.

G. W. S.
Columbian College, Washington, D. C,
March 1, 1860.